1. By Karina ZengBy Karina Zeng

2. Introduction
Have you ever wondered what life was like during the French
Revolution? Well, look no further! Camille Roux is a 27 year
old shopkeeper who will share her story with us. She is not
very big on making change, but still supports the
revolutionaries on their task. Her largest goal in life is to
create a better and more comfortable life for her two kids,
Alexandre and Angelina.

3. June 20th, 1789:
Tennis Court Oath
Members of the Third Estate
creating the Tennis Court Oath.

4. Camille Roux’s Story:
As I managed my tiny clothes shop in the run-down village, I heard
the murmuring of civilians outside. They must’ve been talking about
the formation of Tennis Court Oath. I glanced towards a rusty yet
beautiful locket: a gift from my now deceased husband. My
expression turned remorseful. With the current famine, many of my
fellow peasants have starved to death, including my husband. I have
two children, Alexandre and Angelina, who I would protect with my
life. I can’t afford to lose any other family member from this hunger.
But now, we are unable to buy enough food with the recent food
shortage. Civilians were starving, but the nobles definitely weren’t. I
scowled in anger at the thought of the nobles. I find it very unfair that
we have to work all the time, while we get very little pay and food for
it. Most of the food goes to the nobles and the royal family.
I’m sick and tired of the nobles acting like they’re better than us
commoners. The Third Estate makes up the bulk of the
population, but we don’t get a fair say in anything. Lower class
citizens like my family are starving out here, and we still get taxed
more than the nobles. Some of the clergies don’t get taxed at all!

5. Earlier today, the King held a meeting to discuss reforming the
economy of France. Since the votes on both sides were even, the
meeting didn’t have a final conclusion. I heard the Third Estate
deputies were fed up, and exited the meeting hall to create their own
National Assembly, to speak against the King. Then, King Louis
XVI locked them out of the meeting hall! If the King thinks that's all it
takes to stop the voices of the Third Estate, then he is foolish. The
new National Assembly just went behind his back and met in a
tennis court. There, they created the Tennis Court Oath, which
declares the Third Estate to never break up and to meet until the
establishment of the Constitution of France. Apparently, a few
nobles also joined the National Assembly to start an uprising against
the King. I guess they aren’t all stuck up and self-absorbed.

6. With the new National Assembly, I believe peasants can finally have
some power in France. Hopefully, the National Assembly can make
a change within the rule of the government. I believe the Tennis
Court Oath represents a new beginning with the Third Estate; that
we would stay with each other to go against the harsh conditions
King Louis forced us to live with. As a young, 27-year-old female
shopkeeper, I can’t do much to help now, but when the time comes,
I will do anything to protect my kids from suffering under the rule of
the monarch.
Will we ever be free from hunger and starvation? Would the
peasants really revolt in order to take down the King? Can the
National Assembly save us from continuing to live like this?
I think we need to start something; anything that would get the
attention of the King. Then, we might be able to get back for all the
innocent people that were killed in starvation.
(534 words)

7. July 14th, 1789:
Storming Of The Bastille
My fellow civilians attacking the Bastille.

8. Camille Roux’s Story:
Hooray! Today we revolted against the government! The storming
of the Bastille was legendary! I was slightly saddened that I
couldn’t participate in the rebellion, but I had to stay and take care of
Alexandre and Angelina at the shop. However, I still supported my
fellow civilians in the attack. Many of my neighboring storekeepers
were part of the mob, charging to the Bastille and stealing
ammunition.
They said there were several guards at the prison, but our attacking
crowd greatly outnumbered them. Civilians besieged the prison, but
were blocked from entering by a large gate. The peasants
demanded the gates of the prison to be opened, but the Bastille
governor, Marquis de Launay, refused. Of course, the peasants
didn’t back down. They demanded again and again until the
governor surrendered, then attacked and killed every guard and
soldier, including Marquis de Launay. Even if he was an official, we
no longer cared about authority. We could take control with our own
hands!

9. Just a few hours earlier, my fellow peasants paraded around the
streets with hundreds of guards’ heads on pikes! I looked out of my
shop window, laughing at the sight of bloody and mutilated heads. I
fully believe the soldiers of the King deserve this kind of treatment.
Imagine the shame and humiliation of having your head on a stick! It
serves them right.
Storming the Bastille was a great idea for a revolt. I admire the
militia members that organized the revolt. The aim was to scare the
King while obtaining weapons at the same time. Also, we managed
to take over an important role in the government: control. Isn’t a
prison supposed to be guarded and controlled? Ha! The civilians
easily brought it down. The government lost its control on the
Bastille.
I believe the revolt served its purpose: to send a message to King
Louis XVI. We don’t want any more starvation and pain. We don’t
want any more injustice. We want change.

