English Version - NCERT Class ix History Chapter - The French revolution

Chapter – The French Revolution

Chapter Introduction:

• The French Revolution began in 1789 and led to the end of monarchy in France.

• It introduced liberty, equality, and fraternity as guiding principles.

• France shifted from an absolute monarchy to a democratic republic.

• The revolution influenced political developments worldwide.

1. French Society During the Late 18th Century

The Old Regime:

• Society was divided into Three Estates:

o First Estate: Clergy – church officials.

o Second Estate: Nobility – lords and nobles.

o Third Estate: Common people – peasants, workers, middle class.

Privileges of the First and Second Estates:

• Exempt from taxes.

• Owned large amounts of land.

• Enjoyed special privileges like access to high positions in government and the church.

Third Estate:

• About 98% of the population.

• Paid all the taxes (taille – land tax, and others).

• Included:

o Peasants – worked the land.

o Artisans and workers – lived in cities, often unemployed or poorly paid.

o Bourgeoisie – wealthy middle class: merchants, lawyers, doctors, etc. Educated and aware of rights.

2. The Struggle to Survive

• Population increased in the 18th century, leading to a rise in demand for food.

• Poor harvests caused bread prices to rise.

• Wages did not increase accordingly; most people could not afford basic needs.

• Economic hardship increased public anger.

3. A Growing Middle Class Envisions an End to Privileges

• Bourgeoisie led the demand for equality and justice.

• Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers like:

o John Locke – Natural rights: life, liberty, property.

o Jean-Jacques Rousseau – Social contract between people and government.

o Montesquieu – Separation of powers (Legislative, Executive, Judicial).

• These ideas encouraged people to challenge the monarchy and the privileges of the upper classes.

4. The Outbreak of the Revolution

Economic Crisis:

• France was in deep debt due to:

o Costly wars (including American War of Independence).

o Lavish spending by the royal family.

Estates-General Meeting – May 5, 1789:

• King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General (like a parliament).

• Each Estate had one vote, so the Third Estate was always outvoted.

• Third Estate demanded one vote per person, not per estate.

Formation of the National Assembly:

• Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly on 17 June 1789.

• Swore the Tennis Court Oath – vowed to draft a new constitution for France.

Storming of the Bastille – 14 July 1789:

• Bastille was a symbol of the king’s oppression.

• Mob attacked it to get weapons and free prisoners.

• Marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

5. France Abolishes Monarchy and Becomes a Republic

Constitution of 1791:

• France became a constitutional monarchy.

• Powers of the king were reduced.

• Only men above 25 who paid taxes could vote (limited suffrage).

Fall of Monarchy:

• King tried to flee but was caught.

• In 1792, monarchy was abolished.

• France declared a republic.

6. The Reign of Terror (1793–94)

Key Events:

• King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine.

• Maximilian Robespierre, leader of the Jacobins, took control.

• Ruled France as a dictatorship.

• Thousands were executed as “enemies of the revolution”.

• 1794: Robespierre was arrested and executed – end of Reign of Terror.

7. A Directory Rules France

• 1795: A new constitution was formed.

• Government was run by Directory – a group of five men.

• Became weak and corrupt.

• Political instability returned.

8. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

• 1799: Napoleon Bonaparte, a military general, seized power.

• Declared himself Emperor in 1804.

• Introduced reforms but ruled as a dictator.

• Spread revolutionary ideas across Europe, but also caused wars.

9. Impact of the Revolution

Positive Outcomes:

• Ended monarchy and feudal system.

• Spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

• Inspired future democratic movements around the world.

Limitations:

• Rights were not given to women, poor, or slaves.

• Reign of Terror showed that revolution could turn violent and oppressive.

Exercise Question-Answer

Here are the questions and answers from your image, formatted as requested:

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

 * Answer: France faced a deep financial crisis due to costly wars and extravagant spending. The rigid social hierarchy, known as the Estates system, caused widespread resentment, especially among the Third Estate, who bore the brunt of taxes without political representation. Enlightenment ideals emphasizing liberty and equality further fueled desires for change, creating fertile ground for revolution.

