French Revolution: NBSE Class 9 Social Science answers, notes

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Get notes, questions, solutions, textual answers, pdf, and extras for Chapter 1: French Revolution, which is a part of the social science class 9 syllabus for students studying under the Nagaland Board of School Education. However, these notes should be used only for references and additions/modifications should be made as per the requirements.

Introduction

The French Revolution was one of the most important events in world history. It shook the foundation of mediaeval Europe and many important events that happened after the revolution in Europe in the 19th century were directly influenced by the revolution. The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted till 1799.

There were many reasons for the revolution. One of the most important reasons was that people were unhappy with the king and how society was divided into different groups. The groups that are at the top used to bully the groups that were at the bottom. The rich would not pay taxes, but the poor were forced to pay taxes. This angered them and eventually led to a revolution. Furthermore, there were intellectuals like Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Jean Jacques Rousseau who incited the people to revolt against the king.

In this chapter, you will learn in brief how the revolution unfolded, what the causes were, and the consequences of the revolution.

Textual questions and answers

Choose the correct answer

1. Choose the correct answer

1. Who was the king of France on eve of the Revolution?

(a) Louis XIV (b) Louis XV (c) Louis XVI (d) None of these

Answer: (c) Louis XVI

2. The law that gave a final blow to the authority of the clergy was called :

(a) Civil Constitution of the Clergy Man (b) Declaration of the Rights of Man (c) The New Constitution of 1791 (d) Tennis Court Oath

Answer: (a) Civil Constitution of the Clergy Man

3. Which emperor of France was publicly guillotined in January 1793?

(a) Louis XIV (b) Louis XV (c) Louis XVI (d) Louis XVII

Answer: (c) Louis XVI

4. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below:

Assertion (A): Storming of the Bastille fortress-prison marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

Reason (R): The Bastille was a symbol of democracy and liberty.

(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

Answer: (c) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong

5. Identify the painting from the options given below.

(a) Storming of the Bastille (b) Tennis Court Oath (c) French Revolution (d) Convention of 1793

Answer: (b) Tennis Court Oath

6. Arrange the following statements in sequential order based on the events that shaped the French Revolution.

I. Voting in the Estates General
II. Storming of the Bastille
III. Tennis Court Oath
IV. Reign of Terror

(a) I, II, III, IV
(b) IV, III, II, I
(c) I, III, II, IV
(d) Both (1) and (II) are correct

Answer: (c) I, III, II, IV

7. Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.

Statement I: Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment

Statement II: Robespierre’s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices.

(a) Statement (I) is correct and (II) is incorrect
(b) Statement (I) is incorrect and (II) is correct
(c) Both (1) and (II) and incorrect
(d) Both (1) and (II) are correct

Answer: (d) Both (1) and (II) are correct

Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. When did the French Revolution begin?

Answer: The French Revolution began in 1789.

2. Which dynasty ruled France at the time of the Revolution and what kind of monarchy it was?

Answer: At the time of the Revolution, France was ruled by the Bourbon dynasty, and the monarchy was absolute.

3. On what date is Bastille Day celebrated?

Answer: Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the role of the middle class in the French Revolution.

Answer: The Revolution was spearheaded by the middle class. The 18th century saw the emergence of the middle class who had earned wealth through inland and overseas trade and manufacture of goods. Apart from merchants and manufacturers, the Third Estate included professions such as lawyers, teachers, authors, and administrative officials. All of these people were educated and possessed material means. The middle class believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth; rather one’s social position must depend on merit.

2. In what way did the French Revolution mean different aims to different people?

Answer: The French Revolution of 1789 went through various stages. It had different aims for different groups.

• The peasants wanted an end to feudalism and the cruel taxes.
• The liberals (the middle class of France) wanted a new constitution which gave equality and freedom to all.
• There were the extremists who wanted a republic in France and an end to the monarchy.

3. What was the importance of the Declaration of the Rights of Man?

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, where feudal systems were abolished. The Declaration of the Rights of Man asserted the liberty of the individual. That no authority could rule over the individuals in an arbitrary manner, was the message given. The Declaration stressed that all men are to be treated as equal before the law and that humanity implied fraternity among different peoples.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Discuss the political, economic and social causes of the French Revolution.

Answer: The political, economic and social causes of the French Revolution were:

Political causes: Before the French Revolution, France was under the Bourbon dynasty, which believed in an absolute monarchy. In the 13th century, France established a parliament comprising the clergy, nobles and the common man, but the kings had stopped consulting it since 1614. The French kings believed in the Divine Right Theory. They thought that they were only responsible to God for the way they ruled. King Louis XIV taxed the people heavily without consulting the Estates General, and the common people in France suffered great hardships. The kings (Louis XIV and XV) were Catholics and they persecuted other religious groups. The kings also had no able ministers to guide them.

Economic causes: When King Louis XVI became king at the age of 20, he found an empty treasury. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen American colonies gain their independence from Britain. The war added more than a billion lives to a debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion lives. Lenders who gave the state credit now began to charge 10 percent interest on loans. To meet its regular expenses, the state was forced to increase taxes but this would not have sufficed and only the members of the Third Estate paid taxes.

Social causes: The French society was divided into three estates and yet only the Third Estate used to pay taxes. The First and Second Estates, though they enjoyed maximum privileges and ruled over the common people, didn’t pay any taxes. The Third Estate paid about 50% of their income by way of taxes and resented the unfair and oppressive taxes forced on them by the kings. The government did not care for their welfare. It was from this middle class that the main push for the revolution came. Peasants made up about 80 percent of the population, but only a small number of them owned the land they cultivated.

