OAC Modern Western Civilizations
Unit 2
The French Revolution and Napoleon

This unit is designed to demonstrate how many of the political ideas expressed by the great thinkers were put into practice. The American Revolution serves as an example to the French, who revolt against the absolutist government of Louis XVI. Following 10 years of instability, Napoleon rises from a lowly Corsican Artillery man to become Emperor of all France, and at the height of his power controlled almost all of continental Europe. Many of his reforms remain in place today.

Did Marie Antoinette really say "Let them eat cake" when told there was no bread for the people?

Unit Assignments

Using the text, pp. 45-7, complete the following chart.

 

1st Estate

2nd Estate

3rd Estate

Membership & Divisions 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Responsibilities to the State  
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Political Rights  
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Source of Power 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 


French Revolution Timeline
Use the text, pages 44-65, to annotate, in point form but with a degree of detail so as to make it meaningful, the time line found on page 44 of the text, covering the years July 1789 to July 1894. In other words, explain what each of the points on the text's time line are, how they occurred, and why they were important enough to put on a time line.

Also, write a short description which explains the Directory, the body which ruled France from 1794 - 1799.


Revolutionary Readings
Refer to the 9 short readings, and for each of the nine do the following:

  • identify who the writer(s) is/are. On some this is easy, on others, well ...
  • establish why the piece was written - what is it trying to say or accomplish
  • summarize each in a maximum of two sentences
    All of this can be easily fit into the margins of the handout.


    Burke and Paine
    This assignment is made up of two readings, one by Edmund Burke and the other by Thomas Paine. They are essentially arguing opposite sides of the same idea. For each of these readings do the following:

  • identify the most important line
  • identify two supporting points for the argument each is putting forward
  • Write a 50 word opinion article supporting one of the views over the other.


    Napoleon - Biography and Time line
    Use the text, pages 66-87, to complete the following:

  • Create a biography of Napoleon, in point form, covering the years from his birth until his seizure of power in 1799. Include the main factors in his personal development & his military career.
  • Annotate, in point form but with a degree of detail so as to make it meaningful, the time line found on page 66 of the text, covering the years 1799 - 1815. In other words, explain what each of the points on the text's time line are, how they occurred, and why they were important enough to put on a time line.


    Napoleon - Views on Himself
    Read the document Napoleon's Views on Himself and answer the following questions:

    1. In what way does Napoleon attempt to portray himself as a natural leader for the Revolution, as though he stepped in when he did because he was the best person to lead France?
    2. What does Napoleon have to say about his successes?
    3. What does Napoleon have to say about his losses?
    4. What does Napoleon claim as his legacy?


    Test Review
    Part I - The French Revolution
    Some of the people, places & things you should be familiar with:

    Tennis Court Oath

    Jacobins

    Girondins

    1st, 2nd, 3rd estates

    Louis XVI

    Estates-General

    U.S. Bill of Rights

    Dec. of Independence

    9 Causes of Revolution

    cahiers

    National Assembly

    Burke & Paine

    Legislative Assembly

    Declaration of Pillnitz

    emigres

    Convention

    Terror

    bourgeoisie

    the Directory

    Civil Const. Clergy

    Test Structure

  • Timeline
        - 10 events placed in chronological order
  • Identification & Significance
        - leaders
        - specific events
        - specific documents
  • Short essay questions
        - facts and events
        - quoted lines from documents
  • Long essay questions
        - interpretation of events
        - state and support opinion with evidence
  • Primary document study
        - sight passage & questions
        - Declaration of Independence
        - Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

    Part II - Napoleon
    The Napoleon test will be an Open Book in-class essay worth 30 marks.

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