CHAPTER

HISTORY

01
The French Revolution

The French revolution is a landmark in the

history ot Europe and the world. it
ended the monarchial system in France. The
slogan of French Revolution i.e. Chapter Syllabus
beTty. reedom and equality became important ideas of the new era.
oFrench Society Durng the
Late Eighteenth Century
French Society During the Late 18th Cenfury TheOutbreak of the
Irn 1774. Louis X\1 of Bourbon famiiy became the king ot France. He Revokution
was
married the Austrian Princess Marne Antoinette. When Louis XVI became
to
the FranceAbolishes Monarchy
.2g, he got an empry teasury. Long years of war and mantenance ot thë court ot and Becomes a Republic
the Palace ot Versailles wrere the main reasons of t . DidWomen have a
Louis X helped thimeen
American colonies to gain their independence trOm Revohution?
Bntain. As a result of this, more than 1 billion The Abolition of Slavery
nad aiready risen to
livres were added to the debr which
more than 2 billion ieres. The lenders who gave the credit The Revoiution and
Degar to charge an interest or 0 per cent on loans. Everyday Lite
gTheet
the expenses like maintain the ariy, the COurt, running government
i C e s and univetsities etc, the state was orced to increase the taxes. However this
theasure was not sutticient as French society was drvided into three estates in 8th
Cetatury and only Tnembers ot the third estate paid taxes.
e

oCety
society
and
of estates was part of the feudal system of the
middie ages. The
institution of France before 1789 is consadered as old regime

L s ries af eurrency in France at that time. nich was discontimued in 1794

readai cial system that existed during the misdle ages in Europe in this system. peopie were given land and protection ty a noblenan
r d had
1 wor and fig tor him is veturs
G egiee The Ierm Od Megome is uuaby sed so descite the soKiety and institutaoR of Frurce before t 789
 Allinone Social Science Closs 9h The Frencn Revolution
Church
the
owned by
abolished and lands
fhe three to the Tithes
were
cstates of were d e n i e d entry
France a that time were artisans
and women were seized by
authority.
asscts
worth at ieast
and grievances
Growing Middle Class
e3sants, acquired
First Estate Ithe A ssembly
but they
sent their demands
By this, the
government
Clergy
ltomprised of the group of In the 18th century, a new social group emerged who
rhrough representatives.
of the third
estate
demanded thar voting
2 billion IrvTes.
Constitutional
were known as the middle class. members whole a
functions in
Church. Theypersons,
who France Becomes
as a
assembly
owned vast have
the
hey specla
Land and become rich by expanding of overseas trade should
be conducted by taking one vote. But rhe king
enjoyed weai They had should have
Monarchy
membeT
certain and manufacturing goods like woolen and Silk textiles,. ot the third
estate
trom privileges by birth, like exemption
paying taxes to the where
each
propo5al and
members
the draft of
the
Assembly completed
this
The Church state. addition merchants and manufacturers, there were rejected in protest.
The National w a s to
limit the
levied a In to
o u r of
assembly
in 1791. its
main objective
whtch tax, called Tithe' lawyers and administrative officials, who were
educated walked Constitution
comprised of onetenth of the trom the peasasants, of should be Assembly of Third Estate ot the
monarch.
agricultural prouu
ditterent
sociery powers to
oduce. They believed that group a n d assigned
Second Estate (the National
no
of the third estate
were separated
representatives Now, the powers and Judiciary.
privilegcd by birth. 1789, the Executive
also
lt
comprised of rich, Nobility)
aristocrat people of the Philosophers like John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau
June,
On 20th
assembled
in the
hall or
an indoor
tennis court in
Assembly. They