2. The French philosophers of the 18th century greatly influenced the people and it led to the French Revolution. Comment on this statement.

Answer: The ideas to govern the world always come from philosophers. Prior to the French Revolution, great philosophers like Voltaire, Montesquieu and above all Rousseau paved the way for the revolution.

A. Voltaire: He launched bitter attacks against the church and the state. He made fun of the nobles and the way they behaved and governed and was against absolute monarchy. Voltaire defended freedom of speech and religious tolerance. Through mockery, Voltaire exposed the evils present in the social, political and religious lives of the French people.

B. Montesquieu: Montesquieu supported constitutional monarchy in France. He wanted the power to be shared between the king, the nobles and the Third Estate. In his book The Spirit of the Laws, he propagated the theory of separating powers into three branches of government – the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary.

C. Jean Jacques Rousseau: In his famous book Social Contract, he explained that the king and his subjects are parties to a contract, and therefore, if the king does not rule the people according to their general will, he loses their loyalty. He said that the people have every right to overthrow the monarchy under such circumstances. Rousseau advocated Popular Sovereignty Theory. He emphasised the equality and freedom of the citizens.

3. Explain the importance of the following events on the course of the French Revolution:

(a) The storming of the Bastille.
(b) March on Versailles by the women of Paris.
(c) The passing of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Answer: (a) There was a state of confusion and anarchy in the city of Paris in the first two weeks of July 1789. Protests against the high price of bread were held almost every day. Rumours spread on 14 July that the king had ordered troops to move into the city, to fire at unruly citizens. Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a people’s army. A group of several hundred people stormed the fortress prison, the Bastille and killed the commander and all the seven prisoners were set free. The Bastille was hated by all as it stood for despotism. The fall of Bastille brought the masses to the forefront. To this day France celebrates July 14 as the Bastille Day.

(b) During the fourth stage of the French Revolution when the king summoned troops to frighten the Paris mob, it led to a further escalation of mob fury. Hungry women of Paris, infuriated by the price and scarcity of bread, marched on Versailles. The mob consisted of fisherwomen, market women, bourgeois housewives, and was followed by the working people of Paris. The mob forced the king and queen to give in to all their demands. The march brought to an end to the monarchy of Versailles. It forever transformed the role of women in the revolution.

(c) The clergy, the Bishops and others, were paid a salary by the state like Civil Servants by a law passed in 1790. This law was called the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. The National Assembly decided to confiscate the immense wealth of the Church to pay off the huge debt which had brought France to financial ruin. The clerics were made to take an oath of allegiance to the government. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy established that the church would be under state control, and abolished the privileges of the Church. 

4. The French Revolution led to many “isms”. Explain.

Answer: French Revolution marked the beginning, for the first time in history, of active and institutionalised mass participation in government. The revolution led to many “isms” of nationalism, liberalism, and socialism.

Nationalism: Nationalism led to the birth of many new nations in Europe, Asia, and Africa. A nation now no longer was the king’s territory or his subjects. Rather, it is now comprised of citizens.
Liberalism: The main feature of this was the emancipation of the individual from class, corporate, or governmental restraint. The Declaration of Rights of Man inspired and guided many newly independent nations to frame their constitutions based on similar principles.
Socialism: Socialism emphasises the community and its collective welfare. This was also a result of the work of Sans Culottes during the Revolution. It promoted a society designed to promote collective well-being rather than individual profit.

5. Mention the legacy of the French Revolution.

Answer: The French Revolution not only affected France but changed its entire social and political system. It also had a lasting effect on the people of Europe in the 19th century. It inspired the Germans, Italians, and Austrians to overthrow their oppressive regimes. It led to a decade of political change, and Europe saw many revolutions inspired by the French Revolution. The watchwords of the French Revolution, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, reflected the coming of a new democratic and social order in Europe and the world. The French Revolution also inspired the struggling nations of Asia and Africa. The French Revolution opened the eyes of the world to a profound social revolution.

