APS DHAULAKUAN
CLASS IX (2021-22)
HISTORY ASSIGNMENT-1, FRENCH
REVOLUTION
1. Which book was written by John Locke? (1)
(i) Social Contract
(ii) Two Treatises of Government
(iii) The Spirit of the Law
(iv) What is the Third Estate?
2. The increase in population and bad harvest led to a situation of _______ _____ in France.
(1)
3. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:- (1*4=4)
The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791. Its main object was to limit
the powers of the monarch. These powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person
were now separated and assigned to different institutions ñ the legislature, executive and judiciary.
This made France a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws
in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected. That is, citizens voted for a group of electors,
who in turn chose the Assembly. Not all citizens, however, had the right to vote. Only men above 25
years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage were given the status of
active citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote. The remaining men and all women were classed as
passive citizens. To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to belong
to the highest bracket of taxpayers.
3.1. What was the main reason behind the formation of the French Constitution in 1791?
(i) To limit the powers of the Monarch
(ii) To make France a republic
(iii) To give voting rights to all the citizens of France
(iv) To give absolute powers to the King
3.2. Who had the power to make laws in France after 1791?
(i) Active citizens
(ii) National Assembly
(iii) Louis XVI and the Estates general
(iv) Passive citizens along with some help from the National Assembly
3.3. Who all were allowed to vote in France after the change in government?
(i) Only Nobles and the Clergy
(ii) All members of the Estate General
(iii) Only men with property
(iv) All active citizens
3.4. What were the qualifications of an elector?
(i) Men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to 3 days of a labourers’ wage
(ii) Person invested with special functions in the church
(iii) The ones who earned their wealth with an expanding overseas trade
(iv) To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to
belong to the highest bracket of taxpayers
4. Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:- (1*4=4)
In order to discuss and voice their interests women started their own political clubs and
newspapers. About sixty womenís clubs came up in different French cities. The Society of
Revolutionary and Republican Women was the most famous of them. One of their main demands
was that women enjoy the same political rights as men. Women were disappointed that the
Constitution of 1791 reduced them to passive citizens. They demanded the right to vote, to be
elected to the Assembly and to hold political office. Only then, they felt, would their interests be
represented in the new government. In the early years, the revolutionary government did
introduce laws that helped improve the lives of women. Together with the creation of state
schools, schooling was made compulsory for all girls. Their fathers could no longer force them
into marriage against their will. Marriage was made into a contract entered into freely and
registered under civil law. Divorce was made legal, and could be applied for by both women and
men. Women could now train for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses.
4.1. Which method was adopted by women to voice their opinion?
(i) Started protests for their voting rights
(ii) Stopped working as wage labourers
(iii) Started their own political clubs and newspapers
(iv) Decided to contest elections
4.2. What were the main demands of women?
(i) Right to vote
(ii) To be elected to the assembly
(iii) To hold political office
(iv) All of the above
4.3. Why were the women disappointed with the Constitution of 1791?
(i) It reduced them to passive citizens
(ii) It reduced their wages and increased their working hours
(iii) They were not given equal social and political rights
(iv) They were not allowed to study or work
4.4. Which of the following is NOT a measure that was introduced by the revolutionary
government?
(i) Schooling was made compulsory for girls
(ii) Their fathers could no longer force them into marriage
(iii) Divorce was made illegal and could not be applied for by women
(iv) Women could now train for jobs, become artists and even run small businesses
(ANSWERS TO BE MAILED IN PDF FORMAT TO YOUR RESPECTIVE HISTORY
TEACHERS ON OUTLOOK)
