Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam 2026 - Free AP History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Storming of the Bastille is widely regarded as the catalyst for direct action in the French Revolution because it symbolized the uprising against the oppressive monarchy and the old regime. On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, which held political prisoners and was a symbol of royal tyranny. This event demonstrated the determination of the masses to take control of their fate and reject a government that had failed to address their grievances. The storming of this fortress not only incited widespread revolutionary fervor throughout France but also marked the beginning of popular uprisings against the monarchy.

By capturing the Bastille, revolutionaries were able to seize weapons and ammunition, empowering them and showing that organized resistance to the king's authority was possible. This act galvanized other citizens and led to further revolutionary activities, setting in motion a series of events that would eventually lead to the establishment of a republic in France.