What does it means for something to be called a revolution? How and why do revolutions happen? What role does the individual play in a revolution ?

VIDEO: Crash Course on French Revolution As you watch the clip, listen & then write down what you think might be the possible causes of the French Revolution.

Document A: Robespierre’s “Speech to the National Convention” (excerpt) What is the goal for which we strive? A peaceful enjoyment of liberty and equality, the rule of that eternal justice whose laws are engraved, not upon marble or stone, but in the hearts of all men. We wish an order of things where all low and cruel passions are enchained by the laws, where distinctions are born only of equality itself; where the citizen is subject to the magistrate, the magistrate to the people, the people to justice; where the nation safeguards the welfare of each individual, and each individual proudly enjoys the prosperity and glory of his fatherland; where all spirits are enlarged by the constant exchange of republican sentiments and by the need of earning the respect of a great people; where the arts are the adornment of liberty, which ennobles them; and where commerce is the source of public wealth, not simply of monstrous opulence for a few families. In our country we wish to substitute morality for egotism, probity for honor, the empire of reason for the tyranny of customs, contempt for vice for contempt for misfortune, pride for insolence, the love of honor for the love of money... that is to say, all the virtues and miracles of the Republic for all the vices and snobbishness of the monarchy.

Document B: “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen” (excerpt) 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 corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, inalienable, and sacred rights of man…. 1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be founded only upon the general good. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. Liberty consists in the freedom to do everything which injures no one else; hence the exercise of natural rights of each man has no limits except those which assure to the other members of society the enjoyment of the same rights. These limits can only be determined by law. 5. Law can only prohibit such actions as are hurtful to society. Nothing may be prevented which is not forbidden by law, and no one may be forced to do anything not provided for by the law. 6. Law is the expression of the general will. Every citizen has the right to participate personally or through his representative, in its formation…All citizens, being equal in the eyes of the law, are equally eligible to all dignities and to all public positions and occupations, according to their abilities, and without distinction except that of their virtues and talents. 10. No one shall be disquieted on account of his opinions, including his religious views, provided their manifestation does not disturb the public order established by law.

Document C: Economics in 18 th Century France YearCost (in francs) francs francs francs francs BREAD AND THE WAGE EARNERS BUDGET* Occupation Effective Daily Wage (in sous) The percentage of that worker's daily paycheck that was spent on buying bread: (Aug 1788) (Feb-July 1789) Wallpaper maker 15 60% 97% Builder, Laborer Journeyman mason Journeyman, locksmith, carpenter, etc Sculptor, goldsmith Table 1: Change over Time: Price of One (1) Hectoliter of Wheat Table 2: Bread and the Wage Earners' Budget

The causes of the French Revolution include…  Abuse of power by the king/monarchy  Desire for freedom, liberty and equality by the disenfranchised members of the Third Estate  See the estate system as something that privileges (unfairly) nobles and clergy and this prevents all men from being seen and from living equally  Economic issues (especially inflation)  Highlights economic inequality between estates, the misuse of money/extravagance of Louis XVI  Underpinned by the food crisis/shortage in France that left much of the Third Estate starving  Influence of Enlightenment thought  Example: Emphasis on man’s inherent natural rights  Desire for a more democratic government (republic)  Other possibilities:  French debt due to France’s involvement in foreign wars (i.e. American Rev.)  Inspiration of American Revolution

Compare and Contrast : Causes of the French Revolution to the Causes of the “Arab Spring” Uprisings You have been assigned a specific country to research that was affected by the Arab uprisings of the early 2010s. You will research the causes/preceding events, issues, and climate leading up to revolution in your chosen state. You can use the Bespoke article as a starting point, but you will need to do some more research using trustworthy sources (i.e. national newspapers, news channels, etc.). In the Venn diagram, compare and contrast those causes/explanations with those discussed in class regarding the French Revolution. What similarities do you see? Any differences? What does this comparison/contrast say about the universal nature of the events/issues/climates that cause revolutions?