Revolutions Option Two: Study this or 12: The American Revolution
The French Revolution LO: 3.3
The Plantations in Ireland c. 1500–1700
The Age of Revolution c. 1750–1850
13
Ireland under the Union 1800–1920
At the end of the eighteenth century, revolutions occurred on both sides of the Atlantic that would have profound effects on the course of history. A revolution is a rapid and significant change in society, politics, technology or the economy. In America and France, the people rose up to overthrow the established order. They wanted to create new ways of running society so that people could have a greater say over the laws that shaped their lives.
In 1775, Britain’s colonies in North America revolted against the rule of King George III. In 1789, revolution arrived in Europe when the people of France challenged the rule of their king, Louis XVI.
The French Revolution Type of source Category
Primary Primary
Written Written
Written
WORKING WITH THE EVIDENCE! —————————————
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Writings of thinkers and revolutionaries; letters and diaries by people such as Voltaire and Robespierre and ordinary people in France (especially Paris) at the time
Books, pamphlets and newspapers
Offi cial documents from various revolutionary governments and assemblies (such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen)
Rousseau’s The Social Contract, a book on the relationship between people and their rulers
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
In what language do you think most of these sources are written? Is this a problem for some historians? How might they overcome this problem?
