Despite few prisoners in the Bastille, what determined the importance of its fall?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: By the symbolic meaning of royal oppression
The governing concept is the symbolic power of political events. On 14 July 1789, the Bastille held only a small number of prisoners, so its importance cannot be explained by the quantity of people released. It was a fortress-prison associated with the arbitrary authority of the Bourbon monarchy; imprisonment there represented the king’s power to detain people without a fair public trial. Its capture by ordinary Parisians demonstrated that popular forces could challenge royal authority and obtain weapons. Thus option C is correct. Option A focuses on an unimportant numerical detail, B describes a physical feature rather than historical meaning, and D has no connection with the event’s political significance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
By the symbolic meaning of royal oppression
Why is this the correct answer?
The governing concept is the symbolic power of political events. On 14 July 1789, the Bastille held only a small number of prisoners, so its importance cannot be explained by the quantity of people released. It was a fortress-prison associated with the arbitrary authority of the Bourbon monarchy; imprisonment there represented the king’s power to detain people without a fair public trial. Its capture by ordinary Parisians demonstrated that popular forces could challenge royal authority and obtain weapons. Thus option C is correct. Option A focuses on an unimportant numerical detail, B describes a physical feature rather than historical meaning, and D has no connection with the event’s political significance.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 9 History question. Chapter: The French Revolution. Topic: The Outbreak of the Revolution.
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