SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS [3 MARKS]

Q.1. What was the subsistence crisis ? Why did it occur in France during the Old

Regime ? Or How did France saw the subsistence crises during the old regime?

Ans. Subsistence crisis was an extreme situation where the basic means of

livelihood were endangered.

1. The population of France rose from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789.This led

to a rapid increase in the demand for food grains.

2. The production of food grains could not keep pace with the demand. So the price of

bread which was the staple diet of the majority rose rapidly.

3. Most of the workers were employed as labourers in workshops and received fixed

their wages which which did not keep pace with the rise in prices. So the gap between

the Rich and the poor widened. Things became worse whenever drought or hail

reduced the harvest. This led to the subsistence crisis.

It occurred in France frequently during the old Reigime.

Q.2.What was the system of voting in the Estates General? What change did the

Third Estate want in this system?

Ans.

Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted

1. According to the principle that each estate had one vote.

2. Members of the Third Estate demanded that voting must now be conducted by the

assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote.

3. This was according to the democratic principles put forward by philosophers like

Rousseau in his book, .

Q.3. Describe the incidents that led to the storming of the Bastille .

Ans.

1- National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution; the rest of France
was seething with turmoil.

2- A severe winter had meant a bad harvest, the price of bread rose. Often bakers

exploited the situation and hoarded supplies.

3- After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed

into the shops.

4- At the same time, the king ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14 July, the

agitated crowd stormed and destroyed Bastille.

Q.4. Describe how the new political system of constitutional monarchy worked

in France.

Ans

The constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly,

which was indirectly elected. That is,

1. Citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly. Not all

citizens, however, had the right to vote.

2. Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a

labourer’s wage were given the status of active citizens, that is, they were entitled to

vote.

3. The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens.

4. To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to

belong to the highest bracket of taxpayers.

Q.5.What was ‘natural and inalienable rights’ ?

Ans

1-. The constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens

2- Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality

before law were established as ‘natural and inalienable rights’, i.e., they belonged to

each human being by birth and could not be taken away

3-It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural right.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS ( 5 MARKS ):

Q.1. Explain the importance of the following events on the course of the French

Revolution :

(a) Storming of the Bastille (b) The passing of the Civil Constitution of the clergy

Ans. (a) On July 14, 1789, a mob of Paris stormed the fortress – the prison of Bastille

– considered a symbol of oppression and despotism. The Swiss guards were killed

and prisoners set free. The mob stole arms and ammunition. To this day, France

celebrates ‘Bastille Day’ on 14thJuly every year.

(b) In 1790, the Civil Constitution nationalised the church. The clergy or group of

persons who enjoyed special powers in the church were also forced to relinquish

power. Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the church were confiscated.

Q.2. Describe the Reign of Terror and role played by Robespierre in it .

Ans. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror.

1. Maximilian Robespierre, leader of the Jacobins, followed the policy of severe

control and punishment.

2. All those he saw as enemies of the Republic — ex-nobles, clergy, political

opponents — were arrested, tried and guillotined if found guilty.

3. He issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices.

4. Meat and bread were rationed.

5. Use of expensive white flour was forbidden.

Robespierre followed his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to

demand moderation. Finally, he was convicted, arrested and guillotined in July 1794.

Q.3What did the following symbols convey in the Declaration of Rights?

(i) The broken chain (ii) The bundle of rods or fasces (iii)Sceptre (iv)Snake biting

its tail to form a ring (v) Red Phrygian cap (vi)The law tablet

Ans. (i) the broken chains : Chains were used to fetter slaves. A broken chain stands

for the act of becoming free.

(ii) The bundle of rods or fasces : One rod can be easily broken, but not an entire

bundle. Strength lies in unity.

(iii) Sceptre : Symbol of royal power.

(iv)Snake biting its tail to form a ring : Symbol of eternity. A ring has neither

beginning nor end.

(v) Red Phrygian cap : Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.

(vi)The law tablet : The law is the same for all, and all are equal before it.

Q.4.write short note on Jacobins ?

Ans.1- They got their name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris.

2-They belonged to the less prosperous sections of the society.

3-They included small shopkeepers, artisans such as shoemakers, pastry cooks,

watch-makers, printers, as well as servants and daily wage earners.

4-Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre.

5-A large group among the Jacobin decided to wear long striped trousers similar to

those worn by dock workers.

6-This was to set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of society especially

the nobles who wore knee breeches.

Q.5. Discuss the participation of women in political clubs, their activities and

demands .

Ans. From the very beginning, women were active participants in the events which

brought about so many important changes in French society.

1. They hoped that their involvement would pressurise the revolutionary government to

introduce measures to improve their lives.

