The French Revolution
- The storm of the Bastille is often referred to as the beginning of the French Revolution. Why?
- What were some of the events that led up to it? Why was the Bastille such a symbol of oppression?
- What happened in the aftermath?
- What kind of country was France in the 18th century?
- How was the country ruled? What were the living conditions for the different groups of people?
- What was the role of the climate in causing initial problems for peasants?
- How did taxation play a role in the minds of most people?
- What problems had resulted from the fact that France had supported the American Revolution?
- How did the ideas of the American Revolution influence the French people?
Examine the picture of the storm of the Bastille more closely. Then write a descriptive paragraph to show what the atmosphere was like on that day. Or, pretend that you were a bystander who has observed what was going on. Tell your story in a convincing and compelling way.
Pictures are often worth a thousand words. This is particularly true for political cartoons.
These cartoons have a clear purpose: to let the reader or viewer know how the creator of the cartoon felt about a certain event, a political situation, or human relationship. Cartoons are representing sharp criticism of social conditions in a humorous way. However, the readers often clearly understand the hidden messages of a cartoon. Study the cartoon carefully. Then create a series of questions for exploration. Take a guess to answer these questions and prepare a report on the meaning and significance of the cartoon from the point f view of the people liing in France at the time it was made. |