Revolution:French Edition

Monday November 3, 2013

Consider this:What would drive you to revolution?

What would it take?

3 ½ min.

END

Today’s ObjectivesStudents will describe the long-term and immediate causes of the French Revolution by Discussing the impact of the American

War for Independence on France Analyzing and interpreting a series of

political cartoons in small groups Examining the immediate economic

causes of the revolution

Background to the Revolution“The condition of France alone did not bring about the overthrow of the monarchy… for the suffering of the people was not greater than they had been before. The ideas of the philosophs were not directly responsible for the outbreak…[but] the spark that changed thought into action was supplied by the Declaration of American Independence… The American example caused the Revolution to break out.”

- Lord Acton

Today’s ObjectivesStudents will describe the long-term and immediate causes of the French Revolution by Discussing the impact of the American

War for Independence on France Analyzing and interpreting a series of

political cartoons in small groups Examining the immediate economic

causes of the revolution

The Three Estates

First Estate: CLERGY

Second Estate:

NOBILITY

Third Estate: everyone else, from peasants

to wealthy merchants

Bourgeoisie: Wealthy, educated, middle-class members of the Third Estate.

With your NEW Elbow-buddy…

1.Examine each of the cartoons and identify people or objects in them.

2.Try to interpret what those objects and people might symbolize.

3.If you finish early, carefully choose 3 words that describe/symbolize the message of the cartoon.

The Three EstatesThe First and Second Estates controlled most of the wealth but were exempt from paying the taille, or tax.

The Third Estate had to pay taxes to the government. In addition, peasants owed duties to the nobles such as harvesting their crops.We

are the

98%!

But, why

now?!?!

Today’s ObjectivesStudents will describe the long-term and immediate causes of the French Revolution by Discussing the impact of the American

War for Independence on France Analyzing and interpreting a series of

political cartoons in small groups Examining the immediate economic

causes of the revolution

Immediate CauseIn the south of France there is a taille [tax on the land and its produce]. There is an injustice in levying the amount each person must pay. Lands held by the nobility are taxed very little. Lands held by the commoners are taxed very heavily…September 5, 1788: The poor people seem very poor indeed. The children are terribly ragged.June 10, 1789: The lack of bread is terrible. Stories arrive every moment from provinces of riots…The price of bread has risen above people’s ability to pay. This causes great misery. July 1789:…I was joined by a poor woman who complained of the hard times. “The tailles and feudal dues [rents owed to the landlords] are crushing us,” she said.