You are a foreigner (American, Prussian, English, it doesn’t really matter…) who happens to be in France during the period of the French Revolution. As many people throughout Europe are keenly interested in the ongoing actions of the Revolution, you have been asked to provide up to date news of the events in France.
Thus, your objective in this blog post is to write a news story regarding one of the many notable events that took place in France during this violent and chaotic period of time. The events of your news story must take place somewhere between July 14, 1789, which was the attack on the Bastille, and 1804 when Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French.
Your news story should be about two paragraphs in length, but try to keep it no more than four. It should be written like a legitimate news story that generally answers the questions of “Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?” As necessary, do a bit of additional research to gather the proper information on your event, such as dates, places, and names of specific people involved.
This blog is due on Monday, March 12 by 11:59 pm
Sample News Story:
CHAOS AND CARNAGE AT THE BASTILLE!
PARIS, FRANCE - Chaos and violence ensued in the streets of Paris yesterday, as months of fear, anxiety, and anger at France’s continued political upheaval and uncertainty finally boiled over at the famous Bastille Prison.
As the National Assembly continued to meet in an attempt to write a constitution for the French government and people, His Majesty King Louis XVI dispatched troops to Versailles and Paris in order to keep the peace. Unfortunately, the military presence led to a rumor among the city’s residents that the king planned an attack aimed at destabilizing and disbanding the Assembly. Believing in the unfounded rumor, riotous mobs of an untold number began roaming the city streets in search of weapons with which to defend themselves and the Assembly on the nights of the 12th and 13th of July. Knowing that it housed a large amount weapons, ammunition, and gunpowder, yesterday morning the mobs directed their attention to the Bastille, demanding entrance and access to the arsenal. Witnesses say that the governor of the prison, the Marquis Bernard-Rene de Launay refused their demands, but sometime in the afternoon the mob managed to breach the fortifications and began attacking the garrison that consisted of about 80 French soldiers and 30 Swiss grenadiers. Unconfirmed reports suggest that soldiers may have opened fire on the rioters at some point. One witness, who asked not to be identified due to his involvement in the incident, claimed “The soldiers shot at us, and I saw at least 50 people dead or wounded. But rather than scaring us away, it only gave us more reason to attack this symbol of the king’s tyranny.”
By about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the rioters had taken complete control of the fortress, freeing the prisoners inside, taking possession of their desired weapons, and capturing the prison governor Monsieur Launay and his assistant, the lieutenant governor. The lieutenant could not be immediately identified. Eyewitnesses report that the two men were then executed by the mob’s leaders, and that the killings were carried out in a way such that good taste dictates that I not describe it here. The remains of the two men were then paraded around the city in a gruesome display that seems to indicate that the violence in this country is far from over.
His Majesty King Louis XVI could not be immediately reached for comment.
BELLA DALBA - 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteGIRONDIST SYMPATHIZER STRIKES BACK, TARGETS JACOBIN LEADER!
PARIS, FRANCE – Attempting to slow the radical Revolution and perhaps put a stop to the violence that has done nothing but escalate since the September Massacres, Charlotte Corday has been charged with the gruesome murder of Jacobin journalist and triumvirate head Jean-Paul Marat, and sentenced to death.
On the evening of July 13, 1793, Madame Marie-Anne Charlotte de Corday d'Armont {Charlotte Corday} entered the estate of one Monsieur Marat, allegedly accompanied with a list of names identifying Girondist traitors within the city that were to be reported to the Neighborhood Watch and charged accordingly.
She had first journeyed to the National Assembly to carry out her plan, only to discover that Marat no longer attended meetings, and had decided to call upon him whilst he was at home. Corday had arrived on his personal property around noon of the same day, spouting allegations of knowledge of a forthcoming Girondist uprising, but was turned away. She returned later that day with the aforementioned list, and was granted admittance. Marat was in his bath at the time, though this was reportedly the way he met most of his callers, for he suffered from a debilitating skin condition and preferred the comfort of the water.
