Class 9 – History Chapter 1: The French Revolution

📘 Chapter 1: The French Revolution – Summary

🔰 Introduction:

The French Revolution began in 1789 and is one of the most significant events in world history. It marked the end of monarchy in France and led to the rise of democracy and modern political ideas such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.

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🏰 France Before the Revolution:

1. Absolute Monarchy:

   • King Louis XVI ruled France with complete power.
   • He believed in the Divine Right of Kings.

2. Social Structure (Three Estates):

   • First Estate: Clergy – privileged and exempt from taxes.
   • Second Estate: Nobility – also exempt from taxes and held top positions.
   • Third Estate: Common people (peasants, workers, merchants) – paid all taxes and had no political rights.

3. Economic Crisis:

   • France was in heavy debt due to wars (especially helping the American Revolution).
   • Poor harvests and rising food prices led to famine and anger among the poor.
   • Tax burden was unfairly placed on the Third Estate.

4. Ideas of Enlightenment:

   • Philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu challenged traditional authority and promoted reason, equality, and freedom.

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🗓️ Major Events of the Revolution:

1. Meeting of the Estates-General (1789):

   • Called by Louis XVI to address the financial crisis.
   • The Third Estate was underrepresented and broke away to form the National Assembly.

2. Storming of the Bastille (14 July 1789):

   • Citizens attacked the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal tyranny.
   • This marked the official start of the French Revolution.

3. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen:

   • Adopted by the National Assembly.
   • Proclaimed that all men are born free and equal in rights.

4. Abolition of Monarchy (1792):

   • The monarchy was abolished.
   • France was declared a republic.

5. Execution of the King and Queen:

   • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine.

6. Reign of Terror (1793–94):

   • Led by Robespierre, thousands of "enemies of the revolution" were executed.
   • Robespierre was later executed, ending the Terror.

7. Rise of Napoleon (1799):

   • General Napoleon Bonaparte seized power and later declared himself emperor.
   • He spread revolutionary ideas across Europe.

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🧾 Impact and Legacy of the French Revolution:

• End of Feudal System: Special privileges of clergy and nobility were abolished.
• Promotion of Equality and Rights: Laws were reformed to promote merit and fairness.
• Inspired Other Revolutions: Influenced movements in Latin America, Europe, and Haiti.
• Foundation for Modern Democracy: Introduced ideas like rule of law, elections, and civil rights.

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🧠 Conclusion:

The French Revolution was a turning point in world history. It not only transformed France but also influenced the entire world by spreading the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It showed that people could challenge and overthrow unjust governments and claim their rights.

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Important Question-Answer

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🔹 1 Mark Questions (Very Short Answer / MCQs):

1. When did the French Revolution begin?
   ➤ In 1789

2. What did the Bastille symbolize?
   ➤ The king's absolute power

3. Who was the king of France during the revolution?
   ➤ Louis XVI

4. What was the slogan of the French Revolution?
   ➤ Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

5. What was Robespierre’s rule known as?
   ➤ Reign of Terror

6. Which country was inspired by the French Revolution to fight for independence?
   ➤ Haiti

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🔹 2 Mark Questions (Short Answer):

1. What were the three estates of French society?
   ➤ First Estate – Clergy
   ➤ Second Estate – Nobility
   ➤ Third Estate – Common people (peasants, workers, merchants)

2. Why was the storming of the Bastille significant?
   ➤ It marked the beginning of the revolution and symbolized the end of the king’s absolute rule.

3. What was the National Assembly?
   ➤ An elected body formed by the Third Estate to draft a constitution for France.

4. What was the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen’?
   ➤ A document that proclaimed liberty, equality, and rights for all men.

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🔹 3 Mark Questions (Short Descriptive Answer):

1. State three main causes of the French Revolution.
   ➤

   • Social Inequality: The Third Estate bore all the tax burden.
   • Economic Crisis: Debt, poor harvests, rising food prices.
   • Ideas of Enlightenment: Thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu spread ideas of liberty and equality.

2. Mention key features of Robespierre’s rule.
   ➤

   • Known as the Reign of Terror (1793–94).
   • Harsh punishments for those suspected of being enemies of the revolution.
   • Thousands were guillotined, including his own supporters.
   • Eventually, Robespierre was executed.

3. What was the role of women in the French Revolution?
   ➤

   • Women led bread riots and marched to Versailles.
   • They formed clubs and demanded equal rights.
   • Although active, they were denied political rights after the revolution.

