Title: French Revolution and the Concept of Nation and Liberty

Overview: Many historians have argued that the French Revolution introduced the world to the concept of "nationhood" Two of the central ideas of the French Revolution (1789-1799) were that France was a "nation" and that the national government must protect the liberties of citizens. Exactly what these concepts (the nation and liberty) meant in practice, however, changed as the revolution developed.

Using the primary source documents on the French Revolution, explain what the concepts "the nation" and "liberty" seem to have meant in 1789. Explain how the meanings of these two concepts seem to have changed (if you think that they did change) during the radical stage of the French Revolution (1792-1794).

Requirements: 750-900 words

You need to use the following readings posted on the French Revolution

What is the Third Estate? By Abbé Sieyes

Tennis Court Oath

Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1789

Levée en Masse

The Law of the Suspects

The National Convention