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French revolution-QNS& ANS

The document summarizes the key events and outcomes of the French Revolution in response to 6 questions: 1) Economic troubles, unequal privileges for the nobility, and the influence of Enlightenment thinkers led to revolutionary protests in France. 2) Peasants, artisans, and the emerging middle class benefited from the revolution, while the clergy, nobles, and church lost power. Those who lost privileges would have been disappointed. 3) The French Revolution spread ideas of liberty and democracy throughout Europe and its colonies in the 19th-20th centuries, influencing movements against colonialism and the rise of democratic governments worldwide.

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85 views3 pages

French revolution-QNS& ANS

The document summarizes the key events and outcomes of the French Revolution in response to 6 questions: 1) Economic troubles, unequal privileges for the nobility, and the influence of Enlightenment thinkers led to revolutionary protests in France. 2) Peasants, artisans, and the emerging middle class benefited from the revolution, while the clergy, nobles, and church lost power. Those who lost privileges would have been disappointed. 3) The French Revolution spread ideas of liberty and democracy throughout Europe and its colonies in the 19th-20th centuries, influencing movements against colonialism and the rise of democratic governments worldwide.

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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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THE MODEL SHOOL ABUDHABI


GRADE IX-CBSE
Chapter-1 French Revolution

QNS & ANS

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.

Question 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: Peasants and artisans of French society benefited from the revolution.
Clergy, nobles and church had to relinquish power. It is obvious that those who
had to forego power and privileges would have been disappointed. People from
the first and the second estate must have been a disappointed lot.

Question 3: Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the
world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Answer: The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy
of the French Revolution. These spread from France to the rest of Europe during
the nineteenth century, where feudal systems were abolished. Further these ideas
spread to different colonies of the European nations. Colonised people interpreted
and moulded these ideas according to respective needs. This was probably like
seed for an end of colonization in many countries. By the mid of 20th century
major part of the world adopted democracy as the preferred mode of rule and the
French Revolution can be termed as the initiation point for this development.

Question 4: Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins


could be traced to the French Revolution.

Answer: The following fundamental rights, given in the Indian constitution can be
traced to the French Revolution:

 The right to equality


 The right to freedom of speech and expression
 The right to freedom from exploitation
 The right to constitutional remedies

Question 5: Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights
was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Answer: The major contradiction in the message of universal rights as per the
French Constitution of 1791 was the total ignorance of women. All rights were
given to men. Apart from that the presence of huge number of people as passive
citizens, without voting rights, was like not putting into practice what you preach.
In other words it can be said that although the declaration of universal rights was
a good starting point but it left much to be desired.

Question 6: How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

Answer: After France became a republic in 1792, the then ruler, Robespeirre, gave
more privileges to the wealthier section of society. Further, he was a sort of
autocrat himself. This led to reign of terror for the following many years. After
Robespeirre’s rule came to an end a directory was formed to avoid concentration
of power in one individual. Members of the directory often fought among
themselves leading to total chaos and political instability. This created a political
vaccum in France. This was a conducive situation and Napoleon Bonaparte took
the reign of power as a military dictator.

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