The Age of Revolution
A. Fill in the blanks:
1. The American War of Independence was the first organized political revolution in the history of the world.
2. The discovery of the American continent was followed by the establishment of permanent European settlements in the 16th century.
3. The colonists argued that the British Parliament had no right to tax the colonists because they had no representatives in the Parliament.
4. George Washington was chosen as the commander of the American troops in the war against the British.
5. In 1776, the representatives of the colonists met at Philadelphia and adopted a Declaration of Independence.
6. In about 200 years, the United State of America transformed itself into the most powerful country of the world.
7. The Constitution of the United States has served as a model and an inspiration to several countries.
8. French society was divided into three main classes, namely First Estate,Second Estate and Third Estate.
9. The revolutionary writings of political philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu greatly influenced the middle-class intellectuals in France.
10. The French administration was corrupt and inefficient.
11. The central figure during the revolutionary war in France was Napoleon Bonaparte.
B. Match the following:
1. Boston Tea Party a) 1789. [4]
2. Declaration of b) protest against new
Independence taxes. [1]
3. Treaty of Paris c) middle class. [5]
4. French Revolution d) 1776. [2]
5. Third Estate e) British government and
the colonists. [3]
C. Choose the correct answer:
1. By the mid-18th century, eleven/thirteen/nineteen British colonies had been established on the east coast of North America.
2. 4th July/14 July/17 June is celebrated as American Independence Day.
3. The Second Estate consisted of the clergy/peasants/nobles.
4. Marie Antoinette was the Queen of England/France/Austria.
5. 14 July/4 July/20 June is celebrated as a national holiday in France.
D. State whether the following are true or false:
1. By mid-18th century eleven British colonies had been established along the east coast of North America. [F]
2. The American colonists were rigid and conservative. [F]
3. The American revolutionaries were greatly impressed by the ideas of European philosophers. [T]
4. George Washington was the first elected president of the United States of America. [T]
5. The French Revolution laid the foundation of a democratic government. [T]
E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences:
1. Which particular incident sparked off the American War of Independence? What is the importance of this event?
= The Boston Tea Party sparked off the American War of Independence.
The Boston Tea Party was seen as an act of open defiance of the colonists against British authority.
2. Name any European philosophers whose idea inspired and influenced the American revolutionaries.
= Locke and Voltaire.
3. What is the significance of the 4th of July in the American history?
= The 4th of July is celebrated as the American Independence Day.
4. In what way did the American Revolution influence the Indian Constitution?
= The framers of Indian Constitution adopted various features like the federal form of government, the incorporation of Fundamental Rights like the American Bill of Rights and the system of checks and balances.
5. Why is the French Revolution of 1789 considered a turning point in human history?
= The French Revolution of 1789 is considered a turning point in human history because it revolutionized the social, economic and political fabric, not only of France but of all Europe and subsequently of almost the entire world.
6. Mention the role of the political philosophers in the overthrowing the French monarchy.
= The revolutionary writings and ideas of great political philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau and Montesquieu created an intellectual ferment in France.
7. Mention two characteristic features of the French monarchy.
= The two characteristics features of the French monarchy are -
i) The French King was an autocrat. He enjoyed absolute powers and his will was law.
ii) There was no check on his powers by any Parliament. He ruled by Divine Right and was answerable to God and not to the people.
8. What effect did the American Revolution have on the French people?
= The French generals and soldiers, who had fought in the American Revolution, returned to France with revolutionary ideas and inspired the people to fight against unjust, despotic government.
F. Answer the following questions in details:
1. The American War of Independence was the first organized political revolution in the history of the world. In this context, answer the following questions:
a. How an American colony was governed? Why were the colonists resentful?
= An American colony was governed under the control of the British government which gave them considerable liberty to manage local affairs but kept a control on economic policies.
The Government of England believed that colonies existed for the benefit of the mother country. This was greatly resented by the colonists who were independent-minded Britishers, who had left their homes in England and settled in the New World in search of freedom and a better life.
b. How did the American colonists differ from the British?
= Socially and culturally, the American colonists were different from the British. The colonists were simple and liberal, unlike the British puritans who were rigid and conservative.
c. Why did the American colonists refuse to pay taxes imposed by the British Parliament in London? Give an account of the Boston tea Party incident.
= The colonists argued that the British Parliament had no right to tax the colonists since they had no representatives in the Parliament.
In 1773, a group of colonists, disguised as native Americans, raided British ships in Boston harbour and threw 340 crates of tea into the sea. This incident was a protest against the new taxes, including a tax on tea, imposed on the colonists.
2. The British monarch King George III, refused to withdraw the unjust and oppressive acts imposed on the colonists and declared war on them. In this context, discuss:
a. The revolutionary principles and ideas in the declaration of Independence in 1776.
= In 1776, the representatives met in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence, which clearly stated that the American colonists had the right to free themselves from the oppressive and exploitative British government and form their own government.
The declaration of Independence contained revolutionary ideas and proclaimed that all men are born equal and are endowed with certain fundamental rights such as the rights to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
b. The terms and long-term impact of the Treaty of Paris.
