The French Revolution

QUES-1) How was the French society organized during the Old regime? ANS-1) The French society, society, before 1789, was was divided into into three estates; hence, hence, it was called a Society of estates. The three estates were constituted as follows: (a) The First Estate consisted of the clergy. The clergy was exempted from paying taxes to the king. (b) The Second Estate consisted of nobility. The nobility was also exempted from paying taxes. The nobles also enjoyed feudal privileges. The third estate consisted of big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisans, landless Labour and servants. (c) The Third Estate compromised both rich and poor persons. QUES-2) describe the conditions of the peasants in Old Regime? ANS-2) Peasants made up about 90%of the nations population. They were the most oppressed lot. In the Only a small number own some land; 60% of the land was owned by the nobility, clergy and the richer Members of the third estate. Peasants had to pay different type of taxes like:a. A direct tax called TAILLE . b. A number of indirect taxes which were levied on a rticles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco. c. Church extracted its share of taxes called TITHES. Peasants were obliged to render services to feudal lords, such as 1. Work in their houses and fields. 2. Serve in the army, and participate in building roads. . QUES-3) what do you mean by subsistence crisis? Why did it occur frequently during Old  regime in France?  ANSW-3) a subsistence crisis refers to an extreme situation where the basic means livelihoods are endangered. Subsistence crisis crisis was caused by a bad harvest which in turn could be the rest of natural hazard. QUES-4) what are are the causes causes of the the French revolution? ANSW-4) the causes are:-

(a)

INCREASE IN POPULATION:-There was increase in population from 23 million

28 million in 1

in 1715 to

in 1789. Production of grains could not keep pace with the

increase demand. This led to rise in prices. There was no increase in the wages of most of the workers the drought or hail reduced the harvest which led to subsistence crisis ? (b)

RISE OF MIDDLE CLASS:

th

- the 18 century saw the rise of educated middle class-lawyers

administrative Officials-which was against privileges by birth. They wanted a society based on freedom INCREASE IN POPULATION:-There was increase in population from 23 million in 1715 t o 28 million 1789. Production of grains could not keep pace w ith the increase demand. This led to rise in prices. There was no increase in the wages of most of the workers the drought or hail reduced the harvest which led to subsistence crisis ? (c)

RISE OF MIDDLE CLASS:

th

- the 18 century saw the rise of educated middle class-lawyers

administrative Officials-which was against privileges by birth. They wanted a society based on freedom and equal laws. (d)

ROLE OF P HILOSP HERS: - The ideas of freedom and

equal laws were put forward by

philosophers like John Locke, jean Jacques Montesquieu. They refuted the doctrine of  the divine and absolute right of the Monarch. (e) IMMEDIATE CAUSES: - Under the above circumstances Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes to meet the expenses of the state. s tate. This generated anger and protest against the monarch. The calling of the Estate general in 1789 proved to be immediate cause of the French revolution.

QUES-5)

define the role of philosophers in the French revolutions.

ANSW-5) the roles of philosophers are:(a) The French philosophers like Voltaire, Ro usseau, Montesquieu and Diderot proved revolutionary ideals ideals and inspired people to fight for their their rights .they exposed exposed to in efficiency of the monarch and his govt. and aroused the people to challenge monarchy. (b) Voltaire attacked the Catholic Church. He believed that the destiny is in ones hand not in heaven his ideas Encouraged Encouraged people people to fight fight against the church without any any guilt. (c)

Rousseau believed that the govt. should be based on consent of the govt.

social contract he Talks of a contract between the ruler and the ruled.

In his book

Whereby

ruler is

responsible for happiness of his Subjects Implied in his writings were the believed men. Had a right to change their govt. if they were not satisfied. (d) Montesquieu that all powers should not be concentrated in one persons hand. He stressed the principle of separation of powers and individual liberty.

(e) (e)Thus emergence of philosophers roused people from inactivity and instilled in them a ****** to root out Social inequalities and set up a govt. responsive to their needs.

QUES-6) explain how the new political political system started started after after the constitution was defeated in 1791? ANSW-6)

the changes occurred in the constitution:constitution:-

(a) the constitution separated and assigned powers to different institution:

The legislative.



The executive.



The judiciary.

(b) The constitution of1791 vested the power to make laws in the national assembly, which was indirectly elected. (c) Citizens voted for a group of electors, who i n turn choose the assembly. (d) Not all citizens, however, had the right to v ote. Only men above 25 years of o f age, who paid equal taxes to at least three days of la borers wage, were given the status of active citizens ,i.e. they were entitled to vote. (e) The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens .To qualify as an elector and then as the member of the assembly, a man had to belong to the highest bracket of tax payers. Ques-7) Answ-7)

Why

is the declaration of right of man and citizen revolutionary document?

Declaration of rights of man and citizen:a. This document abolished the privileges and powers given to the French feudal classes. b. It provided equitable distribution of the burdens of taxations and of rights to public property. c. The declaration provided for equality before law and freedom of speech and press. d. The document was of great revolutionary importance for every govt. in Europe at that time based on Privileges. If I f the ideas contained in the declaration were applied to Europe, the old order of Europe would be destroyed.

Ques-8)

what were the results of revolutionary wars against Prussia and Austria?

Answ-8)

the results are as follows:-

a.

While

the men are away fighting at the front, women were left to cope with the

tasks of earning a living and looking looking after their their families. . b. Political clubs were set up to discuss govt. policies and plan their own forms of  actions e.g. Jacobins club. c. Formation of women club.

Ques-9)

Write

Answ-9)

a short note on Jacobins club.

(a) They belonged to the less less prosperous sections of society.

(b) Members were small shopkeepers, artisans, servants and daily wage workers. (c) There leader was Maximilian Robespierre. (d) They wore long striped trousers similar to those dock workers as a way to proclaim the end of the power Wielded by the wearers of knee breeches i.e. nobles.

Ques-10)

How were Jacobins known?

Answ-10)

As the sans culottes, literally meaning those without knee breeches they wore

red caps symbolized

Liberty.

Ques-11)

What

do you mean by reign of terror? te rror?

Answ-11)

Jacobins, under the leadership of Robespierre, assumed the control of assembly

in the election that Were held in 1792. He unleashed a reign of terror that lasted for 1793 to 1794. Some of his action Are as follows:(a) Robespierre followed a policy of self control and punishment. (b) All those whom he saw as being enemies of the republic-ex nobles and clergy members of other political parties , even members of his parties who didnt agree with his methods were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If the court found him guilty, they were guillotined. QUES-12)

Mention some measures adopted by Robespierre govt.

ANSW-12)

The measures adopted by him:-

(a) Robespierre passed laws placing a ceiling on wages or prices. (b) Meat and were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grains to the cities and sell it at fixed Prices. (c) Equality was to be p racticed through forms of speech and address. French men and women hitherto known as citoyen citoyenne (citize n) instead of traditional monsieur (sir), Madame (madam). (d) All citizens had to eat the pain degalite (equality bread) which was a bread made up of  whole wheat and use of white flour was forbidden. Ques-13)

What

Answ-13)

was the directory?

(a) With the fall of the Robespierre in 1794, political power passed into the

hands of the wealthier middle Class. (b) A new constitution was introduced. (c) It denied the right to vote to non-propertied sections of the society. (d) It provided for two elected legislative councils. (e) Legislative council appointed an executive made of five members. The executive came to be known as directory. This was meant as a safeguard against the concentration of Power in the one-man executive as under the Jacobins.

Ques-14)

what role did women play during the revolutionary year?

Answ-14)

women played a main role during the revolutionary year.

a. In order to discuss and voice their interests, women started their own political cl ubs and newspapers. About sixty women clubs emerged in different French cities. b. The most famous was the society of revolutionary and republican women. c. They wanted to enjoy the same political rights as men, i.e. right to vote, to be elected to the and to hold political office. d.

