Solution

DPS RAIPUR PRACTICE PAPER- FRENCH REVOLUTION

Class 09 - Social Science

1. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:
Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobins club which led a successful revolt and came to power. Robespierre ruled France
from 1793 to 1794. His rule is referred to as the 'Reign of Terror' because he followed a policy of severe control and
punishment. All those who were considered enemies by him or who did not agree with him or with his methods were arrested,
imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If found guilty, they were executed.
2.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
Voting in the Estates-General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote. This
time too Louis XVI was determined to continue the same practice. But members of the third estate demanded that voting now
be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote. This was one of the democratic
principles put forward by philosophers like Rousseau in his book The Social Contract. When the king rejected this proposal,
members of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest.

3. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:
The representatives of the third estate viewed themselves as spokesmen for the whole French nation. On 20 June they
assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. They declared themselves a National Assembly
and swore not to disperse till they had drafted a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch. They were
led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès.
4.
(c) A is true but R is false.
Explanation:
The majority of men and women in 18th century France could not read and write. So images and symbols were frequently used
instead of printed words to communicate important ideas.

5.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
A group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille,
where they hoped to find hoarded ammunition. In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and
the prisoners released – though there were only seven of them. The Bastille was hated by all because it stood for the
despotic power of the king. The fortress was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the markets to all those who
wished to keep a souvenir of its destruction.

6. (a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - (iii)

7. (a) - (iv), (b) - (i), (c) - (ii), (d) - (iii)
8. (a) - (ii), (b) - (iv), (c) - (i), (d) - (iii)
9. (a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (ii), (d) - (i)
10. (a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (ii), (d) - (i)
11. (a) (a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - (iii)
Explanation:
(a) - (ii), (b) - (i), (c) - (iv), (d) - (iii)
12. (a) (a) - (ii), (b) - (iii), (c) - (iv), (d) - (i)
Explanation:

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 (a) - (ii), (b) - (iii), (c) - (iv), (d) - (i)
13.
(c) (a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (i), (d) - (ii)
Explanation:
(a) - (iv), (b) - (iii), (c) - (i), (d) - (ii)

14. (a) (a) - (iv), (b) - (i), (c) - (ii), (d) - (iii)
Explanation:
(a) - (iv), (b) - (i), (c) - (ii), (d) - (iii)
15. (a) (a) - (iii), (b) - (ii), (c) - (i), (d) - (iv)
Explanation:
(a) - (iii), (b) - (ii), (c) - (i), (d) - (iv)
16. (a) iv, iii, ii, i
Explanation:
iv. 1789: Storming of the Bastille.
iii. 1792: Jacobins planned an insurrection.
ii. 1848: Slavery was abolished in French colonies.
i. 1946: Women in France won the right to vote.
17.
(c) ii, iii, i, iv
Explanation:
ii. 1774: Louis XVI becomes king of France.
iii. 1789: Convocation of Estates General.
i. 1791: A constitution is framed to limit the powers of the king.
iv. 1792-93: France becomes a republic.

18.
(b) iii ,ii, i, iv
Explanation:
iii. 20 June 1789: Oath of the Tennis Court
ii. 1791: Draft of the constitution
i. 1792-93: Directory rules France
iv. July 1794: Louis XVI is guillotined

19. (a) iii, iv, ii, i

Explanation:
iii. April 1792: National Assembly voted in to declare war against Prussia and Austria.
iv. 10th August 1792: Parisians stormed the Palace of the Tuileries.
ii. 21st September 1792: Convention abolished the monarchy.
i. 21st January 1793: Louis XVI was executed publicly.
20.
(b) i, iii, iv, ii
Explanation:
i. 1774: Louis XVI faces empty treasury and growing discontent within society
iii. 1789: Third Estate forms National Assembly
iv. 1804: Napoleon becomes emperor of France
ii. 1815: Napoleon defeated at Waterloo

21.
(c) Nantes
Explanation:

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 Nantes

22.
(c) Sceptre
Explanation:
Sceptre

23.
(c) Marseillaise
Explanation:
Marseillaise

24.
(b) Jacques-Louis David
Explanation:
Jacques-Louis David

25. (a) Paris

Explanation:
Paris
26. (C) Marseillaise

27.

