World History Lesson: Age of Revolutions

Lesson Overview

• Voting in the Estates-General Was Unfair
• Mary Wollstonecraft Advocated Women's Equality
• Rousseau Supported Limited Education for Women
• Montesquieu Proposed Separation of Powers
• Storming of the Bastille Marked Revolution Start
• Declaration of the Rights of Man Declared Equality
• Deists Believed God Created the World Then Left It
• John Locke Supported Natural Rights and Government by Consent
• Estates-General Voting Favored Nobles and Clergy
• Voltaire Defended Freedom of Speech
• The Great Fear Showed Peasant Revolt
• Francis Bacon Promoted Experimentation
• René Descartes Advocated Math and Logic
• Fact Based Q/A

This lesson explains key ideas from the Age of Revolutions, focusing on Enlightenment thinkers, political events, and social changes that shaped modern history.

Voting in the Estates-General Was Unfair

The Estates-General was a French assembly with three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners. The First and Second Estates often outvoted the Third Estate, even though it represented most people. This unfair system fueled revolutionary anger.

Example: The Third Estate wanted one vote per person, but each estate had one vote.

Quick Tip: Voting by estate gave less power to the majority.

Mini-Quiz:
Why was voting in the Estates-General unfair?
A) First and Second Estates overruled the Third
B) Third Estate always won
C) All estates voted equally
D) Nobles were excluded
Correct answer: A
The First and Second Estates could outvote the Third Estate.

FAQ:
Why was voting in the Estates-General unfair?
The First and Second Estates often outvoted the Third Estate.

Mary Wollstonecraft Advocated Women's Equality

Mary Wollstonecraft argued that women should have equal political rights and education. She wrote "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman," pushing for women's independence.

Example: Wollstonecraft said women deserve the same education as men.

Quick Tip: Wollstonecraft promoted equal rights for women.

Mini-Quiz:
Which thinker advocated for women's equality?
A) Mary Wollstonecraft
B) Rousseau
C) Voltaire
D) Montesquieu
Correct answer: A
Wollstonecraft supported women's rights and education.

FAQ:
Who advocated for women's equality during the Enlightenment?
Mary Wollstonecraft.

Rousseau Supported Limited Education for Women

Rousseau believed women only needed education for domestic roles. He argued women's main role was to support their husbands.

Example: Rousseau said women should learn to cook and clean, but no more.

Quick Tip: Rousseau favored traditional roles for women.

Mini-Quiz:
Who believed women should have limited education?
A) Rousseau
B) Wollstonecraft
C) Locke
D) Voltaire
Correct answer: A
Rousseau supported limited education for women.

FAQ:
What did Rousseau believe about women's education?
He believed women needed only domestic education.

Montesquieu Proposed Separation of Powers

Montesquieu suggested dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This system of checks and balances stops any branch from gaining too much power.

Example: The U.S. government uses Montesquieu's idea of separation.

Quick Tip: Dividing government power prevents abuse.

Mini-Quiz:
Who proposed three branches of government?
A) Montesquieu
B) Rousseau
C) Voltaire
D) Locke
Correct answer: A
Montesquieu advocated separation of powers.

FAQ:
Who proposed the separation of government powers?
Montesquieu.

Storming of the Bastille Marked Revolution Start

On July 14, 1789, people stormed the Bastille prison in Paris to seize weapons and free prisoners. This event marked the start of the French Revolution and is celebrated as Bastille Day.

Example: The Bastille symbolized royal power.

Quick Tip: Bastille Day celebrates the revolution's beginning.

Mini-Quiz:
What was stormed to start the French Revolution?
A) Bastille
B) Versailles
C) Louvre
D) Notre Dame
Correct answer: A
The Bastille was stormed in 1789.

FAQ:
What happened at the Bastille during the French Revolution?
People stormed the Bastille to seize weapons and prisoners.

Declaration of the Rights of Man Declared Equality

The Declaration of the Rights of Man said all people are equal and have rights. It was created during the French Revolution to limit monarchy power.

Example: It proclaimed freedom and equal rights for all.

Quick Tip: It promoted rights for every person.

Mini-Quiz:
What did the Declaration of the Rights of Man state?
A) All people are equal
B) Only nobles have rights
C) King Louis ruled all
D) Taxes should increase
Correct answer: A
It declared equality and rights for all citizens.

FAQ:
What did the Declaration of the Rights of Man declare?
That all people are equal and have rights.

Deists Believed God Created the World Then Left It

Deists believed God created the world but did not interfere afterward. They rejected miracles and emphasized reason and nature.

Example: Deists thought nature runs on its own.

Quick Tip: Deists believe God set the world in motion and stepped back.