Extra MCQs

1. On what date do historians generally mark the beginning of the French Revolution?

A. July 4, 1776
B. July 14, 1789
C. November 9, 1799
D. August 26, 1789

Answer: B. July 14, 1789

2. Which French prison was demolished on the first day of the Revolution?

A. Conciergerie
B. Bastille
C. Temple Prison
D. Sainte-Pélagie Prison

Answer: B. Bastille

3. Which king of France heavily taxed people without consulting the Estates General?

A. Louis XIII
B. Louis XV
C. Louis XIV
D. Louis XVI

Answer: C. Louis XIV

Q. What percentage of income did the Third Estate pay in taxes?

A. 10%
B. 20%
C. 30%
D. 50%

Answer: D. 50%

Q. Which group consisted of doctors, lawyers, and industrialists in pre-revolutionary France?

A. Nobles
B. Higher Clergy
C. Peasants
D. Bourgeoisie

Answer: D. Bourgeoisie

Q. Who ruled France from 1589 until the French Revolution?

A. Habsburg dynasty
B. Bourbon dynasty
C. Capetian dynasty
D. Merovingian dynasty

Answer: B. Bourbon dynasty

Q. What was the French Parliament, which ceased to be consulted by kings, called?

A. Estates General
B. National Assembly
C. Senate
D. House of Lords

Answer: A. Estates General

Q. Which Estate was composed of archbishops, bishops, and abbots?

A. First Estate
B. Second Estate
C. Third Estate
D. Fourth Estate

Answer: A. First Estate

Q. What proportion of the land did the First Estate hold in France before the Revolution?

A. One-third
B. One-fifth
C. Half
D. Two-thirds

Answer: B. One-fifth

Q. Who among the French kings believed in the Divine Right Theory of ruling?

A. Louis XII
B. Louis XIII
C. Louis XIV
D. Louis XI

Answer: C. Louis XIV

Q. Which tax was directly imposed on peasants by the state?

A. Tithe
B. Taille
C. Gabelle
D. Corvée

Answer: B. Taille

Q. Which Estate in France held the majority of the population and included the middle class and peasants?

A. First Estate
B. Second Estate
C. Third Estate
D. Fourth Estate

Answer: C. Third Estate

Q. How many families made up the nobility in pre-revolutionary France?

A. 60,000
B. 80,000
C. 100,000
D. 120,000

Answer: B. 80,000

Q. What position did nobles often occupy in the French administration before the Revolution?

A. Clergy
B. Military
C. Judiciary
D. Highest positions

Answer: D. Highest positions

Q. What was the primary goal of the French people at the start of the Revolution in 1789?

A. Abolish the monarchy
B. Establish a constitutional monarchy
C. Create a socialist state
D. Form a new religious sect

Answer: B. Establish a constitutional monarchy

Q. In which year did Louis XVI ascend to the throne of France?

A. 1774
B. 1789
C. 1770
D. 1783

Answer: A. 1774

Q. What was the name of the Austrian princess married to Louis XVI?

A. Catherine of Russia
B. Marie Antoinette
C. Anne of Austria
D. Josephine

Answer: B. Marie Antoinette

Q. How much debt did France accumulate due to its involvement in the American Revolutionary War?

A. 1 billion livres
B. 2 billion livres
C. 3 billion livres
D. 500 million livres

Answer: A. 1 billion livres

Q. Who among the following advocated for a government divided into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary?

A. Voltaire
B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
C. Montesquieu
D. Diderot

Answer: C. Montesquieu

Q. In which book did Jean-Jacques Rousseau propose that governments rest on the consent of the governed?

A. Philosophical Dictionary
B. The Spirit of the Laws
C. Candide
D. Social Contract

Answer: D. Social Contract

Q. According to Rousseau, what theory allows people to overthrow a monarch who doesn’t rule according to the people’s will?

A. Constitutional Monarchy Theory
B. Divine Right Theory
C. Popular Sovereignty Theory
D. Mercantilism Theory

Answer: C. Popular Sovereignty Theory

Q. Which philosopher believed in “Popular Sovereignty” and said, “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains”?

A. Voltaire
B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
C. Montesquieu
D. John Locke

Answer: B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Q. What was the primary purpose of the French financial support to the American colonies during the American Revolutionary War?

A. Gain new colonies
B. Spread democracy
C. Take revenge on England
D. Promote the Catholic faith

Answer: C. Take revenge on England

Q. How much interest did lenders charge on loans given to the French state after the American Revolutionary War?

A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 20%

Answer: B. 10%

Q. What work by Montesquieu suggested the concept of checks and balances to prevent tyranny?

A. The Spirit of the Laws
B. Philosophical Dictionary
C. Candide
D. Social Contract

Answer: A. The Spirit of the Laws

Q. Which philosopher launched attacks against the church and state through satire in his writings and plays?

A. Montesquieu
B. John Locke
C. Voltaire
D. Edmund Burke

Answer: C. Voltaire

Q. How many years did the American Revolution last?

A. 5
B. 8
C. 6
D. 10

Answer: B. 8

Q. What financial problem did Louis XVI inherit upon ascending to the throne?

A. War surplus
B. Lack of nobles’ support
C. Empty treasury
D. Disbanded army

Answer: C. Empty treasury

Q. What aspect of the American Revolution provided an incentive to revolutionary theory in France?

A. The unity between colonies
B. The use of British soldiers
C. The military strategy
D. The success of American rebels

Answer: D. The success of American rebels

Q. What idea was discussed in salons and coffeehouses that influenced revolutionary thought in France?

A. Government censorship
B. Economic policies
C. Philosophers’ ideas
D. Alliance with Prussia

Answer: C. Philosophers’ ideas

Q. By how much did the French population increase from 1715 to 1789?

A. From 20 million to 28 million
B. From 15 million to 23 million
C. From 23 million to 28 million
D. From 30 million to 40 million

Answer: C. From 23 million to 28 million

Q. What tax on a basic commodity was particularly burdensome to the common people in pre-revolutionary France?

A. Tithe
B. Taille
C. Salt tax
D. Tobacco tax

Answer: C. Salt tax

Q. Which estate was the only one required to pay taxes in pre-revolutionary France?

A. First Estate
B. Second Estate
C. Third Estate
D. Fourth Estate

Answer: C. Third Estate

Q. What caused a rise in food prices before the French Revolution?

A. A decrease in population
B. An increase in food production
C. The American Revolutionary War
D. Population growth and food shortages

Answer: D. Population growth and food shortages

Q. Which king ruled France from 1715 to 1774 and weakened its finances due to poor governance?

A. Louis XIV
B. Louis XV
C. Louis XVI
D. Charles X

Answer: B. Louis XV

Q. What was Louis XV’s infamous declaration about the consequences following his reign?

A. “After me, the Deluge!”
B. “Vive la France!”
C. “Liberty or death!”
D. “Let them eat cake!”

Answer: A. “After me, the Deluge!”