Versailles.
institutions
like the
powers

Legislarure,
made trance a
constitutional
and Montesquieu considered that middie class was sole National This change ot
enjoyed the state. ney themsclves
a
for France
the state. privilege of
taxes i the ideas of They
declared
Constirution
to
exemption from paying Tesponsible for revolution. They spread
for all. also
declared to dratt a
new
of the
monarch.
monarchy.
Assembly
They enjoyed feudal reedom, equal laws and opportunities by the National
powers
limit the
would led by The Laws Made
they extracted from the
privileges, i.e., feudal dues,
win
The ldeas of Philosophers were as follows
chat
representatives
of the
third estate were
Constitution, the laws w e r e to be made
The Under the new
peasants. ) John Locke in his Tuo Treatises of Government' and Abbé
Sieyès.
discarded his National Assembly. The assembly was indirectly
hird Estaie Criticised the doctrine of divine
the monarch (king).

and absolute right of

Mirabeau
Mirabeau
was
born
Abbe
in a
noble
Sieyes was
family, but
originally a priest. He
by the
elected i.e. active citizens voted tor a group of eiectors,
lt is the third
members.
comprised of the rest of the (11) Rousseau in his book "The Social Coitract proposed feudal privileges. called What who in rurn chose the assembly
merchants, court population i.e., businessmen, an
intluential
pamphiet
The highlighus of the changed system
were
landless labour, etc.officials, lawyers, peasants, artisans,
the form of the government Dased on sOC1al contract wrote
of age and who paid
berween people and their representatives. Estate i) Merd who were above 25 years
They had no privilege as rhey had to pay (ii) Montesquieu in his book "The Spirit of
the Laws, at the
Bastille taxes equal to at least
5 days ot a labourer's wage were
Revolt Starts
called Taille" to
the state as well direct ta
a number of proposed the concept of separation
of powers
severe
winter,
harvest was severely given the starus of
active citizens, i.e. they had right
taxes levied articles of everyday
on indirect between the Legislature, the Executive and the In France,
due to
to the
increase in price of bread. to vote. Ihe remaining men and all women were
tobacco, erc. consumption, like salt, Judiciary. This model of goverrnment was accepted by affected,
which led
and stored supplies. classed as passive citizens.
situation
Feasants made up about 90 the USA, after the thirteen colonies declared their
The bakers
exploited this at the bakery, i) To qualify as an elector and then as a
member of dhe
per cent of the hours in long queues group of
population
on rrance. Only a small number of them owned the land
independence from Britain. After spending
Women
raid the shops. assembly, a man had to belong to the highest
they cultivated. These ideas were spread among the people through the crowds ot angry
crowd destroyed the raxpayers.
books and newspapers. With the news that Louis XVI 1789, an
agitated of the
OU per cent of the land was owned by nobles, On 14rh July, hated by all French people as it (ii) The Constitution began with a Declaration
the Church Bastille was
Rights of Man and Citizen, such as the right to life,
planned to impose more taxes to meet the expenses of he
and other richer members of the third estate. Bastil
power of the king.
the state, it generated anger and protest against the the dominating treedom of speech, freedom of opinion and equaliry
symbolised
easants were forced to work in the house of nobles and from village to village
heir lands, to
System of privileges among the people.
In the countryside, rumours spread before law. These were established as 'natural and
serve in the army or to had hired the gang of robbers and it the dury of the state to
in
participate that the lords manor
of the inalienable rights was
uilding roads. hearing this rumour,
The Outbreak of the Revolution to destroy the ripe crops. After,
chateau" in many areas of France.
protect these rights.
attacked
Struggle to Survive On 5th May, 1789 Louis XVl called for an assembly
of the Estates General to pass the proposals for new
peasants
The peasants
looted stored grain and burnt
documents
dues. Due to all these, a
heck Pointo
g 1715-1789, the population of France increased taxes containing records
of manorial
How many American colonies got independence by the help o
which led to rapid increase in demand for food number of nobles moved to neighbouring countries.
First, second and third estates sent their large Louis XVI?
in France?
representatives. The first and second estates sent 2How much debt was increased because of the war
cient production increased the price of bread. But End of Speial Privileges Name the direct tax of the third estate to the state in the
300 representatives each, who were seated in rows
ges of tte workers did not keep pace with the rise on 4th August, 1789, France under
facing each other on two sides. As a result of revolt Frenchsociety.
for abolishing the feudal 1789?
Louis XVI passed the law
S. in France in
Who formed the National Assembly
Third estate sent 600 representatives, I hey were more and taxes.
n became worse when bad weather conditions
prosperous and educated than first and second estates system of obligations 5 In the Constitution of 1791,the powers were drvided amorg
torced to give up their legislative, executive and .àsi. J
the harvest. This condition created subsistence
members but they faced discrimination and had to stand The members of clergy were also to protect each citizen s igtura! nght.
It was the duty of the
at the back. privileges.
Tax to be paid directly to the state. 7 Manor An estate consisting of the Lord's lands and his mansion.
to king or nobleman.
tence crisis An extrene situation where the basic means of Iivelih0od are endangered. 8 Chateau Castle or stately residence belonging a
the Church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce.
General A political body to which the three estates sent their 9 Tithes Taxes levied by
representatives.
 4 Allinone Social Science Class 9th
The French Revolu

