Question

Question 5 of 10

A historian is making a historical argument about the French Revolution. He
notes that, following the Revolution, a rash of violence swept over France. He
refers to the execution of French royalty and the European wars that
revolutionaries launched following their victory to support his argument. In
his opinion, it is morally wrong for any political movement to use violence to
achieve its goals. Based on this information, he argues that the French
Revolution produced far more negative outcomes than positive ones.
Which part of the historian's argument is his claim?

Answer 1

The correct answer is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

One must be able to distinguish a thesis from an opinion. D. ("it is morally wrong for any political movement to use violence to achieve its goals") is a subjective point of view that guides his argument, but in and of itself cannot be proved. A. and B. are facts which support his thesis: the rash of violence that swept over France and the French Revolutionary Wars are historical facts not subject to debate (though their evaluation is, of course, subject to debate). His thesis (that is, the argument he is making based on facts) is C. "the French Revolution produced far more negative outcomes than positive ones." Though the thesis is informed by his opinion (D.), a thesis can be proved or at least strongly supported by evidence, while an opinion is generally seen as a matter of belief.