2. Most women of the third estate had to work for a living. They worked as

seamstresses or laundresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables at the market, or

were employed as domestic servants in the houses of prosperous people.

3. Most women did not have access to education or job training. Their wages were
lower than those of men.

4. One of their main demands was that women should be given the same political

rights as men.

5. Women were disappointed that the constitution of 1791 reduced them to passive

citizens.

Very Short answer questions

Q. 1.    Which Dynasty ruled over  French during eighteenth  century? 

Ans.  The Bourbon dynasty was ruling over French in eighteenth century. 
Q. 2.  Which ruler came to power in France in 1774? 

Ans.  Louis XVI of Bourbon family, ascended the throne of France in 1774.

Q. 3.  How  did American war of Independence  add more debt to France? 

Ans.  The French army supported thirteen colonies of America in their war of  independence
against Great Britain. It added more than one billion livres( unit of currency in France) that had
risen to more than two billon livres with interest. 

Q. 4.  What was 'tithe'? 

Ans.  It was a tax levied by the church,  comprising at least one tenth of the  agricultural produce
by the farmers. 

Q. 5.  What was taille? 

Ans.  It was also a kind of tax which was  paid by the people of third estate directly to the state. 

Q. 6.  Who was Rousseau? 

Ans.  Rousseau was  a  French  Philosopher, who  carried the idea of  Locke forward,  proposing a
form of government based on a social contract between people and their representatives. 

Q. 7.  When was French National Assembly recognised? 

Ans.  Louis XVI finally accepted the national Assembly in July 1789 and  on 4 Aug 1789,the
assembly passed a decree abolishing the  feudal system of obligations and taxes. 

Q. 8.  Who was the leader of Jacobin club? 

Ans.  Maximilian Robespierre was the leader of Jacobin club. 

Q. 9.  When did Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of France? 

Ans.  In 1804 ,  Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself the Emperor of France. 
Q. 10.  What was the most important legacy of the French Revolution? 

Ans.  The idea of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French
Revolution. 

Some Other Important Questions and Answers

1. What role did women play during the revolutionary years?

Ans. From the very beginning women were active participant in the events which brought about so many
important changes in French society. In order to discuss and voice their interests women started their own political
clubs and newspapers. About sixty women’s club came up in different French Cities. The Society of revolutionary
and Republican women was the most famous clubs.

2. How was the system of Estates in French society organized?

Ans. First Estate and Second Estate-These estates consisted of the clergy and nobility. About 60% of the land
was owned by nobles, the church and other members of the third estate. The members of the first two estates
that are the clergy and nobility enjoyed certain privileges by birth. The nobles further enjoyed feudal privileges.
The third estate comprised big businessman, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisans, Small
peasants, landless labourers and servants etc. Peasants were 90% population with very low few owners of land.
Only the members of third estate paid taxes.

3. What types of taxes were paid by the third estate in France?

Ans. Nobles enjoyed feudal privileges. Peasants were obliged to work in their houses and fields, to serve in the
army and build roads. Peasants paid a tax called tithes to the church. The third estate paid a direct tax called taille.
In direct tax on salt and tobacco were also levied.

5. The eighteenth century France witnessed the emergence of the middle class’. Who were they and what
were their ideas?

Ans. The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of social groups, termed as the middle class. They
earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and manufacture of goods such as woolen silk
textiles that were exported or bought by the richer members of society. In addition to merchants and
manufacturers the third estate included professionals such as lawyers or administrative officials.

6. Describe any three causes for the fall of the Jacobin government in France.

Ans. The Jacobin government followed the policy of severe control and punishment. All those who were
regarded as the enemy of the republic were arrested and tried by tribunal. If found guilty they were guillotined.
Even Luis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on charge of treason. Finally, opposition to such severe control
began to grow and was responsible for the fall of the Jacobin government.

7. What do you understand by the term “Reign of Terror’?

 Ans. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as reign of terror. Robespierre followed the policy of severe
control and punishment. All those who were regarded as the enemy of the republic were arrested and tried by
tribunal. If found guilty the y were guillotined.

8.Highlight the provisions of the constitution which was introduced after the fall of Jacobin club.

Ans. The fall of the Jacobin Government allowed the wealthier middle classed to seize power. A New constituent
was introduced which denied the vote to non-propertied sections of society. It provided for two elected legislative
councils. These then appointed a Directory, and executive made up of five members. This was mean as a safe
guard against the concentration of power in a one man executive as under the Jacobins.