1792 and n o w ali men

Elections w e r e held in August,
France Abolishes Monarchy above 2l years of age w e r e allowed
t o vote regardless of
Sornetimes the Dir

Councils and the co

and Becomes a Republic their wealth.

This political inst
w a s called the Convention
Rulers of France's neighbouring countries were worried The newly elected assembly Napoleon Bonapa
21st September, 1792 and
by the developments in France. They made plans to It abolished monarchy o n these changes, th-
France was declared a Republic. fraternity remain
Send troops to put down the events taking place since
1789. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the political novemc
charge of treason".
The National Assembly declared war against Prussia
executed
and Austria in April 1792. Thousands of volunteers On 21st January, 1793, Louis
XVl was

at the Place de la Concorde. After some time, the Qucen

publicly Wornen
Joined army for the National Assembly Women played
also sentenced to death.
Marie Antoinette was Revolution. Mo
he patriotic song sung by volunteers was the
estare worked
Marseilaise which was composed by the poet Roget de The Reign ot Terror
LIsle. It was sung for the first time by volunteers from The period from |1793 to 1794 is referred to as the 'Reiun
They worked
Marseilles as they marched into Paris. It later becamne flowers, fruits

the National Anthem of France of Terror in France. This was due to the policy of severe domestic serv

A large segment of the population was convinced control and punishment followed by Robespierre. Only the dau
to carry the revolution further, as the Constitution During this period following events took place t h e t h i r d esta

of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer section. (i) Many people were arrested and tried by a revolutionary Besides carin

People used to discuss government policies and their tribunal (court). These included all those people who to cook, feto
own plan of action in political clubs. The most were considered enemies (like ex-nobies, clergy and after the ch
successful of these was the club of Jacobins, which got members of political parties) of republic by Robespierre. than the m

its name from convent of St Jacob in Paris. If the court found them guilry, they were guillotined
Women in
(i) Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities
Constitutie
The Jacobin Club and sell it at the prices fixed by the government.
citizens wh
(ii) The use of expensive white flour was forbidden. Meats
Members of the Jacobin, club belonged mainly to the They dem
less prosperous sections of society. They included and breads were rationed.
be elected
shopkeepers, artisans, cooks, shoe-makers, watch-makers, (iv) People were forced to eat the pain d'egalite (equality
To expre
printers, servants and daily-wage workers. Their leader bread), a loaf made of whole wheat. started th
was Maximilian Robespierre. ()Instead of Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam), all There w
French men and women were called as Citoyen and
They dressed differently by wearing long striped of which
trousers similar to those worn by dock workers. It was Citoyenne (citizen).
Womer
a way of declaring the end of the power holded by the (vi) Churches were shut down and their buildings were
wearers of knee breeches. converted into barracks or offices Laws
(vii) Due to the hard policies of Robespierre, even his
They came to be known as 'sans-culottes' meaning In the
supporters left him in the end. He was finally
people without knee breeches'. Sans-culottes men convicted by a court and guillotined in July, 1794.
of wor

wore a red cap that symbolised liberty. (i)

