Class 9 History
Ch1 - French Revolution
Q1: Important dates related to French Revolution
Answer:
Answer:
·
1774 : Louis XVI becomes King of France.
·
1789 : Third Estate forms National Assembly. The Bastille is stormed., Session of
Estates General
·
1791 : A constitution is
framed to limit the powers of the monarch.
·
1792-93 : France becomes a
republic. The king is executed. Directory rules France.
·
1804 : Napoleon becomes
emperor of France.
·
1815 : Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo.
·
1848 : Slavery was
abolished in all French colonies.
·
1946 : French women got the
right to vote.
Q2: What principles were supported by the revolution?
Answer: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
Q3: Important Terms to remember.
Answer: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
Q3: Important Terms to remember.
Answer:
First
Estate: French society was
divided into classes called Estates, The First Estate consisted of the Clergy
which held vast land, wealth and were exempted from taxes.
Second
Estate: It consisted of
the aristocracy and controlled all the top positions in the government,
parliament and in the army and navy. They were also exempted from taxation and
led an extravagant life.
Third
Estate: This comprised
everyone who was neither nobility nor clergy and constituted almost 97% of the
population. The wealthy upper middle class (merchants, bankers, doctors.
lawyers), lower middle class, shopkeepers, craftsmen. and peasants comprised
the Third Estate. This class lacked political power, social status and was
heavily taxed.
The
Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen: In 1789. the French National Assembly adopted a set of
basic principles called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Based
on the ideas of Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau, this document stated that “men are born and
remain free and equal in rights” and that the “source of power resides in the people”. It
guaranteed all Frenchmen the basic rights of liberty, security, equal justice,
fair taxes, religion, fair speech, and thought.
Livre: Unit of currency used
in France till 1794.
Clergy:
Group of persons invested with special functions in the Church.
Tithe: A tax levied by the
Church equal to one-tenth of the agricultural produce.
Taille: A tax to be paid
directly to the state.
Q4: Write a short note on 'Reign of Terror'.
Answer:
Answer:
1.
The term 'Reign of terror'
referred to policy of severe control and punishment.
2.
This policy was adopted by
Robespierre during his reign from 1793 to 1794.
3.
During this period, all of those
whom he considered being enemies of the republic (e.g. nobles, clergy, members
of other political parties) were arrested.
4.
They were tried by a revolutionary tribunal
and eventually more then 15,000 person including Queen of France were
guillotined or executed.
5.
Meat and bread were rationed.
6.
Peasants were forced to sell their
grains at the prices fixed by the government.
7.
All citizens were forced to eat the
equality bread i.e., a loaf made of whole wheat.
8.
Churches were shutdown and their
buildings were converted into barracks or offices.
Q5: What role did women of France of third Estate play in French revolution?
Answer:
Q5: What role did women of France of third Estate play in French revolution?
Answer:
1.
Women of third estate of France
played an crucial role in the revolution:
- During Revolutionary years, women started
their own political clubs and newspapers. They set up about sixty women
clubs in different cities of France.
- The most famous among them was the Society of
Revolutionary and Republican Women.
- They also demanded to enjoy the same political
rights as men, i.e., right to vote, to be elected to the Assembly and to
hold political office.
5.
However, the women were disappointed
because they were not given same political rights as enjoyed by the men of
France.
Q6: In
context of France the volunteers from Marseilles sang the Marseillaise a
patriotic song when they marched into Paris. Who composed this song ?
(a)
Maximilian Robespierre
(b)
Marie Antoinette
(c)
Roget de L'lsle
(d)
Mirabeau
Answer:
(c) Roget de L'lsle
Q7:
What did the Red Cap worn by Sans Culottes in France symbolize?
(a) Liberty
(a) Liberty
(b)
Brotherhood
(c) Love
(c) Love
(d)
Equality
Answer:
(a) Liberty
Q8: What was the legacy of the French Revolution?
Answer:
Answer:
1.
It led to the decade of political changes in Europe.
2.
