Parlez-vous l’Histoire de France ?
1789: The French Revolution Begins | Printable History Unit | CM2, Grade 5-6 | Activities, Timeline & Worksheets
Step into one of the most important years in French history! This engaging printable unit helps students discover how the French Revolution began through illustrated readings, timelines, historical documents, creative writing, role-play missions, and hands-on activities.
Instead of memorizing dates, students follow the events of 1789 in chronological order, from the Estates-General to the Women’s March on Versailles, making history meaningful, memorable, and accessible.
What’s Included
✔ Introduction comic
✔ Green Level reading: Louis XVI & Marie-Antoinette
✔ 6 Blue Level lessons:
The Three Estates
The Estates-General & Cahiers de Doléances
The Tennis Court Oath
Camille Desmoulins
From Les Invalides to the Bastille
The Storming of the Bastille
✔ Art History:
Jacques-Louis David’s The Tennis Court Oath
✔ 5 Purple Missions:
The King accepts the tricolour cockade
The Abolition of Privileges
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
The Great Fear
The Women’s March on Versailles
✔ “The People Speak” historical quotations with reflection prompts
✔ Creative writing:
Write your own Cahier de Doléances
✔ Historical maps:
Paris in 1789
Paris to Versailles
Women of Paris in 1789
✔ Complete review activities
✔ Chronological timeline
✔ Reflection and discussion questions
✔ Printable worksheets