The Storming of the Bastille: A Revolutionary Spark
The question "Who destroyed Bastille?" doesn't have a simple answer involving a single individual or a small group. Instead, it points to a pivotal moment in history: The Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. This event was not orchestrated by a clandestine plot but was the culmination of widespread public anger, desperation, and a growing revolutionary spirit among the people of Paris. It was, in essence, destroyed by an angry mob of Parisians.
The Context: A City on Edge
To understand who destroyed the Bastille, we must first understand the conditions that led to the assault. By July 1789, France was in dire straits. Years of extravagant spending by the monarchy, costly wars, and an unfair tax system had plunged the nation into severe debt. The common people, known as the Third Estate, bore the brunt of this economic hardship, facing soaring bread prices and widespread poverty. Meanwhile, the First Estate (clergy) and the Second Estate (nobility) enjoyed considerable privileges and paid few taxes.
Adding to the tension was the political climate. King Louis XVI, though having convened the Estates-General, seemed unwilling to enact meaningful reforms. His dismissal of Jacques Necker, a popular finance minister who advocated for reforms, on July 11, 1789, was the final straw. This action was perceived by many as a signal that the King was preparing to use military force to suppress dissent. Fear and paranoia spread like wildfire through Paris.
The Motives for the Attack
The Bastille, a medieval fortress turned state prison, stood as a potent symbol of royal tyranny and arbitrary power. While it held only a handful of prisoners at the time of the storming (seven, to be exact, none of whom were political prisoners of great significance), its imposing structure and its historical association with the king's unchecked authority made it a target for the people's frustration.
The primary motivations behind the attack were:
- To acquire weapons and gunpowder: The immediate concern for the Parisians was the rumored buildup of royal troops around the city. They needed arms and ammunition to defend themselves and their nascent revolutionary government, the National Assembly. The Bastille was known to store a significant amount of gunpowder.
- To dismantle a symbol of oppression: The Bastille represented the absolute power of the monarchy, the ability of the king to imprison citizens without trial. Its destruction was a symbolic act of defiance and a declaration of a new era where such arbitrary power would no longer be tolerated.
- To release political prisoners (perceived): While the number of prisoners was small and not particularly significant, the public imagination was fueled by the idea that the Bastille held political prisoners who were victims of the king's despotism.
The Event: July 14, 1789
On the morning of July 14, 1789, thousands of Parisians, armed with a motley assortment of weapons—muskets, pikes, axes, and even farming tools—gathered outside the Bastille. They were a diverse crowd, comprising shopkeepers, artisans, laborers, and members of the bourgeoisie. They were not a disciplined army but a determined and desperate populace.
Negotiations with the governor of the Bastille, Bernard-René de Launay, quickly broke down. Initially, de Launay tried to placate the crowd, offering them access to the courtyard, but refused to surrender the fortress or its arms. As tensions escalated, shots were fired, though it remains unclear who fired the first shot. The enraged crowd, believing they were under attack, launched a full-scale assault.
The fighting was fierce. The attackers, despite being outgunned, eventually found their way into the inner courtyard. They were aided by defecting soldiers of the French Guards, who brought cannons. The arrival of these cannons proved decisive, as they were used to breach the inner gates. Faced with overwhelming odds and the threat of further bloodshed, Governor de Launay surrendered.
The Aftermath
The fall of the Bastille was swift and brutal. Governor de Launay was captured and, in the chaotic aftermath, was killed by the mob. His head, along with those of several of his officers, was paraded through the streets of Paris on pikes. This act of violence, while shocking, reflected the deep-seated hatred and rage that the people felt towards the symbols of the old regime.
The physical destruction of the Bastille began almost immediately. While some parts were demolished to salvage building materials, the symbolic demolition was more significant. The event sent shockwaves throughout France and across Europe. It demonstrated that the power of the monarchy was not absolute and that the people could challenge and overthrow it.
The Legacy of the Storming of the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille is widely considered the beginning of the French Revolution. It marked a turning point, transforming a period of simmering discontent into an open revolt. The event inspired further uprisings and demonstrations across France, leading to the dismantling of feudalism and the eventual overthrow of the monarchy.
In modern times, July 14th is celebrated as Bastille Day in France, a national holiday commemorating the revolution. For Americans, understanding the Storming of the Bastille is crucial to grasping the origins of modern democratic ideals and the enduring struggle for liberty and equality. It stands as a powerful testament to the collective will of ordinary people to demand change and to break free from oppression.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Storming of the Bastille
How did the people get into the Bastille?
The storming of the Bastille was a complex event. Initially, the crowd attempted to negotiate with the governor, de Launay. When negotiations failed and shots were fired, the crowd launched a direct assault. They used brute force, improvised weapons, and were eventually aided by defecting French Guards who brought cannons. These cannons were used to breach the inner gates of the fortress, leading to its surrender.
Why did the Parisians storm the Bastille?
The Parisians stormed the Bastille for a combination of reasons. Primarily, they sought to acquire gunpowder and weapons to defend themselves against the perceived threat of royal troops. Secondly, the Bastille was a potent symbol of royal tyranny and arbitrary power. Its destruction was a symbolic act of defiance against the monarchy and a declaration of their desire for liberty and a new political order. They also harbored a belief that political prisoners were held within its walls.
Who was in charge of the mob that stormed the Bastille?
There wasn't a single individual or a defined leadership in charge of the mob. The crowd was a spontaneous uprising of ordinary Parisians from various social strata. While some individuals may have emerged as temporary leaders or agitators during the event, it was a collective action driven by shared grievances and a unified desire to challenge the existing regime and secure arms.
What happened to the prisoners inside the Bastille?
At the time of the storming, there were only seven prisoners inside the Bastille. These were not significant political figures, but rather four forgers, two "lunatics," and one "deviant" aristocrat. They were all released unharmed as a result of the assault.
