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The Storming of the Bastille and the End of the Ancien Régime

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The French Revolution reshaped France, starting with the storming of the Bastille, signaling the end of the Ancien Régime. It led to the establishment of a new political order, drafting of a new constitution, and significant changes to the Catholic Church. Political divisions and economic crises fueled the transition from a monarchy to a republic, culminating in the execution of Louis XVI.

The Storming of the Bastille and the End of the Ancien Régime

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, signaling the end of the Ancien Régime's absolute monarchy and the beginning of a new era of political and social upheaval. Although the Bastille, a state prison, contained only seven prisoners at the time, it was a potent symbol of the monarchy's autocratic power. The fortress's fall came after widespread discontent due to economic hardship, the king's dismissal of the popular finance minister Jacques Necker, and the presence of foreign troops in Paris. The revolt was further fueled by the king's indecisiveness and the solidarity of the Gardes Françaises with the revolutionaries. The governor of the Bastille, Marquis Bernard-René de Launay, was killed, and the fortress was subsequently dismantled, its destruction representing the people's triumph over despotism.
Chaotic scene in front of a stone fortress with high walls and a large gate, overcast skies and a riotous 18th century crowd with improvised weapons.

The Establishment of a New Political Order

Following the fall of the Bastille, King Louis XVI made concessions to regain control, including the appointment of the Marquis de Lafayette as commander of the National Guard and Jean-Sylvain Bailly as the mayor of Paris. However, these actions could not restore the monarchy's authority. The king's subsequent visit to Paris, where he was greeted as a symbol of national unity rather than as an absolute ruler, highlighted his diminished status. The National Constituent Assembly, initially united in opposition to the monarchy, soon faced internal divisions over the future political structure of France. The Assembly's August Decrees abolished feudal privileges and the sale of offices, marking a significant step towards a more egalitarian society and the dismantling of the old feudal order.

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Symbolism of the Bastille

Represented monarchy's autocratic power; its fall symbolized liberation from despotism.

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Causes of the Bastille's storming

Economic hardship, dismissal of Jacques Necker, foreign troops in Paris, king's indecision.

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Aftermath for Governor de Launay

Marquis Bernard-René de Launay killed by revolutionaries during the storming.

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