By: Brodie Millar http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/brodie-millar
Social Studies Name: Directions: Read the following sources to complete the questions. Source 1: Proclamation of the National Convention Citizens, the tyrant is no more. For a long time the cries of the victims, whom war and domestic dissensions have spread over France and Europe, loudly protested his existence. He has paid his penalty, and only acclamations for the Republic and for liberty have been heard from the people. We have had to combat inveterate prejudices, and the superstition of centuries concerning monarchy. Involuntary uncertainties and inevitable disturbances always accompany great changes and revolutions as profound as ours. This political crisis has suddenly surrounded us with contradictions and tumults. But the cause has ceased, and the motives have disappeared; respect for liberty of opinion must cause these tumultuous scenes to be forgotten; only the good which they have produced through the death of the tyrant and of tyranny now remains, and this judgment belongs in its entirety to each of us, just as it belongs to the entire nation. The National Convention and the French people are now to have only one mind, only one sentiment, that of liberty and civic fraternity. Now, above all, we need peace in the interior of the Republic, and the most active surveillance of the domestic enemies of liberty. Never did circumstances more urgently require of all citizens the sacrifice of their passions and their personal opinions concerning the act of national justice which has just been effected. Today the French people can have no other passion than that for liberty. Source 2: A Noble s Report on the Death of the King Monsieur... the frightful event of the 21 st has spread dismay everywhere, and it is worth noting that even the most zealous supporters of the revolution found this measure both excessive and dangerous. It will not save us from the untold ills which threaten us, the reality and length of which are all the more sure. We must make up our minds to sacrifice peace, security, and fortune... I very much fear that civil war will come as a finishing touch to the horrible crimes and all the misfortunes which now assail us. I doubt moreover, whether this crime, added to so many others, has the universal approval of France. Even if we thought that the king were guilty, we could not wish for his death, especially after he endured such a long and sorrowful captivity.
Social Studies Name: Directions: Complete the following questions by using both sources. 1. On what points do the sources seem to agree? On what points do they disagree? Use the following Venn diagram to complete the question. Source 1 Source 2
2. What does Source One say about how the French people felt about the execution of the king? 3. What does Source Two say about how the French people felt about the execution of the king? 4. According to Source One what was the outcome of the execution of the king?
5. According to Source Two what was the outcome of the execution of the king? 6. How might the fact that the National Convention voted for Louis XVI s execution affect its proclamation? 7. How might the noble s background affect his view of the King s execution? 8. Based on the sources, what conclusions would you draw about the division in France during the revolution?
Teachers Key Name: Directions: Complete the following questions by using both sources. 1. On what points do the sources seem to agree? On what points do they disagree? Use the following Venn diagram to complete the question. The answers below are a general overview of what students should discover. Students may have different but correct answers. Source 1 Source 2 - The king was a tyrant and oppressed his people s freedom. His death will free the French people. - The king deserved his death for his crimes against the French people. - The death of the king is a dramatic event that will cause a great deal of change within French society. - The king s death was not needed and even those who wanted it realize it is too much. - The king s death will lead to civil war and chaos within France.
2. What does Source One say about how the French people felt about the execution of the king? The source suggests that the French people were happy to see the execution of the king and compared him to a tyrant. They feel that the death of the king will bring them freedom. For example: For a long time the cries of the victims, whom war and domestic dissensions have spread over France and Europe, loudly protested his existence. This shows that people are happy to see his death and that his death would bring freedom to the people. 3. What does Source Two say about how the French people felt about the execution of the king? The source suggests that even though people disliked the king they would not have wished for his death and that his death will cause chaos or uncertainty in the future. As well, the idea that not all of France is united in hoping for his death. As seen in the following: Monsieur... the frightful event of the 21 st has spread dismay everywhere, and it is worth noting that even the most zealous supporters of the revolution found this measure both excessive and dangerous. 4. According to Source One what was the outcome of the execution of the king? The king s death brought the end of the tyranny of the king and has allowed freedom or liberty to become possible for the French people. For example: The French people can have no other passion than that for liberty. The idea that the king s death ends the rule of the monarchy in France and creates freedom for the people of France.
5. According to Source Two what was the outcome of the execution of the king? The source is suggesting that the outcome of his death will be civil war and chaos within French society. As seen in the following: I very much fear that civil war will come as a finishing touch to the horrible crimes and all the misfortunes which now assail us. 6. How might the fact that the National Convention voted for Louis XVI s execution affect its proclamation? The proclamation is biased since the National Convention is the one who called for Louis XVI s execution. 7. How might the noble s background affect his view of the King s execution? The noble s view is biased as his wealth and power stem from the feudal system under which the king ruled. The death of the king would bring into question the noble s power and wealth. 8. Based on the sources, what conclusions would you draw about the division in France during the revolution? The sources show the divide of opinions in France at the time especially along class lines. The second estate (nobles) wished to keep supporting the king and his authority while the third estate (peasants) support his demise and execution.