1. The French Revolution

On the morning of 14 July 1789, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The king had commanded troops to move into the city. Rumours spread that he would soon order the army to open fire upon the citizens.

On July 14, 1789, Paris was tense and chaotic. The king of France had ordered soldiers to enter the city, which raised fears among the people. Many believed that the king intended to use the military to suppress the citizens, which heightened their anxiety and created a situation ripe for uprisings.

Imagine a town where the mayor suddenly brings in police to control a crowd that is already upset. This could lead to panic and resistance from the townspeople, similar to how the citizens of Paris reacted.

Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a peoples’ militia. They broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms.

In response to the perceived threat, about 7,000 citizens came together to form a militia. This group aimed to protect themselves and assert their rights against the king's forces. They sought out weapons in government buildings, indicating a readiness to fight back.

Think of a neighborhood coming together to form a neighborhood watch when they feel unsafe. They start looking for ways to defend themselves and gather necessary tools to do so.

A group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille, where they hoped to find hoarded ammunition. In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners released – though there were only seven of them.

After organizing themselves, a group of citizens targeted the Bastille, a fortress-prison that symbolized tyrannical rule. They believed it held weapons and ammunition necessary for their defense. This led to a confrontation where they were able to overpower the fortress, killing its commander and freeing a handful of prisoners, although the latter was not the main objective.

Imagine a small group of people storming a powerful fortress in a video game to gain access to ammunition and tools. Their bravery allows them to defeat a stronger foe temporarily, showcasing their determination.

Yet the Bastille was hated by all, because it stood for the despotic power of the king. The fortress was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the markets to all those who wished to keep a souvenir of its destruction.

The Bastille was not just a prison; it represented the king’s oppressive power. Its destruction was a pivotal moment in the revolution, symbolizing the people’s revolt against tyranny. As a result, people collected pieces of the Bastille as mementos of their victory and a reminder of their fight for freedom.

Think of a statue that symbolizes oppression being torn down. People would gather pieces of it to remember the change they fought for and to celebrate their collective power.

The days that followed saw more rioting both in Paris and the countryside. Most people were protesting against the high price of bread.

Following the storming of the Bastille, unrest continued as citizens protested against the rising cost of daily necessities, particularly bread. This reflected broader frustrations with the king's inability to provide for the basic needs of the people, highlighting economic instability.

Imagine a city where food prices soar, and people take to the streets demanding change from city leaders. This reflects their hunger for not just food, but fairness and justice in their lives.

Much later, when historians looked back upon this time, they saw it as the beginning of a chain of events that ultimately led to the execution of the king in France, though most people at the time did not anticipate this outcome.

Historians later recognized that the events following the storming of the Bastille initiated a series of reactions that ultimately resulted in the king's execution. At the time, however, most citizens did not foresee that their actions would lead to such extreme consequences.

Think of a small protest that unexpectedly leads to major changes in government policies. The participants may not realize that their actions are the first steps towards a much larger change.

Soon after the demolition of the Bastille, artists made prints commemorating the event.

In the aftermath of this significant event, artists began creating and distributing prints that celebrated the fall of the Bastille. This served as a way to memorialize the uprising and spread the story of the revolution among the populace, embedding it in collective memory.

Consider how communities create murals or monuments to commemorate important historical events. These artifacts serve to remind future generations of the struggles and triumphs experienced.

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