The Convention: Newly Elected Assembly A Directory Rules France

On 10th August, 1792, the Jacobins attacked the
Palace of the Tuileries with large number of Parisians.
They killed the King's guards and held the King
himself as hostage for several hours. Later, the
assembly voted to imprison the royal family.
After the fall of the Jacobins, the wealthier middle classes (ii)
seized power. A new Constitution was introduced which
denied the vote to non-propertied sections of society.
It provided for two elected legislative councils. These (iii
councils appointed a Directory, an Executive made up of
five members under the Jacobins. (i

10 Convent Building belonging to a community devoted to a religious life.

11 Treason Betrayal of one's country or govemment.
12 Guilotine A device for beheading a person by means of a heavy blade that is dropped between two posts serving as guides; widely used
during the French Revolution.
The French Revolution

Sometimes the Directors clashed with the

Legisiative
Councils and the councis often dismissed the French Women Got Right to Vore
Directors.
During the Reign of Terot. he zoxern.mer.c rdered or
This political instabilin paved the ay tor the rise oi
Napoleon Bonaparte, a militany dictator. Inspite of all the céosure of women. s ciubs anA bansed heir g u z
these changes, the ideals ot reedorn, equalinv and actvities. Many proment somen were r e e d 1
fraternin remained inspiring ideals that moivated axecured
rolitical movemens tor France and the rest of the Eurote. wGTmens strugzle tor voig and eczl peitici rizrc
w2s carTied ation

Women in Revolution movement duri and

Finaly in 1946.
Women played a very signiticant role in the French
Revolution. Most ot the women belonging to the third
Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793)
estate worked for a living.
Theyworked as seamstresses' or laundresses, sold i c a l t zcye wcme i ecieccrz Frzrce size r t a s t e

lowers, fruits and vegetables in the market. employed as

domestic servants in rich family ete.
Only the daughters of nobles and wealthier members of
the third estate could study at a convent.
Assemcy

Besides caring for their families, the French women had forciiy cisrg c cer DS r e ed Te ena
to cook, fetch water. stand in queues for bread, look
exere
after the children, etc. I heir wages were always lower
than the men.
Women in France were disappointed with the The Abolition oi Saver,
Constirution of 1791. It reduced them to passive
h e greatest sOCI2l rero
citizens who had no political rights.
They demanded political righs, viz., Right to Vore. to gOvemmen:was to accsn s e r v
tenh cDscs
The French colonis he
be elected to the assembly and to hold political ofice. n
Caribreas M ique
To express their own views and demands, women Cuadeloure and San
Dominge e r e eEa
started their own political clubs and newspapers.
ot tobaceo, indigo. sUgIT. c2tes. c
The French
There were about siXTy clubs of women in French cities neaded worker: o r pan s
colonies but the Europezns
of which, The Society of Revolutionary and Republican dd
nce wan: Ok
distant. unknown ans
Women was the most tamous.
hus, 2 three wav Tade In sizes S t e i i

Laws Passed to Improve Women Lives Atrica and Americ2 in the 17th cennr weeEge
In the early years, laws were passed to improve the lives
known as
triangular slave trade.
of women. The changes occuTTed by these laus uere French merchans rele trom me pes ot Svriezn
or Nantes to he Amican coast. wnere her
)Women gained access to education with the o n t zvs
ITom local chiettains
introduction of state schools and a system of
compulsory education for girls. hese port cities Owed their econemnic prospe
(ii) Women could no longer be torced into martiages by fiourishing slave rade
their fathers and they could marry according to their hrougthout the 1sth cenur, hete was i e ciicS
will. ot slaverv in Fance.
(iii) Marriage was now a conract which could be registered Ater long debates, he Natonal
under civil law.
Lonvenno passed
Law in 179 which ieciared sver egai ani eai
iv) Divorce was made legal. Both men and women could slaves in Frances Overses cokonia
apply for it. ATer ten vears. Napoieon reinroduced save
(v) Women could Tain for jobs, become artists or run the plantaion owners who consiierei ensiaving Acer
small business. blacks as their right.

