(w) \\iom cn were still rega rded as passi ve

citize ns. They did not have any polit ical rights such
as
right h ) vo te and ho ld political offices like men. Henc
e, their strug gle for equa l political rights
conti nued .
(n·) France cont inued to hold and expa nd colon ies.
Thus , its·im age as a liber ator could not last for
a long time.
(\ ·) Slave ry ex;st ed in Fran ce till the first half of the
19th centu ry.
6. How woul d you expla in the rise of Napoleon?
Ans. ti) The political insta bility of the Dire ctory
pave d the way for the rise of Napo leon Bona parte
Napo leon had achie ved glori ous victo ries in wars. This
made Fran ce reali se that only a military
dicta tor like Napo leon woul d resto re a stabl e gove rnme
nt.
(ii) In 1804 , he crow ned hims elf the emp eror of
Fran ce. He set out to conq uer neigh bour ing
Euro pean coun tries , dispo ssess ing dyna sties and creat
ing kingd oms wher e he place d mem bers of
his famil y. Napo leon view ed hims elf as a mode rnise r
of Euro pe. He intro duce d many laws such
as the prote ction of priva te prop erty and a unifo rm
system of weig ht and meas ures provided
by the decim al system.
But his rise to powe r did not last for a long time. He
was finally defea ted at Wate rloo in 1815.

\;;Ji' Which incident sparked the French Revolution?

Ans. The attac k by the third estat e on the Bastille
State priso n (14 th July 1789 ) and settin g free the
priso ners was the incid ent which spark ed the Fren ch
Revolution.
2. Why was Bastille prison attacked?
Ans. The revol ution aries attac ked the Bastille prison
with a hope to find hoar ded amm uniti on for the
revolution.
3. Why was the Bastille bated by all?
Ans. Bastille was hated by all becau se it was seen as
a symbol of the despotic power of the king.
'\)AC , What did the French Revolution of 1789 stand for?
Ans. The Frenc h Revolution of 1789 stood for the ideas
of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
S. What was the immediate cause of rioting in Paris
?
Ans. The high price of bread was the immediate cause
of rioting in Paris.
"6.,,----which ruler came to power in France in 1774?
Ans. Louis XVI of the Bour bon family ascended the [CBSE 20121
thron e of France in 1774.
7. What activity of the French monarchy hastened the
revolution?
Ans. The extravagant lifestyle of the monarch brought
France on the verge of bankruptcy and hastened
the revolution .
'S-. ,.,How did the American War of Independence add
more debt to France?
Ans. The French army supp orted thirteen colonies o! ~eri
ca in the war o~ independence against <:7r~at
Brita in. It adde d one billion livres (currency umt m Franc
e) that had nsen to more than two billion
livres with interest.
9· Why did the French government increase the taxes? . . . e
h lar expenses such as cost of maintammg an army, the
An s. To meet t e regu · . court and runmng th
gove rnme nt o ff'ices or u ni'versities• the state was forced to mcrease truces.

- '7~ ~® Social Scie nce- 9

 ~ What was the Old Regime?
Ans. The term Old R · ·
egime is usually used to describe the society Hflll institutions of France befo re 1789.
__JJ. Which estate paid taxes out of all?
Ans. The third estate paid taxes out of all.
~ Bow was the society divided before the French Revolution'!
s. Before the French Revolution, the society was divided into three estates.
(a) The 1st estate consist of the clergy.
(b) The 2nd estate consist of the nobles.
(c) The 3rd estate included big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants, landless
labourers, servants and artisans.
13. Who owned the majority of land in 18 th century France?
Ans. The nobels, the Church and the richer members of the third estate owned the 60% of land in France .
~ What was the most important privilege enjoyed by the first two estates?
Ans. The most important privilege enjoyed by the first two estates was the exemption from payment of
taxes to the states.
15. Which estate enjoyed the feudal privileges? What were the feudal privileges?
Ans. The feudal privileges were enjoyed by the second estate i.e., nobels. Nobels collected the feudal dues
from the peasants comes under the feudal privileges.
16. What were the conditions of eighteenth century french peasants?
Ans. Peasants were obliged to render services to the lord-to work in his fields or house-to serve in the
army or to participate in building roads.
~ What was Tithe?
Ans. Tithe was a tax levied by the Church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce .
. 18...,.>Vhlch types of taxes1were levied by the states?
~ The taxes levied by the state included a direct tax called taille and number of other indirect taxes
levied on everyday consumption articles like salt or tobacco.
19. Why had the peasants and workers had participated in revolts?
Ans. To protest against increasing taxes and food scarcity, peasants and workers had started participating
in revolts.
3f)..r Which social group emerged in France in the 18th century? [CBSE 201JJ
Ans. The middle class emerged in France in the 18th century.
~ Name the Philosophers who put forward the ideas of freedom, equal laws and opportunities for all
in French society.
Ans. The philosophers were John Locke, Montesquieu and Jean Jacques Rousseau.
----2.i;- Wbat did John Locke write in his book 1wo Treaties of Government? [CBSE 20111
Ans. John Locke sought to refute the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch in his
book.
~ Which form of government was proposed by Rousseau?
Ans. Rousse~u proposed t?e form of government which was based on a social contract between people
and thelf representative.
, ~ Who wrote The SpiriJ of the Laws? [CBSE
20161
Ans. The Spirit of the Laws was written by Montesquieu .
. ~ention the ideas proposed by Montesquieu in the book 'J'he Spirit of the La
Ans. He proposed a division of power within government between the exec t· wths. • .
. d' •
JU ICJary.
u 1ve, e 1eg1s1attve and the
·

The French Revolution -

 ~-l~ ere and when did the ideas of division of
power within government come Into effec
\\.l<s". This idea firstl y cam e into effect in USA t?
, afte r th e thirt ee n Ame rica n co luni c11 decl
inde pend ence from America . ared their
27. What did become an example for political
thinkers in France?
Ans. The American Constitution and its guar ante
e of individual rights beca me an example
thin kers in France. for political
28~ Where were the ideas of the philosophers
disc usse d intensively In France?
Ans. The ideas L)f the philosophers were discusse
d intensively in salons and coffee-houses
amo ng people thro ugh books and newspap and spread
ers.
29. Wb kh news enn1ged the system of privilege
s in eighteenth century France?
Ans. The new!- of imposing mor e taxes by the
king of Fran ce i.e., Lou is XVI enra ged the
privileges. system of
~ "ba t \tllS the Estates General?
Ans. The Esta tes Gen eral was a political [CBSE 20141
body to which the thre e esta tes sent thei r
representatives.
31. Wh.v "'Bs the meeting of Estate Gen
eral called in France during Old Regime?
Ans. Dur ing Old Regime of France, the
King lacks the pow er to impose taxes. For
to call a meeting of Esta te Gen eral which this purpose, he had
furt her on pass the prop osal for new taxes.
t }Y" What was the representation of the three esta
tes at the Estate General Assembly of 1789
~ s. The first and the second esta tes sent ?
300 representatives each, who wer e seat ed
on two sides. The third esta te sent 600 mem facin g each other
bers who had to stand.
33. Whe n and where did Louis XVI calle
d the assembly of General Estate?
Ans. On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI called the
assembly of Gen eral Esta te in a resp lend ent
34. Whi ch principle was followed by Esta hall in Versaille s.
te General for taking vote?
Ans. Acc ordi ng to the principle, each esta [HOTSl
te has one vote.
35. Whi ch proposal of the third estate
was refused by King Louis XVI?
Ans. The third esta te dem and ed that voti
ng should be cond ucte d by the assembly as
each mem ber had one vote. But the king refu a whole in which
sed this proposal.
-~ In which book did Rousseau mention the idea
of one person, one vote?
Ans. In The Social Contract, Rousseau wro [CBSE 20141
te abou t one person, one vote.
37. What step was taken by the third esta
te when thei r demand was refused?
Ans. The third esta te assembled in the indo
or tennis cour t hall which was in the Versaille
to draft a cons titut ion for Fran ce in which s. They swomed
would limit the pow er of mon arch s and also
themselves a National Assembly. declared
38. Who was Mirabeau?
Ans. Mir abea u belo nged to a nobel family.
He was convinced with the need to do away
of feudal privileges and· led the representativ with the society
es of the 3rd estate.
39. What do you know about Abbe Siey
es?
Ans. Abb e Sieyes was originally a priest. [CBSE 20111
He wro te an influential pam phle t nam ed
Esta te'? 'Wh at is the Third

40. Defi ne Chateaux.

Ans. A Cha teau x is a castle or stately residence belonging to a king or a nobl
eman.
41. Wha t was the decree of the National Assembly of 1789?
The decr ee of the Nati onal Assembly of
Ans . 1789 was to abolish the feudal system of oblig
ations and_
taxes.

