History – The French Revolution (Chapter 1)

Very Short Answer Questions (2 Marks – 2 points each)

Q1. Who abolished slavery in France?
- The Convention abolished slavery in 1794.
- It was later revived by Napoleon but finally abolished in 1848.
Q2. What was the theme of Montesquieu’s book The Spirit of Laws?
- Montesquieu proposed separation of powers among legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- Liberty could exist only if these powers were balanced.
Q3. Who was Napoleon? Give an Indian example who responded to revolutionary France.
- Napoleon was a French general who rose to become Emperor of France.
- Tipu Sultan of Mysore responded positively to revolutionary ideas from France.
Q4. Which patterns sealed the fate of France in 1815?
- The pattern of European alliances (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria) united against France.
- Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 ended his rule and restored monarchy.
Q5. Name the most popular political club started by French women.
- The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women.
- It demanded equal political rights for women.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks – 3 points each)

Q1. What were the causes for the empty treasures of France under Louis XVI? Assess any
three causes.
- Costly wars (including support to American War of Independence).
- Extravagant expenditure by the royal family and court.
- Unfair taxation system—clergy and nobility exempt, peasants bore burden.
Q2. What is subsistence crisis? Mention the factors responsible for this in France.
- Subsistence crisis: shortage of food leading to starvation.
- Poor harvests increased bread prices.
- Population growth without rise in production.
Q3. Analyze any three main features of the French Constitution of 1791.
- Established a constitutional monarchy.
- Separation of powers among legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- Only active citizens (men above 25 paying taxes) had voting rights.
Q4. What was the significance of the Tennis Court Oath in the French Revolution?
- Third Estate pledged not to disperse until a constitution was framed.
- First united step against absolute monarchy.
- Led to drafting of a constitutional government.
Q5. How did France become a constitutional monarchy?
- National Assembly drafted the Constitution of 1791.
- Limited monarchy reduced king’s powers.
- Legislative Assembly was formed to make laws.
Q6. Ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French
Revolution. Explain the statement.
- Abolition of monarchy and feudal system.
- Spread of equality, freedom, and fraternity.
- Inspired revolutions in Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Q7. What was the Convention? Describe its role in France.
- The Convention was the newly elected assembly of 1792.
- Abolished monarchy and declared France a republic.
- Abolished slavery and introduced social reforms.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks – 5 points each)

Q1. How was the French society organized? What privileges did certain sections of the
society enjoy?
- Society divided into three estates: clergy, nobility, and commoners.
- First Estate (clergy) enjoyed tax exemption and collected tithes.
- Second Estate (nobility) owned land and held feudal privileges.
- Third Estate (peasants, workers, bourgeoisie) paid taxes and had no privileges.
- Privileges of first two estates caused resentment and demands for equality.
Q2. Explain the events that led to the insurrection of 1792 in France.
- Economic crisis and rising bread prices.
- King’s secret talks with Austria and Prussia.
- Fear of foreign invasion to restore monarchy.
- Storming of Tuileries Palace on 10 August 1792.
- Monarchy was suspended, and France declared a republic.
Q3. Evaluate the importance of the following years in the French Revolution: 1774, 1789,
1791, 1804, 1815.
- 1774: Louis XVI became king; financial crisis deepened.
- 1789: Fall of Bastille marked the start of Revolution.
- 1791: First Constitution adopted, limiting monarchy.
- 1804: Napoleon crowned himself Emperor.
- 1815: Napoleon defeated at Waterloo; monarchy restored.
Q4. Why were women disappointed with the Constitution of 1791 in France?
- Excluded from political rights and voting.
- Could not hold offices or participate in law-making.
- Education remained domestic-focused.
- Economic difficulties of women workers ignored.
- Equality demanded by women’s clubs was neglected.
Q5. Analyze the role of thinkers and philosophers in the French Revolution.
- Montesquieu: separation of powers.
- Voltaire: freedom of expression and religion.
- Rousseau: social contract and people’s sovereignty.
- Locke: natural rights of life, liberty, property.
- Inspired revolutionaries to demand equality and democracy.
Q6. Explain the triangular slave trade carried on during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Ships carried goods (cloth, rum) from Europe to Africa.
- Slaves transported from Africa to Americas (Middle Passage).
- Raw materials (sugar, tobacco, cotton) sent to Europe.
- Profits fueled European economy.
- Abolished in France in 1794, though revived later by Napoleon.
Q7. Explain the economic condition of France before 1789.
- Treasury empty due to wars and royal extravagance.
- Heavy taxation on the Third Estate.
- Subsistence crisis due to poor harvests.
- Rising bread prices led to unrest.
- Growing discontent set stage for Revolution.
Q8. Mention any five symbols which came during the French Revolution and explain their
significance.
- Broken Chain: freedom from oppression.
- Phrygian Cap: liberty.
- Bundle of Rods (Fasces): strength in unity.
- Eye of Providence: knowledge and reason.
- Red Flag: symbol of revolution and struggle.
Q9. Explain the Directory rules in France. Write any drawbacks of the new Constitution.
- Directory was a 5-member executive created after 1795 Constitution.
- Prevented concentration of power in one person.
- Frequent conflicts with the legislature.
- Corruption and inefficiency weakened it.
- Created instability, paving way for Napoleon.
Q10. How did the laws introduced by the revolutionary government help to improve the lives
of women in France?
- Education access expanded.
- Marriage made a civil contract.
- Divorce legalized.
- Equal inheritance rights given.
- But political rights still denied.
Q11. Describe the importance of the Declaration of Rights of Man in France.
- Proclaimed natural rights: liberty, equality, fraternity.
- Abolished privileges of clergy and nobility.
- Laid foundation for modern democracy.
- Inspired other revolutions in Europe and beyond.
- Established principles of justice and human rights.
 History – The Russian Revolution (Chapter 2)

