WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 Some Aspects Of The French Revolution Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Why did the revolution first occur in France?
Answer:
On July 14th, 1789 the revolution in France started by storming the prison fort of Bastille, and the revolution lasted for ten years till 1799. The Ancien Regime that existed in France was based on medieval structure and was started to be criticized by the French people who had developed a rational outlook and were determined not to accept any measure or organization on an arbitrary basis.
The middle-class people of France were enlightened and inspired by the writings of philosophers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire and were prepared to give leadership to the revolution in France. The philosophers in France pointed out the political, social, and economic disparities that were prevalent in French society and also highlighted the evils of the Divine Right Theory of Kingship that were followed by the French monarchs.
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The French people also learned from the writings of the philosophers the concept of constitutional monarchy and the reforms that could be undertaken at the political and financial level to improve the condition of the people. The deplorable economic condition, the division of the French society, the burden of heavy taxation on the members of the Third Estate, and the poor agricultural and industrial structure of France leading to acute food shortage resulted in the outbreak of the revolution in 1789.
The Glorious Revolution (1688) in England and the American War of Independence also played important roles in the outbreak of the revolution in France in 1789. All these factors made the Revolution in France inevitable.
WBBSE Class 9 History LAQs On French Revolution Causes And Effects WBBSE Museum Of Economic Errors
Question 2. Discuss why France was called a “Museum of Economic Errors”
Answer:
France was called a ” Museum of Economic Errors”
The British Economist, Adam Smith in his book “An Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” remarked that the French economy of the 18th Century, was a “Museum of Errors”, primarily because of its discriminatory and unjust structure of taxation. The wealthy and the privileged class of people belonging to the First and Second Estates paid only 4% of the tax in France while the major burden of 96% of the taxation rested upon the unprivileged class of people in the Third Estate.
The under-developed agricultural and industrial structure and the explosion in population resulted in acute food shortages and a high rate of inflation. The extravagant lifestyle of the Bourbon kings and queens, and their corrupt officials also contributed to the financial crisis in France. The means adopted by the royal contractors in realizing the revenues was unjust and these officials not only exploited the common people and the peasants they cheated on the royal treasury as well.
The huge borrowings of the French Government to meet the deficit finance, the inefficient administrative structure, the failure in the growth of trade and commerce, and the involvement of France in the overseas wars only resulted in the crumbling of the French economy in the 18th Century.
WBBSE Class 9 History French Revolution Detailed Answers WBBSE Ancien Regime
Question 3. What do you mean by ” Ancien Regime”?
Answer:
The term “Ancien Regime” refers to the primitive rule that existed in France before the Revolution of 1789. The system emphasized absolute monarchy and feudalism, the division in society and exploitation of the commoners, and the importance of the church and clergy. The Bourbon monarchs of France like Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI believed in the Divine Right Theory of Kingship and considered themselves as representatives of God on Earth and carried on their autocratic and tyrannical rule. Louis XIV converted royal power into an autocracy.
Louis XV was a butterfly king averse to hard work and he lacked native intelligence and moral discipline. Louis XVI was a prisoner of indecision and was dominated by his wife Marie Antoinette. French monarchy suffered due to its financial scarcity and bad handling of foreign policy. The government ran into high debt. In the Seven Year War, France suffered defeat and lost mastery of India and America. The French monarchy lost its face before its people by the defeat.
Before the revolution, only 4% of the burden of taxation was borne by the people of the First and the Second Estates though they enjoyed the maximum privileges in the society 96% of the tax burden rested on the Third Estates despite performing all the duties were denied all the privileges by the state. Moreover, they had to pay taxes in the form of ‘Tithes’ and ‘Corvee’ to the clergies and the aristocrats.
Although one-fifth of the agricultural land of France belonged to the church it never paid any revenue but collected taxes on grounds of religion, marriage, death, etc. They exploited the common people largely and even exercised great control over education and other social organizations. Hence, France was a Political Prison and Museum of Economic Errors during the Ancien Regine. To sum it up it must be stated that the French Revolution wanted to put an end to the “Ancien Regime” in France.
WBBSE History Chapter 1 Long Answer Questions And Solutions The Aristocratic Revolution In Pre-Revolutionary France
Question 4. Discuss the Aristocratic Revolution in pre-revolutionary France.
Answer:
Revolution In Pre-Revolutionary France
The economic crisis in France during the reign of Louis XVI prompted his Finance Minister Calonne to draw up a plan of Financial reforms. The reform measures were placed before the Parlement of Paris and the Council of Notables for approval, but unfortunately, the Council declined approval and the economic condition deteriorated further. The new Finance Minister Brienne suggested imposing taxes on the First and Second Estates and the king in desperation tried to compel the Parlement of Paris to implement the new taxation policy.
The Aristocrats who were accustomed to the fine privileges of exemption of taxes got infuriated at the idea of imposition of the new taxation policy and revolted. The Aristocrats stated that the king had no right to impose the new tax policy without the consent of the States-General, and if the king intended to abolish the power of the nobility then he should also give away his prerogative right.
The Aristocrats asked the king to summon the US States-General and the revolt they launched in 1788 is known as the Aristocratic Revolution. The Aristocratic Revolt is regarded as the first step of the French Revolution and thus it is aptly remarked that the ‘Patricians began the revolt and the Plebeians completed it’.
WBBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 French Revolution LAQs With Answers The Discriminatory Tax System In France Before The French Revolution
Question 5. Describe the discriminatory tax system in France before the French Revolution.
Answer:
The French Revolution
Before the outbreak of the revolution in France, the taxation system was discriminatory and unjust and the British Economist, Adam Smith described the French economy as the “museum of errors” The French society was divided into three estates namely Estate, Second Estate, and the Third Estate and while the first two estates were the privileged one the third one was unprivileged.
The French clergy and nobility comprising the First and Second Estates respectively owned 50% of the land-holding properties and bore just 4% of the tax burden while the unprivileged commoners of France bore the rest of the 96% of the tax burden. The tax collectors followed oppressive measures and practiced corrupt means to extort taxes from the commoners. Both direct and indirect taxes like Taille(direct), Tithes (religious), Vingtiemes or income tax, Capitation or production tax, and Gabelle or salt tax were collected.
Aides or taxes on wine and tobacco, Corvee, or labor tax were also imposed and the French peasantry that formed around 80% of the population had to pay the maximum amount to the royal treasury. Thus paying the high amount of taxes to the economy the peasants hardly had enough to meet their basic demands and this discriminatory taxation system contributed to the economic crisis in France.
Question 6. Why did the French people attack the Fort of Bastille?
Answer:
The infamous Fort of Bastille was the symbol of the autocratic rule of the French monarchs and its oppression of the common people. On 14th July 1789, a group of armed revolutionary mob attacked the prison fortress of Bastille, killed its governor Marquis de Launay, freed the prisoners, only a handful then collected ammunition, and finally burnt it.
Of the numerous factors that can be attributed as the causes of this attack, the primary one was the acute shortage of food from January 1789 followed by inflation, unemployment, discriminatory taxation policies, etc. The removal of the popular Finance minister of France, Necker by Louis XVI and deploying of troops at Paris and Versailles also generated public wrath. The intensity of the attack made the king, the aristocrats, and the government employees realize that the fall of the monarchy was certain and they contemplated fleeing from Paris.
Question 7. Why was the Constituent Assembly formed?
Answer:
The important members of the Legislative Assembly like -Mirabeau, Barnave, Lafayette, Talleyrand, and Mounier drew up a written constitution of France in two years between 1789 and to1791. This group came to be known as the Constituent Assembly and the new Constitution was named The Constitution of 1791. The Constituent Assembly undertook certain administrative, judicial, economic, and religious reforms.
Influenced by the English Constitution it wanted the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary to work separately, the Divine Right theory of kingship was replaced and the king of France was made the King of the French only thus putting an end to absolute monarchical power. A comprehensive economic policy was formed by the Constituent Assembly leading to the development of the economy.
A Judicial Council with elected representatives of people was constituted whose members were divided into Active and Inactive ones depending on their economic condition. The Constituent Assembly laid down rules to reconstruct the Galician Church and the “Civil Constitution of Clergy” was framed to bring the church under the purview of the state.
Question 8. How did the philosophers form public opinions in favor of the French Revolution?
Answer:
It is often considered that the famous philosophers and political thinkers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Diderot and the physiocrats like Quesnay and others paved the path for revolution in France.
The writings of these philosophers brought to the surface the negative impact of absolute monarchy and the ill effects of despotism, the social, political, and economic inequalities prevalent in French society, etc. However, historians are divided in their opinions while discussing the roles of the philosophers in favor of the French Revolution.
According to the Irish philosopher Edmund Burke French Revolution was the product of the conspiracies of the philosophers of the time and John Rude who also had similar views said that the irrationality and the anomalies of the French society came into open through the writings of the philosophers. It was the philosophers who transformed the outlook of the French people from spiritualism to rationalism and humanism and prepared the ground for them to execute the revolution.
David Thomson and a few others however emphasized that philosophers hardly played any role in the French Revolution for their writings were too superior for the common people to understand. At best it can be concluded by saying that the writings or preaching of the philosophers inspired and motivated the educated bourgeoisie and indirectly helped in the outbreak of the revolution of 1789 in France.
WBBSE Class 9 History Questions On Revolutionary Ideas In France WBBSE The Social Factors Behind The French Revolution
Question 9. What were the social factors behind the French Revolution?
Answer:
The French Revolution that broke out in July 1789 had several reasons behind it. One of the important factors behind the revolution perhaps was the division of French society and the exploitative nature of its government. Before the revolution of France, the society was comprised of the privileged classes belonging to the First Estate(clergies) and Second Estate (aristocrats) and the masses or unprivileged class or the Third Estate (common people).
Though fifty percent of the landed properties were owned by the members of the First and Second Estates they only paid 4% of the tax to the government and hardly performed any duties that would benefit the state, they enjoyed a life of luxury, and while the clergies extorted taxes from the common people for the church the aristocrats exacted corvee or free labor.
The members of the Third Estates paid 96% of the tax and hardly reaped any benefit from the state. The peasants who formed 80% of the French population paid 80% of their income as tax to the state and the amount that was left to him was hardly enough to meet his daily requirements. All these factors, along with the presence of enlightened middle-class people in the French Society contributed to its outbreak. These people hold the view that privilege in society could not be acquired by way of birth only and were influenced highly by the writings of the philosophers of the time.
