The role of women in the French Revolution is often overlooked. However, the stories of female political activism are both controversial and fascinating. Moreover, they provide great insight into the limits of enlightenment thinking in 19th century Western Europe.
In this activity, students will analyze cause and effect within the framework of a political/social revolution using the grid layout. In the first column students give examples of the roles women played in the French Revolution. On the other two columns, two questions must be answered for each example:
Students should consolidate their research on motives and outcomes and explain their storyboard cells in the space provided. The storyboard above is specifically during the Women’s March on Versailles.
Extended Activity
Students can extend this activity by looking at the effect of Napoleon’s rule on women’s rights. Another row of cells could be added to the bottom of this storyboard to explore the motivations and outcomes of Napoleon’s policies regarding women’s rights, or they can create a secondary storyboard.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard detailing the role of women in the French Revolution by analyzing motivations and outcomes.
Gather excerpts from letters, speeches, or newspapers written by or about women during the French Revolution. Primary sources help students connect with real voices from history and build critical analysis skills.
Encourage students to discuss how women's actions were portrayed differently by various authors or political groups. This builds awareness of perspective and the importance of evaluating sources critically.
Have students work in small groups to place key events involving women on a timeline, noting motivations and outcomes. Timelines help students visualize the sequence and impact of women's actions during the revolution.
Ask students to write a diary entry or letter from the perspective of a woman involved in the Revolution. This approach deepens empathy and encourages historical imagination.
Lead a conversation connecting women's activism during the French Revolution to current events or movements. Drawing parallels makes history relevant and engaging for students.
Women played crucial roles in the French Revolution, including organizing protests like the Women's March on Versailles, forming political clubs, and advocating for rights and reforms. Their actions influenced both the course of the Revolution and later debates about gender equality.
Use a T-Chart or grid layout where students list examples of women's actions in one column, and then analyze the motivations and outcomes in the next columns. This visual approach helps students understand cause and effect in historical events.
Women were driven by economic hardship, hunger, political exclusion, and a desire for equality. Many sought better living conditions, fair prices for bread, and a voice in government decisions affecting their lives.
The Women's March on Versailles in 1789 forced the royal family to move to Paris and showed the power of collective action by women. It highlighted their political influence and pushed revolutionary leaders to address popular demands.
Napoleon’s rule restricted many gains women had made during the Revolution. The Napoleonic Code limited women’s legal rights, reinforcing traditional gender roles and reversing earlier progress toward equality.