Storming of Bastille
Carmine Mennone
The Storming of Bastille
The storming of Bastille took place on July 14, 1789. The citizens of Paris were tired of the lack of food, over taxing, and seeing their country deteriorate, causing the citizens of Paris to fix things and revolt. The Bastille at this time was a prison and Bernard de Launay was the commander of the garrison stationed at the Bastille. This prison only had 7 prisoners in it, but supposedly contained a lot of gunpowder and weapons. It was a prison that was a symbol of the King's absolute and arbitrary power, so they decided to attack it. The rioters had no problem getting to de Launay as 300 guards had left their posts earlier that day, out of fear from the rumors. The rioters broke into the first courtyard with ease, cut the drawbridge down, and quickly got to De Launay. The rioters demanded that the bridges be lowered, but the offer was rejected. De Launay made the rioters an offer, which was if his troops were allowed to leave peacefully, he would surrender. This offer was denied because the rioters wanted him dead. The bridges were finally lowered on de Launay's command; the rioters then seized the weapons, and dragged De Launay and his soldiers through Paris. The rioter’s next stop was to bring De Launay to the Hotel de Ville. However on their way there he was assaulted by crowds of angry citizens. He was beaten, stabbed with bayonets, shot, and then eventually lynched along with other soldiers that were at the Bastille. The citizens then put his head on a stake and carried it all over the city as a sign of victory.
The Storming of Bastille
The storming of Bastille took place on July 14, 1789. The citizens of Paris were tired of the lack of food, over taxing, and seeing their country deteriorate, causing the citizens of Paris to fix things and revolt. The Bastille at this time was a prison and Bernard de Launay was the commander of the garrison stationed at the Bastille. This prison only had 7 prisoners in it, but supposedly contained a lot of gunpowder and weapons. It was a prison that was a symbol of the King's absolute and arbitrary power, so they decided to attack it. The rioters had no problem getting to de Launay as 300 guards had left their posts earlier that day, out of fear from the rumors. The rioters broke into the first courtyard with ease, cut the drawbridge down, and quickly got to De Launay. The rioters demanded that the bridges be lowered, but the offer was rejected. De Launay made the rioters an offer, which was if his troops were allowed to leave peacefully, he would surrender. This offer was denied because the rioters wanted him dead. The bridges were finally lowered on de Launay's command; the rioters then seized the weapons, and dragged De Launay and his soldiers through Paris. The rioter’s next stop was to bring De Launay to the Hotel de Ville. However on their way there he was assaulted by crowds of angry citizens. He was beaten, stabbed with bayonets, shot, and then eventually lynched along with other soldiers that were at the Bastille. The citizens then put his head on a stake and carried it all over the city as a sign of victory.