WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Revolutionary Ideals, Napoleonic Empire, And Idea Of Nationalism Short Answer Questions.
Question 1. What do you know about the early life of Napoleon?
Answer:
The early life of Napoleon
On 15th August 1769. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in a place called Ajaccio on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. His parents were Carlo Charles Bonaparte and Letizia Ramolino Bonaparte. Napoleon finished his education in the military academies of Paris and Brienne and joined as a Lieutenant in the French artillery.
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Question 2. What do you understand by the rule of the Consulate?
Answer:
The rule of the Consulate
Napoleon Bonaparte introduced a new administrative system in France known as the ‘Consulate’ after he overthrew the rule of the Directory in 1799. He assumed total control of power and ruled the country through the ‘Consulate’. France was ruled by a council consisting of three members and Abbe Sieyes was one of the important Consuls.
Question 3. How did Napoleon save the National Convention?
Answer:
The members of the National Convention were attacked by a rowdy mob on 5th October 1795. Napoleon Bonaparte who was a Brigadier General saved the National Convention by putting up a strong resistance with his soldiers. This incident was very significant in the course of Napoleon’s rise to power.
Question 4. Which incident is regarded as the lB Vendemiarie?
Answer:
On 5th October 1795, a rowdy mob attacked the members of the National Convention. Napoleon Bonaparte the Brigadier General launched an attack on the mob with his soldiers and saved the National Convention. This incident is known as the incident of October 5, 1795, or the 13thVendemiarie.
WBBSE Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Question 5. Which period is known as the ‘Age of Napoleon’ in France?
Answer:
The period from 1799 to 1814 is known as the Age of Napoleon in France. On 9th November 1799, he brought an end to the rule of the Directory and introduced a new administrative system called the ‘Consulate’. Napoleon was first appointed as the Consul for ten years, then the Constitution was revised and he became the Consul for life in 1802 then through a plebiscite proposed by the Senate he became the Emperor of the French in 1804.
Question 6. Which incident is regarded as the 18th Brumaire?
Answer:
Taking advantage of the chaotic and unpopular administration of the Directory, Napoleon made plans secretly with a few of the Directors to put an end to the rule of the Directory in France. On 9th or 10th November 1799, Napoleon launched a military coup and captured the administrative machinery of France. This incident is regarded as the 18th Brumaire.
Question 7. Which incident helped Napoleon in achieving the post of Brigadier?
Answer:
In 1793, the English laid siege on the Toulon harbor which was ruled by France. Napoleon made a sudden attack and removed the English from the Toulon harbor. He also resisted the counter-revolutionary activities. All this helped him in acquiring the post of the Brigadier.
Question 8. Why is the Battle of the Nile important?
Answer:
In 1798 the Battle of the Nile was fought between England and France. Napoleon was severely defeated in this battle by Admiral Nelson of the British Navy.
It was the Battle of the Nile that exposed the weakness of the French navy and the supremacy of the British naval force.
Revolutionary Ideals And Their Impact On European History Class 9 WBBSE The Battle Of The Pyramids
Question 9. What do you know about the Battle of the Pyramids?
Answer:
Napoleon assumed the responsibility of invading Egypt against England. Soon a major battle was fought on 21st July 1798, known as the Battle of the Pyramids. The French army under the guidance of Napoleon Bonaparte won a decisive victory in this battle.
Question 10. What do you know about the ‘Treaty of Campo-Formio’?
Answer:
‘Treaty of Campo- Formio’
The Treaty of Campo-Formio was a peace settlement between France and Austria signed on 17th October 1797. This incident marked the first major military success of Napoleon Bonaparte. It crushed the First Coalition that was formed against France by the other European countries.
Question 11. Name the countries that formed the First Coalition against France.
Answer:
The First European Coalition against France was formed in 1793. England, Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, and Sardinia were some of the countries that formed the First Coalition against France.
Question 12. Name the countries that formed the Second Coalition against France.
Answer:
The Second European Coalition against France was formed in 1799. England, Austria, Portugal, and Russia were some of the European countries that formed the Second European Coalition against France.
Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Question 13. Name the countries that formed the Third Coalition against France.
Answer:
The Third European Coalition against France was formed in 1805. England, Austria, Sweden, and Russia were some of the countries that formed the Third European Coalition against France.
Question 14. What were the main objectives of Code Napoleon?
Answer:
The main objectives of Code Napoleon
Before the Revolution of 1789, France had numerous arbitrary laws (around 360) and so the primary aim of Napoleon was to bring his entire French empire under one law.
France now became a secular country and the people were free to follow their religion. Code Napoleon gave the farmers the right to own land of their own. It also helped to strengthen the three ideals (Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity) of the French Revolution and everybody was made equal in the eyes of the law.
WBBSE Class 9 History Chapter 2 SAQs With Answers Civil Code
Question 15. What is known as the Civil Code?