Womens

struggle for equal political right during the revolutionary years inspired French th

women during the late 19th and early 20 century. Finally in 1946french women won the right to vote. Ques-15)

what laws were passed passed by by the revolutionary govt. for the benefits of the women?

Answ-15)

(a) State schools were opened opened and attendance was made made compulsory compulsory for all all the

girls. (b) They couldnt be married against their will by their father. Marriage was now a contract which could could we registered under civil law. (c) Divorce was now legal and both men and women could apply for it. (d) Women could now be trained for jobs and can eve n become entrepreneurs. (e) In 1946 women in France F rance got the right to vote. Ques-16)

Compare the manifesto drafted by olympe de gouges with the declaration of 

rights of men and citizens. Answ-16)

(a) the manifesto and the declaration were the two absolutely different

documents. They were a Study In contrast. (b) The manifesto sought sought to give social, economic economic and political equality to all citizens female or male. (c) The declaration on the other hand, denied different privileges to women. They were sidelined as Passive citizens. Ques-17)

What

Answ-17)

(a) In 1789 censorship on press was abolished.

.

is the Impact of abolition of censorship?

(b) France France was was flooded flooded with newspapers, books etc. etc. describing describing the event and

changes taking place all

over the France.

(c) Freedom of press helped people in forming public ******. Q-18) How How could Rousseaus teaching lay the foundation of democracy?  Ans.

(a) jeans Jacquas Rousseaus teaching helped to lay lay the foundation of democracy

because he upheld the doctrine of popular sovereign. (b) He believed that the govt. should be based on the consent of the governed. (c) He stated that people are the real sovereign and kings rule only with their consent.

(d) His famous work social contract talks of a contract between the ruler and the ruled where by the former would guarantee the freedom and happiness to his subjects. (e) He believed that men had a right to change their government if they were not satisfied which is another cardinal principle of democracy. (f) Rousseaus revolutionary revolutionary ideas paved the way for the French Revolution and encouraged people people to fight f ight their rights. QUES-19) Impact of French revolution on France. ANSW-19)

(a) the French revolution

(a) The French revolution marked the end of absolute monarchy and paved the way for a republican government. (b) It upheld the theory of popular sovereignty and laid the f oundation of most important democratic principle, i.e., government should be based on the consent of governed. (c) The slogan of equality, liberty and fraternity be came the watchwords of freedom loving people all over the world. (d) Feudalism and serfdom were abolished and the power of the clergy checked. (e)The Jacobins gave the people the right to vote and the right of insurrection. (f) New reforms were introduced in education, administration and the judiciary. QUES-20)

Describe

the legacy of the French revolution for the people of the world during the

nineteenth and twentieth centuries. centuries.  Ans-20)

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 system were abolished. People in the colonies reworked the idea of  freedom from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign state. Q.21

what was the condition of the women of third estate in the eighteen century in France.

Ans.

(i) Most women of the third estate had to work for living. (ii) They worked as seamstresses or laundresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables at

the market or were employed as domestic servants. (iii) They did not have access to education or job training.

(iv) They were paid paid lower wages. Q.22.

which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were

 forced to relinquish power/ which section of society would have been disappointed with outcome of the revolution?   

A.

groups (i) benef ited f rom the revolution: Peasants artisan, small peasants landless

labour, servants lawyers, doctors and workers. (ii)Groups which were forced to relinquish power: People of first estates(clergy) and second estates(nobility). (iii) Clergy and nobility would have been disappointed disappointed with the outcome of the revolution.

Q.23. Describe the rise and fall fall of the napoleon. A.23. Rise of napoleon :(a) Napoleon passed laws for protection of private properties and for establishment of a uniform system of weights and measures. (b) He also codified French law which is a lso known as napoleon code. (c) The fall of Jacobin Jacobin club led to the establishment of the directory directory which consisted consisted of  an executive made of five members. (d) But the directors often clashed clashed with the legislative councils who then sought to dismiss them .the political instability of the directory led to the rise of napoleon.

