JKBOSE 9th Class Social Science Solutions Chapter 1 The French Revolution 

Advent of New Ideas : The Renaissance, the Reformation, the Geographical explorations and the Industrial Revolution gave rise to a new economic system in the world. The new developments transformed the political systems of many European countries of democratic political system, rise of nationalism and ideas of socialism along with movements of social equality. These changes in political and social systems were brought about by revolutions

The French Revolution : The French Revolution of 1789 is regarded as a great landmark in the history of world. Rimsay Muir calls it a “World Revolution”. It was as much a war of bayonets as that of ideas. France was famous for the despotic rule of Louis XVI. The result was the outbreak of a revolution by the French people against autocracy and aristocracy in 1789.

Causes of the French Revolution : Political conditions, social inequalities miserable conditions of common people, arbitrary rulers, corrupt administration, absence of uniform system of law and order, rise of middle class extravagance of the royal family, unfair distribution of taxes and selfish motives of nobility and higher clergy created the conditions of revolution.

Role of the Philosophers : The philosophers like Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau inspired the people to rise against the oppressive king and immoral nobility and clergy. The Royal treasury had fallen empty and the king had to call the Estates General after 175 years. Consequently, the given situation provided ample opportunities for the revolution. The Revolt broke out on July 14, 1789, with the capture of Bastille, the great state prison of Paris. The revolutionaries put the king and the queen to death in 1793. A republic was declared in France.

Rise and Fall of Napoleon : Shortly, the entire power was concentrated in the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte. He declared himself the emperor of the French republic. European countries formed a coalition against Napoleon and defeated him in the Battle of Waterloo.

The French Revolution set forth the ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity and rights of men and citizen. This led to the rise of nationalist movements in many countries of the world.

1. Livers : A unit of currency in France discontinued in 1794.

2. Clergy : A group of persons invested with special functions in the church.

3. Tithes : A tax levied by the church comprising 1/10th of an agricultural produce.

4. Taille : A tax to be directly paid to the state.

5. Manor : An estate consisting of lord’s land and his mansion.

6. Chateau : The castle or stately residence belonging to a king or a noble man.

7. Sceptre : Symbol of royal power.

8. Red Phrygian cap : Can be worn by a slave after becoming free.

9. Treason : Betray of one’s country or government.

1. 1789 : Rise of the Jacobins

2. 5th May,1789 : Convening of the Estates General

3. 14th July, 1789 : Storming of the Bastille and start of the French Revolution

4. 2nd March, 1791 : Abolition of guilds and monopoly rights

5. 21st September, 1792 : Fall of the monarchy and establishment of a republic

6. 17th September, 1793-27th July, 1794 : Reign of terror

7. 1804 : Napoleon Bonaparte was declared as the Emperor

8. 1815 : Napoleon defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

Ans.— 1. Social Causes or Social Condition :

(i) The French Revolution was an uprising of the French people against autocracy and aristocracy. The French society was a feudal one ridden with inequalities.

(ii) The clergy and the nobles belonged to the privileged class. They led a life of luxury and they exploited the common people. The Peasants and workers, which consisted of the vast population, were compelled to live a wretched life. They were forced to pay heavy taxes and to do forced labour.

(iii) The middle class comprising lawyers, doctors, teachers, traders and petty government officers were wealthy and wise. But they were deprived of the political rights. They had to suffer humiliation at the hands of clergy and nobles.

(iv) The social inequalities and luxurious life of the clergy and nobles created discontentment and restlessness among the common people.

(i) The Kings of France were absolute rulers. They believed in the Theory of Divine Rights of Kingship. They claimed themselves to be the representatives of God on earth.

(ii) On the eve of the revolution, Louis XVI was the king of France. He was an empty headed despot. He and his queen Marie Antoinette were extravagant in nature. They spend the state revenue on luxuries and wasteful festivities. The high government posts were auctioned. And as such corruption, mal-administration and inefficiency reigned supreme.

