Assembly of Notables

The Assembly of Notables was a group of French elites, including clergy, nobles, and some bourgeoisie, summoned in February 1787 by the controller general of finances, Charles-Alexandre de Calonne. The primary goal was to propose reforms to eliminate the budget deficit by increasing taxes on the privileged classes.1

However, the assembly refused to approve these reforms and instead suggested convening the Estates-General, a representative body of the clergy, aristocracy, and commoners that had not met since 1614. This refusal by the privileged classes to accept fiscal reforms marked the beginning of the "aristocratic revolt" and contributed to the eventual outbreak of the French Revolution. The monarchy's inability to implement necessary reforms and the growing discontent led to the formation of the National Assembly by the Third Estate in 1789, signaling a fundamental shift in French governance.1234