r. ., ,., ,✓ ~ ® Social Sci enc e-9

~18 ,~,et,,,11,
 '-_12. When did the Nationa l Assembly complrted the drnftinJ? of the constitution?
Ans. In 1791. the Nationa l Assc mhly wmplct cd th e drafting of th e con stitution .
43. What was the objecth•c of thr
'- Nationa l Asst>mhl_v's draft complet ed in 1791 '?
Ans. The Nationa l Asse mbly's drnft
nf 17Q I aim e d a t limitin12 th e powe rs of th e mon a rch .
44. What made France a <·onstitutional monarc h'?
Ans. Limitin g the powers of the nwnan: h and separa
ting th e powe r of ;-i drnini stra tion a mo ng diffe rent
instituti ons i.e .. the kgislatu rc. the cxcru ti vc a nd th e judiciar y made France a constitu
tio nal mona rch .
~ \\'hkh section of the French sodet)' got politica l right hy the constitu tion of 1791?
Ans. Only men abt1,·c .'25 years of age who paid taxes eq ua l to at least
(C BSE 2013 1
3 days of la bourer" s wage got the
status of acti,·c citizens and a lso right to vote.
46. \\ltich document was in the beginni ng of the French constitu tion?
Ans. The Declara tion of the Rights of Man and Citizen was in the begining of the
French revoluti on .
47. \\bich rights were the natural and inaliena ble rights accordi ng to the
French Constit ution?
Ans. The natural and inaliena ble rights were the right to life, freedom of speech,
freedom of opinion and
equality before law.
48. \\1lat was the signific ance of natural and unalien able rights?
Ans. The~e rights belonge d to each human being by birth and could not be taken
away.
. 49. \Vhat was the decision taken by Nationa l Assemb ly in April 1792?
Ans. National Assembly declare d was against Prussia and Austria in April
1792.
\;§V\Vbat was Marseillaise? Who compos ed it?
[CBSE 21141
Ans. Marseillaise was one of the patrioti c songs sung by volunte ers from Marseil les
as they marche d into
Paris and got its name. It was compos ed by Roget de ~ Isle. It is now the nationa l anthem
of France.
51. What were the roles played by people of French when fight took place with Prussia
and Austria ?
Ans. The French men were fighting at the front and women were left with the tasks
of househo lds and
also earning livelihoods for the family.
52. Why were the politica l clubs formed in France?
Ans. Political clubs were formed by the people in France to discuss the policies of
the governm ent which
gave the political rights only to the richer sections of the society and to plan their action.
Both men
and women formed various clubs.
~ Which was the most successful of the political clubs formed in France? How did it get
its name?
Ans. The most successful of the clubs was that of the Jacobins. It got its name from
the former convent
of St Jacob in Paris.
_54* ·Who were the members of the Jacobin Club? Name the leader.
[CBSE 2014)
Ans. The membe rs of the Jacobin club were from the less prosper ous sections of the
French society, for
example small shopkee pers, artisans such as shoema kers, pastry cooks, etc. Maximilian
Robespierre
was its leader.
SVWb o were Sans-cu lottes?
Ans. The Jacobins came to be known as Sans•culottes, which literally means those without
knee breeches.
,Y. What was the name give to newly-elected assembly of the Jacobins'?_ . {CBSE 2014]
Ans. The newly elected assembly of the Jacobins was called the Convent10n. It abolishe
d the monarchy
·and declare d France a republic.
~ Explain the term 'republic'.
. .
Ans. Republic is a form of governm ent where the people elect the government mcludm
g the head of the
government. There is no hereditary monarchy.

Th P. Fre nc.h R Pvoh1ti n n ::.i.:J

 S8. Define Treason.
\ Ans. Treaso n means betraya l of one's count ry or govcrn mcnl.
\.-59. Why wns Louis XVI sentenced to death?
Ans. Louis XVI was senten ced to death on the charges of treaso n in Januar y 1793.
~ Which period in France was known as RciMn of Terror? Why?
.
~s. The period of 1793 to 1794 was known os the Reign of Terror becaus
e Robesp ierre followed the
policy of severe contro l nnd punishment.
61. Against '\\'ilom the Robespierre followed the policy of severe control
and punishment?
Ans. Against all those person s whom he considered the enemie s of the republic.
These include d ex-nobels,
clergy. other political parties membe rs and also some membe rs from his politica
l party who did not
agree within his policies.
6~. What was guillotine?
Ans. Guillo tine was a device consisting of two poles and a blade using
which a person was behead ed. It
was named after Dr Guillot ine who invented it.
63. Which class came into power after the fall of Jacobin government?
Ans. The wealth ier middle class came into power after the fall of Jacobi
n govern ment.
64. To whom the new constitution denied the vote?
Ans. The new constit ution of wealth ier middle class govern ment denied
vote to non-pr opertie d sections
of society.
65. What was Directory?
~s. Directo ry was an executive body of five members. Directo ry was
appoin ted by two elected legislative
councils.
66. Why the executive body like Directory was introduced?
Ans. It was introdu ced to safegu ard against the concen tration of power
in one-m an executive as under
the Jacobins.
~ How did the Napoleon Bonaparte come to power?
~s. Napoleon, a military dictator, came to power due to the political instability
of the Directory.
68. What was the status of education among women during French revolut
ion?
Ans. Most of the women did not have access to educat ion or job-training.
Only daught ers of nobels or
wealth ier membe rs of the third estate could study at a convent.
69. What did the women in France do to discuss and voice their interes
ts?
Ans. In order to discuss and voice their interests, the women started their
political clubs and newspapers.
~ 10. Name an important political club formed by women
in France.
Ans. The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was the
famous club formed by women in
France.
71. According to French women, how their interests were presented in new
government?
Ans. According to them, when they got the right to vote, to be elected to the
assembly and to hold political
office with this step, their interests were presen ted in new government.
72_,, When did the new government issued laws to close down the women
's club?
Ans. The new govern ment issued laws during the Reign of Terror in 1793-94
.
73 . . . . .- Wben did French women got the political rights?
Ans. In 1946, women in France got the political rights.
74: Who wrote the Declaration of the Rights o~rwhomaR~ hand ~tizen? d .. . 179 [CBSE 2011)
Olympe de Gouges wrote a Declaration o, t e ig ts o, woman an cmzen m 1.
Ans.