(iii) There were different laws in different areas and absence of any uniform system made the confusion worse confounded. People were really fed up with such a rotten system of government.

(i) The shattered economy of France proved a major cause of the revolution. Due to the prolonged wars and extravagant habits of the Royal Family, the French Government reached a state of bankruptcy.

(ii) The clergy and nobility were able to pay taxes, but they were completely exempted from all the taxes.

(iii) The common people were too poor to pay taxes. The corrupt system of taxes made the people unhappy.

(i) In the second part of the 18th century, there was an intellectual Renaissance in France. The Great French philosophers like Montesquieu, Rousseau and Voltaire wrote a lot against the monarchichal system of Government. They fanned the flame of revolution.

(ii) The American Revolution and Declaration of Independence by the American revolutionaries roused the people of France to overthrow the oppressive king and his nobility.

5. Immediate Cause : In 1788, there spread a severe famine in many parts of France. People suffering from hunger assembled in streets of Paris. The state treasure had fallen empty. Emperor Louis XVI was compelled to summon a meeting of the Estate General in 1789 after a lapse of 175 years. The first two Estates i.e, the clergy and nobility refused to have a common meeting with the Third Estate. It generated much excitement and lost their temper. With the meeting of Estate General on the 5th May, 1789 the French Revolution began.

Ans.— (i) The Third Estate hugely benefited from the revolution. This comprised the professional classes, small and big businessmen, small and big peasants, landless labourers and servants. Most of them got land to till, the burden of taxation was removed and rule of law was established.

(ii) The First and Second Estate were forced to relinquish power, the churches were shutdown and the church property was confiscated. The predominance of First and Second Estate over administration, social and economic privileges were abolished and equality was established.

(iii) The common people were disappointed with the outcome of revolution. Although principles of equality, liberty and fraternity were implemented in France, the French society remained divided house between haves and have-nots. The social and economic condition of the common people did not improve as much as they had expected.

Ans.— Effects on the other people of the world: The French Revolution made an impact on the history of the whole world.

1. Equality : Equality was a principle of French Revolution. This removed the distinction between the poor and the rich. Every government began to give equal rights to the rich and the poor.

2. Liberty : Before French Revolution, freedom meant political freedom but now freedom also meant social and religious freedom. The welfare of the people was to be the duty of the king. Therefore, they were no longer absolute kings.

3. Fraternity : The idea of fraternity also got an impetus from the French Revolution.

4. Democracy : The monarchial system yielding to the democratic system.

Ans.— The following democratic rights to modern man are given by French revolution. These were declared by National Assembly on 27 August, 1789.

(i) Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.

(ii) The aim of every political association in the preservation of the natural and inalienable rights of man; these are liberty, property, security and resistance of oppression.

(iii) The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation; no group or individual may exercise authority that does not come from the people.

(iv) Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is not injurious to others.

(v) The law has the right to forbid only actions that are injurious to society.

(vi) Law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation, personally or through their representatives. All citizens are equal before it.

(vii) No man may be accused, arrested or detained, except in cases determined by the law.

(viii) Every citizen may speak, write and print freely; he must take.

(ix) Responsibility for the abuse of such liberty in cases determined by the law.

(x) For the maintenance of the public force and for the expenses of administration a common tax is indispensable; it must be assessed equally on all citizens in proportion to their means.

(xi) Since property is a sacred and inviolable right, no one may be deprived of it, unless a legally established public necessity requires. In that case, a just compensation must be given in advance.

Ans.— The message of Universal Rights was definitely beset with contradiction. It had following defects :

(i) Nothing was given in it about organizing the meeting and the freedom to make an association.

(ii) Nothing was given in it about the subject of public education.

(iii) It did not give the freedom of trade and occupation.

(iv) It gave the limited right to citizens of keeping property. State was free to confiscate any one’s property with an excuse of public welfare.