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🔹 4 Mark Questions (Long Answer):

1. Describe the major effects of the French Revolution.
   ➤

   • Abolition of Monarchy: France became a republic.
   • Rise of Democracy: Power shifted from king to elected representatives.
   • Declaration of Rights: Ensured liberty, equality before law.
   • End of Privileges: Feudal dues and clergy/noble privileges abolished.
   • Impact Worldwide: Inspired revolutions in Europe and Latin America.

2. Explain the social structure of France before the revolution.
   ➤

   • First Estate (Clergy): Enjoyed privileges, no taxes.
   • Second Estate (Nobility): Owned land, held top posts, tax-free.
   • Third Estate: 90% of the population – paid all taxes, had no privileges.

3. What role did Enlightenment philosophers play in the revolution?
   ➤

   • Rousseau: Advocated for social contract and popular sovereignty.
   • Voltaire: Defended freedom of speech, religious tolerance.
   • Montesquieu: Promoted separation of powers in government.
     ➤ Their ideas encouraged people to question traditional authority and demand change.

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🇫🇷 The French Revolution: A Detailed Explanation

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🌟 Introduction

The French Revolution began in 1789.

It was a political and social revolution that overthrew the absolute monarchy of France and established ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The Revolution ended centuries of feudal, aristocratic, and monarchical rule and laid the foundation of modern democracy in France.

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🧱 Causes of the French Revolution

1. Social Causes

French society was divided into three estates (a rigid class system called the Old Regime):

First Estate – Clergy (priests and church officials)

Second Estate – Nobility (wealthy landowners and aristocrats)

Third Estate – 90% of the population, including peasants, workers, middle-class professionals, etc.

Key Problems:

First and Second Estates were exempt from taxes and enjoyed birth-based privileges.

The burden of all taxes (like taille and tithe) fell on the Third Estate.

This inequality and oppression created widespread resentment among common people.

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2. Economic Causes

Population growth (23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789) increased demand for food.

Food shortage due to poor harvests, droughts, and hoarding led to rising prices and starvation.

No wage growth for urban workers, resulting in a Subsistence Crisis (people couldn't afford food).

France’s treasury was empty:

Debt from previous wars, especially helping the American Revolution

Extravagant spending by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette

To solve the crisis, the king tried to increase taxes, which further angered people.

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3. Political and Intellectual Causes

Absolute monarchy ruled without consent or accountability.

No representation of common people in decision-making.

Enlightenment thinkers questioned the divine right of kings:

John Locke – Opposed monarchy in Two Treatises of Government

Rousseau – Advocated democracy in The Social Contract

Montesquieu – Proposed separation of powers in The Spirit of the Laws

The success of the American Revolution inspired similar change in France.

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🔥 Outbreak of the Revolution

1789 – Key Events:

May 5, 1789 – Estates General (parliament) called by King to approve new taxes.

Third Estate (commoners) demanded voting by head, not by estate.

When denied, they walked out in protest.

June 20, 1789 – Third Estate met in Tennis Court at Versailles, declared themselves the National Assembly, vowed to draft a constitution.

July 14, 1789 – Storming of the Bastille, a royal prison and symbol of tyranny.

This marked the official start of the Revolution.

Peasant uprisings across rural France – they looted grain stores and destroyed feudal records.

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🏛️ France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy

1791 – The National Assembly passed the Constitution of 1791:

Ended absolute monarchy

Introduced separation of powers: legislature, executive, judiciary

Created the Legislative Assembly, elected indirectly by active citizens (above 25years old men who paid taxes equal to 3 days of labor).

Women, the poor, and many others were passive citizens without voting rights.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen:

Guaranteed right to life, liberty, property, freedom of speech, and equality before law.

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🗳️ Fall of the Monarchy & Rise of the Republic

King Louis XVI tried to escape and secretly negotiated with Prussia to crush the revolution.

April 1792 – France declared war on Austria and Prussia.

10 August 1792 – Jacobins (radical revolutionaries) led a popular uprising, stormed the Palace of Tuileries, arrested the king.

September 1792 – Monarchy abolished, France declared a Republic.

All men 21+ got universal male suffrage (right to vote).

January 1793 – King Louis XVI was executed for treason by guillotine.

October 1793 – Queen Marie Antoinette also executed.

