Class 9 Social Science-History Chapter 1: The French Revolution

1. Short Notes for Revision

  • Introduction to the Revolution: The French Revolution (1789) ended monarchy in France, replacing privilege-based society with governance emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity. Ideas from the Revolution influenced global anti-colonial movements in India, China, Africa, and South America. Declaration of Rights of Man announced individual rights and equality as central to new politics.
  • French Society in Late 18th Century: Divided into three estates under Old Regime. First Estate: Clergy (exempt from taxes, collected tithes – one-tenth agricultural produce). Second Estate: Nobility (feudal privileges like dues, tax-exempt). Third Estate: 90% population (peasants, artisans, merchants, lawyers); paid taille (direct tax) and indirect taxes. Peasants owned 40% land; rest by nobles/Church. Population: 23 million (1715) to 28 million (1789).
  • Economic Causes: Louis XVI (ascended 1774) faced empty treasury from wars (e.g., American Independence added 1+ billion livres debt), Versailles extravagance. Interest payments rose; taxes increased on Third Estate. Subsistence crisis: Bad harvests led to high bread prices, stagnant wages, widening rich-poor gap.
  • Intellectual Causes: Middle class opposed birth privileges, advocated merit. Philosophers: John Locke (refuted divine right), Rousseau (social contract), Montesquieu (power separation). Ideas spread via salons, coffee-houses, newspapers.
  • Subsistence Crisis Flow: Bad harvest → scarcity of grain → rising food prices → weaker bodies → disease epidemics → increased deaths → poorest can’t buy bread → food riots.
  • Outbreak (1789): Estates General convened (5 May) for taxes after 175 years. Third Estate demanded voting by head; formed National Assembly (20 June, Tennis Court Oath to draft constitution). Led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès. Bastille stormed (14 July, symbol of despotism). Great Fear: Peasants attacked chateaux, burned records. 4 August: Abolished feudalism, tithes; Church lands confiscated (2 billion livres gained).
  • Constitutional Monarchy (1791): Powers separated: legislature (National Assembly), executive (king with veto), judiciary. Active citizens (men >25 paying taxes =3 days wage) voted for electors. Passive citizens (women, poor men) excluded. Declaration of Rights: Natural rights like life, speech, equality.
  • France Becomes Republic (1792): War declared on Prussia/Austria (April). Jacobins (led by Robespierre) planned insurrection. 10 August: Stormed Tuileries, imprisoned king. Convention elected (all men >21 vote). 21 Sept: Monarchy abolished, republic declared. Louis XVI executed (21 Jan 1793) for treason.
  • Reign of Terror (1793-94): Robespierre’s severe control; ‘enemies’ guillotined. Maximum on wages/prices, rationing, equality bread. Churches closed. Ended with Robespierre’s execution (July 1794).
  • Directory Rule (1795-99): Wealthier middle class seized power. New constitution: Two councils appointed five-member Directory. Instability led to Napoleon’s rise.
  • Women’s Role: Active in events (e.g., Versailles march). Formed clubs like Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women. Demanded rights via Olympe de Gouges’ Declaration. Laws: Compulsory schooling, no forced marriage, divorce legal. Clubs banned during Terror. Suffrage gained 1946.
  • Abolition of Slavery: Jacobins freed slaves in colonies (1794). Triangular trade: Europe-Africa-Americas supplied labor for Caribbean plantations. Reintroduced by Napoleon (1804); final abolition 1848.
  • Everyday Life Changes: Abolished censorship; press freedom. Symbols: Tricolour, liberty cap. Festivals, songs (Marseillaise). Uniform weights (decimal), no Monsieur/Madame but Citoyen/Citoyenne.
  • Napoleon and Legacy: Crowned emperor (1804), conquered Europe, introduced reforms (private property protection, uniform measures). Defeated at Waterloo (1815). Legacy: Spread liberty, equality; inspired nationalism, anti-feudalism, colonial independence (e.g., Tipu Sultan, Rammohan Roy).

2. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

  1. Which estate paid the taille tax? A) First Estate B) Second Estate C) Third Estate D) All estates
  2. What was the Old Regime? A) France post-1789 B) Society before 1789 C) American system D) Russian monarchy
  3. Who proposed separation of powers? A) Rousseau B) Montesquieu C) Locke D) Sieyès
  4. When was the Bastille stormed? A) 5 May 1789 B) 20 June 1789 C) 14 July 1789 D) 4 August 1789
  5. What did the Tennis Court Oath pledge? A) Storm Bastille B) Draft constitution C) Abolish taxes D) Execute king
  6. What currency was discontinued in 1794? A) Taille B) Livre C) Tithe D) Franc
  7. Who wrote “What is the Third Estate?” A) Mirabeau B) Robespierre C) Abbé Sieyès D) Rousseau
  8. What symbolized eternity in revolutionary art? A) Broken chain B) Snake biting tail C) Fasces D) Red cap
  9. Active citizens under 1791 Constitution were: A) All men >21 B) Men >25 paying taxes C) Women and men D) Nobles only
  10. Marseillaise was composed by: A) Robespierre B) Roget de L’Isle C) Mirabeau D) Olympe de Gouges
  11. Sans-culottes wore: A) Knee breeches B) Striped trousers C) Royal robes D) Clerical gowns
  12. Louis XVI executed on: A) 14 July 1789 B) 21 Jan 1793 C) 4 Aug 1789 D) 21 Sept 1792
  13. Reign of Terror led by: A) Napoleon B) Louis XVI C) Robespierre D) Directory
  14. Guillotine named after: A) Dr Guillotin B) Marat C) Danton D) Sieyès
  15. Women’s suffrage in France: A) 1791 B) 1848 C) 1946 D) 1789
  16. Slavery abolished in French colonies: A) 1789 B) 1794 (final 1848) C) 1804 D) 1815
  17. Triangular trade involved: A) Europe-Asia-Africa B) Europe-Africa-Americas C) France-India-China D) Prussia-Austria-Russia
  18. Napoleon defeated at: A) Bastille B) Versailles C) Waterloo D) Tuileries
  19. Pain d’égalité was: A) Luxury bread B) Equality bread (wholewheat) C) Rationed meat D) White flour
  20. Olympe de Gouges executed in: A) 1789 B) 1793 C) 1804 D) 1815
  21. Directory consisted of: A) One member B) Five members C) Three estates D) National Assembly
  22. Who inspired by French Revolution in India? A) Tipu Sultan, Rammohan Roy B) Gandhi, Nehru C) Akbar, Ashoka D) Shivaji, Aurangzeb
  23. Abolition of censorship after: A) 1789 Bastille B) 1791 Constitution C) 1793 Terror D) 1804 Napoleon
  24. Jacobin club named after: A) St Jacob convent B) Bastille prison C) Versailles palace D) Tuileries garden
  25. What was the Phrygian cap? A) Worn by slaves upon freedom B) Noble’s hat C) King’s crown D) Clergy’s robe

Answer Key: 1-C, 2-B, 3-B, 4-C, 5-B, 6-B, 7-C, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B, 11-B, 12-B, 13-C, 14-A, 15-C, 16-B, 17-B, 18-C, 19-B, 20-B, 21-B, 22-A, 23-A, 24-A, 25-A

3. Very Short Answer Type Questions (VSAQs)

  1. Name the three estates. Answer: Clergy (First), Nobility (Second), Commoners (Third).
  2. Define tithe. Answer: Church tax, one-tenth of agricultural produce.
  3. What is subsistence crisis? Answer: Extreme shortage endangering basic livelihood.
  4. Who was Marie Antoinette? Answer: Austrian princess, wife of Louis XVI.
  5. Significance of Bastille. Answer: Symbolized king’s despotism; stormed 14 July 1789.
  6. Two influencing philosophers. Answer: Rousseau (social contract), Montesquieu (power separation).
  7. Tennis Court Oath. Answer: Third Estate pledged to draft constitution limiting king.
  8. Great Fear cause. Answer: Rumors of lords destroying crops; peasants attacked manors.
  9. Livre definition. Answer: French currency discontinued 1794.
  10. Abbé Sieyès’ pamphlet. Answer: “What is the Third Estate?”
  11. Active vs passive citizens. Answer: Active: Men >25 paying taxes, vote; Passive: Others, no vote.
  12. Marseillaise composer. Answer: Roget de L’Isle.
  13. Sans-culottes meaning. Answer: Without knee breeches; wore striped trousers, red cap.
  14. Convention’s action 1792. Answer: Abolished monarchy, declared republic.
  15. Guillotine inventor. Answer: Dr Guillotin.
  16. Olympe de Gouges’ demand. Answer: Equal political rights for women.
  17. Slavery abolition year. Answer: 1794 (Jacobins); final 1848.
  18. Pain d’égalité. Answer: Equality bread from wholewheat.
  19. Napoleon crowned. Answer: Emperor in 1804.
  20. Waterloo year. Answer: 1815.

