The French Revolution
Main Idea: Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime helped cause the French Revolution.
Why It Matters Now: Throughout history, economic and social inequalities have led peoples to revolt against their governments.
Part One: The Old Regime
In the 1770’s, the system of feudalism left over from the Middle Ages remained in place; this was known as the ______. The people of France were divided into three large social classes called ______. Complete the following Double-T Chart by comparing and contrasting the First and Second Estate. Use additional resources if necessary.
First Estate / Similar / Second EstatePart Two: The Third Estate
On a separate sheet of paper, create a Web Diagram on the Third Estate. Be sure to create a sub-topic with supporting detail for each of the three groups that make up the Third Estate.
Review Questions:
1. Which of the following groups of people belonged to the Third Estate? Check all that apply.
o San-culottes o Church Officials o Bourgeoisie
o The Urban Poor o High Government Officers o The King and Queen
o Peasants o The Middle Class o Nobles
2. Which estate(s) was most threaten by the ideas of the Enlightenment?
o First Estate o Second Estate o Third Estate
Part Three: The Forces of Change
Using information you have learned in this class, as well as multiple textbooks, complete the following Matrix Chart on the causes of the French Revolution. Remember to be accurate and thorough.
Event / Define: Explain the Event (What) / Identify: Justify the Event (Why)Enlightenment Ideas
American
Revolution
Economic
Woes
Social
Inequalities
A Weak
Leader
CLASS NOTES:
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Marie Antoinette – The Queen of France
Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette when he was 15 and she was just 14 years old. Marie Antoinette was a member of the royal family of ______. She was extremely unpopular because ______As a result, she was nicknamed ______. Despite this, Marie Antoinette had many redeeming qualities: Investigate Marie Antoinette and complete the following T-Chart:
Actions that were “Foolish” / Actions that are “Admirable”Part Four: Revolution Dawns
Explain each Event: Include a DEFINITION plus SUPPORTING DETAILMeeting of the Estates-General
National Assembly (Tennis Court Oath)
Storming of the Bastille
Review Questions:
1. ______This was the name of the political prison that stored gunpowder.
2. ______This group wanted to write a new constitution for the people.
The Estates-General
§ The Estates-General was the ______of the French Government. The Estates-General could only be called to order the ______.
§ At the Estates-General, the ______met to hear and ______on proposals for new laws.
§ Each estate received ______vote. This was called ______.
Review Questions:
1. What is meant by the term ESTATE? ______
2. What is meant by VOTE BY ORDER? ______
§ During the Middle Ages, the ______and ______Estates dominated the Estates-General.
§ When the Estates-General was ______, in 1789, the First and Second Estates expected to dominate like they did in 1614.
§ Under ______rules, each estate met in its own hall and voted ______on a proposal. Each estate received ______. Thus, the First and Second Estates ______two to one.
Review Questions:
1. How many years had it been since the Estates-General had been called to order? ______
2. Why was the Estates-General called to order in 1789? ______
§ The ______Estate demanded that the ______estates meet together as one body. They also demanded that the ______of each member would count equally. This was called ______. Thus, the 610 representatives of the Third Estate would be able to ______the 591 members of the First and Second Estates.
§ King ______sided with the ______and ordered the Estates-General to follow the old medieval rules.
Review Question:
1. On the next page (i.e. Class Notes), explain why the 3rd Estate was upset at the Estates-General.
CLASS NOTES:
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
The French Revolution
Main Idea: The revolutionary government of France made reforms but also used terror and violence to retain power.
Why It Matters Now: Some governments that lack the support of a majority of their people still use terrorism to control their citizens.
Part One: The Assembly Reforms France
State the historical significance (importance) of the following dates of the French Revolution:
Date / Historical Significance (Importance)May 5th, 1789
June 17th, 1789
July 14th, 1789
August 4th, 1789
On August 27th, 1789 the National Assembly adopted the ______. This revolutionary document was influence by the ______and the ______. It stated that ______. It also stated that the purpose of government was to preserve the natural rights of man. According to the French, these rights were:
1) 3)
2) 4)
In addition to these natural rights, this document guaranteed ______, ______and ______to all men. As a result, ______became the battle cry of the French Revolution.
Question / AnswerWhat did the National Assembly do in
regard to the Church? What was the intended result of these actions?
What was the main motive behind the National Assembly’s actions? Explain.
What were the unintended consequences of the National Assembly’s actions. Explain.
Review Question:
1. Which of the following was NOT a natural right according to the National Assembly?
a. Security c. Resistance to Oppression
b. Liberty d. Brotherhood
2. What was the “battle cry” of the French Revolution? ______
Part Two: Conflicting Goals Cause Divisions in the Legislative Assembly
§ By 1791, the National Assembly created a limited constitutional monarchy. This meant ______As a result, the ______replaced the National Assembly as the law-making branch of the French Government.