Fall of the napoleon:(a) The fall of the napoleon can be traced to his ill-fated ill -fated Russian campaign. In 1812, napoleon invaded

Russia in winter with a large army though his entry in the Moscow was

triumphant; it soon turned into one of the most terrible mil itary disasters in history. His army was reduced to half a million due to scarcity of food, clothes, the excusive cold and disease. (b) The European nations now rose against him and in 1813 he suffered a decisive defeat in a battle near Leipzig. The allied power restored the bourbon dynasty by enthroning Louis

XVIII. Napoleon attempted to make a comeback but was defeated in the famous battle of  waterloo. He was imprisoned in the island of st. Helena where he died six years later.

QUES-24) Draw a list of democratic democratic rights which we enjoy enjoy today whose origin could could be traced to the French revolution. ANSW-24) A list of such rights is:(a) Right to freedom (freedom of speech and expression , of assembly of association, of movement) (b) Right to equality (equality before la ws and no special privileges, equal privileges for all). (c) Right to vote. vote. (d) Right to life. (e) No one may be a rrested / detained except in cases determined by laws (f) Right to property, a scared and inviolable rights. These are the main rights r ights which have their own origin to the French revolution.

Ques-25

What are the conditions on the eve of the French Revolution. In other words

we can say that following were the chief causes of the French Revolution:

(a) Social Causes - On the eve of the revolution, the French society was ridden with several inequalities. The clergy and the nobles led a life of luxury and enjoyed numerous numerous privileges. On the other hand, the peasants and workers lived a wretched life. They groaned under heavy taxes and forced labour. The middle-class comprising of  lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc also suffered humiliation at the hands of the clergy and the nobles. This state of social inequality was the chief cause of the French Revolution. (b) Political Causes - Emperor Louis XVI of France was an empty headed despot. He and his queen, Marie Antoinette, squandered money on their luxurious living and wasteful festivities. The high posts were often auctioned, so inefficiency reigned supreme. The whole administration was corrupt and each department had its own laws.

In the absence of any uniform system there was confusion all around. The people were tired of such a rotten system of administration and wanted a change. (c) Economic Causes - France had been continually involved in wars which had broken her economy. The luxurious life led by the French King Louis XVI and his queen had made the matter still worse. The people groaned under heavy taxes. The system was so faulty that only a fraction of the taxes could be realized as the people were too poor to pay the taxes while nobles and the clergy who could pay, were completely exempted from all the taxes. The economy became so bad that the French Government had almost reached a state of bankruptcy. Thus the shattered economy of France proved a major cause of the Revolution. (d) Immediate Cause - Forced by financial bankruptcy, Emperor Louis XVI was compelled to call a meeting of the Estates General in 1789 A.D. after a lapse of 175 years. It generated much excitement as the members of the Third Estate were determined to put forth their problems. But when the first two Estates i.e. the Clergy and the Nobility refused to have a common meeting with the Third Estate, the people lost their temper. They had already suffered much in the severe famine in 1788 - 1789. In this way the calling of the Estates General in 1789 A.D. proved to be the immediate cause of the French Revolution.

Q.26 : Which groups of French society society benefitted from the revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?  Ans: Gr oups oups of F r ench ench society which benefitted f r om om the r evolution evolution - All the groups of French society which formerly formed a part of the Third Estate were benefitted from the revolution. These groups included the peasants, workers, petty-officers, lawyers, teachers, doctors and traders. Formerly they had to pay all the taxes and they were humiliated both by the Clergy and the Nobles at every point but after the revolution they began to be treated equal with the upper sections of the society. oups Gr oups

of F r ench ench society which we r e for ced ced to r elinquish elinquish powe r  - People belonging to the upper classes - the First Estate and the Second Estate, which enjoyed all the privileges has to relinquish power. Such people were the Clergy and the Nobles. The special privileges of these higher sections were abolished as a result of the French Revolution. Now the French society was organized on the basis of social equality.