Class 9 History long answer questions French Revolution WBBSE
Question 10. Discuss the chief features of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.
Answer:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was drawn up by the French Constituent Assembly on 26th August 1789.
The Declaration categorically mentioned that.
- All men are born free and equal in their rights of liberty, property, security, and resistance to any form of torture.
- All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law and there is no place for arbitrary accusation, arrest, or detention.
- None of the citizens can be disturbed on account of his views and religious beliefs.
- The source of power rests on the nation and the tax burden must be borne equally by the citizens according to their capacity.
- The property right is regarded as sacred and cannot be usurped without proper compensation.
The Declaration no doubt recognized the basic demands of the Third Estate but failed to provide any document on economic freedom, economic equality, and slavery. In short, it championed the three basic ideals of the French Revolution – Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity and brought to an end the monarchical absolutism in France.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1
Question 11. What was the influence of the Glorious Revolution and the American War of Independence on the French Revolution?
Answer:
The influence of the Glorious Revolution and the American War of Independence on the French Revolution
The conflict between the Stuart kings and the British Parliament came to an end with the Glorious Revolution( 1688) that successfully enabled the establishment of constitutional monarchy and the sovereignty of the people of England.
Inspired by the Glorious Revolution and the writings of John Locke, French philosophers like Montesquieu Diderot, and Voltaire criticized the absolute monarchism of France and influenced the French people toward the revolution.
The American War of Independence which lasted for eight years from 1776 to 1783 had a much wider impact on the French population. Participation of France in this war to help America and crush England exhausted the treasury no doubt but it gave great exposure to the French soldiers who took part in the war.
Not only had they returned with revolutionary ideas they also realized that the major hindrance to any reforms in France was the presence of the clergies and nobles.
They realized the demerits of the administrative system prevalent in France and its disability to bring about any change and ultimately decided to revolt. Thus we can aptly mention the statement of Historian Alfred Cobban-“..the price to be paid for American independence was a French Revolution”.
WBBSE Class 9 Chapter 1 Long Answers For WBBSE French Revolution Notes Robespierre
Question 12. Write a note on Robespierre.
Answer:
Robespierre
Maximilian Robespierre born on 6th May 1758 at Arras was a radical Jacobin leader who played a significant role in the French Revolution (1789). He was a lawyer by profession and became famous for his altruistic views by 1788, worked for the poor, and warned the privileged class of people of the French society through his work, “Report for Lord Dupond” and against royal absolutism.
In March 1789 the citizens of Arras chose him as one of their representatives and his political career started at the age of thirty being influenced by Rousseau and other philosophers of the time welcomed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, advocated universal suffrage, petition rights, opposed the power of royal veto, racial and religious differences, and corruption among the ministers.
After the execution of Louis XVI France was faced with a terrible crisis through both internal and external forces, there was a high rate of inflation, a shortage of food, and the united attack on France by the other European nations like England, Austria, Prussia, etc.
Robespierre handled all these challenges and destroyed every opposition and rose to power it was under his leadership the period between 2nd June 1793 to 27th July 1794 became a” Reign of Terror” in France.
A large number of people were guillotined and ultimately the Girondins and some of the Jacobins rose against him captured him on 27th July 1794 and guillotined him on the following day (28th July 1794), thus bringing an end to Red Terror.
WBBSE Class 9 History LAQs French Revolution Solutions PDF September Massacre
Question 13. What is the “September Massacre”?
Answer:
10th August 1792 is considered an important date in the history of France and is regarded as the day of the Second Revolution in France as the days followed witnessed massive destruction and overthrow of the monarchy. Jacobin leaders like Danton and Marat searched for those who were the supporters of monarchy and stood against the Revolution. The actual killing began on September 2nd and continued till 6th September 1792 and any person who was suspected a royalist was put to death.
George Rude failed to provide any explanation for this incident. But Alfred Cobban stated that the fear of the foreign soldiers releasing the royalists caused panic and led to this mass killing. On September 2nd the citizens were asked at the Paris Commune to collect weapons for their protection.
Around 1200 people who were believed to be the followers of the monarchy and aided foreign invasion were killed This act of cruelty by the Jacobins was extremely disgraceful and hateful in French history.
WBBSE History French Revolution Detailed Analysis Class 9 LAQs The Results Of The Fall Of Bastille
Question 14. What were the results of the fall of Bastille?
Answer:
According to Goodwin, ” No other single event of the revolution had so many-sided and far-reaching results as the fall of Bastille”. The fall of Bastille on July 14th, 1789 marked the end of monarchy in France and the kings and nobles being greatly affected by the enormity of the incident were horrified and started leaving the country for England. The king had to reappoint Necker the popular Finance Minister and disperse the mercenaries from Versailles.
To bring back law and order the bourgeoisie advocated the idea of forming the commune and soon the “Paris Commune” or rule of Paris by its municipality was initiated. The National Guard was established to protect Paris from any possible danger by the first mayor Bailey. Immediately after the fall of Bastille, the revolution spread far and wide even in the villages of France.
Question 15. Clarify the three watchwords of the French Revolution.