Q. Which French queen was known for her extravagant lifestyle and influenced Louis XVI?

A. Anne of Austria
B. Marie Louise
C. Marie Antoinette
D. Catherine de’ Medici

Answer: C. Marie Antoinette

Q. What event prompted Louis XVI to call a meeting of the Estates General for the first time since 1614?

A. A foreign invasion
B. Financial crisis
C. Church reform
D. Peasant revolt

Answer: B. Financial crisis

Q. On what date did the delegates of the reconstituted Estates General meet for their first session?

A. May 5, 1789
B. June 14, 1789
C. July 14, 1789
D. August 26, 1789

Answer: A. May 5, 1789

Q. What significant pledge did the Third Estate take on June 20, 1789?

A. Declaration of Rights
B. National Assembly Pact
C. Tennis Court Oath
D. Republic Oath

Answer: C. Tennis Court Oath

Q. What was the main aim of the Third Estate when they took the Tennis Court Oath?

A. To defend the monarchy
B. To draft a new constitution
C. To form a new army
D. To request British assistance

Answer: B. To draft a new constitution

Q. Who were the primary leaders of the Third Estate during the Tennis Court Oath?

A. Robespierre and Danton
B. Napoleon and Lafayette
C. Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes
D. Voltaire and Rousseau

Answer: C. Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes

Q. What group did the Third Estate form after taking the Tennis Court Oath?

A. Legislative Assembly
B. Committee of Public Safety
C. Directory
D. National Assembly

Answer: D. National Assembly

Q. What structure was initially established as a result of the Tennis Court Oath?

A. A three-chamber Parliament
B. A single-chamber National Assembly
C. A bicameral Legislative Assembly
D. A constitutional monarchy

Answer: B. A single-chamber National Assembly

Q. What did the Third Estate hope to accomplish by walking out of the Estates General assembly?

A. End of the monarchy
B. Lower food prices
C. Fairer voting system
D. Withdrawal of British troops

Answer: C. Fairer voting system

Q. What significant event occurred on 14 July 1789, marking a turning point in the French Revolution?
A. Formation of the National Assembly
B. Execution of Louis XVI
C. Storming of the Bastille
D. Execution of Marie Antoinette

Answer: C. Storming of the Bastille

Q. What type of government was established in Paris following the storming of the Bastille?
A. The National Assembly
B. The Commune
C. The Legislative Assembly
D. The Directory

Answer: B. The Commune

Q. What significant action did the National Assembly take on 4 August 1789 in response to peasant revolts?
A. Establishment of a new tax system
B. Abolition of all feudal privileges
C. Execution of feudal lords
D. Confiscation of church property

Answer: B. Abolition of all feudal privileges

Q. The French Catholic Church faced major reforms in 1790 with the passage of which law?
A. Civil Constitution of the Clergy
B. Declaration of the Rights of Man
C. Edict of Nantes
D. Napoleonic Code

Answer: A. Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Q. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was issued during which dates in 1789?
A. 1-7 May
B. 12-27 August
C. 8-15 June
D. 14-21 September

Answer: B. 12-27 August

Q. Which document did the Assembly pass that officially ended the “Ancient Regime”?
A. The Tennis Court Oath
B. The Napoleonic Code
C. Declaration of the Rights of Man
D. The New Constitution of 1791

Answer: D. The New Constitution of 1791

Q. Who were some of the groups involved in the mob that marched on Versailles due to high bread prices?
A. Fishermen and peasants
B. Merchants and teachers
C. Nobles and clergy
D. Fisherwomen and market women

Answer: D. Fisherwomen and market women

Q. The new Constitution of 1791 created which form of government in France?
A. Constitutional monarchy
B. Absolute monarchy
C. Theocratic government
D. Republic

Answer: A. Constitutional monarchy

Q. Which group had the right to participate in the legislative assembly under the Constitution of 1791?
A. All men
B. Property-owning males who paid taxes
C. Women who owned property
D. Clergy members

Answer: B. Property-owning males who paid taxes

Q. The new legislative body, established under the 1791 Constitution, had which primary role?
A. Oversee the military
B. Enforce taxes
C. Create laws
D. Confiscate church property

Answer: C. Create laws

Q. According to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which right is considered sacred and inviolable?
A. Freedom of religion
B. Right to vote
C. Property
D. Freedom of speech

Answer: C. Property

Q. In the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, who holds the ultimate authority in the nation?
A. The king
B. The Church
C. The nobility
D. The people

Answer: D. The people

Q. What was the main reason the National Assembly confiscated the wealth of the Catholic Church in 1789?
A. To build new churches
B. To eliminate clergy influence
C. To pay off national debt
D. To fund education reforms

Answer: C. To pay off national debt

Q. Arthur Young, an eyewitness to the riots in July 1789, observed that chateaux were often what?
A. Guarded by troops
B. Abandoned by nobles
C. Burned and plundered
D. Converted into prisons

Answer: C. Burned and plundered

Q. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen states that liberty is the power to do what?
A. Express any opinion
B. Own any property
C. Do whatever isn’t harmful to others
D. Protest against the government