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⚔️ The Reign of Terror (1793–1794)

Led by Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the radical Jacobins.

Imposed extreme control, executed anyone suspected of disloyalty.

Guillotine used to execute:

Nobles, clergy, political opponents

Even revolutionaries who disagreed with Robespierre

Robespierre’s Policies:

Price controls on food (bread, meat)

Mandatory use of “equality bread” (whole wheat)

Closed churches, banned religion

Used terms “citizen” and “citoyenne” instead of “sir” or “madam”

July 1794 – Robespierre was arrested and executed by guillotine.

Reign of Terror ended.

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🪖 The Directory & Rise of Napoleon

1795 – New constitution formed with:

Two legislative councils

A Directory of 5 executives

Faced corruption, inefficiency, and political instability.

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte (a military general) seized power in a coup.

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👩‍🦰 Women in the Revolution

Women actively participated:

Marched to Versailles, demanded bread and reforms

Formed political clubs like the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women

Demanded:

Right to vote

Access to education

Legal reforms in marriage and divorce

Some reforms were made:

Schooling made compulsory

Divorce legalized

Forced marriage banned

During Reign of Terror, women’s clubs were shut down and leaders executed.

Women gained voting rights only in 1946.

⛓️ Abolition of Slavery

France’s colonies (like Caribbean islands) used slave labor for sugar, coffee, indigo.

1794 – Jacobin government abolished slavery.

1804 – Napoleon restored it.

Finally, slavery was permanently abolished in 1848.

🗽 Impact on Everyday Life

Censorship ended, free press grew.

Ideas of liberty and democracy spread through:

Newspapers, books, songs, plays, public festivals

New symbols were created:

Broken chain – freedom

Red Phrygian cap – liberty

The tricolor – national colors of France

The Law Tablet – equality before the law

👑 Napoleon Bonaparte (1804–1815)

Declared himself Emperor in 1804

Conquered large parts of Europe

Introduced reforms:

Uniform laws (Napoleonic Code)

Metric system

Protection of private property

Initially seen as a liberator, later as an invader.

Defeated at Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

🌍 Legacy of the French Revolution

End of feudalism in France

Birth of modern democracy

Ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity influenced:

Europe

Latin America

Indian leaders like Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy

📝 Final Thoughts

The French Revolution was a turning point in world history. It:

Challenged absolute monarchy

Introduced democratic ideals

Showed the power of common people

Laid the foundation for modern nation-states

The French Revolution (Class 9 History, NCERT):

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📍1 Mark Questions

1. Who was the king of France during the French Revolution?

→ Louis XVI

2. In how many Estates was French society divided in the 18th century?

→ Three Estates

3. Who were nobles?

→ Nobles were members of the Second Estate, enjoying privileges by birth and often owning land.

4. Which Estate of France paid all the taxes?

→ The Third Estate

5. Who wrote the book – “The Social Contract”?

→ Jean-Jacques Rousseau

6. Louis XVI was related to which family of French dynasty?

→ Bourbon Dynasty

7. Who wrote the French national anthem – Marseillaise?

→ Claude Joseph Rouget de Lisle

8. What was Guillotine?

→ A device used during the French Revolution to behead people.

9. What was Estate General?

→ A political body where representatives of all three estates met.

10. Name the currency of France which was used till 1794?

→ Livre

11. Name the tax which was levied by the Church and was 1/10th of produce?

→ Tithe

12. What was Estate?

→ Estate was a social class in pre-revolutionary France.

13. What was the work of Priest or Clergy?

→ To conduct religious ceremonies and look after the spiritual needs of people.

14. Name the tax which was paid directly to the state?

→ Taille

15. What is the situation called in which there is a danger of survival?

→ Subsistence Crisis

16. When did the abolition of slavery take place in French colonies?

→ 1794

17. When did Napoleon Bonaparte become the Emperor of France?

→ 1804

18. When did Napoleon fight the “Battle of Waterloo”?

→ 1815

19. Why was the reign of Robespierre called – “Reign of Terror”?

→ Because thousands of people were executed for being 'enemies of the revolution'.

20. How did France become a republic?

→ The monarchy was abolished and a republic was declared in 1792.

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📍3/4 Marks Questions

1. What was the condition of France when Louis XVI ascended the throne?

→ France was facing a severe financial crisis due to war debts, a regressive tax system, poor harvests, and rising bread prices. The monarchy was extravagant and disconnected from common people's sufferings.

