French Revolution
Advanced Document-Based Question
Argumentative Essay Task
In our class, we have learned about the historical circumstances that led to the
French Revolution, the goals of that revolution, and read about how the
Revolution played out in reality.
TASK:
Using the documents provided and your background knowledge of Global
History, write an argumentative essay in which you evaluate the following
statement:
STATEMENT: The French Revolution was successful. Do you agree with this
evaluation of the French Revolution? Why or why not? Use and cite
evidence from all the documents to support your analysis of the
statement.
Guidelines
In your essay, be sure to:
• Create a thesis statement or central argument.
• Use evidence from ALL the primary source documents and outside information
to support your thesis.
• Provide analysis of how each piece of evidence helps to support your position.
• Cite each document you use.
• Include an introduction, multiple body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Organization
An argumentative essay has three sections: an introduction, body, and
conclusion.
Introduction:
• Draw your reader into your essay
• Provide background about the topic
• State your thesis or central argument
Body:
• In each body paragraph, state a reason that supports your thesis, and
prove your reasoning using evidence from the documents as well as
relevant outside information. Well developed reasons can continue into
additional paragraphs.
• For each piece of evidence you use, be sure to provide appropriate
context as well as a thorough analysis of why the evidence helps you
prove your point.
• Be sure to use quotation marks when using word-for-word excerpts from
a document.
• Always cite your source, either within your text (for example, In
document A, the author states...) or using parenthesis (Doc. A).
Conclusion
• Be sure to restate your thesis
• Take it a step further. For example, answer the question: so what? Why
is everything you just proved important?
Evaluation
For your essay to be Proficient, it must meet the following descriptions.
ARGUMENT
• A central thesis clearly answers the prompt.
• Thesis is supported by an explanation of evidence, including quotations and
information.
• Conflicting evidence is included and challenged.
• Essay logically organizes claims, reasons, and evidence.
USING EVIDENCE
• Documents are used in major parts of the argument.
• Documents are evaluated for perspective, believability, and accuracy.
• The dates and origins of documents help student make accurate claims.
• Connections between documents are made by grouping similar positions or
identifying differences between documents.
• Documents are cited appropriately.
HISTORICAL CONTENT
• Core content relevant to the topic and necessary for understanding the argument is
included, accurate, and supports the argument.
• Argument identifies multiple perspectives on whether the French Revolution was
successful
• Connections to political, social or economic conditions of the French Revolution
period are made.
WRITING ORGANIZATION AND CLARITY
• Essay shows a clear plan of organization and includes an introduction and
conclusion.
• Introduction and conclusion go beyond a restatement of the prompt and thesis.
Planning
Read all the documents closely. Use this page to plan your essay using a
prewriting strategy.
Essay Question
STATEMENT: The French Revolution was successful. Do you agree with this
evaluation of the French Revolution? Why or why not? Use and cite
evidence from all the documents to support your analysis of the
statement.
My thesis statement is:
Prewriting:
Timeline
1756
Start of the Seven Years’ War, which compounded the debt situation.
1778
France declares war against Great Britain in support of the American colonies. The
subsequent war worsens the debt situation further.
1789
French peasants mad because of an unfair tax system and a poor harvest in 1788.
May 1789
Louis XVI called Estates-General to a meeting in Versailles to approve a tax plan.
Jun 1789
The Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and made the Tennis Court
Oath.
Jul 1789
Aug 1789
The people of Paris stormed Bastille.
The National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man.
Oct 1789
Dissolution of the National Assembly
Sep 1792
The National Convention held their first meeting.
Jan 1793
Louis XVI sentenced to the guillotine
Apr 1793
Committee of Public Safety established
Sep 1793
Reign of Terror begins.
July 1794
Robespierre was beheaded; Reign of Terror ends.
1795
A new Constitution was adopted. The Directory takes over control.
1799
Napoleon takes control of France.
1804
Napoleon becomes Emperor of France.
1814
Napoleon defeated; the monarchy is restored.
Document A: Declaration of the Rights of Man
Approved by the National Assembly of France in 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man
captures the Enlightenment ideal of universal natural rights for all men, and represents the
goals at the heart of the French Revolution.
The representatives of the French people, organized as a National Assembly, believing that
the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public
calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn
declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration,
being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of
their rights and duties; in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the
executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all
political institutions and may thus be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the
grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall
tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. Therefore
the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence and under the auspices of
the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and of the citizen:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded
only upon the general good.
