You are a foreigner (American, Prussian, English, it doesn’t really matter…) who happens to be in France during the period of the French Revolution. As many people throughout Europe are keenly interested in the ongoing actions of the Revolution, you have been asked to provide up to date news of the events in France.
Thus, your objective in this blog post is to write a news story regarding one of the many notable events that took place in France during this violent and chaotic period of time. The events of your news story must take place somewhere between July 14, 1789, which was the attack on the Bastille, and 1804 when Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French.
Your news story should be about two paragraphs in length, but try to keep it no more than four. It should be written like a legitimate news story that generally answers the questions of “Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?” As necessary, do a bit of additional research to gather the proper information on your event, such as dates, places, and names of specific people involved.
This blog is due on Monday, March 12 by 11:59 pm
Sample News Story:
CHAOS AND CARNAGE AT THE BASTILLE!
PARIS, FRANCE - Chaos and violence ensued in the streets of Paris yesterday, as months of fear, anxiety, and anger at France’s continued political upheaval and uncertainty finally boiled over at the famous Bastille Prison.
As the National Assembly continued to meet in an attempt to write a constitution for the French government and people, His Majesty King Louis XVI dispatched troops to Versailles and Paris in order to keep the peace. Unfortunately, the military presence led to a rumor among the city’s residents that the king planned an attack aimed at destabilizing and disbanding the Assembly. Believing in the unfounded rumor, riotous mobs of an untold number began roaming the city streets in search of weapons with which to defend themselves and the Assembly on the nights of the 12th and 13th of July. Knowing that it housed a large amount weapons, ammunition, and gunpowder, yesterday morning the mobs directed their attention to the Bastille, demanding entrance and access to the arsenal. Witnesses say that the governor of the prison, the Marquis Bernard-Rene de Launay refused their demands, but sometime in the afternoon the mob managed to breach the fortifications and began attacking the garrison that consisted of about 80 French soldiers and 30 Swiss grenadiers. Unconfirmed reports suggest that soldiers may have opened fire on the rioters at some point. One witness, who asked not to be identified due to his involvement in the incident, claimed “The soldiers shot at us, and I saw at least 50 people dead or wounded. But rather than scaring us away, it only gave us more reason to attack this symbol of the king’s tyranny.”
By about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the rioters had taken complete control of the fortress, freeing the prisoners inside, taking possession of their desired weapons, and capturing the prison governor Monsieur Launay and his assistant, the lieutenant governor. The lieutenant could not be immediately identified. Eyewitnesses report that the two men were then executed by the mob’s leaders, and that the killings were carried out in a way such that good taste dictates that I not describe it here. The remains of the two men were then paraded around the city in a gruesome display that seems to indicate that the violence in this country is far from over.
His Majesty King Louis XVI could not be immediately reached for comment.
Jared Thompson, 1st hour
ReplyDeleteSTORMING OF THE BASTILLE
This attack started when King Louis XVI sent troops to maintain peace and order in France. The company of the solders led people to believe that the king had planned to attack them. So on July 14, 1789, the Paris mobs got hold of 3000 rifles and a few cannons.The mob went to the Bastille in search for more weapons and ammunition to defend themselves.
The fortress was weakly guarded with 30 Swiss Guards and 85 Invalides. The mob, joined by a couple of the King's soldiers, stormed the Bastille. The commander Marquis De Launay tried to surrender but the mob did not accept. The commander was killed as the mob poured through the gates. No guard was left alive.
Nathan Bastanzi 1st hour
DeleteWomen Triumph the king?
Early on the morning of October 5, 1789, a large group of French women came together in the central marketplace of Paris. They were very distressed by the way France's economy was plunging. The main breaking point for the women of France was that bread was like gold, it cost so much and there was very little of it.
Infuriated, the women marched several long miles to the grand palace of Versailles, where King Louis XVI was living. They were armed with pitchforks, guns, and any other weapons they could get there hands on. This is called the March on Versailles.