Answer: C. Do whatever isn’t harmful to others

Q. On which date did King Louis XVI and his family attempt to flee France?

A. May 10, 1790
B. June 20, 1791
C. August 15, 1792
D. September 1, 1790

Answer: B. June 20, 1791

Q. Which group in the National Assembly sought war against despots across Europe?

A. Jacobins
B. Feuillants
C. Girondins
D. Sans-culottes

Answer: C. Girondins

Q. What was the primary goal of the Jacobins during the French Revolution?

A. Avoid war
B. Restore the monarchy
C. Support the clergy
D. Promote a constitutional monarchy

Answer: A. Avoid war

Q. On which date was King Louis XVI publicly executed via the guillotine?

A. July 14, 1792
B. June 22, 1791
C. January 21, 1793
D. March 4, 1794

Answer: C. January 21, 1793

Q. What influential leader played a major role in storming the Palace of Tuilleries in August 1792?

A. Robespierre
B. Danton
C. Lafayette
D. Napoleon

Answer: B. Danton

Q. Which group took control of the French government during the Reign of Terror?

A. Estates General
B. National Assembly
C. Committee of Public Safety
D. Directory

Answer: C. Committee of Public Safety

Q. Who led the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?

A. Mirabeau
B. Marat
C. Robespierre
D. Saint-Just

Answer: C. Robespierre

Q. What significant event marked the end of the Reign of Terror?

A. Execution of Robespierre
B. Execution of Danton
C. Formation of the Estates General
D. Rise of Napoleon

Answer: A. Execution of Robespierre

Q. How were meat and bread distributed during the Reign of Terror?

A. Distributed freely
B. Rationed
C. Imported from Britain
D. Not available

Answer: B. Rationed

Q. Which Queen of France was executed in October 1793 during the Reign of Terror?

A. Anne of Brittany
B. Catherine de’ Medici
C. Marie Louise
D. Marie Antoinette

Answer: D. Marie Antoinette

Q. In which year did the new Convention appoint a five-man Directorate to run the French state?

A. 1790
B. 1795
C. 1794
D. 1799

Answer: B. 1795

Q. What was the primary role of the five-man Directorate?

A. Reduce taxes
B. Improve food distribution
C. Prevent a concentration of power
D. Strengthen the monarchy

Answer: C. Prevent a concentration of power

Q. What caused instability in the Directorate’s governance?

A. Conflicts with legislative councils
B. Poor food production
C. Military failures
D. Inflation

Answer: A. Conflicts with legislative councils

Q. Which military leader rose to power after the fall of the Directorate?

A. Robespierre
B. Lafayette
C. Danton
D. Napoleon Bonaparte

Answer: D. Napoleon Bonaparte

Q. Which nation was part of the coalition that attacked France after King Louis XVI’s execution?

A. Russia
B. Switzerland
C. Britain
D. Turkey

Answer: C. Britain

Q. What slogan expressed the ideals of the French Revolution and influenced other European nations?

A. “Workers of the world, unite!”
B. “No taxation without representation!”
C. “Liberty, equality, fraternity!”
D. “Long live the king!”

Answer: C. “Liberty, equality, fraternity!”

Q. Which leaders from India were influenced by the ideas of revolutionary France?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi
B. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy
C. Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Dadabhai Naoroji

Answer: B. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy

Q. Which declaration guided many newly independent nations to frame their constitutions?

A. Magna Carta
B. Bill of Rights
C. Declaration of the Rights of Man
D. Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Answer: C. Declaration of the Rights of Man

Q. What was the outcome of Robespierre’s Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?

A. Supported King Louis XVI
B. Repelled foreign invaders
C. Signed peace treaties
D. Expanded the monarchy

Answer: B. Repelled foreign invaders

Q. When did Napoleon Bonaparte become the military dictator of France?

A. 1799
B. 1804
C. 1795
D. 1791

Answer: A. 1799

Q. What were the three key ideals of the French Revolution?

A. Socialism, monarchy, and nationalism
B. Liberty, equality, and fraternity
C. Liberty, socialism, and aristocracy
D. Nationalism, monarchy, and socialism

Answer: B. Liberty, equality, and fraternity

Q. What year marked the conversion of absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in France?

A. 1792
B. 1789
C. 1791
D. 1795

Answer: C. 1791

Q. Which European nations were at war with France during the Reign of Terror?

A. Russia, Italy, Greece, and Portugal
B. Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and Sweden
C. Britain, Austria, Prussia, and the Netherlands
D. Poland, Switzerland, Portugal, and Belgium

Answer: C. Britain, Austria, Prussia, and the Netherlands

Q. How did the French Revolution contribute to the creation of new nations in Europe, Asia, and Africa?

A. Promoted international trade
B. Supported authoritarianism
C. Established monarchies
D. Encouraged nationalism

Answer: D. Encouraged nationalism

Q. Which tax comprised one-tenth of the agricultural produce collected by the church in France?

A. Taille
B. Gabelle
C. Salt tax
D. Tithe

Answer: D. Tithe

Q. Which French social class did the Sans Culottes represent during the Revolution?

A. Nobles
B. Peasants and workers
C. Clergy
D. Bourgeoisie

Answer: B. Peasants and workers

Q. What did Robespierre refer to the members who opposed his government as?

A. Patriots
B. Despots
C. Tyrants and oppressors
D. Girondins

Answer: C. Tyrants and oppressors

Q. Which notable 18th-century event in France marked the end of aristocratic rights?

A. Tennis Court Oath
B. Night of August 4
C. Bastille storming
D. Women’s March

Answer: B. Night of August 4

Q. What system of government did the French Revolution primarily seek to abolish?

A. Constitutional monarchy
B. Federal republic
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Parliamentary democracy

Answer: C. Absolute monarchy

Q. Which government body ruled France with five members after the Reign of Terror?

A. National Assembly
B. Committee of Public Safety
C. Legislative Assembly
D. Directorate

Answer: D. Directorate

Q. Which revolutionary movement emphasized collective welfare over individual profit during the French Revolution?

A. Socialism
B. Liberalism
C. Nationalism
D. Mercantilism

Answer: A. Socialism

92. What key idea of the French Revolution emphasized individual rights and the emancipation from governmental restraint?