The aim of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible
rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. No body nor individual
may exercise any authority which does not proceed directly from the nation.
Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the
exercise of the natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the
other members of the society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be
determined by law.
...
10. No one shall be [troubled] on account of his opinions, including his religious views,
provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.
11. The free communication of ideas and opinions is one of the most precious of the rights
of man. Every citizen may, accordingly, speak, write, and print with freedom, but shall
be responsible for such abuses of this freedom as shall be defined by law.
...
Source: Excerpt from The Declaration of the Rights of Man, August 26, 1789
Document B: English Account of the Execution of Louis XVI
Much of Europe, still under the rule of Kings and Queens, watched the events in France with
horror. Below, you will read how the execution of King Louis XVI was reported in an English
newspaper.
...
The REPUBLICAN TYRANTS OF FRANCE have now carried their bloody purposes to the
uttermost [evil] stretch of savage cruelty. They have murdered their King without even the
shadow of justice, and of course they cannot expect friendship nor intercourse with any
civilized part of the world. The vengeance of Europe will now rapidly fall on them; and, in
process of time, make them the [worst people] on the face of the earth. The name of
Frenchman will be considered [to be] savage, and their presence shunned as a poison,
deadly destructive to the peace and happiness of Mankind. It appears evident, that the
majority of the National Convention, and the Executive Government of that truly despotic
country, are comprised of the most [horrible] villains upon the face of the earth.
Source: Excerpt from an article in the London Times, January 25, 1793
Document C: Robespierre’s Justification of the Use of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre (1758­ 1794) was the leader of the twelve­man Committee of Public
Safety elected by the National Convention, and which effectively governed France at the height
of the radical phase of the revolution. The committee was among the most creative executive
bodies ever seen - and rapidly put into effect policies which stabilized the French economy and
began the formation of the very successful French army. It also directed it energies against
counter-revolutionary uprisings, especially in the south and west of France. In doing so it
unleashed the Reign of Terror.
...We must smother the internal and external enemies of the Republic or perish with it; now
in this situation, the first maxim of your policy ought to be to lead the people by reason and
the people's enemies by terror.
If the spring of popular government in time of peace is virtue, the springs of popular
government in revolution are at once virtue and terror: virtue, without which terror is fatal;
terror, without which virtue is powerless. Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt,
severe, inflexible; it is therefore an emanation of virtue; it is not so much a special principle
as it is a consequence of the general principle of democracy applied to our country's most
urgent needs.
It has been said that terror is the principle of despotic government. Does your government
therefore resemble despotism [absolute rule through threat or of punishment or violence]?
Yes, as the sword that gleams in the hands of the heroes of liberty resembles that with
which the henchmen of tyranny are armed. Let the despot govern by terror his brutalized
subjects; he is right, as a despot. Subdue by terror the enemies of liberty, and you will be
right, as founders of the Republic. The government of the revolution is liberty's despotism
against tyranny. Is force made only to protect crime? And is the thunderbolt not destined to
strike the heads of the proud?
...
Indulgence for the royalists, cry certain men, mercy for the villains! No! mercy for the
innocent, mercy for the weak, mercy for the unfortunate, mercy for humanity.
...
Source: Excerpt from On the Moral and Political Principles of Domestic Policy, 1794
Document D: Casualties During the Reign of Terror
It is unquestionable that tens of thousands died during the what became known as the
Reign of Terror under Robespiere’s leadership from 1793-1794, though the exact numbers
are disputed. Below, you will find a list of various sources that give data.
French Revolution (1789-1794)
•
Encarta, "French Revolution"
Reign of Terror
◦
Executed with Trial: 17,000
■
Executed w/o Trial: 12,000
■
Died in jail: "thousands"
■
TOTAL: 40,000
■
•
Britannica: 17,000 executed and 10,000 died in jail during the Reign of Terror.
•
Herbert Rowen, A History of Early Modern Europe: 1500-1815 (1960)
September Massacres (Paris, 1792): >1,000
◦
Reign of Terror: 17,000 k. after trial and 20,000 "with less formality".
◦
•
Spark Notes: 250,000 k. in 9 months of the Reign o'Terror [http://www.sparknotes.com/history/
european/frenchrev/summary.html]
Source: http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wars18c.htm#FrRev1
Document E: Napoleon’s Account of France in 1804
The end of republican rule in France came in 1799 when Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup
and took over as a dictator. Five years later, he describes how things had changed in both
social and political terms. Note that he refers to himself in the third person.