Answer:
Code Napoleon was divided into five parts namely the Civil Code, the Penal Code, the Commercial Code, the Criminal Code, and other codes. The Civil Code not only provided provisions for equal treatment of every French citizen, but it also gave equal opportunities to them.
The land was also divided equally among all the farmers and from the records of 1804, it was seen that 56.2% of the land was divided equally among the farmers and 28.5% of the land was divided among the bourgeoisie. However, the civil code was incomplete in many senses and had several inconsistencies.
Question 16. What were the economic reforms brought about by Napoleon?
Answer:
The economic reforms brought about by Napoleon
‘Several measures were adopted by Napoleon 1 Bonaparte and laws were made to improve the economic condition of France. First of all, he reduced the expenses in the Government departments and introduced a system of audit in every Government department.
He did not impose any new tax on the people and instead started concentrating on a collection of the existing taxes. In 1800, he formed the Central Bank of France which had the authority to issue currency notes.
Question 17. What do you know about the Education reforms of Napoleon?
Answer:
The Education Reforms of Napoleon
‘Code Napoleon also drew up a plan in the field of education. By the Code, each commune was to have a primary school, a teacher training school, and a military and technical school. The schools were supposed to develop and make progress in the French language and instill the spirit of loyalty to the Emperor among the students. The University of France was established. Institute of France was opened for research and higher studies.
Question 18. What were Lycees?
Answer:
Lycees
Napoleon Bonaparte had introduced educational reforms in France. Lycees were semi-military residential schools opened by Napoleon in France. In the Lycees the boys from aristocratic families used to study to become officers in the French army.
Revolutionary Ideals And Napoleonic Empire SAQs WBBSE Code Napoleon
Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Question 19. What is Code Napoleon?
Answer:
Before the Revolution of 1789, France had as many as 360 arbitrary laws that lacked total uniformity. At the time of the Convention of the Directory, the revolutionary leaders attempted to form a uniform legal system and introduce a consistent Civil Code but they failed to complete the work. When Napoleon came to power he formed a Commission with four important lawyers that worked for four years from 1800 to 1804 and finally drew up a set of laws. Napoleon christened those laws as ‘Code Napoleon ‘ in 1807.
Question 20. Why is Code Napoleon regarded as the Bible of the French Society?
Answer:
Code Napoleon comprising 2281 articles was a combination of French rituals, Roman customs, and the legacy of the French Revolution. The Code achieved equality in legal matters, endorsed religious tolerance, abolished feudalism, and recognized the rights of property. Thus the Code Napoleon made the bourgeoisie, the peasants, and a large majority of the French population happy and historian Lefebvre had aptly called the Code the Bible of the French Society.
Question 21. What is the importance of the Treaty of Amiens? The Treaty of Amiens was signed between England and France in 1802.
Answer:
The importance of the Treaty of Amiens
As a result of this treaty both the countries were able to establish peace for a brief period. This Treaty was successful enough to break the Second European Coalition that was formed by England, Austria, Portugal, Russia, and others against France inl799.
Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Question 22. What was the Berlin Decree?
Answer:
The Berlin Decree
The Berlin Decree was issued on 21st November 1806 by Napoleon after his success in the Battle of Jena against Prussia and also in retaliation to the British Order in council of May 1806. By this decree, Napoleon launched a naval blockade against England. Napoleon declared that the allies of France had to stop all commercial relations with England.
Question 23. What was the Milan Decree?
Answer:
The Milan Decree
The Milan Decree was issued by Napoleon Bonaparte on 17th December 1807 to enforce the Berlin Decree that was issued in 1806 to initiate the Continental System. The Milan Decree prohibited the European countries from having trade relations with Britain and any ship of any country that tried to reach England for commercial purposes was confiscated by the French navy. It was economic warfare waged against Britain by Napoleon.
Question 24. what was the Continental System?
Answer:
The Continental System
The Continental System was designed by Napoleon in 1806 to paralyze Great Britain which had a superior naval base, through the economic blockade. The neutrals and the French allies were prohibited from having any commercial relations with Britain. The Berlin Decree and the Milan Decree formed the basis of the Continental System, but the system was a failure as many countries resumed business with England. Finally, it must be admitted that the Continental System was a precursor to the fall of Napoleon.
Question 25. Why did Napoleon annex Portugal?
Answer:
To make his Continental System effective, Napoleon had to establish his control over Portugal and Spain. The king of Portugal an ally of the British disregarded the Continental System of Napoleon and continued commercial relations with Britain. This infuriated Napoleon and he sent a combined force of France and Spain in 1807 to Portugal and annexed it.
Question 26. What do you know about the Peninsular War of 1808?
Answer:
The Peninsular War of 1808
Greatly affected by the Continental System introduced by Napoleon in 1806. Portugal an ally of Britain denounced it and established trade relations with Britain much to the consternation of Napoleon. To fight the French both Spain and Portugal requested help from Britain and finally with the aid of the English Generals John Moore and Arthur Wellesley launched a combined war against Napoleon in 1808, known as the Peninsular War.