Sections of society which would have been disappointed with the outcome of the evolution - Naturally the erstwhile privileged classes i.e. the Clergy and the Nobles r evolution would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution because everybody is disappointed when privileges are taken away from them.

Q.27 : Describe the the legacy of the French Revolution for the people of the world during th the 19 and the 20 th centuries.  Ans: The French Revolution was one of the most significant events in the World History. It gave to the world the three main ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Its main achievements and effects on the modern world were as follows: >> The French Revolution put an end to the arbitrary rule and developed the idea of  People¶s Republic in Europe and subsequently in other parts of the world. >> It inspired the people throughout the world with the ideals of freedom and liberty which subsequently formed the basis of the national sovereignty. >> The French Revolution preached the concept of equal rights for all the citizens, which subsequently became the concept of equality before law for all people. >> It spread the idea of human fraternity which is one of the chief attributes for  promoting the ideals of love, unity and co-operation among the different sections of the society. >> The French Revolution gave the term µNation¶ its modern meaning and promoted the concept of µnationalist¶ which inspired the people in Poland, Germany, Netherlands and Italy to establish Nation-States in their countries. >> The French Revolution had a great salutary effect on the ruling monarchs who took several measures to ensure people¶s welfare introducing many reforms. Q.4: Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origin could be treated to the French Revolution.  Ans: We in India enjoy the following Fundamental Rights. >> Right to Equality. >> Right to Freedom. >> Cultural and

Educational

Right

>> Right to Religious Freedom >> Right against

Exploitation

>> Right to Constitutional Remedies.

If we closely study the impact of the French Revolution, we can easily find that many of  them have their origin in the French Revolution. I. Right to Equality - The Right to Equality has its origin in the French Revolution. Equality was one of the main principles of the French Revolution, which led to special rights and privileges of the common classes and established political, economic and social equality. II. Right to Libe r ty ty or  Fr eedom eedom - The origin of this right can also be traced to the French Revolution. The Declaration of Rights of Man laid emphasis on the personal liberty and right of the common peoples. III. Inspir ing ing the Spi r it it of Democ r acy acy - The French Revolution inspired the spirit of  democracy which ensured all other rights which we enjoy today. It stressed on the principle that the government should not be only for the people but also by the  people. IV. Encour aging aging the Spi r it it of Fr ate ater nity nity - By breaking all shackles of high and low the French Revolution helped in the growth of the spirit of Fraternity and Social Welfare. Directly or indirectly the origin of all Fundamental Rights can be traced to the French Revolution.

Q.28 : Would Woul d you you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was was beset with contradictions. Explain.  Ans: There are two opinions on this point whether the message of universal rights was beset with concentrations or not. Most of the authors feel that the message of universal rights, as explained in the last question was quite clear and there should be no contradiction to such principles. 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. It laid emphasis on the three fundamental principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Such principles have been adopted by all the democratic countries. 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. Q29

: Identity Identity Louis XVI, telling telling the part played played by him in the French Revolution. Revolution.

 Ans: Louis XVI was a despotic ruler of France. He was a man of moderate intelligence and was obstinate. He was deposed during the French Revolution in 1789, and subsequently, executed in 1793 A.D.

Q.30

Identify Napoleon, telling the part played by him in the French Revolution.

 Ans: Napoleon was a great French general, who won many battles for the revolutionary France and raised his nation¶s prestige. There was a time when he had become a terror  for all the European monarchs. But, in the end, his limited resources collapsed in the face of Fourth Coalition of the European nations. He was defeated in the Battle of  Waterloo in 1815 A.D. was sent as a prisoner to spend his last days at the small island of St. Helena where he died unsung in the year 1821 A.D.