Page 22 - Sample Masters E-book

God’s Church through the Ages

Chapter 18: Writers of the French Revolution 1694-1784

(This is the section 18 in the course, God’s Church Through the Ages)

Connect…

You’ve probably heard of the French Revolution (1789 to
1799). A French doctor named Joseph Guillotine
proposed using an angled blade that would drop from a
height and sever the head of one being executed. He
considered that a more humane and almost painless
form of execution. During the French Revolution against
the monarchy, the execution of thousands became a
form of entertainment that attracted crowds of
spectators. About 2,639 people were guillotined in Paris,
most of them over nine months between 1793 and 1794.
Over 50,000 people were shot or died of sickness in
xii
prisons.

The French Revolution lasted 10 years. It began on July 14, 1789, when revolutionaries stormed a prison
called the Bastille. The revolution came to an end in 1799 when a general named Napoleon overthrew
the revolutionary government and established the French Consulate with Napoleon as leader.

Why did the French revolt? The people were influenced by the writings of various authors. They
believed what they wrote and acted upon what they believed. Even though their beliefs were not true,
they acted upon them. As a result, thousands died!

Today we will see the sad philosophies that invaded the minds of Europe, but at the same time, see
those who stood for truth as a light in the dark times. Let’s learn together….

Objectives…

1. The student should be able to explain the philosophies of Rousseau and Voltaire and describe how
their ideas lead to the French Revolution.

2. The student should be able to present a biography of John Bunyan and describe how God mightily
used him in bringing people to Christ.

3. The student should be able to describe the Great Awakening and those individuals involved in its
movement.

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