Answer:
The three watchwords of the French Revolution
The three watchwords of the French Revolution were Equality, Fraternity, and Liberty which embodied the lofty ideals of the revolution and triumphed over the concept of humanism that came into being during the time of the Renaissance. The term Equality signified the end of privileges to the members of the clergy and the nobility and stated that every man is born free and is exposed to equal rights and all are equal in the eyes of law.
On 4th August 1789, feudalism was abolished and all the vexing taxes both direct and indirect were withdrawn. On 26th August 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was drawn which provided the power of Liberty -people now have the right to express their opinion freely and have personal as well as religious freedom.
Liberty was never allowed to do things that were injurious to others, it put importance on people and not the French monarch as a sovereign power. Fraternity upheld the concept of brotherhood, thus uniting the people irrespective of their language or social status.
Question 16. How was Feudalism abolished in France?
Answer:
The flames of the French Revolution spread like wildfire to the rural areas of France and by 4th August 1789, a declaration was issued by the Constituent Assembly that abolished Feudalism in France. This was possible as a result of the enactment of certain laws which clearly stated the annulment of certain systems that were prevalent like the feudal lords were no longer allowed any inherited social and political privileges.
Serfdom was abolished. Any kind of feudal taxes, Corvee, or free labor became outdated. The manorial system, the church taxes like ‘Tithes’, and the preferential treatment of the aristocrats in government services ceased to exist. However, the feudal system did not come to an end in totality as some of the privileges still rested with the clergy and the nobility.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 Thermidorian Reaction
Question 17. What is “Thermidorian Reaction”?
Answer:
The “Thermidorian Reaction” took place after Robespierre the architect of the “Reign of Terror” was guillotined on 28 July 1794. The Reactionaries wanted to set up a conservative republic, devoid of centralized power, strict fiscal measures, etc. The terrorists were killed and the Paris Commune, the Reign of Terror, and one of the main organs the Committee of Public Safety were disempowered.
The Thermidorians introduced the “White Terror” to free the government and society from the remaining Jacobins. It was partially carried out by the Muscadin, a group of dandyish street fighters organized by the new government. The White Terror resulted in numerous imprisonments and several hundred executions among which many executions took place without a trial.
The prisoners who were not found guilty were released and there was a reorganization of the National Guards. In 1795 a new constitution was passed and the Directory was formed dissolving the National Convention. However, it must be admitted that though the “Thermidorian Reaction “was the outcome of the grievances of the middle-class people the regime that followed for 15 months was unpopular and failed to make any positive impact.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 Reign Of Terror
Question 18. Write a note on the Reign of Terror.
Answer:
To protect the Revolution and ensure the power to the Sans-culottes, the rule that was established by the Jacobins in the period between 1793 to 1794 under Robespierre is known in history as the ” Reign of Terror” The execution of Louis XVI by the National Convention on 21st January 1793 was followed by protests of the royalists and the war against the republican government of France launched by the coalition formed by the monarchical countries like Britain, Austria, Prussia, etc.
Further, there were problems of food shortage, inflation, the problem of unemployment, and others. Under such circumstances of internal problems and external attacks, the National Convention resorted to a strategy of terror to protect the country.
Any sort of opposition was brutally suppressed, black marketing and hoarding were strictly dealt with, control in prices of daily requirements, formation of a large military force, and ammunition factories were undertaken.
Around fifty thousand people were guillotined, and almost three lakhs were arrested during this period creating an atmosphere of extreme despair and fear and ultimately forced the moderate members of the Jacobins and the Girondins to capture Robespierre and his followers on 27th July 1794, and guillotine them on the following day marking the end of “Reign of Terror”. (28 July) i.e., 10th Thermidor.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 Tipu Sultan’s Relation With The Jacobin Club
Question 19. What was Tipu Sultan’s relationship with the Jacobin Club?
Answer:
Tipu Sultan was the son of a great ruler of Mysore named Hyder Ali who was continuously at war with the English East India Company. Tipu the brave Nawab of Mysore of the 18th century had his capital at Seringapatam.
Tipu was an ardent admirer of the European art of warfare which was based on teamwork and centralized command. To fight the English he joined hands with the French officers who considered the English as their arch-enemies.
WBBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 French Revolution simplified answers
Tipu came to know about the largest and the most powerful club in France, the Jacobin Club, and became one of its members. He planted the “tree of liberty” and accepted the proposal of the French soldiers to set up the Jacobin Club at Seringapatam in 1797.
Some advanced cannons and French army officers were sent to Tipu by the Jacobins to train and equip his army. Tipu also ordered a salute of 2300 cannons and 500 rockets to celebrate the occasion of setting up of the Jacobin club at Seringapatam.
Question 20. How did the French Constituent Assembly limit the powers of the king?
Answer: The Constituent Assembly in France established a constitutional monarchy. The king was the head of the constitution but he was no longer ordained with divine right. He became the King of the French who received a salary for his work. He had to perform his duties as the head of the state following the doctrine of separation of powers. The king was not in a position to declare war or sign a treaty with other countries.
He had no authority over the provincial governments and could not control the legislative and judicial bodies. The king had the Veto power through which he could only withhold a proceeding temporarily, but he was not given the power to abolish it.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 The Social Structure Of France Before The Revolution Of 1789
Question 21. Describe the social structure of France before the revolution of 1789.