13 Seamstresses A woman who eans her iving by sewing.

The French Revolution
Sometimes the Lirectors clashed with the Legislative
Councils and the councils often dismissed the Directors.
This political instabiliy paved the way for the rise of
Napoleon Bonaparte. a military dictator. Inspite of all
rhese changes, the ideals of freedom, equality and
fTaternity remained inspiring ideals that motivated
polincal movements tor France and the rest of the Europe.
Women in Revolution
Women played a very significant role in the French
Revolution. Most ot the women belonging to the third
estate worked tor a living.
They worked as seamstresses or laundresses, sold
flowers, fruits and vegetables in the market, employed as
domestic servants in rich tamily etc.
Oniy the daughters of nobles and wealthier members of
the third estate could study at a convent.
Besides caring for their families, the French women had
to cook, tetch water, stand in queues tor bread, look
after the children, etc. Their wages were always lower
than the men.
Women in France were disappointed with the
Constirution of 1791. It reduced them to passive
citizens who had no political rights.
They demanded political rights, viz., Right to Vote,
be elected to the assembly and to hold political office.
To express their own views and demands, women
started their own political clubs and newspapers.
There were about sixty clubs of women in French cities
of which, "The Society of Revolutionary and Republican
Women" was the most famous.
Laws Passed to Improve Women Lives
In the early years, laws were pa5sed to inprove the lives
of women. The changes occurred by these laws were
G)Women gained access to education with the
introduction of state schools and a system of
compulsory education for girls.
i) Women could no longer be forced into marriages by
their fathers and they could marry according to their
will
(iis) Marriage was now a contract which could be registered
under civil law.
iv} Divorce was made legal. Both nen and women could
apply for it
()Women could train tor job9, hecome artists or run
small business
3Seamstresses A Homan ut eas her lring sy sEwing.
French Women Got Right to Vote
During the Reign of Terror, the government ordered tor
the closure of women's clubs and banned their political
activities. Many prominent women were arrested and
executed.
Women's struggle for voting and equal political rights
Was carried on through an international suftrage
movement during the late 19th and early 20th century.
Finally in 1946, French women won the Right to Vote.
Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793)
Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793) was one of the most important of the
politically active women in revolutionary France. She protestedd
against the Constitution and the Declaration of Rights of Man and
Citizen
In 1791. she wrote a Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen.
in which she addressed the Queen and the members of the Nationa
Assembly
In 1793, Olympe de Gouges criticised the Jacobin government for
forcibly closing down women's clubs. She was tried by the National
Convention, which charged her with treason Soon after, she was
executed.
The Abolition of Slavery 2
The greatest social reform made by the Jacobin
government was to abolish slavery in French colonies.
to
The French colonies in the Caribbean like
Martinique.
Guadeloupe and San Domingo were important suppliers
of tobacco, indigo, sugar, coffee, etc.
The French needed workers for
plantations in its
colonies but the Europeans did not want to work in
distant, unknown lands.
Thus, a three way trade in slaves started benween Europe
Africa and America in the 17th century. This was
known as triangular slave trade.
French merchants travelled from the ports of Bordeaux
or Nantes to the African coast, where they
bought slaves
from local chieftains.
These port cities owed their economic
prosperity to the
flourishing slave trade.
Throughout the 18th century, there was little eriticism
of slavery in France.
After long debates, the National Convention pssed a
law in 1794 which declared slavery illegal and frevd all
slaves in France's overseas colonies.
Alter ten years, Napoleon reintroduced slavery to please
the plantation owners who considered enslaving African
blacks as their right.
 Class 9thh
6 Social
Science
Allinone

of the
Thee aves Roy are
sone

were kru PuT B5 and Raja

Pammohan
the Prench
shelinherd in the African
ideas of
slavery was, Negre Finally Tipu Sulan
h o w e r e inispired
by the
French ulrnies ii 1 ndiaTis
Penduti
he
Life Revolufion and Everyday Check Poit02
Marseilaise ?
ter compond the sng
7 , nariy Wina

WonEn, nen and changes tvk place in the lives a Sars-culottes

children t ihn uere

knonn
in 1215.
Franein nasdefeated at Waterlon convention?

