*French Bread*
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*Note: The French bread that you will be making today represents the poverty of France before it reached its revolution. Bread is a staple food, and the French probably lived off staple foods such as bread as they struggled to live through poverty under the reign on King Louis XVI. Bread, however, always rises unless you do it wrong. The rising represents the revolution - the new ideas, the National Assembly, and the good riddance of King Louis XVI. The finished product represents Napoleon and his glorious reign over France.
Before you begin
Make sure that the rich landowners tax the people harshly, many people are in poverty, and that the government officials still believe in mercantilism. Also make sure that the grain harvests are low and that free trade is discourages with other countries. To complete this recipe, you may need help from people such as Turgot, Jean Jaques Rousseau, and the Phisiocrats. The writings of John Locke and Adam Smith may also be helpful for inspiration.
Preparation
Bring news of the American Revolution to the French. This will spark ideas and help people believe that society should be run for the benefit of all the people not just a privileged few.
Making you meal
Step I: Start by mixing up the first meeting of the Estates General in 1789. During this, the Third Estate will fight with the other two estates on voting issues. Mix well until the Third Estate forms the National Assembly.
Step II: Next, add in the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789. Put it into a blender and keep it on "high" until there is a lot of determination and conflict. Sprinkle in spicy phrases such as "Liberty, equality, and fraternity!" Pour in the March on Versailles and keep blender on until Marie Antoinette decides to offer you cake to put into the mixture.
Step III: On August 26, have the National Assembly pass the Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizen. This document expresses rights such as "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression." It will also establish key rights such as freedom of the press and freedom of religion. Add the Declaration into your mixture for good taste.
Step IV: On September 2, 1792, have the National Convention abolish the monarchy and proclaim the French Republic. Gently knead the French Republic into your dough. It will create a nice, lovely texture.
Step V: In November, 1792, add in King Louis XVI's famous documents which led the French to believe he was conspiring against his country. On January 21, 1793, chop off Louis's head and add it to your dough for flavor and a feeling of triumph. In October, add Marie's head, too.
Step VI: Put your dough onto a pan and place it in the oven. To heat things up, have the National Convention set aside the constitution and create a Committee of Public Safety. This committee will wage a brutal campaign against anyone who was considered an enemy against France. This campaign will be known as the Reign of Terror. Bake until July of 1794.
Step VII: Take your baked bread out of the oven. Sprinkle of spices such as the Constitution of 1795, which will establish a new government known as The Directory. It will consist of an elected legislature and an executive branch with five directors.
Step VIII: If the Directory doesn't taste too good, (which it won't, most likely), wait until 1802 comes around to add some butter for a final touch. Introduce a man named Napoleon to the citizens of France. In 1804, have Napoleon declare himself "Emperor of the French." He will then create the Napoleon Code, which will bring many reforms of the revolution into a unified legal system. It will force all citizens to pay equal taxes. It will recognize that everyone is equal.
Finishing Up: After the bread cools down and each of the steps have been followed, your bread is ready to be eaten. Slice it up and eat as much as you like. As you eat, remember the starvation, the poverty, and the death that these people went through to make their revolution happen. Remember the toils, the strife, and the fears that they lived under the Reign of Terror. And remember the glory at the very end of the revolution when Napoleon came and ruled over them with liberty, equality, and fraternity!