Three founding words of the French revolution i.e. 'liberty, equality and
fraternity' reflected the coming of new democratic and social order in Europe
and rest of the world.
3.
It inspired the Germans, Italians and Austrians to overthrow their
oppressive regimes.
4.
It inspired struggling nations of Asia and Africa. E.g. India's struggle
for Independence was inspired by the thoughts of french philosophers like
Voltaire and Rousseau.
5.
French revolution put into the practice the idea that sovereignty comes
from the people from below not from the above.
6.
It marked the beginning for the first time in history about active and
institutionalized mass participation in the government. It inculcated the
spirit of nationalism among the people.
Q9:
Which of the following refers to the political body representing the three
estates of pre-revolutionary France?
(a)
Parliament of France
(b)
National Assembly
(c)
Estates General
(d)
Estates Committee
Answer:
(c) Estates General
Q10:
The word 'Guillotine' during French revolution era refers to
(a)
Beheading a person
(b)
Awarding a person
(c)
Taxing a person
(d)
Threatening a person
Answer:
(a) Beheading a person
Q11: What is the
importance of the document 'Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen'?
OR
Why 'Declaration of
Rights of Man and Citizen' is considered as a revolutionary document in French
revolution?
Answer: Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen is regarded as a
revolutionary document because:
1.
It abolished the privileges and power given to the French feudal classes
i.e. First Estate and Second Estate.
2.
It provided equal distribution of the burdens of taxation and rights
to public property among all citizens.
3.
The Declaration emphasized equality before law and freedom of speech and
press. Every citizen has right to speak, print and express.
Q12 (CBSE 2010): Explain how did the freedom of speech and expression under the revolutionary government in France promote the ideals of Liberty and Equality into everyday practice.
Answer:
1.
The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen emphasized that freedom of
speech and expression be established as established as ‘natural and
inalienable’ right.
2.
The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and
coffee-houses and spread among people through books and newspapers.
3.
Newspapers, pamphlets, books and printed pictures flooded the towns of
France from where they traveled rapidly into the countryside.
4.
Freedom of the press also meant that opposing views of events could be
expressed.
5.
Plays, songs and festive processions attracted large numbers of illiterate
people to help them grasp and identify with ideas such as liberty or justice
that political philosophers wrote about.
Q13: What was the important aim of setting up Directory? What was the
final outcome after appointing the Directory?
Answer: After the fall of Jacobin government, the two elected legislative Council appointed an executive of five members called Directory.
Answer: After the fall of Jacobin government, the two elected legislative Council appointed an executive of five members called Directory.
1.
The main objective of the directory
was to work as a safeguard against the concentration of power in a one-man
executive as under the Jacobins.
2.
However, the Directors often clashed
with the legislative councils, who then sought to dismiss them.
3.
The political instability of the Directory
paved the way for the rise of a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.
Q14: Who authored the book 'The Spirit of the Laws'? What was proposed in
this book?
Answer: Montesquieu was the author of The Spirit of the Laws.
Answer: Montesquieu was the author of The Spirit of the Laws.
In the book he proposed a division
of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the
judiciary.
Q15: Which cities became prosperous because of slave trade?
Answer: Port cities like Bordeaux and Nantes prospered due to the flourishing slave trade.
Q15: Which cities became prosperous because of slave trade?
Answer: Port cities like Bordeaux and Nantes prospered due to the flourishing slave trade.
Q16: What impact did French Revolution have on slave trade?
Answer:
Answer:
1. During and after
revolution, there was little criticism of slavery in France.
2. It was totally
ironical that National assembly held long debates about the rights of men but
did not pass any laws to abolish slavery.
3. In 1794, a convention
was passed to free all slaves in French overseas possessions. However it turned
out to be a short term measure. Napoleon reintroduced slavery after 10 years of
ban.
4. Slavery was finally
abolished in French colonies in 1848.
Q17: What was the role of French philosophers and revolutionary thinkers
in the French Revolution?
Answer: The 18th century witnessed the emergence of revolutionary thinkers such as John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu. They didn't play any active role in the events of the revolution but their ideas inspired the revolutionary movement. Their revolutionary ideas encouraged people to fight for their rights.
