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FRENCH REV PRIMARY SOURCES (2)

The document discusses the events surrounding the storming of the Bastille in July 1789, highlighting the widespread fear and unrest in Paris, as well as the failure of the official police force. It details the violent confrontation between the populace and the governor, leading to the governor's execution and the eventual surrender of the Bastille. Additionally, a letter from Mr. Jenkinson describes the chaos in Paris and the king's eventual submission to the people's demands.

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Tamar Witter
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17 views

FRENCH REV PRIMARY SOURCES (2)

The document discusses the events surrounding the storming of the Bastille in July 1789, highlighting the widespread fear and unrest in Paris, as well as the failure of the official police force. It details the violent confrontation between the populace and the governor, leading to the governor's execution and the eventual surrender of the Bastille. Additionally, a letter from Mr. Jenkinson describes the chaos in Paris and the king's eventual submission to the people's demands.

Uploaded by

Tamar Witter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Source 1

The London Gazette – Saturday 18 July to Tuesday 21 July (ZJ 1/85)

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Transcript
A general Consternation prevailed throughout the Town. All the Shops were
shut; all public and private Employments at a Stand, and scarcely a Person to
be seen in the Streets, except the armed Burghers, who acted as a
temporary Police for the Protection of private Property, to replace the
established one, which had no longer any influence.

Glossary
Burghers : an inhabitant of a town, esp. a member of the middle class;
citizen.

1. Look at Source 1. This is an extract from the London


Gazette from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday July 21, 1789.

 What evidence is there that the population of Paris were worried?


 What was wrong with the official police force?
Source: French Revolution - source 2 - The National Archives

2. Look at Source 2. This is an extract from the London Gazette from

Saturday 18 July to Tuesday July 21, 1789.


 Why were the people outside the Bastille so outraged when the

Governor gave the order to fire on them?

 Some were then allowed in – on what condition?

 What happened to the 40 who went into the Bastille?

 What happened to the Governor?

Transcript
In the Evening a Detachment with Two Pieces of Cannon went to the Bastile,

to demand the Ammunition deposited there. A Flag of Truce had been sent

before them, which was answered from within; But nevertheless, the

Governor (the Marquis de Launay) ordered the Guard to fire, and several

were killed. The Populace, enraged at this Proceeding, rushed forward to the

Assault, when the Governor agreed to admit a certain Number, on Condition

that they should not commit any Violence. A Detachment of about Forty

accordingly passed the Drawbridge, which was instantly drawn up, and the

whole Party massacred. This Breach of Faith, aggravated by so glaring an

instance of Inhumanity, natuarlly excited a Spirit of revenge and Tumult not

to be appeased. A Breach was soon made in the Gate, and the Fortress

surrendered. The Governor, the principal Gunner, the Jailer, and Two old

Invalids, who had been noticed as being more active than the Rest, were

seized, and carried before the Council assembled at the Hotel de Ville, by

whom the Marquis de Launay was sentenced to be beheaded, which was


accordingly put in Execution at the Place de Grêve, and the other Prisoners

were also put to Death.

3. A letter from a Mr Jenkinson in Paris, dated 15 July 1789 (FO 27/32)

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Transcript
The Bastille made some Resistance but was taken yesterday Evening. The
Governor and sub-Governor had their Heads cut off, which were carried in
Triumph around the City. … the King was at first very resolute. The thoughts
however of the Danger he was in have this Evening induced him to recant all
his former words & to submit in everything. Deputies have arrived this
afternoon from Versailles with this goodnews, and it is reported that the King
will be here himself tomorrow, but I own I very much doubt it. The
Consternation that has prevailed in Paris for the last two days, is beyond all
power of description. Few People have gone out of their doors, & all Public
Amusement for the first time have been stopped. I however have seen every
thing of importance from the first Enterance of the Troops to the taking of
the Bastille which I was present at yesterday Evening & indeed the whole
sight has been such, that nothing would have … tempted me to miss it.
4. Look at Source 4. This is a letter from a Mr Jenkinson from
Paris, dated 15 July 1789.

 Examine Mr. Jenkinson’s description of the storming of the Bastille – is


there any reason to doubt his claims? Give your reasons
 Why, according to this source, did the King ‘recant all his former words’
and agree to the people’s demands?
 What are the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence?

Debate the moot

Be it resolved that the French Revolution of 1789 in France would not have been successful without the

horrifying Reign of Terror.

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