What events led to the fall of Bastille?

Answer 1

King Louis XVI was planning to send troops to Paris so the people of France retaliated buy attacking the royal fortress. The Bastille was stormed on 14 July, 1789. That date is often taken to be the official start of the French Revolution.
The time was half past three, on the famous date of July 14, 1789. A huge, bloodthirsty mob marched to the Bastille, searching for gun powder and prisoners that had been taken by the unpopular and detested King, Louis XVI. Even elements of the newly formed National Guard were present at the assault. The flying rumors of attacks from the government and the biting truth of starvation were just too much for the angry crowds. The Bastille had been prepared for over a week, anticipating about a hundred angry subjects and along the thick rock walls of the gargantuan fortress and between the towers were twelve more guns that were capable of launching 24-ounce case shots at any who dared to attack. However, the enraged Paris Commune was too defiant and too livid to submit to the starvation and seeming injustice of their government. But nothing could have prepared the defenders for what they met that now famous day.

The Bastille was governed by a man named Marquis de Launay. On July 7th, thirty-two Swiss soldiers led by Lieutenant Deflue, came to aid de Launay, helping him to prepare for a small mob. Rumors were flying everywhere. The Marquis was expecting a mob attack, but certainly not a siege! The entire workforce of the Bastille had stealthily and furiously been repairing the Bastille and reinforcing it, all to prepare for a minor attack from a hundred or so angry citizens. At three o'clock that afternoon, however, a huge group of French guards and angry citizens tried to break into the fortress. There were over three hundred people ready to give their lives to put an end to their overtaxing and overbearing government. However the Bastille was threatened by more than the numerous crowds: three hundred guards had left their posts earlier that day, out of fear and from the rumors. The besiegers easily broke into the arsenal and into the first courtyard, cut the drawbridge down, and then quickly got through the wooden door behind it. They boldly demanded that the bridges be lowered, but they were refused. The Marquis de Launay said he would surrender if his troops were allowed to leave peacefully, but he was simply rebuked. They wanted de Launay on a noose or with his head in a basket.

The vicious crowds shouted for him to lower the bridges. De Launay sent a note to a mob leader named Hulin, claiming that he had 20,000 pounds of gunpowder and if the besiegers did not accept his offer, he would annihilate the entire fortress, the garrison, and everyone in it! Yet, they still refused. The bridges were finally lowered on de Launay's command, and he and his soldiers were captured by the crowds and dragged through the filthy streets of Paris.

The mob paraded through the streets, showing off their captives, and crudely cutting off many heads. The National Guard tried to stop the crowds from looting, but it was useless. They continued marching on, maKing their way to the Hotel de Ville. Upon learning that the Bastille had been taken, King Louis XVI, who was residing at Versailles, was reported to have asked an informer: "Is this a revolt?" and La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt said, "No, Sire, it is a revolution." Little did Louis know that the mob's next plan was to march to Versailles, and take him away with them as well.

The "Storming of the Bastille" has to do with the French Revolution and happened on July 14, 1789. Consider it the 4th of July of the French. It was an uprising against King Louis XVI (the 16th) by the people as they stormed into one of France's best known prisons, la Bastille.

Answer 2

On July 14, 1789, the people of Paris attacked the Bastille, a fortress on the edge of town, because a) they needed some guns and b) the Bastille was a prison where the King could send anybody, any time, without question or trial. The mob, armed with muskets and one or two cannon from Les Invalides, battered at the walls and told the Governor that his life would be spared if he surrendered. The Governor surrendered. His head was removed with a blunt knife. The mob then rushed to rescue the prisoners. It turned out there were only seven of them, as the King wasn't using that prison any more. Bother. However, the main aim - securing guns and ammunition to defend the city against the King's troops - was entirely achieved.

This day marks the official start of the French Revolution.

The next year on July 14, 1790, and for several more days, a great Fête de la Fédération happened to celebrate the union of the French people against monarchy. People from all over France gathered in Paris, including the deputies of the then 85 departments of France.

In 1880, Bastille Day was officially established as a national day to celebrate both the beginning of the Fête de la Fédération and the beginning of the French Revolution, which eventually led to the demise of monarchy and the founding of the French Republic.

Answer 3

Some believed that the French Army might attempt to end the revolution by force. Others were afraid that a foreign nation like Austria supported by Royalist Emigres might attack Paris. In any case the French wanted a means of protection and defense and were trying to arm themselves.

Answer 4

King Louis XVI ordered troops near Versailles to dissolve the National Assembly (members of the third Estate, who took the Tennis Court Oath before and were against the privileged clergy and nobility). The Parisian people had heard this and stormed the most hated building - the imfamous prison, symbol of absolutism - and demolished it completely. They wanted to prevent the King to attack their representatives in the assembly. (14 July, 1789)

Answer 5

The following event led to the fall of the Bastille:

• While the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of France seethed with turmoil.

• A severe winter had meant bad harvest, the price of bread rose, bakers exploited the situation and hoarded supplies.After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into the shops.

• At the same time the king ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14July, the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille.