Question

With reference to the French revolution, consider the following statements:
1. The middle class and peasants were the prime participants in the revolution
2. Philosophers played a vital role behind this revolution.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 only
• C. Both 1 and 2
• D. Neither 1 and 2

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both 1 and 2

Peasants used to participate in revolts against taxes and food scarcity. In the eighteenth century, new social groups emerged, termed the middle class, who earned their wealth through expanding overseas trade and by manufacturing woollen and silk textiles that were either exported or bought by the richer members of society. Both groups equally participated in the French Revolution.
All these groups were educated and believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth. Rather, a person’s social position must depend on his merit. A new form of government was proposed by Rousseau (influence of phiosopher) based on a social contract between people and their representatives.