French Revolution
French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
Introduction
1789 is one of the most significant dates in history - famous for the Revolution in France
with cries of "Libert! Egalit! Fraternit!" that led to the removal of the French upper
classes. The French Revolution didn't just take place in 1789. It actually lasted for
another six years, with far more violent and momentous events taking place in the years
after 1789. However, here we examine the British reaction to the events in France
during this famous year - were the British government extremely worried or did they see
it as merely a few minor disturbances?
Looking at primary source material from 1789, including a London newspaper report,
together with both official and personal letters sent from Paris, you will be asked to
assess and investigate the reaction. The significance of 1789 is now well known, but did
anybody at the time even dare to suggest how important it was?
Let's look at the evidence to find out.
Tasks
Look at Source 1
1. This is an extract from the London Gazette from Monday 13 July 1789.
a) What evidence is there that the population of Paris were worried?
b) What was wrong with the official police force?
Look at Source 2
2. This is an extract from the London Gazette from Tuesday 14 July 1789.
c) Why were the people outside the Bastille so outraged when the Governor
gave the order to fire on them?
d) Some were then allowed in - on what condition?
e) What happened to the forty who went into the Bastille?
f) What happened to the Governor?
Look at Source 3
3. This is an extract from the London Gazette from Wednesday 15 July 1789.
a) According to the source, people lined the streets - how does the source
describe their behaviour?
b) How pleased were people with the King's promises? How were people
behaving?
c) What evidence in the source suggests further trouble could easily break
out?
Look at Source 4
4. This is a letter from a Mr Jenkinson from Paris, dated 15 July 1789.
a) Examine Mr. Jenkinson's description of the storming of the Bastille - is
there anything to doubt his claims? Give your reasons.
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The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
b) Why, according to this source, did the King 'recant all his former words'
and agree to the people's demands?
c) What are the strengths and weaknesses of this evidence?
Look at Source 5
5. This is an extract from a confidential report from the British Ambassador.
a) How have the recent events affected newspapers?
b) Why does the ambassador have little to report?
Look at Source 6
6. This is another extract from the report seen in Source 5.
a) What is wrong with the account of the storming of the Bastille?
b) What reasons does the ambassador suggest for the quick and easy take
over of the Bastille?
c) What reasons are given to 'lament' the death of the Marquis de Launay?
d) What does the small number of prisoners actually inside the Bastille
suggest about the reign of King Louis XVI?
Look at Source 7
7. This is a further extract from the report seen in Source 5 and 6.
a) How many members of the royal family have fled?
b) What does the ambassador say it is 'scarcely possible to imagine'?
c) What main reason is suggested for wanting these people to return?
Look again at Sources 1-7
8. Using all the available sources, decide which of these descriptions best fit each
source.
Serious revolution, leading to real danger for Britain.
A Paris-based revolt that the King was forced to agree to.
Minor disturbances, of no real consequence at all.
Explain the reasons for your decisions.
9. Using all your previous work, write a detailed paragraph explaining how serious the
British took the events of July 1789. Use your source evidence effectively and think
about the following issues:
What had been the reaction to the King's promises following the storming
of the Bastille?
How serious and long lasting did the ambassador suggest the problems
were?
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
Background
1789 saw the beginning of the French Revolution that lasted until 1794. King Louis XVI
needed more money, but had failed to raise more taxes when he had called a meeting
of the Estates General. This instead turned into a protest about conditions in France. On
July 14 1789 the Paris mob, hungry due to a lack of food from poor harvests, upset at
the conditions of their lives and annoyed with their King and Government, stormed the
Bastille fortress (a prison). This turned out to be more symbolic than anything else as
only four or five prisoners were found.
In October 1789, King Louis and his family were moved from Versailles (the Royal
palace) to Paris. He tried to flee in 1791, but was stopped and forced to agree to a new
form of government. Replacing the power of the King, a 'legislative assembly' governed
from October 1791 to September 1792, and was then replaced by the 'National
Convention'. The Republic of France was declared, and soon the King was put on trial.
The Revolution became more and more radical and violent. King Louis XVI was
executed on January 21 1793. In the six weeks that followed some 1,400 people who
were considered potential enemies to the Republic were executed in Paris.
Many historians now regard the French revolution as a turning point in the history of
Europe but also in North America where many of the same ideas influenced the
Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. The famous slogan 'Liberty,
Equality and Fraternity' called for every person's right to freedom and equal treatment.
Across France and the rest of Europe the consequences of the Revolution were huge.
There were many new developments including the fall of the monarchy, changes in
society with the rise of the middle class, and the growth of nationalism.
Teachers Notes
This lesson encourages pupils to examine and investigate the British reaction to the
outbreak of the French Revolution. Through the use of primary source evidence from a
contemporary newspaper together with both official and private correspondence from
the time, pupils are asked to decide how seriously the British government took the
events of 1789 in 1789.
This lesson can form part of studies for Scheme of Work Unit 10: France 1789-94 - 'why
was there a revolution?' It is useful specifically for part four of the unit that requires
pupils to decide: 'Why was the Bastille attacked and destroyed?', although it can of
course be used for any investigation into the French Revolution. Use of this snapshot
covers National Curriculum requirements for History in relation to general requirements
(2a), together with breadth of study requirements to examine a European study before
1914 (11).
Sources
Image : La Prise de la Bastille - Jean Pierre Hovell 1789
Sources 1-3 : The London Gazette - ZJ 1/85
Sources 4-6 Extracts from a confidential report from the British Ambassador, 30th July
1789 FO 27/32
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The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
Schemes of Work
France 1789-94 why was there a revolution?
Key Stage 3 Unit 10.
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
Source 1 : Transcript of 'The London Gazette' Monday 13 July 1789 (ZJ 1/85)
A general Consternation prevailed throughout the Town. All the Shops were shut; all
public and private Employments at a Stand, and scarcely a Person to be seen in the
Streets, except the armed Burghers, who acted as a temporary Police for the Protection
of private Property, to replace the established one, which had no longer any influence.
Glossary
Burghers : an inhabitant of a town, esp. a member of the middle class; citizen.
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
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... the King was at first very resolute. The thoughts however of the Danger he was in
have this Evening induced him to recant all his former words & to submit in everything.
Deputies have arrived this afternoon from Versailles with this goodnews, and it is
reported that the King will be here himself tomorrow, but I own I very much doubt it.
The Consternation that has prevailed in Paris for the last two days, is beyond all power
of description. Few People have gone out of their doors, & all Public Amusement for
the first time have been stopped. I however have seen every thing of importance from
the first Enterance of the Troops to the taking of the Bastille which I was present at
yesterday Evening & indeed the whole sight has been such, that nothing would have
... tempted me to miss it.
The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
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The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
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The French Revolution : How did the British react to July 1789?
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