How the French Revolution Started - Storming the Bastille - July 14th, 1789

Explore the pivotal events of July 14th, 1789, in this 30-minute video lecture presented by Professor Suzanne Desan. Delve into the significance of the Bastille as a symbol of despotism and political corruption, and discover how it became the focal point of the French Revolution. Examine the prison's notorious history, including tales of the Man in the Iron Mask and infamous inmates like Jean Henri Latude and the Marquis de Sade. Analyze the political and social climate of 1789, exploring the interplay of hope, hunger, and fear that led to the storming of the Bastille. Investigate the role of key figures such as Jacques Necker and trace the sequence of events that culminated in the fall of this infamous fortress. Evaluate the revolution's broader impact, including the rise of the middle class and the transformation of Louis XVI's image. Gain insights into how the storming of the Bastille became a powerful symbol that legitimized revolutions worldwide.

Why Was the Bastille Significant?
Bastille as Symbol of Liberty
History and Secrecy of Bastille
Man in the Iron Mask
Jean Henri Latude
Marquis de Sade
Summer of 1789 Politics of Hope, Hunger, and Fear
Political Deadlock Gives Way to the People´s Hunger
A Pamphlet on the Price of Bread Changes Everything
One Hope, One Hero: Jacques Necker
Storming the Bastille
Brandy, Gunpowder, and a Queasy Writer
Bastille Falls
The Significance of the Revolution
Middle Class Seize Power
Louis the 16th: Father of the Free French
Bastille Legitimizes Revolutions Across the World