4. Short Answer Type Questions (SAQs)

  1. Describe French society’s structure. Answer: Divided into estates: Clergy and nobility tax-exempt with privileges; Third Estate bore taxes like taille, tithes. Peasants majority, owned little land, paid dues.
  2. Explain subsistence crisis role. Answer: Population growth, bad harvests raised bread prices; wages low, leading to riots, protests against inequality, fueling revolution.
  3. Philosophers’ influence. Answer: Locke refuted divine right; Rousseau proposed social contract; Montesquieu power division. Spread via public forums, inspired equality demands.
  4. National Assembly formation. Answer: Third Estate rejected estate voting, formed at Tennis Court 20 June 1789, vowed constitution drafting.
  5. Bastille storming significance. Answer: 14 July 1789, crowds sought arms; symbolized tyranny’s end, sparked widespread revolt.
  6. Middle class vision. Answer: Opposed birth privileges; advocated merit, equal laws, opportunities from Enlightenment ideas.
  7. 4 August 1789 impact. Answer: Abolished feudalism, tithes, privileges; Church lands confiscated, funding government.
  8. Great Fear. Answer: Rumors led peasants to attack manors, burn dues records; nobles fled, accelerated reforms.
  9. 1791 Constitution features. Answer: Limited monarchy; power separation; active citizens voted indirectly; natural rights declared.
  10. Republic declaration. Answer: After Tuileries storming, Convention abolished monarchy 21 Sept 1792; universal male suffrage.
  11. Reign of Terror. Answer: Robespierre’s policy: Guillotined ‘enemies’; price controls, rationing; churches closed.
  12. Directory issues. Answer: Wealthier rule; clashes with councils caused instability, paving Napoleon’s rise.
  13. Women’s demands. Answer: Equal rights, vote, office-holding; clubs like Revolutionary Republican Women; laws improved education, marriage.
  14. Slavery trade. Answer: Triangular: Europe bought African slaves, sold to Caribbean plantations for commodities.
  15. Everyday changes. Answer: Censorship abolished; press freedom; symbols like tricolour; uniform measures, address forms.

5. Long Answer Type Questions (LAQs)

  1. Analyze causes of French Revolution. Answer: Economic: Debt from wars, extravagance; taxes on Third Estate amid subsistence crises from population growth, poor harvests. Social: Unequal estates; clergy/nobility privileged, Third Estate burdened. Intellectual: Philosophers inspired liberty, equality; middle class demanded merit-based society. Political: Absolute monarchy resisted reform; Estates General convocation sparked demands. These built resentment, leading to 1789 outbreak with Bastille storming, Great Fear, feudal abolition.
  2. Describe 1789 key events. Answer: Estates General (5 May): Third Estate demanded fair voting, formed National Assembly (17 June), Tennis Court Oath (20 June). Bastille stormed (14 July) for arms, symbolizing despotism’s fall. Great Fear: Peasants revolted against manors. Night of 4 August: Assembly ended feudalism, tithes, privileges; Church lands seized. King recognized Assembly, marking power shift to people, constitution drafting.
  3. Explain liberty, equality, fraternity emergence. Answer: From Enlightenment, popularized in Revolution. Liberty: Against despotism, seen in Bastille fall, press freedom. Equality: Ended privileges via 4 August decree, universal rights declaration. Fraternity: United against inequality, national symbols like Marseillaise. Influenced global movements, though women/slaves initially excluded. Contradictions: Limited voting, slavery persistence; evolved through struggles.
  4. Role of Third Estate. Answer: Burdened yet drove change: Middle class led demands; peasants/workers rioted over food. Formed National Assembly, forced reforms. Leaders like Sieyès, Mirabeau articulated grievances. Actions like Bastille, Great Fear pressured king, abolished Old Regime. Pivotal in transitioning to constitutional system, inspiring democratic ideals.
  5. Women’s participation and outcomes. Answer: Active: Marched to Versailles for bread, king. Formed clubs, demanded rights via Gouges’ declaration. Laws: Education compulsory, marriage contract-based, divorce legal. But passive citizens, clubs banned in Terror. Struggle continued; suffrage 1946. Revolution advanced some rights but fell short on gender equality, highlighting contradictions.
  6. Slavery abolition process. Answer: Colonies relied on triangular slave trade for plantations. Jacobins abolished 1794 amid rights ideals. But businessmen opposed; Napoleon reintroduced 1804 for economic interests. Final abolition 1848. Showed Revolution’s global impact, though delayed; inspired anti-slavery movements.
  7. Napoleon’s rise and legacy. Answer: Post-Directory instability, Napoleon coup 1799, emperor 1804. Conquered Europe, spread reforms: Code Napoleon (equality, property), uniform measures. Seen as liberator initially, later invader; defeated 1815. Legacy: Modernized Europe, inspired nationalism; carried revolutionary ideas abroad, influencing independence struggles.
  8. Revolution’s global impact. Answer: Spread liberty, equality via Napoleonic wars, ending feudalism in Europe. Colonized peoples reworked for sovereignty: India (Tipu, Rammohan responded). Anti-colonial movements in Asia, Africa drew from rights declaration. Democratic constitutions traced origins here; promoted nationalism, socialism despite violence.

