Idaho Social Studies 9-12.WC.46
The Standard
Analyze the major events of the French Revolution (e.g., storming of the Bastille, execution of Louis XVI, reign of terror), and trace the evolution of France’s government from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism.
Idaho Content Standards: K-12 Social Studies · The Enlightenment and the Age of Revolution (c. 1600 AD – 1815 AD)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Put the Bastille attack, the 1791 constitution, Louis XVI’s execution, and the Reign of Terror in order. Explain how power moved from a limited king to a republic whose leaders used emergency powers to arrest and execute opponents.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that the Bastille attack came before the constitutional monarchy, and the king’s execution came before the Terror. They can describe how war and fears of counterrevolution helped the Committee of Public Safety gain power.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think the Bastille attack created a constitutional monarchy overnight, but the constitution came two years later. Others think the king ran the Terror or that his execution ended the violence.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, have students order the Bastille attack, 1791 constitution, Louis XVI’s execution, and the Terror. Ask them to name who held power during the Terror.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs tape event cards to a string timeline, then place king, assembly, and Committee of Public Safety labels beneath them.
Ask, 'How did wartime fears change who held power in France?' Have students cite the 1791 constitution and the Terror.
Play a matching game with cards for the 1791 constitution, 1792 republic, and Terror, paired with descriptions of who held power.
Give students a mock city emergency curfew notice and ask which freedoms it limits and what checks could prevent abuse.
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