The French Revolution : Bastille

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The image of the French Bastille being stormed by the revolutionary crowd has been placed next to a similar fortress meant to represent the bastion of despotic rule in the German province of Kassel. Accompanying the illustration is the slogan: ‘The people must seize their own freedom!’ Rebmann lived in the city of Mainz and was a member of a German Jacobin group.

On the morning of 14 July 1789, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The king had commanded troops to move into the city. Rumours spread that he would soon order the army to open fire upon the citizens. Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a peoples’ militia. They broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms.

Finally, a group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille, where they hoped to find hoarded ammunition. In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners released –
though there were only seven of them. Yet the Bastille was hated by all, because it stood for the despotic power of the king. The fortress was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the markets to all those who wished to keep a souvenir of its destruction.
The days that followed saw more rioting both in Paris and the countryside. Most people were protesting against the high price of bread. Much later, when historians looked back upon this time, they saw it as the beginning of a chain of events that ultimately led to the execution of the king in France, though most people at the time did not anticipate this outcome.

How and why did this happen?

The Answer could be found in subsequent posts on French Revolution.

What evidence is there that the population of Paris were worried?

What was wrong with the official police force?

Below is an extract from the London Gazette from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday  July 21, 1789.

Burghers : an inhabitant of a town, esp. a member of the middle class; citizen.

Why were the people outside the Bastille so outraged when the Governor gave the order to fire on them?

Some were then allowed in – on what condition?

What happened to the 40 who went into the Bastille?

What happened to the Governor?

Below is an extract from the London Gazette from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday  July 21, 1789

Many historians now regard the French Revolution as a turning point in the history of Europe, but also in North America where many of the same ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. The famous slogan ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’ called for every person’s right to freedom and equal treatment. Across France and the rest of Europe the consequences of the Revolution were huge. There were many new developments including the fall of the monarchy, changes in society with the rise of the middle class, and the growth of nationalism.

 According to the source, people lined the streets – how does the source describe their behaviour?How pleased were people with the King’s promises? How were people behaving?What evidence in the source suggests further trouble could easily break out?

Below is an extract from the London Gazette from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday 21 July, 1789

This is a letter from a Mr Jenkinson from Paris, dated 15 July 1789.

Examine Mr. Jenkinson’s description of the storming of the Bastille – is there any reason to doubt his claims? Comment Below Post

Why, according to this source, did the King ‘recant all his former words’ and agree to the people’s demands?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence?

The Bastille made some Resistance but was taken yesterday Evening.  The Governor and sub-Governor had their Heads cut off, which were carried in Triumph around the City. … the King was at first very resolute.  The thoughts however of the Danger he was in have this Evening induced him to recant all his former words & to submit in everything.  Deputies have arrived this afternoon from Versailles with this goodnews, and it is reported that the King will be here himself tomorrow, but I own I very much doubt it.  The Consternation that has prevailed in Paris for the last two days, is beyond all power of description.  Few People have gone out of their doors, & all Public Amusement for the first time have been stopped.  I however have seen every thing of importance from the first Enterance of the Troops to the taking of the Bastille which I was present at yesterday Evening & indeed the whole sight has been such, that nothing would have … tempted me to miss it.

Extract from a confidential report from the British Ambassador, 30th July 1789 (FO 27/2)

The numerous printed accounts, which daily appear, of all that passes, both at Paris & Versailles (for the liberty of the Press seems at present to have no bounds) leave but little, of a public nature, for me to communicate to your Grace.

TAKEN FROM 
NCERT BOOK ( India and the Contemporary World -II FOR CLASS X )
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/french-revolution/)