Very Short Answer Questions (2 Marks – 2 points each)

Q1. What was the basic idea of socialism?
- Wealth should be distributed equally among all.
- Private property should be minimized or abolished for collective welfare.
Q2. What was the Second International?
- An organization formed in 1889 by socialist parties and trade unions.
- It aimed to coordinate socialist activities worldwide.
Q3. What are Kulaks? Why did the Stalin government want to eliminate them?
- Kulaks were rich peasants in Russia.
- Stalin wanted to eliminate them as they opposed collectivization and exploited poorer peasants.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks – 3 points each)

Q1. Who were liberals? What were their political and social views?
- Liberals wanted a democratic government based on individual rights.
- They supported freedom of speech and equality before law.
- They sought reforms but not full social equality.
Q2. Mention three features of socialism.
- Collective ownership of means of production.
- Equality in income and opportunities.
- Central planning for development.
Q3. How were the peasants of Russia different from the rest of Europe?
- Russian peasants often pooled resources and worked collectively.
- They had deep religious faith and were more rebellious.
- They demanded land redistribution and often refused to pay rent.
Q4. Distinguish between socialism and capitalism.
- Capitalism encouraged private property and profit, creating inequality.
- Socialism emphasized collective ownership or state control of resources.
- Socialism aimed to ensure equality and welfare of all.
Q5. Describe the events that led to the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
- Workers suffered from poor wages and long working hours.
- Peasants demanded land reforms.
- Defeat in the Russo–Japanese War and Bloody Sunday massacre fueled anger.
Q6. The First World War is considered a major factor responsible for the Russian Revolution
of 1917. Justify.
- The war caused severe food shortages and economic crisis.
- Heavy military losses and inflation increased anger.
- The Tsar’s government failed to solve these problems, sparking revolution.
Q7. Who was Lenin?
- Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik Party.
- He played a key role in the 1917 Russian Revolution.
- He established a socialist government in Russia.
Q8. What were the April Theses?
- Lenin’s 1917 directives calling for immediate end of war.
- Transfer of land to peasants and nationalization of banks.
- Slogan: 'All power to the Soviets.'
Q9. Why did Kerensky’s government become unpopular in Russia?
- Kerensky continued Russia’s involvement in WWI.
- He failed to address food shortages and land reforms.
- He suppressed protests, making his rule unpopular.
Q10. Describe three events leading to the February Revolution of 1917 in Russia.
- Food scarcity and long bread queues in Petrograd.
- Strikes by workers demanding better wages.
- Mutiny of soldiers who refused to fire on protesters.
Q11. What were the major changes introduced in industries by Stalin?
- Introduced Five Year Plans with production targets.
- Focused on heavy industries like coal, steel, oil.
- Brought industries under state control.
Q12. What was the Duma? How was it successful?
- The Duma was an elected parliament formed after 1905 Revolution.
- It was meant to represent people’s voices in government.
- It was not successful as Tsar dissolved it whenever it opposed him.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks – 5 points each)

Q1. Explain the collectivization policy of Stalin.
- Stalin introduced collectivization in 1929 to merge small farms into collective farms.
- Peasants had to give up land, cattle, and equipment to kolkhozes.
- Aim was to increase grain production and state supply.
- Kulaks resisted; many were deported or killed.
- It created hardship but strengthened state control over agriculture.
Q2. Explain the impacts of the Russian Revolution on Russia and the world.
- In Russia: monarchy ended and socialist government established.
- Land redistributed to peasants.
- Industries and banks nationalized.
- Worldwide: inspired socialist movements and communist parties.
- Created fear among capitalist nations.
Q3. Describe the changes which followed the October Revolution in Russia.
- Bolsheviks took power in 1917.
- Private property was abolished.
- Land was redistributed among peasants.
- Banks and industries were nationalized.
- Russia withdrew from WWI (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
Q4. Describe the main events which led to the February Revolution in Petrograd.
- Severe food shortages in Petrograd.
- Workers’ strikes demanding better wages.
- Women’s protest on International Women’s Day.
- Mutiny of soldiers refusing orders to fire on protesters.
- Tsar’s inability to manage the crisis led to abdication.
Q5. Explain the views of socialists on private property with special emphasis on Karl Marx.
- Socialists opposed private property as it created inequality.
- They favored collective or state ownership of resources.
- Karl Marx argued workers should overthrow capitalists.
- He believed in a classless society run by workers.
- His ideas inspired socialist and communist movements globally.
Q6. Analyze the after-effects of the February Revolution of 1917.
- Tsar Nicholas II abdicated and monarchy ended.
- A Provisional Government was established.
- Soviets gained more influence.
- Political freedom increased temporarily.
- Failed to solve key issues, leading to October Revolution.
Q7. Analyze the after-effects of the October Revolution.
- Bolsheviks came to power under Lenin.
- Private property and feudal estates abolished.
- Industries and banks nationalized.
- Russia withdrew from WWI (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).
- Civil war broke out between Bolsheviks and opponents.
Q8. Explain the process of centralized planning in Russia.
- Centralized planning introduced through Five Year Plans.
- The state set production targets and resource allocation.
- Emphasis on heavy industries and infrastructure.
- Controlled all aspects of industrial production.
- Aimed to rapidly modernize Russia’s economy.
Q9. State the steps taken to improve the condition of factory workers.
- Working hours were reduced.
- Better wages introduced for workers.
- Health and safety measures improved.
- Workers’ committees gained more rights.
- Unemployment benefits and welfare provided.