Class: IX

Sub:
History
(The French Revolution)
Assignment
Important Remark: Reference solutions only : Not to be copied
at all
Assignment 1 (The French Revolution)
Answer the following questions:

Q1. List the factors that led to subsistence crises?

Q2. How did France become a constitutional monarchy?
Q3. What is the significance of the Bastille in the history of France and
the world?
Q4. Trace the history of the emergence of middle class in French society
in the 18th century?
Q5. What political system came into being in France under the new
constitution of 1791?
Q6. Why is the period from 1793 to 1794 referred to as Reign of Terror?
Q7. What steps did the women take in order to discuss and voice their
interests after the French Revolution? What were their main
demands?
Q8. Trace the history of France under the emperorship of Napoleon
Bonaparte?

Q9. Trace the history of the beginning and abolition of slave trade in
France?
Q10. Describe the impact of the French Revolution in France and the
World?
Q11. Define Sans-culottes?
Q12. Give the provisions of The Declaration of Rights of Man and
Citizen enshrined in the new Constitution of France?

Assignment 2 (The French Revolution)

Answer the following questions in one sentence only:
Q.1 What do we call the period before 1789 was in France?
Q2. To whom did the tax Tithe was paid?
Q3. Who wrote the book Spirit of the laws?
Q4. Who composed the National Anthem of France?
Q5. Name the most important politically active women in revolutionary
France?
Q6. Name the French colony in the Caribbean?
Q7. When did women finally got the right to vote in France?
Q8. Where was Napoleon Bonaparte defeated in the battle?
Q9. What idea was spread by Jean Jacques Rousseau in his book The
Social Contract
Q10.Who had right to vote under Directory?
(Do these short questions on your own)

Ans1. Page 5, heading 1.1, line 1st till end

The population of France..France during the Old Regime.
(Make 5 points.)

Ans2. Page 10, heading 2.1, line 1st

The National AssemblyFrance a constitutional monarchy.
(Make three points)
Ans3. Significance of Bastille in the history of the world:
a)
Bastille was hated by all. Its fall was also hailed by all because it stood for
the despotic power of the King.
b)
It led to the end of social inequalities that had made the lives of the people
of third estate quite miserable in France.
c)
Bastilles fall was marked as the end of autocracy and despotic rule of the
King.
d)
It paved the way for the fall of feudalism
e)
It led to the transfer of political authority to the national legislature.
f)
It heralded a new dawn of liberty, equality and fraternity, not only in
France, but throughout the world.
Ans4 Page 6, heading 1.3, second paragraph, line 1st
The eighteenth century witnessed..such as john Locke and Jean Jacques
Rousseau.
(Make 5 points)
Ans5. Page 10, heading 2.1, second paragraph, line 1st
The Constitution of 1791 vested..bracket of taxpayers.
(Make 4 points)
5th point is written as under
5. The constitution began with a Declaration of Rights of Man And Citizen
stating rights such as right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality,
etc as natural and inalienable rights which belonged to each human from birth and
could not be taken away.
Ans6. Page 16, heading 3.1, (points are given below)
1.
The period from.control and punishment.
2.
All those whom.. guilty they were guillotined.
3.
Robespierres government issued.. wages and prices.
4.
Peasants were forced fixed by the government.
5.
Churches were..barracks and offices. Robespierre pursued his
policies.by a court in July 1794 and executed.
Ans7. Page 18, topic 4, second paragraph, line 1st (The answer is in two paragraphs)
1.
In order to discuss and voice.. was the most famous of them.
2.
Demands of women:
(i)
One of theirpolitical rights as men.
(ii)
Women were disappointed.passive citizens.
(iii)
They demanded the right.in the new government.
(iv)
Women demanded that they should be given equal wages with
respect to their counterpart.
(v)
It was finally in 1946 that women in France won the right to vote.
Ans8. Page 23, heading- conclusion, line 1st (5 points)
1.
In 1804,of France.
2.
He set out members of his family.

3.

