Observation Assignment #4

1) What do you think the objective is?

After watching the History Channel’s documentary on the French Revolution, students will be able to identify the major actors and events in the Revolution as well as explain how the French Revolution fits into the greater context of the Enlightenment in Europe.

2) What level of Bloom’s Taxonomy is that?

Comprehension, Analysis

3) How will you assess it in 10 minutes or less?

Name: ____________________________

Date: ______________________________

French Revolution Quiz

Answer each question in at least 2 full sentences

1.     Do Maximillian Robespierre’s actions during the Reign of Terror reflect Enlightenment thinking? Why or why not?

Maximillian Robespierre’s actions during the Reign of Terror do not reflect Enlightenment thinking because he essentially abandoned all reason in favor of violence and paranoia. A reasoned person would be able to work with his compatriots, even if they disagreed with him. Robespierre, however, lost his sense of reason and in the Reign of Terror sent thousands of innocents to the guillotine without proper evidence.

2.     How and why did other monarchies in Europe react to the French Revolution? What event in particular caused them to worry?

Other monarchies in Europe were extremely surprised and worried about the events of the French Revolution. The execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette at the hands of their own people was unprecedented in Europe, as monarchs were likened to gods. Other monarchs began to worry that if revolution could disturb France that it could ruin their own countries.

3.     How does the execution of Olmype de Gouges for writing the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Female Citizen demonstrate the limits of the revolutionary ides behind the French Revolution?

The execution of Olympe de Gouges demonstrates that the French Revolution’s lofty ideals about reason and citizenships applied only to males. The fact the de Gouges was executed instead of left alive shows that her ideology of rights for women was a real threat to the patriarchal nature of the revolution. Also, her execution shows that censorship was not abandoned but strengthened during a time when reason was supposed to be the prevailing force in society.