World Civilizations Research Project: Revolutions in Europe
Last semester we looked at ancient civilizations and belief systems and asked, “How do humans make meaning?” This semester we have looked at the political, social, cultural, economic, religious, and intellectual development of Europe in an effort to understand how humans remade meaning of the world around them. We have studied the scientific and intellectual revolutions that emerged in the 16th-18th Centuries. For this assignment, we will now examine how the new intellectual, political, and scientific paradigm created more revolutionary activity that shook Europe in the late 18th and 19th Centuries.
We’ll start by looking at the following questions:
What is a revolution?
What events converged to create such change?
How much progress occurred in these revolutions?
The goals of this project are for you to continue to develop and practice your research and writing skills, and to use some creativity in your understanding of history. You will complete three small projects. Ultimately, you will write a concluding essay that will also seek to answer the above questions, while exploring the shared components of the three revolutions.
Portfolio of 3 projects (over for details):
Newspaper article reporting on the French Revolution.(Information on back)
A movie review of “The Tale of Two Cities.” (Information to be handed out soon)
Testimony before Parliament on the conditions of life during the Industrial Revolution.
(Information to be handed out soon.)
For this project I expect you to:
ponder our central question: What is a revolution? What events converged to create such change?
do thorough research about the revolution that each assignment requires. You will document this research in complete research notes (which you will hand in…);
present well-researched projects using accurate and relevant information as demonstrated by specific evidence from your resources; and
write an overview essay demonstrating what you have learned. The question for this essay will be handed out soon.
Specific deadlines for this project: Always check the course website for the specific syllabus.
April 21/22 Introduction to Project; assignment of topics; Discuss French Revolution
May 1/4 – Newspaper project due; view movie The Tale of Two Cities
May 7/8 – Movie Review due; start Industrialization Revolution
May 15/18 Industrial Revolution project due
May 19/20 Essay writing workshop. Due today: outline of one paragraphs: D: visit MWH exhibits
May 21/22 C: visit MWH exhibits; outline of two more paragraph due
May 26/27 Introductions due
June 1 Overview essay due, 12:30 pm. Location TBA.
OVER….
I. FRENCH REVOLUTION NEWSPAPER PROJECT Due: May 1st C, May 4th D
You are a French journalist at the time of the Revolution, and you are asked to write a newspaper article on your assigned topic (see below) that involves an aspect of the French Revolution
You must interview at least two real participants who have something to say about your story. What background information is important to understand? (Remember: Who, What, Where, When, Why). Story should be approximately 3 pages in length, double spaced 12 pt font palatino. You must read from at least three primary sources and two secondary sources. Don’t forget to include a headline and byline. You must also create a masthead for your newspaper: the size should be approximately 1” x 6” across the top of your first page.
Topics:
C Period
•Social causes: focus on one of the tensions existing before the Revolution started (students assigned to either 1) rural life and “the great fear,” 2) urban life especially in Paris, or 3) aristocratic fears of losing power) Sam P—1, Greig—2, Charlotte K --3
•National Assembly: Doing a good job?
•Storming of the Bastille Andrew S
•Women and the Revolution Marina Danielle
•Enlightenment impact Trevor
•Declaration of Rights of Man Kamille
•Who are the Sans Culottes? Ben M.
•Committee on Public Safety Anna
•Marie Antoinette: should she die? Maya
•Louis XVI: should he die? Evan
•Reign of Terror: it should stop/it is necessary? Sharanya
•Jacobins Elba
•1790’s: How successful was the Revolution by this time? Alex C ,
D period:
•Social causes: focus on one of the tensions existing before the Revolution started (students assigned to either 1) rural life and “the great fear,” 2) urban life especially in Paris, or 3) aristocratic fears of losing power) Lexy—1, Ryan—2, Zach--3
•National Assembly: Doing a good job?
•Storming of the Bastille Melina
•Women and the Revolution Lena Caitlyn
•Enlightenment impact
•Declaration of Rights of Man Tiffany
•Who are the Sans Culottes? Shayan
•Committee on Public Safety Leigh
•Marie Antoinette: should she die? Kate
•Louis XVI: should he die?
•Reign of Terror: it should stop/it is necessary? Jonathan
•Jacobins Anwen
Here is a fantastic website: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution” http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/
**Please note: You will receive a significant amount of time to work on this project in class, but you will be expected to use out-of-class time to complete this project as well.
II. Movie Review of “Tale of Two Cities”
III. Speech before a committee of Parliament, c.
**Please note: You will receive a significant amount of time to work on this project in class, but you will be expected to use out-of-class time to complete this project as well.