Answer The Following Question.
1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Ans: When King Louis XVI became king, he inherited an empty treasury due to years of war, including France’s support for the American Revolution. This war added significantly to France’s debt, already over 2 billion livres. To make matters worse, interest rates on loans rose, making it harder for the government to meet its regular expenses. France’s society was divided into three estates, and only the Third Estate (peasants, artisans, and commoners) paid taxes. Meanwhile, the population grew, and demand for food increased. The production of grains couldn’t keep up, causing bread prices to soar. Wages for laborers remained stagnant, exacerbating the divide between the rich and the poor. These economic pressures, combined with social inequality, led to the outbreak of the French Revolution.
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?
Ans: The Third Estate benefitted the most from the revolution. This group included peasants, artisans, small farmers, landless laborers, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, and lawyers. The First and Second Estates, which consisted of clergy and nobility, were forced to relinquish their power and privileges. These groups had enjoyed special rights and exemptions before the revolution. On the other hand, women and other marginalized groups might have been disappointed, as they were not granted equal rights during the revolution.
3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Ans: The most important legacy of the French Revolution was the spread of ideas of liberty, equality, and democratic rights. These ideas traveled from France to other parts of Europe in the 19th century, leading to the abolition of feudal systems. Colonized people reinterpreted the idea of freedom and fought for sovereignty, as seen in various independence movements. Leaders like Tipu Sultan and Ram Mohan Roy were influenced by the revolutionary ideals of France and responded with efforts to modernize their societies.
4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
Ans: The democratic rights that can be traced to the French Revolution include:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of expression
Freedom of press
Abolition of censorship
Right to vote
Abolition of slavery
Right to liberty
Right to property
Right to security
Right to education
Divorce laws
5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Ans: Yes, the message of universal rights was indeed beset with contradictions. Although the revolution advocated for universal rights, women were largely excluded from the fundamental rights promised. They did not enjoy the same rights to liberty, property, and security as men. Furthermore, women had no representation in the creation of laws and were denied access to many honors and public employment opportunities, despite their abilities.
6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Ans: Napoleon Bonaparte rose to prominence by taking advantage of the political instability in France following the revolution. He crowned himself Emperor of France and began expanding his influence through military conquests. Napoleon saw himself as a modernizer of Europe, introducing progressive laws such as the protection of private property, a uniform system of weights and measures, and the decimal system. His reforms carried the revolutionary ideals of liberty and modern laws to other parts of Europe, leaving a lasting impact even after his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo.