Which Event Immediately Followed The Storming Of The Bastille: Complete Guide

Which Event Immediately Followed the Storming of the Bastille?
And why that moment still matters today

The first shots that rang out on the night of 14 July 1789 still echo in every French classroom. This leads to the Bastille, that medieval fortress‑prison, fell to a ragged crowd of Parisians. It was the spark that ignited the French Revolution. But what happened right after? What was the next domino that toppled? If you’re wondering, you’re not alone. Many history buffs, students, and curious minds ask the same question. Let’s dig in and find out.

What Is the Immediate Follow‑Up to the Storming of the Bastille?

The moment the Bastille fell, a chain of events unfurled almost instantly. The most direct consequence was the formation of the National Assembly—a gathering of representatives from the Third Estate who declared themselves the legitimate government of France. That declaration, made the very next day, was the event that directly followed the storming of the Bastille. It wasn’t a single act of violence or a quiet policy change; it was a bold political statement that reshaped the French political landscape.

To give you a clearer picture, think of the Bastille as a gate that was finally opened. The National Assembly was the new, open road that people started driving down. The gate went down, the road opened, and the journey began.

Why It Matters / Why People Care

A Turning Point in Political History

Let's talk about the National Assembly’s proclamation was more than a bureaucratic shuffle. Practically speaking, it was a rejection of the old regime’s absolutist rule. Think about it: by declaring themselves the voice of the nation, they challenged the very authority of King Louis XVI. That was a seismic shift. If you’ve ever studied how revolutions spark, you’ll see that the Bastille was the firing point, and the National Assembly was the first major step toward a new order.

A Precedent for Modern Democracies

Fast forward to today: when a country declares a new governing body after a crisis, people still look back to the French example. The idea that a body of elected or representative people can claim legitimacy in the face of an autocratic ruler is a cornerstone of modern republicanism. That’s why you’ll find the National Assembly’s formation cited in textbooks, documentaries, and even political speeches worldwide.

The Myth vs. Reality

Many people think that the Bastille’s fall automatically ended the monarchy. Now, that’s not true. On the flip side, the monarchy still existed for months after. Practically speaking, it was the National Assembly that started the legal and ideological dismantling of absolute monarchy. Understanding this nuance helps you separate myth from reality when you read about the Revolution.

How It Works (or How to Do It)

Let’s walk through the key moments that came right after the Bastille’s storming, and see how the National Assembly emerged.

1. The Immediate Aftermath: Calm, Chaos, and Celebration

Security vacuum: With the Bastille gone, Paris was suddenly exposed. The old guards were gone, but so were the soldiers that kept the city under royal control.
Public jubilation: The crowd that stormed the Bastille roamed the streets, celebrating. The roar of the crowd carried the words “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” into the night.
Rumors spread: Word reached the royal court that the Third Estate was rallying. The King’s advisors realized they were in a bind.

2. The Tuileries and the King’s Response

The King’s flight: Louis XVI fled to the Tuileries Palace, where the royal family was staying. This move was symbolic—he was retreating from the city that had just turned against him.
The Estates-General: The King had convened the Estates-General in May 1789 to address France’s financial crisis. By the time the Bastille fell, the Third Estate had already been agitated.

3. The Third Estate’s Declaration

The First Meeting: On 17 June 1789, the Third Estate met in the Tennis Court of the Palace of Versailles and declared itself the National Assembly. They claimed to represent the nation’s people, not just the privileged classes.
The Storming’s Impact: The Bastille’s fall reinforced the Third Estate’s legitimacy. The public saw that the monarchy’s grip was weakening, and the Assembly’s declaration gained momentum.

4. The Formation of the National Assembly

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: On 26 August 1789, the Assembly issued this foundational document. It set out principles that would echo through history: liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
The Reign of Terror: Though a later phase, the Assembly’s decisions set the stage for the radical period that followed.

Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong

Thinking the Bastille’s fall ended the monarchy
The monarchy didn’t fall until 1792. The Bastille was a symbolic victory, not an immediate overthrow.

Want to learn more? We recommend which statements about peptide bonds are true and words that start with a and end with e for further reading.
Assuming the National Assembly was the same as the modern French Assembly
The 1789 National Assembly was a revolutionary body, not a continuation of the pre-revolutionary parliament.
Believing the Bastille’s storming was a spontaneous, unplanned event
While the crowd was impromptu, it was the culmination of months of tension, hunger, and political agitation.
Overlooking the role of the Estates-General
The Assembly’s legitimacy was grounded in the Estates-General’s structure, which the King had convened to address fiscal woes.
Thinking the Bastille’s fall was the only catalyst for the Revolution
The financial crisis, Enlightenment ideas, and social inequality all fed into the revolution’s engine.

Practical Tips / What Actually Works

If you’re studying the French Revolution or just love history, here’s how to make the most of this knowledge:

Create a timeline: Plot the Bastille’s fall, the Assembly’s formation, and subsequent key dates. Visuals help cement the sequence.
Read primary sources: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is short but powerful. Read it in its original French if you can; the translation is a bit more polished.
Compare to modern movements: Look at how contemporary protests declare new governing bodies. The parallels can be surprising.
Discuss with peers: History is richer when you talk it out. A debate about the legitimacy of the National Assembly can spark deeper insights.
Apply the lesson: Whenever you see a political upheaval, ask: What immediate action followed the initial event? This question keeps you analytical.

FAQ

Q: Did the Bastille’s fall happen before or after the National Assembly was formed?
A: The Bastille fell on 14 July 1789. The National Assembly had already declared itself on 17 June 1789, but the Bastille’s fall amplified its legitimacy.

Q: Was the National Assembly the same as the later French National Assembly?
A: No. The 1789 Assembly was a revolutionary body; the modern French National Assembly is a democratic institution established after the 1792 constitution.

Q: Did the Bastille’s fall immediately end the monarchy?
A: No. The monarchy continued until 1792. The Bastille’s fall was a symbolic blow, not an immediate overthrow.

Q: What was the most immediate political change after the Bastille fell?
A: The most immediate change was the increased authority and public support for the National Assembly, which began drafting laws and reforms.

Q: Why is the Bastille still remembered today?
A: It’s a symbol of the people’s power against tyranny. Its fall represents the moment when ordinary citizens dared to challenge the monarchy.

Closing

The night the Bastille crumbled was a night of fire, hope, and a new sense of possibility. And understanding this sequence helps us see how a single act of defiance can ripple through history, shaping the world in ways we still feel today. On top of that, the event that followed— the National Assembly’s assertion of authority—was the real turning point that set France on a path toward modern governance. If you’ve ever wondered how revolutions truly begin, look no further than the Bastille and the bold declaration that followed.