NCERT Exercise
Questions
1. Describe the circumstances leading to the
outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Answer - The French Revolution was started on 14 July 1789 when several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the Paris city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille.
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| Storming of the Bastille |
Following circumstances led to the outbreak of revolutionary protest
in France:
1. Inequality in the French Society-
The eighteenth-century French society was divided into three estates namely, the Clergy, the Nobility, and the Commoners. First two estates were given
certain privileges by birth, while the commoners were forced to pay heavy taxes
and did not enjoy any privileges.
2. Political issues- King Louis XVI was considered to be a weak king who was influenced by his queen. On several occasions, the king displayed his inability to take strong decisions and was seen pursuing his interests over his people.
3. Survival crisis- The population
of France grew from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789, which resulted in
great demand for food grains. The prices of food grains went up, and the wages
and salaries given to the laborers were insufficient. This lead to a severe
crisis where people realized that their survival is in danger.
4. Influence of American Revolutionaries- The French Society was
introduced to revolutionary ideas by the American society. Freedom for all was
demanded and people advocated for Republic over Monarchy. The revolutionary
ideas of Americans influenced the French people.
5. Strong Middle class- Revolutionary ideas attracted the French
society, and eventually, a new educated middle-class society emerged. People
challenged the absolute rule of the King and demanded a liberal society and
unrestricted trade.
6. Economic issues- On 5th May 1789, King Louis XVI called a meeting with the representatives of all the three estates to levy additional taxes on the commoners. The commoners did not like the idea and voted against it. The king rejected their appeal which led to protests and marches against the King.
2. Which groups of French society benefited
from the revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which
sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the
revolution?
Answer -
(i) The French Revolution was started with a promise to fetch equality in the then French Society.
(ii) The poor people of the third estate were hopeful of a better society where the conditions for them would change for the good. But the French Revolution did not bring what all it promised.
(iii) The comparatively rich people of the Third estate that is the Commoners were benefitted to a great extent from the French Revolution as they gained power and became influential. However, the condition of the poor peasants and merchant did not change much.
(iv) Equality was not introduced for all as even after the revolution the poorer people were not given the right to vote.
(v) The first two estates that is; the Clergy and Nobility were forced to relinquish their power, and major portions of their lands were confiscated and also, the privileges that they used to enjoy were taken off.
(vi) The King also lost his throne, and a new
group of capitalists emerged in France.
3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Answer -
(i) Liberal ideas and equality were the most important legacies of the French Revolution. The Revolution started with a hope to change the existing pattern of inequality which resulted in the disproportionate distribution of land and wealth in the society.
(ii) The French Revolution did not only change resulted in the abolition of Feudal powers in France, but the ideas also traveled to other parts of the Europe in the nineteenth century.
(iii) The revolutionary ideas introduced by this revolution inspired Italy, Austria, and Germany to overthrow their oppressive administrative systems.
(iv) The ideas of French Revolution not only attracted the European nations, but the nations of Asia and Africa who were under European rule also gathered the courage to fight against the European colonialism.
(v) Raja
Ram Mohan Roy and Tipu Sultan were immensely influenced by the ideas of French
Revolution and started freedom movement in India.
4. Draw up a list of
democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French
Revolution.
Answer - We
enjoy following Democratic Rights today:
1. Right to Freedom of
speech and expression.
2. Right to Equality
3. Right against
Exploitation.
4. Right to Freedom of
Religion.
5. Cultural and
Educational Right.
6. Right to Constitutional
Remedies.
The Rights to freedom of speech and expression and equality could be traced to the French Revolution.
5. Would you agree
with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with
contradictions? Explain.
Answer - Yes, I
agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with several
contradictions because:
(i)
Though the universal
rights advocated for equal rights, the women who took an active part in the
revolution were not given equal rights. The rights were only given to the men.
(ii)
The notions of
equality and freedom emerged as the central ideas of a new age, but in
different countries, they were reinterpreted and rethought in many different
ways. Most of the imperialist powers did not grant full freedom to the peoples
of their colonies.
