The calm didnt last long and moree riots broke out over the high price of bread. Mobs began attacking prisons to free political prisoners. Louis responded by sending foreign troops to Paris and Versailles.On July 14 1789 a great mob attacked the royal prison and fortress known as the Bastille. The mob cut off the governors head(Bernard-René de Launay) and paraded it through the streets.
The king was only informed of the storming the next morning by the Duke of la Rochefoucauld "Is it a revolt?" asked Louis. The duke replied: "No sire, it's not a revolt; it's a revolution." At this time the outcome appeared clear to the king as well, and he and his military commanders backed down. A new army was formed, the National Guard. Commanded by Marquis de Laugette. The fall of the Bastille signified a victory over deposition they had faced. It also signified the lose of power for Louis, because he could no longer able to control the politics in France. |
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