This week´s research will be dedicated to the guillotine, the execution device that started being used in France during the French Revolution. Here you have the questions:
QUESTION 1
Where does the name "guillotine" come from? What is the relation between this execution device and the man who gave name to it?
QUESTION 2
Who were the inventors of the guillotine? From what previous execution devices did they draw inspiration?
QUESTION 3
What were the execution methods used in France before the Revolution? Were there differences between the different estates?
QUESTION 4
Who was the first person to be executed by guillotine in France? What was his crime?
Execution of Queen Marie Antoinette, 16th October 1793
QUESTION 5
During the Reign of Terror some illustrious people were executed by the guillotine. One of them is considered to be the father of modern chemistry. Who was this scientist? What were his main contributions to science?
QUESTION 6
The rights of women were not recognized during the French Revolution, but some of them were guillotined for their participation in politics. Two of the most important fighters for the rights of women of that time were executed during the Reign of Terror due to their relationship with the Girondists. One of them was the writer of the Declaration of Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen. The other one pronounced this sentence before her head was placed on the block to be executed: "Oh Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name!". Who were these two women?