9. What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?

Ans. The first of the French Revolution was fired on 14 July 1789, in the city of Paris. Around 7000 men and
women who formed the people’s militia gathered in front of the town hall and broke into government buildings in
search of arms. Finally t hey stormed the Bastille, the fortress prison to free political prisoners. The Bastille was
hated by all as it stood for the despotic power of King.

10. What laws did the revolutionary government introduce to improve the lives of women?

Ans. In the early years the revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped improve the lives of women.
Together with the creation of state schools, schooling was made compulsory for all girls. Their fathers could no
longer force them into marriage against their will. Marriage was made into a contract entered into freely and
registered under civil law. Divorce was made legal, and could be applied for by both women and men.

11. Why were women disappointed by the constitution of 1791 in France?

Ans. Women were disappointed that the constitution of 1791 reduced the passive citizens. They don’t have the
right to vote. They demanded the right to vote, to be elected to the assembly and to hold political office. Only then
they felt would their inter ests be represented in the new government.

12.18. What do you know about the Estates General?

Ans. The Estates General was a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives. In France of the
Old Regime, the monarch did not have the power to impose taxes; rather he had to call a meeting of the Estate
General to pass the proposals for new taxes. However it was the monarch alone who could decide when to call a
meeting of this body.

13. Who was Mirabeau?

Ans. Mirabeau was born in a noble family but was convinced of the need to do away with feudal privileges. He
brought out a

journal and delivered powerful speeches to the croweds assembled at Versailles. The representatives of the third
estate assembled on

20 June in the hall of the indoor tennis court in the ground of Versailles. They declared themselves National
Assembly. They were led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes.

14.Who was Abbe Sieyes?

Ans. Abbe Sieyes was prominent member of National Assembly. Originally, he was a priest. He wrote an
influential pamphlet called, what is Third Estate? The representatives of the third estate assembled on 20 June in the
hall of the indoor tennis c ourt in the ground of Versailles. They declared themselves National Assembly. They
were led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes

15. Highlight the turmoil of countryside of France, when the National Assembly was busy at Versailles in
drafting a new constitution.
 Ans. In the countryside rumors spread from village to village that the lords of the manor had hired bands of
brigades who were o n their way to destroy the ripe crops. Caught in a frenzy of fear, peasants in several districts
seized hoes and pitchforks and attacked chateaux. They looted hoarded grains and burnt down documents
containing records of manorial dues.

16. Write a note on new constitution of France after monarch ?

Ans- (i) .The national assembly completed the draft of the

constitution in 1791. (ii). its main object was to limit the

powers of monarchs.

(iii) . These powers of the Legislature, executive and Judiciary This made France constitutional monarchy.

17. Define the political system in France

before year 1791 ? Ans- (i) . Political system

was indirectly elected.

(ii) . Citizen voted for a

group of electors. (iii) . Not

all citizen had right to vote.

(iv) . Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes were given the status to

active citizen. (v) . the remaining men and all women were classed as passive

citizen.

18. What were the significance of political symbol ?

Ans- ● The broken chain significance freedom.

● The eye within a triangle radiating light shows knowledge.

● Scepter symbol of royal power.

● Snake biting eternity.

● Red phrygian cap worm by a slove upon becoming free.

● Blue white red the national colours of France.

● Winged woman personification of the laws.

● Law tablet all and all are equal before it.

25. What was revolutionary wars and it’s effect ?

Ans-(i) . Although Louis XVI had signed the constitution.

(ii) . He entered into secret negotiations with the king of perrsia.

(iii) . They plans to send troops to put down the events.

(vi) . Before this could happen, the national assembly declares war against Persia and Austria. (Effects)

o Losses And economical difficulties to the people.

o The men were away fighting at the front.

o Women were left to the cupe with the task of earning.

o A living and looking after their families.

26. What Led to the formation of a Jacobin club? who was its member ? what they were achievements?

Ans- (i) . The member of jacobin club belong manily to the less prosperous section of society.

(ii) . They included small shop keepers artition such as shoe maker, pastry Cooks watch-maker printers as well as
servant and daily wage workers.

(iii) . Many were not satisfied with them.

(iv) . This lead to the formation of jacobin club.

(v) . Election were held from man 21 years and above have got the right to vote.
 Short Answer Questions

Q. 1.  What do you know about 'Estate General'? 

Ans.  I)  The Estate General was a political body to which the three estates sent their
representatives. 

II.  In France of the old regime, the monarch did not have the power to impose taxes, rather he
had to call a meeting of the Estate General to pass the proposals for new taxes. 

III. However, it was the monarch alone who could decide when to call a meeting of this body. 

Q. 2.   What was the role of the philosopher in the French Revolution? 

Ans.   Ideas of having a society based on freedom and equal laws and opportunities for all were put
forward by the French philosophers. 

