Brief History of Bastille Day!

Tensions had been rising for years between the people of France and their Monarchy. The citizens were becoming increasingly frustrated with higher taxes and unfair treatment being imposed on them without any recourse. The French Government had continually flaunted its power over the citizenry and on the morning of July 14th, 1789 the people decided it was enough. In a final act of defiance over broken promises by the government, they stormed the Bastille, beginning the French Revolution!

Originally designed in 1382 to defend the eastern wall of Paris from invaders, the walls of the Bastille were built over eighty feet high. It was well stocked with arsenal to fend off any hostile forces and gained a reputation as one of France's strongest military defenses. The Bastille would lose some of its prestige however, as it was besieged seven times and ended up surrendering six times. It was finally turned into a prison to house political prisoners and those who would disagree with the Monarchy.

The Bastille soon earned a different reputation as a symbol of the French Governments abuse and domination over the peasantry of France. Citizens were often thrown into the Bastille by secret warrant of the King, without being told what the crime was or when they would be released. When they did finally secure their release, it was only on condition of their word that they would never tell what happened within its walls. For this and other reasons, the Bastille would become a symbol of the governments cruelty and would be hated by the people.

For years prior to the Revolution, the French citizens had endured higher and higher taxes, causing unemployment and starvation among the people. When told of the plight of the peasants and the fact that they had no bread to eat, Marie Antionette was heard to utter the now infamous quote,"let them eat cake". It continued to be apparent how out of touch the monarchy was with its citizens as the Royalty persisted with their extravagant ways while people died in the streets.

Finally, the citizens would take it no more and demanded that the King make consessions to the people, allowing them to be represented in the government. On May 5th, 1789, the King convened the Estates-General, a meeting designed to appease the citizens and allow for them to be heard. But it was soon apparent that governmental laws would not be changed and the frustration of the people continued to grow.

On June 17, 1789 the National Assembly was organized, being a reorganization of the Third Estate, a group of middle-class or bourgeoisie as they were called. They represented ninety-seven percent of the population and soon began the work of creating a new French Constitution. Opposing this new organization, the King did everything in his power to stop it, but was soon forced to accept their authority. The National Assembly took the name of the National Constituent Assembly on July 9th, 1789.

Five days later in the early morning hours of July 14th, a group of citizens crossed the bridge leading to the Bastille and overtook the guards. Their intent was to raid the storehouses of supplies and ammunition in order to defend themselves against any attack by Governmental officials. While cleaning out the storehouses they also freed the prisoners within the walls of the Bastille. Although it had held meny prisoners during its time, only seven men were being held there at the time of the revolt.

As word spread across the countryside of what had happened in Paris, the peasants being encouraged by the uprising, began to strike back at the landowners themselves, and soon France was facing a full-scale revolution. Beginning to feel the impact of liberty and freedom in their lives, the peasantry soon took up the cause and began fully supporting the National Assembly. The middle class even organized a National Guard with its symbol being a tri-color rosette of red,white and blue. This soon became the emblem of the French Revolution, and the National Assembly would grow stronger until finally all vestiges of the old Monarchy had been replaced.

Each year from that point on, the French citizens have designated July 14th as Bastille Day, a time to remeber and celebrate their Independence from the tyranny of its past Monarchy. Festivities are held all day, the largest of which begins in the morning at the Champs-Elysses avenue in Paris with a parade in front of the President of the Republic.

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