Answer:
The social structure of France before the Revolution of 1789 was feudal comprising of the three classes or estates. The First Estate belonged to the clergy who occupied a position just below the king and owned 10 to 15% of the landed property of France. They were regarded as the privileged class who enjoyed exemption from taxes by way of their birth and enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle.
They were so corrupt that the wealth of the church which came in the form of tax on religion or ‘Tithes’ did not serve the poor but was usurped by the upper clergy. They also imposed taxes on marriage, birth, death, etc. to meet their selfish motives.
Next to the clergy was the French aristocracy that formed the Second Estate and enjoyed as many privileges in the society. They also owned large portions of landed properties in France, were exempted from tax, and had no obligations toward the state. It was this French aristocracy who first started the revolt in France when their privilege of exemption from tax was being threatened.
In France all except the clergy and the aristocracy, the rest of the population comprising the middle class, peasants, workers, and Sans-culottes formed the Third Estate. The middle class who were the wealthiest members of the Third Estate were much superior in every respect from the aristocracy and yet belonged to this unprivileged group and nurtured a deep feeling of wound.
The peasants who formed nearly 90% of the Third Estate had to work for themselves and the landlords and paid a large number of taxes like tailles, capitation, gabelle, etc. The Third Estate was the most exploited class in French society paying 96% of the tax burden while the other two estates together contributed just 4%.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1
Question 22. How far were the Bourbon monarchs responsible for the French Revolution? What was the Brunswick Manifesto?
Answer:
The French monarchy which was feudal in form was based on the centuries-old accumulation of a feudal relationship between the king and the First and Second Estates and the rest of the population belonging to the Third Estate.
At the time of the Revolution of 1789, France was under the rule of the Bourbon Dynasty who believed in the Divine Right Theory of Kingship and absolute monarchy. They became so high-handed that the States-General which was a representative assembly was not summoned for 175 years after 1614.
The tyrannical Bourbon king Louis XIV went to the extent of declaring-” The state! It is me” Afterward, after him Louis XV issued legislation arbitrarily and got France engaged in overseas wars ignoring the condition of the royal treasury. Louis XVI who was the Bourbon monarch during the time of the Revolution lacked personality, was autocratic and whimsical, and was largely influenced by his Queen Marie Antoinette. His weak character failed to check the prevalent corruption and privileges of the aristocracy.
The presence of corrupt law and order, the administrative machinery of the state, judicial inefficiency, discrepancy in tax structure, and the extravagant lifestyles of the Bourbon monarchs collectively contributed to the outbreak of the revolt.
Louis XVI attempted to bring back the monarchy in France with aid from other countries in Europe. In 1792 when the Sans-culottes attacked the royal palace of Tuileries the king wanted to flee with his wife. It was believed Louis XVI at that time was in liaison with foreign powers like Austria and Prussia against his countrymen.
In 1792, the Austro-Prussian general, Duke of Brunswick issued a manifesto that threatened France with severe consequences in case of any insult or injury to the members of the royal family. This is called the Brunswick Manifesto.
WBBSE Class 9 Chapter 1 Long Answers For WBBSE French Revolution Notes Chief Causes Of The French Revolution
Question 23. What were the chief causes of the French Revolution?
Answer:
Many factors contributed to the outbreak of the Revolution in France 1789-social, political, and economic being the primary ones. Before the revolution, French society was divided into three estates namely the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (aristocrats), and the Third Estate (common people) where the first two enjoyed all the privileges, performed hardly any duties to the state, and enjoyed tax exemption.
On the other hand, the Third Estate who bore 96% of the tax burden and denied any privileges naturally nurtured extreme hatred which was enough to culminate in a revolt. The unequal taxation system, shortage of food, high rate of inflation, and unemployment problems were some of the major economic reasons leading to the outbreak of the revolt.
The extravagant and luxurious lifestyles of the Bourbon monarchs and the participation of France in wars drained the royal treasury and to meet the deficit finance increased taxes were imposed upon the Third Estate which they resented greatly.
The weakness of the Bourbon monarchs made the members of the First and Second Estates corrupt and increased the frustration of the common people. The law and order and the judiciary too were not free from corruption.
The French middle class which was much more enlightened than the middle-class people of other countries of Europe could see through the hollowness of the administration. They took up the work of organizing and leading the people towards the revolution.
Last but not least it was the role of the French philosophers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, Voltaire, Diderot, and others who prepared the intellectual atmosphere for the people of France to undertake an event of so major importance -the revolution of 1789.
Question 24. What was the main conflict of the Royalty with the Third Estate in France? Discuss the effect of this conflict.
Answer:
The main conflict of the Royalty with the Third Estate in France
The States-General which was constituted of the representatives of the three estates of the French society was not summoned for 175 years from 1614. King Louis XVI was forced to reconstitute the French Parliament due to pressure from the members of the Second and Third Estates and elections were held on January 1789. The States-General was summoned for the purpose.
The conflict arose on the question of proportional representation to the States- General. Though the Third Estate constituted more than 90% of the population, they were allowed to have a single representative from a given area and the First and Second Estates were likewise allowed one representative each.
