The French Revolution
- Class: 9th
- Subject: Social Science (History)
- Topic: The French Revolution
- Resource: Notes, Important Questions
Class 9th Social Science (History) The French Revolution – Get here the Notes, Question for Class 10 Nationalism in India. Candidates who are ambitious to qualify the Class 10 with good score can check this article for Notes, By practicing this resources candidates definitely get the idea of which his/her weak areas and how to prepare well for the examination.
Introduction
- On the morning of 14 July 1789, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm.
- The king had commanded troops to move into the city, Rumours spread the be would soon order the army to open fire upon the citizens Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a peoples' militia.
- They broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms.
- A group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille, where they hoped to find hoarded ammunition.
- In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners released - though there were only seven of them.
French society during the late
eighteenth century
 |
| Three Estate |
First and Second Estate
Clergy and nobility - land owned by them. enjoy all privilege and paid no taxes
Third Estates
90 % of peasant, In Landless -did all work and paid all taxes.
Middle Class-Constitutes new social group of rich educated society e lawyers, doctors, judges and rich businessman.
Their ideas about privileges in society are as follows:
- They had no political rights .
- The dream of a city based on merit.
- They provided leadership
Cause of the French Revolution
Political factors
Heavy burden of taxes on the Third Estate :
The members of the first two Estates were exempted from paying taxes to the state. So all the taxes were paid by the people of the Third Estate.
Wide gap between people of different Estates :
Most of the people of the Third Estate were employed as labourers in workshops with fixed wages. The wages the failed to keep pace with the rise in prices. So the gap between the poor and the rich widened.
Unequal distribution of wealth :
In the French society, peasants made up about 90% of the population. However, only a small number of them owned the land they cultivated. About 60% of the land was owned by nobles, the church and other richer members of the Third Estate.
Political factors
The political reasons behind the French Revolution.
The Autocracy of the Kings :
The Autocracy form of the government was prevalent in France. The kings regarded themselves as 'Representatives of God on Earth' and ruled over their subjects without any check of restraints.
Empty Treasure :
In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France. Upon his accession the new king found an empty treasury.
Extravagant Court:
The basic cause of empty treasure was extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles.
Long Wars:
Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. France under louis XVI helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from the common enemy, Britain.
No Political Equality :
French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates, and only members of the third estate paid taxes.
Subsistence crisis and Causes
Subsistence crisis
It is an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
Causes
- Rise in population
- Increase in demand of food grains.
- Prices of bread rose rapidly.
- Wages could not keep pace with rising prices.
- Gap between rich and poor widened.
- Drought or hail reduced the harvest.
Two Treaties of Government
In his book Two Treaties of Government Locke sought to refute the doctrine and absolute right of the monarch.
The Spirit of the Laws
Charles Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
The Social Contract
Rousseau
The causes of the
French Revolution
of 1789
Unjust Taxation :
The members of the First and Second Estates were exempted from paying taxes to the state. All the taxes were paid by the members of the Third Estate
Social Disparity :
In the 17th century, the French society was divided into three groups, called the Estates:
(i) The First Estate Clergy
(ii) The Second Estate Nobility
(iii) The Third Estate Common people
Although the upper two classes made up only a small fraction of the total population, yet they were the people who controlled the political and economic system of the nation. They enjoyed all the rights and privileges. The people belonging to the Third Estate did not enjoy any political right.
The Rise of the Middle Class :
The spread of industrial revolution led to the emergence of the Middle Class. It was the class of businessmen, traders, bankers, manufacturers, scholars, etc
Influence of the Philosophers
thinkers like Montesquieu Rousseau, Voltaire and Mirabeau, who exposed the evils prevailing in the system. They infused people with the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Wide gap between the rich and the poor:
The population of France rose from about 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789 This led to a rapid increase in the demand for food grain. Production of grains could not keep pace with the demand.
Political symbols
The broken chain: Chains were used to fetter slaves. A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free.
The bundle of rods or fasces: One rod can be easily broken, but not an entire bundle Strength lies in unity
The eye within a triangle radiating light: The all seeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of the sun will drive away the clouds of ignorance.
