Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?
Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the people of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The legacy of the French revolution inspired the people of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth century in the following ways:
1) Feudalism was terminated and principles of equality, freedom, and fraternity spread over the other parts of Europe.
2) Later, "The declaration of rights of man and citizen", was drafted in many constitutions of the world in the form of bill of rights or fundamental rights.
3) French revolution later inspired many other revolutions and freedom movements in the colonial countries.
4) French revolution gave rise to nationalism in Europe which led to the unification of Germany and Italy.
Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
Democratic rights that could be traced to the French Revolution are as follows:
i. Right to equality including equality before the law, prohibition of discrimination and equality of opportunity in matters of employment.
ii. Right to freedom of speech and expression including the right to practice any profession or occupation.
iii. Right against exploitation.
iv. Right to life.
v. Right to vote.
vi. Promotion of the idea of fraternity by maintaining friendly relations with foreign countries in the spirit of brotherhood.
Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Yes, I agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with several contradictions because:
1. Even after the revolution when France was converted into a constitutional monarchy, millions of people were not granted voting rights.
2. Though the universal rights advocated for equal rights, the women who took an active part in the revolution were not given equal rights. Most of the imperialist powers did not grant full freedom to the peoples of their colonies.
3. The poor people were not granted voting rights despite the fact that most of the population comprised of the poor laborers. The poor were termed passive citizens and had not given any rights.
4. Universal rights did not help the poor people at all, and they were continued to be suppressed. Women were also neglected, and only the rich men of the society gained the power.
How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Following are the reason responsible for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte:
1) French became a republic in 1792 after the fall of the Jacobean rule.
2) Robespierre, the then ruler of France, favored the rich and wealthy people and completely ignored the other sections of the society. He was a tyrant, and people faced Reign of Terror for several years.
3)Following Robespierre's subsequent downfall, a new directory was formed to avoid concentration of power in one hand. Later, the members of the directory fought among themselves, which resulted in political unrest.
4) This created chaos and a political vacuum in France. Napoleon Bonaparte used this situation and took power and declared himself the military dictator of France.