AIID i~,~
4 $l ,.,, .-/ ~® Social Scien ce-9
 12

\
75. What was the most revolutionary reform of the Jacobin regime? [CBSE 20101
Ans. The most revolutionary reform of the Jacobin regime was the abolition of slavery in the French colonies.
76. List four commodities supplied by the French colonies in the Caribbean.
Ans. The French colonies in the Caribbean were important suppliers of tobacco, indigo, sugar and coffee.
,_,,.?J. Between which three continents was the slave trade carried out?
Ans. A triangular slave trade was carried out between Europe, Africa and the Americas.
78. Name the ports of France from where the slave trade was carried out.
Ans. The slave trade was carried out from the ports of Bordeaux or Nantes.
79. Why had the exploitation of slave labour done?
Ans. The exploitation of slave labour had done to meet the growing demand in European markets for
sugar, coffee and indigo.
80. Why did the National Assembly did not pass any law regarding exploitation of slave labour'?
Ans. They were fearing from the opposition of businessmen whose income was depend on the slave trade .
81. What the freedom mean in view of plantation owners?
Ans. In view of plantation owner, freedom included the right to enslave African Negroes in pursuit o f
their economic interest.
82. When did the slavery finally abolished in French colonies?
Ans. In 1848, slavery was finally abolished from French colonies.
83. Which law came into effect soon after the incident of Bastille 1789?
Ans. Abolition of censorship came into effect after the incident of Bastille 1789.
84. Which document proclaimed the freedom of speech as natural right?
Ans. The freedom of speech as natural right was proclaimed in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and
Citizen.
~ _,,_. --who crowned himself as Emperor of France?
Ans. Napolean Bonaparte crowned himself as Emperor of France in 1804.
86. What actions proved Napoleon as moderniser of Europe? (HOTS]
Ans. He introduced many laws like a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal
system and protection of private property.
87. How were Napoleon image taken up by the people? What image came later?
Ans. Napoleon was seen as liberator who might bought freedom for the people but the Napoleon army
was seen later as invading forces.
\.._,88~ Where was Napoleon defeated?
Ans. Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1815.
89. How did the colonised people c,-eated the sovereign nation state?
Ans. They created the sovereign nation state by redefining the idea of freedom from bondage into a
movement.
"--90:-- Name the two Indian individuals who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.
Ans. The two Indian individuals who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France, were
Raja Rammohan Roy and Tipu Sultan.
~ • . • - ' . ,trt,· ..

~ Short,..Answ.et ,Type 9uest~on.s (3 Ma~~•J.

~ -D escribe the events that took place on 14th July 1789 in France. [CBSE 20141
Ans. The following events took place on 14th July 1789.
(a) The king had ordered the troops to move into the city. There were rumours that he would soon
order the troops to open fire upon citiw ns.

