January 17th/18th

Socials 8

Today we looked at Feudal Contracts between Lords and Peasants. We noted that the majority of Lords offered protections and fiefs (land) to the peasants to work on. In return peasants would offer their services, to labour on the manor, and to provide a certain amount of food to their Lord.

Students examined a Feudal Contract and what was required of it by answering some questions on a worksheet and then began working on two contracts of their own.

The worksheet can be found here.

The feudal contract assignment can be found here.

Socials 9

Today we covered the causes leading up to the French Revolution which began in 1789.

These can be divided up into 3 categories:

Social

France is divided up into three estates. The first estate is made up of the clergy who own about 10% of the land but make up only 0.5% of the population (100,000 members). The 2nd estate is made up of the Nobility who own 25% of the land and make up 1.5% of the population (400,000) members. Last is the 3rd Estate, the commoners, peasants and serfs. They make up 98% of the population (24.5-27.5 million people), own 65% of the land, and pay 100% of the taxes.

Political

The 3rd estate is upset at the 1st and 2nd estate who often always vote against them when it comes to making changes that would grant them more power.

The king has absolute authority in his kingdom and shows favouritism to the 1st and 2nd estate.

Economical

France is heavily in debt, due to loss of their colonies in North America following the end of the Seven Years War as well as their assistance in the American Revolution.

Poor harvests have resulted in a lack of employment for peasants who are turning to the cities to look for work.

Students spend the remainder of class catching up on missing assignments.

January 18th

Socials 9

Today we explored the opening events of the French Revolution.

English 8

Today we worked on catching up on all 4 assignments we have been working on these past days. We also began work on a project, "creative writing assignment" which can be found here.

English 9

Today we worked on catching up on all 4 assignments we have been working on these past days. We also began work on a project, "creative writing assignment" which can be found here.