Answer: The 18th century witnessed the emergence of revolutionary thinkers such as John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu. They didn't play any active role in the events of the revolution but their ideas inspired the revolutionary movement. Their revolutionary ideas encouraged people to fight for their rights.
1.
The idea of a society based on freedom, equal laws and opportunities for
all were put forward by philosophers such as John Locke and Jean Jacques
Rousseau. In his book Two Treatises of Government, Locke sought to refute the
doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch.
2.
Rousseau carried his radical ideas forward by proposing a form of
government based on social contract between people and their representatives.
3.
Montesquieu, in his book, The Spirit of the Laws proposed a division of
power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the
judiciary.
4.
Voltaire's ideas revolved around individual liberties. He believed that
people should have freedom of expression.
The ideas of these philosophers were discussed and debated in salons and
coffee houses and spread among people through books and newspapers. This founded
the way to revolution of 1789.
Q18:
The French revolution took place on _________
(a)
July 14, 1789
(b)
July 14, 1788
(c)
July 14, 1786
(d)
July 14, 1785
Answer:
(a) July 14, 1789 (Storming of the Bastille)
Q19:
On what charges was Louis XVI guillotined?
(a)
Cruelty
(b)
Treason
(c)
Absolute Role
(d)
misgovernance
Answer:
(b) Treason
Q20:
The tax called tithe was collected from French Peasants by
(a)
The Church
(b)
The emperor
(c)
The Nobles
(d)
Chief of the Army
Answer:
(a) The Church
Q21:
Why was the subsistence crisis caused in France?
(a)
The wages of the people were low
(b)
There was widespread unemployment
(c)
Increase in population led to rapid increase in the demand of food grains.
(d)
The government imposed various taxes.
Answer:
(c) Increase in population led to rapid increase in the demand of food grains.
Note: A
‘subsistence crisis’ is defined as an economic crisis which threatens the food
supplies or, more precisely, the survival prospects of larger population.
Q22:
The Bastille was hated by all in France because:
(a) it
stood for the despotic power of the king.
(b) it
was a fortress prison
(c)
Prison In charge tortured the inmates.
(d) it
housed dreaded criminals.
Answer:
(a) it stood for the despotic power of the king.
Note:
A despot is a ruler or other person who holds absolute power,
typically exercising it cruelly.
Q23: What were the different political groups operating in the Legislative Assembly during French revolution?
Answer: Following political groups were active within the Legislative Assembly during French Revolution:
1.
The Girondins: It was the largest group who
wanted war against all despots.
2.
The Jacobins: The most influential and ruthless
group who were responsible for the reign of terror. They did not favour war.
3.
The Feuillants: They proposed constitutional
monarchy.
Q24: What was the impact of the French Revolution in France?
Answer: The impact of the French Revolution in France can be summarized as:
1.
End of Monarchy: It marked the end of
absolute monarchy and paved way for a republic government.
2.
Laid foundation of Democratic Principles: It upheld the theory
of sovereignty and laid foundation of the democratic principles i.e.
government decisions should be based on the consent of her citizens.
3.
Ideas of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity: The slogans of
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity became the founding milestones for a
democratic nations.
4.
Declaration of Rights and Equality: The declaration
provided equality among the citizens for all public offices, freedom of speech
and expression was granted and freedom from arrest without a proven cause
was implemented.
5.
Abolition of Censorship: Mass media was allowed Freedom of
press was granted.
6.
Taxes to be paid by all: Taxes would be borne by all the
people irrespective of their status.
7.
Religious Freedom: It guaranteed free exercise of
religious worship and abolished the taxes collected by the churches.
8.
Reforms and New Initiatives: New initiatives and
reforms were carried out in education, administration and judiciary domain.
Q25: Who were allowed to vote for the formation of the National Assembly?
Answer:
Answer:
·
Only men above 25 years of age and those who paid taxes equal to at least
3 days of a labourers wage were given the status of active citizens. And they
were entitled to vote.