A. Socialism
B. Liberalism
C. Feudalism
D. Mercantilism

Answer: B. Liberalism

Extra questions and answers

1. What was the main aim of the French people at the start of the French Revolution?

Answer: To create a constitutional monarchy and reform the social, economic, and political structure of the country.

Q. How long did the French Revolution last?

Answer: From 1789 to 1799.

Q. Which estate in French society was exempted from paying taxes and supported absolute monarchy?

Answer: The First and Second estates.

Q. What type of tax did the Church collect from the people?

Answer: Tithe.

Q. Who comprised the Second Estate in France before the French Revolution?

Answer: The Nobles.

Q. What percentage of the French population belonged to the Third Estate?

Answer: About 80 percent.

Q. What was the main burden of the Third Estate?

Answer: Paying about 50% of their income by way of taxes.

Q. What is the ‘ancient regime’?

Answer: The ‘ancient regime’ refers to the society and institutions of France before 1789, characterized by an absolute monarchy under the Bourbon dynasty, a feudal system, and a society divided into estates. This regime included a Parliament called the Estates General, which the kings stopped consulting from 1614 onwards, believing in the Divine Right Theory, asserting that they were only responsible to God.

Q. What were the main grievances of the Third Estate in France before the French Revolution?

Answer: The Third Estate, comprising the majority of the French population including peasants, workers, and the bourgeoisie, had several grievances before the French Revolution. They were burdened with about 50% of their income going to taxes, while also having to pay feudal dues, work in noble’s houses and fields, and serve in the army, often without pay. This heavy taxation and feudal oppression primarily financed the state’s activities, benefiting the privileged estates who were exempt from these taxes.

Q. How did the clergy and nobility contribute to the financial burden of the Third Estate before the French Revolution?

Answer: Before the French Revolution, the clergy and nobility significantly contributed to the financial burden of the Third Estate. The clergy, constituting the First Estate, owned about one fifth of the total land, collected tithes (one tenth of income), and were exempt from taxes, supporting the absolute monarchy. The nobility, or the Second Estate, enjoyed numerous privileges such as tax exemptions, high positions in administration, and income from peasants, further straining the Third Estate financially.

Q. Describe the lifestyle and privileges of the nobility in France before the French Revolution.

Answer: The nobility in France before the French Revolution led a life of luxury and privilege. They consisted of about 80,000 families who did not pay taxes, held the highest positions in the administration, and collected income from peasants. Many were absentee landlords, freely hunting on their lands and imposing fines on peasants, often acting as judges, prosecutors, and jury in trials, exemplifying their extensive control and influence over society.

Q. What were the main social classes in France before the French Revolution, and what were the general privileges or burdens associated with each class?

Answer: Before the French Revolution, French society was divided into three main classes, known as Estates. The First Estate consisted of the clergy who controlled a significant portion of the land and were exempt from taxes. This class was highly influential in the government and supported the absolute monarchy. The clergy lived in luxury and collected tithes from the people, which added up to one-tenth of their income, for the support of the Church.

The Second Estate was made up of the nobility, encompassing approximately 80,000 families. Members of this estate enjoyed extensive privileges, including exemption from taxes, and held the highest positions in the French administration. They were absentee landlords who lived extravagantly, had the freedom to hunt as they pleased, and often acted as judges, prosecutors, and jury in trials against peasants, imposing harsh penalties.

The Third Estate included the vast majority of the population and was composed of the bourgeoisie (middle class), peasants, and workers. This estate faced severe economic burdens, paying about 50% of their income in taxes while receiving minimal government support. The middle class was particularly aware of the social disparities and was a crucial force behind the revolution. Peasants and artisans, who made up about 80% of the population, struggled under the weight of multiple taxes to the landlords, Church, and state. They also had to perform unpaid labor and serve in the army, creating widespread resentment that fueled revolutionary sentiments.

Q. What was the financial situation of France when Louis XVI ascended the throne?

Answer: France’s treasury was empty due to long years of war and debts from helping the American colonies gain independence.

Q. How did the French government respond to its financial crisis under Louis XVI?

Answer: The government was forced to increase taxes and spend a significant portion of its budget on interest payments due to rising debts.

Q. What was the social structure of France in the eighteenth century in terms of tax obligations?

Answer: French society was divided into three Estates, and only the Third Estate, which comprised the common people, was required to pay taxes.

Q. How did the American Revolution influence the French Revolution?

Answer: The success of the American colonies in gaining independence served as an inspiration for revolutionary theories in France.

Q. How did the middle class influence the French Revolution?

Answer: The middle class, which had gained wealth and education, spearheaded the revolution, believing that social positions should be based on merit rather than birth.

Q. What were the consequences of King Louis XVI’s governance?

Answer: His indecisiveness and inability to manage the financial crisis and control the nobility contributed to widespread hunger, riots, and eventually led him to call the Estates General, marking the beginning of the end of his reign.

Q. What were the major financial challenges Louis XVI faced when he ascended the throne of France?

Answer: Louis XVI, who became king of France in 1774, inherited a treasury that was depleted by long years of war and the significant costs associated with aiding the thirteen American colonies in their independence from Britain. This assistance added over a billion livres to the existing national debt, which had already exceeded 2 billion livres. Consequently, the French government found itself compelled to allocate an increasing portion of its budget to servicing this debt, with interest rates on loans reaching 10%.