EinpItat law that came int, effest in 179 was tthe the
ahnlished
monarchry
by the
atxolition sf cenaship Wmen was

bega in
theoosrn1
The Slae trade
AArding t censorship, all writter
materisl ana
Cuitural activities could be perforned or published
atter they had
been ofily TimeLine)
aprrzed by the ceats of the kitig|
With the abrlition of cenurship and the Decaration th important Event
the
Kights of Man and Citizen, freedon of speech atia
Year of France.
asended throne
Luis M
EApressirn became a naural right ot rian. 1774 an sATmby Gf
the Estates

5th May, 17 The king alled n e n tazes.

his ied u the growth of nempapers, panphlets, r General to pass
propOsak for
asermbled and took
arid printed pictures. Freedom of the press yave voice estate representatives
t nh June, 1723 Third
the Ternis Coun
0ath. They furmed a National
opinios and asunter opinions. AssETnDy.
Bastile; French Revohution
Starming of the
Conclusioon 14th July, 1183
started.
National Assembhy passed
a deczee to
abolish
in 104, Napoleon Bonaparte, a farmous French General, 4th August. 1783 taxes.
of obigations and
the feudal systern
crowned hirnelf and brought back
Ernperur of France 5th ct, 178 Women marched to
Versailles

Louis M with thern to Paris.

He onquered neighbouring European cuntries, King
draft of new
Assernbly completed
d1spssed dynasties and created kingdons where he 1791
National
Constitution; Revoutionary woman Olympe de

placed members of his farnily. writes 'Deciaration of the Rights of

Gouges
He saw himself as a nederniser of Europe. He introduced Woman and Citizen".
and deciare war against
rnariy laws such as the protection of private property Apri, 1792 National Assermbly voted to
a unitorm systern of weights and measures provided by Prussia and Austria.
and France declared a
the decimal systen. 21st Sep, 1792 Monarchry abolished
liberator who would
republic.
Many people saw Napoleon as a
his arny carme
21st Jan, 1793 Louis XM executed.
possessions freed.
bring freedom for the people. But xon 1793 -1794 All slaves in French oveTseas
but decision overtumed by Napoleon ten years
to be viewed everywhere as an invading force
Waterloo in an ater
Finally, Napoleon was defeated at the on liberry Sep 1793-Juty 1794 Reign of Terror.
1815. Even after his defeat, ideas of Napoleon July 1794 Robespierre arested and executed.
of Europe.
and modern laws continued in other parts 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte crOWned himseif Emperor
were the mo0st
The ideas of liberty and democratic rights of France.
Revolution which spread 1815 Napoleon finaily defeated at Waterioo.
important legacy of the French Slavery finally abolished in French colonies.
abolition of feudal systems 1848
all over Europe. This led to Women in France won the right to vote.
and freedom of colonised nations. 1946

egroes A term used tor the indigenous pesple of Africa living South of the Sahara. It is a derogatory term not in common use any ionger.
The French Revolution 7

SUMMARY
When Louis
XVI became king ol France in 1774, the French treasury was empty. or
the taxes to meet he regular expense of the court, maintenance of the army and payinent
Kingwas forced l0 increase

interest for the debt.

rest of the
society was divided into three estates: the clergy, the nobility and the
During the
18th century. French
the third estate. Only the third estate paid all the taxes.
Dulation constituted of livelihoad are endangered
ot.F'Tench society led to the subsistence crisis where the basic means
Rapid expansion lawyers, administrators etc, wanted to end
the privileges oft
nmiddle class, consisling oflraders, manufacturer,
growing
A gr
and the clergy.
the nobility influenced the French people.
like John Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu
The ideas of great philosophers Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes
were leading it.
.

third estale declared themselves as a National assembly.

