The Age of Revolution
(Longman Pearson)
I. Fill in the blanks.
1. Christopher Columbus discovered America in the year 1492.
2. It is estimated that thirteen English colonies were established in North America by the end of the eighteenth century.
3. The Boston Tea Party is an important incident which took place in the year 1773.
4. The Stamp Act was passed on the year 1765.
5. The American War of Independence was brought to an end by signing the Treaty of Paris.
6. Out of the three Estates in France, the First Estate included clergy.
7. At the time of revolution, France was under the autocratic rule of King Louis XVI.
8. The French Revolution popularised the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.
9. The prologue to the constitution framed by the National Assembly was called Tennis Court Pledge.
10. The Bastille Day is celebrated every year in France on 14 July.
11. The revolution in France overthrew the Bourbon Dynasty.
12. The French Revolution began in the year 1789 and lasted till 1799.
13. The American colonists fought the British forces under leadership of George Washington.
II. Choose the correct option.
1. The French Revolution began in the year ____ .
a. 1789. [✓]
b. 1775. [ ]
c. 1795. [ ]
d. 1783. [ ]
2. In 1774, the 'Declaration of Rights and Grievances' was passed by the ______ .
a. Second Continental Congress. [ ]
b. Ancient Regime. [ ]
c. King of England. [ ]
d. Philadelphia Congress. [✓]
3. The Second Estate in France included the _____ .
a. clergy. [ ]
b. commoners. [ ]
c. labourers. [ ]
d. nobility. [✓]
4. The involvement of France in the _______ brought the country on the brink of bankruptcy.
a. Boston Tea Party. [ ]
b. exploration of the new world. [ ]
c. American War of Independence. [✓]
d. Stamp Act rebellion.
5. On 4 July 1776, the ______ was passed.
a. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. [ ]
b. Tennis Court Pledge. [ ]
c. Declaration of Rights and Grievances. [ ]
d. Declaration of Independence. [✓]
III. Answer these questions.
1. What was the reason behind the unpopularity of the English colonial policy in the American colonies?
= The colonial policy of England in economic matters was the primary cause of resentment in the American colonies.
❐ Each colony had a local assembly to frame laws regarding local matters. However, the British government imposed laws which went against the economic interest of the colonies.
❐ America was looked upon as a marker and a source of raw materials. It was laid down that sugar, tobacco, cotton, indigo and some other commodities could only be exported to England.
❐ Heavy duties were imposed on the import of goods in the colonies from other places.
2. In what ways did the ideas of the French Revolution influenced the commoners. Discuss in brief.
= The main objective of the common people was to end the rigid social structure of the French society of the Ancient Regime - the feudal structure of France at that time.
The French Revolution propounded three great ideals that had an everlasting impact on human civilization. These were the ideas of - Liberty; Equality and Fraternity.
3. What was the Stamp Act?
= The British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, which imposed stamp taxes on all business transactions in America. This added to the grievances of the colonists. Revenue Stamps up to twenty Shillings were to be affixed to all legal documents.
4. Explain what the Boston Tea Party was. Why was it so important?
= On 17 December 1773, the America nationalists, protesting against the exorbitant taxation by the British, destroyed many boxes of tea of the British ships anchored at the Boston harbour. This incident, henceforth known as the Boston Tea party, trigged the American War of Independence.
5. Write a brief note on the First Continental Congress. What was its outcome?
= In 1774, the representatives of the thirteen colonies called the meeting of the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia. The Congress passed the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and appealed to King George III for the removal of restriction of trade.
The declaration drawn by the representatives asserted that the British parliament had no right to tax the colonies without their consent. But the British Parliament termed it as an act of rebellion. British sent troops to restrain the rebellion.
6. Explain the caused that led to the American War of Independence.
= There were various factors behind the American War of Independence -
❐ Economic exploitation : The colonial policy of England in economic matters was primary cause of resentment in the American colonies. The British government imposed laws which went against the economic interest of the colonies.
It was laid down that sugar, tobacco, cotton, indigo and some other commodities could only be exported to England. Heavy duties were imposed on the import of goods in the colonies from other places.
❐ Political system in colonies : The assemblies of the colonies were headed by a governor who was appointed by the British government. He worked the interest of England. This was greatly resented by the people of the colonies.
❐ Separate identities of the colonies : Over the years, these colonies developed a distinct identity of their own. This inspired them to fight for their freedom.
❐ Philosophical basis of the revolution : The revolutionaries were also inspired by the ideas of the philosophers such as Locke, Thomas Jefferson, Voltaire and Rousseau. According to them, no government can disobey the certain fundamental rights of human beings.
7. How and when was the American Constitution framed?
= A constitutional convention was called in Philadelphia to frame a new Constitution for the thirteen colonies which come into effect in 1789. With it, a republican form of government was established in America.
8. Explain the cause which led to the French Revolution.
= The causes behind the French Revolution were diverse -
❐ Social cause : The French society was divided into three Estates. The first two estates, though few in number, enjoyed several privileges by birth. They owned about 60 per cent of the land yet they were exempted from the payment of taxes. The third estate had to face a number of discrimination and oppression. They had to bear the burden of taxation. They were forced to work for free. They were not allowed to leave their jobs without the consent of their employers.