The women demanded king Louis go with them to Paris and write a new constitution with the National Convention. The king immediatly gave in to their demands, sent Versailles' bread supply to Paris, and packed up his belongings and his family. They were ecorted all the way back to Paris by the women. One women stated," We are glad he came easily, for problems would have arisen easily." We could not get a saying from the National Convention or King Louis at this time.
SAMANTHA HEADRICK
ReplyDelete1st hour
Yesterday was a sad day for the french. a huge mob gathered outside the Bastille demanding weapons. Tensions increased as the crowd grew and became harder to contain.
Soon the gaurds couldnt contain the angery mob any longer and were forced to open the gates. the angry mob poured into the Bastille and one witness commanted saying, "everyone was trampoline over eachother and yelling and swinging. it was a maricle to come out alive."
then, the gaurds were ordered to open fire, killing 98 rioters. this inraged the rioters even more and they proseeded to kill as many prisoners and gaurds as they could. the prison comander's head was then sawed off his head and out on a steak as a symbol of the terror.
ABIGAIL ALDRIDGE, 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteA KING NO MORE
PARIS, FRANCE- On the 21 January, 1793, His Majesty King Louis XVI woke at 5 o'clock. Today, the day of his execution. The day, cold and wet, was nearly appropriate for what would occur. At 8 o'clock, a guard of 1,200 horsemen arrived to escort King Louis on his 2 hour long carriage ride to the place of his execution.
Henry Essex Edgeworth, the priest whom accompanied Louis on his procession commented," The King, finding himself seated in the carriage, where he could neither speak to me nor be spoken to without witness, kept a profound silence." During the procession, the streets were lined with armed citizens, some with pikes, some with guns. The carriage was surrounded by a body of troops and in front of the horses were may drums.
When the King arrived, he proceeded out of the carriage and refused to be bound by the guards. Sources claim to have heard him shouting to them, "Do what you have been ordered, but you shall never bind me. . ." The King arrived on the scaffold, and the crowds silenced just by his mere presence. Louis said his final words, "I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France."
The captain of the guard ordered the drums to beat and the crowd became reanimated, cheering an jeering at the king's execution. The king was dragged under the axe of the guillotine and his head was detached from his body in one strike. A man then seized the disembodied head and held it up for all to see. People screamed in triumph "Vive la Republique!"
Mark Vance, 1st hour
ReplyDeleteNapoleon Bonaparte Emperor For Life!
"December 2nd, 1804, a day that will be remembered for the ages," as one artisan of Paris described it. Today, Dec. 2nd, is the day when Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France. Bonaparte made a shocking move at the cathedral of Notre Dame, when he seized the crown from the popes hands and placed the crown on his head. Many wonder if the Catholic Church is losing its once all-powerful, omniscient status. What does this make of Napoleons power, that he can take the crown from the most divine person in all of Europe?! Only time will tell.
With this new era dawning, many reforms have taken its course. Napoleon has enforced the Napoleonic Code, which replaces the old feudal laws and traditions of France. In the Code, it states that privileges should not be based on birth, allows freedom of religion, and specified that government jobs go to the most qualified. But, freedom of speech and press will wither away, much like that under the old monarchs. So you may not be receiving this paper, Revolution Weekly, for to much longer.
CECILIA TITLE 2ND HR
ReplyDeleteAs we all know this year's harvest has been scarce, and it doesnt help that France is in debt.
On October fifth, the common women showed how fed up they are and marched miles to the Palace of Versailles waving pitchforks, and pretty much anything they could get their hands on. They got passed the gaurds and started demanding bread from the royal family.
Even though Louis promised the women that grain would be sent to Paris, it wasn't enough for them. After a snide remark from the queen, which isn't fit for this article, the mob insisted that the family come back to Paris with them. The king gave in and the royal family returned to the city.
JONATHAN WILK 2nd HOUR
ReplyDeleteATTACK ON THE BASTILLE
Paris, France- Today in the capitol city of France a massive rage of violence and chaos ensued in the once peaceful streets of Paris, many are dead and others wounded after in assault on the Famous Bastille Prison in the town square. There has been much talk on the National Assembly and the third estates push to acquire a say in the government's law making body and in voting rights for all the citizens. Earlier today, the tension finally boiled over and the chaos began as angry mobs soon rushed the Bastille and yelled and pounded at the gates demanding to be allowed to enter to take the weapons inside.
