Data/Context: The Bastille was a prison for political opposers of the Old Regime. Therefore, it served as a symbol for the monarchical despotism of France. However, the Bastille was raided by a mob of nearly 200,000 people in an effort to show Louis XVI their strength. Once inside, the mob freed the remaining prisoners and grabbed all firearms within the grounds. Then, the officers and military inside were slaughtered unless they defected from the regime and joined the people. The event, which happened on July 14, 1789, is considered to be the catalyst for the French Revolution as a whole.
Summary: The people of France were upon the Bastille. The soldiers inside could either commit a murder-suicide with explosives, or allow the people to enter. Upon being promised a safe imprisonment, they opened the gates and let down the bridge. However, the enraged people murdered and humiliated the soldiers despite the efforts of those who promised them safety. Afterwards, the Marquis de Liancourt informed the King of the Bastille's whereabouts, where the recognition of the revolution began.
Key Quote: "'It is then a revolt.' 'No sire,' replied the duke. 'It is a revolution.'"
Zack, you do a very good job of identifying the key characteristics of this piece! For one, you establish the context of the event: people were not happy with the current situation in France, so they protested by storming the Bastille. Secondly, you mention how the Bastille was not only a literal prison, but a symbolic one as well, representing the despotism of European absolutist monarchies. Finally, you give a good summary of the event, explaining that the people not only murdered the soldiers, but humiliated them as well (ie. by carrying their heads around on stakes). To improve this summary, you could have named more of the people involved in the event and described their roles (ie. De Losme-Salbray, Mirai, Pernon, etc.) This would have added more historical detail. Secondly, you could have elaborated more upon the quotation you selected. By this, the king thought it was just a simple uprising, but the duke, and those at the event, recognized more so the severity of the situation and saw it as a full-fledged revolution. Lastly, you could have mentioned (with historical retrospect of course) how the storming of the Bastille was not only a literal victory for protestors of the revolution, but a symbolic one as well. By taking down the Bastille prison, the people of France showed that they truly meant business. Overall, great job!
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