The Storming of the Bastille

Worksheet Description

The worksheet focuses on the pivotal moment in French history known as The Storming of the Bastille, which occurred on July 14th, 1789, and marks the beginning of the French Revolution. Students are provided with an account of the event, detailing the frustration of the Third Estate—comprised mainly of commoners—who felt neglected by King Louis XVI and desperate for political reform and representation. They are described as being angry and upset due to the king’s lack of response to their demands for more voice in the government and concern over rumors of the imprisonment of revolutionaries. This led to their assault on the Bastille, where they believed muskets and gunpowder were stored, to arm themselves against potential military action by the king.

The narrative sets the scene for the assignment, which asks students to engage their imagination and empathy by putting themselves in the shoes of the revolutionaries during the siege. It prompts critical thinking and creative writing, urging students to express what they might have experienced in terms of thoughts, feelings, and sensory details on that historical day. This exercise serves not only to cement historical facts but also to foster a deeper understanding of the human elements behind historical events.