Ch-1 The French Revolution

HISTORY
Textbook Reference Solutions

Important Remark: Reference solutions only : Not to be copied at all

Q: 1 Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary
protest in France.
Answer Circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France:
(1) A society of estates, and the plight of the third estate
French society was divided into three distinct estates: the first estate comprising
the clergy, the second estate composed of the nobility, and the third estate made
up of tradesmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants, artisans, landless
labour and servants. It was only the third estate that was made to pay taxes. The
clergy and the nobility were exempt from this rule. In addition to the taxes that
were to be paid to the state, peasants had to pay taxes to the Church and feudal
dues to the noble lords. It was an unfair situation which led to the growth of a
feeling of discontent among the members of the third estate.
(2) Subsistence crisis
At this time, there was a greater demand for foodgrains. Due to greater demand
than supply, the price of bread (the staple diet of the majority) rose. Due to rising
prices and inadequate wages, most of the population could not even afford the
basic means of livelihood. This led to a crisis of subsistence, and an increase in
the gap between the rich and the poor.
(3) A stronger middle class, and popularisation of democratic and social ideals
The middle class emerged educated and wealthy during the eighteenth century.
The system of privileges as promoted by the feudal society was against their
interests. Being educated, the members of this class had access to the various
ideas of equality and freedom proposed by the French and English political and
social philosophers. These ideas got popularised amongst the masses as a result
of intensive discussions and debates in salons and coffee-houses, and through
books and newspapers.
(4) The assembly of the Estates General, and the proposal to increase taxes
In order to pass proposals for increasing taxes, the French monarch Louis XVI
called together an assembly of the Estates General on 5 May, 1789. Each estate
was allowed one vote in this assembly. The third estate protested against the
unfairness of the proposal. They proposed, instead, that each member should
have one vote. The king rejected this appeal, and the representative members of
the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest.

(5) The National Assembly, and the revolting subjects

These representative members, led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes, declared
themselves a National Assembly, and took an oath to not disperse until they had
drafted a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch and
do away with the unjust feudal system of privileges. While this organisation was
busy drafting a democratic constitution, there were numerous localised rebellions
that sought to displace the feudal lords. Meanwhile, the food crisis worsened and
the anger of the masses spilled onto the streets. On 14 July, the King ordered
troops to move into Paris. In response, several hundreds of agitated men and
women formed their own armed groups. One such people's militia stormed and
destroyed the Bastille fortress-prison (representative of the kings despotic
power).
This is how the French Revolution came about.
OR
Question:- 1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in
France.
Answer:- Following are some of the causes which had a cumulative effect to result in
revolution in France:
(a) The war with Britain for an independent America: This war led to mounting debt on the
French monarchy. This necessitated imposition of new taxes on the public.
(b) Privilege based on birth: People got privileges and position based on their lineage and not
on their merit. This led to resentment among common people.
(c) Concentration of power among the privileged: People belonging to the first and second
estate had all the power and money. Masses were at the mercy of this privileged class.
(d) Subsistence Crisis:- Rising population and less grain production resulted in demand
supply gap of bread, which was the staple diet. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. It
was becoming difficult for people.
(e) Growing Middle Class: Because of increased overseas trade a new class emerged. This
class was wealthy not because of birth but because of its ability to utilize opportunities.
People of the middle class started raising their voice for an end to privileges based on
lineage.
All of this led to a general sense of resentment among people. Certain thinkers of the period
spread awareness through various media. Some from the privileged classes also advocated a
switch to democracy. So, finally there was revolution in France.

