🧠 Chapter 1 – The French Revolution: Important Questions with Answers
🔹 1 Mark Questions (Very Short Answer)
Q1. When did the French Revolution begin?
Ans: On 14th July 1789.
Q2. What was the name of the fortress prison stormed by the people?
Ans: The Bastille.
Q3. Who was the king of France during the revolution?
Ans: Louis XVI.
Q4. What is a guillotine?
Ans: A device used to behead people; it became a symbol of the Reign of Terror.
Q5. What does the term Old Regime refer to?
Ans: The socio-political system of France before the Revolution.
Q6. Name the three estates in France before the Revolution.
Ans:
First Estate – Clergy
Second Estate – Nobility
Third Estate – Common people (peasants, workers, middle class)
Q7. Who formed the National Assembly in 1789?
Ans: The representatives of the Third Estate.
🔹 3 Marks Questions (Short Answer)
Q1. What were the main causes of the French Revolution?
Ans:
Social inequality between the three estates.
Financial crisis due to wars and lavish spending.
Influence of Enlightenment ideas and philosophers like Rousseau, Locke, and
Voltaire.
Tax burden on the Third Estate.
Rise in the price of bread and food scarcity.
Q2. Explain the role of philosophers in the French Revolution.
Ans:
John Locke opposed divine rights of kings.
Rousseau proposed the idea of popular sovereignty.
Montesquieu promoted the separation of powers in government.
Their ideas inspired people to challenge absolute monarchy.
Q3. What was the Reign of Terror?
Ans:
It lasted from 1793–1794, led by Robespierre.
People opposing the revolution or suspected to be “enemies” were executed.
Use of guillotine became widespread.
It ended with the execution of Robespierre himself.
Q4. What changes were introduced by the Jacobin government?
Ans:
Abolished monarchy and declared France a republic.
Introduced universal male suffrage.
Fixed maximum prices of bread.
Nationalized property of nobles.
New calendar and measurement system were introduced.
🔹 5 Marks Questions (Long Answer)
Q1. Describe the outbreak of the French Revolution.
Ans:
On 5th May 1789, Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General.
Third Estate was denied equal voting rights.
They declared themselves the National Assembly.
On 14th July 1789, the storming of Bastille occurred.
Peasants revolted in countryside; nobles fled.
Resulted in the abolition of feudal privileges and formation of a constitutional
monarchy.
Q2. Describe the political system under the Constitution of 1791.
Ans:
France became a constitutional monarchy.
Separation of powers between Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
The National Assembly made laws.
Only men paying taxes could vote (active citizens).
The king had limited powers.
Q3. What impact did the French Revolution have on France and the world?
Ans:
Abolished monarchy and feudal system in France.
Spread the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Inspired revolutions in other parts of Europe and Latin America.
Led to the rise of Napoleon.
🔹 Higher Order Thinking (HOTS) & Map Skills
Q1. “The French Revolution was not just about changing a king but changing
society.” Explain.
Ans:
It ended absolute monarchy and introduced democratic ideals.
Broke the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy.
Promoted equality, secularism, and nationalism.
Set an example for future social and political movements.
Q2. On a map of France, mark the following (Map Skill):
Paris (where Bastille was located)
Versailles (site of the royal palace)
Bordeaux
Marseille
Nantes
(Practice marking these on a physical map.)
