THE ORIGINS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
IB Essay Questions
BP1: Crisis of the Ancient Regime, role of the Monarchy, specifically Louis XVI; intellectual, political, social, financial and economic challenges.
To what extent do you agree with the claim that Louis XVI caused the French Revolution?
“Economic problems were the main cause of the French Revolution.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Assess the contribution made by the ideas of the Enlightenment to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
To what extent were financial problems the most significant cause of the French Revolution?
To what extent was Louis XVI responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789?
To what extent were economic rather than political factors responsible for the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789?
To what extent was the bankruptcy of the French monarchy the main cause of revolution in France in 1789?
To what extent do you agree with the claim that Louis XVI caused the French Revolution?
“Economic problems were the main cause of the French Revolution.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Assess the contribution made by the ideas of the Enlightenment to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
To what extent were financial problems the most significant cause of the French Revolution?
To what extent was Louis XVI responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789?
To what extent were economic rather than political factors responsible for the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789?
To what extent was the bankruptcy of the French monarchy the main cause of revolution in France in 1789?
Key Inquiry: Did economic problems cause the outbreak of the French revolution?
To understand the causes of the French Revolution you must first understand what it was, what type of Revolution it was and the main developments of the period. The French Revolution is complicated because it is a series of events that are linked together. The French Revolution is also a developing event which was very different at different times. For this reason we need to see it as a set of different stages of events to fully understand the causes.
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Mini Inquiry: What type of Revolution broke out in 1789?
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PRE-READING AND FOCUSED COMPREHENSION
INTRODUCTION TO READING: The origins of the revolution can be examined from the perspective of long - and short term causes. Different interpretations of these origins are key debates among historians. You will study the structure of French society during the Ancien Regime with its divisions into 3 estates, and how resentments were coming to the boil among the least privileged third estate. You will also learn how the ideas of the European Enlightenment and the Philosophes started to emerge during the middle of the 18th century. These ideas undermined the cohesiveness of the ancien regime. It was the precarious financial position of the Crown caused by monarchical excess (think Versailles and Marie Antionette!) and involvement in the American War of Independence that would lead France to the brink of bankruptcy and a calling of the Estates General. A resulting crisis that escalated resulted in the monarchy making concessions and and the creation of a constitutional monarchy. These can be considered the short-term causes of the French Revolution.
| french_revolution_chaper_1___1_.pdf |
NOW READ PAGES 5-17 (1-24) in the course textbook and complete the focused comprehension questions below:
| fr-_the_origins_of_the_french_revolution.docx |
So ..... what are the causes?
| causes_of_the_french_revolution.docx |
Historical Perspectives
Francois Furet reminds us: "The year 1789 is the key to what lies both upstream and downstream. It separates those periods, and thereby defines and `explains' them. ... [I]t is our contemporary history."
| causes_of_fr_perspectives.pdf |
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HISTORICAL DEBATE:
1. Summarise the Marxist perspective on the causes of the French Revolution.
2. How convincing are Marxist interpretations like Lefebvre's in explaining revolutions?
3. How do the revisionist interpretations of historians like Alfred Cobban differ from those of the Marxists? What is the significance of the social and political interpretations here?
4. Is the post-revisionist interpretation of the revolution a more satisfying one?
1. Summarise the Marxist perspective on the causes of the French Revolution.
2. How convincing are Marxist interpretations like Lefebvre's in explaining revolutions?
3. How do the revisionist interpretations of historians like Alfred Cobban differ from those of the Marxists? What is the significance of the social and political interpretations here?
4. Is the post-revisionist interpretation of the revolution a more satisfying one?
HISTORY IN DEPTH:
The ideas of the philosophes that brought about the 18th century Enlightenment were critical in the development of social and political thought that would create conditions for revolution. Below are excerpts from some of the major works of the Enlightenment, how are the ideas of reason and rejection of superstition and privilege seen in these works?
The ideas of the philosophes that brought about the 18th century Enlightenment were critical in the development of social and political thought that would create conditions for revolution. Below are excerpts from some of the major works of the Enlightenment, how are the ideas of reason and rejection of superstition and privilege seen in these works?
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