French Revolution
What: The French Revolution was a complete change in power relations between different groups within society. It took away the powers of the old French ruling classes and inspired oppressed people outside France. It created equality under law.
Where: France
When: 1789 to 1794
Who: Louis XVI was the absolute monarch at the time. There were 3 estates of the Old Regime.
The First Estate were the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church who owned much land but paid no taxes.
The Second Estate were the landowning aristocracy who paid no taxes.
The Third Estate were 95% of the population who were the urban middle class, workers and peasants. They had no privileges and paid many kinds of taxes.
Why: The influence of enlightenment thinkers challenged the inequality of the 3 estates and the claim of the King to rule by divine right. By 1789, after decades of extravagance, France was bankrupt. This lead Louis XVI to tax the wealthy which caused the first and second estates to rebel. This lead to the meeting of the estates general. The third estate claimed they represent the nation and created the National Assembly. Louis XVI ordered their dispersal but the National Assembly refused and wrote a constitution instead.
Where: France
When: 1789 to 1794
Who: Louis XVI was the absolute monarch at the time. There were 3 estates of the Old Regime.
The First Estate were the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church who owned much land but paid no taxes.
The Second Estate were the landowning aristocracy who paid no taxes.
The Third Estate were 95% of the population who were the urban middle class, workers and peasants. They had no privileges and paid many kinds of taxes.
Why: The influence of enlightenment thinkers challenged the inequality of the 3 estates and the claim of the King to rule by divine right. By 1789, after decades of extravagance, France was bankrupt. This lead Louis XVI to tax the wealthy which caused the first and second estates to rebel. This lead to the meeting of the estates general. The third estate claimed they represent the nation and created the National Assembly. Louis XVI ordered their dispersal but the National Assembly refused and wrote a constitution instead.
Activities
1. Complete the 'Events in History' table and 'Good and Evil in human History' table for the French Revolution
2 Identify the different perspectives of the opposing sides of the Revolution (Louis and the aristocracy vs the third estate). In other words, how did Louis and the aristocracy view the conflict? How did the third estate view the conflict?
3. How does "Good" and "Evil" coexist in this event? Use examples from the event to justify your answers.
2 Identify the different perspectives of the opposing sides of the Revolution (Louis and the aristocracy vs the third estate). In other words, how did Louis and the aristocracy view the conflict? How did the third estate view the conflict?
3. How does "Good" and "Evil" coexist in this event? Use examples from the event to justify your answers.