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VCE 3 /4 REVOLUTIONS - THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
SAC 1
OUTCOME 1: evaluate the role of ideas, leaders, movements and events in the
development of the revolution.
TASK: A RESEARCH REPORT
This task requires the student to research and complete an annotated timeline and then
answer set questions in class, both of which evaluate the role of ideas, leaders,
movements and events in the development of the revolution.
ANNOTATED TIMELINE IS DUE AND QUESTIONS COMPLETED IN ONE PERIOD IN CLASS
Friday 3 April
Your responses should contain references to the relevant aspects of the
knowledge described in Area of Study 1:
French Revolution: 1781 to 4 August 1789 (Necker’s Compte Rendu to 4 August
1789)
 The chronology of key events and factors which contributed to the revolution
 The causes of tensions and conflicts generated in the old regime that many historians
see as contributing to the revolution
 The ideas and ideologies utilised in revolutionary struggle
 The role of revolutionary individuals and groups in bringing about change
PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTORS
1. Knowledge of a range of events and factors which developed during the course of the
revolution.
2. Identification and analysis of causes of tensions and conflicts generated in the old
regime that contributed to its breakdown.
3. Analysis and evaluation of the importance of ideas, ideologies, individuals and groups
in bringing about revolutionary change.
4. Analysis and evaluation of evidence that synthesises a range of written and visual
sources.
5. Analysis and evaluation of historians’ interpretations
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Revolutionary ideas, leaders, movements and events
Research Report
ANNOTATED TIMELINE 1781 – 4 August 1789
Key questions:
1. What caused revolution to occur in France in 1789?
2. Is there any merit in Lefebvre’s idea that the events of the late 1780s were actually
the product of four revolutions all happening at the same time (see Adcock p 71)?
Instructions for the process:

You have 2 weeks to research these questions, largely for homework. Some class
time may be spent in the library – though note that this will be MINIMAL.

Your timeline will need to identify the relevant events which led to these four
revolutions.

You can put on your timeline all the events that you consider important, but you
must include the key events given below.

You will need to include detailed annotations for TEN of the dates/events listed
below. A minimum of one event for per time period must be annotated.
There are six time periods:
a) 1781-1783
d) May 1789
b) 1783-1787
e) June 1789
c) 1788
f) July-August 1789

The annotations for the events you select should be in paragraph form – ie; short
answer

The ten events you chose should demonstrate your ability to:

identify the events

prioritise the events

communicate the importance of tensions and conflicts that contributed to
the calling of the Estates General

discuss the ideas that contributed to the creation of a revolutionary situation

identify the key people involved at different stages

communicate the role of ideas, leaders and movements that contributed to
the Tennis Court Oath and the fall of the Bastille

use evidence effectively to support your contentions

critically evaluate the evidence you use

evaluate the historians’ interpretations that you refer to

Resources you should use include:

Adcock text

Resources from library intranet page

Internet sites – www.vcehistory.info

Handouts and selected readings by various historian
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Instructions for the final product:

The timeline could be divided into four columns:
Date/Event/Significance/Evaluation of primary sources and historians’
views

The final product may look something like the template shown below,
but it is not compulsory, because you can create your own design.

You must footnote your annotations using the accepted referencing
system.

You must submit a bibliography with your final timeline.
FRIDAY 3 APRIL 2009 PERIOD 3

The final timeline and bibliography must be submitted at the
BEGINNING of the lesson

You will be allowed to bring a COPY of your timeline into class to use
for reference.

You have one 75 minute period to answer a series of set questions.
Your responses should be paragraphs (short answers) in which you
synthesise information, analysis, evidence and evaluation.

Be sure to read all instructions VERY CAREFULLY
HISTORIANS TO RESEARCH
Marxist:
George Rude
George Lefebvre
Albert Soboul
Revisionist:
Alfred Cobban
William Doyle
Simon Schama
Peter McPhee
Christopher Hibbert
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Key Dates/Events in the History of the
French Revolution
1. 1781 Necker’s Compte Rendu
2. 1778-1783
France’s
involvement
in
the
American
War
of
Independence
3. ‘Madame Deficit’ and the hatred of Marie Antoinette
4. 1787 Assembly of Notables
5. 1788 Revolt of the Paris Parlement
6. Cahiers de doleances: their significance in raising expectations and
the ideas they reflected
7. 1788 Publication of Abbe Sieyes’ What is the Third Estate
8. May-June 1789 the opening of the Estates General and the
development of the constitutional crisis
9. 11-12 June 1789 the defection of some of the clergy
10. 17 June 1789 formation of the National Assembly
11. 19 June1789 the First Estate vote to join the Third Estate
12. 20 June 1789 the Tennis Court Oath
13. 23 June 1789 the Royal Session
14. 27 June 1789 the King accepted the National Assembly and ordered
all the clergy and nobles to join
15. 7 July 1789 the National Constituent Assembly
16. Formation of the National Guard under Lafayette to protect the
National Assembly
17. 11-12 July 1789 the dismissal of Necker and his reinstatement
18. 14 July 1789 storming of the Bastille by the people of Paris
19. Creation of the Paris Commune
20. July-August 1789, the Great Fear in the rural areas