French Revolution QA by Marks Points Updated
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abhay070803French Revolution QA by Marks Points Updated
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abhay070803CBSE Class 9 – History: The French
Revolution – Questions with Answers
1 Mark Questions – Objective and Very Short Answers
1. The Bastille was stormed on:
(a) 5 May 1789 (b) 14 July 1789 (c) 20 June 1789 (d) 26 August 1789
Answer: (b) 14 July 1789
2. The term *livre* refers to:
(a) A law passed during the revolution (b) A French unit of currency (c) A tax collected
by the church (d) A title given to the king
Answer: (b) A French unit of currency
3. What was the Old Regime in France?
Answer: The Old Regime was the social and political system in France before 1789. It
included absolute monarchy, social inequality, and privileges for the clergy and nobility,
while the Third Estate paid all taxes and had very few rights.
4. Name the three estates in French society.
Answer: French society was divided into three estates: First Estate (Clergy), Second Estate
(Nobility), and Third Estate (commoners including peasants, artisans, merchants, and
professionals). Only the Third Estate paid taxes, despite forming the majority of the
population.
5. What is meant by a subsistence crisis?
Answer: A subsistence crisis refers to a severe shortage of food and basic necessities,
leading to widespread hunger and hardship. In France, poor harvests, rising bread prices,
and unequal wealth distribution caused frequent crises for the common people.
3 Mark Questions – Short Answer
1. Why was the Bastille hated by all?
Answer: The Bastille was a fortress-prison in Paris that symbolized the absolute power and
oppression of the monarchy. It was feared because political prisoners were often jailed
there without trial. Its storming on 14 July 1789 marked the people's protest against
tyranny and was a major turning point in the French Revolution.
2. Explain any three causes that led to the French Revolution.
3. How did philosophers influence the French Revolution?
4. Describe the system of estates in 18th century French society.
5. What role did the middle class play in the French Revolution?
5 Mark Questions – Long Answer
1. Explain the outbreak of the French Revolution with reference to:
- Role of Louis XVI
- Financial crisis
- Inequality in society
2. What was the significance of the storming of the Bastille?
Answer: The storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 was a landmark event in French
history. The Bastille represented the king’s absolute power and tyranny. Its fall marked the
rise of people's power and the start of the French Revolution. It showed the unity and
strength of the common people against oppression. The event also led to the spread of
revolutionary ideas across France. It frightened the monarchy and nobility, leading to
reforms and the eventual end of feudal privileges. The day is now celebrated as France’s
National Day, symbolizing freedom, equality, and the end of despotism.
3. How did the political and economic conditions of France lead to revolution?
4. Discuss how the Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas inspired the revolution.
• Social inequality: The First and Second Estates enjoyed privileges, while the Third
Estate paid all taxes.
• Economic crisis: France had huge debts from wars and extravagant royal spending.
• Enlightenment ideas: Thinkers promoted liberty and equality, encouraging people to
fight injustice.
• Locke emphasized liberty and natural rights.
• Rousseau supported democracy through the social contract.
• Montesquieu proposed separation of powers in governance.
• Their ideas challenged monarchy and inspired revolution.
• First Estate: Clergy, privileged and exempt from taxes.
• Second Estate: Nobles, also enjoyed privileges and land.
• Third Estate: Commoners, paid all taxes, no privileges.
• This unequal system caused anger and led to revolution.
• Educated and economically powerful, but politically powerless.
• Spread Enlightenment ideas and questioned privileges.
• Demanded rights and led revolutionary activities.
• Became key figures in forming the National Assembly.
• Louis XVI’s poor leadership and extravagant spending worsened the crisis.
• France was in debt due to wars and loans.
• The Third Estate faced heavy taxes and rising food prices.
• Enlightenment ideas spread demands for liberty and equality.
• The Estates-General meeting led to formation of National Assembly.
• The storming of the Bastille symbolized start of revolution.
• Absolute monarchy denied common people political rights.
• Estates-General hadn’t been called for 175 years.
• Economic crisis due to wars and royal spending.
• Heavy taxation on the poor caused resentment.
• High bread prices led to widespread hunger.
• People revolted demanding equality and reforms.
• John Locke: Advocated natural rights and liberty.
• Rousseau: Emphasized popular sovereignty and social contract.
• Montesquieu: Proposed separation of powers in government.
• These ideas challenged absolute monarchy.
• Inspired common people to demand rights and justice.