The French Revolution
Book Exercises
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Question 1: Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in
France.
Answer: Following are some of the causes which had a cumulative effect to result in revolution
in France:
● The war with Britain for an independent America: This war led to mounting debt on the
French monarchy. This necessitated imposition of new taxes on the public.
● Privilege based on birth: People got privileges and position based on their lineage and not
on their merit. This led to resentment among common people.
● Concentration of power among the privileged: People belonging to the first and second
estate had all the power and money. Masses were at the mercy of this privileged class.
● Subsistence Crisis: Rising population and less grain production resulted in demand
supply gap of bread, which was the staple diet. Wages did not keep pace with rising
prices. It was becoming difficult for people.
● Growing Middle Class: Because of increased overseas trade a new class emerged. This
class was wealthy not because of birth but because of its ability to utilize opportunities.
People of the middle class started raising their voice for an end to privileges based on
lineage.
Question 2: Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were
forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would have been disappointed with the
outcome of the revolution?
Answer: Peasants and artisans of French society benefited from the revolution. Clergy, nobles
and church had to relinquish power. It is obvious that those who had to forego power and
privileges would have been disappointed. People from the first and the second estate must have
been a disappointed lot.
Question 3: Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Answer: The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French
Revolution. These spread from France to the rest of Europe during the nineteenth century, where
feudal systems were abolished. Further these ideas spread to different colonies of the European
nations. Colonised people interpreted and moulded these ideas according to respective needs.
This was probably like seed for an end of colonization in many countries. By the mid of 20th
century major part of the world adopted democracy as the preferred mode of rule and the French
Revolution can be termed as the initiation point for this development.
Question 4: Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to
the French Revolution.
Answer: The following fundamental rights, given in the Indian constitution can be traced to the
French Revolution:
● The right to equality
● The right to freedom of speech and expression
● The right to freedom from exploitation
● The right to constitutional remedies
Question 5: Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset. with
contradictions? Explain.
Answer: Yes, the message of universal rights had several contradictions:
● The French Constitution of 1791 ignored women's rights completely.
● Only men were given rights, leaving women and many others excluded.
● A large section of society were classified as passive citizens without voting rights.
● The practice did not match the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
● Though the declaration was a progressive step, it was incomplete and discriminatory.
Question 6: How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Answer:The rise of Napoleon can be explained through the following developments:
● After France became a republic in 1792, Robespierre ruled autocratically.
● His rule led to a Reign of Terror, causing fear and unrest.
● After Robespierre’s fall, a Directory was formed to prevent concentration of power.
● The Directory members frequently quarreled, leading to chaos and political instability.
● This instability created a political vacuum in France.
● Napoleon Bonaparte, a military leader, took advantage of the situation and seized power
as a military dictator.
