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Class 10 History Chapter 2 Important Questions and Answers Liberty Equality Fraternity
Kerala Syllabus Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 2 Liberty Equality Fraternity Important Questions
Liberty Equality Fraternity Class 10 Important Questions
Question 1.
Who was the most prominent ruler of the Bourbon dynasty?
Answer:
Louis XIV
Question 2.
Who was the queen of Louis XVI?
Answer:
Marie Antoinette
Question 3.
What tax was levied by the clergy on common peasants?
Answer:
Tithe
Question 4.
What was the tax that all sections of people had to pay to the government?
Answer:
Vingtieme
Question 5.
Which estate did the clergy belong to?
Answer:
First Estate
Question 6.
Who wrote “The Social Contract”?
Answer:
Rousseau
Question 7.
Who authored “Two Treatises of Government”?
Answer:
John Locke
Question 8.
Which book by Montesquieu analyses the principles of government?
Answer:
The Spirit of Laws
Question 9.
Which event is considered the beginning of the French Revolution?
Answer:
Fall of the Bastille
Question 10.
Who wrote Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen?
Answer:
Olympia de Gouges
Question 11.
What was the name of the paper currency issued in France in 1789?
Answer:
Assignat
Question 12.
By which year had the Assignat lost its value?
Answer:
1796
Question 13.
What event involved the killing of about 1,500 prisoners on the streets of Paris?
Answer:
September Massacre
Question 14.
What was the name of the execution device used during the French Revolution?
Answer:
Guillotine
Question 15.
When was the Revolutionary Calendar adopted in France?
Answer:
October 1793
Question 16.
Who founded the Bank of France?
Answer:
Napolean
Question 17.
Against which country did Napoleon implement the Continental System?
Answer:
Britain
Question 18.
Who led the Vienna Conference?
Answer:
Mattemich
Question 19.
Explain the political reasons of the French Revolution.
Answer:
There was a public uprising against the despotic regime that existed in France. The Bourbon dynasty was ruling France for decades. They believed in the divine right of rulers. Although there was a parliament called the Estates General, it was not summoned for a long time. The most prominent of the Bourbon kings was Louis XIV, who declared, “I am the State” Corruption, extravagance and continuous wars waged by Louis XV, who succeeded Louis XIV, put the country and its people in misery. Louis XVI, who came to power later, did not pay much heed to governance. The queen’s extravagance made the people unhappy.
Question 20.
Find the relation between the two parts of the given section ‘A’ and complete the section ‘B’.
I.
a) Assignat: Paper Currency
b) Tithe: ……………….. 0
II.
a) Directory : System of government
b) Guillotine : …………………….
III.
a) Lycee : Schools
b) Bastille : …………………….
Answer:
I. Tax
II. Machine made to kill people
III. Fort
Question 21.
Define Divine Right Theory.
Answer:
According to the Divine Right Theory, the king is the representative of God. The king derives his authority from God. Flence, they are not accountable to the people but to God. Those who supported the despotic rule believed in this theory.
Question 22.
French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates. Which are they? Explain.
Answer:
a) The Clergy (First Estate): The Catholic Church in France was very powerful and wealthy. The church owned large tracts of land. The clergy was exempted from all types of taxes. Moreover, they levied a tax called the tithe on the common peasants. One-tenth of the total produce was remitted as tax. This made the common peasants resent the clergy.
b) The Nobles (Second Estate): The nobles held the highest positions in government and in the army. They were landowners as well. The nobles, who lived luxuriously, collected various taxes from the people. According to an act of 1749, all sections of people had to pay one-twentieth of their income directly to the government as tax. This tax was known as Vingtieme. The first two estates (the clergy and the nobles) got exempted from the tax by giving a small amount to the king as a gift. The priests and nobles never hesitated to oppose the monarchy to maintain their rights.
c) The Commons (Third Estate): The third estate in France comprised of the middle class, workers and peasants. They were known as Commons. Most of the third estate, which comprised the majority of the population, lived in poverty.
Question 23.
Describe three different ways in which the nobles exploited the common people in 18th-century France.
Answer:
- Corvee: The right to make the common people work for three or four days a year without paying any reward.