Q. How did the French government respond to its escalating financial problems under Louis XVI?

Answer: To address its mounting financial issues, the French government under Louis XVI was forced to increase taxes. Despite this measure, the revenue generated was insufficient to cover regular state expenses, which included maintaining an army, the royal court, government operations, and universities. This led to a further financial strain, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the monarchy.

Q. Describe Voltaire’s influence on the French society and his contributions to the critique of the state and church.

Answer: Voltaire, a prominent philosopher and writer active during the 18th century, used his sharp satirical style to launch severe criticisms against the church and the state. His writings and plays mocked the nobility and the absolute monarchy, advocating for freedom of speech and religious tolerance. Voltaire’s critiques played a significant role in shaping public opinion and intellectual discourse, influencing the revolutionary sentiments of the time.

Q. What was Montesquieu’s proposal for the French government to avoid tyranny?

Answer: Montesquieu advocated for a constitutional monarchy in France, modeled after the English system. He proposed a separation of powers among three branches of government: the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judiciary. This structure was designed to implement checks and balances, ensuring that no single class could dominate, thereby protecting individual liberty and preventing tyranny.

Q. How did Rousseau’s ideas contribute to the revolutionary thinking in France?

Answer: Jean Jacques Rousseau was a profound influence on revolutionary thinking in France through his book “Social Contract.” He argued that the monarchy and the citizens are bound by a mutual agreement and that if a king fails to govern according to the people’s general will, they have the right to overthrow him. Rousseau’s advocacy for popular sovereignty and direct democracy were central themes that fueled the revolutionary ideologies and actions in France.
Q. What was the main aim of the peasants during the French Revolution of 1789?

Answer: The peasants aimed to end feudalism and cruel taxes.

Q. What did the liberals in France demand during the French Revolution of 1789?

Answer: The liberals demanded a new constitution that provided equality and freedom to all.

Q. What did the extremists in France want during the French Revolution of 1789?

Answer: The extremists wanted a republic in France and an end to the monarchy.

Q. On what date did the representatives of the Third Estate take the Tennis Court Oath?

Answer: June 20.

Q. What pledge did the representatives make during the Tennis Court Oath?

Answer: They pledged not to return home or disband until a new constitution was drafted.

Q. What major event marked the beginning of violent revolution in France on July 14, 1789?

Answer: The Storming of the Bastille.

Q. What did the fall of Bastille symbolize?

Answer: The fall of Bastille symbolized the end of despotism.

Q. What did the French celebrate on July 14th, in memory of the Revolution?

Answer: Bastille Day.

Q. What law did the assembly pass on August 4, 1789, concerning feudal privileges?

Answer: The law abolished all feudal privileges including feudal dues, labor obligations, and exclusive rights in military and state posts.

Q. What was declared in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen regarding the source of sovereignty?

Answer: The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation; no group or individual may exercise authority that does not come from the people.

Q. What type of government was established by the Constitution of 1791 in France?

Answer: A constitutional monarchy.

Q. What were the different aims of the groups involved in the French Revolution of 1789?

Answer: The peasants aimed to end feudalism and the oppressive taxes they faced. The liberals, primarily the middle class, sought a new constitution that provided equality and freedom for all. Extremists aimed for the establishment of a republic in France and the abolition of the monarchy.

Q. What led to the withdrawal of the Third Estate from the Estates General in 1789?

Answer: The Third Estate withdrew from the Estates General after their demand for voting by assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote, was rejected by the king. This led to their departure and the eventual formation of the National Assembly.

Q. What was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath during the French Revolution?

Answer: The Tennis Court Oath was significant as it marked a decisive stand against the king’s authority. Members of the Third Estate, joined by some from the lower clergy and nobility, pledged not to disband until a new constitution was established that would limit the king’s powers.

Q. Describe the events and outcomes of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789.

Answer: On 14 July 1789, a large crowd stormed the Bastille fortress-prison to obtain arms and ammunition. This confrontation led to the killing of the prison’s commander and the release of seven prisoners. The storming is celebrated as a symbol of the French Revolution’s triumph over despotism, and Bastille Day remains a national holiday in France.

Q. How did the Fall of the Bastille impact the French aristocracy?

Answer: The Fall of the Bastille ignited revolutionary fervor across France. Peasants became more assertive, engaging in violent actions such as burning chateaux and confronting their feudal lords. This widespread agitation significantly weakened the aristocratic order.

Q. What major changes occurred in the French Revolution from August 1789 to September 1791?

Answer: During this period, the Assembly abolished feudal privileges like dues, labor obligations, and exclusive rights to high posts in the military, church, and state by the aristocracy. A new constitution was introduced, transforming the government into a constitutional monarchy and significantly reducing royal authority.

Q. Which group in the National Assembly did not want war and considered it a threat to the revolution?

Answer: The Jacobins.

Q. What device was used for executions during the French Revolution?

Answer: The guillotine.

Q. When did the Reign of Terror in France end?

Answer: July 1794, following the execution of Robespierre.

Q. Who was the leader of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror?

Answer: Maximilien Robespierre.

Q. What was the maximum ceiling on wages and prices issued by Robespierre’s government known as?

Answer: It was known simply as the maximum ceiling on wages and prices.

Q. What did the Reign of Terror’s daily executions and massacres symbolize?

Answer: They symbolized a drastic and ruthless approach to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution.

