Revolution!
Making Sense of Time Capsules
This unit, we’re studying revolutions – from all over the world and for a variety of different
motives. Revolutions come in all shapes and sizes, but they call contain a certain number of key
elements. For this activity, I’d like you to “discover” what each revolution was all about. Assume
that a “member” of that revolution left a “time capsule” in the ground, and you have discovered
it. Your job is to piece together the pieces of the puzzle to figure out what that revolution was all
about. Answer the questions below, ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER and have fun!
1. THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION (1642-1651)
…also called, “The English Civil Wars”
In this time capsule, you’ll find
o A painting of 2 battleships at war: one with an English flag, the other with a Spanish
flag
o A painting of Queen Elizabeth, with a halo over her head
o A game of chess. The pieces on one side are called the “Roundheads” and represent
“English Parliament” and the pieces on the other side are called the “Cavaliers” and
represent “The King”
o A bottle of Charles I’s blood with the date “JANUARY 30, 1649” stamped on it
o The skull of a guy named Oliver Cromwell, with the word “DICTATOR” stamped on it
o A copy of the original Bill of Rights, signed by William and Mary
Questions:
1. Guess. What do you think this “revolution” is all about?
2. If Queen Elizabeth has a halo over her head, what does that mean? Does it necessarily mean
she’s a “saint” (because she’s not…).
3. What does the game of chess symbolize? (Think: What is the metaphor of a “game of
chess”)?
4. Why do you think Charles I was killed? (If you’re wrong, it doesn’t matter. You’re just
figuring stuff out right now…)
5. What is a dictator? Can we assume Oliver Cromwell was well liked? Why or why not?
6. What kinds of things do you think the Bill of Rights includes? If you created a country, what
kinds of things would go in YOUR Bill of Rights?
2. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (1776-1783)
In this time capsule, you’ll find
o A book titled, “How to Make Your Own Revolution”, by Thomas Jefferson
o A pie chart, titled The Three Estates of France. The data shows
100% of the “Commoners” class pays taxes
98% of the French population is of the “Commoners” class
The “Commoners” only own 65% of the land, the rest is owned by the Church
and King
o A newspaper article titled, “KING LOUIS XVI SAYS HE, AND ONLY HE, IS THE STATE!”
o An original brick from the building called “The Bastille”
o The skull of Louis XVI, stamped with the words “NEVER AGAIN”
Questions:
1. Guess. What do you think this “revolution” is all about?
2. Thomas Jefferson did NOT write a book called “How to Make Your Own Revolution”. But
assuming he did, why do you think the French would want to read it?
3. What conclusions can you draw from pie graph data?
4. What does it mean if a King says “He, and only he, is the state”? (HINT: The word “state” is
another word for government).
5. You might not know what the “Bastille” building is, but you can conclude that it’s important
if the time capsule contains a brick from it. What is symbolized when you destroy an
important building?
6. What do you think is the message of the skull stamped with “NEVER AGAIN”?
3. THE MEXCIAN REVOLUTION (1810-1821)
…also called, “The Mexican War for Independence”
In this time capsule, you’ll find
o A pamphlet, written by Martin Cortez, called “Why You Shouldn’t Trust the Mestizo”
o A pie chart, that shows the following:
Mexico’s Population: 10% White Spanish, 90% Mestizo
Mexico’s Wealth: 98% White Spanish, 2% Mestizo
o A painting of Miguel Hidalgo, who’s dressed in a priest’s robe and has a halo over his
head
o A painting of King Ferdinand VII, with a giant “X” through it
Questions:
1. Guess. What do you think this “revolution” is all about?
2. What is a mestizo? Thinking about race relations in our own country, what prejudices would
a white Spaniard, like Martin Cortez, have against a “dirty” race, like the mestizo?
3. What can you conclude from the pie chart data?
4. Why is it significant when a priest, like Miguel Hidalgo, encourages you to start a war against
the King?
4. THE BRAZILIAN REVOLUTION (1822)
In this time capsule, you’ll find
o A cartoon of King Joao VI, sucking his thumb and crying
o A newspaper clipping titled, “PORTUGAL: 2 CAPITALS?”
o The words, ENGLISH REVOLUTION, AMERICAN REVOLUTION, FRENCH REVOLUTION, and
MEXICAN REVOLUTION, all smeared over with blood. The word, BRAZILIAN
REVOLUTION has no blood on it
o A cartoon of two men: King Pedro I and King Joao VI. Pedro has a bigger crown.
Questions:
1. Guess. What do you think this “revolution” is all about?
2. You probably don’t know anything about Joao VI, but there’s a cartoon of him sucking his
thumb and crying. What kind of person do you think he is?
3. Why is it significant that the other “REVOLUTIONS” are covered in blood, but Brazil’s is
clean?
4. What does it mean if King Pedro I wears a bigger crown than King Joao VI?
5. THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION (1642-1651)
…also called, “Russian Westernizes”
In this time capsule, you’ll find
o A drawing crude stick figure of a man wearing a fur coat and a fur cap. It’s drawn in
charcoal and has an “X” through it. Then, right next to it, there’s a picture of a
beautiful woman, wearing a dress and jewelry. It’s drawn in beautiful watercolors
o A line graph, titled “ARMY RECRUITMENT” that shows the number of men in the
Russian army skyrocketing, and finally leveling off at 210,000
o A map that shows Russia divided into provinces, not just one big country
o A book, written by Peter the Great, titled, “Why You Shouldn’t Spit on the Floor, and
Other Ways to Culture Yourself”
o A picture that shows 3 men in a barbershop, all getting their beards cut off
o A postcard that reads: “ST. PETERSBURG: THE LONDON OF THE EAST!”
Questions:
1. Guess. Even though this isn’t really a “revolution”, what do you think this “revolution” is all
about?
2. What do you think the first item in the time capsule (a crude stick figure with an “X”
through it, and a beautiful woman) means?
3. Peter the Great, King of Russia, is employing thousands of people in his army. Why? Does it
mean he wants to start a war?
4. Why is it better if a country is divided into provinces (states) instead of just one giant
nation?
5. Why would Peter the Great have all the men shave their beards and stop spitting on the
floor? (THINK: If you came to Russia and saw hairy men who spit, what would you think of
the country?)
6. Why would Peter the Great call his city, St. Petersburg, the “London of the East”?