6. Source-Based / Case-Based Assessment Questions

Source Extract: (From Source A – Georges Danton’s account) “I was educated… The system had provided us with an education without however offering a field where our talents could be utilised.”

Questions:

  1. Who wrote this?
  2. What barriers faced?
  3. Reflects what in Old Regime?
  4. How led to revolutionary ideas?
  5. Analyze impact on middle class.

Answer Key:

  1. Georges Danton.
  2. No posts without nobility/patrons.
  3. Privileges by birth.
  4. Frustration fueled equality demands.
  5. Pushed for merit-based society, reforms.

Source Extract: (From Fig. 3 – Spider and Fly etching) Noble as spider, peasant as fly. “The more the devil has, the more he wants.”

Questions:

  1. Spider symbolizes?
  2. Why peasant as fly?
  3. Reflects what inequality?
  4. Artist’s message on nobility?
  5. How influenced opinion?
  6. Link to subsistence crisis.

Answer Key:

  1. Exploitative nobility.
  2. Helpless victim.
  3. Peasants burdened, nobles indifferent.
  4. Greedy, uncaring.
  5. Spread resentment, revolutionary sentiment.
  6. Economic exploitation worsened crises.

Source Extract: (Declaration of Rights – Source C) “Men are born… equal in rights.” Excerpts on liberty, law, etc.

Questions:

  1. Key rights listed?
  2. Sovereignty source?
  3. Compare to women’s demands.
  4. Contradictions in application?

Answer Key:

  1. Liberty, property, security, resistance.
  2. Nation/people.
  3. Excluded women, as Gouges noted.
  4. Limited to men; slavery persisted.

Source Extract: (Olympe de Gouges’ Declaration – Source F) “Woman is born free… equal to man.”

Questions:

  1. Parallels Source C?
  2. Demands for women?
  3. Why significant?
  4. Outcome for Gouges?

Answer Key:

  1. Mirrors but includes women.
  2. Equal rights, vote, office.
  3. Challenged gender exclusion.
  4. Executed for criticism.

7. Solved Exercise-End Questions (NCERT Solutions)

How would you explain the rise of Napoleon? Answer: Post-Revolution instability: Terror, Directory clashes created vacuum. Napoleon, successful general, gained popularity via conquests. 1799 coup made him First Consul; 1804 emperor. Centralized power, reforms appealed amid chaos. Blended revolutionary ideals with authority, filling need for stability.

Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France. Answer: Financial crisis under Louis XVI from wars and extravagance led to tax hikes on Third Estate. Social inequalities in estates system fueled resentment. Intellectual ideas of equality spread. Population growth caused subsistence crises with high food prices. Estates General (1789) saw Third Estate demand reforms, leading to National Assembly, Bastille storming, Great Fear.

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: Benefited: Middle class (equality, opportunities), peasants (end to feudal dues). Relinquished: Nobility/clergy (lost privileges, lands). Disappointed: Women (no full rights), poor workers (economic gaps persisted), slaves (abolition temporary).

Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Answer: Spread liberty, equality, fraternity; inspired anti-feudalism, nationalism in Europe. Anti-colonial movements in Asia/Africa reworked ideas for independence. Democratic rights like speech, equality traced here. Influenced figures like Tipu Sultan, Rammohan Roy; promoted republics, suffrage.

Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution. Answer: Equality before law; freedom of speech/expression; right to vote/participate; liberty from arbitrary arrest; property rights; power separation; resistance to oppression.

Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain. Answer: Yes; proclaimed universal but excluded women from voting, treated as passive. Slavery in colonies contradicted liberty. Rights limited to propertied men initially. Economic equality ignored despite social ideals. Evolved through further movements, showing progressive yet incomplete start.

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