Q: 2 Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which

groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would
have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?
Answer (1) The richer members of the third estate (the middle class) benefitted
the most from the French Revolution.
(2) The clergy and the nobility were forced to relinquish power.
(3) The poorer sections of society and women would have been disappointed with
the outcome of the revolution as the promise of equality was not fulfilled in full
measure at the end of the revolution.
Q: 3 Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the
world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Answer (1) The French Revolution bore a rich legacy for the peoples of the world
during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries because it was the first national
movement that adopted the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity.
(2) These ideas became the basic tenets of democracy for every nation in the
19th and the 20th century.
(3) The Revolution espoused the cause of the masses, sought to abolish the idea
of divine right, feudal privileges, slavery and censorship, and upheld merit as the
basis for social upgradation.
(4) These tenets are important even in the contemporary world for their emphasis
on equality and a world free from prejudice. Feudal systems and later,
colonisation were abolished by re-working the French Revolution ideals of freedom
and equality.
(5) Indian leaders such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy were deeply influenced by the
ideas that the French Revolution propagated against the monarchy and its
absolutism.
Q: 4 Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins
could be traced to the French Revolution.
Answer Democratic rights that we enjoy today whose origins can be traced to the
French Revolution are:
1. freedom of expression,
2. right to equality,
3. right to freedom,
4. right to assemble and form unions (as long as they are not a threat to
national security and peace).
Q: 5 Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights
was beset with contradictions? Explain
Answer The message of universal rights was beset with contradictions. (1) Many
ideals in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen were replete with dubious
meanings. For example, the law has the right to forbid only actions injurious to
society had nothing to say about criminal offences against other individuals.
(2) Also, the declaration stated that law is the expression of the general will. All
citizens have the right to participate in its formation. All citizens are equal before
it, but when France became a constitutional monarchy, almost 3 million citizens
including men under the age of 25 and women were not allowed to vote at all.

(3) This was in striking contrast to the ideals that the revolution espoused. When
the Jacobins came to power, they were welcomed, but their policies were too
harsh and this gave way yet again to the rise of the wealthier middle classes.
(4) The political instability of these regimes finally led to the rise of Napoleon.
(5) However, throughout these coups, ideals of freedom, equality and fraternity
remained paramount in the French political movement.
OR (Write The other answer given at the end)
Q: 6 How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Answer (1) The rise of Napoleon came right after the fall of the Directory in 1796.
The Directors often clashed with the legislative councils, who then made attempts
to dismiss them.
(2) The Directory was highly politically unstable; hence, Napoleon rose to power
as a military dictator.
(3) Earlier, the Jacobins had overthrown King Louis XVI and established
governance on their own module; but Robespierres administration was too harsh
and relentless.
(4) Napoleon crowned himself the Emperor in 1804 and abolished dynasties. He
viewed himself as a moderniser of Europe and was rightly seen as a liberator
who introduced a uniform system of weights and measures, introduced laws to
protect private property, etc.
(5) However, his quest for power led to his ultimate downfall with his defeat at
Waterloo in 1815.

Optional answers for question no. 5 of textbook.

Q.5: Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with
contradictions. Explain.
Solution: There are two opinions on this point whether the message of universal rights was
beset with concentrations or not.
1.
Most of the authors feel that the message of universal rights was quite clear and
there should be no contradiction to such principles.
2.
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.
3.
It laid emphasis on the three fundamental principles of Liberty, Equality and
Fraternity.
4.
Such principles have been adopted by all the democratic countries.
5.
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.
OR (Write The other answer given at the end)

Answer 5 Though after the French Revolution the Republic of France was
established and equality became one of its guiding principles, the message of
Universal Rights was beset with contradictions.
1.
The suffrage was not granted to the women and the Declaration of
Rights of Man and Citizen didnt proved fruitful at all.
2.
The citizen having no property were deprived of this right as well.
3.
Only the people whop belonged to the highest bracket of tax payer were
granted the right to vote.
4.
The France under Robespierre passed through a period (from 17931794) of the Reign of Terror. Robespierre pursued his policies so
relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation.
5.
With the fall of the Jacobin government the power in France passed into
the hands of the wealthier middle classes. A new constitution was
introduced which denied non-propertied sections of society the right to
vote. Finally the clash between the Directory and the two legislative
councils led to the rise of a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.