The internal situation of France is today as calm as it has ever been in the most peaceful
periods. There is no agitation to disturb the public tranquillity, no suggestion of those crimes
which recall the Revolution. Everywhere useful enterprises are in progress, and the general
improvements, both public and private, attest the universal confidence and sense of
security. . . .
It was clearly seen that for a great nation the only salvation lies in hereditary power, which
can alone assure a continuous political life which may endure for generations, even for
centuries...
After prolonged consideration, repeated conferences with the members of the Senate,
discussion in the councils, and the suggestions of the most prudent advisers, a series of
provisions was drawn up which regulate the succession to the imperial throne... The French
people, by a free and independent expression, then manifested its desire that the imperial
dignity should pass down in a direct line through the legitimate or adopted descendants of
Napoleon Bonaparte, or through the legitimate descendants of Joseph Bonaparte, or of
Louis Bonaparte.
From this moment Napoleon was, by the most unquestionable of titles, emperor of the
French. No other act was necessary to sanction his right and consecrate his authority. But
he wished to restore in France the ancient forms and recall those institutions which divinity
itself seems to have inspired. He wished to impress the seal of religion itself upon the
opening of his reign. The head of the Church, in order to give the French a striking proof of
his paternal affection, consented to officiate at this august ceremony. What deep and
enduring impressions did this leave on the mind of Napoleon and in the memory of the
nation! What thoughts for future races! What a subject of wonder for all Europe!
Source: Excerpt from a statement by Napoleon Bonaparte to the Legislative Body,
December 31, 1804.
Document F: The Constitution of 1814
Napoleon’s rule ended after his defeat at the hands of the a coalitoin of European powers
led by the British, Russian, and German armies. Those countries restored a King to the
French throne. The following excerpts are from the new Constitution that was established.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Frenchmen are equal before the law, whatever may be their titles and ranks.
They contribute without distinction, in proportion to their fortunes, towards the expenses
of the state.
They are all equally admissible to civil and military employments.
Their personal liberty is likewise guaranteed; no one can be prosecuted nor arrested
save in the cases provided by law and in the form which it prescribes.
Every one may profess his religion with equal freedom, and shall obtain for his worship
the same protection.
Nevertheless, the catholic, apostolic and Roman religion is the religion of the state.
...
13. The person of the king is inviolable and sacred. His ministers are responsible. To the king
alone belongs the executive power.
14. The king is the supreme head of the state, commands the land and sea forces, declares
war, makes treaties of peace, alliance and commerce, appoints to all places of public
administration, and makes the necessary regulations and ordinances for the execution of
the laws and the security of the state.
15. The legislative power is exercised collectively by the king, the Chamber of Peers, and the
Chamber of the Deputies of the departments.
16. The king proposes the laws.
Source: Excerpt from Constitutional Charter, 1814
Document G: Effects of the French Revolution
Historians argue to this day about the effects of the Revolution. The following paragraph
comes from Wikipedia, and claims to attempt to summarize where there is agreement.
Historians widely regard the Revolution as one of the most important events in human
history, and the end of the early modern period, which started around 1500, is traditionally
attributed to the onset of the French Revolution in 1789. The Revolution is, in fact, often
seen as marking the "dawn of the modern era". Within France itself, the Revolution
permanently crippled the power of the aristocracy and drained the wealth of the Church,
although the two institutions survived despite the damage they sustained. After the collapse
of the First Empire in 1815, the French public lost the rights and privileges earned since the
Revolution, but they remembered the participatory politics that characterized the period,
with one historian commenting: "Thousands of men and even many women gained firsthand
experience in the political arena: they talked, read, and listened in new ways; they voted;
they joined new organizations; and they marched for their political goals. Revolution
became a tradition, and republicanism an enduring option." Some historians argue that the
French people underwent a fundamental transformation in self-identity, evidenced by the
elimination of privileges and their replacement by rights as well as the growing decline in
social deference that highlighted the principle of equality throughout the Revolution.Outside
France, the Revolution captured the imagination of the world. It had a profound impact on
the Russian Revolution and its ideas were imbibed by Mao Zedong in his efforts at
constructing a communist state in China.
Source: Wikipedia, 2011.
Credits
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/robespierre-terror.html
http://www.english.ucsb.edu/faculty/ayliu/research/around-1800/FR/
times-1-25-1793.html
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wars18c.htm#FrRev1
http://history.hanover.edu/texts/NAPOLEON.html
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/legislation/c_charter.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_revolution#Further_reading