10. I wish all the citizens of France, both nobles and commoners, could
live equally among each other. If only there was no monarch to
control us all…
I hope our attack at the Bastille terrified the King. I hope he sees it to
be more than just a revolt; it is the start of a revolution.
I now have great confidence in the Third Estate and National
Assembly. If we could easily revolt like this, then a revolution against
the monarch should also be easy! Who knows? Maybe we can
march straight to Versailles and capture King Louis XVI and Marie
Antoinette and end the monarch for good! Even though us peasants
have small jobs and little money, together we can start something
extraordinary for the better of France.
(458 Words)

11. August 10th, 1792:
Overthrowing The
Monarchy
Revolutionaries, including myself,
storming to the Palace.

12. Camille Roux’s Story
It’s been four very long years since the start of the revolution. So
much has changed; I have changed. I joined the Robespierre and
the Jacobins in striving to rid the monarch. And we finally
succeeded.
I believe King Louis XVI was a weak leader who easily swayed
with his opinions. He couldn’t control France when it needed the
leadership the most. France was in great debt from wars, which
resulted in greater taxes for peasants, which resulted in peasants
rebelling. We did have a good reason for hating the King: heavy
taxes, no profit, and especially, no food.
After us revolutionaries forced King Louis and Marie Antoinette to
live in Paris, he knew he had to regain his authority. During the war
with Austria and Prussia, he and Marie Antoinette pretended to side
with France, but they were really siding with Austria. Imagine, and
King double-crossing against his own country! Of course we were felt
betrayed!

13. Just earlier today, when I found out he was a traitor and a liar, I felt
anger and abhorrence for the King. Outraged, I joined my fellow
20,000 revolutionaries in attacking the Palace, where the royals
were staying. I remember crying out words of hatred towards the
royals. It was just like the women’s march and attack back in 1789.
“I want an arm!” “I want a leg!” However, this revolt was different.
We actually overthrew the King!
The weak royals fled the palace, but the Assembly found them and
imprisoned King Louis and Marie Antoinette at last. We finally got
what we wanted: The abolishment of the monarch.
The situation was almost surreal. I screamed and cheered and
rejoiced at the time, but now, as I rethink the situation, I can only
think of one thing: What is going to happen next?

14. The Assembly renamed itself the National Convention, and established
a republic for France. The reason I joined the assault was to protect my
children from the rule of the King. Now that he is gone, I hope to go back to
my usual life as a shopkeeper.
I really hope a republic could help improve the living conditions of France,
especially for people of the Third Estate. Would Angelina and Alexandre –
now 10 and 11 respectively – live a better life now that the monarchy is
gone? Will we live up to our cries of “liberty, equality, fraternity”?
Everything horrible the monarch has done to us, the republic will change. I
am sure of it.
(414 Words)

15. January 21st, 1793:
Death Of King Louis XVI
Me, in the crowd, cheering King Louis’ death.

16. Camille Roux’s Story:
The backstabbing, uncaring, traitorous King finally got what he
deserved! On this day, January 21st
of 1793, King Louis XVI was
to be killed by the guillotine. After the monarch was abolished and
the royals were imprisoned, Robespierre, one of the leaders of the
National Convention, declared King Louis guilty for high treason,
and scheduled his execution. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
I joined many other revolutionaries in watching the execution of
the King. Of course, I left Alexandre and Angelina in the shop, for
they were too young to watch the beheading of a person, even if it
was the King.
As I watched the King’s condemnation, I believed the King was
lessened to someone no better than a peasant. The guillotine was
meant to kill equally, peasant and King the same. Equality. It was
something King Louis never gave us.