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?

 * Answer: The bourgeoisie and wealthier members of the Third Estate primarily benefited, gaining political influence and economic opportunities. The nobility and clergy were forced to relinquish their privileges and power. The poorest sections of society, including sans-culottes and women, were often disappointed as their demands for greater equality and economic relief were largely unmet, and they continued to face hardship.

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

 * Answer: The French Revolution left a profound legacy. Its ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity inspired nationalist movements and democratic reforms globally. It promoted the concept of popular sovereignty and individual rights, influencing constitutionalism and the abolition of feudalism in many nations. It also sparked movements for social justice and human rights, shaping modern political thought.

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

 * Answer: Many democratic rights we enjoy today can be traced to the French Revolution:

   * Right to equality before the law

   * Freedom of speech and expression

   * Freedom of the press

   * Right to property

   * Abolition of slavery (though temporarily reversed)

   * Right to vote (initially limited, but laid groundwork for universal suffrage)

5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.

 * Answer: Yes, the message of universal rights during the French Revolution was indeed beset with contradictions. While proclaiming liberty and equality, it initially excluded women from political rights and maintained slavery in its colonies for a period. The definition of "citizen" was narrow, often excluding the poor and non-white populations, highlighting the hypocrisy in its universal claims.

6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

 * Answer: Napoleon's rise can be attributed to several factors. France was in political turmoil after the Directory's ineffective rule, creating a power vacuum. Napoleon's military genius and successful campaigns in Italy and Egypt earned him widespread popularity and the support of the army. He capitalized on the desire for stability and order, eventually seizing power through a coup d'état and establishing himself as First Consul and then Emperor.

The French Revolution – Questions & Answers

1. What was the Old Regime in France?

Answer:

The Old Regime refers to the social and political system in France before 1789. Under this system, society was divided into three Estates: the Clergy (First Estate), the Nobility (Second Estate), and the Common People (Third Estate).

2. Describe the three Estates of French society.

Answer:

• First Estate: Clergy – owned land, paid no taxes, had privileges.

• Second Estate: Nobility – rich landowners, no taxes, held high posts.

• Third Estate: Common people – peasants, workers, and bourgeoisie; paid all taxes and had no privileges.

3. What were the main causes of the French Revolution?

Answer:

• Social inequality and privileges of the upper classes.

• Economic crisis due to war debts and poor harvests.

• Enlightenment ideas promoting liberty and equality.

• Weak leadership of King Louis XVI.

• Unfair taxation system.

4. Who were the bourgeoisie, and what role did they play in the Revolution?

Answer: The bourgeoisie were the educated and wealthy middle class (lawyers, doctors, merchants). They led the revolution by spreading Enlightenment ideas and demanding equal rights and political power.

5. What happened on 14 July 1789?

Answer: On 14 July 1789, the people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison. It marked the beginning of the French Revolution and became a symbol of freedom and the fall of tyranny.

6. What was the Estates-General? Why was it called in 1789?

Answer: The Estates-General was a meeting of representatives from all three estates. It was called by King Louis XVI in May 1789 to discuss and solve the financial crisis in France.

7. What was the Tennis Court Oath?

Answer: It was a pledge taken by the members of the Third Estate on 20 June 1789. They vowed not to separate until they had written a new constitution for France.

8. What was the National Assembly?

Answer: The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate after breaking away from the Estates-General. It aimed to write a constitution and end the absolute power of the king.

9. What changes did the Constitution of 1791 bring?

Answer:

• France became a constitutional monarchy.

• Separation of powers into legislature, executive, and judiciary.

• Only tax-paying men above 25 were given the right to vote.

10. Who were the Jacobins?

Answer: The Jacobins were a radical political group led by Maximilian Robespierre. They believed in equality, abolished the monarchy, and played a key role in the Reign of Terror.

