Bastille

Definition

The Bastille was a fortress in Paris that became a symbol of the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy during the French Revolution. Its storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the revolution and the fight for liberty and equality in France, embodying the people's anger against oppression and their desire for change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The storming of the Bastille is celebrated annually in France as Bastille Day, a national holiday symbolizing freedom and the end of royal tyranny.
2. Before its storming, the Bastille was used as a state prison where political dissidents were often held without trial, which fueled public outrage.
3. The fall of the Bastille was not only a physical attack on a fortress but also represented a significant shift in power from the monarchy to the common people.
4. The event sparked widespread uprisings across France as citizens began to assert their rights and challenge feudal privileges.
5. The storming led to the eventual establishment of a constitutional monarchy and paved the way for further revolutionary actions, including the Reign of Terror.

Review Questions

• How did the storming of the Bastille influence public sentiment and revolutionary actions in France?
  • The storming of the Bastille ignited revolutionary fervor among the French populace, symbolizing their resistance against oppression and their demand for change. This act galvanized support for revolutionary ideals across various social classes, encouraging more uprisings and protests. It shifted public sentiment significantly towards opposing royal authority and advocating for democratic reforms.
• In what ways did the fall of the Bastille impact the establishment of new political structures in France?
  • The fall of the Bastille marked a pivotal moment in French history, leading to the disintegration of absolute monarchy and setting the stage for a constitutional government. Following this event, the National Assembly began enacting reforms, including drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This shift laid foundational principles for modern democracy, including popular sovereignty and individual rights.
• Evaluate how the storming of the Bastille served as a catalyst for broader social changes during the French Revolution.
  • The storming of the Bastille acted as a catalyst for broader social changes by demonstrating that collective action could challenge established authority. It inspired subsequent revolts and established a culture of resistance against feudal privileges and aristocratic power. Additionally, it created an environment ripe for revolutionary ideas to flourish, leading to significant reforms such as land redistribution and legal equality, fundamentally altering French society.

Related terms

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: A fundamental document from August 1789 that laid out the rights and freedoms of individuals, asserting principles such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.

National Assembly:

The revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate in June 1789, which played a key role in challenging royal authority and establishing a constitutional government.

Guillotine: A device used during the French Revolution for carrying out executions, symbolizing the radical phase of the revolution and its emphasis on equality through death.