§ Despite this success, the French government still faced the problem of ______and ______. There were angry cries for more ______, more ______and more ______. This caused the leaders of the new government to turn against each other.
§ On the extreme right were the ______who wanted ______.
§ On the extreme left were the ______who wanted ______.
Summarize the events that lead to the formation of the National Convention.Once in power, what did the National Convention do?
Personal Response (p. 201): In your opinion, was the guillotine a form of cruel and unusual punishment? What was the purpose of holding public executions then and now?
Part Three: The Terror Grips France; End of Terror
On a separate sheet of paper, create a formal outline of the Reign of Terror (p. 202-203); Underline important terms/names.
CLASS NOTES:
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Review of Content: French Revolution
1. ______This is the date the National Assembly ended the Old Regime, feudalism, church tithes and the special privileges of the First/Second Estates.
2. ______Hoping to spread their revolutionary ideas, France voted to declare war on this country
3. ______A medieval fort and prison in Paris used to store gun powder. It was stormed by members of the Third Estate on July 14, 1789.
4. ______They were the urban middle-class; they were the merchants/artisans and were well-educated and often wealthy.
5. ______A group of 12 men who decided who was an enemy of the state; those who were, were executed.
6. ______This group liked the king, wanted no more changes and was opposed to violence.
7. ______Danton, George: A radical supporter and close ally of Robespierre who was eventually declared a traitor; he was executed the guillotine.
8. ______This was the document written by the National Assembly that identified the natural rights of the French citizens as well as their other liberties
9. ______A group of 5 men who were given control of France following the Reign of Terror; Napoleon was one of the 5 men.
10. ______The legislative branch of the French government prior to the French Revolution; it could meet only with permission from the king.
11. ______Hundreds of people stormed the prison in search of gunpowder to save Paris/National Assembly; it was the symbolic start of the revolution.
12. ______They consisted of the Roman Catholic Clergy; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes.
13. ______A major change in government that began in 1789; it brought an end to the absolute monarchy and a start to a representative government.
14. ______A machine used to behead people; it was supposed to make death quick and painless.
15. ______This is the date that represents the symbolic start of the French Revolution; Parisians stormed the Bastille.
16. ______This is the date that the Third Estate voted to leave the Estates-General and form a new body of government for the people of France.
17. ______This was the legislative branch that was elected to power; it voted to start a war with Austria; it was also forced to step down from power.
18. ______This was the slogan (battle cry) of the French Revolution; it rallied the Third Estate to support the revolution.
19. ______He was the king of France at the start of the revolution; he was weak and indecisive.
20. ______A radical supporter of the French Revolution who used his newspaper to demand more blood; he was eventually murdered.
21. ______She was the queen of France at the start of the revolution; she was from Austria and spent too much money on herself.
22. ______This is the date that the Estates-General was called to order; the 1st and 2nd estate expected to dominate the Estates-General.
23. ______This group could live with or without the king, wanted some additional changes and supported violence only if it was justified.
24. ______This was legislative branch of the government; it proclaimed an end to the absolute monarchy and the start of a representative government.
25. ______This was the legislative branch; it ended feudalism, serfdom, taxes to the church and the special privileges of the 1st and 2nd estate.
26. ______This was the legislative branch that deposed the king of his title, declared France a republic and publically executed the king and queen.
27. ______A combination of the absolute monarchy and feudalism in France; it included the three estates.
28. ______They were the rural poor; they were the farmers who paid about half of their income in taxes to nobles, the church and other agents of the king.
29. ______This group hated the king, wanted drastic and sweeping changes and advocated the use of violence in the name of the revolution.
30. ______The excessively violent period of time during the French Revolution under the rule of Robespierre.
31. ______Robespierre's attempt to erase all traces of the monarchy, nobility and the Catholic Church.
32. ______The radical leader during the French Revolution responsible for the Reign of Terror; he wanted to create a Republic of Virtue.
33. ______They were the urban poor; they were the cooks/servants who were paid low wages and were often out of work.
34. ______They consisted of the Nobles; they received special privileges and paid no direct taxes to the king.
35. ______A promise made by the members of the National Assembly to stay together until they had written a constitution for France; this was the first deliberate act of the revolution (treason).
36. ______They consisted of the bourgeoisie, the san-culottes and the peasants; they paid high taxes and had no special privileges.
37. ______A palace built by Louis XIV outside of Paris; it was home to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
38. ______When each representative received one vote; this was favored by the Third Estate.
39. ______When each estate received one vote; this was favored by the First and Second Estates.
40. ______This period of time, which emphasized a standard of reason to study and improve society, inspired the French Revolution.
The French Revolution
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!
Name: ______
Ms. Jackson Block:______
“What is the Third Estate? Everything. What has it been up to now in the political order? Nothing. What does it demand? To become something.”
French Revolution – DLJ