From Subject to Citizen Revolution

From Subject to Citizen Revolution

The French Revolution and the Birth of Modern Nationalism How loyalty shifted from King to Nation Social Studies 20-2

Who Are You Loyal To?

The Big Question: How did the French Revolution change the way we see ourselves today? Before 1789: You were loyal to a Person (The King) After 1789: You were loyal to an Idea (The Nation) Today's Goal: See how people stopped being servants and became team members

The Old Way: Divine Right of Kings

King Louis XVI ruled by Divine Right Belief that God picked the King to be the boss Because God chose him, no one could question him Subjects were like children who must obey forever You had rules to follow, but no rights

Why Were People Angry? The Three Estates

France was divided into three unequal groups called Estates 1st Estate (Church) & 2nd Estate (Nobles): Rich, owned land, paid zero taxes 3rd Estate (Everyone Else): 97% of people - peasants, workers, farmers The Third Estate did all the work and paid ALL the taxes They were hungry, broke, and powerless

The Spark: Tennis Court Oath

King Louis locked the Third Estate out of the meeting hall They didn't go home - they met in a nearby tennis court They promised not to leave until they wrote a Constitution They called themselves the National Assembly They said: 'We are France. Not you, Louis.'

The Turning Point: Storming the Bastille

The Big Change: Subjects Become Citizens

{"left":"BEFORE: You obey the King\nBEFORE: You have duties\nBEFORE: The King owns the country\nBEFORE: No rights the King cannot take away","right":"AFTER: You are a member of the Nation\nAFTER: You have a voice\nAFTER: The country belongs to you\nAFTER: You have rights that cannot be taken away"}

Symbols of the New Nation

The Tricolor Flag became the symbol of the new France Blue & Red: Colors of Paris (the people/revolutionaries) White: Color of the King Meaning: The King is now controlled by the People La Marseillaise: New national anthem to unite the people

Spreading the Revolution: Napoleon's Impact

Napoleon Bonaparte took over France and loved the Revolution He invaded other countries to spread these new ideas When he invaded Germany and Italy, people said 'We don't want to be French!' To fight back, they started their own nationalism The Revolution accidentally created nationalism everywhere

Revolution Summary Challenge

BEFORE 1789: Loyalty to the King, Status as Subject, Power through Divine Right AFTER 1789: Loyalty to the Nation, Status as Citizen, Power through Will of the People Key Terms: Collective Consciousness - shared memory that binds a group together Your Task: Explain how the French Revolution changed your relationship with your country