28. (A) Nantes

29. (A) Marseillaise
30. A. Nobles enjoyed feudal privileges. Peasants were obliged to work in their houses and fields, to serve in the army and build
roads.
B. Peasants paid a tax called tithes to the church.
C. The third estate paid a direct tax called taille.
D. In direct tax on salt and tobacco were also levied.
31. In the summer of 1792, the Jacobins planned an insurrection of a large number of Parisians who were angered by the short supply
and high prices of food. On the morning of August 10, they stormed the palace of Tuileries, massacred the king’s guards and held
the king hostage for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to imprison the royal family. Elections were held. From now on all
men of 21 years and above regardless of wealth, got the right to vote.
32. The following three points state who were the Jacobins:
i. The Jacobins or the Society of the Friends of the Constitution was the most famous and influential club prior to the French
Revolution. The Jacobin club got its name from the former convent of St Jacob in Paris.
ii. It became an important rallying point for people who wished to discuss government policies and plan their own forms of
action.
iii. The members of the Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous section of society which included small shopkeepers,
artisans like shoe-makers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers, servants, daily-wage workers etc. Their leader was
Maximilian Robespierre.
33. A. In the early years the revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped improve the lives of women.

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 B. Together with the creation of state schools, schooling was made compulsory for all girls.
C. Their fathers could no longer force them into marriage against their will. Marriage was made into a contract entered into freely
and registered under civil law.
D. Divorce was made legal, and could be applied for by both women and men. Women could now train for jobs, could become
artists or run small businesses.
34. The French society was divided into three Estates:
i. First Estate: It comprised of the church and the clergy. They enjoyed certain privileges by birth. They were exempted from
paying taxes to the state.
ii. Second Estate: In the second estate were the nobles and other rich members. They were also exempted from paying taxes.
They also enjoyed feudal privileges. They were also paid feudal dues from the peasants.
iii. Third Estate: About 90 per cent of the population was peasants. They were obliged to work in the fields of their landlords as
well as in their houses, and also serve in the army. They were paying all direct taxes like ‘taille’ and a number of indirect taxes
also like taxes on the articles of everyday consumption.
35. A. Faced with the power of his revolting subjects, Louis XVI finally accorded recognition to the National Assembly and accepted
the principal that his powers would from now on be checked by constitution.
B. On the night of 4 August 1789, the Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes.
C. Members of the clergy too were forced to give up their privileges. Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the church were
confiscated.
36. A. Most women had to work for living. They worked as seamstress, Laundresses, selling flower, fruits etc or as domestic
servants.
B. Only daughters of nobles and wealthier parties studied in convent. Their families arranged marriages for them.
C. Working women also took care of their own families, cooked, and washed, cleaned and queued up for bread.
37. A. From the very beginning women were active participant in the events which brought about so many important changes in
French society.
B. In order to discuss and voice their interest’s women started their own political clubs and newspapers.
C. About sixty women’s club came up in different French Cities. The Society of revolutionary and Republican women was the
most famous clubs. One of their main demands was that women enjoy the same political rights as men.
38. (i) Active Citizens: Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage were given the
status of active citizens. Only they had the right to vote.
(ii) Passive Citizens: Whereas, the remaining men as well as all the women of France who were not entitled to vote were called
Passive Citizens.
39. Mirabeau was born in a noble family but was convinced to do away with feudal privileges. On 20 June, the third estate assembled
in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. Mirabeau brought out a journal and delivered powerful speeches
to the crowds assembled at Versailles.
40. A large group among the Jacobins decided to start wearing long striped trousers similar to those worn by dock-workers. This was
to set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of society, especially nobles, who wore knee-length breeches. These Jacobins
came to be known as the ‘sans-culottes', literally meaning those without knee-breeches. Sans-culottes men wore a red cap that
symbolised liberty.
41. The richer members of the third estate (the middle class) benefited the most from the French Revolution.
The clergy and the nobility were forced to relinquish power.
The poorer sections of society and women would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution as the promise of
equality was not fulfilled in full measure at the end of the revolution.
42. In the beginning, the revolutionary government introduced laws to improve the lives of women.
i. Schooling was made compulsory for all girls.
ii. Their fathers could no longer force them into marriage against their will.
iii. Divorce was made legal and could be applied for, by both men and women.
iv. Women could now be trained for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses.
43. Yes, it can be said that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions because of the following reasons:
These rights were given only to the males in society.
The French Constitution did not give any rights to women. They were, rather, ignored.
Right to vote was reserved as not every citizen was entitled to vote. Almost 3 million citizens, including men who did not
pay sufficient taxes, women and men under the age of 25 were not allowed to vote at all.