Napoleon saw.moderniser of Europe.He introduced..decimal

system.
4.
Initially, many..invading force. He was finallyin 1815.
5.
Many of his measures. After Napoleon had left.
Ans.9 Page 21, Topic 5, (Answer is in two paragraphs)
(1)
Beginning of slavery:
Make five good points covering entire concept of 1st paragraph including details
or write entire paragraph in five points)
(2)
Abolition of slavery:
(Make five points)
(i)
Throughout the eighteenth..in France.
(ii)
The National Assembly held. on the slave trade.
(iii)
It was finally the Convention.. reintroduced slavery.
(iv)
Plantation owners.their economic interests.
(v)
Slavery was finallyin 1848.
Ans10. Impact of French Revolution on France:
1.
The French Revolution marked the end of absolute monarchy and paved
the way for a republic government.
2.
It upheld the theory of popular sovereignty and laid the foundation of the
most important democratic principle, i.e., government should be based on
the consent of the governed.
3.
The slogan of equality, liberty and fraternity became the watchwords of
freedom loving people all over the world.
4.
Feudalism and serfdom were abolished and the power of the clergy
checked. It reduced the burden of taxes on a particular estate.
5.
The Jacobins gave the people the right to vote and the right to insurrection.
New reforms were introduced in education, administration and the
judiciary.
Impact of French Revolution on the world:
1.
It marked the end of feudalism and dawned a new era of industrial
capitalism.
2.
Slogan of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity echoed in all parts of Europe. It
started a chain of revolution.
3.
The Declaration of Rights of Man And Citizen became the Charter of
Liberty throughout the world.
4.
The French Revolution became a guiding force for the people of colonies
in Afro-Asian countries. Colonised people reworked the idea of freedom
from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign nation state.
5.
Tipu Sultan and Rammoham Roy are two examples of individuals who
responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.
Ans11.
(i) The Jacobins who wore striped trousers came to be known as the sansculottes, literally meaning those without knee breeches.
(ii) Sans-culottes men wore in addition the red cap that symbolised liberty.
(iii) Women however were not allowed to do so.
Ans12.
Page 11, Source C (only points numbers are given below)
The following were the provisions of Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen:

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

point number 1
point number 3
point number 5
point number 7
point number 12

Ch-1 The French Revolution

HISTORY
Textbook Reference Solutions

Important Remark: Reference solutions only : Not to be copied

at all
Q: 1 Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of
revolutionary protest in France.
Answer Circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest
in France:
(1) A society of estates, and the plight of the third estate
French society was divided into three distinct estates: the first estate
comprising the clergy, the second estate composed of the nobility, and
the third estate made up of tradesmen, merchants, court officials,
lawyers, peasants, artisans, landless labour and servants. It was only
the third estate that was made to pay taxes. The clergy and the
nobility were exempt from this rule. In addition to the taxes that were
to be paid to the state, peasants had to pay taxes to the Church and
feudal dues to the noble lords. It was an unfair situation which led to
the growth of a feeling of discontent among the members of the third
estate.
(2) Subsistence crisis
At this time, there was a greater demand for foodgrains. Due to
greater demand than supply, the price of bread (the staple diet of the
majority) rose. Due to rising prices and inadequate wages, most of the
population could not even afford the basic means of livelihood. This led
to a crisis of subsistence, and an increase in the gap between the rich
and the poor.
(3) A stronger middle class, and popularisation of democratic and social
ideals
The middle class emerged educated and wealthy during the eighteenth

century. The system of privileges as promoted by the feudal society

was against their interests. Being educated, the members of this class
had access to the various ideas of equality and freedom proposed by
the French and English political and social philosophers. These ideas
got popularised amongst the masses as a result of intensive
discussions and debates in salons and coffee-houses, and through
books and newspapers.
(4) The assembly of the Estates General, and the proposal to increase
taxes
In order to pass proposals for increasing taxes, the French monarch
Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General on 5 May,
1789. Each estate was allowed one vote in this assembly. The third
estate protested against the unfairness of the proposal. They
proposed, instead, that each member should have one vote. The king
rejected this appeal, and the representative members of the third
estate walked out of the assembly in protest.
(5) The National Assembly, and the revolting subjects
These representative members, led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes,
declared themselves a National Assembly, and took an oath to not
disperse until they had drafted a constitution for France that would
limit the powers of the monarch and do away with the unjust feudal
system of privileges. While this organisation was busy drafting a
democratic constitution, there were numerous localised rebellions that
sought to displace the feudal lords. Meanwhile, the food crisis
worsened and the anger of the masses spilled onto the streets. On 14
July, the King ordered troops to move into Paris. In response, several
hundreds of agitated men and women formed their own armed groups.
One such people's militia stormed and destroyed the Bastille fortressprison (representative of the kings despotic power).
This is how the French Revolution came about.
OR
Question:- 1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary
protest in France.
Answer:- Following are some of the causes which had a cumulative effect to
result in revolution in France:

(a) The war with Britain for an independent America: This war led to mounting
debt on the French monarchy. This necessitated imposition of new taxes on the
public.
(b) Privilege based on birth: People got privileges and position based on their
lineage and not on their merit. This led to resentment among common people.
(c) Concentration of power among the privileged: People belonging to the first
and second estate had all the power and money. Masses were at the mercy of
this privileged class.
(d) Subsistence Crisis:- Rising population and less grain production resulted in
demand supply gap of bread, which was the staple diet. Wages did not keep
pace with rising prices. It was becoming difficult for people.
(e) Growing Middle Class: Because of increased overseas trade a new class
emerged. This class was wealthy not because of birth but because of its ability to
utilize opportunities. People of the middle class started raising their voice for an
end to privileges based on lineage.
All of this led to a general sense of resentment among people. Certain thinkers of
the period spread awareness through various media. Some from the privileged
classes also advocated a switch to democracy. So, finally there was revolution in
France.