As he transferred the names from her sheaf of parchment to his own, Corday reached into a pocket of some kind and drew a weapon (specified later as a pocketknife) and struck the man in the chest. He died soon thereafter, while Madame Corday made a getaway.
Apparent motivation for this homicide was opposition of the radical thinking of the Jacobins, coupled with the fact that she was being influenced by the Gironde, ultimately led her to carry out her plan to murder one of the most radical of them all, Jean-Paul Marat.
The influence of Girondist philosophies on Corday is evident in her testimony at trial: “I knew that he was perverting France. I have killed one man to save a hundred thousand.” It was speculated that she was likely alluding to Maximilien Robespierre's words before the execution of King Louis XVI.
On July 17, 1793, just four days after her assassination of Monsieur Barat, Charlotte Corday was publicly executed in Paris. Unfortunately, her efforts did not stop the Jacobins or the Reign of Terror: Marat became a martyr, and busts in his likeness replaced religious statues that had been banished under the new regime. This resulted in an increase in Jacobin political influence, and put the advantageous edge of propaganda on the side of the radicals.
Members of the Jacobin party could not be reached for comment.
JOSH KUROSZ-5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteRURAL UNREST CAUSES PEASANTS TO ATTACK
French Countryside- After months of fear and uncertainty, peasants living in the country near Paris, France showed their aggression and attacked nobles yesterday.
Since the storming of the Bastille in Paris, there has been waves of violence here in the countryside of France. Locals call it the "Great Fear." This violence seems to be due to a rumor that nobles have hired bandits to attack peasants and commoners living in the country side. A noble that i got to talk to said, "There is no such thing as these 'hired bandits' . Those peasants are insane for revolting against us.
Just yesterday, a group of about 8 peasants acting on their fear of that rumor, unleashed another of many attacks on a seemingly innocent noble. The group brutally murdered the noble and his family and burned his house to the ground. One witness, who asked to be unknown due to his involvement, claimed, "We will not stand for any plots these nobles have to attack us. So we attacked them before they could attack us."
In order to end this violence and revolts, the National Assembly is enacting reforms today , the 5th of August. They abolished unfair taxes and tithes, the nobles agreed to pay taxes, and all male citizens will now be allowed to hold positions in the government, army, or church.
ALLISON CRUTS- 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteKING LOUIS XVI IS EXECUTED
PARIS, FRANCE- After inheriting the throne in a stressful time King Louis is finally condemned to death.
On the cold day of January 20th, 1793 the National Convention arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced King Louis to execution for conspiring against the liberty of the nation. His execution was scheduled for the next day therefore, only giving him a short time to bid his farewells. The night before he spent it saying his last goodbyes to his wife and children. 8:00 the next morning about 1200 horsemen showed up to escort him to his place of execution. Upon his invitation, priest Henry Edgeworth accompanied Louis on his 2 hour carriage ride.
We reached and interviewed Henry Edgeworth and these were his comments. "The king seemed anxious as we traveled through the streets lined with unruley citizens. To pass the time and to calm his anxiety we recited Psalms out of my breviary together. As we reached the guillotine he was more worried about my safety and reputation than what was to come for himself.
As he took the last step beforen his death he pronounced, "I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I pray those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to god that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on France."
Many people cheered loudly after the beheading of the king not knowing what was to come in the future.
Immediate family of the late King Louis XVI could not be reached for comment.
JOSH LEACH 5HR
ReplyDeleteThe Bastile mobed! People killed!
Today, on July 14, 1789, a mob of Frenchmen stormed the prison of Bastille. In the chaos they freed the prisoners and murdered the guards. We questioned the soldiers that were supposed to guard the prison, but they refused to comment. Why was the prison attacked? A source that will remain anonymous said that the Bastille was a symbol of the monarchy's tyranny. Anonymous also said that mob acted out of fear that the king was goimg to stop the writing of our constitution. See the editorials for another opinion.