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 In a nutshell, it can be said that these universal rights did not give due value to the poor. Constitution was only available to
the rich. Women were totally neglected in decision-making. Although a lot was done with good intent, a lot of
improvement was left at that point due to which the French Constitution has been changed multiple times since the
Revolution.
44. The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of social groups, termed as the middle class.
They earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and manufacture of goods such as woolen silk textiles that were
exported or bought by the richer members of society.
In addition to merchants and manufacturers the third estate included professionals such as lawyers or administrative officials.
45. When people revolted, Louis XVI finally gave recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the fact that his powers now
would be checked by the Constitution. On 4 August 1789, the National Assembly passed a law abolishing the feudal system of
obligations and taxes. Members of the clergy too were forced to give up their privileges. Tithes were abolished and lands owned
by the Church were confiscated by the government. Ultimately, the government acquired assets worth 2 billions livres.
46. i. The Bastille was hated by all because it stood for the despotic power of the king.
ii. In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners released-though there were only
seven of them.
iii. When historians looked back upon this time, they saw it as the beginning of a chain of events that ultimately led to the
execution of the king in France.
47. i. The responsibility of making law was given to the National Assembly.
ii. Natural and inalienable rights mean they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away.
iii. Classification of citizens as per the Constitution of 1791:
a. Active citizens
b. Passive citizens
48. A. The fall of the Jacobins government allowed the wealthier middle class to seize power.
B. A new constitution was introduced which denied the vote to non-propertied sections of society. It provided for two elected
legislative councils.
C. These then appointed a Directory, an executive made up of five members. However, the Directors clashed with the legislative
councils, who then sought dismiss them.
D. The political instability of the Directory paved the way for the rise of a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.
49. The period from September 1793 to July 1794 is referred to as the ‘Reign of Terror’.During this period, the leader of the Jacobin
club, Maximillian Robespierre ruled France. Soon after becoming the ruler, he followed a policy of severe control and punishment
and terrorised people with his harsh measures. Those whom he regarded as ‘enemies’ of the republic were arrested and tried by a
revolutionary tribunal, be it nobles, clergy or members of his or other political parties. If found guilty, they were guillotined. More
than 15000 persons were guillotined during this short period of time. The 'Reign of Terror' became intolerable and people started
resenting Robespierre and his followers. Finally, Robespierre was convicted and guillotined in July 1794 and the ‘Reign of Terror’
ended with his death.
50. A. The national Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791.
B. Its main object was to limit the powers of the monarch. The powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person
were now separated and assigned to different institutions- the legislature, executive and judiciary.
C. This made France a constitutional monarchy.
51. The circumstances that caused an outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:
Social Inequality: French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely Clergy, Nobility, and the
Third estates which comprised peasants, officials, and small businessmen. The Third Estates only had to pay taxes while
clergy and nobility were exempted.
Subsistence Crisis: The population of France increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were
in great demand. Prices of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. All this situation led to a subsistence
crisis.
Economic Problems: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. To meet its regular expenses, such
as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, and running government offices or universities, the state was forced to
increase taxes.
Strong Middle Class: The middle class emerged as an educated and wealthy class during the eighteenth century. They
believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put forward by

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 philosophers. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among
people.
Immediate Cause: On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI called an assembly of Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes.
Third estates protested against this proposal but as each estate have one vote the king rejected this appeal. They walked
out of the Assembly.
52. Subsistence crisis can be defined as an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
During the Old Regime, France faced the 'subsistence crisis’ because:
i. The population of France rose from about 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789 which led to a rapid increase in the demand
of food grains and the production of grains could not keep pace with the increasing demand of the growing people, as a result,
the prices of essential commodities increased.
ii. Most of the workers got fixed wages and could not keep pace with the rising prices of products of daily use, as a result, the
gap between the poor and rich increased.
iii. Things became worse when drought or hail almost destroyed and reduced the harvest resulting in a shortage of food grains.
53. A. The 1791 constitution began with a declaration of the rights of men and citizen.
B. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, etc were considered as basic or natural and inalienable
rights which could not be taken.
C. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy, Indian individuals responded to the ideas of liberty and equality coming from revolutionary
France.
D. The new revolutionary ideas spread to France occupied areas in Europe and abroad. People in such areas, began dreaming of
sovereign nation states.
E. Colonized people in Africa, Asia and Latin America reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their movements to
create sovereign new states.
54. There was a shortage of labour at the plantation. So, Europeans solved this problem by a triangular slave trade between Europe,
Africa and America. Slave trade began in the 17th century. French merchants sailed to the African coast to buy slaves from their
local chieftains. The slaves were packed in the ships for a three-month voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. There, they
were sold to plantation owners. Exploitation of slave labour made it possible to meet the growing demand in European markets for
sugar, indigo and coffee. In France, the National Assembly held long discussions to provide rights to all the people living in
France. But it did not pass any laws. Ultimately, in 1794 the 'Convention' passed a law to free all the slaves in the French colonies.
This was, however, a short-term measure as later, Napoleon Bonaparte reintroduced slavery.
55. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishments. All those whom he saw as enemies of the republic and did not
agree with his methods were arrested and guillotined if found guilty.
i. Robespierre’s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed.
ii. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government.
iii. The use of expensive white flour was forbidden and all citizens were forced to eat the equality bread, i.e. a loaf made of whole
wheat.
iv. Instead of the traditional Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam), all French men and women were called as Citoyen and
Citoyenne (citizen).
v. Churches were also shut down and their buildings were converted into barracks or offices.
vi. But he followed his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation.

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