The prison guards held them back for as long as they could, but as the mobs grew the guards gave in and were brutally trampled on their way in. The mobs rushed the room storing the weapons they were after and released the 7 prisoners inside. As they prepared to exit they took the guards who were left and dragged them by their heads out to the main square where they viciously murdered them in a way I'm not allowed to tell of. This is truly a tragedy in which not only did Paris not need but all of France and the King Louis XIV are in deep dismay and worry that his Kingdom is in Jeopardy. I believe this is the start of a French and European Revolution.
Ryleigh Jackson 1st
ReplyDeleteMARCH TO VERSAILLES
Since bread is the main diet of the French people, a large group of French women came together in the central marketplace of Paris demanding bread. Following this get together at the marketplace was the March to Versailles. Yesterday morning on October 5th 1789 the same group of large French women marched to Versailles in an effort to obtain bread and force the high prices of bread down.
The original 6,000 women reached the Hotel de Ville in Paris and were encouraged by onlookers to march all the way to Versailles. As they marched through the streets, more women left thier homes and joined the march. The women were armed with pitchforks, muskets, pikes, swords, crowbars, and scythes. Once the women reached Versailles, they stormed through the gates and demanded bread. The king was awestruck by the crowd of women and quickly gave into thier demands. The king ordered that all the bread in Versailles be delivered for the people to Paris. Much to the surprise of the citizens of Paris, the king then left Versailles and moved his royal court to Paris. This decision should have consequences as the revolution continues to unfold.
DALTON ERGER 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteJean Paul Mar-not
July 13,1793
Jean-Paul Marat, Jacobin leader, was killed today as he was having a bath. The perpatrater has already been apprehended. Charlotte Corday, a Girondist sympthiser made her way into Marat's bathroom using trickery. Marat's butler opened the front door to find Corday with a piece of parchment clenched in her hand. She said this paper had the names of traitors to the republic written on them. The servant led her to Marat's bathing quarters where she used the famous 'stab and twist' technique to make Marat's death almost certain. She did not make an escape and is due to stand trial in a matter of days.
The list she had did, in fact, contain the names of many suspected traitors. Needless to say, these traitors will soon have a date with the famous guillotine, along with Ms. Corday. Jean-Paul Marat will forever be remembered for his revoloutionary work. He was a friend of the people, murdered by it's enemy.
Jean-Paul Marat 1743-1793
Hailey Strothman, 1st hour
ReplyDeleteWE WANT THE BASTILLE!
In the late afternoon of July 14, 1789, the Bastille was bombarded with the people of Paris. The mob bombarded when the rumors that the French government, including Louis XVI, was going to clamp down on the protest of food shortages spread throughout Paris. The people were fearing that they would be stopped, so they got the weapons that they needed to fight. However, they did not have any ammunition to put into their weapons. They knew that the Bastille had enough ammunition to supply the attack, so the mob of people started toward the Bastille screaming, "We want the Bastille!"
The governor of the Bastille, Marquis de Launay, tried to defend himself and his guards , but he only had 115 men, while the mob was as large as 3,000. The guards were ordered to fire their weapons as the mob moved closer. The guards killed hundreds of people, but his men were declining also. At about 4:00 p.m. Launay surrendered and let the people enter the Bastille. People of the mob killed the guards and had Marquis de Launay beheaded. The mob was seen holding the head of Launay on a stake, which is said to be the sign of victory. The seven people in the Bastille were freed and 800 men continued to destroy the once prison of France.
CAITLYN BAUM 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteLocal Armory Raided
July 15, 1789
Yesterday, An angry crowd of French citizens stormed the Armory and the Bastille.