17. During the execution, I heard King Louis’s last words through the
beating of the drums. “I die innocent of all crimes laid to my charge…” I
grew angrier and angrier at each word. How dare he think he was
innocent?! He betrayed all of France, by siding with Austria when we
were starving and heavily in debt. Does he not care for the wellbeing
of his citizens? Of course not, he was a selfish noble.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I heard the swish of the blade
coming down to behead the King. At first, all was silent. Then, a
young guard, who was no older than 20, seized King Louis’ head at
gestured towards the masses. Even though I hate the King with a
passion, I grew slightly discontent at the expressions of my fellow
citizens. Some eyed the bloody head with such sadistic looks that I
had to glance away.
A tumultuous cry of victory roused from the crowd, cheering for the
forever fallen King. I too, joined the rejoicing. Then, I heard several
cries of “Long live the Republic!” and I shuddered in excitement.
Several cries multiplied to thousands; soon everyone was
screaming: “Long live the Republic”. I hope the National Convention
would improve France’s economy drastically, and make up for all
wrongdoings of the monarch.

18. However, I suddenly remembered a critical factor. With the King
gone, how would the war with Austria and Prussia turn out? After all,
King Louis XVI did side with the opponent… He should’ve ended the
war before it even started. Now, other kingdoms might join Austria
and Prussia in the war against us, since our old leader has been
killed.
Other revolutionaries around me screamed for joy along with the
cheers for the republic. Some were crying, singing, dancing; all
forms of triumph.
But I could only stand here with my gut feeling: that this was only the
first in the series of bloodshed and terror that would destroy France.
(475 Words)

19. July 28th, 1794:
The Reign Of Terror
Me and my children (at the right).
I will do anything to keep them safe.

20. Camille Roux’s Story:
I sit quietly at my bedside, watching the moon cast an eerie glow
onto the dusty floor. The gloomy, silent nighttime is the best to
review my thoughts. Thoughts about the changes in our country.
I feel like I am emotionally caught between two sides of a war. One
side, I am supporting Robespierre and the National Convention
in improving France. But so far, nothing great has happened. France
is still in debt from wars, and prices are continually rising. Other
kingdoms in Europe have allied with Austria and Prussia, so we
must protect our country for foreign enemies. More money is used
for war; less is given for food. Famine has occurred around the
country; how is it different than when King Louis XVI ruled?!
I glance solemnly towards two sleeping figures, Angelina and
Alexandre. Both of them were growing up beautifully, and maturing
quickly. All I want is a good life for them; what else does a mother
want? In spite of the food shortages, I continue to root for the
republic, in hopes of a better future for my children.

21. On the other hand, I don't want to keep living in a state of fear.
Robespierre may be trying to equalize France, but beheading
anyone who opposes him is not the best way for leadership. At least
the horrible King is gone, right?
Robespierre and other members of the Committee of Public
Safety, who are part of the National Convention, wanted a
revolutionary dictatorship. I am uneducated in all of these political
affairs, but isn’t establishing a dictatorship giving us civilians less
control over France? I am confused to where France is heading.
I know I must be careful in expressing my suspicions, for anyone
who doubts the revolution will be convicted to the guillotine.
Robespierre, being the cautious man he is, sentenced 30,000
people to the guillotine. The device has killed so many in France,
that it is now called the National Razor. Some men who only
muttered words against the revolution have been killed, and I hope
to keep my family and myself safe. After all, I quit being part of the
Jacobins, which could be seen as a defying act.

22. During the rule of the Committee of Public Safety, many peasants
feel powerful, because they have some control over the nobles. The
upper-class citizens were the ones in great fear, for anyone could be
captured and killed. The execution of King Louis has started the era
of killing and horror, called the Reign Of Terror. Robespierre
simply removed whoever went against him in the war, friend and foe
alike.
Just to further prove my opinion, even Robespierre himself was
sentenced to the guillotine recently! And by other Jacobins, too!
Betrayal seems to be quite common among leaders.
Now that one of the key leaders was removed from the Committee,
how will France survive through all the problems? When will the
Reign of Terror end? Massive bloodshed has occurred in France,
and no one is safe.
(501 Words)

23. Conclusion
The French Revolution had a great effect on France and the rest of the
world. First, France abolished the monarchy, with led to forming smaller
groups of constitutions. Also, it led to the rise of Napoleon, who defeated
many opposing countries in the war. Many Frenchmen were killed during the
Revolution because of the wars. The French Revolution took down the King,
but Napoleon ended up establishing an absolute monarch anyways.
The nobles and clergies lost their power during the Revolution, but eventually
regain some of their power, but not very much. Even though the
revolutionaries worked hard to rid the monarch, France still restored the
monarchy in later years. The French Revolution enlightened people with
knowledge they didn’t have before.
Now, people don’t use the guillotines to execute, and countries don’t have
huge revolutions anymore. France is no longer ruled by a King, and citizens
are given enough food to live.

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