Read the following statements and then choose the correct answer.

Statement 1 : French Revolution began as an assertion of National Sovereignty.

Statement 2 : The National Assembly in 1790 demanded that France could never make war except in self-defence.

The correct answer is Option 1: Both are true.

Key Points

• Statement 1: The French Revolution (1789-1799) began as a movement asserting national sovereignty against the absolute monarchy of King Louis XVI and the privileges of the aristocracy and clergy.
• Statement 2: The National Assembly in 1790 passed a decree emphasizing that France should never engage in war unless it was for self-defense, reflecting the revolutionary ideals of peace and justice.
• Both statements accurately represent key aspects of the early French Revolution, focusing on sovereignty and the pursuit of peace.
• The French Revolution laid the foundation for modern democracies by promoting the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

Additional Information

• National Sovereignty: The idea of national sovereignty was a central theme of the French Revolution. It asserted that the people, rather than monarchs or external authorities, were the ultimate source of political power.
• National Assembly (1789-1791): Formed by representatives of the Third Estate, the National Assembly was a revolutionary body that sought to draft a constitution and dismantle the feudal privileges of the aristocracy.
• War in Self-Defense: The revolutionary government wanted to avoid wars of aggression, promoting a foreign policy that aligned with the ideals of peace and justice. However, this policy was challenged by external threats and internal instability, leading to wars in later years.
• Impact of the French Revolution: The revolution had a profound impact on Europe and the world, inspiring other movements for independence and reform while also leading to periods of conflict and upheaval.