Q: 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 (1) The richer members of the third estate (the middle class)
benefitted the most from the French Revolution.
(2) The clergy and the nobility were forced to relinquish power.
(3) The poorer sections of society and women would have been
disappointed with the outcome of the revolution as the promise of
equality was not fulfilled in full measure at the end of the revolution.
Q: 3 Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the
peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth
centuries.
Answer (1) The French Revolution bore a rich legacy for the peoples of
the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries because it was
the first national movement that adopted the ideals of liberty, equality
and fraternity.

(2) These ideas became the basic tenets of democracy for every nation
in the 19th and the 20th century.
(3) The Revolution espoused the cause of the masses, sought to
abolish the idea of divine right, feudal privileges, slavery and
censorship, and upheld merit as the basis for social upgradation.
(4) These tenets are important even in the contemporary world for
their emphasis on equality and a world free from prejudice. Feudal
systems and later, colonisation were abolished by re-working the
French Revolution ideals of freedom and equality.
(5) Indian leaders such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy were deeply
influenced by the ideas that the French Revolution propagated against
the monarchy and its absolutism.
Q: 4 Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose
origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
Answer Democratic rights that we enjoy today whose origins can be
traced to the French Revolution are:
1. freedom of expression,
2. right to equality,
3. right to freedom,
4. right to assemble and form unions (as long as they are not a
threat to national security and peace).
Q: 5 Would you agree with the view that the message of
universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain
Answer The message of universal rights was beset with contradictions.
(1) Many ideals in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen were
replete with dubious meanings. For example, the law has the right to
forbid only actions injurious to society had nothing to say about
criminal offences against other individuals.
(2) Also, the declaration stated that law is the expression of the
general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation.
All citizens are equal before it, but when France became a
constitutional monarchy, almost 3 million citizens including men under
the age of 25 and women were not allowed to vote at all.
(3) This was in striking contrast to the ideals that the revolution
espoused. When the Jacobins came to power, they were welcomed, but
their policies were too harsh and this gave way yet again to the rise of
the wealthier middle classes.
(4) The political instability of these regimes finally led to the rise of
Napoleon.
(5) However, throughout these coups, ideals of freedom, equality and
fraternity remained paramount in the French political movement.

OR (Write The other answer given at the end)

Q: 6 How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Answer (1) The rise of Napoleon came right after the fall of the Directory
in 1796. The Directors often clashed with the legislative councils, who
then made attempts to dismiss them.
(2) The Directory was highly politically unstable; hence, Napoleon rose
to power as a military dictator.
(3) Earlier, the Jacobins had overthrown King Louis XVI and
established governance on their own module; but Robespierres
administration was too harsh and relentless.
(4) Napoleon crowned himself the Emperor in 1804 and abolished
dynasties. He viewed himself as a moderniser of Europe and was
rightly seen as a liberator who introduced a uniform system of weights
and measures, introduced laws to protect private property, etc.
(5) However, his quest for power led to his ultimate downfall with his
defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

Optional answers for question no. 5 of textbook.

Q.5: Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights
was beset with contradictions. Explain.
Solution: There are two opinions on this point whether the message of universal
rights was beset with concentrations or not.
1.
Most of the authors feel that the message of universal rights was quite
clear and there should be no contradiction to such principles.
2.
The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was perhaps the first
attempt in the world to draw an outline of the universal rights on such a
wider scale. It was a laudable attempt.
3.
It laid emphasis on the three fundamental principles of Liberty, Equality
and Fraternity.
4.
Such principles have been adopted by all the democratic countries.
5.
Contradictions, if any, are only vague and need not be taken so
seriously. Some criticize only for the sake of criticism and so they
should be ignored. The French Revolutionaries must be congratulated
for heralding the great principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
OR (Write The other answer given at the end)
Answer 5 Though after the French Revolution the Republic of France
was established and equality became one of its guiding principles, the
message of Universal Rights was beset with contradictions.

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

The suffrage was not granted to the women and the

Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen didnt proved
fruitful at all.
The citizen having no property were deprived of this right as
well.
Only the people whop belonged to the highest bracket of tax
payer were granted the right to vote.
The France under Robespierre passed through a period (from
1793-1794) of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre pursued his
policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to
demand moderation.
With the fall of the Jacobin government the power in France
passed into the hands of the wealthier middle classes. A new
constitution was introduced which denied non-propertied
sections of society the right to vote. Finally the clash between
the Directory and the two legislative councils led to the rise of
a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.