CH-FRENCH REVOLUTION

1. Who said: The task of representing the people has been given to the rich?
(a) Mirabeau (b) Jean-Paul Marat
(c) Rousseau (d) Georges Denton

2. Who wrote an influential pamphlet What is the Third Estate?

(a) Mirabeau (b) Abbe Sieyes
(c) Jean-Paul Marat (d) Olympe de Gouges.

3. Which group of people did not join the Jacobin club?

(a) Artisans (b) Shopkeepers
(c) Daily-wage workers (d) Men with property

4. French women demanded the right:

(a) to vote (b) to be elected to the assembly
(c) to hold political office (d) all of the above

5. Upon becoming free, the slave wore:

(a) blue cap (b) white cap
(c) red cap (d) green cap

6. A guillotine was ____________________

(a) A device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person was beheaded
(b) A fine sword with which heads were cut off
(c) A special noose to hang people
(d) none of the above

7. The word livres stands for:

(a) unit of currency in France (b) tax levied by the Church
(c) Tax to be paid directly to the state (d) none of these

8. In the meeting of the Estates General, the members of the Third Estate demanded
that
(a) All the three Estates should have one vote altogether
(c) Each Estate should have one vote
(b) Each member of the three Estates should have one vote
(d) None of the above
9. Which of these books was written by John Locke?
(a) The Spirit of the Laws (b) Two Treatises on Government
(c) The Social Contract (d) All the above

10. Assertion (A): In many ways, the French Revolution was a very significant event
in the history of the world.
Reason (R): The French Revolution not only inspired French citizens to take
action, but it inspired many philosophers and leaders across the globe

OPTIONS: a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is correct but R is wrong.
d. A is wrong but R is correct.

11. Assertion (A): The price of bread which was the staple diet of the majority rose
rapidly.
Reason (R): Production of grains could not keep pace with the demand.

OPTIONS: a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is correct but R is wrong.
d. A is wrong but R is correct.

12. Assertion (A): A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free
Reason (R): Chains were used to fetch slaves.

OPTIONS: a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c. A is correct but R is wrong.
d. A is wrong but R is correct.

13. Explain the triangular slave trade carried on during the 18th and 19th centuries.
14. What were the main causes of the French Revolution of 1789?
15. Describe the conditions of women during the period of the French Revolution.
16. Who was Robespierre ? Why Is his reign referred to as the ‘Reign of Terror’?
17. How was the French society organized before the revolution of 1789?
18. Write some of the main features of the French Constitution of 1791
19. Write the importance of Napoleon Bonaparte in the History of France and the
world.
20. Explain the role of philosophers in the French Revolution of 1789.
1. Triangular Slave Trade (18th and 19th centuries):
o The triangular slave trade was a brutal system involving three continents: Europe,
Africa, and the Americas.
o European ships carried manufactured goods (such as textiles, guns, and alcohol) to
Africa, where they were exchanged for enslaved Africans.
o These enslaved Africans were then transported across the Atlantic (the infamous
Middle Passage) to the Americas (mainly the Caribbean and North America).
o In the Americas, they were forced to work on plantations, producing cash crops like
sugar, tobacco, and cotton.
o The profits from slave labor fueled Europe’s industrialization and economic growth.
2. Causes of the French Revolution (1789):
o Financial Crisis: France faced severe financial strain due to wars, extravagant court
expenses, and mounting debt.
o Social Inequality: The rigid social structure divided society into three estates, with
the Third Estate (commoners) bearing the tax burden.
o Enlightenment Ideas: Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau and Voltaire inspired
calls for equality, liberty, and an end to absolute monarchy.
o Food Shortages: Poor harvests led to food scarcity, exacerbating social tensions.
o Political Discontent: The monarchy’s autocratic rule and lack of representation
fueled discontent.
3. Conditions of Women during the French Revolution: Women played a significant
role in the revolution but faced limitations:
o Limited Rights: Women lacked political rights, couldn’t vote, and had restricted
access to education.
o Bread Riots: Women participated in bread riots due to food shortages.
o Women’s March to Versailles: In 1789, women marched to Versailles, demanding
bread and political change.
o Women’s Clubs: Women formed political clubs but were often excluded from
decision-making.
4. Robespierre and the Reign of Terror:
o Maximilien Robespierre: A radical leader during the revolution, he advocated for
equality and virtue.
o Reign of Terror (1793-1794):
 Robespierre led the Committee of Public Safety, which executed perceived enemies of
the revolution.
 Thousands were guillotined, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
 The period was marked by fear, suspicion, and political purges.
5. French Society before the Revolution (1789):
o Three Estates:
First Estate: Clergy (exempt from taxes).
 Second Estate: Nobility (also exempt from taxes).
Third Estate: Commoners (peasants, artisans, bourgeoisie) paid heavy taxes.
o Inequities: The privileged classes held power, while commoners faced economic
hardship.
6. Main Features of the French Constitution of 1791:
Constitutional Monarchy: Established a limited monarchy with a National
Assembly.
Rights and Freedoms: Guaranteed basic rights like freedom of speech and religion.
Equality before Law: Abolished feudal privileges.
Legislative Assembly: Created a new legislative body.
7. Importance of Napoleon Bonaparte:
Military Genius: Napoleon rose through the ranks, becoming a military leader.
Consolidation of Power: He crowned himself Emperor, centralizing authority.
Napoleonic Code: Introduced a legal system based on equality and merit.
European Influence: His campaigns reshaped Europe’s political map.
8. Role of Philosophers in the French Revolution:
o Ideological Influence: Enlightenment thinkers (Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu)
inspired revolutionary ideas.
o Challenging Monarchy: Their writings questioned divine right and absolute
monarchy.
o Popularization: Salons, coffeehouses, and publications spread their ideas among the
masses.