This worksheet allows students to use a primary source document to learn about theexecution of French King Louis XVI in 1793.
This activity is very easy to use. All you have to do is print off the primary source from the following website for classroom use or direct students to the website to answer the worksheet questions:
The primary source document is labeled (The Execution of Louis XVI, 1793)
Students read the document and answer the questions on the worksheet. The worksheet includes 10 questions and has an answer sheet for the teacher. The worksheet can be used to generate classroom discussion or be used as homework. Feel free to modify this assignment as needed for your classes.
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Use complete sentences on your worksheet as you answer questions from the following reading:
The Execution of Louis XVI, 1793
1. In what year did Louis XVI become king of France?
2. What was the unemployment rate in Paris estimated at in 1788?
3. List at least two major problems that King Louis XVI had to deal with in France
In the 1780s?
4. What organization curtailed King Louis XVI power in 1788?
5.What was King Louis the XVI put on trial for in 1792?
6. How many guards escorted King Louis the XVI to his execution in 1793?
7. Why do you think many of the citizens of Paris were armed during the King’s
procession through the streets of Paris?
8. What was the mood of King Louis the XVI like in the moments before being
executed?
9. How was King Louis the XVI executed?
10. What did the young eighteen year old guard do immediately after the execution
of King Louis the XVI?
Teacher Answer Sheet
Use complete sentences on your worksheet as you answer questions from the following reading:
The Execution of Louis XVI, 1793
1. In what year did Louis XVI become king of France?
King Louis XVI became the king of France in 1774.
2. What was the unemployment rate in Paris estimated at in 1788?
The unemployment rate in Paris was estimated to be around 50% in 1788.
3. List at least two major problems that King Louis XVI had to deal with in France
In the 1780s?
The economy in France was near collapse, and food prices soared.
4. What organization curtailed King Louis XVI power in 1788?
France's National Assembly or the Estates-General curtailed King Louis XVI power.
5. What was King Louis the XVI put on trial for in 1792?
King Louis XVI was put on trial for crimes against the people.
6. How many guards escorted King Louis the XVI to his execution in 1793?
1,200 guards escorted King Louis the XVI.
7. Why do you think many of the citizens of Paris were armed during the King’s
procession through the streets of Paris?
The citizens may have been armed to prevent a group from freeing the king.
8. What was the mood of King Louis the XVI like in the moments before being
executed?
The king was calm and showed courage.
9. How was King Louis the XVI executed?
King Louis the XVI had his head cut off with the guillotine.
10. What did the young eighteen year old guard do immediately after the execution
of King Louis the XVI?
The guard showed the head of King Louis the XVI to the crowd.
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