THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (CLASS 9 HISTORY) CHAPTER-1 WORKBOOK SOLUTION

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (CLASS 9 HISTORY) CHAPTER-1 WORKBOOK SOLUTION

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HISTORY

Chapter – 1 Section I : Events and Processes

FRENCH REVOLUTION

A. Choose the correct answer : (Mark- 1)

(1) The French Revolution was occured in –

(a) 14th July of 1798 (b) 14th July of 1789

Answer : 14th July of 1789

(2) Number of prisoners in the Bastille Fort were –

(a) 7 (b) 17

Answer : 7 prisoners.

(3) Bastille Fort was the symbol of –

(a) Democracy (b) Autocracy

Answer : Autocracy

(4) Louis XVI was the king of –

(a) Mourya dynasty (b) Chandra dynasty

Answer : Bourbon dynasty

(5) The French society was divided in the 18th century into:
(b) three classes (The First Estate - clergy, Second Estate - nobility, and Third Estate - commoners).

(6) The writer of the book "Two Treatises of Government" is:
(d) John Locke.

(7) The writer of the book "The Spirit of the Laws" is:
(a) Montesquieu.

(8) Religious Tax in France was called:
(b) Tithe.

(9) The land tax in France was called:
(b) Taille.

(10) The remarkable Salt Tax in France is:
(b) Gebelle.

(11) Percentage of farmers in France was:
(d) 90%.

(12) The Bastille Fort was destroyed in:
(a) 1789 (July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution).

(13) The Feudal System was abolished in France in:
(a) 1789 (following the French Revolution and the August 4 Decrees).

B. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS : MARK- 1

(1) What is Tithe?

Ans. : A type of tax paid by the farmers to the Church.

(2) What is Taille ?

Ans. : Direct tax paid to the state.

(3) What is Livre ?

Ans. : A unit of currency in France which was discontinued in 1794.

(4) Who were the clergy ?

Ans. : Clergy belonged to the first estate of the French Society with special functions in the

church.

(5) The French people were divided into how many estates and what were those?

Ans.: Three types – (i) Clergy, (ii) Nobility, (iii) Third Estate

(6) When did Louis XVI ascend the throne?

Ans.: In 1774.

(7) Why did the agitated people enter into the Bastille Fort?

Ans.: To get the secret arms.

(8) What was Bastille Fort a symbol of ?

Ans. : Autocratic Rule.

(9) What was the Electoral system of France before revolution ?

Ans. : There was the right of casting vote. Each estate had one vote.

(10) What was the opinion of the Third Estate about the election process?

Ans. : The third Estate people had demanded that each member would have one vote

Here are the answers to the questions:

Short Answer Questions

21. Who composed the book - ‘The Social Contract’?
Ans: Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

22. Name the Salt tax paid by the Farmers’ Society in 1789.
Ans: Gabelle.

23. “I am the state” – Who said this?
Ans: Louis XIV of France.

24. What was the land tax of France called?
Ans: Taille.

25. What did the Third Estate demand?
Ans: Equality, the abolition of privileges for the First and Second Estates, and a new Constitution ensuring equal representation.

26. Who presided over the “Oath of the Tennis Court”?
Ans: Jean-Sylvain Bailly.

27. When did Napoleon become the Emperor of France?
Ans: 1804.

28. Who is Marat?
Ans: Jean-Paul Marat, a revolutionary leader, writer, and journalist who supported radical measures during the French Revolution.

29. Who was the leader of the Reign of Terror in France?
Ans: Maximilien Robespierre.

30. Who played the main role in the fall of the Bastille Fort?
Ans: The angry Parisian mob (common citizens of Paris).

31. When did Louis XVI dismiss his Finance Minister – Jacques Necker?
Ans: July 11, 1789.

32. When was the feudal system abolished in France?
Ans: August 4, 1789.

33. When was the new Constitution adopted in France?
Ans: 1791.

34. What was the name of the paper currency of France?
Ans: Assignats.

35. Who invented the tool – Guillotine?
Ans: Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin.

36. What is a Revolution?
Ans: A revolution is a fundamental and rapid change in political, social, or economic structures, often involving the overthrow of an established government or system.

37. What is ‘Lettre De Cachet’?
Ans: Lettre de Cachet refers to a sealed letter issued by the king of France, allowing imprisonment or punishment without trial.

C. SHORT QUESTIONS : MARK - 3

(1) Write about the Third Estate of France.

Ans.: The Third Estate was made of everyone from peasants, farmers to the bourgeoisie – the wealthy business class. The first and second classes did not pay any tax. They enjoyed each and every advantage of the government. The third Estate was deprived of all things. The farmers also had to pay taxes. The farmers had to work in the houses of the landlords. They were deployed to the making of roads for soldiers. The Third Estate also paid Salt Tax.

