World History II · 10th Grade · The Age of Revolutions · Weeks 1-9

Phases of the French Revolution

Trace the key events and shifts in power from the storming of the Bastille to the Reign of Terror.

• Common Core State Standards
• C3: D2.His.14.9-12
• C3: D2.Civ.14.9-12

About This Topic

The Latin American Wars of Independence were a series of complex struggles that ended Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule in the Americas. Students analyze the roles of key figures like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín, as well as the social tensions within the 'casta' system. The movement was sparked by the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, which created a power vacuum that local elites, known as Creoles, were eager to fill.

This topic helps students understand the diversity of revolutionary experiences and the long-term challenges of nation-building. It connects directly to US history through the Monroe Doctrine and the shared heritage of republicanism in the Western Hemisphere. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the geographic and social barriers that Bolívar faced in his attempt to create a unified 'Gran Colombia.'

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between the moderate and radical phases of the revolution.
2. Assess the necessity of the Reign of Terror for preserving revolutionary ideals.
3. Explain how the Declaration of the Rights of Man redefined citizenship.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the sequence of events from the storming of the Bastille through the Reign of Terror, identifying key turning points.
• Compare and contrast the goals and methods of the moderate and radical phases of the French Revolution.
• Evaluate the extent to which the Reign of Terror was a necessary measure to protect the French Revolution from internal and external threats.
• Explain how the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen redefined the concept of citizenship in France.

Before You Start

The Enlightenment and its Thinkers

Why: Students need to understand the philosophical underpinnings of liberty, natural rights, and popular sovereignty that inspired revolutionary ideals.

Absolute Monarchy in Europe

Why: Understanding the structure and limitations of absolute monarchies provides context for the grievances that fueled the French Revolution.

Key Vocabulary

Estates-General	A legislative assembly of the different classes of French subjects. Its convocation in 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
National Assembly	A revolutionary assembly formed by the representatives of the Third Estate of the Estates-General. It asserted political authority and drafted a constitution.
Reign of Terror	A period of extreme violence and mass executions during the French Revolution, led by the Committee of Public Safety, aimed at suppressing counter-revolutionaries.
Committee of Public Safety	A committee established by the National Convention that effectively governed France during the Reign of Terror, wielding dictatorial power.
Sans-culottes	The common people of the lower classes in late 18th-century France, many of whom became radical and militant partisans of the Revolution.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

All Latin American revolutions were led by the poor and enslaved.

What to Teach Instead

Most were led by wealthy Creoles (American-born Spaniards) who wanted political power but often wished to maintain the social hierarchy. Peer discussion of the 'Jamaica Letter' helps students see the elite motivations behind the movement.

Common Misconception

Latin American independence was a single, unified event.

What to Teach Instead

It was a series of distinct regional conflicts with different goals, which is why Bolívar's dream of a unified South America failed. A timeline activity helps students see the staggered nature of these independence movements.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Congress of Angostura

Students represent different regions of South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador) and must debate Bolívar's proposal for a unified central government versus a loose federation of states.

50 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: Leaders of Independence

Stations feature the biographies and 'proclamations' of Bolívar, San Martín, Miguel Hidalgo, and Dom Pedro I. Students compare their methods, goals, and the specific social groups they mobilized.

40 min·Pairs

Collaborative Mapping: The Casta System

Students create a visual representation of the colonial social hierarchy (Peninsulares, Creoles, Mestizos, etc.) and discuss how each group's position influenced their support for or opposition to independence.

45 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Historians specializing in revolutionary movements often analyze primary source documents, such as pamphlets and speeches from the French Revolution, to understand the motivations and rhetoric of different factions. This research informs public understanding of political upheaval.
• Political scientists study the transition from moderate to radical phases in revolutions, like the French Revolution, to identify patterns and potential warning signs for contemporary political instability in various nations.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was the Reign of Terror a justifiable, albeit brutal, necessity to save the French Revolution, or was it an unforgivable betrayal of its ideals?' Facilitate a debate where students must cite specific events and figures from the revolution to support their arguments.

Quick Check

Provide students with a timeline of key events from the storming of the Bastille to the end of the Reign of Terror. Ask them to label each event as belonging to either the 'Moderate Phase' or the 'Radical Phase' and write one sentence justifying their classification.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write two key differences between the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the political realities of the Reign of Terror. Ask them to identify one group whose rights were particularly threatened during the radical phase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Simón Bolívar?

Known as 'The Liberator,' Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a key role in the independence of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. He envisioned a unified South American nation called Gran Colombia.

How did the Napoleonic Wars trigger Latin American independence?

When Napoleon invaded Spain and deposed the King, the Spanish colonies refused to recognize the French-installed government. This 'crisis of legitimacy' allowed local juntas to take control, eventually leading to full declarations of independence.

What was the Monroe Doctrine?

Issued by the US in 1823, it stated that the Americas were no longer open to European colonization. While it aimed to protect the new Latin American republics, it also signaled the beginning of US influence in the region.

How can active learning help students understand Latin American independence?

Simulating a diplomatic congress or a debate over the 'casta' system helps students understand the internal divisions that plagued the new nations. These active strategies make the political instability of the post-independence period more understandable by showing the competing interests of different social and ethnic groups.