- Banalite: The additional tax obtained from the monopoly of wine making and the rent for the compulsory use of the landlord’s facilities for the manufacture of grape juice, bread, etc.
- Banvin: A monopoly tax on the wine produced in the territory of a lord.
Question 24.
Explain the reasons behind the rise and discontentment of the middle class in 18th-century France. Answer:
The rise of the middle class in 18th-century France was due to progress in agriculture and industry, which led to the growth of cities and new job opportunities. Wealthy industrialists, doctors, lawyers, and bankers became part of this class. Despite their education and economic success, they had to pay taxes like the common people and were denied power and status in administration and the army. This led to deep discontentment among them.
Question 25.
What role did Turgot and Necker play in France’s economic reforms, and why did their efforts fail? Answer:
Turgot, an advisor to Louis XVI, introduced reforms to improve agriculture and promote free trade to help the middle class and revive the economy. However, Queen Marie Antoinette opposed his cost-cutting measures, leading to his dismissal. Necker continued the reforms but was removed due to France’s war with England and opposition from the National Assembly. Later, advisors also failed, and eventually, the king had to recall Necker.
Question 26.
What were Rousseau’s main ideas, and how did they influence the French Revolution?
Answer:
Rousseau was a political theorist and educational philosopher who believed in the natural freedom of man. In his work The Social Contract, he argued that the people created the king through a contract for their welfare, and if the king violated it, he lost the right to rule. His statement, “Man is bom free, but everywhere he is in chains,” reflected his opposition to the power structure. His ideas inspired the people to rise against injustice, contributing to the French Revolution.
Question 27.
Why was the Estates General summoned after 175 years, and what problems arose during its organisation?
Answer:
The Estates General was summoned by Louis XVI, on Necker’s advice, to address the severe economic crisis by imposing new taxes. Problems arose because the three estates met separately and followed the old system of one vote per house, favouring the clergy and nobility. The Third Estate, which represented the majority population, demanded a joint session and more fair representation, but the first two estates rejected their demand.
Question 28.
What major reforms were introduced by the French National Assembly after the Revolution?
Answer:
- Implemented a unified constitution throughout the country
- Issued a new paper currency called ‘Assignat’
- Confiscated the properties controlled by religious leaders
- Declared complete religious tolerance
Question 29.
Define Continental System.
Answer:
Napoleon’s arch-enemy was Britain. He devised plans to destroy Britain economically as he knew that it would be impossible to conquer Britain, which was a superior naval power. The plan formulated for this purpose is known as the “Continental System”.
Question 30.
What are the main ideas highlighted in the Declaration of Human Rights of France in 1789?
Answer:
- Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.
- The aim of all political associations is the preservation of the natural and inseparable rights of man. These are the rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.
- The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation. Liberty consists of the freedom to do everything that injures no one else.
- The law can only prohibit such actions as are hurtful to the society.
Question 31.
What is September Massacre?
Answer:
Thousands of people, including nobles, priests, and supporters of the king, were branded as traitors and imprisoned. When the prisons overcrowded, about one thousand and five hundred people were killed on the streets of Paris. This is known as the infamous “September Massacre”.
Question 32.
Match column ‘A’ with column ‘B’.
A | B |
Louis XIV | Good laws create good citizens |
Louis XVI | Tennis Court Oath |
Rousseau | Marie Antoinette |
Mirabeau | 1 am the State |
Answer:
Louis XIV -1 am the State Louis
XVI – Marie Antoinette
Rousseau – Good laws create good citizens
Mirabeau – Tennis Court Oath
Question 33.
Write four reforms passed by the National Assembly.
Answer:
- Abolition of slavery
- Taking away the special powers vested on the nobility
- Abolished the tax the people had to pay to the Catholic Church
- Cancellation of additional taxes
Question 34.
Write any four Consequences of French Revolution.
Answer:
- Collapse of feudalism in France
- The laws of the old regime disappeared.
- The land owned by the church became the property of the middle class.
- The land under the nobles were confiscated and all kinds of benefits were abolished.
Question 35.
What are the major decisions of the Congress of Vienna?
Answer:
- Restore the monarchies that existed in the countries of Europe, including France, before the French Revolution.
- Restore the Bourbon monarchy in France.
