Vive la révolution: discovering Europe through history

You may have heard about the Bastille, a mighty medieval fortress in Paris that once served as a state prison. Yet you may wonder why it is not to be found among the iconic sights of Paris, alongside the Arc de Triomphe or the Eiffel Tower. To answer this question, our team of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) in Ukraine conducted an educational webinar around the subject of “Bastille Day – the historical past of France” on 14 July.

In the 18th century, France was one of the most powerful states in Europe, playing a significant role in European politics, culture, and economics. Numerous wars, royal profligacy, and an outdated financial system led to horrible consequences – behind the splendour was hidden poverty. Gradually, the discontent among the population began to grow. The reasons may not seem important until you look closer at the problem. 

First of all, there was public discontent at the economic situation, caused by excessive government spending. On the other side of the coin were numerous debts, which the state couldn’t repay. Apart from that was another major reason – deep social inequality between estates, or social classes. As you may know from your history lessons, there were three estates in France –  the first two estates, the clergy and nobility, enjoyed numerous privileges such as not paying taxes, having access to high positions and properties, while the third, the commoners, constituted more than 90% of the population but had restricted rights, no political representation, and were responsible for the state’s maintenance. Little by little, dissatisfaction with royal power increased, in particular with Louis XVI, who was accused of inaction and lack of interest in the problems of the people. The growth of Enlightenment ideas such as equality, freedom, people’s sovereignty and criticism of authorities inspired many French people, pushing them to demand change. You can see this clearly by reading the works of famous philosophers of that time such as Voltaire or Rousseau.

Finally, we come to the last, but not least reason – the poor harvest of 1788. Bad weather conditions like heavy rains, spring frosts and hot summers greatly affected the yield of grain crops, especially wheat, which was the basic meal for most of the people. As a result, the supply of bread decreased and bread prices began to rise rapidly, becoming almost inaccessible for many French people, especially for ones with low incomes.

That was what caused the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, 236 years ago. But before I describe the details of the revolution, I need to tell you about the Bastille, a medieval fortress in Paris that served as a state prison, originally built to protect the city. The Bastille was founded in the second half of the 14th century, to protect the eastern part of the city during numerous wars. Later, it became a prison, which was used by the French kings to hold political opponents, writers, and anyone arrested by royal order, mainly without a trial. 

So the morning of 14 July began with a large number of Parisians gathering near the Bastille. People knew that the Bastille contained stocks of weapons and ammunition, which the rebels needed to protect themselves from the royal troops that were gathering in the city. The Parisians asked the governor of the fortress, the Marquis de Launay, to open the gates and hand over the weapons. However, de Launay firmly refused to give up. He believed that he should hold the defence to the last, because the Bastille was considered an unapproachable fortress. The tension in the air rose. Someone from the crowd threw a stone, and the guards responded with fire. The first blood was shed, people began to storm the gate, throw burning torches, and try to break through the fortress. The struggle lasted several hours, and finally, under pressure from the crowd and a lack of reinforcements, the governor eventually capitulated. The prison was opened up, the weapons captured by the rebels, and the governor killed by the crowd. The Bastille itself was soon dismantled as a symbol of the old regime, which is why we do not see it now. Its location is marked by a square, the Place de la Bastille. 

The Bastille was significant for history, symbolising absolute monarchy and the unfairness of absolute power that violated the rights of citizens. The storming of the Bastille on 14 July, 1789, was more than just a conflict: it marked the start of deep political, social and cultural changes in France and became a symbol of the birth of a new age for all of Europe.

But why exactly does this event matter to today’s youth? Well, the answer is right here – young people can learn a lot from this example. The storming of the Bastille showed that ordinary citizens can stand up against injustice. It reminds young people that their voices matter. Moreover, values such as freedom, equality and human rights are still important today. They are the basis of democracy, which is a fundamental aspect of the modern world. The revolution brought together individuals from different backgrounds, which teaches us to work together to create a better society.

Due to the important impact of this historical event, I, as a YEA, came up with the idea of organising a meeting, dedicated to celebrate Bastille Day. Our event, held on 14 July, the day of the fall of the Bastille and the French National Day, covered a meaningful topic, displaying the importance of Bastille Day in France. We ended with a fun quiz to test participants’ newly acquired knowledge. It was an incredible chance for everyone to expand their knowledge! 

Being educated about the historical events of the past is necessary not just for your general development, but for the impact you, the youth, make on our world. Remember that delving deeper into the topic of European history gives you knowledge of basic democratic values – how they were born and modified through the centuries. Learn with the YEAs, get empowered, get inspired!