(v) Nothing was written in it about the black slaves working in the French Colonies.

(vi) It did not determine the human duties. Without duties, rights are considered as baseless.

Ans.— Napoleon as First Council : In 1799, Napoleon became First Council after overthrowing the rule of Directory. He achieved numerous powers. He even opted for plebiscite in which 99.99% people voted for his new administrative system. He not only conquered new areas but he even made peace treaties with the enemies. All of these works proved that he was an able administrator. He implemented many reforms from 1799 till 1804.

(i) He stopped inflation through financial reforms.

(ii) He established Bank of France.

(iii) He resolved long time confrontation with Pope which was started with the confiscation of church’s property in 1789. For this, he even declared that Catholic religion is the religion of the majority of French people.

(iv) Later on he introduced Napoleonic code which became a base of future’s French legal system.

(v) As First Council, he again opted for plebiscite and he achieved all that what he wanted. In December 1804, he was crowned as the king of France. In this way Napoleon rose to power.

(i) Fort

(ii) palace

(iii) Jail

(iv) None of these

Ans.— (iii) Jail.

(i) 14 July, 1789

(ii) 16 July, 1756

(iii) 15 August, 1947

(iv) 14 July,

Ans.— (i) 14 July, 1789.

(i) King of France

(ii) King of Britain

(iii) A Baron

(iv) An artist of France.

Ans.— (i) King of France.

(i) Farmer

(ii) Tax

(iii) Artist

(iv) None of these

Ans.— (ii) Tax.

(i) Tax paid to the church

(ii) Tax paid to the state.

(iii) Tax paid for the use of land

(iv) Unit of currency

Ans.— (ii) Tax paid to the state.

(i) 123 million

(ii) 225 million

(iii) 28 million

(iv) 30 million

Ans.— (iii) 28 million.

(i) King

(ii) Philosopher

(iii) An aristocrate

(iv) Clergy

Ans.— (ii) Philosopher.

(i) Rousseau

(ii) John Locke

(iii) Montesquieu

(iv) Adam Smith

Ans.— (ii) John Locke.

(i) Rousseau

(ii) John Locke

(iii) Montesquieu

(iv) Adam Smith

Ans.— (iii) Montesquieu.

(i) Marie Antoinette

(ii) Maria Theressa.

(iii) Marie Belchant

(iv) Aquiva Monessert

Ans.— (i) Marie Antoinette.

(i) Louis Philip

(ii) Louis XIV

(iii) Louis XVI

(iv) Louis XVIII

Ans.— (iii) Louis XVI.

(i) Rousseau

(ii) John Locke

(iii) Montesquieu

(iv) Adam Smith

Ans.— (i) Rousseau.

(i) 14 June 1789, Paris

(ii) 14 July 1789, Paris

(iii) 5 May 1789, Versailles

(iv) 17 Sept. 1789, Versailles.

Ans.— (iii) 5 May 1789, Versailles

(i) Marie Antoinette

(ii) Louis XIV

(iii) Louis XVIII

(iv) Louis XVI

Ans.— (iv) Louis XVI.

(i) 1793-1794 A.D.

(ii) 1789-1790 A.D.

(iii) 1790-91 A.D.

(iv) 1791-92 A.D.

Ans.— (i) 1793-1794 A.D.

(i) Voltaire

(ii) Montesquieu

(iii) Jacobins

(iv) Louis XVI.

Ans.— (ii) Montesquieu.

(i) Louis XVI

(ii) Marie Antoinette

(iii) Robespierre

(iv) Voltaire.

Ans.— (iii) Robespierre.

(i) Misgovernance

(ii) Cruelty

(iii) Treason

(iv) Absolute rule.

Ans.— (iii) Treason.

(i) Voltaire

(ii) Rousseau

(iii) Adam Smith

(iv) Gorky.

Ans.— (ii) Rousseau.

1. ………….. was the king of France at the time of French Revolution.

