3. How it happened

Abstract

Just before the monarchy collapsed into bankruptcy, a hailstorm swept across France, bringing with it agricultural and economic disaster. The political storm that was about to break would take place against a background of economic crisis. ‘How it happened’ examines the events that led up to the storming of the Bastille and beyond. There were three issues that polarized France at this time: war, religion, and the monarchy. How did the polarization of these three issues lead to the terror? What caused Louis XVI to flee? Why did it go wrong and what were the ramifications of his attempt to leave France? How did Napoleon ‘save’ France from slipping deeper into chaos?