·
The remaining men and women were classified as passive citizens and were
not allowed to vote.
·
To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the assembly, a man had
to belong to the highest bracket of tax payers.
Q26: What was Rousseau's concept about the state?
Answer: Rousseau, a thinkers, is regarded as an inspiration behind the French Revolution.
Answer: Rousseau, a thinkers, is regarded as an inspiration behind the French Revolution.
1.
According to him, the society creates a Political state for a stable life.
2.
The state is not a divine creation but is the outcome of a sort of
unwritten social contract.
3.
If the state failed to abide by the terms of the contract, people have
natural and moral rights to overthrow the state authority.
Q27: Who was the president of USA during French revolution?
Answer: George Washington became the first president of USA at that time.
Q28: Arrange the following events of French Revolution in chronological order (what happened next).
(i) Louis XVI is guillotined.
(ii) the Oath of the Tennis Court
(iii) The Bastille falls
(iv) French Republic is declared.
(v) The Great Fear
Answer: The correct sequence is (ii) - (iii) - (v) - (iv) - (i)
Q29: What was The Great Fear in French revolution?
Answer: After the storming of the Bastille, the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a
constitution, the rest of France seethed with turmoil.
Answer: George Washington became the first president of USA at that time.
Q28: Arrange the following events of French Revolution in chronological order (what happened next).
(i) Louis XVI is guillotined.
(ii) the Oath of the Tennis Court
(iii) The Bastille falls
(iv) French Republic is declared.
(v) The Great Fear
Answer: The correct sequence is (ii) - (iii) - (v) - (iv) - (i)
Q29: What was The Great Fear in French revolution?
Answer: After the storming of the Bastille, the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a
constitution, the rest of France seethed with turmoil.
1.
In the countryside rumours spread from village to village that the
royalists of the manor had hired bands of brigands who were on their way to
destroy the ripe crops.
2.
Rumours also spread that Kings men were planning to kill National assembly
representatives.
3.
Caught in a frenzy of fear, peasants in several districts seized hoes and
pitchforks and attacked chateaux. They looted hoarded grain and burnt down
documents containing records of manorial dues.
4.
A large number of nobles fled from their homes, many of them migrating to
neighbouring countries.
This turmoil at that time is termed as The Great Fear.
Q30: When did the Assembly pass a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes?
Answer: 4 August 1789
Q31: Who among the following proposed a division of power within the government?
(a) John Locke
(b) Jean Jacque Rousseau
(c) Voltaire
(d) Montesquieu
Answer: (d) Montesquieu
Q32: When did Louis XVI called for The Estates General? When was it convened last time?
Answer: Louis XVI called for The Estates General on May 5, 1789. It was called after a gap of 175 years since 1614
Q33: From where Jacobin's club got its name? Who was the leader of Jacobin's club?
Answer: It got its name from the former convent of St Jacob in Paris. Robespierre was the leader of Jacobins.
Q34: What was the outcome of Battle of Waterloo? When did this battle occur?
Answer: The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 1815 between Napoleon Forces and allied army of Prussia, UK and Netherlands. In this battle Napoleon was defeated.
Q30: When did the Assembly pass a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes?
Answer: 4 August 1789
Q31: Who among the following proposed a division of power within the government?
(a) John Locke
(b) Jean Jacque Rousseau
(c) Voltaire
(d) Montesquieu
Answer: (d) Montesquieu
Q32: When did Louis XVI called for The Estates General? When was it convened last time?
Answer: Louis XVI called for The Estates General on May 5, 1789. It was called after a gap of 175 years since 1614
Q33: From where Jacobin's club got its name? Who was the leader of Jacobin's club?
Answer: It got its name from the former convent of St Jacob in Paris. Robespierre was the leader of Jacobins.
Q34: What was the outcome of Battle of Waterloo? When did this battle occur?
Answer: The Battle of Waterloo was fought on 1815 between Napoleon Forces and allied army of Prussia, UK and Netherlands. In this battle Napoleon was defeated.