Yesterday July 14th, around 2 pm, a mob was seen marching through Paris, and heading toward the Bastille. The mob appeared angry, and a member of the mob when asked what was going on said, “We are fed up with King Louis (XVI) and his power, we want change!” Another member of the mob said “We are fearful, the king has sent in troops to ‘maintain peace’ but we are more scared every day, so we are just preparing for the worst.” The mob marched until they reached the gates of the Bastille. They demanded they lower the gates but the head guard, Marquis de Launay, would not succumb.
The crowd broke through the gates, and the armory was raided. The 30 or so guards, and around 80 invalides, guarding the prison were told to open fire. The mob fired back upon the guards, this started a full on riot and killing spree, Many people died and the blood thirsty mob killed De Launay, and put his head on a stick to parade around as a way to show their success. No guards lived through the attacks, and all the prisoners, (there were 7) were released later, because of lack of guards.
When King Louis XVI was asked for comment, his only comment was “The French people were in no danger whatsoever at any time”
For the England Times this has been Caitlyn Baum.
LOGAN SMITH 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteThe Great Fear is spreading like wildfire across the French countryside. After the storming of the Bastille in July of 1789 , rumors began to reach peasants everywhere that bandits had been hired to ruthlessly attack them and steal what little belongings they had. These rumors are believed to be false by most educated people, but the peasants believed it immediately.
They rose up and put the noble's homes on the list of things that have been recently attacked in this rapidly accelerating revolution against the French monarchy. They grabbed whatever they could use as weapons and killed nobles in their own
homes. They also burned feudal records, as if to officially break the system of feudal law.
Their efforts may or may not have brought the National Assembly to begin writing a new constitution. That is something that will be found out at a later date. I'm sure we all hope France descends back into a more peaceful state, but it doesn't seem like that will happen anytime soon.
SAMI BUEKER, 1st HOUR
ReplyDeleteKILLER CROWDS SEIZE TUILERIES PALACE
By Gustav Hoken
Paris, France – Radical mobs stormed the Tuileries Palace early yesterday morning, August 10, after months of political turmoil and repressed violence.
As early as June 20 of this year, several gatherings of enraged French citizens held riots in front of the Tuileries Palace in order to convince His Majesty, King Louis XVI that the mounting problems of politics, economy, and even the very essence of French society needed to be amended immediately. After reassuring the assembled multitudes that he was indeed on their side, His Majesty retreated to the safety of the palace. After a month of bickering, the Assembly finally made a decision to restore His Majesty’s his prerogatives. However, Jacobin members of the Assembly were not satisfied with the outcome of this decision.
By 10 o’clock yesterday morning, a large mass of nearly 30,000 French citizens and radicals gathered at the gates of the Tuileries Palace, demanding entry and the imprisonment of His Majesty the King. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that the rioters had with them an unknown number of cannons and an assortment of weapons and were led by the Jacobin leader Maximilien Robespierre. Upon hearing the news of the frightful mob, the royal family escaped to the Legislative Assembly building along with ministers and several high-ranking government officials, and was escorted there by about 300 volunteer soldiers. However, in his haste, His Majesty left no orders for the Swiss Guards, who numbered about 950 and stood guard amongst the ramparts. As the assailants crept ever closer to the palace, members of the Swiss Guard attempted declarations of peace, but nonetheless, musket fire did indeed break out. It is unknown which side fired the first shot and whether they did so on an intentional basis. Francis Broussard, one of the many rioters of the invading horde, said, “Shots rang out but no one knew where they had come from. We surged forward, then, some of us with shovels and axes, others with muskets, and we burst through the gate. They didn’t stand a chance.” Although the Swiss Guards were a disciplined professional regiment of the old Royal Army and at first had the advantage of pure skill, they were heavily outnumbered by the attacking force. As the fight wore on, the excellent position of the Guard no longer mattered as ammunition began to run low and the amount of causalities began to accumulate with an alarming speed. With the order to disengage, the main body of Swiss Guards fell back and retreated into the palace gardens, where they were then split into small groups by the rioters and massacred. The remaining defenders who remained within the palace were then hunted down and slaughtered, as were a large number of servants and courtiers who were not able to melt into the crowd. One eyewitness, who prefers to remain anonymous, put it this way, “As they [the insurgents] infested the palace with their wild howls and lust for vengeance, innocent blood flowed along the corridors like the waters of the Loire. Never has France seen such senseless, horrifying violence.” The total death count is still unknown at this point, but according to unverified information released by the National Assembly, of the original 950 Swiss Guards, more than 600 of them are reportedly dead or wounded and the remainder of the Guards have been imprisoned.