The number of members for the three estates was 308, 285, and 621 respectively thus leaving a major area of difference. It was the rule that the Third Estate members had one vote and the First and Second Estates also had one vote, which created dissension among the members.
All these enabled the members of the Third Estates to realise that they had gained no social and political benefits by way of meeting at the States-General, the conflict between the king and the aristocrats would not produce any positive result for them.
The king who felt threatened posted the army at the States-General and closed it down. This incident annoyed the Third Estate members greatly and they assembled at the king’s Tennis Court and took the Oath of not getting separated until the constitution of the kingdom was adopted. The intensity of the incident forced the king to give in to the demands of the Third Estates and declare the writing of a new Constitution of France.
Question 25. Why was the States-General summoned? What was its result?
Answer:
The States-General, the assembly that was responsible for passing legislation in France was summoned by the Bourbon monarch Louis XVI after about 175 years on 12th June 1789. During this time France was going through a great economic crisis and immediate fiscal reforms were the call of the hour.
Finance Ministers like Turgot, Necker, Calonne, and Brienne proposed various measures that suggested getting away with the age-old tradition and privilege of exemption of taxation of the Aristocrats. This raised severe objections from the Aristocrats and Queen Marie Antoinette.
Aristocrats antagonized them to such an extent that they soon resorted to a revolt in 1788. They argued that the king had no right to impose such taxes without the consent of the States-General and that in case the king wanted to abolish the privileges of the nobility he had to give up his prerogative rights too. This revolt of the Aristocrats is regarded as the first step to the revolution.
All the members of the three estates who met at the Royal Palace of Versailles on 5th May 1789 brought their memorandums and complaints known as ‘Cahiers’ along with them. But soon the members of the Third Estates realized the futility of this meeting at the States-General and conflict arose on the grounds of unequal sharing of votes.
The Third estate comprising more than 90% of the total population was allowed to have one representative from a given area and the First and Second Estates were also allowed to have one representative each. This created upheaval and finally, the king posted the army at the States-General and closed it down.
This incident infuriated the members of the Third Estate who gathered at the king’s Tennis Court and took the oath not to be separated until the Constitution of the kingdom was adopted. The bourgeoisie thus got their recognition through this incident and the king had to give in by confirming their demand of writing of a new Constitution in France.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1
Question 26. What were the contributions of the philosophers on the eve of the French Revolution? Who were the Physiocrats? Who was the French ruler during the time of the French Revolution?
Answer:
The contributions of the philosophers on the eve of the French Revolution
Many factors contribute to give rise to an event as important and remarkable as a revolution. On one hand, the social, political, economic, and religious causes provided the backdrop to the revolution of 1789 in France, the intellectual atmosphere for the event was a product of the preaching of the philosophers.
Before the revolution in France, the mental environment was prepared by famous thinkers like Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot through their work. These thinkers denounced absolutism and the Divine Right Theory of Kingship wanted equal social, economic, and political rights for all.
Mention must be made about the books like ‘The Spirit of Law’, ‘The Persian Letters by Montesquieu, ‘Candide’ and ‘Philosophical Dictionary’ by Voltaire, and ‘The Contract Sociale’ and ‘General Will by Rousseau in this regard. The 35-volume Encyclopedia by Diderot also made the French people rise against the clergy, the aristocracy, and the old social structure of France. Historians are divided in their opinions about the contribution of the philosophers in the outbreak of the French Revolution of 1789.
While Edmund Burke felt that the revolt was the outcome of the efforts of the philosophers, Rude pointed out that it was through them that the true picture of French society, the existing inequalities, and anomalies were revealed.
However, David Thomson disagreed with these views of the direct influence of the philosophers. He argued that the actual causes behind the revolt were political and economic. The uneducated people of France were far from understanding the writings of the philosophers. It was only an educated few among the Bourgeoisie and the Aristocracy who could comprehend their writings.
The word ‘Physiocrats’ refers to the French Economists and it was under the leadership of Quesnay and Turgot that the Physiocratic School of Thought was established in France. The Physiocrats condemned the feudal rights and privileges enjoyed by the members of the First and the Second Estates and resisted the concept of controlling the country’s economy, trade, and industry by a single class of society. Louis XVI was the French monarch at the time of the Revolution of 1789.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 The Role Of The Women In The French Revolution
Question 27. What was the role of women in the French Revolution? State the laws that were made to improve their status in French society.
Answer:
Historian Carlyle in his book,’ The French Revolution had praised the French women for their active participation in the revolution of 1789 from the very beginning. When the Fort of Bastille was attacked on 14th July 1789 the brave and daring female population of France encouraged the revolutionaries, on 5th October 1789 affected by the acute food shortage and indifference of the king marched through the highways of Paris to Versailles shouting for their demand for ‘Bread’.
The women also participated actively when the Jacobins stormed the Palace of Tuileries on 10th August 1792 and imprisoned the king and his family. They also played a significant role at the National Convention and supported the abolition of Absolute Monarchy in France.
To raise their demands several clubs were formed in France and the women took up the pen to write on their issues through newspapers. In 1791, Olympe de Gouges, a daughter of a butcher wrote a book, ‘The Rights of Women’, where she specifically mentioned the equal rights of women.