KIRBY GARRETT-5TH HR
ReplyDeleteTHOUSANDS OF PARISIAN WOMEN MARCH TO VERSAILLES DEMANDING BREAD AND FOR LOUIS’ RETURN!
PARIS, FRANCE- Thousands of Parisian women marched to the palace of Versailles yesterday demanding bread and the return of King Louis to Paris.
Angry and fed up, thousands of Parisian women marched to the palace of Versailles yesterday, October 16th, in the rain demanding bread and the return of his majesty King Louis to return to the city of Paris. Eye witnesses told of the women first demanding to the guard that they send out King Louis. When Louis did not show up, the women charged up the Queen’s stairs and into the guard’s room.
Marie Antoinette ran from her bedchamber into the private apartments to the King’s Suite to find her husband and her son. In response to quell the discontent and the anger, that night his majesty relented and moved his courts to the city of France.
King Louis could not be immediately reached for comment
JOSH KUROSZ-5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteRURAL UNREST CAUSES PEASANTS TO ATTACK
French Countryside- After months of fear and uncertainty, peasants living in the country near Paris, France showed their aggression and attacked nobles yesterday.
Since the storming of the Bastille in Paris, there has been waves of violence here in the countryside of France. Locals call it the "Great Fear." This violence seems to be due to a rumor that nobles have hired bandits to attack peasants and commoners living in the country side. A noble that i got to talk to said, "There is no such thing as these 'hired bandits' . Those peasants are insane for revolting against us.
Just yesterday, a group of about 8 peasants acting on their fear of that rumor, unleashed another of many attacks on a seemingly innocent noble. The group brutally murdered the noble and his family and burned his house to the ground. One witness, who asked to be unknown due to his involvement, claimed, "We will not stand for any plots these nobles have to attack us. So we attacked them before they could attack us."
In order to end this violence and revolts, the National Assembly is enacting reforms today , the 5th of August. They abolished unfair taxes and tithes, the nobles agreed to pay taxes, and all male citizens will now be allowed to hold positions in the government, army, or church.
CORY POTTER 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteCHAOS AT THE BASTILLE
Paris, France-To many people, the Bastille symbolized the injustices of the monarchy. The king made a pricely mistake and sent more troops into Versailles. Fearing that he planned to dissolve the National Assembly and halt reforms, the citizens reacted. They decided to focus their actions on the famous prison in Paris.
On July 14,1789, a huge mob surrounded the Bastille in an attempt to steal weapons needed to defend the National Assembly. But tension grew as the the angry mob tried to force its way into the fortress. When they finally got in the fortress they angrily pressed forward, armed with axes. They freed 7 prisoners that were being held in the Bastille. Then, the soldiers started to open fire, killing 98 rioters.
The rioters killed many soldiers and they beheaded the the commander rather gruesomely while taking over the prison. This outbreak was very important because it led to the formation of a revolutionary government in Paris. The storming of the Bastille also released a wave violence throughout France called the Great Fear.
AUSTIN EAKINS 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteFRENCH REVOUTION ARISES
Bram, Ruffe, St. Florentine, Louhans, Romilly, Estrees, Gastines- Throughout these small rural towns, outbreaks of violence and disorder by peasants and artisans upon landlords and nobles have occured.
Rumors have been spreading quickly that nobles have hired robbers to kill peasant and take their property. A grain shortage already exists and what grain is left is guarded heavily by soldiers. The peasants are scared. In order to protect themselves and their properties the peasants armed themselves with weapons. The quickly greq in numbers that became angry mobs. On the night of July 20, 1789, groups of violent mobs broke in manor homes, burned buildings, destroyed feudal records, attacked nobles, and robbed granaries.
The attacks by the angry peasants have continued for the last ten days. They started in the western region and have spread south. The raids are becoming more frequent and more violent. Nobody seems to know when these attacks will come to an end. It appears that a French Revolution has begun.
