numbers of people walking up and down on this late February evening. Men, women, and

children were rejoicing, as the terrible struggles of the day had ceased. Near the Hotel des

Capucines there was a heavy force of military troops, who’’s main purpose seemed to be

directing traffic. All was tranquil for some time; presently a column of unarmed students

and artisans marched down the boulevard singing. Suddenly a shot echoed throughout the

city, an entire squadron of troops charged the crowd with muskets blazing and swords

drawn. Percy B. St John was an eyewitness to the events herein described; the following

was taken from his notes compiled at the time. ““The sight was awful. Husbands were

seen dragging their fainting wives from the massacre; fathers snatching up their children,

with pale faces and clenched teeth, hurried away to put their young ones in safety, and

then to come out in arms against the monarchy. Women clung to railings, trees, or to a

wall, or fell fainting on the stones…… Afterwards Utter strangers would be seen shaking

hands and congratulating one another on their escap

Peur. The Le Grand Peur was a period in which the popular masses rose up and attacked

the nobility had over the king regarding tax concessions. Dowd continues to say that

to force taxes upon them. Instead Louis was insistent on not annoying the nobility.

themselves The National Assembly, vowed to crush the monarchy. This marked the

Court. Often these matters bored him and he left it up to his advisors and ministers. Even

Louis decided to close down their assembly hall. However the third estate, now calling

New York, 1848. Rudee, George. The French Revolution. London: Phoenix, 1988.

mild reforms to gain the support of the public again.4 Financial problems in the year 1788

fire was a mistake. Apparently a soldiers gun had gone off, accidentally striking his

Some common words found in the essay are:
French Revolution, National Guard, Louis XVI, French Society, St John, American Revolution, Assembly June, Near Hotel, Marie Antoinette’’s, Revolution France””, french revolution, louis xvi, st john, percy st john, percy st, dowd david french, deficit budget, bibliography braudel, braudel fernand, turgot tried, fernand capitalism, 1973 dowd david, tr 1973 dowd, david french revolution, capitalism material,
Approximate Word count = 1322
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)