answersLogoWhite

0

The Bastille had historically been used as a prison; more especially, as a place to which people could be sent under a 'lettre de cachet' - a sealed letter, signed by the King, which directed a person's imprisonment for an indefinite period and without trial or appeal. This was one of the more obvious misuses of absolute royal power. Noblemen who wanted somebody out of the way could apply for a lettre de cachet, and often (especially if they bribed the right courtier) get it. Off to the Bastille went their enemy (or troublesome child, or creditor, or whoever), never to be heard of again. Actually, the power had been less and less used in the years before the revolution, and when the insurgents took the Bastille, they found precisely seven prisoners: four forgers, two lunatics, and a young nobleman locked away by his own family.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about World History

What did the Storming of the Bastille represent to the French people?

Revolution and independenceIn 1789, during the storming of the Bastille, there were 7 prisoners. The Bastille represented royal authority and this was exactly what the French people didn't want anymore. Also, it was randomly known there was a lot of gunpowder stored in the Bastille and since the people feared that King Louis XVI was planning a counter revolution, they wanted to arm themselves against the foreign troops that Louis had ordered from abroad.The French saw it as a victory when they freed the 7 prisoners and tore down the Bastille. They conveniently forgot the fact that among them were 4 forgers, 2 lunatics and 1 pedophile.Revolution and independence


What is a symbol for a royal colony?

A crown


What weapons did they use at the Storming of the Bastille?

The people who stormed the Bastille had muskets, which they had taken from Les Invalides earlier that morning; but they had limited supplies of powder, which was why they were at the Bastille in the first place. In the course of the day they were reinforced by two cannon pillaged from the royal furniture store. Many of the attackers had swords stolen overnight from cutler's shops.


What is Bastile Day?

Yes, it's a French holiday. Think of it as the 4th of July for the French. Bastille Day represents the French Revolution in 1789 against the tyranny of King Louis XVI, who had brought upon starvation and injustice to the people. The classes were separated by too big of a margin, and on the 14th the people began to riot and stormed the famous French prison, la Bastille, releasing those prisoners taken by the King and arming themselves against their own government. In the end, they cut off his head.


What is the meaning of Sceptre according to french revolution?

During the French Revolution, the scepter symbolized royal authority and power, typically associated with monarchy. The revolution aimed to dismantle the traditional structures of monarchy, and the scepter came to represent the oppressive rule of kings, particularly Louis XVI. As revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality gained prominence, the scepter, along with other royal regalia, was often rejected or destroyed, reflecting the push for a new social and political order. Ultimately, it became a symbol of the old regime that the revolution sought to overthrow.

Related Questions

What is Bastlille Day?

Bastille Day is a French holiday, July 14th, commemorating the storming of the Bastille, a fortress and prison located in Paris, France, in 1789.Related Information:Bastille Day is comparable to the 4th of July in the USA, or the 5th of May in Mexico. The Bastille became a symbol of royal authority, and the successful storming of it was the "flash point of the French Revolution."


What happened in July 14th?

On July 14, 1789, the Storming of the Bastille occurred in Paris, marking a significant event in the French Revolution. The Bastille, a fortress and prison, symbolized royal authority and tyranny. Its capture by revolutionaries became a symbol of the fight against oppression and the quest for liberty, ultimately leading to the establishment of a republic in France. This date is now celebrated as Bastille Day, a national holiday in France.


What does the Bastille Day mark?

Bastille day is the French National Holiday that marks the start of the French Revolution, which began on the 14th of July, 1789. On this day, the French prison and medieval fortress known as the Bastille, was stormed. It represented the royal authority that the people hated.


How might the king and other nobles have viewed the Bastille?

The king and other nobles likely viewed the Bastille as a symbol of royal authority and power, representing the monarchy's ability to maintain order and suppress dissent. They may have seen it as a necessary fortress for protecting the city and as a prison for political prisoners, reinforcing their control over the populace. However, as tensions rose during the French Revolution, the Bastille became a focal point of popular unrest, transforming into a symbol of oppression in the eyes of the revolutionaries, which could have alarmed the monarchy and its supporters.


What is the significance of Bastille day in France?

The Bastille was the Royal Prison. By taking the Bastille, the people were telling the King he had lost his power of threat.


What is Bastille in France?

It was a Royal fortress and prison.


How do you know that the people of saint Antoine hate the Bastille?

The people of Saint Antoine's hatred for the Bastille is evident through their fervent participation in the storming of the fortress on July 14, 1789. This act symbolized their rejection of royal authority and oppression. Additionally, the widespread anger and resentment toward the Bastille as a symbol of tyranny were fueled by its role in imprisoning dissenters and its association with the monarchy. The atmosphere of revolution and the rallying cries for liberty further illustrate the deep-seated animosity felt by the populace.


What does the sceptre means the french revolution?

the sceptre was an attribute of the king as a symbol of authority. French kings had the sceptre adorned with a stylised lily flower (their personal emblem). They also used a different one, 'la main de justice' ("Justice's hand") as a symbol of their power as supreme judge.


Why did the mob want to take the Bastille?

The mob sought to take the Bastille on July 14, 1789, primarily to seize arms and ammunition stored there, which they believed would empower them in their struggle against the oppressive monarchy. The Bastille was also a symbol of royal tyranny and a fortress representing the king's power. By capturing it, the revolutionaries aimed to challenge the authority of King Louis XVI and signify their demand for liberty and reform. This event marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, rallying support for the revolutionary cause.


What did the Bastille symbolize in France What did the fall of the Bastille mean for the people?

The Bastille symbolized the tyranny of the monarchy and the oppression of the common people in France. Its fall on July 14, 1789, represented a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, marking the overthrow of royal authority and the demand for liberty and equality. For the people, it ignited hope for change and empowerment, serving as a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression and the beginning of a new political era. The event galvanized revolutionary fervor, leading to the eventual establishment of a republic.


Why were their seven prisoners in the Bastille?

The seven prisoners in the Bastille at the time of its storming on July 14, 1789, were largely symbolic of the oppressive regime of King Louis XVI. Among them were political dissidents, individuals accused of sedition, and those imprisoned without trial, reflecting the arbitrary nature of royal authority. Their presence in the fortress contributed to the growing unrest and desire for revolution among the populace, as it represented the abuses of power that fueled the French Revolution. The storming of the Bastille became a powerful symbol of the fight against tyranny and the demand for liberty.


What is the of name of the royal prison that symbolized the despotism of the bourbons?

The Bastille.