Later that same day, radicals in the Assembly voted for the imprisonment of His Majesty King Louis XVI and the royal family. His Majesty was arrested, along with the members of his family, and was carried away by the fanatical crowds. The date of His Majesty’s trial has not yet been announced.
JACOB PLOESSER 1st Hour.
ReplyDeleteNAPOLEON TAKING OVER-
The year is 1799, here in France, everyone was getting very upset with the current government, the Directory. It had become corrupt and was the reason for Frances pain and suffering. It was only a matter of time before someone in the beloved military revolts and takes over.
Surely enough, a incredibly general by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte came in a few weeks ago for a coup d'etat, using his popularity to get away with it. The man has won countless battles and his military prowess is extraordinary. The streets were lined with cheering people, all excited with his unexpected arrival. It really seems like things are looking up for France that Napoleons is in power.
Napoleons new constitution is set up for a republic, which, this reporter, has always thought is the best thing for France. However, I am a little suspicious, because if he gets rid of the other two committee members, he will be in absolute power. This could quite possibly be a problem in the future.
Paige Armstrong, 1st hour
ReplyDeletePARISIAN MOBS TAKE THE BASTILLE!
PARIS, FRANCE - The aftermath of King Louis XVI was far more extreme than anyone, especially Louis himself, would have ever imagined.
After King Louis XVI called in troops to the National Assembly as a peace keeper, commoners throughout Paris began to get word that the troops were not to keep the peace, but to attack and dissolve the National Assembly. Due to the compulsive response to the soldiers at the Assembly meeting, Louis was unable to deny such rumors. The thought of France remaining an absolute monarchy without a constitution sent the people of Paris into a state of panic. As word spread throughout the city and beyond, word also spread to the those in the Bastille, as well. Marquis de Launay, head of the Bastille, began preparing for a small mob around July 7th - a week before the siege. Launay called in thirty-two soldiers to assist him in his attempt to create an impediment in the angry mobs' attacks against the Bastille. However, said attempts just weren't enough.
Hundreds of guards on staff at the Bastille overnight July 13th or early July 14th, gaining word that today was the day everything would change. This was the revolution France had been waiting for, mobs claimed. Mid to late afternoon, mobs began to come together as they headed to the Bastille with any weapons they could get their hands on. Upon arrival at the prison, angry rioters demanded the wooden gate/bridge be lowered for them to enter. After Launay refused, the mobs attacked. With cannons and firearms at hand, rioters broke through the courtyards one by one with no mercy on those inside the prison itself. A witness on the scene reflects back at the moment everyone attacked, "the force was unstoppable. Not only were bullets upon bullets being fired, but you couldn't see through the smoke. Not to mention, the bloodshed was unbelievable." Eventually, Marquis de Launay was left dead, too. The Parisian rioters tore through the Bastille relentlessly, leaving almost no man alive. With talk, fear, and bloodshed action came the beginning of the French Revolution.
Randy Myles, 1st hour
ReplyDeleteBASTILLE CHOAS
Paris, France- Choas ran though the streets today in Paris, France.
The Bastille, an old prision that now holds weapons was were the choas began. King Louis XVI sent guards throughout Paris to protect the National Assembly meeting. Some peasants, artisans, and others took this as a threat. They thought that the King was going to disband the National Assembly and retain full power in the French Government. This sparked an uproar.
The angry mob ran through the city destroying everything and try to find weapons to protect themselves. This brought them to the Bastille. They stood at the gate, trying to get in for hours. The gate was finally opened, and they rushed inside. It was said by a witness that, "The soldiers opened fire on us, killing them was a matter of life or death." The angry mob soon armed themselves and killed everyone in the Bastille in the most brutal ways.
