French Revolution: Age of Reason

Revolution in France

​Learning Target

​We can name two French writers in the 1700s who had new ideas by associating the beliefs to the writers.

​The Age of Reason in France

​France in the early 1700s, had a government that was locked into the Middle Ages. French Kings believed they ruled by divine right.

Multiple Choice

Divine Right is the belief that ____ gave kings the power to rule.

• Yoda

• God

• People

• Mr. B

​No matter how unfair the rule, French people had to accept it. King Louis XIV is said to have declared, "I am the State."

Multiple Choice

What does King Louis XVI mean when he says "I am the state!"

• I have all the power

• I;m just here so I don't get fined.

• I don't want to do any work

​Nobles led lives of luxury. They lived in fine palaces paid for by taxes collected from the lower and middle classes. While nobles lived splendidly, the peasants often went with out enough to eat.

Multiple Choice

Who lived a life of luxury?

• Peasants

• Nobles

Multiple Choice

Who barely had enough to eat?

• Nobles

• Peasants

​By the 1780s, however the French were listening to new ideas. They read the works of Rousseau and Volataire. "Look at Britain," the writers said. "The people there are free. Look at their successful fight for freedom. We, too, deserve some rights!" Political conditions did not yet show it, but the Age of Reason had come to France!!

​Voltaire

​The French had helped the Americans in their war for independence from British rule. French nobles were happy to see the British defeated by anyone. French peasants liked the idea of a fight against tyranny. The French noble, Lafayette, went to America and joined the colonists' battle. George Washington gave Lafayette command of a division, and the two fought side by side.

​When the Americans won the war, the French began thinking about freedom for themselves

Multiple Choice

Who was the French noble who fought side by side with George Washington?

• Lafayette

• Napoleon

• King Louis XVI

Multiple Choice

Why did French nobles support the aid to the American Revolution?

• They like war

• They were forced to

• They supported anyone who was against England

• A

Multiple Choice

After the Americans won their revolution what did the French begin thinking about?

• French Fries

• Freedom

• Flying

Multiple Select

Who were the FRENCH philosophers of the time?

• Voltaire

• John Locke

• Rousseau

• J

Multiple Choice

What is the name of the movement if France

• Age of Reason

• Age of Empire

• Age of Ultron