Lesson plan of French Revolution: Constitutional Monarchy, National Convention, and Directory

Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Understand the historical context of the French Revolution: Students should identify the main factors that led to the French Revolution, such as popular dissatisfaction, economic crisis and the influence of Enlightenment ideas. They should also place the French Revolution in a global context, recognizing its impact and consequences.

2. Analyze the different stages of the French Revolution: Students should distinguish between the different stages of the French Revolution, with a focus on the Constitutional Monarchy, the National Convention and the Directory. They should identify the main characteristics, events and figures of each stage.

3. Reflect on the importance and legacies of the French Revolution: Students should assess the lasting impact of the French Revolution, both in France and around the world. They should discuss how the French Revolution influenced the development of modern ideas and institutions, such as human rights, democracy and nationalism.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. Review of Previous Content: The teacher should begin the class by briefly reviewing related content, such as the Ancien Régime in France and the Enlightenment. This can be done through a quick quiz or group discussion to ensure students have a solid understanding of these topics before moving on to the French Revolution.

2. Problem Situations: The teacher can present two problem situations to instigate students' critical thinking and engage them with the topic of the lesson:

   • "How do you think the Constitutional Monarchy, the National Convention and the Directory, each in their own way, tried to deal with the challenges faced by France during the French Revolution?"
   • "What were the main legacies of the French Revolution? How do these legacies still impact society and politics today?"

3. Contextualization: The teacher should contextualize the importance of studying the French Revolution, highlighting how this historical event shaped modern France and influenced the development of ideas and institutions worldwide. For example, mention the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a key document of the French Revolution that influenced the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

4. Introduction to the Topic: To capture students' attention, the teacher can share some fun facts or interesting stories about the French Revolution. For example:

   • "Did you know that the French Revolution was the first modern revolution to 'eat its own children'? This means that many of the revolutionary leaders who initially supported the French Revolution ended up being executed during the Terror, a particularly violent phase of the Revolution."
   • "Another interesting fact is that the French Revolution also had a significant impact on fashion. During the Revolution, people began to dress more simply and practically, rejecting the extravagant outfits of the nobility. This led to the emergence of the 'revolutionary style', characterized by plain and unadorned clothing."

These stories and fun facts can help capture students' attention and spark their interest in the topic of the lesson.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Presentation of the Theory (10 - 12 minutes):

   • Constitutional Monarchy: The teacher should begin by explaining how the French Revolution started with the Constitutional Monarchy, a system in which the king maintained his power, but it was limited by a constitution. The teacher should highlight the importance of the National Constituent Assembly in this phase, and how it promoted several reforms, such as the abolition of feudal privileges.
   • National Convention: Next, the teacher should explain the phase of the National Convention, which began with the fall of the Constitutional Monarchy. In this phase, France became a republic and King Louis XVI was executed. The teacher should emphasize the role of the Committee of Public Safety and the Reign of Terror, a period of political repression and violence. Additionally, mention should be made of French military expansion and the war against the European coalition against France.
   • Directory: Finally, the teacher should address the Directory, the last stage of the French Revolution, when France was governed by a group of five directors. The teacher should explain how the Directory struggled with internal political instability and external challenges, and how, despite its efforts, France eventually became a military dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte.

2. Analysis of Documents and Materials (5 - 7 minutes):

   • Historical Documents: The teacher should present students with a selection of historical documents related to each phase of the French Revolution. This may include the Constitution of 1791 (Constitutional Monarchy), the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of 1793 (National Convention) and the Constitution of 1795 (Directory). The teacher should guide students in reading and analyzing these documents, highlighting the key ideas and proposals of each phase.
   • Images and Cartoons: The teacher should also share images and cartoons that depict events and figures of the French Revolution. This can help students better visualize the different stages of the Revolution and understand the feelings and attitudes of the people at the time.

3. Group Discussion (5 - 6 minutes):

   • Legacy Debate: The teacher should organize students into groups and ask each group to discuss and come up with a list of the main legacies of the French Revolution. After the discussion, each group should present their list to the class, and the teacher should facilitate a debate about the importance and relevance of these legacies. This may include the idea of human rights, the notion of equality, the spread of nationalism, among others.
   • Analysis of Historical Scenarios: The teacher can then propose a hypothetical historical scenario based on each stage of the French Revolution and ask the groups to discuss how they believe the situation would have unfolded. This can help students apply their knowledge in a practical way and develop their critical thinking and analysis skills.

This development of the class will allow students to acquire a deeper understanding of the different stages of the French Revolution, as well as its context and legacies.

Feedback (8 - 10 minutes)

1. Summary and Connections (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should begin the Feedback phase by asking students to summarize the main points they learned during the lesson. This can be done through a short presentation by each group, where they should highlight the most important characteristics, events and figures of each stage of the French Revolution. The teacher should encourage students to make connections between the different stages of the French Revolution, as well as with the previous content on the Ancien Régime and the Enlightenment.

2. Application of Knowledge (3 - 4 minutes): The teacher should ask students to apply what they learned in a practical context. This can be done through a reflection activity, where students should think about how the events and ideas of the French Revolution relate to the world today. The teacher can pose questions such as:

   • "How are the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity of the French Revolution reflected in today's society?"
   • "Can you identify examples in the present day of situations that resemble any of the stages of the French Revolution? How might these situations unfold based on what we learned today?"

3. Feedback and Closure (2 minutes): Finally, the teacher should ask students for feedback on the lesson. This may include questions about what they found most interesting, what they found most challenging, and what they would like to learn more about. The teacher should thank students for their participation and end the lesson by reinforcing the importance of studying the French Revolution for understanding history and for developing critical thinking and citizenship.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Lesson Summary (2 - 3 minutes): The teacher should begin the Conclusion of the lesson by summarizing the main points covered. Each stage of the French Revolution should be briefly reviewed, highlighting its main characteristics, significant events and important figures. Additionally, the legacies of the French Revolution should be recalled, such as the spread of ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity, the establishment of human rights and the influence on the development of modern institutions.

2. Connection of Theory to Practice (1 minute): The teacher should reiterate how the lesson connected theory, practice and application. Emphasize how analyzing historical documents, engaging in group discussion and reflecting on historical scenarios allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in a contextualized and practical way.

3. Extra Materials (1 - 2 minutes): The teacher should suggest extra materials for students to further their knowledge about the French Revolution. These materials may include documentaries, movies, books, museum websites and virtual exhibitions. For example, the teacher may suggest reading the book "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo, which depicts life in France before, during and after the French Revolution, or the movie "Danton", which addresses the phase of the National Convention.

4. Relevance of the Subject (1 minute): Finally, the teacher should reinforce the importance of studying the French Revolution, not only for understanding history, but also for the formation of conscious and critical citizens. It should be emphasized how the principles and ideals of the French Revolution are still relevant today, influencing political, social and cultural thought. Additionally, highlight how the French Revolution, with its different stages and developments, serves as a valuable example of how historical events can shape the world we live in.