Page 16 - Understanding NCERT Histroy 09th

(iv) The idea of Nationalism that emerged after the French Revolution started becoming
mass movements all over the world.
(v) The impact of the French Revolution would be seen in India too. Tipu Sultan and Raja
Rammohan Roy got deeply influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution.
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the
French Revolution.
Ans. Some of the democratic rights which we enjoy today can be traced to the French Revolution
are as follows:

(i) Right to equality including equality before the law, the prohibition of discrimination,
and equality of opportunity in matters of employment.
(ii) Right to freedom of speech and expression.
(iii) Right against exploitation.

(iv) Right to life.
(v) Right to vote.
(vi) Abolition of censorship
(vii) Right to property

(viii) Right to education
5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions?
Explain.
Ans. Though it says ‘Universal Rights’, women were unfortunately left out from the basic rights
which were promised. They did not have equal rights that men enjoyed. They did not have
the right to liberty, property, security and above all, the right to vote.
(i) In the formulation of laws, women did not have any representation. Women were not
entitled to all the honours and public employment, according to their abilities.
(ii) Women were still regarded as passive citizens. They did not have any political rights
such as right to vote and hold political offices like men. Hence, their struggle for equal
political rights continued.
(iii) France continued to hold and expand colonies. Thus, its image as a liberator could not
last for a long time.
(iv) Slavery existed in France until the first half of the 19th century. Slavery was finally
abolished in 1848 in France Colonies.
6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Ans. The political instability of the Directory paved the way for the rise of a military dictator-
Napoleon.
Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself as Emperor of France. He started conquering
neighbouring countries by waging wars against them. He saw himself as a moderniser of
Europe.
He introduced many laws, such as the protection of private property and a uniform system
of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. Many of his measures carried the
revolutionary ideas of liberty and modern laws to the other parts of Europe.
This had a positive impact on people long after he was dethroned as an emperor when he was
finally defeated in the Battle of Waterloo, in 1815.

H-14 History Class IX