❐ Political cause : The rulers of the Bourbon Dynasty thought that they were only answerable to God alone for their actions. They did their own actions without consulting the common people. This caused discontent among the commoners. King Louis XVI was a weak ruler. The king also used his power for his own selfish ends and did not do much for the welfare of the people.
❐ Economic cause : The king led a luxurious life though the government was under debt. Louis XVI involved himself in the American War of Independence. The country came to the brink of bankruptcy. The policy of exempting the rich from taxation never allowed the state treasury to be filled.
❐ Role of Philosophers : Philosophers like Voltaire, Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau gave the intellectual base of the revolution. People were also inspired by the revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity and popular sovereignty.
❐ American War of Independence : Many French soldiers and generals participated in the American War of Independence. They came back and inspired people to fight against the despotic and unjust government.
9. In what ways was the social structure of France responsible for bringing about the revolution?
= The first estate of the French society were the Clergy. They occupying the highest position. The second estate consisted of the nobility. These two estates owned landed property. About 60 per cent of the land belonged to the nobility, Church and the richer members of the third estate. The nobility and the clergy were exempted from the payment of taxes.
The third estate had to face a number of discrimination and oppression. They had to bear the burden of taxation levied by the King and the two estates. The peasants were forced to work for free for their lords. The workers were not allowed to leave their jobs without the consent of their employers. The professionals did not have any position in the society.
10. How did the French philosophers influence the French revolution?
= The intellectual base for the revolution was provided by philosophers like Voltaire, Locke, Montesquieu and Rousseau. People were greatly stimulated by their writings which exposed the evils of the French society. People were also inspired by the revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity and popular sovereignty.
11. Discuss the impact of the French of the French Revolution.
= The French Revolution had a profound impact not only on the subsequent history of France but also that of the world.
❐ In France, it brought an end to absolute monarchy and the system of feudalism. The principle of republicanism took deep roots in France.
❐ It popularised the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity which continues to inspire the functioning of governments in various parts of the world.
❐ The principle of sovereignty enshrined in it became the basis of all modern governments.
❐ It also served as an inspiration to oppressed and exploited people all over the world. The Indian nationalists were greatly inspired by it.
12. The French Revolution led to the growth of new ideas in Europe and subsequently the world. Discuss.
= The French Revolution popularised the principles of freedom, equality and fraternity, which continue to inspire the functioning of governments in various parts of the world.
The principle of sovereignty enshrined in it became the basis of all modern governments.
It also served as an inspiration to oppressed and exploited people all over the world. The Indian nationalists were also greatly inspired by it.
13. What were the economic factors that caused resentment in the American colonies?
= The economic factors that caused resentment in the American colonies were -
❐ The British government imposed laws which went against the economic interest in the colonies.
❐ America was looked upon as a market and a source of raw materials. It was laid down that sugar, tobacco, cotton, indigo and some other commodities could only be exported to England.
❐ Heavy duties were imposed on the import of goods in the colonies from other places.
14. What was the significance of the American Revolution?
= The significance of the American Revolution were -
❐ A republican form of government was established in America.
❐ A federal and democratic form of government was established in America.
❐ The constitution framed by the Americans served as a landmark for many countries trying to get independence from colonial rule.
❐ The political development in America established the right to protest against injustice and the right to fight for freedom and independence. It was an event that deeply affected the world in the countries to come.
15. Why is the American Revolution also known as the American Wan of Independence?
= The American Revolution is also known as the American Wan of Independence because the thirteen colonies fought a war of independence to free themselves from the British control.
IV. Write short notes.
1. Tennis Court Pledge.
= On 17 June, 1789, the representatives of the Third Estate formed a National Assembly. They assembled in the royal indoor tennis court at Versailles and took the oath that they would not disband or return home untill a new constitution was drafted. This pledge came to be known as the Tennis Court Pledge. The new constitution was aimed at limiting the powers of the king.
2. Philadelphia Congress.
= In 1774, the representatives of the thirteen colonies called the meeting of the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia (called the Philadelphia Congress). The Congress passed the 'Declaration of Rights and Gradiences' and appealed to King George III (King of England) for the removal of restriction of trade.
3. Bastille Day.
= Louis XVI ordered the movement of troops into Paris. The action led the mob in Paris to openly revolt against the king. On 14 July, 1879, they stormed into the prison of Bastille. They believed that the fortress was a sign of despotism and housed ammunition. The mob released the prisoners in the fortress and seized ammunition. This was the beginning of the revolution. Till today, France celebrates this day as the Bastille Day.
V. Match the columns.
=
|
1. 4 July 1776 |
a. exorbitant taxation. [5] |
|
2. Louis XVI |
b. Bastille Day. [4] |
|
3. American Revolution |
c. Bourbon Dynasty. [2] |
|
4. 14 July |
d. George Washington. [3] |
|
5. Stamp Act |
e. Declaration of Independence. [1] |
VI. State whether true or false.
1. The American War of Independence ended with British occupying the whole of America. [F]
2. The Tennis Court Pledge was taken by the Third Estate at Versailles. [T]
3. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was drawn up by the American colonists. [F]
4. Louis XVI took several measures to reduce the grievances of the people. [F]
5. King George III accepted the Declaration of Rights and Grievances and removed restriction on trade. [F]