St. Andrews Scots Sr. Sec.
School
9th Avenue, I.P. Extension, Patparganj, Delhi-110092
Session: 2023-2024 Question/ Answers
Class: IX Subject: History Topic: The French Revolution
INTRODUCTION
Louis XVI of the Bourbon Family of Kings ascended the throne of France.
The society of estates was a part of the feudal system. ( bonded labour)
First and second estate people enjoyed the privileges by birth, while the third
estate have to pay the taxes.
The city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The agitated crowd stormed and
destroyed the Bastille.
The national assembly abolished the feudal system of obligations and taxes.
In 1791 a constitution was framed to limit the powers of the king and to
guarantee basic rights to all human beings.
In 1792 France became a republic, King Louis XVI was beheaded.
Overthrow of the Jacobin republic, a Directory Rules of France.
Period of 1793-94 is referred to as the Reign of Terror.. Maximillian
Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobin club, who formed a government.
Robespierre arrested and guillotined.
In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte became the military dictator of France and
annexed large parts of Europe. Napoleon gets defeated in 1815 at the Battle
of Waterloo.
In 1848, slavery finally gets abolished in the French colonies.
In 1946, women in France got the right to vote.
Question/Answers
Q1. Define:-
1) Tithe- A tax levied by the church, comprising one tenth of the agricultural produce.
2)Livre- Unit of currency in France discontinued in 1794.
3)Taille- Tax to be paid directly to the state.
4)Subsistence crisis- An extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are
endangered.
Q2. Describe the different caste system of French society.
Ans. French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates:-
1) First estate- Clergy
2)Second estate – Nobility
3)Third estate- Big businessman, merchants, peasants, landless labour, servants etc.
Q3. Write a brief note on' Period of Terror’.
Ans. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the period /reign of terror.
Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All those whom he saw
as being 'enemies' of the republic were arrested , imprisoned and then tried by
revolutionary tribunal. If the court found them guilty they were guillotined. The
guillotine is a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is
beheaded. It was named after Dr. Guillotin who invented it.
Q4. Which event had led to the fall of Bastille?
Ans. While the national assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of
France seethed with turmoil. A severe winter had meant a bad harvest; the price of bread
rose, often bakers exploited the situation and hoarded supplies. After spending long hours
in queues at the bakery, crowds of angry woman stormed into the shops. At the same time
the king ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14th July, the agitated crowd stormed and
destroyed the Bastille.
Q5. Write a brief note on Jacobin club.
Ans. The Jacobin club got its name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris. The
members of the Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous sections of society.
They included small shopkeepers, watch-makers, printers as well as servants and daily wage
workers. Their leader was Maximillian Robespierre. It was a way of proclaiming the end of
the Power wielded by the wearers of knee breeches. These Jacobins came to be known as
the sans- culottes literally meaning ‘those without knee breeches’.
Q6. Write a brief note on Slave trade in France.
Ans. One of the most revolutionary social reforms of the Jacobin regime was the abolition of
slavery in the French colonies. The colonies in the Caribbean- Martinique , Guadeloupe and
San- Domingo. The slave trade began in the 17th century. A triangular slave trade between
Europe, Africa and the America. Throughout the 18th century there was a little criticism of
slavery in France. It was finally the convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in
the French overseas possessions.
Q7. Did women have a revolution in France?
Ans. Yes, women did have a revolution in France. From the very beginning women were
active participants in the events which brought about so many important changes in French
society. Most women of the third estate had to work for a living. They worked as
seamstresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables at the market. Most women did not have
access to education or job training. Only daughters of nobles or wealthier members of the
third estate could study at a convent, after which their families arranged marriage for them.
Their wages were lower than those of men. In order to discuss and voice their interest
women started their own political clubs and newspapers. About 60 women’s club came up
in different French cities. The society of Revolutionary and Republican women was the
most famous of them.
Q8. What was the impact of French revolution on common people?
Ans. The French revolution was a time where the poor fought for liberty and equality. It
involved the whole population of France and impacted all. It affected the people involved
due to the abolishment of slavery. This gave the peasants of France equal rights and
freedom. However this revolution came with a price. Execution, emigration, deaths- these
were some of the fates people, both peasants and nobles met during the revolution. The
revolution resulted in the death of about 40,000 people. This event led to much bloodshed.
Q9.What were the causes of French Revolution?
Ans. 1) Exploitation by Louis XVI- He had detained the financial resources of France. For
the cost of his regular expenses, he increased the taxes which were paid by the third
estate.
2) Division of French society- It was divided into three estates. Among them first and second
estates had all privileges and the third estate had to pay all kind of taxes.
3) Rising prices- The population of France had increased. This resulted into more demand of
food grains. So, the prices of the bread rose rapidly which the poor cannot afford to buy.
4) Inspiration of Philosophers- Philosophers like John Locke propagated the idea of having a
society where people could enjoy the freedom of equal laws and opportunities.
5) Role of middle class people- Some people including middle class people who were educated
believed that no group in society would be privileged by birth.
