Bastille
Definition
The Bastille was a fortress in Paris, known formally as the Bastille Saint-Antoine. It played an important role in internal conflicts of France and for most of its history was used as a state prison by the kings of France.
Analogy
Think of the Bastille like your school's detention room. Just as students dread ending up in detention, people feared being imprisoned in the Bastille. Its storming on July 14, 1789 marked a significant event at the beginning of the French Revolution, much like if students decided to revolt and 'storm' their school's detention room to protest against unfair rules.
Related terms
Storming of the Bastille: This refers to when angry crowds overwhelmed the guards and seized control of the prison on July 14, 1789. It is seen as a symbol of rebellion against tyranny.
French Revolution: A period from 1789 until 1799 where radical social and political change happened in France that had a lasting impact on French history and more broadly on world history.
Louis XVI: He was King during this time who faced opposition from all sides which eventually led to his execution and end of monarchy in France.
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