The French Revolution


Students analyze a political cartoon from the period of the French Revolution. Then they watch a video and read an article, summarizing the stages of the revolution. Next they explain how the French Revolution applied Enlightenment ideas to the emerging modern nation. Finally they compare and contrast the French and American Revolutions.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students analyze a political cartoon from the period of the French Revolution. Then they watch a video and read an article, summarizing the stages of the revolution. Next they explain how the French Revolution applied Enlightenment ideas to the emerging modern nation. Finally they compare and contrast the French and American Revolutions.

Objectives

  • Analyze how the French Revolution contributed to the modernization of Europe.
  • Explain the impact of the American Revolution on the French Revolution.


Engage


France watched the American Revolution from afar. Following the British surrender at the Battle of Saratoga, the French government finally decided to actively support the American colonists. Between 1778 and 1782 the French provided supplies, arms and ammunition, uniforms, and even troops and naval support to the beleaguered Continental Army. The French navy transported reinforcements, fought off a British fleet, and protected Washington’s forces in Virginia. The French helped mediate the British surrender and the final Treaty of Paris.

A few year later, the French middle class and peasants rose up in a revolution of their own. You will learn about the French Revolution in this experience.

Objectives

  • Analyze how the French Revolution contributed to the modernization of Europe.
  • Explain the impact of the American Revolution on the French Revolution.


etching of three women walking arm in arm: a peasant woman, an aristocrat, and a woman symbolizing liberty

Parisian Fishwives (ca. 1794) illustrates the role of women during the French Revolution


Study the print shown above. Whom do you think the three women in the foreground represent? Try to identify them from left to right. If you don’t know, use your imagination.



According to the Library of Congress: “Pariser Poisarden (Parisian Fishwives) (ca. 1794) illustrates the role of women during the insurrectionary days of the French Revolution. Here a Parisian fishwife strides forward, hand-in-hand with a young, aristocratic woman, possibly an early Marianne figure, driven by a menacing harpy representing the anger and violence of working class women.”


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