Professor Brophy
History 102

Fifth Discussion Section: The French Revolution

1. It is 1789. Imagine yourself the diplomat of the fledgling U.S. republic (founded in 1776; constitution ratified 1788), which has commissioned you with the task of investigating the causes of the political turmoil in France in 1789.  What is the revolution’s philosophical framework?  What are its social and political grievances?  How would you summarize France’s situation in 1789?