Social Science History Chapter:1 French Revolution (Summary of the topic taught as on 12/04/2021)

 French Revolution:

Topic Covered: Outbreak of Revolution

France Becomes a Constitutional Monarch

Learning Outcomes: Students was able to identify the immediate cause of French Revolution.

List out the Features of Constitutional Monarchy drafted in 1791

THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTION

• Louis XVI called an assembly of the Estates General to pass his proposals to increase taxes on 5th May 1789.
• The first and second estates sent 300 representatives each, who were seated in rows facing each other on two sides, while the 600 members of the third estate had to stand at the back.
• The third estate was represented by its more prosperous and educated members only while peasants, artisans and women were denied entry to the assembly.
• Voting in the Estate General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote and same practice to be continued this time. But members of the third estate demanded individual voting right, where each member would have one vote.
• After rejection of this proposal by the king, members of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest.
• On 20th June, the representatives of the third estate assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles where they declared themselves a National Assembly and vowed to draft a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the Monarch.
• Mirabeau, a noble and Abbe Sieyes, a priest led the third estate.
• While the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of the France was in trouble.
• Severe winter destroyed the food crops which resulted in increase in the prices. The bakers also hoarded supplies of breads for making greater profit.
• After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into the shops.
• At the same time, the King ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14th July, the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille.
• In the countryside the rumours spread from village to village that the lords of the manor were on their way to destroy the ripe crops through their hired gangs.
• Due to fear, peasants in several districts attacked the castle of nobles, looted hoarded grain and burnt down documents containing records of manorial dues.
• Large number of noble fled from their homes and many migrated to neighboring countries.
• Louis XVI finally recognised the National Assembly and accepted the constitution.
• On 4th August, 1789, France passed the law for abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes.
• The member of clergy were also forced to give up their privileges.
• Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the Church were confiscated.

FRANCE BECOMES A CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH

• The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791 which main object was to limit the powers of the Monarch.
• The powers were now separated and assigned to different institutions - the legislature, executive and judiciary which made France a constitutional monarchy.
• The Constitution of 1791 gave the power of making laws in the hands of National Assembly, which was indirectly elected.
• The National Assembly was elected by a group of electors, which were chosen by active citizens.
• Active citizens comprises of only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a laborer's wage.
• The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens who had no voting rights. 

FRANCE CONSTITUTION AT THAT TIME.

• The constitutional began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.
• Rights such as the right of life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law, were given to each human being by birth and could not be taken away.
• It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen's natural rights.

VARIOUS POLITICAL SYMBOLS

• The broken chain: stands for the act of becoming free.
• The bundle of rods or fasces: show strength lies in unity.
• The eye within a triangle radiating light: The all seeing eye stands for knowledge.
• Sceptre: Symbol of royal power.
• Snake biting its tail to form a ring: Symbol of Eternity.
• Red Phrygian cap: Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.
• Blue White Cap: Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.
• Blue - White - red: The national colors of France.
• The winged woman: Personification of the Law.
• The Law Tablet: The law is the same for all, and all are equal before it.

Important Questions are as follows:

1. Explain the circumstances under which King Louis XVI finally accorded recognition to the National Assembly. (Tb pg no. 8 & 9) (05 Marks)

OR 

Explain the events that led to the insurrection of 1792 in France. (Tb pg no. 8 & 9) (05 Marks)

What was the main cause of the French Revolution in 1789? (Tb pg no. 8 & 9) (05 Marks)

What was the contribution of Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes to the formation of the National Assembly? (Tb pg no. 8) (03 Marks)

Or Explain the role of Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes in the French Revolution. (Tb pg no. 8) (03 Marks)

Why did France Seethed in Turmoil? (Tb Pg. no. 9) (03 Marks)

What was the aim of the constitution drafted by National Assembly in 1791? (Tb pg no. 10) (01 Mark)

State one main feature that made France a constitutional Monarch. (Tb. pg no. 10) (01 Mark)

Explain how the new political system of constitutional Monarch in France worked. (Tb pg no. 10) (05 Marks)

What are natural and Inalienable rights explain by giving suitable example. (Tb pg no. 11) (03 Marks)

Do you think the newly formed constitutional Monarch gave equal rights to all the citizens of France to take part in elected the representatives. Explain by giving suitable examples. (HOTS) (03 Marks)

Explain the declaration in the law tablet. (05 Marks)

Do you think Injustice was still prevalent in the society of France after the recognition of constitutional monarch explain the above given statement with the help of article published in L'Ami du peuple. (Tb. pg no. 11)

Explain different political symbols used in France during French Revolution to communicate to the people France. (Tb pg no. 12) (05 Marks) 

HW: Draw Graphic organizer on immediate causes of French Revolution and Features of Constitutional Monarch drafted in 1791