Off With Their Heads!

The French Revolution is a period where one can typically find little to laugh about, unless the mass slaughter of tens-of-thousands of people tickles your historical fancy or massages your deep-seeded hate for European aristocracy. The bloody period did much to shape modern world politics, abolished slavery in French-held territories and opened the door to the rise to Napoleon Bonaparte, but the popular symbol that lingers in most people’s minds is the guillotine.

Developed as an efficient and humane manner of execution, the guillotine was a perfect symbol for the Age of Enlightenment-fuelled violence of the French Revolution — a combination of vicious violence and modern invention. Executions of King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette and countless other nobles and members of the ruling class were public events during the Reign of Terror of the Revolutionary period. Ironically, Maximilien Robespierre, one of the architects of the Reign of Terror would also meet his death at the guillotine when public sentiment turned against the violence of the era. Beyond the French Revolution, the guillotine would remain a prominent mode of execution for prisoners worldwide and a mode of terror for governments such as the German Third Reich well into the late 20th-century.

In Guillotine, you will take on the role of rival executioners competing for the public's favor during the French Revolution.The mechanics mirror the chaotic, unpredictable nature of the historical Reign of Terror (1793–1794). During this period, the political winds shifted so violently that a faction leader could go from directing the executions to being executed themselves the very next day. The game captures this through "Action" cards that represent bribes, shifting crowd moods, and sudden bureaucratic interventions that arbitrarily change who is next on the chopping block.

1. What did the game suggest about the relationship between power and survival?

2. How did the game demonstrate that people can manipulate a system without changing the rules themselves?

3. What was one important difference between the game and the real French Revolution?

4. Why did the Reign of Terror eventually turn against people who had supported the Revolution?
Final Question

5. How can a revolution that begins by demanding liberty and equality end up restricting people's freedom?

Let Them Eat Cake!

Did Marie Antoinette really say “LET THEM EAT CAKE?!”

Now, I know what some of you are thinking, “Of course she didn’t, she spoke French!” But, in fact, she didn’t say “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche” either. This saying in France actually pre-dated her arrival there by anywhere from about thirty years to as much as a century!

So how did this saying get attributed to Marie Antoinette? Primarily, because the people of France loathed her. If you read up on her history, you’ll find most of this loathing was primarily because she was an easy and very visible target to vent their rage against the French aristocracy on.

🍰 Possible Ingredients for a French Revolution Cake

Ingredient	Possible “Amount”	What It Represents
👑 Absolute Monarchy	5 cups	The king held enormous political power
💰 Government Debt	6 lbs.	France was deeply in debt, including from wars
💸 High Taxes on the Third Estate	5 cups	Common people carried much of the tax burden
⚖️ Social Inequality	7 lbs.	The Three Estates had very unequal privileges
👨‍🌾 Angry Peasants	5 cups	Peasants faced taxes, dues, and economic hardship
🍞 Bread Shortages	6 loaves	Rising food prices created hardship and anger
📈 Rising Bread Prices	4 cups	Ordinary people struggled to afford food
💡 Enlightenment Ideas	6 tablespoons	Ideas about liberty, equality, rights, and government
🗣️ Demand for Political Representation	5 cups	The Third Estate wanted greater political influence
👑 Louis XVI's Weak Leadership	3 cups	Problems of leadership and difficulty addressing the crisis
👸 Marie Antoinette	2 cups	Public criticism of the monarchy and royal extravagance
🏰 Privileges of the First & Second Estates	6 lbs.	Clergy and nobility enjoyed important privileges
🧾 Unfair Tax System	6 cups	Taxes were distributed unevenly among estates
🌾 Poor Harvests	4 cups	Bad harvests contributed to food shortages
🏛️ Estates-General	3 cups	Its meeting helped bring the political crisis into the open
📜 Declaration of the Rights of Man	3 tablespoons	Revolutionary ideas about rights and equality
🇺🇸 American Revolution	2 cups	Provided an example of revolution and republican government
🗞️ Pamphlets & Newspapers	2 cups	Spread political ideas and criticism
😡 Public Anger	7 cups	Growing frustration with government and inequality
🏰 Storming of the Bastille	2 cups	A major early revolutionary event
🔥 Fear of Counter-Revolution	2 cups	Fear that enemies would destroy the revolution

Do You Hear the People Sing?

While American delegates were gathered at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the seeds of another revolution were being planted across the Atlantic Ocean. Like the American Revolution, the French Revolution was inspired by Enlightenment philosophers and a dedication to the ideals of liberty and equality.

Exorbitantly high taxes, national debt, and a mostly apathetic monarch pushed the French working class and peasantry to demand changes. When these demands were not met, radicals chose instead to dissolve the government and form an entirely new one. The French Revolution was a radical assault on France's traditional institutions—the monarchy, the Church, feudalism—and thoroughly transformed French society.

How did the French Revolution end the blood reign of kings in France and lay the foundation for a new republican system of government?

We the People...

DBQ: How can understanding the principles of the Constitution help citizens participate effectively in a democratic society?

Over the past several decades, the checks-and-balances of our government have been increasingly tested in ways our founding fathers never anticipated. How has the US Constitution changed over time and continued to remain eternal ?

Why is it so difficult to amend the Constitution? 

What was the last meaningful attempt to amend the Constitution?

Joeseph Plumb Martin: The Experiences of a Common Soldier

Washington could command the army—but who actually had to fight the war?

Would you join?  Why or why not?

Who was Joseph Plumb Martin? What was his experience? Would it change your opinion?

If ordinary people were essential to winning the Revolution, what did they have the right to expect from the new government after the Revolution was over?

Why George Washington?

 

The Obvious Choice to Lead the Continental Army

Now that we've studied the leaders of revolutionary movements in England, France, and Latin America, let's take a look at George Washington and why he was uniquely qualified to lead the Continental Army during the American Revolution.  Watch the video linked above and then type your answers to these questions:

1) What previous experience did George Washington have in leading troops?

2) What colony was Washington from?

3) Why were some of the delegates at the Second Continental Congress hoping to have someone from Washington’s colony be commander?

4) How did Washington gain his wealth?

5) What did Washington wear to the Second Continental Congress that might have shown his “ambition” to be Commander?

6) What does the video say about Washington’s height? Why do you think his height affected what people thought of him?

7) List two adjectives that historians used to describe Washington’s character.

8) Washington was described as having a “ruthless and intense focus.” What does this mean to you?

9) What makes a good leader?

10) Think about some of the characteristics that you said make a good leader. How does George Washington compare?

To Tell the Truth

 Three contestants claim to be the same person. Four celebrities question the contestants, then vote for the one they think is the real person. This simple game has endured as a TV classic for over 45 years. Today's assignment pays tribute to the show that asked the burning question... 

 "Will the real ________ please stand up?" 

 With your group you are each to choose a fact for the historical figure assigned you. Use your Biography Handout as a resource. All of your facts should be made false except one. After presenting  your facts in front of the class they will try to guess which is true.  The more realistic/ believable your facts the better chance you have of fooling your classmates and winning the game. 

  

 Do you have what it takes TO TELL THE TRUTH (1969-1978) (2018+)?

Thomas Jefferson

Napolean Bonaparte

Toussaint Louverture

Simón Bolívar

José de San Martín

Miguel Hidalgo