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Read Source 2

Evening of Tuesday 14th July

2a. Why were the people outside the Bastille so outraged when the Governor gave the order to fire on them?

2b. Some were then allowed in - on what condition?

2c. What happened to the forty who went into the Bastille?

2d. What subsequently happened to the Governor?

Source 2: 'The London Gazette' - Tuesday 14 July1789

Source 2: 'The London Gazette' - Tuesday 14 July1789

1789 is one of the most significant dates in history - famous for the Revolution in France with cries of "Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!" that led to the removal of the French upper classes. The French Revolution didn't just take place in 1789. It actually lasted for another six years, with far more violent and momentous events taking place in the years after 1789. However, this snapshot examines the British reaction to the events in France during this famous year - were the British government extremely worried or did they see it as merely a few minor disturbances?

Looking at primary source material from 1789, including a London newspaper report, together with both official and personal letters sent from Paris, you will be asked to assess and investigate the reaction. The significance of 1789 is now well known, but did anybody at the time even dare to suggest how important it was?

Let's look at the evidence to find out.

The London Gazette

Read Source 1

1a. What evidence is there that the population of Paris were worried?

2b. What was wrong with the official police force?

Source1: 'The London Gazette' - Monday 13 July1789

Read Source 5

5a. How have the recent events affected newspapers?

5b. Why does the ambassador have little to report?

Source 5: Extract from a confidential report from the British Ambassador, 30th July 1789

Read Source 8

Using all the available sources, complete the following table.

You need to decide which description best fits each source

Source	Description

Source 1 - 3 newspaper report	A. Serious revolution, leading to real danger for Britain.	B. A Paris-based revolt that the King was forced to agree to.	C. Minor disturbances, of no real consequence at all.

Source 4 letter from individual	A. Great to be here - exciting and worrying	B. A major problem for Paris - everyone is scared	C. This is something big - Paris now, the rest of France soon!

Source 5 - 7 ambassador's letter	A. Britain must be extremely careful - this is serious.	B. Dangerous days in Paris, but just overheated anger	C. A sad day, but it is bound to get back to normal eventually.

The French Revolution

1789 saw the beginning of the French Revolution that lasted until 1794. King Louis XVI needed more money, but had failed to raise more taxes when he had called a meeting of the Estates General. This instead turned into a protest about conditions in France. On July 14 1789 the Paris mob, hungry due to a lack of food from poor harvests, upset at the conditions of their lives and annoyed with their King and Government, stormed the Bastille fortress (a prison). This turned out to be more symbolic than anything else as only four or five prisoners were found.

In October 1789, King Louis and his family were moved from Versailles (the Royal palaces) to Paris. He tried to flee in 1791, but was stopped and forced to agree to a new form of government. Replacing the power of the King, a 'legislative assembly' governed from October 1791 to September 1792, and was then replaced by the 'National Convention'. The Republic of France was declared, and soon the King was put on trial. The Revolution became more and more radical and violent. King Louis XVI was executed on January 21 1793. A so-called 'Reign of Terror' was seen where all potential enemies were ruthlessly killed - some 1,400 people were executed in Paris in six weeks!

The revolution had enormous influence both inside and beyond France. Most historians believe it had a colossal impact on Britain and Europe. Radical thinkers claimed the revolution was only natural, restoring power to the people. The famous slogan 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity' pushed the ideas of every person's right to freedom and equal treatment. The revolution never actually created a stable form of government - but marked a huge turning point in history that saw a great many changes including the fall of the monarchy, changes in society with the rise of the middle class and the growing role of women, and most brutally, the realities of mob violence.