The French Revolution (ffl

 (b) Around 7,000 men and women formed a militia and broke into a number of government buildings
in search of arms.
(c) Then the fortress-priso n of Bastille was stormed by hundreds of people with the hope to find
, hoarded ammunition. Bastille was destroyed completely as it was hated by all.
~ On ascending the throne of ~ranee, Louis XVI found the treasury empty. Why was the treasury
empty?
Ans. The causes for e mpty treasury at the time of his accession were as follows .
(a) The financial resources of France had drained due to the long years of war.
(b) The high cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles also
added to the financial drain.
(c) France had helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independenc e from Britain.
This increased the debt to more than 2 billion livres.
~ escribe the divisions of the French society before the French Revolution.
Ans. Before the French Revolution, the French society was divided into three estates.
(a) The 1st estate was comprised of the Church and the clergy. They enjoyed certain privileges by
birth. The most important of these privileges was exemption from paying taxes.
(b) The 2nd estate was comprised of the nobles and other rich people of the society. These were
also exempted from paying taxes. They also enjoyed feudal privileges which included collection
of feudal dues by the peasants.
( c) The 3rd estate was comprised of big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants,
artisans, landless labourers and servants. Within the third estate, some were rich and others
were poor. The peasants obliged the landlords by working on their fields, in their houses, to
serve in the army or to participate in the building of roads. They were paying all direct taxes
like taille and a number of indirect taxes on salt or tobacco, but had no rights.
"-9.J/Which three causes led to the 'subsistence crisis' in France during the Old Regime? [CBSE 2014]
~ s. The following points show how the subsistence crisis occurred in France during the Old Regime.
(a) The population of France increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. This led to
the increase in demand for foodgrains.
(b) When the production of foodgrains could not keep pace with the growing demand, the price
of bread which was the staple food increased rapidly.
(c) On the other hand, the wages could not keep pace with the rise in prices. At the time of drought
or hail, harvest reduced and things got worsed. Thus, the gap between the poor and the rich
widened and this led to the subsistence crisis.
~ Describe the middle class in three points. [CBSE 2013]
Alis. The following points describe· the middle class in French society.
(a) The middle class was a social group that emerged in France in the 18th century. This class ma~e
money through an expanding overseas trade and by manufacturing goods like woollen and silk
textiles.
(b) The middle class, along with merchants and manufacturers , included professionals like lawyers
and administrative officials. .
(c) All these people were educated believed that no group ~n soci~ty should be privileged by birth
and a person's position in society should he based on his ment.
. th•, (HOTS)
96· Wh 8 t was .
the tenms court oa . h
• te re resentatives viewed themselves as spokesmen for the whole French nation. T ey
Ans. The thir e_ a d st hpll f an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles on 20 June 1789. There
ssembled m the a O .
a d h selves as a National Assembly.
they declare t em

CljJ '/~ """'® Social Science-9

 They swore t •
th no to disperse until they had d . . .
e monarch . The prominent I d rafted a constitution which would limit the powers of
Thus, they helped in the aw kea. ers of the National Assembly were Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes.
r · ·1
P lVI eged classes and this lfa enmg of the French peop1e to revolt agamst •
the oppression by the
97. Explain th . . u imately led to the French Revolution.
e turmoil m France while th N .
Ans. While the Nat' A e atmnal Assembly was busy at Versailles.
iona1 ssembly was busy at Vi ·nes d raftmg
.
seethed with tu - . h . ersat the constitution, the rest of France
rmm 1 m t e followmg ways.
(a) A severe winter had t b d h . . . .
wa . d mean a a arve st , resultmg m nsmg price of bread thus the situation
;.xp
t s 1Otte by bakers and hoarded supplies. Angry women stormed into the shops after
s an mg for long hours in bakery queues.
(b) The army was ordered by the king to more into the city. There were rumours that army would
be ordered to open fire upon the citizens. Thousands of agitated people gathered and decided
to form a militia.
(c) They broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms. They distroyed the prison
of Bastille on 14 July 1789.
98. How did peasants protest against the feudal lords or nobles of France?
Ans. Peasants protested against the feudal lords or nobles in the following ways.
(a) In the countryside there were rumours spread from village to village that the lords of the manor
had hired hands of brigands who were on their way to destroy the ripe crops. Caught in frenzy
of fear, peasants in several districts seized hoes and pitchforks and attacked Chateaux.
(b) They looted hoarded grain and burnt down documents containing records of manorial dues.
(c) A large number of nobles fled from their homes, many of them migrating to the neighouring
countries.
99. How was the National Assembly recognised and bow did it start exercising its powers? [CBSE 20101
Ans. Faced with revolting people, Louis XVI recognised the National Assembly and accepted that his
powers would from now on be checked by the constitution.
National Assembly started exercising its power in the following ways.
(a) On the night of 4 August, 1789, the Assembly passed the law for abolishing feudal system of
obligations and truces, the clergy members were also forced to give up their privileges.
(b) Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the Church were seized and all this resulted in
acquiring assets worth at least 2 billion livres.
100. Describe how the new political system of constitutional monarchy worked practice in France.
[CBSE 2014)
Ans. The new political system of constitutional monarchy in France worked in the following manner:
The constitution of 1791 had given the power to make laws to the National Assembly, that was
indirectly elected by a group of electors voted by the citizens who had chosen the assembly.
The right to vote was given to men above 25 years of age, who paid truces equal to at least 3 days
of a labourer's wage, were given the status of active citizens, i.e., they were entitled to vote.
The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens. To qualify as an elector and as
a member of the assembly, a man had to belong to the highest bracket of ta,cpayers.
101. Write a short note on national and inalienable rights.
Ans. The constitution of France began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens. Rights
such as right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law were established
as natural and inalienable rights i.e. , they belong to each human being by birth and could not be
taken away. It is the duty of the state to protect each citizen's natural rights.