11. What was the Reign of Terror?

Answer: It was a period from 1793–94 when Robespierre ruled France harshly. Thousands of people, including nobles and revolutionaries, were executed by guillotine for being "enemies of the revolution."

12. What was the Directory?

Answer: The Directory was a five-member executive body that governed France from 1795–1799 after the fall of Robespierre. It was weak and corrupt, which led to political instability.

13. How did Napoleon Bonaparte come to power?

Answer: In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory through a coup and declared himself First Consul, eventually becoming the Emperor of France.

14. What was the legacy of the French Revolution?

Answer:

• End of monarchy and feudal privileges.

• Spread of democratic ideas: liberty, equality, fraternity.

• Inspired revolutions and freedom movements around the world.

15. Why is the French Revolution considered a turning point in world history?

Answer: Because it ended absolute monarchy, promoted democratic values, inspired global movements, and redefined the relationship between citizens and the state.

Great! Here's a worksheet-style set of MCQs, fill in the blanks, and short questions based on The French Revolution (Class 9 – NCERT). This is perfect for practice or classroom assessment.

The French Revolution – Worksheet

A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

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

a) Louis XIV

b) Louis XV

c) Louis XVI

d) Napoleon Bonaparte

Answer: c) Louis XVI

2. Which estate paid all the taxes in pre-revolutionary France?

a) First Estate

b) Second Estate

c) Third Estate

d) Clergy

Answer: c) Third Estate

3. What was the name of the prison stormed on 14 July 1789?

a) Versailles

b) Louvre

c) Bastille

d) Tuileries

Answer: c) Bastille

4. Who led the Reign of Terror?

a) Napoleon

b) Robespierre

c) Rousseau

d) Voltaire

Answer: b) Robespierre

5. What slogan became popular during the French Revolution?

a) Work is Worship

b) Long live the King

c) Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

d) Power to the Nobles

Answer: c) Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

B. Fill in the Blanks

1. The French Revolution began in the year __________.

Answer: 1789

2. The group that represented the Third Estate and wrote a new constitution was called the __________.

Answer: National Assembly

3. The machine used to execute people during the Reign of Terror was called the __________.

Answer: Guillotine

4. The political and social system in France before the Revolution was known as the __________.

Answer: Old Regime

5. The Enlightenment thinker who spoke of natural rights was __________.

Answer: John Locke

C. Short Answer Questions

1. What were the privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates?

Answer: They were exempt from taxes, owned large lands, and held important positions in government and the church.

2. Why was the storming of the Bastille significant?

Answer: It marked the start of the French Revolution and symbolized the fall of royal tyranny.

3. What changes did the National Assembly bring?

Answer: It abolished feudal privileges, wrote a constitution, and limited the king’s powers.

4. What happened during the Reign of Terror?

Answer: Thousands were executed, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. It was a time of extreme political violence under Robespierre’s rule.

5. What were the achievements of the French Revolution?

Answer: It ended monarchy and feudalism, promoted equality, and inspired future democratic movements.

Awesome! Here's the next section of your teaching material:

The French Revolution – Long Answer Questions & Mind Map

E. Long Answer Questions

1. Explain the social conditions of France before the French Revolution.

Answer:

Before the Revolution, French society was divided into three Estates. The First Estate (Clergy) and the Second Estate (Nobility) enjoyed privileges like exemption from taxes and access to high offices. The Third Estate (peasants, artisans, and bourgeoisie) formed the majority of the population but carried the burden of taxation, had no political rights, and lived in poverty. This social inequality created resentment and unrest among the people.

2. How did Enlightenment ideas contribute to the French Revolution?

Answer:

Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu challenged the idea of absolute monarchy and promoted ideas such as liberty, equality, democracy, and natural rights. Their writings encouraged people to question the authority of the king and demand a society based on reason and justice. These ideas inspired the revolutionaries to fight for change.

