THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Answer the following questions:

The outbreak of the revolutionary protest in France was a culmination of social,

Social causes: The social condition of France society was divided into three estate.
The first and second estates enjoyed the privilege and exempted from the tax. The
third estate was represented by its more prosperous and educated members but they
were who bore the burden of the taxes. They did not have any political rights and
social status.

Political Causes: Louis XVI , the king of France was an autocratic, inefficient ruler
who led a luxurious life. People of France became tired of this administration and
wanted a change.

Economic causes: The treasure of the king was empty on account of long wars,
involvement in the American War of Independence, luxurious living of the king
and faulty system of taxation .The state also undergone to a great debt of 2 billion
lives.

Influence of the Philosophers and Writers: The French Philosophers and writers
like Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Mirabeau who exposed the darker side of
the system. Their ideologies inspired people with the concept of liberty, equality ad
fraternity.

Immediate cause: There was a wide gap between rich and poor in the feudal
society. Increasing price of staple food caused a wide spread anger among masses.
The financial bankruptcy compelled to call for assembly of the Estate General and
to pass proposals for new taxes in 1789. This time each member should have one
vote system was rejected. This controversy led to agitation among the people
which became the immediate cause of the French Revolution.
Q2. Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which
groups were forced to relinquish power? Which section of society would have
been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?

All the groups which formed the third estate were benefited from the revolution.
These groups included workers, businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers,
teachers, doctors etc. Previously these people enjoy equal status. But after the
revolution they began to be treated equally with the upper sections of the society.

The classes which formed the privileged sections of the society like the nobility
and clergy were forced to relinquish –give up their execution power and privileges.

The privileged classes would have been disappointed with the outcome of the
revolution because their privileges were taken away from them.

Q3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the people of the world
during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Ans: The idea of liberty expressed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and
Citizen laid the foundation of the new social order. The ideals fo the freedom and
liberty formed the basis of national sovereignty.

The idea of equality led to the end of a society based on privileges. All individuals
have the same rights become the new slogan for world politics.

The idea of fraternity promotes the French Revolution was the idea of nationalism.
The French Revolution promotes the concept of nationalist which inspired the
people of Poland, Germany and Italy to establish nation-state s in their countries.

Q4.Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be

Ans. The trace of French Revolution are given in the Indian Constitution. They
are:

1. Right to Equality: The Right to Equality has its origin in the French Revolution.
In the In the Indian Constitution, Right to Equality means equality before law,
prohibition of discrimination and equality of opportunity in matters of
employment.
2. Right to Liberty or Freedom: The origin of this right can also be traced to the
French Revolution. In the Preamble to the Indian Constitution of thought,
expression, belief, faith and worship.

3 Spirit of Fraternity:

The French Revolution introduced the growth of the spirit of fraternity and social
welfare. In Indian Constitution fraternity abolishes un-touch ability and local or
provincial anit-social feelings.

Q5. Would you agree with the view the message of universal rights was beset
with contradictions? Explain.

Ans: Yes, we agree the message of universal rights was beset with contradiction.
Many ideals in the “Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen” were not clear in
their meanings.

1. “The law has the right to forbid only actions injuries to society” did not
mention about criminal offences against individuals.
2. The “law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to
participate in its formation. All citizens are equal before it”. Although, France
became a Constitutional Monarchy, millions of citizens were still not allowed
to vote at all- under the age of 25 and women.
3. Women were still regarded are passive citizens. They did not have any political
right, such as right to vote and hold political offices like men. Thus, their
position contradicts the concept ‘men are born an remain free and equal in
rights’
4. French colonies and slavery still continued till the 19th century. All these were
in striking contrast to the ideals that the revolution supported.

Q6. How would you explain the rise of Napolean Bonaparte.

Ans: The rise of Nepolean Bonaparte was the result of the following

 Political Instability: The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte was an indirect result of the
French revolution. After the revolution there was a struggle for power going on
in France.
 New Constitution: After the fall of the Jacobin government, a new constitution
was introduced. It provided for two elected legislature councils and a Directory
which was made of five members. The Director often clashed with the
legislative councils and was dismissed. Napolean took advantage of this
instability and became a military dictator.
 Napolean became the Emperor: In 1804, Napolean Bonaparte crowned himself
Emperor of France. Many people saw him as a liberator as well as a modernizer,
who would bring freedom for the people. But his rise to power did not last for
long time. In 1815 at Waterloo, he was finally defeated.