Bastille today is inextricably associated with the French Revolution.After a year the Bastille was the beginning of momentous changes in the country.And not only in France but throughout Europe.But who took the Bastille?Why was it so important and what this event so remarkable?
Background revolution
Many researchers of history by studying certain revolutionary events, always trying to identify two sets of reasons: the benefit of certain social groups in the country and the immediate conditions, which allowed to carry out the conversion.At the end of the XVIII century France was an absolute monarchy, where the king's power was based on the highly bureaucratic state apparatus.However, such a system, the former progressive one and a half centuries ago, in the mentioned period has become obsolete and in the reaction.The development of the ideas of the Enlightenment of the time, in particular, the ideas of the social contract and of representation in parliamentary structures, led to a conflict between the king and the aristocracy, the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, the peasantry and all the upper classes, more intensively exploit it.Moreover, it was found that the so-called old order only contributed to outline lagging behind England.The revolutionary events is directly preceded by a parliamentary crisis in the country in 1787 and 1789, caused by the demands of the Third Estate (ie lower) large political rights (after all, they were 96% of the population).The attempt of the king to dissolve the Constituent Assembly launched the movement of the masses.
who took the Bastille?And why was it necessary?
mass clashes with the army of the people began July 12, 1789.Unrest continued in Paris the next two days.Bastille at the time was a political prison, symbolizing the royal regime atrocities against those who dare to speak in opposition to it.Bastille is one of the main symbols of the revolution - the struggle against monarchical tyranny.However, those who took the Bastille, were certainly very surprised.At this point in the prison contained only seven prisoners.However, important it was the fact of the fall of the stronghold.
results revolution
in August 1789 adopted the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.Two years later, it was ratified by the first in the history of France (and the fourth in the history of Europe) Constitution.According to some estimates, the revolution continued until 1794, when it was done Thermidorian Reaction, eliminating the Jacobin dictatorship Maximilien Robespierre, on the other - until 1799, when there was a new coup, which led to power of Napoleon Bonaparte.Unfortunately, the revolution is not always produce the desired results for the people.And not always enjoy the fruits of its driving forces.So those who took the Bastille, and did not get what you want.Even forty years after the event has been restored to the throne of the Bourbons.However, the people of France (and already the whole of Europe) had a successful experience in dealing with government absolution.Next French Revolution had occurred in 1848 and spread across the continent.This movement has launched it in Paris.The Bastille was the same as their symbol.Today is a day of taking in prison honored in France as a national shrine, and on July 14 every year is celebrated in a big way, comparable to the celebration of Independence Day.