I) John Locke :  Locke wrote, ' Two Treatises of Government'. In this book, he criticised the divine
and the absolute rights of the rulers. 

II)  John Jacques Rousseau:  Rousseau had written his viewpoint  in his book, 'The Social Contract -
between people and their representatives. 

III)  Montesquieu :  His ideas were proposed in his book, 'The spirit of law'  . According to him
there should be a division of power between the three organs -   the legislature, the executive and
the judiciary. 

   The ideas of these philosophers were discussed by common people in salons and coffee houses
and inspired them to fight for their rights. 

Q. 3.  What was the immediate cause of the French Revolution? 

Ans. I) A severe winter had meant a bad harvest, the price of bread rose, often bakers exploited
the situation and hoarded supplies. 

II)  After spending long hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into
the shops. 

III) At the same time, the king ordered troops to move into Paris and On 14th July, the agitated
crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille. 

         This was the immediate cause of French revolution. 

Q. 4. When did France become a Republic? 

Ans. I)  A republic is a form of government where people elect the government including the head
of the government. There is no hereditary monarch. 

II)  On 21st September 1792, a newly elected assembly called the ' Convention' - abolished the
monarchy and declared France a Republic. 

Q. 5.  Which laws were made to improve the status of women in the French society? 

Ans.  In the beginning, the revolutionary government introduced laws to improve the lives of
women. 
 
i)  Schooling was made  compulsory for all girls. 

ii) Their fathers could no longer force them to marriage against their will. 

iii)  Divorce was made legal and could be applied by both men and women. 

iv)  Women could now be trained for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses. 

Q. 6.  What was Guillotine? How was it used? 

Ans.  I) Robespierre  introduced Reign of Terror when he followed a policy of severe control and
punishment in France. 

II)  Guillotine was a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It
was named after Dr. Guillotine, who invented it. 

III)  Robespierre was convicted by a Court in July 1794, arrested and on the next day sent to the
guillotine and killed in the same manner he punished guilty people. 

Q. 7.  How was the taxation policy responsible for the French Revolution? 

Ans.  I) The French society divided into three estates-  First, Second and Third estates respectively. 

II)  First and second estates which formed 10 per cent of the total population were clergy and
nobles and were exempted from taxes and enjoyed all privileges. 

III)  Rest 90 Percent population of the third estate paid all kinds of direct or indirect taxes.
Member of third estate believe that no group in society should be privileged by birth. 

Q. 8. What was a ' Directory'?  Why was it removed from France? 

Ans.  I) After the fall of Jacobin, a new  Constitution was formed which denied the right to vote to
non-propertied men. 

II) The Constitution provided two elected legislative councils, who appointed a Directory, an
executive made up of five members

III) However, the directors often clashed with legislative Councils and were finally dismissed. 
     With this political instability emerged in France which gave rise to a military dictator, Napoleon
Bonaparte. 

Q. 9.  How did Peasants protest against the feudal Lords or nobles of France? 

Ans.  I)  There were rumours that the landlords of the  manor had hired some people to destroy
the ripened crops. 

II) Being afraid of the situation, peasants in several districts seized hoes and Pitchfork and attacked
chateaux ( castles belonging to the nobleman). 

III)  They looted hoarded grain in the market. They had also burnt the documents containing
records of the manorial dues. 
  With the result,  a large number of nobles fled  from their homes and migrated to the
neighbouring countries. 

Q. 10.   Mention the contribution of Mirabeau  in the formation of National Assembly? 

Ans.  I) Mirabeau was born in a noble family but was convinced to do away  with feudal privileges. 

II)  On 20 June, the third estate assembled in the hall of  an  indoor tennis court in the ground of
Versailles. 

III)  Mirabeau brought out a journal and delivered powerful speeches to the crowds assembled at
Versailles. 

Long Answer Questions

Q. 2.  How  did  the fall of  Bastille prison become the  immediate cause of French Revolution? 

Ans.  i)  On the morning of 14th July 1789,the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The king ordered
his troops to move into the city. 

ii)  Rumours spread that he would soon order the army to open fire upon the citizens. 

iii)  Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a people's
militia. 

iv) A group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed
the fortress-prison, the Bastille. 

v)  In the armed fight, the commander of Bastille was killed and prisoners released. 
   
       Since the Bastille stood for the despotic power of the king. It led people towards the success of
French Revolution. 

Q. 3. What  kinds of freedoms were  granted to the citizens of France after French Revolution? 
Ans.  I) One important law that came into effect soon after the storming of the Bastille in the
summer of 1789 was the abolition of censorship. 

II)  In the old regime all written material and  cultural activities, books, newspapers, play could be
published or performed only after they had been approved by the censors of the king. 

