FQ: The Trial of Louis XVI
Is Louis XVI a traitor? What should
his punishment be?
Agenda
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(5 min)- Do Now
(20 min)- Mini Lesson: Trial of
Louis XVI
 The Charges
 Schedule
 Roles and Responsibilities
 Format of the trial
 Grading Criteria
(20 min)- Court room
procedures and protocols
(15 min)- Group work- Meet
with your group to discuss how
you plan to research.
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Do Now
What is my role?
Examine the role
sheet to see which
role you will have
during the Trial of
Louis XVI
Trial of Louis XVI
The Procedure of a trial: Look at
the Packet
The Charges
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The defendant, Louis XVI, is charged with
the following offenses:
Negligence – The defendant’s inept financial
management have resulted in bankruptcy for the
French Government, excessive taxation, and
poverty amongst the French people.
Tyranny – The defendant has repeatedly used
his powers to suppress the representatives of
the French nation and used excessive and
unnecessary violence against the French people.
Roles
TEAM FOR THE
PROSECUTION
TEAM FOR THE
DEFENSE
Attorney
Attorney
Witnesses
•Emmanuel Sieyes,
Enlightenment Writer
Witnesses
•The Clergy,
The First Estate
•Maximillian Robespierre,
Member of the Jacobin Club
•The Nobles
The Second Estate
•The Fish Ladies,
The Third Estate
•Marie Antoinette,
Queen of France
•Jean-Paul Marat,
Revolutionary Journalist
•Louis XVI,
King of the French
The Schedule
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Day 1: Roles and Assignments
Day 2: Research- Who are you?
Day 3: Research- What evidence will I
present during the trial?
Day 4: Research- What evidence will I
present during the trial? Peer Review
Day 5: Practice and Rehearsing for the
trial
Day 6: Trial Prosecution
Day 7: Trial Defense
Roles and Responsibilities
Prosecution/Defense
Lawyers
Opening/Closing Statement
 2-3 minute speech (2-3
pages written).
Direct Examination
 Create questions for direct
examination
 Work with witness.
Cross Examination
 Anticipate the case the other
side will present.
 Create cross examination
question.
Witness
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Create a typed witness
statement supporting either
the prosecution or defense.
Write an affidavit 2-3 minute
speech (3 pages written).
Work with lawyers on your
side of the case to create
direct examination questions.
SIMULATION
Direct- Examination
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To obtain information from
favorable witnesses you call
in order to prove the facts of
your case; to present enough
evidence to warrant a
favorable verdict; to present
facts with clarity and
understanding; to present
your witness to the greatest
advantage; and to establish
your witness' credibility.
Cross- Examination
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To make the other side's
witnesses less believable in
the eyes of the trier of fact;
to contradict your opponent's
case; to discredit the
testimony of your opponent's
witnesses; and to discredit
real evidence that has been
presented.
2 students were caught fighting at school- let’s direct and cross examine
them
Format of the Trial
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Brief look at the format of the trial
Make sure you know what day you will be
presenting.
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Grading/Rubric
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Grading Criteria- Individual Grades
Prosecution/Defense
Lawyers
1.
2.
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1.
2.
Trial Documents
Daily Worksheets
Complete the worksheet
each day in class leading up
to the trial
Hand in all the worksheet at
the end of the project
(Make sure you keep the
sheets and don’t lose
them)
Notes during the Trial
Presentation during the Trial
Witness
Trial Documents- Affidavit
2. Daily Worksheets
Complete the worksheet each
day in class leading up to
the trial
Hand in all the worksheet at
the end of the project
(Make sure you keep the
sheets and don’t lose
them)
1. Notes during the Trial
2. Presentation during the Trial
1.
We know what happens to Louis XVI during
the French Revolution, but what will you
decide?
Court Room Procedures
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Read the following documents to yourself. We
will review together.
Lawyers
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Read the packet
Opening Statement
Direct Examination
Cross Examination
Closing Statement
Witness
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Affidavit
Court Room Procedures
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Sample of Cross Examination
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd-9CSjyA7A
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What is the lawyer’s claim?
What is the lawyer's evidence
What is the lawyer’s analysis if the evidence?
Activity: Split into Groups
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Tables 1,2 (Prosecution-Lawyers)
Tables 3,4 (Prosecution- Witness)
Tables 5,6 (Defense Witness)
Tables 7,8 (Defense- Lawyers)
Witness- Start deciding how you will
research your roles. Only 1 person needs
to take the stand.
Lawyers- review your roles. If you are a
direct examiner- introduce yourself to your
Exit-Post-It
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If you have any remaining questions write
it down on the post-it.
Homework
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Witness
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Research and bring in information- what are
you?
How do you feel about the king?
Lawyers
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What is your role- what are you suppose to
do?
Who is your witness?- Research
What is your claim?