French Revolution

[Peji911]

Has anyone ever taken a class on the Revolution that changed the world?

This is my first French history class and I am confused as hell. I have to write a 20page paper on it and I have no clue where to start since everything is so broad. I can do it on a particular group, people, event, problems within the colonies, whatever.... I just have no clue where I can focus on.

Anyone ever write a paper on it that could give me some ideas?

[oakfan162]

Re: French Revolution

Never wrote a paper on him, but Alexis de Tocquevill is treasure trove for both the French and American Revolutions. You could go any direction with him.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: French Revolution

Do it on the contributions of the guillotine to the success of the revolution. It would be barbaric, but probably interesting. Do something like: "The introduction of the guillotine acted as a means to achieve the end of a coup" or something like that.

[dkgojackets]

Re: French Revolution

I remember the name Robespierre, so he must be important. Write about him.

[McLite]

Re: French Revolution

I think the easiest paper would be the common man vs. the nobility. It was a time of extreme wealth for the so called "empowered", while the rest of the country was facing poverty, famine, and sickness.

You can only hold down a nation of people for so long.

[Anaxamander]

Re: French Revolution

If it were me, I'd try to pinpoint the moment when the revolution went from glorious to barbaric. But you might have a different view.

[SPTO]

Re: French Revolution

How much involvement did Napoleon have? I'd focus on his activities during the Revolution.

[Peji911]

Re: French Revolution

Hey guys, thanks for the help.

I talked to my Prof and decided that I'll be doing it on how the new ideologies going around through France (rights of man, etc) were not being upheld in the caribbean (ie: slave trade). Hopefully I can wind it down, somehow, and then write a 20pager on it.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: French Revolution

Wow 20 pages. That's ridiculous. Hopefully I don't come across that. I can barely write a 3 pager without it being too vague.

[Cebby]

Re: French Revolution

We have a phrase where I'm from:

"If you have to write a 20 page paper on a subject you're neither knowledgeable or interested about, drop the class"

I'd even go to the extent of saying drop it...like it's hot...

[youvalss]

Re: French Revolution

Just use 150pt fonts...Just kidding! I recommend u first to read a lot of material about the subject on the net - so u can write a chapter about the revolution itself. Even if u take the paper to a certain issue - u need to write about the whole french revolution IMO. Then, u can get to the little issue you're interested in. But u must first write about the revolutin itself and give the actual facts. That's at least how I would approach it...
The subject you've chosen sounds interesting and original. Is this paper like a seminar paper or something?
Oh and I don't agree with The Soldier telling u to drop the class. Not every class is interesting but u need to take some classes and u need to compromise. And BTW I don't remember u said it was boring or something...