Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution
I can explain why the French Revolution took place.
Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution
I can explain why the French Revolution took place.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- European Enlightenment ideas had spread to America, causing a revolution which France had supported.
- The French monarchy was deep in debt and taxed the poorest in society the most.
- The inequality of the Ancien Régime and successive poor harvests angered ordinary people.
- King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette spent money lavishly whilst their people were starving.
- The people of France rose up against the monarchy in revolution in 1789 leading to the execution of the king.
Keywords
Ancien Régime - the Ancien Régime was the name for the political and social system in France before the Revolution, ruled by the monarch: King Louis XVI
Taille - the taille was a land tax paid in France by peasants and non-nobles before the Revolution, and was not paid by clergy or nobility
Estates-General - an Estates-General was an emergency meeting of people from all areas of French society that the king could call to advise him
Republic - a republic is a country without a king or queen.
Absolute - the ability of a monarch to do as they please without having to answer to anyone for their actions is known as absolute power
Common misconception
The French Revolution only occurred because of the Enlightenment.
The French Revolution occurred for a myriad of reasons. These include causes such as the Enlightenment, the influence of the American Revolution, the lavish spending of the monarchy and their supposed indifference to the plight of the Third Estate.
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Enlightenment ideas and the causes of the French Revolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Enlightenment: what was the Enlightenment? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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- Depiction or discussion of serious crime
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
clergy
nobility
ordinary commoners