French Revolution Curriculum

The French Revolution is not just another story of insurrection in history; it was a wildfire of revolutionary ideologies that attempted to upend every monarch and feudal society in Europe. The ideas behind the revolution serve as the foundation of modern-day democracy. 

Between 1787 and 1799, France was in political turmoil because of a revolution. Many argued that the revolution was political in nature rather than social. 

See the fact file below for more information on French Revolution Curriculum or alternatively, you can download our 13-page French Revolution Curriculum worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Before we start:

• Before we start, watch a short video explainer about the French Revolution.

What to consider?

• Historical context – In teaching any topic in history that involves insurgencies and revolutions, it is important to provide a contextual background of the place, people, and ideology.   
• Themes – In addition to teaching strategies harnessing the students’ sense of chronology, we can also consider teaching using themes. For the French Revolution, we may start with the nature of French society during the Ancien Regime, then followed by revolutionary ideas and ideology. 
• Impact – One of the main reasons for teaching any part of history is its significance. The impact of a revolution in the past on today’s society is the force behind urging the students to comprehend the significance of history. 
• Myths and facts – Every historian and teacher of history dwell on primary sources. It is important to analyze and retell parts of history, in this case, the French Revolution, based on evidence to avoid revisionism and impartial recounts. It is our duty to identify myths from facts. 
• Historical interpretation – The past can only speak for itself based on evidence and interpretation. Today, historical sources are all subjected to various interpretations. Instead of overwhelming the students with historical debate, we can introduce them to honing their skills. 
• If you’re concerned about upsetting your students with dark aspects of history during a time of what is supposed to be informative and interactive learning, we have a useful blog that will help you navigate teaching and an impartial recount of the facts.

How to deliver

• To teach the French Revolution is to start with the nature and structure of Europe, specifically France in the 18th century. Since it is a story of revolution, it is crucial, to begin with, the political landscape of France in the 18th century. Learners may find studying about a chaotic past irrelevant, but this is the challenge of how we, as teachers and parents, can present them with valuable and relevant events. 
• We may present images of a feudal society with kings, nobles, and peasants arranged in a hierarchy based on wealth (land). Then, ask the learners to reflect on the difference in how their society works today. The feudal system and landholding was the main feature of Europe, including France, before the revolution. 
• Throughout the Medieval period until before the 18th-century revolutions, Europe was governed by monarchs. 
• This means that the majority of Europe was under the absolute power of kings (and rarely queens). Using a map to show the change and continuity of absolute monarchy in Europe is as effective as recounting to our learners the dominant political structure of the time. You may also review their knowledge about the concepts of feudalism, social hierarchy, and absolute monarchy.
• Food shortage, famine, high mortality rate, and poor living conditions were not the immediate and sole factors of the French Revolution. The emerging liberal beliefs of intellectuals such as Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, and other philosophers of the Enlightenment Era influenced the educated classes. 
• Studying the French Revolution is incomplete without understanding the ideologies behind it. It is crucial to discuss the importance of the Enlightenment thinkers in challenging the centuries-old monarchy and its absolute power. Considered as the lasting impact of the French Revolution in world politics is the existence of democratic governments led by people’s representatives and not by divinely ordained kings.
• A diagram is also effective in stimulating the students’ analytic skills. In 1787, King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to resolve the issue of taxation of the privileged classes. In an attempt of the First and Second Estates to exclude the Third Estate, which was composed of commoners representing about 96% of the French population, the Third Estate declared a separate National Assembly in a tennis court. 
• A simple analysis of the diagram is the unequal distribution of wealth and power. Despite having the majority of the population, the Third Estate is at the bottom of the hierarchy. Before the revolution, the Third Estate paid heavy taxes but had no rights and privileges like the other two estates.  
• Aside from diagrams, political cartoons can also stimulate the learners’ historical interpretation skills. On the left is a 1789 color engraving of the French Revolution. The source depicts a noble and a clergy (First and Second Estates) riding on the back of a peasant (Third Estate). Using this cartoon, the learners can provide one of the causes of the French Revolution. 
• Using text selection such as the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen” (Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen) is also important in substantiating essays. 
• A revolution is never an isolated event in history. Foreign policy has been an integral section of running a kingdom or a nation since time immemorial. In the 18th century, France participated in costly wars against its rival Great Britain. Louis XV lost the Seven Years’ War to Britain, while his grandson Louis XVI provided financial aid to the Americans during the War of Independence. This series of expensive wars drew France into a financial crisis. In the Medieval period, taxation was the main method of paying debt, funding the monarchy, and running the domestic economy. 
• The French Revolution is often equated with chaos, blood, and execution. It is indeed a violent revolution that overthrew a monarchy, witnessed a reign of terror, and built up an emperor. It may be a gruesome area to discuss, but what’s significant is the symbolism it represents. The loss of faith in Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI marked the collapse of absolute monarchy in France and ignited a threat to kingship for the rest of Europe. 
• Other important figures to highlight are Maximilien Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte. Robespierre was a leading member of the Paris Commune and the French Convention but was criticized and later executed for trying to establish a dictatorship. Meanwhile, military hero Napoleon Bonaparte led a coup d’etat in 1799 and ended the rule of the Directory. Napoleon’s take over ended the French Revolution and began France’s domination of continental Europe.
• Lastly, the French Revolution can also be discussed by highlighting significant events and their impact. For example, how did the Tennis Court Oath in June 1789 give power to the Third Estate, or how did the storming of the Bastille in July 1789 impact the monarchy. 
  • Another significant event was the women’s march on Versailles in October 1789. Facing bad harvest and the skyrocketing price of bread, a large crowd of Parisian women marched to Versailles and stormed the palace. They were convinced that despite the poverty of the French people, the royal family lived in luxury. 
  • In June 1791, while the revolution was at its height, Louis XVI decided to secure his family and flee to Austria. However, their disguise proved insufficient when they were recognized at Varennes. In addition to humiliation, the event turned public opinion against the king.  
  • Between September 1793 and July 1794, after the death of the king, France succumbed to a Reign of Terror. A de facto government led by Robespierre executed thousands of enemies. 
  • Following the execution of Robespierre, the Directory was created in August 1795 but was dissolved in 1799 after getting involved in corruption, political manipulation, and financial problems. 

Learning outcomes

• The French Revolution was pivotal in the abolition of feudalism and absolute monarchy in France and the rest of Europe. Despite its violent nature, the revolution exposed the ill sections of society. It challenged the divine right of kings, opposed poor living conditions due to corruption, and fought for basic rights. 
• Learners should be able to give importance to the kind of democracy we are enjoying today. The works of the Enlightenment thinkers ignited people of every class to seek liberty and equality. 

French Revolution Curriculum Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the French Revolution Curriculum across 13 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about French Revolution which is a wildfire of revolutionary ideologies that attempted to upend every monarch and feudal society in Europe.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

• Teaching French Revolution
  1. Short video explainer
  2. What to consider
  3. How to deliver
  4. Learning outcomes
• Lesson Plan Template
• Suggested Worksheets

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