3. Describe the events that led to the fall of the monarchy in France.

Answer:

In 1789, the Third Estate broke away and formed the National Assembly. The storming of the Bastille symbolized the start of the Revolution. The king’s refusal to accept reforms led to further unrest. In 1791, a Constitutional Monarchy was established. However, the king tried to flee the country and lost public trust. In 1792, the monarchy was abolished and France was declared a republic. The king and queen were tried and executed in 1793.

4. What was the Reign of Terror and how did it end?

Answer:

The Reign of Terror (1793–94) was led by Robespierre and the Jacobins. They imposed strict laws and executed thousands of people considered enemies of the revolution using the guillotine. Even moderate revolutionaries and innocent citizens were targeted. Eventually, Robespierre was overthrown and executed in 1794, which marked the end of the Reign of Terror.

5. What were the outcomes and legacy of the French Revolution?

Answer:

The French Revolution brought an end to the monarchy, feudalism, and privileges of the upper classes. It promoted liberty, equality, and fraternity, and inspired similar movements across Europe and the world. It established the principle of popular sovereignty and a republican form of government, even though it faced instability after Robespierre’s fall. The revolution deeply influenced political thought and the rise of modern democracy.

F. Mind Map – The French Revolution (Summary)

                        THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

                               |

      ---------------------------------------------------

     | | |

Causes Major Events Impact/Legacy

     | | |

- Social Inequality - 1789: Bastille stormed - End of monarchy

- Economic Crisis - 1791: Constitution - Rise of republic

- Enlightenment - 1793: King executed - Inspired democracies

- Weak Monarchy - 1793-94: Reign of Terror - Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

                      - 1799: Napoleon takes power.

French Revolution – 100 Q&A

1. Q: On which date did the French Revolution begin?

A: 14 July 1789

2. Q: Who was the king of France at the time of the French Revolution?

A: King Louis XVI

3. Q: Which fortress-prison in Paris was stormed on 14 July 1789?

A: The Bastille

4. Q: What was the political and social system of France before the revolution known as?

A: The Old Regime

5. Q: How many Estates were there in French society before the revolution?

A: Three Estates

6. Q: What was the First Estate composed of?

A: Clergy

7. Q: What was the Second Estate composed of?

A: Nobility

8. Q: What was the Third Estate composed of?

A: Common people (peasants, artisans, bourgeoisie)

9. Q: Which Estate bore the burden of taxes before the revolution?

A: Third Estate

10. Q: What was the name given to the rich and educated middle class in the Third Estate?

A: Bourgeoisie

11. Q: What was the name of the direct land tax paid by the Third Estate?

A: Taille

12. Q: What was the name of the assembly called by King Louis XVI to discuss tax reforms on 5 May 1789?

A: Estates-General

13. Q: Where did the Estates-General meet on 5 May 1789?

A: Palace of Versailles, France

14. Q: What name did the representatives of the Third Estate give to themselves after breaking away from the Estates-General?

A: The National Assembly

15. Q: On which exact date did the representatives of the Third Estate take the Tennis Court Oath?

A: 20 June 1789

16. Q: Where did the Tennis Court Oath take place?

A: Indoor Tennis Court at Palace of Versailles, France

17. Q: Who was one of the prominent leaders and speakers of the Third Estate in the National Assembly?

A: Mirabeau

18. Q: What document, passed on 26 August 1789, proclaimed equal rights to all men?

A: Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

19. Q: On which exact date did Parisian women march to Versailles to demand bread and force the royal family to move to Paris?