Scepter: Symbol of royal power
Red Phrygian cap: Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free
Blue-white-red: The national colours of France
 |
| Jacobin Club |
Jacobin club
- Maximilian Robespierre was their leader
- Jacobins were political clubs of the people. These became an important rallying point for people, who wished to discuss the government policies and plans, and their own form of action.
 |
| Robespierre |
The role of Jacobins in the French Revolution.
Middle Class:
The members of Jacobin club belonged mainly to the prosperous sections of society. They included small shopkeepers, artisans such shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers printers, as well as servants and daily-wage workers.
Different Clothes :
A large group among the Jacobins decided to start wearing long striped trousers similar to those worn by dock workers. It was a way of proclaiming the end of the power wielded by the wearers of knee breeches.
Carrying the Revolution:
They were the people who believed that the revolution had to be carried further, as the Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society.
Storming the King's palace:
In the summer of 1792 the Jacobins planned an insurrection of a large number of Parisians who were angered by the short supplies and high price of food.
The Reign of Terror
 |
| Guillotined |
Strict policies of Robespierre :
Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All those whom he saw as being enemies of the republic - ex nobles and clergy, members of other political parties, even members of his own party who did not agree with his methods were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If the court found them guilty they were guillotined.
Economic controls :
Robespierre government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government.
Principle of Equality :
Equality was also sought to be practiced through forms of speech and address. Instead of the traditional Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam) all French men and women were equal.
Control over Churches :
Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into barracks or offices.
The condition of women in France before and
after the Revolution.
- Most women of the Third Estate had to work for a living. They worked as seamstresses or laundresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables at the market, or were employed as domestic servants in the houses of prosperous people.
- Most women did not have access to education or job training. Only daughters of nobles or wealthier members of the Third Estate could study at a convent, after which their families arranged a marriage for them.
- Working women had also to care for their families, that is, cook, fetch water, queue up for bread, and look after the children.
- Their wages were lower than those of men.
- In order to discuss and voice their interests, women started their own political clubs and newspapers.
Features of the Constitution of 1791
- Laws to be made by the National Assembly the legislature and the judiciary.
- Only me above 25 years of age, who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of labourers were entitled to vote to the executive.
- Many rights were given to the people.
- To qualify as an elector and as a member of the Assembly, a man had to belong to Bracket-of taxpayers etc..
Napoleon Bonaparte and reforms 
Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte was a Miltary dictator of France.
Reforms
- Introduced many laws such as the protection of private property
- he introduced a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system .
- He codified French law.
- Many saw him as a liberator who would bring freedom for the people But the armies were soon viewed as invading force.
REVISION CHART
 |
| Revision |
Click here for YouTube video
India Size and Location
Click here
THE STORY OF VILLAGE PALAMPUR
click here
Map
 |
France Map |
Question Bank
Q. What was Bastille ?
Ans. 2It was one of the largest jail of France. It was broken by an angry mob on 14th July, 1789.
Q. When did the French Revolution occurs 14th July, 1789.
Ans.14th July, 1789
Q. Why was Bastille hated by the French people ?
Ans. Bastille was hated because it stood for the despotic power of the king.
Q. What was feudal system ?
Ans. It was a system under which land was granted to landlords in return for military or labour services.
Q .Mention any two privileges of the First Estate people of France.
Ans. (1) They were exempted from paying taxes to the State.
(ii) The nobles also enjoyed feudal privileges
Q. What was the theme of the book Two Treaties of Government'?
Ans. In his book Two Treaties of Government Locke sought to refute the doctrine and absolute right of the monarch
Q. Give the titles of the books written by :
(a) Rousseau
Ans. The Social Contract
(b) Charles Montesquieu
Ans The Spirit of the Laws
Q. What was the theme of the book The Spirit of the Laws' written by Montesquieu ?
Ans. Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislature. the executive and the judiciary
Q. Name the three 'Estates' into which the French society was divided before the Revolution ?
Ans.(i) The First Estate - Clergy
(ii) The Second Estate - Nobility
(iii) The Third Estate - Common people