    Now the declaration of the rights of Man and citizen proclaimed freedom of speech and
expression, to be a natural right. 

III)  Newspaper, Pamphlet, books and Printed pictures flooded the towns of France from where
they Travelled rapidly into the countryside. They all described the events and changes taking place
in France. 

IV) Freedom of Press also meant the opposing views to events could be expressed. Each side
sought to convince the others of its position through the medium of print. 

V)  In this way they identified with ideas such as liberty or justice. Political philosophers wrote
these texts in length, which only a handful of educated people could read. 

Q. 4.  Who  formed the Jacobin Club? What measures had he taken to remove discrimination in
the French society and form a French Republic? 

Ans.   The Jacobin club was formed by Maximilian Robespierre.  The measures take or adopted
were: 

I)  Formation of Political clubs: Large sections of the society were convinced that the revolution
had to be carried further, as the Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer
sections of the society. 

II) Members of the Jacobin club :  It's members were from less prosperous sections of society.
They included small shopkeepers, artisans like shoemaker, pastry cooks, watch- makers and daily
wage earners. A large number members of the Jacobin club decided to wear long stripped
trousers, to look apart. They also wore red caps to symbolise freedom. 

III)  All citizens got the right to vote :  On the morning of 10 August, 1792 , Jacobin stormed the
palace of Tuileries, massacred the King's guards and held the king hostage for several hours. Later,
they voted to  imprison the Royal Family.  Then  the assembly declared that elections would be
held to form a government. All men above 21 years of age regardless of wealth got the right to
vote. 

IV)  Declaration of France as a Republic :   The newly elected assembly was called' Convention'. On
21st September 1792 , it abolished the monarchy and declared France as a Republic. Now people
elected their Government. There was no hereditary monarchy. 

V)  End of Monarchy:  Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a Court on the charges of betraying his
own country. On 21 January, 1793 he was executed publicly at the place de la Concord. The
queen, Marie Antoinette also met with the same fate. 

Q. 5.  What was the role of middle classes in ending the privileges? 
 Ans.   I)  In past, peasants and  workers had participated in the revolts against increasing taxes and
food scarcity. But they could not change the social and economic order. 

II)  The 18th century witnessed the emergence of social groups termed as middle class who
earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and from manufacturing goods and
exporting them. 

III)  In addition to merchants and manufacturers, the third estate included professions such as that
of lawyers or administrative officials.

IV) All of these were educated and believed that no group in Society should be privileged by birth. 
       Rather, a person's social position must depend on his merit. 

Tyranny: cruel and oppressive government or rule.

"refugees fleeing tyranny and oppression"
 a state under cruel and oppressive government.
 cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary use of power or control.

Despotism: the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.

"the ideology of enlightened despotism"

 a country or political system where the ruler holds absolute power.
plural noun: despotisms
"some nations are democracies, others are despotisms"

1. Relentlessly: in an unceasingly intense or harsh way.

"Joseph worked relentlessly"
Q) How the National Assembly formed by the people of the third estate? (5)

Ans) I) The Estates General was a political body to which the three estates send their representatives.

II) Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each
estates had one vote.

III) But members of the third estate demanded that voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole,
where each member would have one vote.

IV) But the king rejected this proposal.

v) The representatives of the third estate viewed themselves as spokesmen for the whole French nation.
They declared themselves a National Assembly and drafted a Constitution for France.

Q) How did France become a Constitutional monarchy? (3)

Ans) I) The National Assembly completed the draft of the Constitution in 1791.

II) These powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person were now Separated and
assigned to different institutions- the legislature, executive and judiciary.
III) It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights

Q) Who were Jacobins? Write about them. (3)

Ans: The most successful political club prior to French revolution was the Jacobin club which got its name
from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris. Political club became an important rallying point for people
who wished to discuss Government policies and plan their own forms of action. the members of the
Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous sections Of the society. They included small
shopkeepers, servants etc. Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre.

Answer :

The five economic causes of the French revolution were:

• The treasury of the state becomes empty due to various expenses. The state was
facing financial problems due to the frequent wars so they imposed taxes to meet the
expenses of the royal treasury.

• To meet the expenses required for maintaining court, army, government

universities and offices, the state increased the taxes and the people were forced to pay
these taxes.

• Peasants also had to pay taxes to the Church called Tithes. It also included direct tax
called Taille and other indirect tax which were imposed on the product of consumption like
salt and tobacco.

• The wages of the employees were low which widened the gap between rich and poor.

• The social disparity and the unequal distribution of the food resulted in subsistence

crisis which resulted in the increase in the prices of the food items.