A: 5 October 1789

20. Q: From which palace was the royal family forced to move on 6 October 1789?

A: Palace of Versailles, France

21. Q: What is the term for the political system in France before the revolution?

A: Absolute Monarchy

22. Q: Who was the queen of France during the French Revolution?

A: Marie Antoinette

23. Q: On which date did the National Assembly complete the draft of the Constitution?

A: 1791 (specific day not given in NCERT)

24. Q: What was the system of governance established by the Constitution of 1791?

A: Constitutional Monarchy

25. Q: What was the legislative body formed under the 1791 Constitution?

A: Legislative Assembly

26. Q: Who were allowed to vote under the Constitution of 1791?

A: Active Citizens (men paying taxes equal to 3 days’ wages)

27. Q: What were the non-voting citizens called?

A: Passive Citizens

28. Q: What was the name of the club formed by radical revolutionaries?

A: The Jacobin Club

29. Q: Who was the leader of the Jacobin Club?

A: Maximilien Robespierre

30. Q: On which date was King Louis XVI executed?

A: 21 January 1793

31. Q: Where was King Louis XVI executed?

A: Place de la Révolution, Paris, France

32. Q: On which date was Queen Marie Antoinette executed?

A: 16 October 1793

33. Q: What was the period of Robespierre’s harsh rule called?

A: Reign of Terror

34. Q: What was the main method of execution during the Reign of Terror?

A: Guillotine

35. Q: Who invented the Guillotine?

A: Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin

36. Q: What was the duration of the Reign of Terror?

A: September 1793 to July 1794

37. Q: Which government was formed after the fall of Robespierre?

A: The Directory

38. Q: How many members were there in the Directory?

A: Five

39. Q: When did Napoleon Bonaparte seize power in France?

A: 9 November 1799

40. Q: What was the coup called that brought Napoleon to power?

A: Coup of 18 Brumaire

41. Q: What was the name of the revolutionary army formed during the revolution?

A: The French National Guard

42. Q: Who was the famous leader of the French National Guard?

A: Marquis de Lafayette

43. Q: Which event marked the symbolic end of the monarchy and the beginning of the French Republic?

A: Execution of King Louis XVI on 21 January 1793

44. Q: Which document declared the end of the monarchy and the establishment of the French Republic?

A: The French Republic Proclamation

45. Q: What was the name of the legislative body after the fall of the monarchy?

A: National Convention

46. Q: Who were the Girondins in the National Convention?

A: A political faction, mostly moderate republicans

47. Q: Who were the Montagnards in the National Convention?

A: A political faction, mostly radical republicans

48. Q: What did the Jacobins create to ensure the revolution would not be undermined?

A: The Committee of Public Safety

49. Q: What was the Law of Suspects?

A: A law passed during the Reign of Terror, allowing arrest of anyone suspected of being anti-revolutionary

50. Q: What was the purpose of the Revolutionary Tribunal?

A: To try people accused of being enemies of the revolution

51. Q: What was the nature of the economy in France before the Revolution?

A: Primarily agricultural, with heavy taxation on the poor

52. Q: What was the main grievance of the Third Estate during the Estates-General of 1789?

A: Overrepresentation of the First and Second Estates, and unfair taxation

53. Q: What was the National Assembly’s response to being locked out of the Estates-General meeting?

A: They moved to a nearby tennis court and took the Tennis Court Oath

54. Q: Who were the Sans-Culottes?

A: Radical working-class militants, especially from Paris

55. Q: What were the September Massacres?

A: A series of killings in Paris in 1792, driven by fear of royalist conspiracies

56. Q: What was the significance of the Storming of the Bastille?

A: It symbolized the end of the king’s absolute power and the start of the French Revolution

57. Q: What was the main role of the National Convention?

A: To draft a new republican constitution and establish the French Republic

58. Q: What did the Law of the Maximum do?

A: It set price limits on essential goods, like bread, to control inflation

59. Q: Who was the leading figure of the Thermidorian Reaction?

A: Paul Barras

60. Q: Which event marked the end of the Reign of Terror?

A: The execution of Maximilien Robespierre on 28 July 1794

61. Q: What were the key causes of the French Revolution?

A: Social inequality, financial crisis, poor leadership, and Enlightenment ideas

62. Q: What was the significance of the Women's March on Versailles?

A: It forced the royal family to move to Paris and sign revolutionary decrees

63. Q: What were the effects of the French Revolution on Europe?

A: Spread of revolutionary ideas, rise of Napoleon, and the fall of monarchies in Europe

