Context: France was reaching a boil. The Clergy and the Nobles controlled the majority of the wealth, but they refused to invest any of it into the economy or country. Rather, the large estate of the Locals, who lived in poverty and famine, were expected to pick up the slack (go figure).
Author: Arthur Young was an English writer born in Suffolk. He began attempting agricultural experiments, but later went on journeys throughout England and France, writing about the various happenings. He mainly traveled France around the beginning of the French Revolution.
Summary: The people of France were upon the Bastille. The soldiers inside could either commit a murder-suicide with explosives, or allow the people to enter. Upon being promised a safe imprisonment, they opened the gates and let down the bridge. However, the enraged people murdered and humiliated the soldiers despite the efforts of those who promised them safety.
Key Quote: "The head of the Marquis de Launay was carried about Paris by this same populace that he would have crushed had he not been moved to pity."
Kevin, the quote you chose was quite good. Perhaps you could have added the next sentence, "Such were the exploits of those who have since been called the heroes and conquerors of the Bastille.", to give it more impact. You also do a good job of noting the mob's senseless violence. It's also good that you mention the economic discrepancy causing such tension between the First/Second Estates and the Third Estate.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think you cut out a lot of important detail for conciseness. I would add detail as to the symbolic importance of the Bastille to the mob (a symbol of monarchial despotism). Also, did the author have any bias? What Estate did he belong to? Did that influence his writings at all? Finally, I would add detail to the summary. For instance, the fact that the leaders of those storming the Bastille sincerely meant to spare the lives of those defending the Bastille and in fact attempted to rescue them when the mob rushed past and began massacring them. So, the Fall of the Bastille had been primarily peaceful up until the point that the mob overran their leaders.
Another quote to consider: "When M. de Liancourt had made known to the king the total defection of his guards, the taking of the Bastille, the massacres that had taken place, the rising of two hundred thousand men, after a few moments' silence the king said, 'It is then a revolt.' 'No, Sire,' replied the duke. 'It is a revolution.'"