(iii)
The poor people were
not granted voting rights despite the fact that most of the population
comprised of the poor laborers. The poor were termed as passive citizens and
had not given any rights.
(iv)
Universal rights did
not help the poor people at all, and they were continued to be suppressed.
Women were also neglected, and only the rich men of the society gained the
power.
6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Answer -
(i) French became a republic in 1792 after the fall of the Jacobean rule. Robespierre, the then ruler of France, favored the rich and wealthy people and completely ignored the other sections of the society.
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| Maximilien Robespierre |
(ii) He was a tyrant, and people face Reign of Terror for several years.
(iii) Following to Robespierre subsequent downfall, a new directory was formed to avoid concentration of power in one hand.
(iv) Later, the members of directory fought among themselves, which resulted in political unrest. This created chaos and a political vacuum in France.
(v) Napoleon Bonaparte used this
situation and took power and declared himself the military dictator of France.
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| Napoleon Bonaparte |
EXTRA Questions
1)
When
and where the French Revolution started?
Answer - The French Revolution was started on 14
July 1789 when several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the Paris
city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille.
2)
When
“Louis XVI” became the French King?
Answer - In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended
the throne of France. He was 20 years old and married to the Austrian princess
Marie Antoinette.
3)
Explain
the terms – Livre, Clergy, Tithe, Taille, Subsistence crisis, Anonymous,
Chateau, Manor, Convent, Treason, Negroes, Emancipation.
Answer –
Livre – Unit of currency in France, discontinued in 1794
Clergy – Group of persons invested with special functions in the church
Tithe – A tax levied by the church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural
produce
Taille – Tax to be paid directly to the state
Subsistence crisis – An extreme situation
where the basic means of livelihood are endangered
Anonymous – One whose name
remains unknown
Chateau (pl. chateaux) – Castle or stately residence belonging to a
king or a nobleman
Manor – An estate consisting of the lord’s lands and his mansion
Convent – Building belonging
to a community devoted to a religious life
Treason – Betrayal of one’s
country or government
Negroes – A term used for the indigenous people of Africa south of the
Sahara. It is a derogatory term not in common use any longer
Emancipation – The act of freeing
4)
Explain
the some important dates during the French Revolution.
Answer – The some important dates during the French
Revolution :-
1774 - Louis XVI becomes king of France, faces
empty treasury and growing discontent within society of the Old Regime.
1789 - Convocation of Estates General, Third
Estate forms National Assembly, the Bastille is stormed, peasant revolts in the
countryside.
1791 - A constitution is framed to limit the
powers of the king and to guarantee basic rights to all human beings.
1792-93 - France becomes a republic, the king is
beheaded. Overthrow of the Jacobin republic, a Directory rules France.
1804 - Napoleon becomes emperor of France, annexes
large parts of Europe.
1815 - Napoleon defeated at Waterloo.
5)
What
political symbols are used during the French revolution in eighteenth century?
Answer - The majority of men and women in the eighteenth century could not read
or write. So images and symbols were frequently used instead of printed words
to communicate important ideas. The painting by Le Barbier uses many such
symbols to convey the content of the Declaration of Rights. Let us try to read
these symbols: -
(a) The broken chain: Chains were used to fetter slaves. A
broken chain stands for the act of becoming free.
(b) The bundle of rods or fasces: One rod can be easily broken, but not
an entire bundle. Strength lies in unity.
(c) The eye within a triangle radiating
light:
The all-seeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of the sun will drive away
the clouds of ignorance.
(d) Sceptre: Symbol of royal power.
(e) Snake biting its tail to form a ring: Symbol of Eternity. A ring has neither
beginning nor end.
(f) Red Phrygian cap: Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.
(g) Blue-white-red: The national colours of
France.
(h) The winged woman: Personification of the
law.
(i) The Law Tablet: The law is the same for all, and all
are equal before it.
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| Causes of French Revolution |
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| Effects of French Revolution |
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