The Growth of Nationalism : The Age of Revolutions

Treaty of Paris, 1783

Step 1: After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a war broke out between the American colonies and the British Government. Step 2: The Continental Army, led by George Washington, fought against the British. Step 3: The war ended in 1783 with the colonies winning. Step 4: In 1783, the British government and the colonies signed the Treaty of Paris, by which Britain officially recognised the independence of the colonies. Step 5: The Treaty of Versailles is associated with World War I (1919), not the American Revolution, making those options incorrect.

The Third Estate

Step 1: French society was divided into three distinct classes called Estates. Step 2: The First Estate was made up of the Clergy (religious leaders). Step 3: The Second Estate was made up of the Nobility (kings, lords, aristocrats). Step 4: The Third Estate consisted of the common people – the middle class (bourgeoisie: merchants, lawyers, teachers, doctors) and the peasants and artisans. Step 5: The Third Estate formed the largest group, paid all the taxes, and had the hardest life, while the first two estates enjoyed privileges and paid no taxes. There was no 'Royal Estate' – this is a made

Rousseau

Step 1: Three famous French philosophers greatly influenced the French Revolution – Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire. Step 2: The textbook specifically states that Rousseau wrote that subjects have the right to overthrow a king who does not rule according to the general will of the people. Step 3: Voltaire also attacked the church and nobility in his writings, but this specific idea about overthrowing kings is attributed to Rousseau. Step 4: Montesquieu is known for his ideas on separation of powers in government. Step 5: John Locke was an English philosopher who influenced the American Rev

The people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison and freed all prisoners

Step 1: The Bastille was a prison in Paris that symbolised the tyrannical power of the French monarchy. Step 2: On 14th July 1789, the common people of Paris stormed this prison and freed all the prisoners. Step 3: This act became a symbol of victory for the French people over the monarchy – it showed that the people had power. Step 4: 14th July is now celebrated as the national holiday of France (Bastille Day), similar to how India celebrates 15th August. Step 5: The other events are also important but happened on different dates – the Estates General was on 5th May 1789, and the Declaration