Lesson
Maximilien Robespierre and Injustice
Founding Principles
Guiding questions
Essential Question
- When does working toward justice turn into injustice and harm others?
Guiding Questions
- What are natural/inalienable rights? How are these rights expressed in a healthy civil society?
- What are the dangers of taking the virtue of justice to an extreme (immoderation)?
Learning Objectives
- Students will analyze the story of Maximilien Robespierre to recognize the dangers of injustice when pursuing ideological purity at the expense of diversity.
- Students will analyze primary sources from the French Revolution to identify why they fought injustices.
- Students will create a list of specific ways they can respectfully engage with those they disagree with, so everyone is heard and respected.
Materials
Student Resources
Teacher Resources
- Analysis Questions
- Virtue in Action
- Journal Activity
- Sources for Further Reading
- Virtue Across the Curriculum
Lesson Components
Lesson plan
Key Terms
- Injustice
- To harm others by applying unequal rules and damaging another’s inalienable rights and dignity.
- Justice
- Upholding of what is fair and right. Respecting the rights and dignity of all.
- Incorruptible
- Someone or an institution that cannot be caused to be dishonest or act immorally. It is the opposite of corruptible, which is used to describe those who can be corrupted, often easily.
More Information
Procedures
- The following lesson asks students to consider the vice of injustice to gain a deeper understanding of the civic virtue of justice.
- Students will engage with the story of Maximilien Robespierre as a warning against injustice as they consider the question: When does working toward justice turn into injustice and harm others?
- The main activity in this lesson requires students to read and analyze a narrative that explores how Maximilien Robespierre’s decisions led to injustice. Students may work individually, in pairs, or small groups as best fits your classroom. The analysis questions provided can be used to help students comprehend and think critically about the content. As the teacher, you can decide which questions best fit your students’ needs and time restraints.
- Additionally, students will analyze primary sources related to the French Revolution to understand why citizens were fighting for a more just government.
- Lastly, the lesson includes sources used in this lesson for further reading and suggestions for cross-curricular connections.
Standards
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