The French Revolution -

 102.
LiSf. a nd explain the successful achieve
ments of the National Assembly from 1789- 179 1.
Ans. The successful [HOTS]
achieve ments of the Nation al Asscmhly from 1789- 1791 were as follows:
(a) One of the most successful achieve ments of th e Nation al Assem
bly was the adoptio n of the
Declar ation of th e Rights nf Man and Citizen which upheld the equalit
y of all before law,
eligihility of all for public offices, frccrlom from arrest or punish ment withou
t a proven cause
and right to frl·cdom of speech ;;i nd express ion .
(b) It also laid empha sis that the hun.lcn of tc1xation must he home
by all withou t any distinction
and so nobles a nd dcrb'Y were denied special privileges.
(c ) A new constit ution was formed providing a constit utional monarc
hy where the powers of the
monar ch arc limited and the legislative powers are given to the Nation al
Assembly.
IOJ. Write a short note on Marseillaise.
Ans. Marsei llaise is the nationa l anthem
of France. It was written by Roget de L 'Isle during the French
Revolu tion . It arouse d such enthus iasm that large numbe r of people joined
the compa ny. It was
first sung in Paris when the Marseilles battalio n sang it as they marche d
into Paris and thus it was
nam ed so.
Who were Jacobins? What was their role in emergence of France as a Repub
lic?
Or
\Vho were the Jacobins? Write about it in three points.
[CBSE 2013)
Ans. Jacobi ns were the most radical and ruthless of the politica
l groups formed in the wake of the French
Revolu tion. They were the membe rs of a democ ratic club establi shed
in 1789. Jacobin s were led
by Maxim ilian Robesp ierre. Angere d by the short supplies and high prices
of foodgr ains Jacobins
storme d the Palace of the Tuileries.
The king's guards were killed and the king was held hostage for several
hours. The assembly later,
voted to impriso n the royal family. Electio ns were held in which every man
of 21 years and above got
the right to vote. The Conven tion was known as newly elected assembly,
which abolish ed monarchy
and declare d France a republi c.
What do you mean by Directory? Why was it removed from France?
The Direct ory was a five-m ember commi ttee which govern ed France
when the politica l power
was passed into the hands of the wealth ier middle class. It was meant
as a safegu ard against the
concen tration of power in the hands of one-ma n executive as under the
Jacobin s.
The Directo rs often clashed with the legislative councils who in turn sought
to dismiss them. This
Jed to politica l instability of Directo ry in France. It paved the way for the
rise of a military dictator
calJed Napole on Bonap arte.
106. Evaluate the role of women in France before the revolution.
Ans. Wome n played a very significant role in France before the French Revolution. They played an active
role and brough t about import ant changes. They worked for their living
like dress makers, laundry
worker s, flower vendor s, fruit and vegetable vendors. Someti mes they also
worked as maid servants
for rich people . They cooked food, fetched water and stood in queues for
bread. ln order to discuss
and voice their interes ts women started their own politica l clubs and newspa
pers. One of the major
deman d was right to vote. The Society of Revolutionary and Republ ican
Women was one such club
formed by women .
d.d th women suffer lo France during the Old Regime?
107. How 1 . e he Old Regim e , most women
worked to earn u living. They worked as seamstresses
Ans. (a) Dunng dt _. " or domest ic servants in the houses of
or faun resses rich people . Many sold fruits, flowers and
. L the market to earn money .
vegeta bl es a

7,, . ,..L® Socia) Scienc e- 9

>,; ' . --"'~I#, ~
~• ':;Y ~•
 (b ) Most of them were not educated or tr . ct ct .
could study. ame to O any Job. Only the daughters of rich people

(c) Wborking women had to take care of their families too. They had to fetch water, queue up for
read, cook and look after the children.
Therefore, it can be said that women suffered a lot during the Old Regime.
'll.08:-- What was_ ~he condition of slave trade in the seventeenth century?
Ans. The cond1t10ns of slaves during salve labour was as follows:
(a) As the slave trade began in seventeenth century, the slaves were bought from local chieftians.
(b) After branding and shackling, the slaves were packed tightly into ships for the three-month long
voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean.
(c) At the African coast, they were sold to plantation owners.
-!99· How did storming of Bastille became the main cause of the French Revolution? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Storming of Bastille became the main cause of the French Revolution because of the following
reasons.
(a) While the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of France
faced turmoil. Due to bad harvest, price of bread increased.
(b) This situation worsened when the bakers started hoarding supplies.
(c) Women who stood in queues at the bakery stormed the shops. At the same time the king had
ordered troops to move into Paris.
As a result on 14 July the angry crowd stormed and destroyed Bastille. It was hated by all as
it stood for the despotic powers of the king.

