Fall Of Bastille Flashcards
What was the Great fear?
The Great fear starting with the subsistence crisis. Due to a severe winter and a population increase, there was very less food. The price of food increased and the wages of workers were not enough for it. Bakers exploited the situation and hoarded supplies. Eventually, crowds of angry citizens stormed the shops and at the same time, Louis XVI ordered troops to move into the city. On 14th July, citizens stormed the bastille. At the countryside, rumours spread that the manor had hired brigands who were on their way to destroy the crops. Scared, the citizens attacked the chateaux. They took grain and burnt the manorial dues.
What exactly led to the Fall of Bastille?
On 14 July 1789, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The king ordered troops into the city and rumours spread that he would order them to fire upon the citizens and destroy the crops. Around 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the Town Hall and formed a people’s militia. They then broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms. A group of several hundred people stormed Bastille and in the fight that followed, the commander was killed and all prisoners released. The Bastille was hated by all for it stood for the power of the king. It was destroyed.
Aftermath of Fall of Bastille
Louis XVI gave recognition to the National Assembly and accepted that his power would be checked by a constitution. On 4 August, 1789, the Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of taxes. Members of the clergy were forced to give up their privileges. Tithes were abolished and church owned lands, confiscated. The government acquired asserts of 2 billion livres through this.
In 1781, they created the constitution and declaration of rights and separated the king’s power into the legislature, executive and judiciary. This made France a constitutional monarchy.