2. …………… was a tax paid to the church.

3. The book The Spirit of Laws’ was written by …………. .

4. …………… opposed the Divine Right Theory of Kingship.

5. In ………….. , there spread a severe famine in France.

6. Estate General was connened after a lapse of ……. years.

Ans.— 1. Louis XVI, 2. Tithes, 3. Montesquieu, 4. Montesquieu, 5. 1788, 6. 175.

1. The French Revolution took place in 1788 A.D.

2. In 1789 the population of France was 225 million.

3. J.J. Rousseau was a philosopher.

4. Social Contract was written by Rousseau.

5. Marie Bachlet was the queen of France in 1789 A.D.

6. National Assembly formed the Govt. in France after the revolution.

Ans.— 1. √, 2. x, 3. √, 4. √, 5. x, 6. √.

Ans.—The Bastille was fortress prison. It was hated by all because it stood for the despotic power of the king.

Ans.— The Bastille was stormed on 14th July, 1789.

Ans.— Louis XVI was the French emperor who helped the American colonies to gain independence.

Ans.— Marie Antoinette was the queen of the King Louis XVI.

Ans.— Clergy comprised of the First Estate and nobility comprised of Second Estate.

Ans.— Businessmen, merchants, professional classes, peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless labourers and servants comprised of the Third Estate.

Ans.— Tithe was the tax levied on peasants and collected by churches.

Ans.— Rousseau wrote, “The Social Contract’.

Ans.— Montesquieu wrote ‘The Spirit of Laws’.

Ans.— The Battle of Waterloo took place in 1815.

Ans.— The Revolutionary Commune established a revolutionary police force known as the National Guards.

Ans.— Voltaire gave the church the name of an ‘Infamous Thing.

Ans.— Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobins.

Ans.— Necker was a popular minister of Louis XVI.

Ans.— The convention abolished the monarchy and declared France republic on 21 Sept. 1792.

Ans.— (i) The French Revolution.

(ii) The Russian Revolution.

(iii) Rise and Fall of Nazism and Fascism in Germany and Italy respectively.

Ans.— Estate General was a political body of France in which three classes or estates used to send their representatives. Before French Revolution in 1798, its last meeting was called in 1614 A.D.

Ans.— The Guillotine was a device meant to kill the convicted person. It has invented by Dr. Guillotine. It was a device with 2 poles on the sides and a blade on the upper part of the poles. Person used to beheaded with the strike of blade.

Ans.— At the time of French Revolution of 1789 A.D. whole of the French society was divided in privileged and unprivileged classes. Unprivileged classes were known as Third Estate. This section of society was comprised of artisans, peasants, middle class people, etc.

Ans.— Babeuf was a revolutionary of France who wanted to establish an era of equality in France after the revolution. He organized a secret society “Society of Equals which planned an uprising. But he was arrested in May 1796 and was executed in 1797.

Ans.— (i) Feudalism of France was thrown away by the people.

(ii) Privileges of church, nobles were abolished.

(iii) Monarchy was abolished and Republic was established in France.

Ans.— The character of Louis XVI : Louis XVI became the king of France in 1774. He was a weak ruler and had no foresight. He did not take any interest in the administration. He had assigned all the administrative duties to such officers who had no welfare of the people at heart. As a result, the people revolted against the administration.

Ans.— Rousseau (1712-1778) gave his ideas in the book ‘Social Contract’. He propounded that the people are the real masters of the state and the king rules with their consent. Thus under the influence of the writings of Rousseau, people of France began to agitate for a revolution. Somebody had rightly said, “But for Rousseau there had been no French Revolution.”

He declared that all political organizations were tyrannical and open to abuses. “Man was born free but he was everywhere in chains.” He propounded the idea of sovereignty of people.