SOPHIA HARGIS 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteThomas Jefferson and his Role in the French Revolution
After succeeding Benjamin Franklin as American minister at Versailles, witnessing the first chapter of the French Revolution, and conducting foreign affairs as Secretary of State, Jefferson could not escape the immediate effects of the French Revolution. Like most Americans, when the French rebelled against Louis XVI, he generally praised their action, hesitated over it, and finally recoiled from it.
Some Americans, notably George Washington, never forgot that the motive of King Louis XVI in sending officers to serve in the American Revolution was to regain territory that had been lost to England. For this reason, Washington sought to keep America nonaligned between England and France by maintaining a policy of neutrality. Many Frenchmen found models for French social reform in American institutions. Lafayette was a pivotal figure in this enchantment with liberal ideals. In his library, he displayed a picture frame, half of which contained the Declaration of Independence, and the other half empty. When asked about the empty half, Lafayette replied that it would hold the "French declaration of rights."
Jefferson did not at first see America as the torchbearer of liberty to the world, his experience in France gradually convinced him of the world-ranging implications of the political creed he penned in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Jefferson thought the French experiment would confirm the American one and possibly spread to other parts of the world. When the National Assembly in France, conscious of the model offered by the Declaration of Independence, issued Lafayette’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, it was supposed to be adaptable to any country.
Because reports of events came slowly to America, there were great misunderstandings on all sides of the debate. In 1792, the news that France had declared war on the alliance of kings led Jefferson to believe that France had been forced to take pre-emptive steps. He was not aware that Lafayette had concluded that his government was out of control. While leading French troops against the Austrians, Marquis de Lafayette had defected from the army. His letters from jail posed delicate problems for an administration that wanted to help an old ally without committing America to either of the sides Lafayette had already taken. The execution of aristocrats by popular tribunals led to nervous arguments in America.
Jefferson did not know that Louis XVI had been executed on January 21, 1793. By the end of the year, Jefferson's feelings about revolutionary France had cooled. Jefferson later denounced the atrocities; he wrote that he would have voted for removing the king but not for killing him. Americans began to realize that revolution meant one thing in a country deposing its ruler and another in colonies seceding from an empire. The death of the king raised the stakes of this revolution, for its sympathizers as well as its participants. Jefferson concluded that the French people were not yet "virtuous" enough to accept a sudden republicanism after so many years of superstition and despotism and that Louis XVI could have been retained as a limited monarch, thus staving off "those enormities which demoralized the nations of the world, and destroyed, and is yet to destroy, millions and millions of its inhabitants."
ALEX HANFT 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS: STORMING OF THE BASTILLE!
Early this morning, reporters say that the king recognized the danger of the National Assembly, and sent his troops in to avoid trouble and make peace.
The Frenchman felt as if the kings troops were there to stop the National Assembly, so they became afraid and panicked! On July 14,1789 The National Assembly formed mobs and stormed the prison and arsenal in Paris called the Bastille. The Frenchman wanted to steal weapons to defend the National Assembly.
Reliable sources say that the French Revolution has officially begun.
RYAN BETTLACH 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteThe date is July 14, 1789 people in Paris are marching in mobs to the Bastille for because they want weapons to defend themselves from the solders the king has sent in. The current king is King Louis XVI and the people of France detest him ever so much. There had been rumors that the king was going to disband the National Assembly which was writing a new constitution. The king however had not sent in solders to do that it was just to keep the peace. However, the one thing he didn’t want to do is start a riot which had happened.
The mobs of French went to the Bastille demanding weapons to defend themselves however, the man in charge would not allow anyone inside. The mob finally got so out of control that the Marquis de Launay finally dropped the draw bridges. The mob then stormed the Bastille the governor of the Bastille at the time had his head cut off with a pocket knife and was paraded around town. There was over 100 deaths and 2800 guns taken from the Bastilles armory. The king could not be reached for any comments of the riot.
