NCERT CLASS 9 HISTORY CHAPTER 1 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
1.
Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in
France.
Answer: Several factors contributed
to the outbreak of the revolutionary protest in France.
(i) Social inequality: There was
widespread inequality in French society before the outbreak of the French
Revolution. Society in the eighteenth century was divided into three
estates. The first two estates, the clergy, and the nobility enjoyed most of
the privileges. They were also not required to pay taxes. On the other hand,
the third estate comprising of businessmen, merchants, peasants, and artisans,
laborers had to pay taxes and cannot enjoy social rights.
(ii) Political causes: Long years
of war with other nations had drained the financial resources of France to the
extent that it had resulted in the nation taking a huge burden of debt. So in
order to meet the expenses, additional taxes on the people of the third estate
were imposed which further made the situation worse.
(iii) Economic cause: The
population of France increased from 23 million to 28 million during the period
1715-1789. As a result, there were shortages of food. The prices of food items
increased resulting in a subsistence crisis.
(iv) The emergence of a strong middle
class: With the emergence of strong middle-class people who were
educated, believed that every person in the society should get equal rights and
opportunities. Ideas of freedom and equality put forward by philosophers were
discussed intensively and spread among the people.
(v) Immediate causes: On 5th May
1789, King Louis XVI called together an assembly of Estates to pass the
proposal for new taxes. But as each estate has one vote, the king's proposal of
increased taxes by the third estate cannot be overturned. The people of the
third estate move out of the assembly and resulting in the outbreak of the
French Revolution.
- 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?
• The revolution benefited the middle class, who
gained political power and opportunities for economic advancement. They
abolished feudal privileges, and their leadership in the National Assembly led
to the adoption of a constitutional monarchy and a new constitution.
• The
peasants also benefited as they were freed from serfdom and the burden of
feudal dues and taxes.
• However,
the revolution forced the nobility and the clergy to relinquish their power and
privileges. The monarchy was abolished, and the king and queen were executed.
• The radical
Jacobins, who seized power during the Reign of Terror, imposed a dictatorship
that targeted enemies of the revolution, including many who were executed. This
would have disappointed those who expected a more democratic and peaceful
outcome.
- Describe the
legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
• The French Revolution had a profound impact on the
political, social, and cultural development of the world in the following
centuries.
• It inspired
the spread of revolutionary ideas and movements throughout Europe and the
world, leading to the overthrow of monarchies and the establishment of
democratic governments.
• The revolution paved the way for the rise of
nationalism and the formation of modern nation-states.
• The French Revolution also played a key role in
the emergence of the feminist movement, as it challenged traditional gender
roles and demanded equal rights for women.
- Draw up a list of
democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the
French Revolution.
• Freedom of speech and expression
• Freedom of religion and conscience • Right to a
fair trial and due process of law
• Right to private property and protection from
arbitrary seizure
• Equality
before the law and protection against discrimination
• Universal
suffrage and the right to vote
• The idea of
human rights and citizenship
- Would you agree
with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with
contradictions? Explain.
• Yes, the message of universal rights was beset
with contradictions. While the French Revolution espoused the values of
liberty, equality, and fraternity, it was also marked by violence, oppression,
and exclusion.
• The
revolution abolished feudal privileges, but it also imposed a new system of
social and political hierarchy, with the middle class dominating the political
and economic spheres.
• Women,
slaves, and colonial subjects were excluded from the benefits of the
revolution, and their struggle for equal rights continued for many years.
• The revolution also witnessed the rise of
nationalism and the exclusion of ethnic and religious minorities, leading to
conflicts and violence in later years.
- How would you
explain the rise of Napoleon?
After
the Jacobian rule came to an end, the wealthier middle class seized power. A
new constitution was introduced which did not give rights to people who do not
have land or property. There is a provision for two elected legislative
councils. They formed a directory. But the members of the directory often
clashed with each other which resulted in political instability. Taking
advantage of this political instability, Napoleon Bonaparte took control of
France as a military dictator.
France was ruled by the Directory, an executive made up of five members. (i) However, the Directors often clashed with the Legislative Councils, who then sought to dismiss them. (ii) The political instability of the Directory paved the way for the rise of a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.
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