The governing body that approved this declaration represented which sector of French society?

The governing body that approved the declaration was representative of the Third Estate, which played a crucial role during the early stages of the French Revolution. The Third Estate comprised the common people, including peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie—merchants and professionals. This group constituted the majority of the population and was significant because they sought more political power and social justice.

In the context of the Estates-General, which was the assembly of representatives from the three estates (the First Estate being the clergy, the Second Estate consisting of the nobility, and the Third Estate comprising everyone else), the Third Estate became increasingly frustrated with their lack of representation and the privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates. When the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, it marked a pivotal shift towards a more democratic and egalitarian form of governance, emphasizing their desire for reforms that would address their grievances and the disparities in French society. This foundational moment in the revolution highlights the Third Estate's pivotal role in challenging the existing social and political hierarchy.