Why Was Bastille Prison Stormed?

The Bastille Prison was stormed on 14th of July 1789. It was attacked because they wanted its gunpowder and weapons. The commander of the prison was killed and the seven prisoners inside were all released. ... The Bastille represented the despotic power of the king and was the focus of much resentment.

Why did they storm the Bastille?

The main reason why the rebel Parisians stormed the Bastille was not to free any prisoners but to get ammunition and arms. At the time, over 30,000 pounds of gunpowder was stored at the Bastille. But to them, it was also a symbol of the monarchy's tyranny.

Why was the Bastille stormed and torn down?

On July 14, the Bastille was stormed by a revolutionary crowd, primarily residents of the faubourg Saint-Antoine who sought to commandeer the valuable gunpowder held within the fortress. ... The Bastille was demolished by order of the Committee of the Hôtel de Ville.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.