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French Revolution 5 Mark Answers

The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille, symbolizing the people's revolt against the king's power. Society was divided into three estates, with the Third Estate bearing the tax burden, leading to resentment and revolutionary feelings. Key events included the Tennis Court Oath, the establishment of the National Assembly, and the Reign of Terror, ultimately resulting in the abolition of the monarchy and the spread of democratic ideas across Europe.

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2 views3 pages

French Revolution 5 Mark Answers

The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille, symbolizing the people's revolt against the king's power. Society was divided into three estates, with the Third Estate bearing the tax burden, leading to resentment and revolutionary feelings. Key events included the Tennis Court Oath, the establishment of the National Assembly, and the Reign of Terror, ultimately resulting in the abolition of the monarchy and the spread of democratic ideas across Europe.

Uploaded by

jagannathpittan99
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© © All Rights Reserved
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French Revolution – 5-Mark Answers

1. 1) Describe the events that took place on 14th July 1789 in France.

On the morning of *14th July 1789*, Paris was in a state of alarm. The king had
ordered troops to enter the city, causing panic among the people. Around *7,000
men and women* gathered at the Town Hall and decided to form a people's militia.
They broke into government buildings in search of arms. A group then stormed the
*Bastille*, a fortress-prison symbolizing the *despotic power of the king*. The
commander was killed, and prisoners were released. Though only seven were freed,
the event became a *symbol of revolution* and led to widespread riots in Paris and
the countryside.

2. 2) Describe the division of the society before the French revolution.

French society was divided into *three estates*. The *First Estate* comprised the
*clergy*, the *Second Estate* included the *nobility*, and the *Third Estate*
consisted of *peasants, artisans, workers, and the bourgeoisie*. The *First and
Second Estates were privileged*, enjoying *tax exemptions*, while the *Third Estate
bore the entire tax burden*, despite making up *about 98%* of the population. This
unequal system created *resentment and tension*, contributing to revolutionary
feelings.

3. 3) What was the Tennis Court Oath?

After being denied equal voting rights at the Estates General, the *Third Estate*
representatives assembled at an *indoor tennis court* on *20th June 1789*. There,
they took an oath not to disperse until they had *drafted a new constitution* for
France. This event is known as the *Tennis Court Oath*. It marked the beginning of
the *National Assembly* and the demand for a *constitutional monarchy*.

4. 4) List and explain the successful achievements of the National Assembly from
1789 to 1791.

*The National Assembly* achieved several key reforms:


- On *4 August 1789*, it *abolished feudal privileges*.
- It adopted the *Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen*, ensuring *liberty,
equality, and fraternity*.
- It *confiscated Church lands* to pay off national debt.
- In *1791*, it drafted the *first constitution of France*, establishing a
*constitutional monarchy* with power divided among the *legislature, executive,
and judiciary*.
5. 5) Who were Jacobins? How did they get their name? What was their role in the
emergence of France as a republic?

The *Jacobins* were a *radical political club* consisting mainly of *small


shopkeepers, artisans, and wage earners*. They were named after the *former
convent of St. Jacob* in Paris where they held their meetings. Under the leadership
of *Maximilian Robespierre*, they led the *insurrection of August 10, 1792*,
stormed the *Tuileries Palace*, and overthrew the monarchy. The Jacobins
established the *National Convention*, which declared France a *republic* and
abolished the monarchy.

6. 6) Explain the events or incidents which led to the Outbreak of the French
Revolution.

Several incidents led to the Revolution:


- *Economic crisis* due to debt and rising bread prices.
- *Social inequality* where only the Third Estate paid taxes.
- *Failure of Estates General* in May 1789, where the Third Estate was denied equal
voting rights.
- The *formation of the National Assembly* and the *Tennis Court Oath*.
- The *storming of the Bastille* on *14 July 1789*, which became the spark for
widespread revolts.

7. 7) How did storming of Bastille become the main cause of the French
Revolution?

The *storming of the Bastille* became the main cause as it *symbolized the people's
revolt* against the *king's absolute power*. It marked the *beginning of the
Revolution* and *inspired uprisings* across France. The fall of the Bastille showed
the *weakness of the monarchy* and gave *momentum to revolutionary ideas*. It
directly pressured the king to recognize the *National Assembly* and led to the
*abolition of feudal privileges*.

8. 8) Discuss the main causes of the French Revolution.

*Main causes* included:


- *Social inequality* in the Estate system.
- *Economic hardship* and rising bread prices.
- *Heavy taxation* on the Third Estate.
- *Weak leadership* of Louis XVI.
- *Influence of Enlightenment philosophers* promoting liberty and equality.
- *Immediate trigger* was the storming of the Bastille.
9. 9) How did philosophers influence the thinking of the people?

Philosophers like *John Locke*, *Rousseau*, and *Montesquieu* influenced people


by advocating ideas of *natural rights*, *equality*, and *democratic government*.
- *Locke* opposed divine right and supported *life, liberty, property*.
- *Rousseau* proposed a *social contract* between rulers and people.
- *Montesquieu* suggested *separation of powers*. Their ideas were discussed in
*salons and coffee houses*, spreading among educated classes and influencing the
*middle class and revolutionaries*.

10. 10) Explain the Reign of Terror in detail.

The *Reign of Terror* lasted from *1793 to 1794* under *Robespierre's rule*.
Anyone seen as an 'enemy' of the republic was *arrested, tried, and guillotined*.
Laws fixed prices and wages. Churches were closed. Robespierre's harsh policies
created fear. Eventually, even his supporters turned against him. He was arrested
and executed in *July 1794*.

11. 11) What was the impact of French Revolution on France?

The French Revolution had long-lasting effects:


- *Monarchy was abolished*, and *France became a republic*.
- *Feudal privileges were ended*.
- *Declaration of Rights of Man* introduced ideas of *liberty, equality, and
fraternity*.
- Spread of *democratic ideas* across Europe.
- Inspired *future revolutions and reforms* in other parts of the world.

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