The first French General Victor was defeated In this war.
Question 27. What was the Importance of the Bottle of Trafalgar?
Answer:
The Importance of the Bottle of Trafalgar
The Battle of Trafalgar was fought between England and France on 21″ October 180S. In this battle, the British Navy under Admiral Nelson completely vanquished the French under Napoleon Bonaparte and foiled his plans of winning the English in the seas. The Battle of Trafalgar not only established the supremacy of the British Naval power it also marked the beginning of Napoleon’s end.
Question 28. what was the Importance of the Treaty of Tilsit?
Answer:
The Importance of the Treaty of Tilsit
The Treaty of Tilsit was signed between Czar Alexander I of Russia and Napoleon Bonaparte of France in 1807. This treaty enhanced the prestige of Napoleon in Europe as all the countries of Europe except England accepted his supremacy and the Third European Coalition that was formed against France was destroyed. This Treaty of Friendship with Napoleon forced the Czar to enforce the Continental System which later led to the decline of their relationship.
Question 29. What do you know about the Confederation of the Rhine?
Answer:
The Confederation of the Rhine
The Treaty of Pressburg gave way to the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine which lasted for the period from 1806 to 1813. Initially, it was formed with 16 German states after Napoleon’s victory in the Battle of Austerlitz against Austria and Russia. This Confederation of the Rhine acted as a satellite and major military aid of the French Empire under Napoleon. All political activities of the Confederation of the Rhine were controlled by Napoleon.
Class 9 history SAQs On Napoleonic Empire And Nationalism WBBSE The ‘Grand Army’ Of Napoleon
Question 30. What do you know about the ‘Grand Army’ of Napoleon?
Answer:
Napoleon decided to undertake the Moscow expedition to punish the Czar for deviating from the Continental System. He collected soldiers from around twenty countries of Europe like France, Austria, Prussia, Holland, Italy, etc, and built his ‘Grand Army’ numbering 6,75,000. Though large in number the soldiers of the army were inexperienced and unenterprising mercenaries who failed to prove themselves before the Russian troops which were only 2,00,000.
Question 31. What was the Fourth European Coalition?
Answer:
The Fourth European Coalition
The Fourth European Coalition against France was formed in 1813, as a result of Napoleon’s failure in the Moscow expedition.
Thirteen countries of Europe like England, Russia, Prussia,5weden, and Austria were part of this coalition.
Question 32. What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo?
Answer:
The significance of the Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo took place on 18th June 1815 between England and France, in which Napoleon Bonaparte the French Emperor was defeated by the Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, and the Prussian General Blucher. In the battle 37.000,13,000 and 6,000 French, British, and Prussian soldiers were killed. As a result of his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena where he died in 1821.
Question 33. Why is Napoleon Bonaparte regarded as the ‘Destroyer of the Revolution’?
Answer:
Napoleon became the emperor of France in 1804 reinstated monarchical rule in France and denounced one of the main ideals of the French Revolution namely -Liberty. He assumed the status of a dictator and placed his family members to rule of countries he had conquered and thus he challenged the entire concept of freedom. Initially, people mistook him as a Liberator but soon they realized their mistake and he admitted that he was the ‘Destroyer of the Revolution’.
Question 34. What do you understand by the Scorched Earth Policy?
Answer:
The Scorched Earth Policy
In 1812, when Napoleon’s ‘Grand Army’ invaded Russia, the Russian troops avoided open warfare and kept retreating into the empire. While retreating, the Russian troops adopted the Scorched Earth Policy and destroyed the roads, bridges, burnt crops, houses, fields, towns, clothes, and every possible thing and even poisoned the water supplies to check the advance of Napoleon’s Army. This Scorched Earth Policy dealt a severe blow to the Grand Army of Napoleon.
Question 35. What is the significance of the Treaty of Fontainebleau?
Answer:
The significance of the Treaty of Fontainebleau
In 1814, Napoleon was defeated by the Allied forces and signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau. As a result of this Treaty, he was exiled to the Mediterranean isle of Elba and assured a sum of two million Francs as his pension. This treaty brought an end to the political ambitions of Napoleon.
Class 9 Fundamentals Of History Chapter 2 Question 36. What was known as the ‘Spanish Ulcer’ of Napoleon?
Answer:
The ‘Spanish Ulcer’ of Napoleon
From 1808 to 1813, Napoleon had to face the combined attack of the Peninsular countries of Portugal and Spain along with England. Napoleon made several attempts to conquer Spain but all his efforts ended in failure causing a huge loss in his wealth, military power, and reputation. Thus the Spanish attacks proved disastrous to Napoleon and exposed him to other severe dangers. So Napoleon himself considered Spain as an ulcer in his career.