= In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed between the British government and the colonists.
According to this treaty, the British government recognized the independence of thirteen colonies which come to be known as the United States of America.
In about 200 years, the United States of America transformed itself into the most powerful country in the world. It is the unchallenged superpower in the world today. The 4th of July is celebrated as the American Independence Day.
c. The important features of the newly established United States of America.
= The important features of the newly established America are -
i) A written Constitution was framed.
ii) A federal, democratic, republican government was set up.
iii) The new government guaranteed to all its citizens the rights to freedom of speech, press religion and justice under the law.
iv) The country would be ruled by an elected President who would govern according to the laws written down in the Constitution and not according to his personal whims and fancies.
3. The French Revolution of 1789 was a milestone and a major turning point in human history. In this context, discuss the following causes:
a. An unjust, unequal social order of the Ancient Regime.
= The French society was essentially feudal in nature. It was divided into three main classes, called Estates.
The First-Estate consisted of the clergy(Church Officials).
The Second-Estate consisted of the nobles and their families.
The Third-Estate was composed of 95 percent of the population. It included the peasants, artisans, workers and the middle class(consisting of merchants, manufacturers and professionals such as lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.).
The First and Second Estate enjoyed numerous privileges. They owned practically all the land in France but did not have to pay any taxes. They were very wealthy and led comfortable and luxurious lives.
The Third Estate, on the other hand, shouldered the entire burden of taxation but was not entitled to any of the privileges enjoyed by the Clergy and the nobles. Taxes were imposed on everything including basic necessities like salt. Life was very hard, especially for the poor peasants who had to pay additional taxes to their feudal lords.
b. The growing power of the middle class.
= The French merchants, traders, manufacturers, lawyers, doctors, teachers and other professionals had acquired great wealth and become economically powerful in the 18th century. However, they were denied social equality and political rights. This caused great resentment among them. They used their economic power to overthrow the Ancient Regime.
c. An inefficient, corrupt administration.
= The administration was corrupt and inefficient. The officials were selfish and unconcerned about the welfare of the people.
King Louis XVI was pleasure-loving and extravagant. He was completely ignorant and indifferent to the sufferings of the common people and was greatly influenced beautiful ambitious wife, Marie Antoinette. Together, they wasted money on festivities and pleasures and emptied the royal treasury.
The economic bankruptcy was further aggravated by French involvement in useless wars against England. The rich, privileged classes which could afford to pay taxes, continued to be exempted from it, while the poor were crushed under heavier taxation.
4. With reference to the French Revolution, discuss the following:
a. The Tennis Court Oath:
= On 17 June 1789, the members of the Third Estate declared that the Third Estate would continue itself as the national Assembly. On 20 June 1789, the members of the Third Estate met at a tennis court and took an oath not to separate until a new constitution was drawn up for France. This is known as the Tennis Court Oath.
b. The storming of the Bastille.
= On 14 July 1789, a great mob attacked Bastille, the state prison for political prisoners and a much hate symbol of the Ancient Regime. The prisoners were freed and they joined the revolutionaries.
The storming of the Bastille symbolized the victory of the people of France and the fall of monarchy. It marked the beginning of the revolution. 14 July is celebrated as a national holiday in France.
c. The adoption of the declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and its fundamental principles.
= The newly formed National Assembly, consisting of the representatives of the Third Estate, took over the control of the affairs of France. It adopted the famous Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen - a landmark in the history of human progress. By 1791, a new Constitution was drawn up for France.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen established the following principles:
i) All men are born free and have equal rights. Everyone is equal in the eyes of law.
ii) Every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech and expression, religion and a fair trial.
5. With reference to the consequences of the French Revolution, answer the following:
a. Mention any four revolutionary changes that took place in France after the Revolution of 1789.
= Four revolutionary changes that took place in France after the Revolution of 1789 are -
i) Liberty, Equality, Fraternity - the battle cry of the Revolution - became the guiding principles of the French republic.
ii) The Revolution of 1789 marked the end of absolute monarchy and paved the way for the establishment of a republic.
iii) The Revolution laid the foundation of a democratic government, i.e. a government based on the consent of the governed.
iv) Feudalism and serfdom were abolished, and the power of the Church was brought under the control of the government.
b. What effect did the French Revolution have on the rest of Europe?
= The revolutionary idea of the French Revolution spread to all European countries. The slogans of liberty, equality and fraternity became the guiding principles of the people all over the world.
Oppressed people in Europe rose in revolt against their tyrannical, hereditary rulers and established new social and political systems based on popular sovereignty. It inspired mass movements all over the world and instilled the spirit of nationalism among people.
c. What impact did the French revolutionary principles have on political development in India in the middle of the 19th century?
= In the middle of the 19th century, the revolutionary principles on liberty, equality and fraternity had an impact on India as well. Indian nationalists imbibed these principles and developed a democratic and nationalist outlook. A national movement for freedom was launched, culminating in India's independence from British rule in 1947.