The Constitution of 1791 cut down the rights of women and during the ‘Reign of Terror,’ their participation in politics and their clubs were banned. Though Napoleon granted the status of a second-class citizen to the women in France, their movement for voting rights, wages, and liberation continued. It was only in 1946 that they finally received their right to vote. The revolution had a deep impact on the lives of the French women. Their ankle-length skirts were replaced by short and tight skirts and capries and they also started wearing red hats.
The Revolutionary Government also stated a few laws to benefit the French women- Compulsory schooling or education for women was undertaken, training for jobs or small business was made available, and the girls were free to marry on their own choice. Divorce law came into force allowing both the men and women to avail this law according to their needs.
Question 28. Discuss the work of the Constituent Assembly.
Answer:
The work of the Constituent Assembly
In two years i.e., from 1789 to 1791 the important members of the legislative assembly namely Mirabeau, Barnave, Lafayette, and others came up with a new Constitution – the written Constitution of 1791.
The Constituent Assembly brought about reforms in
- Administration
- Judiciary
- Economy
- Religion.
Administrative Reforms:
Following the English Constitution, the three bodies namely the Executive, Legislative, and the Judiciary were separated and the king who remained the Constitutional head was denied his previous privileges and divine authority. The king now became a mere representative of the French people and the country was divided into Provinces, Cantons, and Communes for efficient administrative work.
Judicial Reforms:
A Judicial Council comprising 745 members was formed for two years. The members of the council were divided into two namely Active and Inactive or Passive depending on their financial condition and these members were elected representatives of the people. The king could exercise his Veto power to stall any proceedings temporarily but he was not given the right to abolish it.
Further, all men were regarded equal in the eyes of the law, the feudal lords could no longer carry any judicial functions, trial without jury was abolished and people were given the right to appeal to the higher courts for judicial redressal.
Economic Reforms:
The Constituent Assembly produced a comprehensive economic reform program to rejuvenate the crumbling French economy. The wealth and properties of the Church were confiscated, an industrial guild was formed, economic freedom was achieved and a uniform tax structure was created, all indirect taxes were abolished, taxes were imposed only on foreign trade and exempted from internal trade and commerce, ‘Assignat’ or notes of exchange were issued.
Religious Reforms:
The most important achievement of the Constituent Assembly in this regard was the reconstitution of the Galician Church. By issuing the Civil Constitution of Clergy’ the church came under the control of the state, church properties were confiscated, and the bishops and clergies not only became salary holders of the government they were also to be elected.
There was a total ban on the illegal activities of religious organizations. However, the Constituent Assembly had certain shortcomings. Firstly the administrative system suffered due to curtailment of the power of the king and the corruption of the ministers. The concept of voting based on wealth was unjust, the complete separation of powers of the executive and legislative was unwise.
The assembly favored the Bourgeoisie class greatly and choosing executive, legislative, and judicial members through election only often made way for incompetency. Historian Carlyle described the Constituent Assembly as the -Government of the foolish, by the foolish and for the foolish’.
Question 29. Describe the role of the mass in the French Revolution. Why is the attack on the Palace of Tuileries regarded as the ‘Second Revolution’?
Answer:
The Role of the Masses in the French Revolution
Acute shortage of food, inflation, unemployment problems, and the indifference of the king towards the problem of the Third Estate resulted in an environment of agitation among the common people of France and they were in a desperate search for change.
The fortress prison of Bastille that stood for the autocratic rule of the French kings was attacked by the masses on 14th July 1789, marking the beginning of the French Revolution. The fall of Bastille created such an atmosphere of fear that the King and his council of nobles contemplated fleeing to England.
This incident heralded the birth of liberty all over the world and had a far-reaching significance, marking the end of absolute monarchism in France, encouraging the peasants to rise in revolt, and putting an end to feudalism.
Paris Commune or rule of Paris through the municipality was constituted and the city was divided into Cantons for administrative efficiency. The National Guard was formed to protect the city. The other cities also followed the example of running the administration through municipalities like Paris.
The peasants of France who suffered under feudal rule realized the futility of the meeting of the States-General and the fall of Bastille and similar other violent incidents in different parts of France encouraged them to rise into a rebellion.
The rumor of the ‘Great Fear” that was unleashed was another provocation to the peasants. The rumor that spread narrated that criminals would be sent to the villages by the nobles to destroy the peasantry. Faced with such a situation along with their economic crisis the peasants rebelled against their feudal lords, burnt their manorial houses, and achieved in putting an end to feudalism.
On 5th October 1789, angered by hunger and acute shortage of food the common people of France marched through the highway from Paris to Versailles shouting for ‘Bread’ and sieged the Royal palace. When Louis XVI and his family attempted to escape from France the people now openly wanted to replace the monarchy with a republic. On the morning of 10th August, the Jacobins stormed the Palace of Tuileries, destroyed the Swiss guard holding the king hostage, and finally imprisoned him at the fort of Temple.
This dethronement of the king virtually translated France into a Republic. The Legislative Assembly was dissolved along with the dissolution of monarchy and historians like Lefebvre termed this incident as the “Second French Revolution”.
It is believed that internal crisis and fear of foreign invasion were the important causes that prompted the people of France to put an end to the monarchy. A newly elected assembly called the National Convention was constituted based on the universal voting right and on 20th September 1792 this Convention declared France a “Republic”.