- Recognise Britain’s naval supremacy and Russia’s dominance in Eastern Europe.
- Recognise Austria’s dominance in Central Europe.
Question 36.
Complete the timeline given below.
• 1815 – (e)
• 1795 – (d)
• 1792 – (c)
• 1789 – (b)
• 1614 – (a)
Answer:
a) The Estates General was summoned for the last time.
b) Fall of Bastille
c) National Convention came into being
d) New constitution came into being in France
e) Congress of Vienna
Question 37.
What factors led to the rise of the middle class in 18th-century France, and why were they discontented?
Answer:
The rise of the middle class in 18th-century France was due to progress in agriculture and industry, which led to the growth of cities and new job opportunities. Wealth from domestic and colonial trade helped industrialists become part of this class, along with professionals like doctors, lawyers, and bankers. Despite their education and economic progress, they had to pay taxes and were denied proper status and power in administration and the army, leading to deep discontentment.
Question 38.
Who were the Jacobins and the Girondists?
Answer:
The Jacobins were a political and social group that emerged during the French Revolution. They met at the Jacobin Convent in the early days. That is why they were called Jacobins. Robespierre was a major leader of this group. Another major group that participated in the French Revolution were the Girondists. Some of them were members of the National Assembly who came from the Gironde region in south western France. Unlike the Jacobins, they took a moderate position. They were representatives of the upper classes, who were landowners and merchants.
Question 39.
What were the main reasons behind the economic crisis in France during the 1770s, and how did it lead to public unrest?
Answer:
In the 1770s, the French agricultural sector faced a severe crisis. This was due to a decrease in production.
This led to an increase in the price of cereals and bread. Between 1730 and 1789, the price of cereals increased by 60 percent. However, the increase in wages was only 22 percent. A severe shortage of fodder saw a huge decline in livestock. This affected one-third of the population adversely. According to the trade agreement signed by France with Britain, there was a huge reduction in import duties on British products. The French market was flooded with British products and made native artisans unemployed. Thus, disgruntled farmers, artisans, and other workers took to the streets against the government. To overcome the economic crisis, King Louis XVI borrowed huge sums from bankers. In exchange for these loans, the government issued bonds. The empty coffers discouraged bankers from lending more money. One of the main reasons why the middle class, which included bankers, opposed the government was this inequality in taxation. They demanded that rules of taxation should be made equal among all citizens.
Question 40.
Explain the background of the French Revolution.
Hints:
• Despotic regime
• Social System
• Middle class
• Influence of French Thinkers
Answer:
Despotic regime
There was a public uprising against the despotic regime that existed in France. The Bourbon dynasty was ruling France for decades. They believed in the divine right of rulers. Although there was a parliament called the Estates General, it was not summoned for a long time. The most prominent of the Bourbon kings was Louis XIV, who declared, “I am the State”. Corruption, extravagance and continuous wars waged by Louis XV, who succeeded Louis XIV, put the country and its people in misery. Louis XVI, who came to power later, did not pay much heed to governance. Queen’s extravagance made the people unhappy.
Social System
French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates. The clergy in the first, the nobles in the second and the common people in the third estate. The church owned large tracts ofland. The clergy was exempted from all types of taxes. Moreover, they levied a tax called the tithe on the common peasants. One-tenth of the total produce was remitted as tax.
The nobles held the highest positions in government and in the army. The nobles, who lived luxuriously, collected various taxes from the people.
The third estate in France comprised of the middle class, workers and peasants. They were known as Commons. Most of the third estate, which comprised the majority of the population, lived in poverty. They were obliged to pay various taxes to the king, the church and the nobles. In addition, they had to perform services that were unpaid and compulsory. Some of them included:
- Performing military service when it was necessary
- Providing free service for the construction of public roads, waterways, bridges, etc.
Middle Class: A middle class emerged in French society in the 18th century. The progress made in the agricultural and industrial sectors of France at that time led to the rise of the middle class. With the growth of the agricultural and industrial sectors, new cities emerged. Those who took advantage of the employment opportunities in the cities progressed economically and became part of the middle class. This middle class, like the common people, also had to pay taxes to the government and the nobility. Despite their educational and economic advancement, they were not given the status or power they deserved in the administration and the army. In short, the middle class had deep discontentment.