64. Q: Who was the foreign minister of France during the revolution, who fled to Belgium?

A: Louis XVI’s foreign minister, Count of Artois

65. Q: What was the significance of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?

A: It subordinated the Catholic Church in France to the French government

66. Q: Who was Olympe de Gouges?

A: A revolutionary feminist who wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen

67. Q: What was the economic condition of France before the revolution?

A: Poor, with a severe financial crisis due to wars, lavish spending, and poor harvests

68. Q: What were the main goals of the revolutionaries in the National Assembly?

A: Equality, liberty, and fraternity

69. Q: Who were the émigrés?

A: Nobles who fled France during the revolution to escape persecution

70. Q: What was the Great Fear?

A: Panic that spread across France in 1789, leading peasants to attack nobles’ property

71. Q: What was the significance of the storming of the Tuileries Palace?

A: It led to the capture of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette

72. Q: What is a constitutional monarchy?

A: A system where the monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution

73. Q: Who was the first emperor of France after the revolution?

A: Napoleon Bonaparte

74. Q: What was the Code Napoleon?

A: A set of civil laws established by Napoleon that influenced legal systems worldwide

75. Q: What were the Napoleonic Wars?

A: A series of wars fought by Napoleon’s France against various European coalitions

76. Q: What was the Congress of Vienna?

A: A meeting of European powers in 1814-1815 to restore monarchies after Napoleon’s defeat

77. Q: What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo?

A: Napoleon’s final defeat, which ended his rule and exiled him to Saint Helena

78. Q: What was the role of the National Guard in the revolution?

A: To defend revolutionary ideas and protect the people of Paris

79. Q: What were revolutionary tribunals?

A: Courts that judged and executed people accused of being enemies of the revolution

80. Q: What was the Committee of Public Safety?

A: The government body that ruled during the Reign of Terror

81. Q: What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen based on?

A: Enlightenment principles, asserting freedom, equality, and fraternity

82. Q: What were the revolutionary slogans of the French Revolution?

A: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"

83. Q: How did the French Revolution affect the church?

A: It reduced the church’s power and property through secularization

84. Q: How did the French Revolution affect women?

A: Women gained new rights, but still faced inequality in many areas

85. Q: What was the significance of the fall of the Bastille?

A: It marked the symbolic start of the revolution

86. Q: What was the role of the Jacobins in the revolution?

A: Radical leaders who pushed for social equality and the use of violence to secure the revolution

87. Q: What led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte?

A: The instability following the revolution and his military successes

88. Q: What was the role of the estates-general in the revolution?

A: It represented the first steps toward the formation of the National Assembly

89. Q: What was the significance of the Reign of Terror?

A: It was a period of violence and repression to safeguard the revolution

90. Q: What was the significance of the French Revolution to the world?

A: It inspired revolutions in other countries and contributed to the rise of nationalism

91. Q: What was the fall of Robespierre?

A: The event that ended the Reign of Terror and marked the beginning of more moderate governance

92. Q: What was the role of the sans-culottes in the revolution?

A: They were radical working-class militants who supported extreme revolutionary measures

93. Q: What was the purpose of the Committee of Public Safety?

A: To defend the revolution and suppress opposition

94. Q: What led to the collapse of the Directory?

A: Corruption, economic instability, and internal struggles

95. Q: Who was Napoleon's main political rival?

A: The British Empire

96. Q: How did the Revolution change the social structure of France?

A: It dismantled the feudal system and led to more social equality

97. Q: How did the Revolution influence France’s economy?

A: It introduced new reforms but also caused economic instability

98. Q: What were the long-term effects of the French Revolution?

A: Spread of democratic ideals, rise of nationalism, and the reshaping of European societies

99. Q: How did the revolution affect French colonial territories?

A: The revolution inspired slave uprisings, particularly in Haiti

100. Q: What was the lasting legacy of the French Revolution?

A: The establishment of democratic values, republicanism, and the challenge to absolute monarchy