Chapter 1: The French Revolution - NCERT Solutions
Exercise
Q1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Answer - The French Revolution began due to a combination of political, social, economic, and intellectual factors. The main circumstances were:
• The French society was divided into three estates. The First (Clergy) and Second (Nobility) enjoyed privileges, while the Third Estate (common people) paid taxes and had no political rights.
• The financial crisis due to the costly wars, including France’s involvement in the American War of Independence, led to a severe debt burden.
• Heavy taxation on the Third Estate caused widespread resentment. The privileged classes were largely exempt.
• Poor harvests in the 1780s led to a rise in food prices and widespread hunger, causing hardship among the poor.
• Enlightenment ideas questioning monarchy, privileges, and inequality inspired people to demand liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• The king's inability to solve the financial crisis and his decision to call the Estates-General in 1789 gave the Third Estate an opportunity to raise its voice, ultimately leading to a revolution.
• The French society was divided into three estates. The First (Clergy) and Second (Nobility) enjoyed privileges, while the Third Estate (common people) paid taxes and had no political rights.
• The financial crisis due to the costly wars, including France’s involvement in the American War of Independence, led to a severe debt burden.
• Heavy taxation on the Third Estate caused widespread resentment. The privileged classes were largely exempt.
• Poor harvests in the 1780s led to a rise in food prices and widespread hunger, causing hardship among the poor.
• Enlightenment ideas questioning monarchy, privileges, and inequality inspired people to demand liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• The king's inability to solve the financial crisis and his decision to call the Estates-General in 1789 gave the Third Estate an opportunity to raise its voice, ultimately leading to a revolution.
Q2. 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 -
• The Third Estate, especially peasants, artisans, workers, and a growing middle class (like lawyers and teachers), benefited from the revolution by gaining equality before the law and ending feudal privileges.
• The clergy and nobility, who formed the First and Second Estates, were forced to give up their special privileges and lose control over taxes, land, and administration.
• Women, despite actively participating in the revolution, did not get voting rights and remained politically excluded. Many poorer sections continued to struggle, so they were disappointed by the limited social and economic changes.
• The Third Estate, especially peasants, artisans, workers, and a growing middle class (like lawyers and teachers), benefited from the revolution by gaining equality before the law and ending feudal privileges.
• The clergy and nobility, who formed the First and Second Estates, were forced to give up their special privileges and lose control over taxes, land, and administration.
• Women, despite actively participating in the revolution, did not get voting rights and remained politically excluded. Many poorer sections continued to struggle, so they were disappointed by the limited social and economic changes.
Q3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Answer - The French Revolution had a lasting impact on world history. Its legacy includes:
• It introduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became guiding principles for future democratic movements worldwide.
• The revolution inspired people in Europe and beyond to fight against absolute monarchies and build nations based on democratic ideals.
• It ended feudal systems in many parts of Europe and promoted the concept of a modern state with equal laws for all citizens.
• Revolutionary ideals played a key role in movements for independence and civil rights in the 19th and 20th centuries, including in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
• It introduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became guiding principles for future democratic movements worldwide.
• The revolution inspired people in Europe and beyond to fight against absolute monarchies and build nations based on democratic ideals.
• It ended feudal systems in many parts of Europe and promoted the concept of a modern state with equal laws for all citizens.
• Revolutionary ideals played a key role in movements for independence and civil rights in the 19th and 20th centuries, including in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Q4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
Answer - Many democratic rights we enjoy today have their roots in the French Revolution:
• Right to equality before the law
• Right to freedom of speech and expression
• Right to vote
• Right to property
• Right to form associations
• Protection against arbitrary arrest
• Right to equality before the law
• Right to freedom of speech and expression
• Right to vote
• Right to property
• Right to form associations
• Protection against arbitrary arrest
Q5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Answer - Yes, the message of universal rights during the French Revolution had several contradictions:
• While the revolution declared rights for all men, it excluded women from political rights like voting and holding office.
• Slavery continued in French colonies, even though liberty was a key ideal. It was abolished only later.
• Only property-owning men could initially vote, which limited the idea of universal suffrage.
• These contradictions show that the idea of universal rights was not fully applied in practice, and many groups had to fight further to gain those rights.
• While the revolution declared rights for all men, it excluded women from political rights like voting and holding office.
• Slavery continued in French colonies, even though liberty was a key ideal. It was abolished only later.
• Only property-owning men could initially vote, which limited the idea of universal suffrage.
• These contradictions show that the idea of universal rights was not fully applied in practice, and many groups had to fight further to gain those rights.
Q6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Answer - Napoleon rose to power due to the political instability and social changes brought by the French Revolution:
• The Revolution weakened the monarchy and aristocracy, creating a power vacuum and unrest.
• France was facing both internal chaos and external wars, so people desired a strong leader who could bring stability.
• Napoleon was a brilliant military leader who gained popularity through his victories and efficient administration.
• In 1799, he seized power through a coup and declared himself First Consul, later becoming Emperor.
• He promised order, reforms, and national pride, which appealed to many people after years of disorder.
• The Revolution weakened the monarchy and aristocracy, creating a power vacuum and unrest.
• France was facing both internal chaos and external wars, so people desired a strong leader who could bring stability.
• Napoleon was a brilliant military leader who gained popularity through his victories and efficient administration.
• In 1799, he seized power through a coup and declared himself First Consul, later becoming Emperor.
• He promised order, reforms, and national pride, which appealed to many people after years of disorder.