· long Answer Type Questions [5 Marks]

~ Discuss the main causes of the French Revolution. [HOTS]
Ans. The following are the main causes of French Revolution.
(a) Despotic rule of Louis XVI. Long years of wars and extravagance of the king led to financial crises
in France. This forced king to increase taxes mostly paid by the third estate. It created chaos
in the society.
(b) Privileges and Burdens of the French Society. First and the second estate had certain privileges
by birth. The first two estates were comprised of the clergy and nobility which was 10% of the
total population. Rest of the 90% population made up the third estate that paid all the various
direct and indirect taxes. This discrimination led to the revolution by the 3rd estate.
(c) Rising prices. The population of France had increased. This resulted into more demand of
foodgrains. So, the price of bread rose rapidly, the poor were not able to buy the high-priced
bread. So, the gap between the rich and poor widened.
(d) Inspiration by the Philosophers. The philosophers like Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu spread
the ideas of having a society where the people enjoy freedom, equal laws and equal opportunities.
They inspired the people of France to realise their dreams.
(e) Role of Middle class. Another major cause was the role of the middle class who earned their
wealth through expanding trade of manufactured goods, being exported.
(f) Storming ofBastille prison. During the political turmoil, France experienced severe winters leading
to bad harvest. The price of bread increased, as the stocks were hoarded in the market. Angry
women attacked the shops. At the same time troops were ordered into Paris. Agitated crowd
stormed and destroyed Bastille prison administrative officials, i.e., those who were educated.
They believed that no person in the society should be privileged by birth.

The French Revolution l:ifl

 111. Explain the events/incidents which led to the outbreak [CBSE 2014)
of French Revolut_ion.
Ans. The following events/incidents led to the outbreak of the French Revolution
. . fE G
(a) Meeting of the Estate General. On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI had called a meetmg O stabte enferha1
· . . me. But the mem ers o t e
to mcrease the taxes. Representatives of all the three estates ca
3rd estate were made to stand while women, peasants, artisans · nd women were not allowed
a
entry to the assembly.
(b) Demand for one vote one person. The third estate at the meeting of the ES t ate General dema nd.ed
one vote for each member. This demand was rejected by the king and the members of th e th lfd
estate walked out in protest.
(c) Meeting of the newly-formed National Assembly. Since the members of the third estate were more,
they considered themselves the voice of the people/whole nation. They assembled in the indoor
tennis court of Versailles and declared themselves as the 'National Assembly'• They believed in
removing the feudal privileges of the nobles and clergy.
(d) Winters created worse situation. Harvest declined, prices rose and bakers exploited poor by
hoarding supplies. Angry crowd stormed the shops.
(e) Revolt in the countryside by the peasants. There were rumours that their ripe crops would be
destroyed by the lords hired bands. The peasants in several districts seized hoes and pitchforks
and attacked manors of the lords. They looted the hoarded grains and burnt the documents
containing the records of manorial dues.
¥' How did philosophers influence the thinking of the people of France? [CBSE 20U, 2014]
Ans. The philosophers influenced the thinking of the people of France in the following ways:
(a) Philosophers such as John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau put forward ideas envisaging a
society based on freedom and equal laws and opportunities for all.
(b) In Two Treatises of Government, John Locke sought to refute the doctrine of the divine and
absolute rights of the monarch.
(c) His ideas were carried forward by Rousseau as he was proposing a form of government based
on social contract between the people and their representatives.
(d) In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government
between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
(e) The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee-houses and were
spread among people through books and newspapers.
113. Explain the features of the constitution of France drafted in 1791. [CBSE 20 1s1
(a) The constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse
of the absolute rule.
(b) Its main aim was to limit the powers of the monarch.
(c) Powers were then divided/separated and assigned to different institutions like legislative, executive
and judiciary.
(d) According to this, active citizens of France elected electors who in turn voted to elect the National
Assembly.
(e) Not all citizens had the right to vote. Only men of 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to atleast
three days of a labourer's wage. They were called active citizens.
(f) The remaining men and all women were called the passive citizens.
(g) The National Assembly controlled the king. France became constitutional monarchy.
(any five points)