CLAIRE KINKEAD- FIFTH HOUR
ReplyDeleteINFAMOUS RADICAL JACOBIN LEADER MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE IS DEAD, AND WITH HIS DEATH TERROR, VIOLENCE, BLOODSHED, AND JACOBIN RULE HAVE ENDED IN FRANCE.
FRANCE, 1794 -
After a year of bloodshed and murder and wrongful accusations, the dark period of French history called the Reign of Terror has finally come to an end. Although the intention in early September of 1793 was to end any idea of opposition to the Revolution, as it has come full circle, it is evident that no change has occurred. Instead of creating the ideally peaceful and harmonious republic that was envisioned, the radical Jacobins who instituted this Reign of Terror were simply left with piles of bodies, families with gaping holes in their numbers, and a country tinged with the crimson blood of the slain citizens they claimed to have been fighting for.
In the past year, 40,000 French citizens have been brutally murdered in an attempt to institute the elusive republic which no Frenchman - regardless of political party, wealth, or status - has been able to obtain. The neighborhood watch committees that were instituted did not serve the purpose they were designed to do. Rather than capturing those who were a danger to the wellbeing of France as a nation, the commoners, the innocent were taken, put on trial (If it could be even called that, as the outcomes were predetermined.), and executed. The most common of these methods was the fairly recent invention, the Guillotine. Although the brilliant engineering made for a swift death, it did not take away the gruesome fact that these people were murdered, in the harshest of ways for crimes that they did not commit.
Foreigners and Frenchmen alike watched in horror as their friends, their neighbors, and their enemies were put on ‘trial’ and beheaded in the town squares. In the first months, it was a sight to behold. As those sentenced to death walked to their demise, mothers hid their children in their skirt, cried into their kerchiefs, and even the men shed tears. Even those who supported the Jacobins, yearned for the coming of the republic, knew this was heinous. As the months passed, however, the grisly sight of the dead being carted to cemetery hill, the actual act of watching a person being executed, their head fall into a basket, cleanly detached from their body, the blood that flowed from the open wound...it failed to faze the citizens. It had become, horrifyingly enough, the norm in France.
This went on until last month (July) of 1794. Maximilien Robespierre, the man who had chiefly supported - and instituted - the Reign of Terror, was executed. The Reign of Terror, I am pleased to tell you, has come to a close. It is hoped by everyone across Europe that France will never see such a dark time again.
TAYLOR GRAY-5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteTHE BASTILLE BREAK-IN!
PARIS,FRANCE- The Bastille Prison became the victim of angered citizens who were only trying to find protection for themselves and their families.
As the National Assembly was trying to write a new constitution, King Louis XVI was nervous of the people of Paris starting riots and fighting one another. His Majesty sent out his troops to prevent anyone from getting hurt during this period of time. As soon as the citizens found out that troops were being sent out, the citizens started hearing some rumors that the troops were being sent to attack the people and to disassemble the Assembly. This started many problems.The citizens became anxious for what was to happen to them. King Louis XVI made a mistake if his actions. The citizens began to do anything they possibly could do to get their hands on any type of weapon for protection against the King's troops. A few cannons and about 3,000 rifles got into the hands of the citizens before the Bastille came to their minds. The people then went for the prison. It was holding tons of weapons and ammunition. On July 14th, 1789, the angry mob ordered to be let into the Bastille prison. The commander, Marquis Bernard-Rene de Launay, refused to surrender the fortress.The prison was only guarded by about 30 Swiss guards and about 80 French soldiers making it weakly guarded. Launay tried to reason with the people saying that we wouldn't shoot anyone unless being attacked. Negotiating with the mob didn't work. The ropes to the drawbridge were cut and the mob rushed inside. We have not found out who had cut the ropes. Unabled to hold back the mob, the Bastille was being swarmed for weapons and ammunition. The guards and soldiers guarding the fortress were killed. Trying the hold back the mob, the gaurds and soldiers shot at the citizens, only making them more angry and unforgiving. The mob was unstoppable and weapon hungered.
