Storming of the Bastille :: essays research papers

The characteristics of a group ar determined by its elements. The mob that stormed the Bastille on July 14th, 1789 was a group of citizens that were fierce, enraged, and blood-thirsty. To the muckle of Paris, the Bastille was a symbol of brutality and totalitarian power. It was hated beca design of the many stories that had emerged from its walls of unworthy torture and brutality. To the people of Paris who stormed the Bastille, the prison which was the symbol of the absolute monarchy which France had been torment under for so long. They were tired of being treated unfairly and non having a voice in most of the political affairs during the measure period. They wanted "life, liberty, fraternity" and were determined to fulfill their wishes of a fair sentiment system by means of force or agreement. Unfortunately, citizens had to resort to the use of force to gain what the felt lacked.     Later on that day, a direction was invited into the prison by the Governor of the Bastille, Bernard de Launay. DeLaunay then invited the delegation to lunch with him. When they did non return the mob became angry, fearing that they had been detained. A second delegation was sent forth. These concisely came out again with the message that the Governor had adamantly refused to surrender. The delegates also had the randomness that the cannon were unloaded. This piece of news was all that the mob needed to exhort them on. "...But the fury of the crowd continued to increase and their blind wrath did not spare de Launays escort...Exhausted by his efforts to defend his prisoner...he had to seperate from M. de Launay...Hardly had he sat down when, flavour after the procession, he saw the head of M. de Launay stuck on the point of a pike...The people, fearing that their victim might be snatched away from them, hastened to cut his throat on the steps of the Hotel de Ville..."     The mob rushed into the prisons courtyard . Some individuals were not as ruthless as others. "...Those who came in first treated the conquered foeman humanely and embraced the staff officers to show there was no ill-feeling..." However, several of the protestors were scathe as they attacked soldiers from the army. "....The people, transformed with rage, threw themselves on the sodiers..." Fierce fighting followed and carried on into the evening. at last the mob got their hands on some cannons.