Ans.— Voltaire (1694-1778). Voltaire attacked the vices of the society, the church and the blind faith. He gave the church the name of an ‘Infamous Things’. He instigated the people to ask for reform. Voltaire attacked the traditions, believes and abuses in verse, prose, history, drama and romance. The church in France was the main target of his attack. He declared, “Since we are all steeped in errors and follies we must forgive each other, worship God and be a good man.

Ans.— Montesquieu (1689-1755). Montesquieu was a famous and a great philosopher of his time. He was vehemently opposed to the Divine Right Theory of kingship and was in favour of the blemishes of the monarchial system. His ideas gave impetus to the revolutionary sentiments. Montesquieu initiated a philosophic movement a chain of criticism which was to strike at the root of ancient regime of France. He stood for the constitutional form of government. He believed in the supremacy of law and the separation of the three organs of government. He believed in the supremacy of law and the separation of the three organs of government. His book “The Spirit of Laws” awakened the French society and created the atmosphere for the revolution.

Ans.— As a result of the extravagance of Louis XVI, the exchequer had fallen empty. But the money was needed to run the administration. In order to collect money, the king called an assembly of the eminent persons. The assembly put forth a suggestion to the country from financial bankruptcy- that the rich should be taxed. But this was not acceptable by the rich people. They said they could be taxed only by the Estates General. So the king had to call a session with the Estates General. This session was called in 1789. Even though there were representatives of all the Estates but the members of the Third Estate were more in number. They asked for one reform after another. In the end, the king had to surrender before them. Therefore, it could be proper to say that the French Revolution exploded as a result of the session of the Estates General.

Ans.— (i) The extreme section of the Revolutionary party was called the Jacobins and the chief leaders were Danton and Robespierre.

(ii) Robespierre became the dictator after sending Danton to the scaffold. He executed all moderated revolutionaries. Soon there was a reaction, moderates and the followers of Danton combined together and executed Robespierre on July 28, 1794.

(iii) With the fall of Robespierre, the Commune of Paris, the Jacobin club, the Revolutionary Tribunal and the Committee of Public Safety were suppressed and the ‘Reign of Terror’ came to an end.

1. New Society Organized : A new society was organized in France. This society was organized on the basis of liberty, fraternity and equality.

2. Discrimination Ended Forever : The social, economic and political discrimination come to an end forever.

3. Reforms made by National Assembly : The powers of the National Assembly were increased. The new laws and taxes were passed by this assembly. Now, similar laws applied to everyone.

4. Democratic system established : Monarchial system comes to an end and democratic system was established in its place.

5. End of Feudalism : The land of the nobles was sold at cheap rates to the peasants authority was now only confined to the Church.

Ans.— 1. Heavy debt on treasury : The rulers of France were very spendthrift, Louis XV spent money lavishly. As a result, the treasury became empty and France came under heavy debt. During the period of Louis XVI, the situation further deteriorated.

2. Tax collection poorly administered : Not only the taxes were levied unfairly; they were also not collected in a proper manner. Anybody who bade to give the highest amount of money to king was given the right to collect taxes. The tax collectors collected maximum taxes from the people and transferred a very little amount to the government. This system of collection of the revenue was a source of great trouble for the peasants.

3. Taxes distributed unfairly : The common people of the country were poor but they had to bear the entire burden of taxes. On the other hand, the nobles were a rich class and could pay taxes but they were free from taxes. This unfair distribution of taxes had made the people very unhappy,

4. Extravagance in the court : The rulers of France were extravagant and sensual. They were given the luxury and comfort. Louis XVI emptied the treasury because of his extravagant habits. After him, Louis XV involved himself in wars. He was followed by Louis XVI who did not lag behind in living a life of luxury.

Ans.— Queen Marie Antoinette : The wife of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette was a beautiful and luxury loving women. The king was completely under her spell. She never gave any good advice to the king. Besides this, she was a spendthrift and vain. Because of her spendthrift nature, the economic condition deteriorated further.

