The aftermath of the storming of the Bastille
Although the commander of the Bastille was initially given assurances of his life, he was killed shortly after the storm. De Launay and other Bastille guards were the first non-Third Estate victims of the uprisings. As a symbol of conquest, their heads were mounted on pitchforks and paraded around the city.
Of the king felt compelled by the willingness of the people to use violence concessions close. He recognized them national assembly officially and gave her one of her own national guardso military protection. Led by that liberal General Marquis de la Fayette, who was a human rights advocate, the National Guard should stand by the National Assembly. In addition, the royal governor of Paris was deposed. In his place came general council from several people.
What happened to the Bastille after the storm? Already at July 16, 1789 was started to the demolish the Bastille. The reason for the demolition was to finally get rid of the Bastille as a symbol of the old regime.
The meaning of the storming of the Bastille
The storming of the Bastille became sign of the successful struggle of oppression. He had shown that the people certainly had a voice and that the king’s dictatorship could be broken. The Bastille, as a state prison where mainly political opponents of the king were imprisoned, was presented as a symbol of despotism. Thus, their storming was considered a success for the people. Many historians rate the storming of the Bastille as Starting point of the French Revolution.
The event is still symbolic today. Because the July 14th is the National Day of France.
The Storming of the Bastille – a Myth?
When considering the storming of the Bastille, the question arises as to whether the event was really as important as it is often made out to be. Because the Bastille was demolished immediately after the conquest and the storm was often captured in paintings, the impression developed that the storming of the Bastille was of great importance for the French Revolution.
However, this view has to be qualified. Because it has to be considered that the Bastille was not so symbolic. Although the state prison was located there, hardly any prisoners had been held in the Bastille for years. Also, the protesters wanted to seize the Bastille primarily for the munitions and not to overthrow a symbol of oppression. The demolition of the Bastille and violent storming came only after the Bastille had been defended by de Launay.
Storming of the Bastille – The Most Important
- The Bastille was considered a symbol of the king’s rule.
- The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
- This showed that the balance of power could be changed and that the king was not untouchable.
- The day of the storming of the Bastille, July 14, became France’s national holiday.