Since the mob got full control over the Bastille, they freed all of the seven prisoners and captured the commander, Marquis Bernard-Rene de Launay. The mob was angry that he didn't fulfill there wants to get inside the prison. Mathieu Jouve Jourdan, a butcher, cut off Launay's head with what we think was a pocketknife. We have tried to get a hold of Mathieu to speak to him about the killing, but he was unable to speak to us. Launay's head was being paraded down the streets. King Louis XVI was not available to comment on this horrific day that he just may have caused. The break-in of the Bastille is marking the beginning of the French Revolution.
SAMANTHA HOLLAND 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteSTORMING OF THE BASTILE RESULTS IN UPROAR!!
PARIS, FRANCE- Chaos occurred in the streets of Paris yesterday. There were too many months of horror, unease, and rage at France’s political disturbance and doubt that finally came to a head at the Bastille Prison.
The National Assembly continued to meet to write a new constitution for France. King Louis XVI sent out his troops to Versailles and Paris just trying to keep the peace. Mistaken by the presence of the troops, a rumor spread around the city of Paris that the king planned an attack on the Assembly. Those who believed the rumors started rioting in the city streets, searching for weapons to defend themselves and the Assembly. Knowing that it held large amounts of items they could use to protect themselves, the previous morning the mobs went to the Bastille, demanding to be let in and given access to the weapons kept there. Witnesses say that the governor of the prison, the Marquis Bernard-Rene de Launay refused to let them do so, but later that afternoon the mob attacked the prison walls and the workers/prisoners inside.
By around 5 o’clock that afternoon, the rioters had taken complete control of the prison, taking the weapons that were present, freeing the prisoners inside, and capturing the prison governor Monsieur Launay and his assistant. Eyewitnesses report that the two men were executed by being beheaded with the use of pocket knives. The rioters then went to where the Assembly was being held in attempt to protect themselves and the Assembly itself.
JAY BLAKE- 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteTHE OUT RAGE OF TERRER IN THE STREETS OF PARIS!
PARIS, FRANCE – Overwhelmed the streets of France by enemies at home and overseas had become outrageous and out of control, the fear of the people had finally came out and the streets were starting to get violent.
During the revolution, crisis in France had problems at home. Royalist’s pheasants had revolted against the revolutionaries and during this point in time the government also had political problems going on, the Girondists and the Jacobins were not getting along and were having many problems because the Girondists blamed the Jacobins for the attack of the mobs. In the end the Girondists had killed the Jacobins head leader Jean-Paul Marat. By this time the Jacobins had taken this in their hands and were determined to set out and crush and kill opposition within the government. Watchmen from the committee were out on the streets looking for anyone going against the government.
Witnesses of these actions say that it was out of control, people were being killed and executed by the dozens they say. Over 40,000 people had died in a years’ worth of time, there was no stop to this by this point. The Jacobins had taken over, with on one to stop them. After killing all the men and women that went against the government, they started to build a new community and put in schools, introduced new agriculture also says one the eye witnesses. By the 1794 the out range of streets of Paris was over otherwise known as the Reign of Terror. This was all brought to an end.
Not able to talk to the Jacobin side and hear there part of the story.
5TH HR-JULIAHNA RAMIREZ
DeleteThe Hundred Days
PARIS, FRANCE- After being exiled to Elba, an island off of Italy, Napoleon Bonaparte left with about a thousand men and headed for France. His intentions were to stake his claim to rule France once again. Napoleon's former soldiers rejoiced upon his arrival while others weren't so happy. Louis XVIII sent his general to capture Napoleon. Memories of when he used to work for Napoleon came flooding back as General Ney faced his old master. He then took his men and joined Napoleon once more. Bonaparte went on to rule France for 100 days, hence the name The Hundred Days.
