Comparative SIGNIFICANCE of the Bastille Vs the Great Fear

Comparative SIGNIFICANCE of the Bastille vs The Great Fear

Bastille / Great Fear
·  caused the formation of the Paris Commune
·  formation of the National Guard
·  King loses control of the military – THEY JOIN THE SANS CULOTTES – demonstrates the lack of support by military for King
·  King forced to accept the NA which begins to write a Constitution
·  Sans Culottes develops as a political force
·  Impetus to Great Fear
·  Causes the nobles to flee – émigré
·  Causes municipal revolution to begin – local councils established around France run by the bourgeoisie
·  Destruction of symbol of Monarchy – feudalism
·  SYMBOLIC to King Louis’ downfall
·  Start of – NOT REVOLT – but Revolution
·  First major physical revolt of the revolution – EMPHASIS on VIOLENCE – eg; Heads on pikes, general of the Bastille begs to be put to death (they obliged)
·  National Assembly takes no action – CONDONES the action – becomes France’s day of National Independence
·  Military ordered to crush revolt – they refuse to do so
·  Power of the crowds – becomes increasingly important during Revolution
·  The Sans Culottes become an ARMED FORCE / ·  King loses control of the country side
·  Motivates the National Assembly to develop the August Decrees – dismantles feudalism
·  Burn taxation records
·  Leads to the night of August 4th where upper estates give up their privileges
·  First real crisis for the National Assembly
·  Continuation of the violence seen at the Bastille but now executed by peasants
·  HOWEVER, the rumours of the violence are actually worse than the reality
·  The National Assembly realises that they are at the mercy of the people