Ans.— (i) The seeds of the French Revolution were sown in the ancient regime. There was an absolute monarchy in France and the king held himself as a representative of God on the earth. The absolute monarchy reached its Zenith during the rule of Louis XVI who had become despotic and headstrong.

(ii) There was a Parliament which catered to Estates General but the King had stopped consulting it since hundred years or so. Louis XVI taxed the people very heavily, was least bothered about the problems of the people and ruled under the shadow of his wife, Marie Antoinette. She was conceited, unwise, haughty and extravagant woman.

(iii) The French administration was incompetent, disorganized, corrupt and expensive. In every organ of administration, corruption and disorder was rampant.

(iv) The society consisted of mainly three classes-the clergy (the First Estate), the nobles (the second Estate), the Third Estate consisted of merchants, professionals and peasants. All rights and privileges were enjoyed by the first two classes, who were also exempted from taxation.

Ans.— After French revolution, National Assembly was constituted and it gave a decree on the night of 4th August, 1789. Main points of this decree were :

(i) The French decree abolished the feudal system of obligations from the France.

(ii) Before revolution, members of clergy enjoyed many privileges. But with the decree, members of clergy were forced to give up their privileges.

(iii) Tax collected by the church, Tithe, was abolished and the land owned by the church was taken away by government.

Ans.— (i) The French Constitution gave powers to National Assembly to make laws and the national assembly was indirectly elected.

(ii) Citizens were given the right to vote and choose the Assembly. But all the citizens were not given the right. Only men of age of more than 25 years who paid taxes equal to minimum 3 days of a labourer’s wage were given the right. Rest of the men and all women were classed as passive citizens.

(iii) If anyone wanted to become the member of Assembly, then he must belong to the highest bracket of tax payers.

(iv) The Constitution declared the rights of men and citizens. Rights like right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law were made as natural rights of person and they could not be taken away. State should protect all such rights.

Ans.— (i) The most revolutionary social reform of Jacobin regime was the abolition of slavery in French colonies but it did not pass any laws because it felt that businessmen could oppose this step as government depended on income of slave trade.

(ii) Finally in Convention of 1794, a law was passed to free all slaves in the French colonies. But it was short term measure as 10 years later; it was again introduced by Napoleon.

(iii) Plantation owners understood their freedom as including the right to enslave African Negroes in pursuit of their economic interests. Slavery was finally abolished in French Colonies in 1848.

Ans.— (i) Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was a revolutionary step in the Europe as most of the Europe was under control of different monarchs. This declaration declared that all men are born equal. That’s why they are equal in front of law.

(ii) It also declared that all the citizens have the right to aspire for the highest officer of the government.

(iii) It also said that tax should be burdened equally by all the citizens. It also declared freedom of speech and freedom of press. So after looking at this we can say that it was a revolutionary step.

Ans.— (i) As National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of France seethed with turmoil. A severe winter led to bad harvest, the price of bread rose and bakes exploited the situation and hoarded supplies.

(ii) After spending many hours in long queues at the bakery, crowd of angry women attacked the bakery shops. At the same time, the king ordered troops to Imove into Paris.

(iii) On 14th July, the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille. Guards of fort open doors after the battle of 5 hours. Crowds entered the fort and make free all the captives.

(iv) It destroyed the autocracy of king and people emerged victorious. This event is famous with the event of Bastille in the history of France. This historical event is known as first blown to French ancient system.

Ans.— (i) Napoleon Bonaparte was the ruler of France. He was known as ‘Son of Revolution’ because his autocratic rule emerged because of French revolution. He also wanted to win over India. He captured Egypt in 1798.

(ii) He also made a plan to build Suez Canal. But he was engaged in continental wars with which his military power reduced.

(iii) His Russian expedition weakened his military strength to great extent.

(iv) That’s why he was defeated very badly by British General Arthur Wellesley at the place of Waterloo in 1815. He was arrested and sent to island of Saint Helena where he died in 1821.