Influence of French Thinkers
• Voltaire: Voltaire was a philosopher, historian, satirist, and a philanthropist. Though he was not an atheist, he constantly criticised the clergy through his articles. He was expelled from France due to his stance and writings.
• Rousseau: Rousseau was an educational philosopher and a political theorist. His work, The Social Contract, defined the relationship between the citizen and the state. Rousseau stated, “The people created the king through a contract for their welfare and upliftment. However, the king has violated his responsibilities. Therefore, he has lost the right to rule.” He argued that, “good laws create good citizens.” Rousseau opposed the existing power structure. His ideas were based on naturalism. “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains,” he said. Rousseau’s works inspired the French Revolution.
• Montesquieu: Montesquieu criticised the evils of the church and the tyranny of the state. He advocated limited monarchy and proposed that powers of the government be divided into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial, to ensure the freedom of individuals. His famous work The Spirit of Laws, analyses the principles of government and the evolution of law and the constitution.
The ideas of the British philosopher John Locke also had a decisive impact on the French. His famous work, Two Treatises of Government, rejected the divine right and tyranny of the king. Economists known as ‘Physiocrats’ also influenced the French people. Prominent among them were Turgot and Necker. Turgot, was an advisor to Louis XVI, who conceived many plans to improve the economic situation of France. These economic policies reflected the interests of the middle class. Encouragement of agriculture and free trade of food items were important among them.
Question 41.
Write a short note about the Estates General meetings.
Answer:
To overcome the severe economic crisis of France in the 18th century, it became necessary to impose new taxes. For this, Louis XVI, on the advice of Necker, decided to summon the French parliament, the Estates General. When the Estates General was convened again after 175 years, disputes arose regarding its organisation. Like the French society, the Estates General was also divided into three. The three estates met separately. The Clergy, which was only a small percentage of the French population, had two hundred and eighty-five members. The nobility, which numbered only about one hundred and forty thousand of the French population, had three hundred and eight members in the House of Representatives. The common people, who constituted the majority, had six hundred and twenty-one members in the House of Representatives. The membership of the first and second estates was by inheritance. However, the members of the Third Estate were elected.
The existing system was one vote for one house. The first two houses supported this. The reason for this was that if the first and second estates came together, they would have a majority to control the government. All the new representatives of the Third Estate presented the grievances and demands of the groups that they represented. However, King Louis XVI did not make any preparations to resolve these problems. The main reason for this was that the king did not have enough knowledge of the parliamentary system.
Though representatives of the Third Estate demanded the meeting of all three estates together, the first two estates refused to do so. Following this, on 17 June 1789, the members of the Third Estate declared themselves the real representatives of the people of France and called their assembly the’ French National Assembly.
With the support of the first two estates, Louis XVI closed the hall where this assembly used to be held and placed it under-military guard. Led by Jean-Sylvian Bailly, the Abbe Sieyes, and Mirabeau, the representatives of the Third Estate met on 20th June at the nearby tennis court. They declared that they would not leave until they draft a constitution for France. This was later known as the “Tennis Court Oath”. This session of the National Assembly later came to be known in history as the “Tennis Court Assembly”.
Question 42.
Who was ruling France before the public uprising, and what kind of rulers were they?
Answer:
France was ruled by the Bourbon dynasty before the public uprising. The rulers of this dynasty were generally despotic and believed in the divine right of kings.
Question 43.
What was the Estates General and why was it significant?
Answer:
The Estates General was the French parliament. It was significant because it was supposed to represent the people, but it was not summoned for a long time, the last time being in 1614, highlighting the absolute rule of the monarchs.
Question 44.
Flow did the reign of Louis XV affect the country?
Answer:
Louis XV’s reign was marked by corruption, extravagance, and continuous wars, which led to misery for the country and its people. To support his lavish spending, he imposed new taxes on the people.
Question 45.
What role did Queen Marie Antoinette play in the growing discontent among the people?
Answer:
Queen Marie Antoinette often interfered in government matters and was known for her extravagance. King Louis XVI ignored her behavior, which angered the people and added to their unhappiness.
Question 46.
How was French society divided in the 18th century?
