Continue discussion on the French Revolution: from the accession of the extremists through the Reign of Terror and Virtue, and ending with the Thermidorian Reaction.

By class time on 2/11, please complete the reading below. By Thursday, 2/13 @ midnight, please post answers to the two questions assigned to you. By Saturday, 2/15 @ Noon, please comment on someone else’s posting. Always state to whom you are responding.  By 2/15 @ midnight, submit a copy of your review of the documentary under “Course Assignments.” Follow the instructions for documentary reviews under “Learning Activities and Course Requirements.”

The Reign of Terror and Virtue

This guillotine was created by Ronald Giardina of Mountain View High School, Mountain View, California. It is used with his permission.

1. Read Popkin, 71-106, 135-138, 152-155; Todd, 45, 47-50, 82-84, 101, 130-131, 152-155 and on-line lecture #2 on the Reign of Terror and Virtue. MLA students: see below for additional assignments.
2. Write a review of History Channel’s, The French Revolution, which can be found in the Scarborough Phillips’ Library’s database, Films on Demand and write a review by answering questions on #2 of “Learning Activities and Course Requirements.” Post review under “Assignments” in Blackboard by Saturday, February 18th @ midnight.

Study Guide Questions

1. Why was the monarchy abolished in September 1792?  Why was this considered the beginning of year I in the new French calendar?
2. Why was King Louis XVI executed in January 1793? The documentary quotes Robespierre as having said, “You have to kill the king so the Revolution can survive.” What did he mean? How did the King’s execution, the foreign and civil wars, and the crowds of Parisian sans-culottes (artisans and lower-middle class) affect the Revolution?
3. Why do you think that most of the male revolutionists did not want to grant political rights for women? (Robespierre and Condorcet appeared to be the only ones who considered this). Why did the Convention ban all women’s clubs and organizations in October 1793?
4. The documentary quotes Robespierre as having said, “Terror without virtue is disastrous, but virtue without terror is powerless.” Explain. Describe the Reign of Terror and Virtue.
5. In both the documentary and in Popkin, the Girondin deputy is quoted, “The Revolution, like Saturn, is devouring its children” (Popkin 86). Speaking of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, Danton said, “Fearing the return of tyrants, they’ve become tyrants.” What did he mean? (This is not in Popkin or the documentary, but I want you to think about this comment).
6. Trace the French Revolution through Crane Brinton’s stages of revolution. Briefly describe each stage, and state when it occurred.
7. What do Popkin and Todd think the French Revolution accomplished? What do you think it accomplished? According to Popkin and the documentary, what is the legacy of this revolution?
8. In what ways did the French Revolution manifest political, economic, and cultural globalization?

MLA Students:  Complete the undergrad assignment, and answer #6 on the study guide. Also, go to the George Mason University website, Exploring the French Revolution and read both the introductory and the concluding essays in the section, “Imaging the French Revolution,” as well as the essay by Joan B. Landes.  Briefly summarize Jack Censor’s and Lynn Hunt’s main conclusions about Revolutionary images. In addition, briefly summarize the essay by Joan B. Landes for 2/13 and post it on the discussion board. Also view images on this site. You can access the site under “Online Learning Resources.”

Estimated time: reading -6 hrs.; answering questions, reviewing other students’ postings, and posting comments- 2.5 hrs; writing documentary review-2 hrs. Total: (10 hrs.) Additional reading and writing time for MLA students: (2hrs.)