Ans.— (i) Woman is born free and remains equal to man in rights. The goal of all political associations is the preservations of the natural rights of woman and man. These rights are liberty, property, security and above all resistance to oppression.

(ii) The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation, which is nothing but the union of woman and man.

(iii) The law should be the expression of the general wills, all female and male citizens should have a say either personally or by their representatives in its formulation.

(iv) No woman is an exception, she is accused, determined by law, woman, like man, obey this rigorous law.

Ans.— (i) New Society Organized : A new society was organized in France. This society was organized on the basis of liberty, fraternity and equality.

(ii) Discrimination Ended Forever : The social, economic and political discrimination came to an end forever.

(iii) Democratic System established : Monarchial system came to an end and democratic system was established in its place.

Ans.— 1. Extravagant and sensual court : The rulers of France were extravagant and sensual. They were given to luxury and comfort. Louis XIV emptied the treasury because of his extravagant habits. After him, Louis XV involved himself in wars. He was followed by Louis XVI who did not lag behind in living a life of luxury. As a result of this, the French government was rendered penniless.

2. Unfair distribution of taxes : The common people of the country were poor but they were also not collected in a proper manner. Anybody who bade to give the highest amount of money to the king was given the right to collect taxes. The tax collection collected maximum taxes from the people and transferred a very little amount to the government.

3. Poor Administration in tax collection : Not only the taxes were levied unfairly, they were also not collected in a proper manner. Anybody who bade to give the highest amount of money to the king was given the right to collect taxes. The tax collection collected maximum taxes from the people and transferred a very little amount to government.

4. Heavy debt and interest : The rulers or France were very spendthrift. Louis XV spent money lavishly. As a result, the treasury became empty and France came under heavy debt. During the period of Louis XVI, the situation further deteriorated. As a result, France was gripped by revolution.

5. Fall in trade : Trade too was on the decline. The businessmen had to pay octroi duty at a number of places which caused many impediments in the way of business. So the business community was full of discontentment.

6. Financial help to America : America was being ruled by England. When the Americans started the war of Independence against the English; France, in order to take revenge from England sent there army and financial help. As a result, the economic condition of France further deteriorated.

Ans.—1. Arbitrary rulers : The kings of France were absolute rulers. They believed in the Theory of Divine Rights of Kingship. They claimed to be the representatives of God on the earth. Therefore, they did not consider that they had any duty towards the people. Their countries had signed and stamped but unfilled papers. They had just to write down the name of the persons to be sent to jail.

2. Inefficiency and corruption in the administration : The country was in the grip of corruption. The government offices were sold. They were unintelligent and incompetent. The people of France wanted to end this corrupt rule.

3. Centralization of Powers : All the political powers were in the hands of the king. All the representative bodies in the country had either ended or were a tool in the hands of the king. The king imposed taxes on the people at his own will. He also spent the money collected through taxes as he liked.

4. No uniform system of law and order : The laws of the country were not uniform. There were different laws worked in different parts of the country. In all, there were about 400 laws in operation in France. There were separate laws for the rich and poor. The revolution could hardly be prevented in the country where no regard was shown to the law or the legal system.

5. Discontentment in the army : There was a lot of discontentment in the army. There were no avenues of promotion for the ordinary soldiers. This discontentment also contributed to the French Revolution.

Ans.— Its effects on France are given below :

1. Establishment of democracy : Monarchial system came to an end and democratic system was established in its place.

2. Feudalism ended forever : The land of the nobles was sold at cheap rates to the peasants.

3. End of discrimination : The social, economic and political discrimination came to an end forever.

4. Organization of a new society : A new society was organized in France. This society was organized on the basis of liberty, fraternity and equality.

5. Reforms in National Assembly : The powers of the National Assembly were increased. The new laws and taxes were passed by this assembly. Now, similar laws applied to everyone.

6. Rights to Clergy : The Rights of the clergy were reduced. Their authority was now only confined to the Church.