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The Guillotine during the French Revolution

History
Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

This worksheet provides source analysis activities focusing on the use of the guillotine during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. Students will examine a primary source, analyze its content, provenance, and usefulness.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#The Terror
#Standard
#Source Analysis (Text)
#Guillotine
#Analyse the purpose and content of primary sources
#Compare different perspectives in historical documents
#Explain the reliability of sources in reconstructing historical events

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The Guillotine during the French Revolution

Subject: HistoryGrade: Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade Year 9 / GCSE / Grade 8
A

Source Analysis: The Guillotine during the Reign of Terror

Source A: A Witness Account of the Guillotine

"The executioner’s blade fell swiftly and precisely, bringing an end to the accused’s life in a matter of seconds. The crowd watched in silence, some with fear, others with relief. The guillotine was seen as both a symbol of justice and terror—a machine that could deliver swift death but also inspire fear among the populace. Its presence in Paris was a constant reminder of the revolution’s ruthless pursuit of purity and order. Many believed it was necessary to eliminate enemies of the revolution, though some criticized its cruelty, saying it stained the revolution with barbarity. The guillotine became infamous as the instrument that defined an era of radical change and violence."* Provenance: Anonymous eyewitness, 1794, report of public executions during the Reign of Terror.

1.
Describe the main content of Source A. What does it tell us about the guillotine?
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the provenance of Source A. What does it tell us about the source’s nature and purpose?
[4 marks]
3.
How useful and reliable is Source A for understanding how the guillotine was perceived during the Terror?
[6 marks]
4.
Outline why the guillotine became a controversial symbol during the French Revolution.
[3 marks]
5.
Analyse how the use of the guillotine reflected the political climate of France during the Terror.
[6 marks]
6.
Compare the views in Source A with what you know about the role of the guillotine in the Revolution.
[6 marks]
7.
Explain why some people viewed the guillotine as a necessary tool during the Revolution.
[3 marks]
8.
Summarise the importance of the guillotine in shaping public perceptions during the Terror.
[3 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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