On 20th June, 1789.
revolted due to price
rise and attacked, Baslille on 14th July
constitution in 1791. This
The people Assembly draftinga
new

a monarchy with the National

constitutional
France became of the rights of man and citizen.
aeclaration declared France a
constitution began
with a
the government and
of society took
over
were less prosperous section
the Jacobins who
In August 1792, 1793. during
the king in January Maximilien Robespierre
executing
1794, under the leadership of
republic 1793 to July
.
A 'Reign of Terror'
iollowed from September
took place.
executions
scale unstable.
large but was
which
the Jacobins, a Directory ruled France, French society, leading to many
overthrow of about many changes in
After the in the revolulion brouglht
participation of Women women won
the Right to vote.
The significant their lives. In 1946, French introduced many new
to improve the emperorin 1804 and
laws being passed 1794. Napoleon
became
French c o l o n i e s during
abolished in
Slavery was
feudal systems
nations, leading to abolition of
laws. measures impacled
a large number
of European Revolution.
Napoleon's
reform
were the most important legacy of French
demoCratic rights
liberty and
The ideas of
 The French Revolution

NCERT FOLDER The task of

to the rich
never be
representing the
people has been given
the lot of the poor and
improved by peaceful meansoppressed
we have absolute
will
alone. Here
Has anyone heard of
Would it be possible tosomething
Scaffold without making bring
a
more senseless?
single person to the
proof of how wealth influences the his relations and friends?
ten more enemies
among
law Yel laws will last On 7th
only as long as the people February, 1794
agree to obey them. And when they have managed Robespiere made a speech at the
Convention
Source C to cast off the which wasthen carried by the
yoke
of the aristocrats, they will do newspaper Le
Activities on page 12 and13 same to the other owners of
the Moniteur Universal. Here is an extract
from it.
The Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen wealth To establish and consolidate
1 ldentify the symbols which stand for liberty.
1. Men are born and remain free and equal in
Source An extract from the newspaper L'Ami du achieve the
democracy, to
rights peaceful rule of constituional laws, we
equality and fraternity.
2. The aim of every political associalion is the peuple must first finish the a r of
hberty against tyranny..
We must annihilate the
preservation of the natural and inalienable rights Ans. Only sonme members of the third cstate, who were enemies of the republic at
home and abroad, or else we shal
of man; these are liberty, property, ich and propertied, would have gained from this pensh. In time
security and Constitution. Members of the fist and second
of Revolution, a democratic
government may rely
resislance to oppression on terror. Terror is nothing but justice, swift, severe
3. The source of all sovereignly resides in the estates would have been dissatisfied as their and inflexible: and is used to meet lhe most
() H V nation, no group or individual may exercise privileges were abolished and they had to pay taxes urgent needs of the fatherland. To curb the
authority that does not come from the people. Marat anticipated another ievolution in which the enemies of Liberty through terror is the right of the
founder of the Republic
4. Liberty consists of the power to do whatever is poor would rich persons of the
rebel aga1nst the
nol injurious to others. third estate and overthrow them. just like they had Ans. Robespierre felt that use of terror by a democratie
5. The law has the right to forbid only actions that done to the noblemen and clergy government was justifred. as it preservcd the ideals