Question 30. What was known as the Directory? What were the causes behind the fall of the Directory?
Answer:
Directory
After the fall of Robespierre and the Jacobins in 1795 the members of the National Convention drew up a new constitution for France, and a new Government known as the ” Directory” came into being.
The supreme executive power of the Directory was vested upon five persons namely Baras, La Ravelliere, Letourner, Raubel, and Carnot who were elected for five years by the Legislature. It had looked into the political and economic aspects of France, put an end to the excesses of the Reign of Terror, stopped mass execution, and eradicated the ultra-radical views of the time.
The Directory included a bicameral legislature with the Council of Ancients and the Council of Five Hundreds. The former consisting of 250 delegates over 40 years of age had the power to veto or accept any proposed legislation and the latter consisting of 500 delegates over 30 years of age had the right to propose legislation.
However, it must be admitted that the Directory was a fatal experiment in weak executive powers and it largely suffered from corruption. The Directors themselves were divided on many issues and failed to draw up any uniform plan of action and engaged themselves in malpractices like accepting bribes.
The sufferings of the common people and the peasants increased manifold during their rule and it was only a handful of wealthy bourgeoisie who benefitted in this period. The royalists and the reactionaries who were elected to the legislature nurtured the idea to sabotage the government. General Pichegru the president of the Five Hundred checked those plots and intrigues by the use of force.
The Second Coalition that was formed in Europe as a result of the attack of the Directory on the Helvetic Republic of Switzerland and the Tiberian Republic of Italy also landed France in the face of a great challenge. Thus the political instability that was created in France due to internal crisis and foreign aggression resulted in the rise of a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 1 The Results Of The French Revolution
Question 31. What were the results of the French Revolution?
Answer:
Historians consider the Revolution of France in 1789 as one of the most significant events in human history which left a far-reaching impact not only on Europe and the New World but also on the world at large. In the long term, the French Revolution made its impact felt in shaping the social, political, and religious views of people for over a century.
It not only brought an end to absolute monarchy and end of privileges to the nobles and clergies it put into force the concept of choosing their government by every nation. The French Revolution proclaimed the equality of citizens in the eyes of law, freedom of thought and faith, and freedom of speech and developed the idea of a people’s republic. The Revolution successfully suppressed feudalism in France and brought in the emancipation of the individual.
The concept of civil equality and sovereignty of the nation gave birth to a progressive socio-political system that was devoid of the exploitative machinery of the state. The revolution of 1789 made the Conservative powers aware of further revolutionary outbreaks.
It did inspire revolutionary movements in almost every country in Europe and South and Central America. The people of Europe now started entertaining the ideas like -nationalism, democracy, liberalism, and fraternity.
Last but not least important aspect of the Revolution was its importance on the sovereign will of the people. It brought before the world that no government could exist without the support of the people.
Question 32. Who were the Girondins and the Jacobins? What were the causes of the downfall of the Jacobins?
Answer: The Girondins and the Jacobins were the two important political parties in the National Convention that played a significant role in the French Revolution of 1789. The representatives of the Girondins mostly came from the Gironde region of France, they shared radical views, hated the privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates, and believed in liberal economic policy. Some of the Girondin leaders were Jerome Petion, Condorcet, and Brissot.
The Girondins who drew their support from the provinces were opposed to the ideas of anarchy, lawlessness, and violence. The Jacobin club drew their support from the Parisian mob comprising the people belonging to the poorer section of society like the shopkeepers, artisans, cooks, daily wage earners, etc and the most famous leader of this club was Robespierre. As the members of this club used to hold their meetings in the church called “Jacob” they came to be known as the Jacobins.
The Girondins and the Jacobins were staunch supporters of the Revolution and Republic. The Jacobins who hated aristocracy and monarchy favored the idea of the execution of King Louis XVI while the Girondins were against this.
The Girondin and the Jacobin conflict rose to a great height on 2nd June 1793, when the Jacobins were able to banish the members of the Girondins from the National assembly and brought France under their suzerainty.
Coming to power the Jacobin leaders like Marat, Danton, and Robespierre unleashed a ‘Reign of Terror’ to strike fear in the minds of the royalists. The Committee of Public Safety, The Committee of General Security, and the Revolutionary Tribunals became the primary organs of their rule. The ‘Law of Maximum’ and the ‘Law of Suspects’ became the order of the day. Hundreds and thousands of people were arrested and guillotined based on mere suspicion.
The fall of the Jacobins was a result of multiple factors. First of all the Jacobins were divided amongst themselves, the Reign of Terror unleashed such atrocities that the people lost faith in them, and the common people felt that the Jacobin rule threatened both their lives and property.
Robespierre even started to put control on the religious life of the people which seriously hurt their sentiments. The party’s fixing of the wages for the laborers raised their anger too. Thus the Reign of Terror by the Jacobins intended to strike terror and carry on administration in France dug its own grave by losing public support and sympathy.
Ultimately to stop the Reign of Terror the bourgeoisie launched the White Terror a counter-revolution on the Jacobins, resulting in the execution of Robespierre on 28th July 1794, paving the path for the Thermidorian rule and later to the rule of the Directory.