Storming of the Bastille

Storming of the Bastille

France's Bastille prison had been used to hold common criminals, religious non-conformists, and high ranking enemies of the monarchy until it was destroyed at the start of the French Revolution, on July 14, 1789. While it typically held around 50 prisoners, and contained only seven at the time of its fall, the Bastille stood as a symbol of royal tyranny, and its destruction became an iconic event for the burgeoning French Republic.

Fast Facts

Date: July 14, 1789
The Bastille was built in 1380
French Government Commander: Bernard-Rene de Launay
Parisian Militia Commander: Camille Desmoulins
French Government Forces: 114 Soldiers & 30 artillery weapons
Parisian Militia Forces: 600-1,000 Insurgents
Casualties: French Government soldier, 98 Parisian insurgents
In France, July 14th is a national holiday known as "Bastille Day"
The Bastille was attacked seven times and surrendered six times
Result: Bastille surrendered by French government forces

Bastille Day

Every July 14th, the French celebrate their "Fete Nationale", to commemorate the day that inspired the French Revolution. On Bastille Day, the French celebrate the end of their constitutional monarchy, and the beginning of the first French Republic.

Categories

History | European History | The French Revolution

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The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Storming of the Bastille | Bastille Day
ThinkQuest: Storming of the Bastille
BBC H2G2: The Storming of the Bastille
Discover France!: Storming of the Bastille Overview
French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The Storming of the Bastille
Video: The History Channel: Storming Of The Bastille (Time: 2:29)
MacroHistory: The French Revolution: Storming of the Bastille

Storming of the Bastille Background and Causes

Wikipedia: Storming of the Bastille Background
MSN Encarta: Beginnings of French Revolution: Storming of the Bastille
U.S. News and World Report: Jefferson on the Bastille
CIXOnline: Financial Causes of the French Revolution
TheCorner: Causes of the French Revolution

Storming of the Bastille Central Figures

Louis XVI

Mahalo's Guide to Louis XVI of France
Wikipedia: Louis XVI
The History Guide: The Trial and Execution of Louis XVI
BBC: Louis XVI (1754-1793)

Jacques Necker

Wikipedia: Jacques Necker
Answers.com: Jacques Necker Biography

Marquis de Lafayette

Wikipedia: Lafayette during French Revolution
Answers.com: Gilbert du Motier, marquis de LaFayette Biography

Storming of the Bastille Images and Media

Yahoo! Image Search: Storming of the Bastille
Google Image Search: Storming of the Bastille
PictureHistory: The Storming of the Bastille, July 14, 1789
Appalachian State University: Storming of the Bastille Painting
YouTube: The French Revolution: The Storming of the Bastille (Time 5:44)

Storming of the Bastille Books and Research

Duke University: The Storming of the Bastille in English Newspapers (246m KB)
AbeBooks.com: Storming of the Bastille Book Search Results
The New York Times: "How the Storming of the Bastille Liberated the Printing Press, Too"(1998)
Amazon.com: The Bastille: A History of a Symbol of Despotism and Freedom

Storming of the Bastille Timeline

July 11, 1789: Louis XVI dismisses the Financial Minister, Jacques Necker
July 12, 1789: The news of the dismissal of Jacques Necker reaches Paris; crowds gather
July 14, 1789:
- 8:00: A crowd of demonstrators gather outside the Bastille prison, calling for the surrender of the prisoners
- 1:30 The crowd takes over the outer courtyard
- 5:00: Governor de Launay orders a cease fire. His demands are refused by the crowd
- 5:30: The crowd enters to liberate the Bastille

Related Pages on Mahalo

French Revolution | Louis XVI of France | Marie Antoinette | France | Maximilien Robespierre | Jacques Necker | Marquis de Lafayette | Bastille Day | Reign of Terror

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