Answer:
French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates: the clergy (First Estate), the nobles (Second Estate), and the common people (Third Estate).
Question 47.
What led to the rise of the middle class in 18th-century?
Answer:
The rise of the middle class was due to progress in agriculture and industry, the growth of cities, and increased trade. Wealthy industrialists, doctors, lawyers, and bankers became part of this middle class.
Question 48.
What was the gabelle?
Answer:
The gabelle was a tax imposed on salt. Originally applied to many products from the 13th century, it later focused only on salt and was widely disliked by the people due to its unfairness.
Question 49.
Who were included in the Third Estate and how were they treated?
Answer:
The Third Estate included the middle class, workers, and peasants. They were the majority population but lived in poverty, paid multiple taxes, and were forced to perform unpaid, compulsory services like military duties and construction work.
Question 50.
Compare First Estate and Second Estate.
Answer:
THE CLERGY (FIRST ESTATE)
The Catholic Church in France was very powerful and wealthy. The church owned large tracts of land. The clergy was exempted from all types of taxes. Moreover, they levied a tax called the tithe on the common peasants. One- tenth of the total produce was remitted as tax. This made the common peasants resent the clergy.
THE NOBLES (SECOND ESTATE)
The nobles held the highest positions in government and in the army. They were landowners as well. The nobles, who lived luxuriously, collected various taxes from the people. According to an act of 1749, all sections of people had to pay one-twentieth of their income directly to the government as tax. This tax was known as Vingtiemc. The first two estates (the clergy and the nobles) got exempted from the tax by giving a small amount to the king as a gift. The priests and nobles never hesitated to oppose the monarchy to maintain their rights.
Question 51.
What caused the agricultural crisis in Prance during the 1770s?
Answer:
The agricultural crisis was caused by a decrease in production, which led to a rise in the price of cereals and bread. Between 1730 and 1789, cereal prices rose by 60%, while wages increased by only 22%.
Question 52.
How did the trade agreement with Britain affect French artisans?
Answer:
The trade agreement with Britain led to a reduction in import duties on British goods, which flooded the French market and resulted in unemployment among native artisans.
Question 53.
What economic steps did King Louis XVI take to overcome the crisis, and what was the result?
Answer:
King Louis XVI borrowed large sums from bankers and issued bonds in return. However, the empty state treasury discouraged bankers from giving further loans.
Question 54.
Why did the middle class oppose the government’s taxation policy?
Answer:
The middle class, including bankers, opposed the government due to the inequality in taxation and demanded that taxation rules be made equal for all citizens.
Question 55.
What were Rousseau’s main ideas in “The Social Contract”?
Answer:
In the Social Contract, Rousseau argued that the people created the king for their welfare, but if the king violated his responsibilities, he lost the right to rule. He believed in natural rights and said, “Man is bom free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
Question 56.
What system of governance did Montesquieu support?
Answer:
Montesquieu supported a limited monarchy and proposed the separation of powers into three branches- legislative, executive, and judicial- to ensure individual freedom.
Question 57.
How did Voltaire contribute to the French people’s awareness of injustice?
Answer:
Voltaire criticised the clergy through his articles, which helped expose corruption and injustice. His writings made people aware of the wrongs in society, although they led to his expulsion from France.
Question 58.
Why was Turgot dismissed from his position as advisor?
Answer:
Turgot was dismissed due to the opposition from Queen Marie Antoinette, who disliked his plans to reduce royal spending.
Question 59.
What was the Tennis Court Oath, and why was it significant?
Answer:
The Tennis Court Oath took place on 20th June 1789, when members of the Third Estate, led by Jean-Sylvian Bailly, Abbe Sieyes, and Mirabeau, vowed not to leave until they drafted a constitution for France. It was a key event in the French Revolution as it marked the formation of the French National Assembly.
Question 60.
What happened on July 14, 1789, and why is it important in French history?
Answer:
On July 14, 1789, an angry crowd stormed the Bastille, which was a symbol of Bourbon despotism. This event marked the beginning of the French Revolution, leading to widespread violence and the fall of tax collectors.
Question 61.
Why did King Louis XVI summon the Estates General after 175 years?
Answer:
King Louis XVI summoned the Estates General on the advice of Necker to impose new taxes and address the severe economic crisis in France.