Mini-Quiz:
What did Deists believe?
A) God created the world, then left it
B) God constantly intervenes
C) No belief in God
D) Nature created everything
Correct answer: A
Deists believed God created the world but does not interfere.

FAQ:
What do Deists believe about God?
God created the world and then let it run naturally.

John Locke Supported Natural Rights and Government by Consent

John Locke argued people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Governments must protect these rights and get power from the people.

Example: Locke said people could overthrow unjust governments.

Quick Tip: Government power comes from the people.

Mini-Quiz:
Who believed in natural rights and government by consent?
A) John Locke
B) Rousseau
C) Voltaire
D) Montesquieu
Correct answer: A
Locke promoted natural rights and government by consent.

FAQ:
Who believed people have natural rights and choose their government?
John Locke.

Estates-General Voting Favored Nobles and Clergy

The Estates-General met with the three estates voting separately. The First and Second Estates had more power than the Third Estate, causing frustration.

Example: The Third Estate was often outvoted despite representing most people.

Quick Tip: Separate voting gave unequal power.

Mini-Quiz:
How did voting work in the Estates-General?
A) Estates voted separately
B) All estates voted together
C) Only the Third Estate voted
D) Voting was secret
Correct answer: A
The estates voted in separate rooms.

FAQ:
How did voting work in the Estates-General?
The estates voted separately.

Voltaire Defended Freedom of Speech

Voltaire believed people should express opinions freely without fear. He criticized censorship and supported free speech.

Example: Voltaire said, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."

Quick Tip: Freedom of speech protects ideas.

Mini-Quiz:
Who defended freedom of speech?
A) Voltaire
B) Rousseau
C) Montesquieu
D) Locke
Correct answer: A
Voltaire supported freedom of expression.

FAQ:
Who advocated freedom of speech during the Enlightenment?
Voltaire.

The Great Fear Showed Peasant Revolt

The Great Fear was a panic in 1789 when peasants feared nobles' attacks. They burned noble homes and legal records. Market women protested bread prices by storming Versailles.

Example: Peasants destroyed feudal records.

Quick Tip: The Great Fear showed peasant anger.

Mini-Quiz:
What was the Great Fear?
A) Peasant panic and revolt
B) Nobles' fear of uprising
C) Fear of foreign invasion
D) Fear of famine
Correct answer: A
Peasants feared nobles and revolted.

FAQ:
What was the Great Fear in the French Revolution?
Peasants panicked and revolted against nobles.

Francis Bacon Promoted Experimentation

Francis Bacon helped develop the scientific method, encouraging experiments and observation before conclusions.

Example: He emphasized testing over assumptions.

Quick Tip: Science relies on experiments.

Mini-Quiz:
Who promoted experimentation in science?
A) Francis Bacon
B) René Descartes
C) Galileo
D) Newton
Correct answer: A
Bacon emphasized experiments and evidence.

FAQ:
Who promoted the scientific method through experimentation?
Francis Bacon.

René Descartes Advocated Math and Logic

Descartes emphasized using math and logic to prove scientific theories, promoting reason over intuition.

Example: Descartes supported logical thinking in science.

Quick Tip: Reason strengthens science.

Mini-Quiz:
Who stressed math and logic in science?
A) René Descartes
B) Francis Bacon
C) Galileo
D) Newton
Correct answer: A
Descartes promoted logical proof.

FAQ:
Who advocated math and logic in science?
René Descartes.

Fact Based Q/A

1. Why was voting in the Estates-General unfair?
   A) Nobles and clergy outvoted commoners
   B) Commoners had most power
   C) All estates voted equally
   D) Nobles excluded
   Answer: A
   Nobles and clergy had more voting power.
2. Who advocated for women's equality?
   A) Mary Wollstonecraft
   B) Rousseau
   C) Voltaire
   D) Montesquieu
   Answer: A
   Wollstonecraft supported women's rights.
3. Who proposed three branches of government?
   A) Montesquieu
   B) Rousseau
   C) Voltaire
   D) Locke
   Answer: A
   Montesquieu proposed separation of powers.
4. What event started the French Revolution?
   A) Storming of the Bastille
   B) Tennis Court Oath
   C) Execution of Louis XVI
   D) Great Fear
   Answer: A
   Bastille's storming marked the revolution.
5. Who believed in natural rights and government by consent?
   A) John Locke
   B) Rousseau
   C) Voltaire
   D) Wollstonecraft
   Answer: A
   Locke supported natural rights.
6. Who defended freedom of speech?
   A) Voltaire
   B) Rousseau
   C) Locke
   D) Montesquieu
   Answer: A
   Voltaire championed free speech.