Y8 History Assessment

How much did the French

Revolution change history?

Term 2a. Change and continuity during the French Revolution

Y8 History Term 2a.

Below In Line Above Significantly Above
Assessment
Change and Independently identifies Describes evidence of change Explains detailed evidence Analyses a range of reasons for
continuity: Explain, evidence of change or or continuity over time, of change and continuity change and continuity over
analyse and evaluate continuity over time with offering some explanations of over time, offering some time, analysing a range of
some examples given, why this took place or its analysis of why this took effects which resulted from this.
change within and
though key details may be impact. place and the impact it had. Some meaningful evaluation is
across periods missing. Some evaluation may be made, though not all the claims
attempted of the causes and are fully substantiated.
effects.
For this task, that - A list of ways the - One example of change - 1-2 examples of change - 2 examples of change
may include: revolution did or didn’t - One example of continuity - 1-2 examples of continuity - 2 examples of continuity
change France. - Uses two or more details to - Each one is described in - 2-3 pieces of knowledge used
describe each point. some detail to describe each factor
- Each one has some - Explanation of why there was
explanation e.g. why had or wasn’t any change
each factor changed or - An overall judgement about
stayed the same how important these changes
were (or weren’t)

Use the sources to complete the tasks on the following page. Then write answer to the question.
1. Did the revolution change how France was ruled? Did the revolution
cause change, or
continuity?
The House of Bourbon was a French Dynasty (ruling family) that had ruled France for over As a result, there is no
400 years. Its reign though was disrupted by the French Revolution. Monarchy was longer "the French
abolished in France in 1792 and King Louis XVI was executed the following year. Royal rule dynasty," which has
was replaced with a republican form of government (rule by the people) known as the reigned for an
National Convention. astonishing 400 years.
The period following French rule, however, was full of disagreements and changes. In 1795,
two years after the king’s execution, the National Convention was replaced by the Directory, The revolution
and this was later replaced by Napoleon, a military general who in 1799 took power using generated continuity,
his army and in 1804 declared himself as emperor of France. He ruled as a dictator for the which was full of
next ten years. After his defeat at war and capture, he was replaced once again by a French arguments and
king, who ruled until 1830. replacement by new
rulers, such as
Napoleon, who was a
dictator who governed
for ten years until being
replaced by a French
monarch.
Overall, what do you think? How much did the revolution change France?

The French Revolution completely transformed France by providing authority to a national convention ruled by the
people, Society, giving power to the Catholic Church, the monarchy, and the monarchy being overthrown.

2. Did the revolution change French society? Did the revolution cause
change, or continuity?
The Three Estates social structure had dominated life in France for hundreds of years before The revolution brought
the revolution. It was very similar to the feudal system, by which peasants were dependent about change because
on their land and so on their lord, who owned the land and collected taxes from the the estates abolished
peasants. Peasants also paid taxes to the church called tithes, which were one tenth of taxes, which provided
annual produce or earnings taken as a tax for the support of the church. Both these taxes significant relief to the
were ended during the French Revolution. As two thirds of France was employed in peasants. It also broke
agriculture, ending these taxes brought much respite for the peasants. Also, with the up the large estates into
breakup of large estates controlled by the Church and the nobility during the Revolution, tiny autonomous farms,
rural France primarily became a land of small independent farms. which were later held
by the farmers rather
than the church.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen also had a major impact on the people of The revolution brought
France. It was a written expression of the natural rights of citizens in revolutionary France. It about change by
was created by the newly formed Assembly in 1789 and it stated a number of individual enacting the Declaration
rights for all in France: liberty, property, freedom of speech and the press, freedom of of the Rights of Man
religion and equal treatment before the law. It was created in August 1789. Some years and Citizen, which was
later, the revolutionary government was replaced by a dictator called Napoleon, who drafted by a newly
introduced his own ‘Napoleonic code’. This document updated all the old laws in France and established assembly.
ended some of the old privileges of the Third Estate e.g. there were no more privileges These rights included
based on your family. liberty, private
property, equality, free
expression, and
religious freedom.
Later, it was replaced by
dictator Napoleon, who
restored France's
ancient laws, after
which the revolution
became a continuation
and abolished part of
the rights.
Overall, what do you think? How much did the revolution change France?
Overall, the French Revolution established a new government by issuing a statement of human rights, quality, private
property ownership, freedom of speech, and religion. In addition, the estates abolished taxes, giving the peasants more
freedom.

1. Did the revolution impact any other countries? Did the revolution cause
change, or continuity?
Haiti is an island which used to be ruled by France. It became an independent Because of how black
country though after the French revolution, during a series of conflicts known as people were treated and
the Haitian Revolution, which took place between 1791 and 1804. The vast continued to be enslaved,
majority of the colony’s people were Black Africans who were enslaved by the the revolution created
French. They were forced to work under brutal conditions on plantations growing continuity. The French
sugarcane or other crops or in sugar mills. When they heard about the French Revolution dealt with
revolution though and about the promise that all ben are equal, many demanded unequal wealth
their freedom from slavery. After a series of struggles, an army led by people who distribution. In contrast, a
had formerly been enslaved overthrew the French. Haiti became the first country people-led army
to be founded by former slaves. demanded the abolition
of slavery.
Following the French revolution, many surrounding European countries tried to The revolution brought
defeat those who had executed their king. France though was able to defeat its about change through
enemies through a series of battles, increasing its territory and controlling lands in influencing political
modern day Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy. These changes brought violence and controlling
much needed money into France and spread the ideas of the revolution across regions in modern-day
Europe. It did not last forever though- by 1814 Napoleon and the revolution were Belgium, the Netherlands,
defeated and independent states were restored. Switzerland, and Italy, as
well as bringing much-
needed money into
France. However, this did
not last indefinitely.
Overall, what do you think? How much did the revolution change France?
In general, European countries endeavor to feed the people who executed the monarch. The improvements
brought a lot of money, and France helped disseminate the revolution's principles throughout Europe.
How much did the French Revolution change history? Useful phrases (remember PEE)
Write your answer here in paragraphs or take a picture of your written One way the French Revolution
work. did/didn’t lead to change was…

Evidence of this change

 The collapse of the monarchy in France in 1792 was one example of includes…
how the French revolution ushered in change. In addition, King Louis This represented limited/major
XVI's assassination the next year had a significant influence on the change from the past as…
kingdom. Furthermore, the monarchy was replaced by republicanism,
which had a huge impact on France, as seen by the transformation in On the one hand….
the country's whole political landscape. On the other hand…
As a result of the transformation, there was also a sense of continuity, Overall, I think the French
although one marred by conflicts and the succession of successive Revolution led to …. change as…
rulers. For example, Napoleon Bonaparte, the dictator who reigned for
ten years before being quickly overthrown by a French monarch. Another sort of continuity occurred
with the African community, which was still enslaved and treated inhumanely.

Even to this day, the French revolution has come to a halt, and it didn't help that the country's
population were suffering from appallingly uneven income distribution. Even though the army
allowed people to petition for the release of the salves, it had little effect since they continued to
enslave black people after that.

Overall, I believe that the French revolution resulted in tough times, such as the abolition of the
monarchy and so on. Regardless, it had a significant influence on world history.