,... L® Social Science- 9

26 '7~ ~
 11-t List down the political symbols of Frnncc.
Ans. Ml,st l'f thl' peopk (i <' .- _ .
im ·in ., ,. . , . h nd. · · men " women) 111 the 18th century. France could not read and write. So
• ~t.:.,. ,llll1 svm ols mstc· J 0 r .· , J
·~ ~ , ' ,I( pt mtcc 1JLmks were used to communicate ideas. These symbols were
U~t: u to convev the cont, 1 f d I · • •
· ; · en o cc aratmn ol rights. The important symbols were:
(a ) Broken Chains· C h'1ins , · , , d ·
. • ' - Wt;J c use to rest ram the slaves from running away. Broken chains signify
the act of becoming free.
(b) A bundle of rods: It was used to convey the message that strength lies in unity.
(c ) The eye within or triangle radiating light: The all-seeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of
the sun will drive away the dark clouds of ignorance.
(d) Sceptre: It symbolises royal power.
(c) Snake bitting its tail tofor,11 a ring: A symbol of eternity. The ring has neither beginning nor end.
U) Red phrygian cap: It was worn by slaves when they were freed.
(g) Blue-white-red: These are the national colours of France.
(h) The winged woman: Personification of the law.
(i) The law tablet: The law is same for all and all are equal before it. (any five points)
Explain the "Reign of Terror" in brief. [CBSE 20151
,_,,,. Ans. The following points explain the Reign of Terror.
(a) The period from 1793 to 1794 is called the Reign of Terror because Robespierre followed a
policy of severe control and punishment. Ex-nobles, clergy, members of other political parties
and even the members of his own party, who did not agree with his methods, were arrested,
imprisoned and guillotined.
(b) Laws were issued by Robespierre's government lows were issued by placing a maximum ceiling
of wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed.
(c) Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the
government. The use of more expensive white flour was forbidden; all citizens were required
to eat the equality bread.
(d) Equality was also sought to be practised through forms of speech and address. Instead of the
traditional Sir and Madam, French men and women were addressed as citizen.
(e) Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into barracks or offices. Finally, Robespierre
was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and the next day, sent to the guillotine.
116. How did the Revolution affect the everyday life of the French people? Discuss. [HOTS]
Ans. (a) Revolutionary ideas of equality and liberty transformed the clothes people wore, the language
they spoke and books they read.
(b) With the abolition of censorship in 1789 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
in 1791, freedom of speech became a natural right. This led to the growth of newspapers, books,
pamphlets and printed pictures.
(c) Freedom of the press enabled voicing of opinions and counter options.
(d) Art flourished in the form of paintings, plays, songs and festive pr~cessions.
(e) Visual and oral art form enabled even the common man who could not read and write to relate
with the ideas of liberty, equality and justice.
~ Write a short note on Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ans. (a) Napoleon came to power as a result of unstable directory that ruled France. Due to .weak
directory Napoleon got on opportunity to rise to political power. In 1804, he crowned himself
as the Emperor of France.

The French R~volutjon -

 (b) He set out to conqu th · . ·
1 .- er e neighbourmg countries defeating the dynasties and puttmg h.is own
re atives/members of his family.
( c ) He was seen as a m 0 d · · f ·
property and a uni~o
ermser of Europe. He brought out many laws such as protection ° pnvate
1 f ·
' rm system o weights and measures provided by the
d · 1 tern
ecima sys ·
(d) He was also seen by many as a liberator who will bring freedom to the people.
(e) Very s~on his army came to be viewed everywhere as invading force. He carried out military
campaigns and invasion of Russia and Spain. He soon became a threat for the kings in Europe
who decided to come together and defeat him. Finally, he was defeated at Waterloo in l8l5.
118. What
was the impact of French Revolution on France?
Ans. (a) French Revolution
marked the end of absolute monarchy and paved the way for the republican
government.
(b) It also helped to uphold the theory of popular sovereignty and laid the foundations of democratic
principles, i.e., to say that the government should be based on the consent of the governed.
(c) The slogans of equality, liberty and fraternity became the watchwords of freedom loving people
all over the world. r
(d) Feudalism and serfdom were abolished and the power of clergy curbed.
(e) People were given the right to vote during the Jaco bins.
(j) New reforms were introduced in education of girls during Jacobins time.
(g) Napoleon also reformed legal system by reorganising it and brought a progressive legal system.
He also introduced economic reforms like fair tax system, increased trade and development of
French luxury industries fashions, films, perfumes, etc. (any five points)

Value Based Questions

119. Mention a few values associated with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.
Ans. After the French Revolution, the ·National Assembly made a constitution which began with the
Declaration of Right of Man and Citizen.
The values associated with it were as follows:
(a) Right to Life. Every citizen of France had the right to live his/her life as each citizen wished
without any restrictions.
(b) Freedom of Speech. Everyone was given this right i.e., to speak their mind out.
(c) Freedom of Opinion. Everyone was given the right to give their opinion freely.
(d) Equality before law. All the citizens are equal before the law.
(e) Liberty. It means the power to do ~hatever if is not hampering the interests of others.
According to the constitution all these nghts belonged to everyone by birth and Id b k
. cou not · e ta ' en
away It is the duty of the state that each human bemg was entitled for t ..
. o protect each c1t12en's
rights.
120. Why were women
. .
disappointed by the constitution of 1791, in France'' Wb" h
· ic value bas been violated
by the constitution?
Ans. Women were disappointed because they
.
were given the status of passi·
.
..
ve citizens They
given the same political rights as men z.e. nght to vote, to be elected, to hold :. ~ere not
value violated is that of equality, as women were not treated at par with men. pohttcal office. The

,,,,,ethA u,td,® Social Science-9