Doing History: Representing the French Revolution

DOING HISTORY

Representing the French Revolution

  1. Considering political art as evidence: Based on these four visual sources, together with those in the text itself, what are the advantages and limitations of political or satirical art in understanding a complex phenomenon such as the French Revolution?
  2. Making comparisons: In what different ways was the French Revolution portrayed in these visual sources? How might you account for those differences? Consider issues of class, nationality, religious commitment, time period, and gender.
  3. Defining the French Revolution: Based on these visual sources, what was revolutionary about the French Revolution? And what earlier patterns of French life persisted?
  4. Identifying opponents of the revolution: Based on these visual sources and the text narrative, which groups of people likely opposed the revolution? Why?