Question 62.
How many members did each of the three estates have in the House of Representatives during the French Revolution?
Answer:
The Estates General was divided into three estates:
- Clergy (First Estate) – 285 members (membership by inheritance)
- Nobility (Second Estate) – 308 members (membership by inheritance)
- Common People (Third Estate) – 621 members (elected members)
Question 63.
What was the significance of the French Revolution in world history?
Answer:
The French Revolution was one of the most important events in modem world history, as it was a movement by the common people and middle class of France for the rights they were denied. The ideas of the Revolution influenced democracy, human rights, and equality worldwide.
Question 64.
Who was Olympia de Gouges, and what were her contributions to women’s rights?
Answer:
Olympia de Gouges was a playwright and activist who strongly advocated for women’s rights during the French Revolution. In her book, Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, she demanded equal rights for women in society, including equal power and legal rights.
Question 65.
What were some of the achievements of the women’s rights movement during the French Revolution? Answer:
Right to property, Right to divorce, Increased participation of women in social and political matters.
Question 66.
What was the Assignat, and why did it lose its value?
Answer:
The Assignat was a paper currency issued in France in 1789 to stabilise the economy and pay off the national debt. However, the government printed it excessively, leading to massive inflation and rapid devaluation. By 1796, the Assignat had lost its value completely.
Question 67.
What was the “Reign of Terror,” and who led it?
Answer:
The Reign of Terror was a period of extreme violence in France, led by the Committee of Public Safety under leaders like Danton, Hebert, Marat, and Robespierre. Thousands of nobles, priests, and supporters of the king were executed or imprisoned, and many were killed in the September Massacre.
Question 68.
What is the National Convention? and What are its important decisions?
Answer:
The National Convention was a new governing body that replaced the National Assembly in 1792. It declared France a republic and executed King Louis XVI.
Question 69.
What was the Revolutionary Calendar?
Answer:
The Revolutionary Calendar was adopted in October 1793 to replace the Gregorian calendar. It started on 22 September 1792, the day France became a republic. The calendar had ten-day weeks instead of seven-day weeks and was entirely secular. It was used in France until 1801.
Question 70.
What was the main difference between the Jacobins and the Girondists?
Answer:
The Jacobins were radical revolutionaries, led by Robespierre, while the Girondists were moderates who represented the upper classes and sought more gradual reforms.
Question 71.
How did the French Revolution contribute to modern nationalism?
Answer:
The French Revolution helped shape the idea that a nation is not just a monarchy or a geographical area but represents the people. This concept of national identity led to the growth of modem nationalism and inspired democratic governance based on Rousseau’s idea of sovereignty of the people.
Question 72.
What was the Congress of Vienna, and who led it?
Answer:
The Congress of Vienna was a meeting held in 1815 after Napoleon’s defeat, where European nations decided to restore stability in Europe. It was led by the Austrian Chancellor Metternich.
Question 73.
Write any two Administrative reforms implemented by Napoleon in France.
Answer:
- Legal reforms – By Napoleonic Code,Feudal laws were abolished, and equality and religious freedom were recognised.
- Concordat (An agreement between Napoleon and the Pope) – As per the agreement with the Pope, the freedom of the Catholic Church was restored. Other religious groups were also granted freedom.
Question 74.
Write any two consequences of French Revolution.
Answer:
The most obvious result of the French Revolution was the collapse of feudalism in France.
The laws of the old regime disappeared with the revolution. The land owned by the church became the property of the middle class. The land under the nobles were confiscated and all kinds of benefits were abolished. With the introduction of a unified system of weights and measures (the metric system), the inaccuracy in weights and measures ended. The concept of modern nationalism is a contribution of the French Revolution. It was only after the French Revolution that the existence of a nation began to be expressed through national character, not through monarchy.
The concept of the nation in its full sense came into being after the French Revolution. This declared the idea that France was not just a geographical expression, but the entire people of France. Another concept that grew with nationalism is the democratic system of governance. It was after the French Revolution that the foundation of democratic rule based on Rousseau’s idea of the sovereignty of the people was realised. The French Revolution also influenced the struggles for national independence that took place in Asia and Africa in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.