King Louis XVI could not be reached for a comment.
Leah Litz, 1st Hour
ReplyDeleteTHE KING IS KILLED
The infamous King Louis XVI has been ruling France for quite a long time now, but yesterday his reign was put to an end. People came from near and far to watch the execution of the king yesterday, as he was killed on the guillotine. The people cheered and cheered, celebrating wildly now that the king is dead. The people had been putting all their frustration on Louis for so long, now that he's gone, they are overjoyed because what they think to be the cause of their grief and trouble is finally gone.
Shortly after refusing to sign the constitution that the National Assembly came up with, the king and his family attempted to flee to Austria, where his wife's brother was in power. While leaving, they were caught and imprisoned. The leaders of the Jacobins found a box of letters written to other monarchs and claimed that King Louis was a traitor and was planning against France. He was put on trial, and he was sentenced to death. Yesterday, we found him here at the guillotine where his head was removed and held high for all to see that Kind Louis XVI was finally dead.
JORDAN TRIGG 1ST-HOUR
ReplyDeleteThe Fall of The Jacobins Control in Government.
The fall of the Jacobins control in government started when Jean-Paulle Marate, a Jacobin leader, was killed by a Girondist supporter, Charlotte Corday. She was later executed by guillotine. Overwhelmed by enemies at home and abroad, the Jacobins set out to crush all the opposition in France. Which was known as the Reign of Terror, from July 1793 to July 1794.
During this time neighborhood watch committees hunted down suspected traitors and turned them over to the courts. Pressured by mobs the courts handed down swift trials and harsh punishments. In one year 40,000 people were killed and about 85% were commoners.
By Spring of 1794 Georges-Jacques Danton, one of the Jacobin leaders, called for an end to the killings. However, Maximillien Robespierre accused him of treason and had him sent to the guillotine. Fearing for their own safety , other leaders turned against Robespierre and had him executed. After his death the Jacobins had lost their power in government and the Convention took over power for a short period of time.
Danielle Fleming
ReplyDelete1st hour
The Beginning of a Revolution
As many of you may know, the French economical system and government seems to be rapidly crumbling. Many people are out of work, food is scarce, most are considered poor, and major debts are rising through the country. It is easy to see why the people of the nation fear for their future.
As more and more problems occured with the current government the French are living under, the National Assembly set out to write a constitution that might correct certain laws or policies. It placed restrictions on the king's power, and was modeled after our constitution in America. Many were pleased with the changes they believed would soon take place. However, the constitution was handed over to King Louis, who refused to accept it.
The reason in which he did so are not 100% accurate, but many of the commoners seemed to believe that he was attempting to stop the National Assembly from creating a constitution when guards were sent throughout the city of Paris.
Then, in July of 1789, what seems to be the start of a bloody uprising took place when the Bastille, an infamous prison in Paris, was taken by some commoners who feared Louis's ability to prevent the constitution from being written. Several prisoners were killed along with the head of the Bastille, who's head was severed from his body using only a pocket knife. As one unnamed witness recalls what happened, he talks about how terrifying the whole scene was. "Terrible, just terrible. So many killed over what might have been nothing but hearsay." Some may agree, and some may disagree, saying that those involved were defending their right to liberty. What do you think?
ALEX TRASK 1st hour
ReplyDeleteNAPOLEON RISES TO POWER
Napoleon Bonaparte had been slowly becoming more and more popular in France, after being promoted to Brigadier-General in December 1793 following his win at the seige of Toulon. He continued to build fame by winning victory after victory and continued to be promoted to General de Division (Major-General), then second in command of the Army of the interior, and finally the Commander of the Army of Italy in March 1796, 2 days before he married Josephine de Beauharnais.
After his victories against Austria in Italy and many more in Egypt, he returned to France and carried out a coup d'etat, which is a swift change in power. He set himself as the First Consul, and later crowned himself Napoleon I, Emperor of France. France now found itself with an absolute monarchy, or dictatorship as some would call it, which is what they set out in the first place to get rid of.
