Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the concept of Ancien Régime: Students will be able to define the Ancien Régime as the system of governance in France before the French Revolution. They will learn about the political, social, and economic structures that characterized this period.

2. Identify the key features of the Ancien Régime: Students will be able to identify the key features of the Ancien Régime, such as the absolute monarchy, the social hierarchy, and the mercantilist economic system. They will also learn about the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the nobility, and the oppression faced by the common people.

3. Analyze the impact of the Ancien Régime on the French Revolution: Students will be able to understand how the Ancien Régime laid the groundwork for the French Revolution. They will learn about the factors that led to the revolution, such as the inequalities in society and the Enlightenment ideas that challenged the existing order.

Introduction (8 - 10 minutes)

• The teacher begins the lesson by reminding students of the previous lessons on the Enlightenment period, which introduced them to the radical ideas that would later shape the French Revolution. This serves as a quick review and provides necessary context for the understanding of the Ancien Régime. (2 minutes)

• The teacher then presents two problem situations or curiosities to the students to spark their interest in the topic:

  1. The teacher might ask, "Why do you think the French Revolution was so violent compared to other revolutions in history?" This could lead to a discussion on the deep-rooted social and political inequalities of the Ancien Régime that the revolution sought to dismantle.
  2. The teacher could share the curiosity, "Did you know that before the French Revolution, the monarchy had absolute power and the common people had almost no rights? Can you imagine living in a society like that today?" (3 minutes)

• The teacher contextualizes the importance of the subject by explaining how the Ancien Régime was not just a historical period, but a system that profoundly shaped the modern world. They could say, "The Ancien Régime was not just about kings and queens, but a complex system that determined people's lives, rights, and opportunities. Understanding this period helps us appreciate the importance of democracy, human rights, and social equality that we often take for granted today." (2 minutes)

• To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two intriguing stories related to the Ancien Régime:

  1. The teacher could tell the story of Marie Antoinette, the queen of France during the late phase of the Ancien Régime, and her famous quote, "Let them eat cake!" The teacher explains that although this quote is often misattributed and oversimplified, it reflects the deep disconnect between the ruling class and the common people, which played a significant role in the French Revolution.
  2. The teacher could share the story of the Bastille, the notorious prison that became a symbol of royal tyranny. They could explain how its storming by the revolutionaries in 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution, and how this event was a direct result of the oppressive system of the Ancien Régime. (3 minutes)

Development (20 - 23 minutes)

Activity 1: "The Great Class Game of Thrones" (12 - 15 minutes)

• The teacher divides the class into groups of five and assigns each group a specific role within the French society during the Ancien Régime. These roles should include the King, the nobility, the clergy, the bourgeoisie, and the peasants. Each group should also have a "historian" whose role is to take notes during the activity.

• The teacher provides a set of cards to each group that describe the privileges and responsibilities of their assigned role. The cards should also contain some challenges or dilemmas that the group might face.

• The game begins with each group discussing and strategizing on how to maintain or improve their position in society. They can use their privileges or negotiate with other groups. The "historian" records the decisions and reasons behind them.

• The game continues for about 10 minutes, with the teacher occasionally introducing new events or challenges to keep the dynamics interesting. Some of these events could include natural disasters, foreign invasions, or changes in the political climate.

• After the game, the teacher facilitates a discussion where each group shares their strategies, challenges, and decisions. The teacher guides the discussion to draw out the inherent inequalities and tensions within the Ancien Régime.

Activity 2: "Protest Poster Exhibition" (8 - 10 minutes)

• Following the game, the teacher introduces the concept of the Enlightenment and how it led to the questioning and eventual overthrow of the Ancien Régime. They explain that the Enlightenment thinkers challenged the existing order, calling for more rights and power for the common people. This set the stage for the French Revolution.

• The teacher then assigns each group the task of creating a protest poster representing the grievances of their assigned group during the Ancien Régime. The posters should reflect the ideas of the Enlightenment and the demands for change. The students are encouraged to be creative and use various art supplies available in the classroom.

• After completing their posters, each group hangs their work on the classroom wall and presents it to the rest of the class. The teacher facilitates a discussion on the posters, highlighting the common themes of inequality, oppression, and the demand for rights.

• To conclude, the teacher connects the outcomes of the activities with the learning objectives, emphasizing how the Ancien Régime was a deeply unequal system that paved the way for the French Revolution.

Feedback (10 - 12 minutes)

• The teacher initiates a group discussion, asking each group to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. Each group is given up to 3 minutes to present their findings and discuss the strategies they used during the game, and the message they wanted to convey through their protest poster. The teacher listens actively, encourages other students to ask questions or provide feedback, and ensures that the discussion remains focused and respectful. (6 - 7 minutes)

• Following the group discussions, the teacher asks each student to individually reflect on what they have learned during the lesson. The students are given a minute to think and then share their responses. The teacher could use the following reflection questions:

  1. What was the most important concept you learned today?
  2. How did your understanding of the Ancien Régime change after the activities?
  3. What questions do you still have about the Ancien Régime or the French Revolution? (2 - 3 minutes)

• To conclude the lesson, the teacher provides a summary of the key points covered during the lesson and answers any remaining questions. They also preview the next lesson, which will focus on the French Revolution and its aftermath. The teacher reminds students to review the material covered in this lesson and prepare any questions or doubts they might have for the next class. (2 - 3 minutes)

• Finally, the teacher gives the students a moment to take a deep breath and relax, thanking them for their active participation and curiosity. This moment of calm is meant to help the students process the information and recharge for the next class. (1 minute)

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

• The teacher begins the concluding part of the lesson by summarizing the main points covered during the class. They reiterate the definition and characteristics of the Ancien Régime, emphasizing its absolute monarchy, social hierarchy, and mercantilist economic system. They also highlight the inequalities and tensions within the Ancien Régime, and how these factors led to the French Revolution. (2 minutes)

• The teacher then explains how the lesson connected theory, practice, and applications. They describe how the initial discussion and group activities helped students to understand the theoretical concepts of the Ancien Régime and the Enlightenment. They also highlight how the hands-on activities, such as the "Great Class Game of Thrones" and the "Protest Poster Exhibition," allowed students to apply their knowledge and understand the practical implications of these historical events and concepts. (2 minutes)

• The teacher suggests additional materials for students interested in further exploring the topic. They could recommend books such as "The Ancien Régime and the Revolution" by Alexis de Tocqueville, or documentaries like "The French Revolution" by the BBC. They could also provide links to reliable online resources, such as academic articles or educational websites. (1 minute)

• Lastly, the teacher underscores the importance of understanding the Ancien Régime in the context of the modern world. They explain that studying this period helps us to appreciate the origins of many of our modern political, social, and economic systems. They could say, "The Ancien Régime was a time of extreme inequality and oppression. It was the struggle against this system that laid the foundations for many of the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today. Understanding this period can help us to appreciate the importance of democracy, human rights, and social equality in our modern world." (2 minutes)