AQA
A-level
HISTORY
7042/2H
Component 2H France in Revolution, 1774-1815
Version: 1.0 Final
IB/M/Jun23/E4 7042/2H
A-level
HISTORY
Component 2H
... [Show More] France in Revolution, 1774–1815
Friday 9 June 2023 Afternoon Time allowed: 2 hours 30 minutes
Materials
For this paper you must have:
• an AQA 16-page answer book.
Instructions
• Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
• Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is
7042/2H.
• Answer three questions.
In Section A answer Question 01.
In Section B answer two questions.
Information
• The marks for questions are shown in brackets.
• The maximum mark for this paper is 80.
• You will be marked on your ability to:
– use good English
– organise information clearly
– use specialist vocabulary where appropriate.
Advice
• You are advised to spend about:
– 1 hour on Question 01 from Section A
– 45 minutes on each of the two questions answered from Section B.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2H
Section A
Answer Question 01.
Source A
From a speech on the future of the King, given in the National Convention, by
Maximilien Robespierre, 3 December 1792.
Louis is dethroned by his crimes. He conspired against the Republic: either he is
condemned or the basis of the Republic is under question. To propose the trial of
Louis XVI is to question the revolution. If Louis may be tried, he may be acquitted; if he
may be acquitted, he may be innocent. But if he is innocent, what becomes of the
revolution? If he is innocent, what are we but false accusers? There is another difficulty
– to what punishment shall we condemn him? For myself, I detest the penalty of death; I
neither love nor hate Louis, I hate nothing but his crimes. However, a dethroned king in
the very heart of a Republic not yet consolidated? A king, whose very name draws
foreign war on the nation? Neither prison nor exile can make his an innocent existence.
It is with regret I pronounce the fatal truth: Louis must perish rather than 100 000 virtuous
citizens! Louis must perish because our country must live.
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Source B
From a report in an American newspaper, 12 December 1792. The report’s author had
been educated in Geneva and Paris but returned to America in 1785.
In referring to the present disastrous situation of France, many may be inclined to believe
that the revolution has produced horrible effects. But if we survey these effects with the
eye of deliberation, we shall find that our views ought to change. The King exercised a
despotic power without restraint. The nobles built around them a circle equally
tyrannical, although to a lesser extent. The trouble-making nobility have deliberately and
uniformly endeavoured to bring the revolution into disrepute. We have seen émigrés,
secretly assisted by the King and Queen, build up armies to attack France. We have
seen them dispatch envoys into France to attack every measure that promoted the
progress of Liberty. In league with the King and Queen they have spread wicked lies.
We have witnessed them engage several nations to assist in murdering their
countrymen, and in deluging their native soil with blood. For these treacherous actions,
Louis XVI must die.
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IB/M/Jun23/7042/2H Turn over ►
Source C
From a report on the execution of Louis XVI, in The Times newspaper, published in
London, 25 January 1793.
Louis was to be beheaded in the Place du Carrousel, but reasons of public safety
persuaded the Executive Council to move the execution to the Place de la Révolution.
Since the decree ordering the death of King Louis XVI was issued, a general dismay has
prevailed throughout Paris. The sans-culottes are the only persons that rejoice. The
honest citizens, hiding in their homes, could not suppress their heartfelt grief and
mourned in private with their families at the murder of their much-loved Sovereign.
The unfortunate Louis had the soul of generosity, and a mind enlightened with the finest
ideas of human virtue. He was not that man which his enemies reported. Louis’ heart
was sound, his head was clear, and he could have reigned with glory. His mind
possessed suggestions of wisdom and even in his last moments, when the spirit of life
was ready for another world, he spoke with firmness and with resignation. Thus has
ended the life of Louis XVI.
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0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context,
assess the value of these three sources to an historian studying the execut [Show Less]