MARYANN HEAPS -- 1ST HOUR.
ReplyDeleteATTACK ON THE BASTILLE!
Yesterday, July 14, 1789, Parisian mobs attacked the famous Bastille Prison. These mobs were looking to steal weapons so they could defend the National Assembly.
Earlier that day the 3rd estate had been locked out of the Estates General, therefore they met secretly at an idoor tennis court! Here, they started to call themselves the National Asssembly & took an oath, called the 'Tennis Court Oath' and vowed not to disband until they had written a new constituion for France. Later, the king had forced the 1st & 2nd estate to join the National Assembly.
While all of this commotion was going on at the Estates General, King Louis sent troops to keep the peace in Paris. The Frenchmen however, thought they were there to get rid of the National Assembly. Thus starting the attack on the Bastille!
Although this was a tragedy, it ended France's unfair tax system on the 3rd estate.
SHELBY WINKLER 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteBASTILLE ATTACKED
Breaking News! Today, July 14, 1789, the Bastille prison searching for weapons and prisoners that had been taken by King Louis XVI. There had been growing dislike for the King for some time now, but rumors spreading that King Louis XVI sent the army in to stop the writing of the new constitution is what set off the mob of angry people. One witness who wishes to remain anonymous, says the scene in Paris is one that no one will soon forget. This man thinks that this attack is only the beginning of violence in France.
After the mob entered the Bastille they took many of the guards who had fended them off the best they could prisoner while others went inside to get weapons and gun powder. Satisfied with what they had gotten the stormed through the streets of Paris beheading many of their prisoners as they went. Commoners that saw this scene where not sure what to make of it, many where happy because they thought that this marked the beginning of change, others worried of what was to come.
More information to come when available.
MEGAN REED 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteTHE MARCH TO VERSAILLES
Early in the morning on October 5, 1789, a large group of women gathered Parisians in the central market place in Paris. This mob was mostly made up of women but some men did tag along. These women were very angry and were demanding bread for their families from the king. This gathering was one of the violent disturbances in the French Revolution.
At this time, bread was a large part of the French diet so therefore it was a highly demanded item. In this time in France, most people spent about half of their wages on bread for food. However, in August of 1789, the price of the bread they bought all of the time greatly increased. The people wanted bread so bad that, at Versailles, a crowd of people killed a baker just because he was trying to sell his bread very expensively.
On October 5th, the women got to the Hotel de Ville where their numbers were around 6,000 women. At this time, the men that were with the women started to scream at them to march. So they began their march. As they marched through the streets, other women came out of their homes and began to march with them.
These women were armed with pitch forks, muskets, pikes, swords, bludgeons, crowbars, and scythes as they marched through the rain. When they reached Versailles, they stormed right through the gates. The women stood sopping wet and muddy in the palace of Versailles demanding bread from the king. The King was extremely scared and overwhelmed by the group of women that stood before him. Due to the fact that the national assembly had most of the power in the government and the king had very little power, he gave in to the women. He then told the women that he would have all of the bread in Versailles ordered out to them in Paris. The women then demanded that the king and his family move back to Paris as well. The King agreed to that demand too. That was a fatal mistake on the king's part because that was the last time he ever saw Versailles.
PARKER THELLMAN 1ST HOUR
ReplyDeleteESTATES GENERAL MEET AND CAUSE AN ATTACK ON THE BASTILLE!
Yesterday, July 14, 1789 the 3rd Estate was locked out of the Estates General. The 3rd Estate moved to a tennis court and took the "Tennis Court Oath," promising not to disband until they wrote a constitution. They called them self the National Assembly. The king forced the 1st and 2nd Estates to join the 1st Estate in writing a constitution.
The king thought it would be smart to send troops to Paris to keep peace, but the citizens thought that he was sending the troops to break the National Assembly. This is what caused the citizens to attack the Bastille prison to steal weapons so they could defend the National Assembly.
This is the start of total chaos.