The French Revolution Class 9 Notes CBSE History Chapter 1(Free PDF Download)

Before the French Revolution

Before the French revolution, the French territories and society were like an ancient regime. They had feudal lords who had taken over the political system of the country. The French society was divided into three Estates. They were the clergy, the nobility and the peasants and workers. The upper two estates were closer to the royals and hence received favours easily. The others had to pay multiple taxes and had a life of suffering.

The Initial Stage of the Revolution

• When King Louis XVI sat on the throne, the financial condition of France was horrible.

• The king decided to convene the Estates-General to put more taxes upon the citizens on the Finance Minister’s advice.

• The votes of the Estate General used to happen on a per Estate basis.

• The people of the Third Estate demanded that the votes should happen on a per head basis.

• The King did not agree with such a proposal so the representatives of the Third Estate walked out of the assembly.

The Tennis Court Oath

The representatives of the Third Estate formed a National Assembly where they tried to draft a constitution that would limit the powers of the monarchy. The King and the Clergy ultimately conceded to the National Assembly. The legislative powers then shifted from the hands of the King to the National Assembly.

The newly created Legislative Assembly was divided into various political groups.

• The Constitutionalists

• The Republicans (The Girondins and The Jacobins)

The Rise of The Jacobins

Due to war, France faced havoc. The Girondins lost power and the Jacobins became the rulers. They declared France a Republic but it lost its value when they turned into tyrants. It was a brutal period of terror that the French had to face. Their leader, Robespierre was killed in 1794.

The Rise of The Middle Class

• The middle class became powerful in the National Convention after the Jacobins left power.

• The National Convention again created a new constitution.

• Now, the Legislative Assembly has become bicameral.

• There were 5 directors in the Executive.

• Two-thirds of the members were from the National Convention.

• The public did not receive it well and attacked the convention in 1795.

• Napoleon, who stopped this attack later became the commander in chief of the French Army and also the supreme leader of France in 1799.

Frequently Asked Question and Answers

1. List all the important dates or years related to the French Revolution?

Ans: The important years associated with the French Revolution are as follows:

• 1774 - Louis XVI became the King.

• 5th May 1789 - The king calls the Estates-General.

• 20th June 1789 - Tennis Court Oath.

• 14th July 1789 - The razing of Bastille and the official start of the French  Revolution.

• 1791 - The National Assembly completes the draft of the new constitution where France is regarded as a constitutional monarchy.

• 1792 - The National Convention declared France a Republic.

• 1793 -1794 - The Reign of Terror

• 1794 - Robespierre is killed and the Directory system is introduced.

• 1799 - Napoleon Bonaparte becomes the first consul.

2. Why were women disappointed with the French Revolution?

Ans: The new French Constitution considered women as passive citizens and there were no rights for the women. The political clubs of the females were also banned. So, they were disappointed with the Revolution.

3. Can you list some of the democratic rights that we enjoy today that have their origins rooted in the French Revolution?

Ans: Here are the democratic rights that have their origin in the French Revolution:

• Election of leaders and representatives

• Equality before law

• Right to Freedom

• Right to Personal Liberty

4. How was the message of the Universal Rights contradictory in nature?

Ans: The Declaration of Rights announced that all men were equal in the eyes of law. But the right to vote was granted only to those men who could pay taxes equal to three days’ wages. The women and non-tax-paying men were deemed, passive citizens. Thus, a large number of citizens became passive and could not vote making the Universal rights contradictory. So, in a way, the Universal Rights were not universal in nature.

5. What was the contribution of the French Philosophers to the French Revolution?

Ans: The French philosophers had little to do with the French Revolution. They are remembered today only for their ideas which planted the seeds of revolution into the mind of the people.

Interesting Facts about the French Revolution Class 9 CBSE

The French Revolution was a significant event in history that brought about radical political and social changes in France during the late 18th century. Here are some interesting facts about the French Revolution:

1. The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris. This event is considered a symbol of the revolution and is celebrated as Bastille Day in France.

2. The French Revolution was fueled by ideas of the Enlightenment, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. It aimed to overthrow the absolute monarchy and establish a more democratic government.

3. The Reign of Terror, which lasted from 1793 to 1794, was a period of intense violence and political repression during the French Revolution. It resulted in the execution of thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

4. The French Revolution introduced the metric system, which is still widely used today. It was implemented to standardize measurements and facilitate trade and communication.

5. During the revolution, the French calendar was also changed. The Gregorian calendar was replaced with the French Republican Calendar, which had a ten-day week and new names for the months.

6. The French Revolution had a profound impact on the arts and culture. It gave rise to revolutionary ideals in literature, music, and visual arts, with artists and writers expressing their support or criticism of the revolution through their works.

7. Napoleon Bonaparte, a military general who rose to power during the revolution, eventually became the Emperor of France. His rule marked the end of the revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic era.

8. The French Revolution inspired similar movements in other countries, spreading the ideals of liberty, equality, and nationalism throughout Europe and beyond.

9. Women played a significant role in the French Revolution. They actively participated in political clubs, marched on Versailles to demand bread, and advocated for their rights through pamphlets and petitions.

10. The French Revolution had a long-lasting impact on the political landscape of Europe. It led to the rise of nationalism, the spread of revolutionary ideas, and the eventual downfall of monarchies in various countries.