(2) What rights of people were announced by the Court of French Constitution?

Ans.: The Constitution began with a declaration of the rights of man and citizens. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law etc. were established. These rights were considered as natural rights which belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away. It was the duty of the government to protect these natural rights of the citizens.

3. How was Louis XVI responsible for the French Revolution?
Louis XVI's actions contributed to the French Revolution in several ways:

Weak Leadership: He was indecisive and failed to address France's growing economic and social problems.
Economic Crisis: His extravagant spending, costly wars (e.g., American War of Independence), and poor financial management left France in massive debt.
Unfair Tax System: The burden of taxation was placed on the Third Estate, causing widespread resentment.
Dismissal of Reforms: His reluctance to implement reforms and his dismissal of Finance Minister Jacques Necker further alienated the common people.
Political Missteps: Summoning the Estates General in 1789 without addressing the Third Estate's demands led to the outbreak of the Revolution.

4. Discuss briefly the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the nobility.
The First Estate (clergy) and Second Estate (nobility) enjoyed numerous privileges, such as:

Tax Exemptions: Both were exempt from paying taxes, placing the financial burden on the Third Estate.
Ownership of Land: They owned a significant portion of French land, despite forming a small percentage of the population.
Feudal Privileges: Nobles collected feudal dues from peasants and lived luxurious lives funded by these dues.
Legal Privileges: They had special courts and were often tried under lenient laws.
Social Prestige: Both estates held significant influence in society and the monarchy.

5. What do you know about the ‘Reign of Terror’?
The Reign of Terror (1793–1794) was a radical phase of the French Revolution, led by Robespierre and the Jacobins. Key features include:

Mass Executions: Thousands of "enemies of the revolution," including nobles, clergy, and moderates, were executed by guillotine.
Centralized Authority: The Committee of Public Safety held dictatorial powers.
Suspension of Rights: Individual freedoms were curtailed, and strict censorship was enforced.
Social and Political Reforms: Efforts were made to abolish feudalism, establish equality, and promote revolutionary ideals.
The period ended with the execution of Robespierre, marking a shift to more moderate rule.

6. Briefly explain the rise of Napoleon.
Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power through:

Military Success: His victories in Italy and Egypt gained him fame and respect as a brilliant general.
Political Instability: The weakness of the post-Revolutionary French government (Directory) created a power vacuum.
Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799): Napoleon overthrew the Directory and established the Consulate, becoming First Consul.
Reforms: His ability to stabilize France, introduce the Napoleonic Code, and promote merit-based governance earned him public support.
Emperor (1804): He declared himself Emperor of France, consolidating his authority.

7. What was the event of ‘Tennis Court Oath’?
The Tennis Court Oath (June 20, 1789) was a pivotal event in the French Revolution where:

Members of the Third Estate, excluded from the meeting of the Estates General, gathered in a tennis court.
They pledged not to disband until they had drafted a new Constitution for France.
This event marked the beginning of the National Assembly and symbolized the unity of the Third Estate in demanding political reform.

8. Write in brief about the Estate General.
The Estates General was an assembly representing the three estates of French society:

Composition: First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners).
Purpose: Summoned by Louis XVI in 1789 to address the financial crisis and propose solutions.
Voting System: Each estate had one vote, favoring the clergy and nobility over the Third Estate, despite the latter representing the majority of the population.
Outcome: The unfair voting system led the Third Estate to form the National Assembly, initiating the Revolution.

9. Who were the Sans-culottes in France?
The Sans-culottes were working-class revolutionaries in France who:

Opposed the monarchy and aristocracy.
Played a crucial role in radicalizing the Revolution.
Their name means "without breeches," signifying their rejection of aristocratic fashion.
They supported economic reforms, equality, and direct democracy.

10. What was the role of Montesquieu in the French Revolution?
Montesquieu influenced the Revolution through his ideas in "The Spirit of the Laws":

Advocated for the separation of powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
His work inspired revolutionary leaders to reject absolute monarchy and demand a constitutional government.
Montesquieu’s principles became the foundation of modern democratic systems adopted during and after the Revolution.

11. What were the steps taken by the revolutionary government to improve the lives of women in France?

Legal Reforms: Women could now file for divorce and inherit property.
Educational Reforms: Efforts were made to provide education for girls.
Political Participation: Women actively participated in political clubs, such as the Society of Revolutionary Republican Women.
Economic Reforms: Workshops were established to provide employment for women.
However, women’s rights remained limited, and many demands, such as equal suffrage, were not met during this period.

D. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS : MARK - 5

(1) Give any five accomplishments of the National Assembly of France from 1789 to 1791.