2. Explain ‘Third Estate’.

→ The Third Estate included peasants, artisans, merchants, and the bourgeoisie. They formed about 98% of the population and paid all the taxes but had no political rights or privileges.

3. What law was passed by National Assembly in France on 4th August 1789?

→ Abolition of feudal privileges, including tithes and feudal dues, thus ending the feudal system in France.

4. Describe the condition of women in 18th-century French society. Does the French Revolution change any of it?

→ Women had no political rights, worked hard, and were denied education. The revolution encouraged women’s participation in clubs and protests, and some laws were passed for education, but they didn’t get equal political rights.

5. Describe the rise of Jacobin club in France.

→ The Jacobin Club, led by Robespierre, gained support from small shopkeepers, artisans, and the poor. They radicalized the revolution, established a republic, and implemented the Reign of Terror.

6. What legacy was left behind by the French Revolution for the world?

→ It promoted ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity, and inspired future democratic revolutions worldwide. It also encouraged the abolition of feudal privileges and promoted human rights.

7. Explain the rise of Napoleon.

→ After the fall of the Directory, Napoleon seized power in 1799 through a coup and declared himself Emperor in 1804, promising stability and order after the revolutionary chaos.

8. What was the subsistence crisis in France? How did it trigger the French Revolution?

→ A situation where basic necessities like food became scarce or unaffordable. Bad harvests, rising bread prices, and unemployment made people's lives miserable, leading to public anger and revolution.

9. Which rights were described as the “Natural and inalienable” by the French constitution of 1791?

→ Rights to life, liberty, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before law.

10. “French Revolution didn’t fulfill the aspiration of all sections of society.” Explain your answer with a suitable argument.

→ While the revolution ended monarchy and privileges, peasants still struggled, women and the poor didn’t get political rights, and the economy remained unstable. The benefits were limited largely to the middle class.

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TestBook Question-Answer

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1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.

• Economic crisis: France was under severe debt due to costly wars (including the American War of Independence) and extravagant spending by the monarchy.
• Unfair taxation: The First Estate (clergy) and Second Estate (nobility) were largely exempt from taxes, while the burden fell on the Third Estate (common people).
• Food shortages: Poor harvests in the late 1780s led to high bread prices, causing widespread hunger.
• Social inequality: The rigid feudal system created resentment among peasants, workers, and the emerging bourgeoisie.
• Enlightenment ideas: Thinkers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• Failure of reforms: Louis XVI’s attempts to impose new taxes led to the calling of the Estates-General in 1789, which triggered political conflict.

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2. 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?

• Benefited: Peasants (end of feudal dues), bourgeoisie (gained political influence), and urban workers (abolition of privileges and censorship).
• Forced to relinquish power: Nobility and clergy lost their feudal rights, tax privileges, and political dominance.
• Disappointed: Some urban workers (due to economic hardship), women (limited political rights despite promises of equality), and royalists/loyalists to monarchy.

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3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

• Spread of democratic ideals such as liberty, equality, fraternity.
• Abolition of feudalism in many parts of Europe.
• Inspiration for nationalist movements in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• Promotion of human rights and constitutional government.
• Influence on revolutions like the 1848 European revolutions, the Russian Revolution, and independence movements in colonies.

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4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.

• Right to equality before the law.
• Freedom of speech and expression.
• Freedom of the press.
• Right to vote (universal male suffrage came later, but the idea began).
• Protection from arbitrary arrest.
• Freedom of religion.

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5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
Yes. While the French Revolution proclaimed “liberty, equality, fraternity,” there were contradictions:

• Women were denied full political rights despite demands from activists like Olympe de Gouges.
• Slavery in French colonies was abolished in 1794 but later restored by Napoleon in 1802.
• Political rights often favored property-owning men, excluding the poor.
• Harsh treatment of political opponents during the Reign of Terror contradicted ideals of freedom.

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6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

• Political instability: After the Revolution, France faced internal chaos and external wars.
• Military success: Napoleon was a brilliant general who won major victories and became popular among soldiers and citizens.
• Weak government: The Directory (1795–1799) was corrupt and inefficient, making people long for a strong leader.
• Support from the bourgeoisie: Napoleon promised order, protection of property, and continuation of some revolutionary reforms.
• In 1799, he staged a coup d’état, establishing himself as First Consul, and later crowned himself Emperor in 1804.

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