Lesson Plan | Traditional Methodology | French Revolution: Constitutional Monarchy, National Convention, and Directory

Objectives

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide students with a clear view of the learning objectives of the lesson, establishing a focus and direction for the content that will be addressed. This way, students will better understand the relevance and importance of the topics discussed, facilitating the assimilation of information and knowledge retention.

Main Objectives

1. Understand the historical process that led to the French Revolution.

2. Identify the main events and political changes during the Constitutional Monarchy, the National Convention, and the Directory.

3. Analyze the impacts of the French Revolution on European politics, science, and geopolitics.

Introduction

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to place students in the historical context of the French Revolution, arousing their interest and curiosity about the theme. By presenting initial information and curiosities, the teacher helps establish a connection between the lesson content and the students' reality, facilitating comprehension and engagement with the material that will be addressed.

Context

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was one of the most significant events in modern history. It marked the end of monarchical absolutism and the emergence of new ideas about citizenship, human rights, and governance that influenced the whole world. During this lesson, three crucial phases of this revolutionary process will be addressed: the Constitutional Monarchy, the National Convention, and the Directory. Each of these phases represented profound political and social changes that shaped France and had a lasting impact on Europe.

Curiosities

Did you know that the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, created during the French Revolution, inspired many other constitutions around the world, including the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights? This revolutionary document is still a reference when we talk about rights and individual freedoms.

Development

Duration: 60 - 70 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to provide a detailed and structured understanding of the three main phases of the French Revolution: Constitutional Monarchy, National Convention, and Directory. Through clear explanations and concrete examples, students will understand the political and social changes that occurred during this period and their lasting impacts on France and Europe. The proposed questions aim to verify students' understanding and encourage critical reflection on the content addressed.

Covered Topics

1. Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792): Explain the context in which the Constitutional Monarchy was established after the French Revolution. Highlight the creation of the National Constituent Assembly and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Detail how King Louis XVI was forced to accept a constitution that limited his powers and established a constitutional monarchy. 2. National Convention (1792-1795): Address the transition from the Constitutional Monarchy to the National Convention after the fall of the monarchy. Explain the proclamation of the First Republic and the execution of Louis XVI. Discuss the challenges faced by the National Convention, such as the war against foreign coalitions and internal conflicts, highlighting the role of figures like Robespierre and the period of the Terror. 3. Directory (1795-1799): Describe the establishment of the Directory as an attempt to stabilize France after the period of the Terror. Explain the composition and functioning of the Directory, as well as the problems it faced, such as corruption and political instability. Conclude with Napoleon Bonaparte's coup in 1799, which ended the Directory and began the Consulate.

Classroom Questions

1. What were the main political and social changes introduced by the Constitutional Monarchy in France? 2. How did the National Convention deal with internal and external challenges during its period of government? 3. What factors led to the end of the Directory and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power?

Questions Discussion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate learning and verify students' understanding of the topics discussed. Through guided discussion and reflections, students have the opportunity to clarify doubts, deepen their understanding, and make critical connections with other historical contexts. Additionally, this moment allows the teacher to assess the effectiveness of the lesson and adjust future pedagogical approaches as needed.

Discussion

• Question 1: What were the main political and social changes introduced by the Constitutional Monarchy in France?

• During the Constitutional Monarchy, the National Constituent Assembly was created, resulting in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which promoted equality before the law, freedom of expression, and separation of powers. King Louis XVI was forced to accept a constitution that limited his powers, creating a constitutional monarchy where legislative power was shared with the Assembly.

• Question 2: How did the National Convention deal with internal and external challenges during its period of government?

• The National Convention proclaimed the First Republic and executed Louis XVI. It faced challenges such as war against foreign coalitions and internal conflicts, including counter-revolutionary uprisings and instability caused by the Terror. Under the leadership of figures like Robespierre, it implemented drastic measures to maintain control, resulting in the period of violent repression known as the Terror.

• Question 3: What factors led to the end of the Directory and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power?

• The Directory faced problems such as corruption, political instability, and economic difficulties. The inability to resolve these issues led to popular discontent and political conspiracies. Napoleon Bonaparte's coup in 1799, known as the 18 Brumaire coup, was the culmination of these instabilities, resulting in the end of the Directory and the beginning of the Consulate, consolidating Napoleon's power.

Student Engagement

1.  Question: What was the impact of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen on other nations? 2.  Reflection: How did the execution of Louis XVI influence France's foreign policy? 3.  Question: What similarities and differences do you see between the period of Terror and other moments of repression in history? 4. 類 Reflection: How can the instability of the Directory be compared to other times of political crisis in different countries?

Conclusion

Duration: 10 - 15 minutes

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate students' learning by recapping the main points of the lesson and reinforcing the importance of the content discussed. This moment allows students to make meaningful connections between what they have learned and its impact on the current world, as well as preparing the ground for future discussions and studies.

Summary

• The Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792) marked France's transition from an absolutist monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, limiting King Louis XVI's powers and establishing the National Constituent Assembly and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
• The National Convention (1792-1795) proclaimed the First Republic, executed Louis XVI, and faced internal and external challenges, including the war against foreign coalitions and the period of Terror under Robespierre's leadership.
• The Directory (1795-1799) attempted to stabilize France after the Terror but faced corruption, political instability, and economic difficulties, culminating in Napoleon Bonaparte's coup in 1799, which initiated the Consulate.

The lesson connected theory with practice by detailing how political and social changes during the French Revolution influenced the power structure in France and Europe, and discussed how these historical events still resonate in current governmental structures and human rights.

The study of the French Revolution is crucial for understanding the formation of modern democracies and the development of human rights. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, for example, serves as the basis for many modern constitutions and human rights documents.