Ans.: Important accomplishments of National Assembly of France were :-

i) Adoption of the Declaration of Rights of Man and citizen.

ii) The declaration upheld the equality of all before law; eligibilty of all for public offices;

freedom of speech and expression.

iii) It denied special privileges to the nobles and clergy and stressed that the burden of taxation must be borne by all without distinction.

iv) Church was nationalised and people were guaranteed religious freedom.

v) The new constitution provided for constitutional monarchy and separation of power

between the legislature, executive and judiciary. This was the first genuine democratic constitution of France.

2. What was the role of philosophers in the French Revolution?
Philosophers played a significant role in shaping the ideologies that led to the French Revolution:

Jean-Jacques Rousseau: In The Social Contract, he advocated the idea of popular sovereignty, where government power is derived from the people.
Voltaire: He criticized the privileges of the clergy and nobility and advocated for freedom of speech and religion.
Montesquieu: His The Spirit of the Laws promoted the idea of separation of powers, which inspired calls for a constitutional government.
Denis Diderot: Through his work on the Encyclopédie, he spread Enlightenment ideas that questioned traditional authority.
General Influence: These thinkers questioned the absolute monarchy, feudal privileges, and societal inequality, fueling revolutionary sentiments among the masses.

3. What were the main causes of the French Revolution?
The French Revolution (1789) was driven by a combination of political, social, and economic causes:

Political Causes:

Absolute monarchy under Louis XVI.
Unfair voting system in the Estates General that marginalized the Third Estate.

Economic Causes:

Financial crisis due to costly wars and extravagant spending by the monarchy.
Heavy taxation on the Third Estate, while the clergy and nobility were tax-exempt.

Social Causes:

Division of society into three estates, with the Third Estate suffering under feudal privileges.
Rising discontent among peasants, workers, and the bourgeoisie (middle class).

Intellectual Causes:

Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Writings of philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.

Immediate Causes:

Famine and rising bread prices led to widespread unrest.
The calling of the Estates General in 1789, which failed to address the Third Estate's grievances.

4. What is Guillotine? Who invented it? When and why was it used?

Guillotine: A device designed to carry out executions by beheading.
Inventor: Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin proposed its use, although it was designed by Antoine Louis and built by Tobias Schmidt.
When Used: It was widely used during the Reign of Terror (1793-1794).
Why Used:

It was introduced to ensure quick and "humane" executions.
Used to execute "enemies of the Revolution," including nobles, clergy, and even revolutionaries like Robespierre.

5. How did the fall of Bastille prison become the immediate cause of the French Revolution?

Symbol of Tyranny: The Bastille prison represented the absolute power and oppressive rule of the monarchy.
Event (July 14, 1789): A mob of Parisians stormed the Bastille to seize weapons and ammunition.
Impact:

Marked the beginning of popular uprisings against the monarchy.
Motivated peasants and revolutionaries to rise up across France.
Forced Louis XVI to recognize the National Assembly and acknowledge the people's demands.

The event is celebrated as a symbol of liberty and the fall of despotism.

6. Describe the impact of the French Revolution on the nineteenth-century world.
The French Revolution had a profound global impact:

Political Ideals:

Inspired democratic movements worldwide by promoting liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Influenced revolutions in Europe (e.g., 1830 and 1848 Revolutions) and Latin America.

End of Monarchies:

Challenged the idea of divine right and absolute monarchies.
Spread constitutional and republican ideals.

Rise of Nationalism:

Encouraged people to fight for national unity and independence.
Influenced nationalist movements in Germany, Italy, and Greece.

Social Reforms:

Abolition of feudal privileges and the promotion of individual rights.
Encouraged the spread of secularism and the separation of church and state.

Napoleonic Influence:

Napoleon spread revolutionary ideas across Europe through his conquests, leaving a lasting impact on governance and law.

7. What is meant by the ‘Triangular Slave Trade’? How was it abolished in French colonies?

Triangular Slave Trade:

A trade system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
European goods were traded for African slaves, who were then transported to the Americas (Middle Passage) and sold. Profits were used to purchase goods like sugar and cotton for Europe.

Abolition in French Colonies:

1794: The revolutionary government abolished slavery under the influence of Enlightenment ideas and pressure from slave revolts, particularly in Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti).
Napoleon's Reversal: Slavery was reinstated in 1802 but abolished permanently in 1848.

8. Why did King Louis XVI call the meeting of the Estates General?

Financial Crisis: France faced severe financial problems due to excessive debt from wars (e.g., American War of Independence) and lavish royal expenditures.
Failure of Reforms: Attempts by finance ministers to tax the privileged classes failed due to resistance from the clergy and nobility.
Purpose of Meeting:

To seek approval for new taxes to address the financial crisis.
Hoped to resolve growing unrest among the people.

Outcome:

The unfair voting system angered the Third Estate, leading them to form the National Assembly and demand a new Constitution, igniting the French Revolution.

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