Mr. Trzepinska
World Cultures Enriched
The Trial of King Louis XVI
Background: It’s the year 1792 in the city of Paris. The National Convention has arrested King Louis XVI
and is forcing him to stand trial for his crimes. The National Convention believes that he is a traitor, and
they have charged him with the following crimes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Bankrupting the nation
Plotting against the revolution
Trying to flee
Accepting a constitution he despised
Helping the Austrian invasion of France
Characters: The following people all have a role in this trial of King Louis XVI. They are:
The Prosecution
Lead Attorney (2)
The Defense
Lead Attorney (2)
Witnesses
Maximillian Robespierre
Jean Paul Marat
John Locke
Jacobin
San-Culottes
Witnesses:
Louis XVI
Marie Antoinette
Thomas Hobbes
Leopold II (Holy Roman Emperor)
Girondist
The Prosecution Team
1. The team will consist of two lead attorneys that will handle questioning and cross examination
2. The team (witnesses and attorneys) will work together to prepare its case to prove that King
Louis XVI is guilty of each of the five counts.
3. The Prosecution Team will present an opening argument, call witnesses for themselves and
cross examine witnesses for the defense while using the evidence to help their case
The Defense Team
1. The team will consist of two lead attorneys that will handle questioning and cross examination.
2. The team (witnesses and attorneys) will work together to prepare its case to prove that King
Louis XVI is not guilty of each of the five counts.
3. The Defense Team will present an opening argument; call witnesses for themselves and cross
examine witnesses for the prosecution while using the evidence to help their case.
Witnesses
1. Each witness must be familiar with the issues that would have concerned their character and be
familiar with the general ideas and issues of the French Revolution.
2. You may work with the led attorneys to set up your questioning
3. Be prepared to be cross examined.
Trial Procedure
1. Charges against Louis XVI read
2. Opening statement for the prosecution (2 minutes)
3. Opening statement for the defense (2 minutes)
4. Testimony and questioning of witnesses ( 3 witnesses per side 5 minutes for questioning and
cross examination)
5. Closing statement for the prosecution (2 minutes)
6. Closing statement for the defense (2 minutes)
7. Jury deliberation, reaching a verdict and reading of sentence
Grading
1. You will be given two days to research your role in the trial and the trial will happen on Friday
May 9th.
2. Each student must hand in a written assignment on the day of the trial (30 points)
a. Attorneys (Defense and Prosecution): Case briefs with opening and closing statements,
witness lists, and questions for each witness. Each attorney must hand in their own
copy. It would also be helpful for all students to take notes during witness questioning,
these can be used for cross examination.
b. Witnesses: All witnesses must submit a written deposition outlining background
information, their position on the French Revolution, and the charges against King Louis
XVI along with answers to questions that you prepared with your attorney team
c. The write ups should be between 1 – 2 TYPED pages in Times New Roman Font, 12 sized
font, double space , and default margins
3. Each person will also be graded on character performance during the trial. This will include
preparedness, enthusiasm, clarity, and understanding of your content. (20 points)
Helpful Websites
EVIDENCE #1
The Indictment of King Louis XVI
http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/louis_trial.html
What is the King accused of? Which arguments seem strongest/weakest?
EVIDENCE #2
Louis Accepts the Constitution
http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/315/
EVIDENCE #3
Constitution of 1791
https://web.duke.edu/secmod/primarytexts/FrenchConstitution1791.pdf
See Chapter 2, Section 1 of Constitution for powers of the king.
Does the Constitution protect the position of the King?
How may the King be Punished?
EVIDENCE #4
How did Louis XVI respond to the charges against him
http://18thcenturyreadingroom.wordpress.com/2007/04/23/item-of-the-day-trial-of-louis-xvi-1793/
EVIDENCE #5
Marie Antoinette – Letter to her mother
http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/mod/1773marieantonette.asp
Do you think her view of the poor people was realistic? Why or why not?
EVIDENCE #6
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp
According to the Declaration, what are the natural rights of man?
According to the Declaration, from where did the power of government originate, or, in other words,
where did ultimate sovereignty lie?
What ideas do Declaration and the American Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights share?
Who did the Declaration not benefit?