Year 8 - History
Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution
The Enlightenment: what was the Enlightenment?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about the Enlightenment and its impact on America, France, and the Atlantic World. They develop knowledge of the Enlightenment's background and ideas and consider its links to the 'Age of Revolution'.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain why the French Revolution took place.
Key Notes
- European Enlightenment ideas had spread to America, causing a revolution which France had supported.
- The French monarchy was deep in debt and taxed the poorest in society the most.
- The inequality of the Ancien Régime and successive poor harvests angered ordinary people.
- King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette spent money lavishly whilst their people were starving.
- The people of France rose up against the monarchy in revolution in 1789 leading to the execution of the king.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Ancien Régime: the Ancien Régime was the name for the political and social system in France before the Revolution, ruled by the monarch: King Louis XVI
- taille: the taille was a land tax paid in France by peasants and non-nobles before the Revolution, and was not paid by clergy or nobility
- Estates-General: an Estates-General was an emergency meeting of people from all areas of French society that the king could call to advise him
- republic: a republic is a country without a king or queen.
- absolute: the ability of a monarch to do as they please without having to answer to anyone for their actions is known as absolute power
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The French Revolution only occurred because of the Enlightenment.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
European Enlightenment ideas had spread to America, causing a revolution which France had supported. The French monarchy was deep in debt and taxed the poorest in society the most.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'Ancien Régime'
the Ancien Régime was the name for the political and social system in France before the Revolution, ruled by the monarch: King Louis XVI.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: The French Revolution only occurred because of the Enlightenment. Correction: The French Revolution occurred for a myriad of reasons. These include causes such as the Enlightenment, the influence of the American Revolution, the lavish spending of the monarchy and their supposed indifference to the plight of the Third Estate.
More Lessons In This Unit
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