Q. What was one of the main features of liberalism promoted by the French Revolution?

Answer: The emancipation of the individual from class, corporate, or governmental restraint.

Q. How did the French Revolution influence global political ideologies?

Answer: It inspired nationalism, liberalism, and socialism, impacting many nations and contributing to the rise of these ideologies.

Q. What significant political change occurred in France in 1795 following the Reign of Terror?

Answer: A five-man Directorate was appointed to run the state, aiming to prevent the concentration of power.

Q. What led to the arrest and eventual execution of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution?

Answer: King Louis XVI was arrested and eventually executed due to his attempted escape to the Austrian border, which was seen as an act of betrayal and led to suspicions of his allegiance. He was recognized and captured at Varennes, brought back to Paris, and tried for treason. Found guilty, his execution by guillotine took place on January 21, 1793, as a result of a vote by a small majority in favor of his immediate death.

Q. Who were the Girondins, Jacobins, and Feuillants, and what were their positions regarding war during the French Revolution?

Answer: During the French Revolution, the National Assembly included three main groups with differing views on war. The Girondins, the largest group, advocated for war against all despots. The Jacobins, led by Robespierre, opposed the war, seeing it as a threat to the revolution. The Feuillants wanted war because they believed a French defeat would restore the monarchy, aligning with their conservative views.

Q. What were the main actions taken by the Paris mob against King Louis XVI and his family?

Answer: The Paris mob played a crucial role in the fate of King Louis XVI and his family. On August 16, 1792, inspired by Danton, they stormed the Palace of Tuileries, resulting in the royal family being sent to prison. During September 2nd and 3rd of that year, a brutal massacre occurred where hundreds were killed on the streets, suspected of royalist sympathies.

Q. Describe the Reign of Terror and the role of the Committee of Public Safety.

Answer: The Reign of Terror from June 1793 to July 1794 was marked by extreme violence and mass executions, primarily using the guillotine. It was overseen by the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, who enforced strict and ruthless measures to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution. This period saw daily executions, suppression of opposition, and extensive use of the guillotine, referred to as the “National Razor.”

Q. What led to the downfall of Maximilien Robespierre?

Answer: Maximilien Robespierre’s downfall was triggered by the fear he instilled among his peers in the government, who eventually formed a coalition against him to safeguard their own lives. Robespierre was arrested, tried, and executed by guillotine in July 1794, which effectively ended the Reign of Terror he had dominated.

Q. How did the French Revolution influence global political ideologies and inspire other revolutions?

Answer: The French Revolution had a profound impact on global political ideologies, inspiring movements towards liberty, equality, and fraternity across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It encouraged the overthrow of oppressive regimes and influenced newly independent nations to adopt similar democratic principles. The Revolution’s emphasis on nationalism, liberalism, and socialism shaped political developments and revolutions in the 19th century and beyond.

Q. How did the European monarchies react to the treatment of King Louis XVI, and what was the consequence of their actions?

Answer: The treatment of King Louis XVI by the revolutionary forces in France shocked other European autocracies. King Leopold II of Austria, in particular, responded by inviting the rulers of Russia, Prussia, England, and Spain to join him in a coalition to restore the monarchy in France. This invitation, however, was primarily accepted by the King of Prussia. The ensuing declaration by these monarchies against the French Revolution led to the commencement of war in 1792. Initially, the French military, poorly prepared, faced defeats, but a surge of national patriotism soon saw a wave of volunteers rallying to defend the revolution, demonstrating the widespread support for the revolutionary cause among the French populace.

Q. Describe the events and outcomes of the attack on the Palace of Tuileries during the French Revolution.

Answer: On 16th August 1792, a significant event unfolded during the French Revolution when a Paris mob, inspired by the revolutionary leader Georges Danton, attacked the Palace of Tuileries. This aggressive act resulted in the royal family being taken prisoner and sent to jail. This was followed by the September Massacres on the 2nd and 3rd of September, where hundreds of men and women suspected of royalist sympathies were massacred in the streets of Paris. These events marked the increasing radicalization of the Revolution and set the stage for the trial and eventual execution of King Louis XVI for treason in January 1793. His execution led to further escalations in the conflict, with Britain, Holland, and Spain forming a coalition against France, thereby expanding the scope of the revolutionary wars.

62. What were the lasting impacts of the French Revolution on Europe and the world?

Answer: The French Revolution profoundly impacted both Europe and the broader world throughout the 19th century and beyond, catalyzing sweeping political, social, and ideological changes. It served as an inspiration for oppressed peoples across Europe—such as the Germans, Italians, and Austrians—to challenge and overthrow their own tyrannical regimes. This period saw a flurry of revolutionary activities influenced by the French example, characterized by the pursuit of the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. These ideals not only redefined the notion of governance and social order in Europe but also resonated deeply with nations in Asia and Africa under colonial rule. Leaders and revolutionary movements in these regions drew motivation from the revolutionary ideas emanating from France, fostering a spirit of nationalism and demand for self-governance.

The French Revolution’s most enduring legacy was its radical ideological impact. It popularized concepts of nationalism, liberalism, and socialism, which became foundational to the political landscape of the following centuries. Nationalism emerged as a powerful force, leading to the formation of new nations where citizens shared a common territory and governance. Liberalism championed individual freedoms and the limitation of governmental power, influencing numerous democratic constitutions worldwide. Lastly, socialism promoted the idea of collective welfare and the importance of community, aspects that were later integral to other significant revolutions, notably the Russian Revolution. These “isms” fundamentally shaped global political ideologies and continue to influence the course of world history.