are injurious lo
of the revolution. However, Desmoulins saw
VI)
vi) (Vin) (x) sociely 5 Imagine the impact of the events in France on liberty as treedom to do anything which was bascd
6 Law is the expression of the general will. All
Ans.Liberty (i) Broken chain (vi) Red Phrygian cap. neighbouring countries such as Prussia, on principles of cqualiry, reason and jusice
citizens have the right to participate in its
Austria-Hungary or Spain, all of which were without being injurious to others.
Equality (vii) Winged wonan (ix) Law tablet formation, personally or through their
representatives. All citizens are equal before it absolute monarchies. How would the kings Robespierre say1ng. the war ot hberty against
Fraternity (ii) Bundle of rods or fasces (vii) National traders, peasants, notbles or members of the tyranny meant that they should kill the enemies
colours of France, viz, Biue-White-Red 7. No man may be accused, aTested or
clergy here have reacted to the news of what ot the republic both in France and outside France
detained, except in cases determined by the
2 Explain the meaning of the painting of the was happening in France? Desmoulins perceived liberry as laid down in the
law Declaration ot Rights, i.c. it was happiness, Teason,
Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen by 11. Every citizen may speak, write and print freely; Ans. The reaction of the kings, traders. peasants. nobles, cqual1ty and justice. The consütutional laws on
reading only the symbols. he must take responsibility for the abuse of such clergy and other privileged sections of these
the rights of individuals laid down the rights of
iberty in cases delermined by the law. countries was that they would become fearful
iberry, equality, property, security and tesistance
13 For the maintenance of the public force and for about what has happened in France can happen in
to oppression.
the expenses of administration a common tax is their country also. The peasants would welcome
indispensable, it must be assessed equally on the developments in France and sympathisec with
Activity on poge 18
all cilizens in proporion to their means. the peasants and underprivileged sections of 7 Describe the persons represented in figure below
17. Since property is a sacred and inviolable right, that country. their actions, their postures, the objects they are
to see whether all of them
no one may be
deprived of it, unless a legally carrying. Look carefully
come from the same social group What syinbols
established public necessity requires it. In that Activity on page 16 has the artist included in the image? What do they
case a just compensation must be given in
6 Compare the views of Desmoulins and Robespiere Do the of the women relect
advance understand the use of
stand
tor acuons to
(Source D). How does each one traditional deas women
of hoOw do were expectedartsi
Ans. the war think: does
The two documents are consistent and
convey the state force? Whal does Robespiere
mean by behave inpublic? What you the
Desmoulins actvibes or is he
same idea that human beings are born cqual and all of liberty agains! tyranny'? How does sympathise with the womens
vews in the ciass
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Citizens are cqual betore the law. However, the perceive liberty? Refer once more to
Source C (page cntical of them? DisCuss your
painted by the artist Le Barbier in 1790 The figure the nghts ot
11). Whal did the constitutional laws
on
Constitution of 1791 did not
give practical shape
on the right
represents France The figure on the individuals lay down? Discuss your views on the
left syinbolises the law to these ideas.
subject in class
Ans. The figure on the left symbolises the right 4Which groups of French society would have
Source D
to
liberty, property, cquality, etc enshrined in the gained from the Constitution of 1791? Which
views:
new Constitution of France. The What is liberty? Two conflicting
right symbolises the law. The law tablet
figure on the groups would have had reason to be
dissatisfied? What developments does Marat The revolutionary journalist
Camille Desmouinees

equality before the law for all.

signifies wrote the following in 1793.
He was executed shortly
(Source B) anticipale in the future? of Terror
after, during the Reign
3 The is like child, which
political rights which the Constitution of Source B Some people believe that Liberty
a

1791 gave to the citizens with Articles 1 and 6 needs to go through a phase of being disciplined their way to
Versailles
The revolutionary journalist Jean-Paul Marat Liberty IS Parisian women on
Quite the opposite. of the
of the Declaration (Source C). Are the two commented in his newspaper L'Ami du peuple (The before il attains matunty.
h i s print is
one or the many pctoriai
representatians

Justice, it is the women

marche1
t
Happiness, Reason, Equality
1/89, when
documents consislent? Do the two documents friend of the people) on the Constitution drafted by finish off all events of b t h D c t h b e r ,
Declaration You would like to
of Rights..
Versailes and br0Jy the ung b a E
convey the same idea? the National Assembly:
enemies by guillotining them.
your