Short Questions and Answers (1-2 Marks)
- Q: When did the French Revolution begin?
A: The French Revolution began in 1789. - Q: Who was the king of France during the French Revolution?
A: King Louis XVI was the ruler of France during the revolution. - Q: What was the Bastille?
A: The Bastille was a fortress prison in Paris, seen as a symbol of monarchy and oppression. - Q: When was the Bastille stormed?
A: On 14th July 1789. - Q: Name the three estates of French society.
A: The First Estate (Clergy), Second Estate (Nobility), and Third Estate (Commoners). - Q: What was the Estates-General?
A: It was an assembly of representatives from all three estates, called by the king in times of crisis. - Q: What is the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen’?
A: A document passed in 1789 that declared freedom and equal rights for all men. - Q: Who were the Jacobins?
A: The Jacobins were radical revolutionaries who led the most intense phase of the revolution. - Q: Who was Maximilien Robespierre?
A: He was the leader of the Jacobins and headed the Reign of Terror. - Q: What form of government was established after the French Revolution?
A: A republic was established in France.
Long Questions and Answers (3-5 Marks)
- Q: Explain the main causes of the French Revolution.
A:- Social inequality among the three estates
- Economic crisis due to debt and lavish spending
- Tax burden only on the Third Estate
- Influence of Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau and Voltaire
- Inspiration from the American Revolution
- Q: Describe the events of the storming of the Bastille.
A: On 14th July 1789, angry citizens of Paris attacked the Bastille fortress. It was seen as a symbol of royal tyranny. The fall of the Bastille marked the beginning of the revolution and is celebrated as France’s National Day. - Q: What were the main changes brought about by the French Revolution?
A:- Abolished absolute monarchy
- Established equality before law
- Introduced elected assemblies
- Gave birth to modern citizenship and rights
- Spread democratic ideas across Europe
- Q: What was the Reign of Terror?
A: From 1793 to 1794, Robespierre led a period of extreme violence, where thousands were executed by guillotine, including nobles, clergy, and even revolutionaries. It ended with Robespierre’s own execution. - Q: What was the impact of the French Revolution on the world?
A:- Inspired future revolutions (e.g., Latin American independence)
- Spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity
- Influenced nationalism and democracy
- Challenged the authority of monarchies in Europe