The dismissal of Jacques Necker, a popular finance minister, on July 11, 1789, alarmed many Parisians. Necker had been seen as a reformer who advocated for the third estate and had gained widespread support among the populace. His removal by King Louis XVI was perceived as a direct threat to their interests and a signal that authoritarian rule would continue. In this charged atmosphere, Camille Desmoulins, a fervent supporter of the revolutionary cause and a radical journalist, took to the streets to address the angry crowd. He urged citizens to defend their rights and liberties, framing the situation as one of urgency and rebellion. Desmoulins awoke a sense of solidarity and urgency among the crowd, calling for action against the monarchy's oppression.

In the days after Desmoulins’ fiery speech, the discontent grew larger and more organized. On July 14, this unrest culminated in the storming of the Bastille, a fortress prison symbolizing royal tyranny. The Bastille was a repository of gunpowder and arms, and its capture marked a pivotal moment in the revolution. The event was not only a crucial victory for revolutionaries but also a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression. The storming of the Bastille signified the triumph of popular anger and the beginning of the widespread revolt that would eventually lead to the fall of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic in France.