Napoleon sent a letter to the Allied Sovereign declaring he only desired peace with all the men and stating he was again ruling France. The Powers at Vienna were not pleased nor impressed with Napoleon's words. They did not want a repeat of the dictatorship again. So acting on their worries, an army led by General Wellington, pronounced war on Napoleon. The Battle of Waterloo was the end to the Hundred Days, for Napoleon had been defeated. He surrendered himself and was then exiled to the island of St. Helena for the remainder of his days.
GRAYSON WINGFIELD - 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteBREAKING NEWS IN PARIS, FRANCE!PALACE OF VERSAILLES STORMED!
October 16
Yesterday, thousands of women marched on the Palace of Versailles just outside of Paris demanding bread from King Louis XVI. These women were very angry with the mistreatment they had bee receiving, and to add to the stress, it was pouring down rain outside.
The situation quickly escalated and got out of hand. The women actually started trying to break in to the palace and get King Louis themselves! The guards could do nothing but try their hardest to hold them back, because it would look very bad if they opened fire on their own citizens. The women finally broke in and retrieved King Louis XVI and demanded that he and his family return to Paris with them immediately.
The King himself was too embarrassed to make a comment.
LEJLA OMEROVIC 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeleteTHOUSANDS OF PARISIAN WOMEN HAD MARCHED TO VERSAILLES DEMANDING LOAVES OF BREAD AND KING LOUIS'S RETURN!!
Paris, France- Thousands of angry Parisian women had marched together to the palace of Versailles demanding loaves of bread and for King Louis to come back to the city of Paris.
On October 5, 1789, thousands of Parisian women had marched all the way from Paris to the Palace of Versailles in the soaking rain and mud. They were armed with pitchforks, pikes, and muskets. They arrived angry, tired, and frustrated with everything that was going on. The women demanded they be given loaves of breads for their families so they could have something to eat. While the populace of Paris was starving, the remote King Louis and his much hated wife, Marie Antoinette continued to feast like proverbial kings and queens.
By the time the women had reached the Palace of Versailles, their rage was focused on Marie Antoinette. They were also angry at the inappropriate comment made by Marie; "let them eat cake". This comment was unnecessary. 20,000 French National Guardsmen were sent out to protect the royal family, but the women still managed to break into the Palace in search of the Queen. However, the Queen had just escaped by fleeing to the King's secure apartments through a secret passageway. But, 2 of Marie's bodyguards weren't so lucky; they were beheaded, and then their severed heads were placed on pikes so everyone could see.
The women continually demanded that King Louis distribute bread that the palace had been hoarding, sanction the August Decrees and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and accompany them back to the city of Paris. The King really had no other choice, but to go back to Paris with the women. The women were given their bread, and they marched all the way back to Paris together with King Louis of course!
King Louis was not able to be reached for comment.
BRITTANY DRUMM 5TH HOUR
ReplyDeletePARIS,FRANCE- The citizens of France have been engulfed with fear and outrage. But now they have had enough. The constant disagreements and potential threats has lead to chaos and disaster among the streets of Paris.
Lately commotion between the Girondists and the Jacobins has been crazy. The nobles want nothing but to keep their privileges, and the peasants want nothing but equality among all citizens. No one can agree on anything no matter what the cost. As tension grew and grew the king became more worried. He stressed about an outbreak of anger concluding in a civil war. To prevent this he gathered troops in Versailles. However, this made matters worse.
The citizens thought of the king's actions as a threat. They saw the Bastille as one thing that symbolized the injustices of the government. So on July 14, 1789 the mob of angry people broke into the Bastille. They were on a mission to steal the weapons used to defend the National Assembly. In the process they happened to free 7 prisoners. When things got worse the soldiers opened fire. Unfortunately they killed 98 people.
This moment of history has made a remarkable statement in this revolution. This is another sign that changes need to be made.