FRENCH REVOLUTION

CHAPTER-1      (French Revolution)

1.     How was Loius XVI responsible for the out break of French Revolution of 1789?

i)       Ruling under Divine right theory- declared himself as the representative of God

ii)     No change in Administration

iii)   Taxes were increased- both direct and indirect

iv)   Too much unnecessary royal expenditure

v)     Involvement in American War of Independence

2.     Describe the society of France before the revolution of 1789.

i)       1^st estate-Clergy- Priestly class

ii)     2^nd estate-Nobles- King’s relatives and land lords

iii)   3^rd estate-Common people

iv)   Tax Burden on Common people

3.     Describe the role of any three philosophers before the French Revolution.

i)       Motesque- wrote ‘spirit of laws’

ii)     John Locke

iii)   Jean Jacques Rousseau- wrote ‘Social Contract’

iv)   Mirabeau

v)     Abbe Sieyes

vi)   Olympe de Gouges

4.     Define the immediate cause of revolution.

The king wanted to introduce new tax. A meeting of estate generals was called. The people of the third estate were dishonored.  Their request for ‘one man, one vote’ was not accepted. They marched out of the meeting. On 20 June, the assembled in an indoor tennis court and pledged not to disperse until they had drafted a constitution to limit the powers of the king.

5.     Describe the effects of the French Revolution.

i)       Constitutional Monarchy

ii)     Rights to the common People

iii)   Feudal system was abolished

iv)   New flag and hymns were designed

v)     Separation of Powers

vi)   Privileges were abolished

vii) France became a republic

6.     Describe the political system from 1791.

i)        Legislature, executive and judiciary

ii)     Active and passive citizens

iii)   Active citizens elected 50000 electors

iv)   Electors elected national assembly (745 members)

v)     King was head of judiciary and had veto power

vi)   Active citizens elected judge

7.     Name some rights enjoyed by the people in France.

i)       Right to vote

ii)     Right to life

iii)   Right to speech, opinion

iv)    Right to equality before law.

8.     Describe the factors for the French Revolution.

i)       Social Factor

ii)     Economic factor

iii)   Political factor

iv)   Philosophical factor

v)     Immediate factor

9.     Write the policies followed by Robespierre (Reign of Terror).

i)       Guillotine was used for all who were guilty and against him.

ii)     Churches were shut down

iii)   Peasants were forced to transport their grains to cities

iv)   Monsieur and Madame were abolished

v)     Equality of Bread

10.                        What reforms did Napoleon Bonaparte bring in Europe?

i)       Napoleonic code-1804

ii)     Uniform laws

iii)   Uniform weights and measures

iv)   Open Market system

v)     Common currency

vi)   Protection of Private Property

11.                        Describe about the Directory rule in France.

i)       Rule of Wealthier Middle Class

ii)     Five members in Executive directory

iii)   Opposed to each other in law making

iv)   Political instability- paved the way for rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

12.                        Role of women

i)       Clubs were formed

ii)     Started their own newspaper, magazines

iii)   Movements for right to vote

iv)   Movements for personal rights

v)     Describe the Old regime?

13.                        How was slavery abolished?

i)       Slaves were brought from Caribbean

ii)     Triangular slave trade

iii)   1794, convention abolished slavery

iv)   Napolean reintroduced slavery

v)     Finally abolished in 1848

14.                         Describe the role of Olympe de Gouges

i)       Opposed Constitution of 1791 as that had not given basic rights to women

ii)     She demanded rights for the women to the queen and national assembly

iii)   She criticized Jacobin govt for forcibly closing down women’s clubs

iv)   She was executed as charged with treason

Basic rights set forth by Olympe de Gouges

i)       Women is equal with man

ii)     Right to equality, liberty and property to women

iii)   Right to expression to both men and women

15.                         Role of Middle class in the Revolution

Who were Middle Class- They were the Intelligentsia mass who were both educated and rich. They led the revolution. Ex- Business men, lawers, teachers, Industrialists etc

Their Role

i)       Writing and spreading the ideas

ii)     Coffee house and discussion

iii)   Strike and campaigning

iv)   Making of National Assembly and constitution

v)     Role of Philosophers