“The French Revolution which started in 1789 occurred as a result of different factors within French society and the events of the Revolution changed ancient practices and customs of the French Revolution. Evaluate the validity of this statement by discussing the causes and the events of The French Revolution.” For a 4-page research at Grade 10 level, here’s a clear structure you can follow: Introduction — About ¾ page Your introduction must tell the reader what the research is about and what you will argue. Include: 1. Background: The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted until 1799. It was a major turning point in European and world history. 2. Define key terms: “Ancient practices and customs” = the Ancien Régime or Old Regime — France’s social and political system before 1789. This included absolute monarchy, feudal privileges, and the Three Estates. 3. Thesis statement: State if you think the statement is valid. Example: “This statement is largely valid because the French Revolution was caused by political, social, and economic problems in French society, and the events from 1789–1799 ended many old practices such as absolute monarchy and feudalism.” 4. Outline*: Briefly say you will discuss causes first, then key events, then how those events changed old customs. 5.

Body Paragraph 1: Causes of the French Revolution — About 1.5 pages
This section will detail the problems that led to the Revolution.

Include:

1. Political Causes:
   • Absolute Monarchy: Explain how King Louis XVI held all power, leading to a lack of accountability and representation for the people.
   • Weak Leadership: Discuss Louis XVI's indecisiveness and Queen Marie Antoinette's unpopularity and extravagant spending.
   • Lack of Representation: Highlight that the common people had no say in government decisions.
2. Social Causes:
   • The Three Estates System: Describe the rigid social hierarchy:
     • First Estate: Clergy (privileged, owned land, paid few taxes).
     • Second Estate: Nobility (privileged, held key positions, exempt from many taxes).
     • Third Estate: Everyone else (97% of the population, bore the tax burden, no privileges, included peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie).
   • Enlightenment Ideas: Explain how philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire promoted ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, inspiring the Third Estate.
3. Economic Causes:
   • National Debt: Detail how France's involvement in wars (especially the American Revolution) led to massive debt.
   • Poor Harvests: Explain how bad weather led to crop failures, increasing food prices (especially bread) and causing widespread hunger.
   • Unfair Tax System: Discuss how the Third Estate paid almost all taxes, while the privileged First and Second Estates paid little to none, exacerbating economic inequality.