This topic uses the text book, 'The French Revolution' by Peter Mantin, Heinemann. The key pages are here....
The French Revolution
1) What is a Revolution?
This unit looks at events in the 18th century in France when a 'revolution' took place. Look at the pictures in this pdf and note down what you think each one shows. After a discussion, create your own definition of the word.
Then read the text book pages 4 and 5 to discover what Europe was like in 1780.
You will recieve a copy of this grid for your books. Your teacher will indicate your achievements in the skill areas whenevre you complete some assessed work or tests.
SKILLS: Knowledge and Understanding
Read pages 4 and 5 in the text book about Europe in 1780. Use the two blank maps here and your own research to create a poster showing land and political differences in Europe between 1780 and 2020
2) Why were people unhappy?
Read the text book pages 6 and 7 on the Three Estates. Create your own diagram to show how the Estates System worked, with who was in each estate, duties and privileges.
Next, study the sources and answer the questions about the tax system that existed in France. Use the assessment reflection sheet to help you then complete it after doing your work
Look back at the cartoon on page 7, and these general political cartoon examples.......
Complete the cartoon question at the end of the tax sources sheet
But perhaps this anger was being encouraged? Complete the Enlightenment tasks to find out....
SKILLS:
Evaluation and Analysis
3) Was France ruled well?
We might have an image of an all powerful monarch in our minds. Look at these pictures to see whether these monarchs match our image
Use the text book pages 8 - 11 to read about Louis XIV and take a virtual tour around Versailles here.....
Then complete the school reports for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette...How do they compare to Louis XIV? Might they complain that their reports are unfair? Consider the evidence presented and explain, with reasons, why they might dispute the reports and whether you would agree with them. Explain what issues this provides us for historical evidence.
Use the assessment reflection sheet to help and complete it afterwards.
SKILLS:
Evaluation and
Analysis
4) Financial Ruin!
Watch this video clip. What seems to be Louis XVI biggest concern?
Read the textbook pages 12 and 13 about Louis's financial crisis. Can you create a diagram to show why it was difficult for him to get out of this crisis?
Assessment: Using your work from this section, write a letter from Louis's Minister of Finance, Calonne, to Louis. In it, explain to Louis his financial situation and suggest ways out of it. (You could use a 'quill' font and typeup your work. You can download a quill font here:
SKILLS:
Research and Presentation
5) What was 'The Tennis Court Oath?
Many famous works of art reflect key historical moments...look at some here..
One such work is Jacques Louis David's 'The Tennis Court Oath' which you can see here....Read about this event in your text books pages 14 and 15 to get the context and facts.
An art historian looks at works of art and comments on them for both their artistic worth and how they relate to history. Here are some examples..
Now put all of this together to write and present your own art critic show for YouTube for the Tennis Court Oath
SKILLS: Historical Interpretation, Research and Presentation
6) A La Bastille!
The National Assembly had been created...but rumours swept Paris and a crowd began to gather....the revolution was about to have a new, more violent impetus.....
You will form a media group that produces a Paris newspaper. Watch the newsfeed, look at the accounts and build your front page...but remember...you MUST hit the deadline!!
SKILLS: Historical Interpretation
7) Execution: Source analysis
Even after the Bastille, Louis was still King. Read the textbook pages 18 - 23 and complete the tasks on this powerpoint to identify how this incident was the beginning of the end for Louis...
Louis is now put on trial. Normally the accused would have the right to a fair trial. Use the evidence to work out the cases for the prosecution and defence in his trial.
...but Louis did not have a fair trial. The National Assembly were judge and jury.....Complete the activities on pages 24 and 25 of the text book.
Watch this film version of the execution of Louis. How does it compare to the eyewitness account? So how accurate and useful can films be?
Many others followed Louis to the Guillotine. To pass the time in prison many played the card game 'whist'....you can play a version here.....
With the execution we can say the revolution is in progress. Use this writing frame as a guide to reflect on everything studied so far to write an essay on 'Why was there a revolution in France in the 18th century?'
SKILLS: Knowledge and Understanding
8) How did the world react?
You have looked at political cartoons earlier in this unit. Now look at the examples here and the text book pages 22 - 24 then design your own anti-revolutionary cartoon.
SKILLS: Historical Interpretation
9) What was 'The Terror'?
Watch the video...what happened during the Reign of Terror? Look at the pages 26 - 29 in the text book. How did so much power end up in the hands of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety?
How 'just' was revolutionary justice?
10) Napoleon: Hero or donkey?
Was Napoleon the man to save France? Would he save the revolution or complete the turn back to autocracy?
Look at the paintings of Napoleon crossing the Alps in May 1800. Both very different, but which is a more accurate portrayal of Napoleon as a leader? The 'White Charger' or the 'Donkey'? Read the pages about Napoleon, watch the video or do some research on Napoleon in the school library. Then, using the 3D gallery tool, artsteps or powerpoint, create an exhibition which shows one view or the other of Napoleon. Your first picture should be the 'White Charger' or 'Donkey'.
Watch this video for a good overview of Napoleon..
SKILLS: Research and Presentation