The French Revolution Notes Chapter 1 History Class 9

Notes For All Chapters History Class 9 CBSE

Chapter 1: The French Revolution

Introduction

• The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended the rule of monarchy in France.
• It introduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity (brotherhood).
• These ideas inspired people in other countries to fight for freedom and democracy.

1. French Society During the Late Eighteenth Century

King and Financial Crisis

. Louis XVI became King of France in 1774 at the age of 20.

. His wife was Marie Antoinette, an Austrian princess.

. France had an empty treasury because of:

• Long years of war.
• Expensive royal court at Versailles.
• Help given to American colonies in their war against Britain.

Three Estates

French society was divided into three estates:

1. First Estate – Clergy

• Members of the Church.
• Did not pay taxes.
• Collected a tax called tithe.

2. Second Estate – Nobility

• Landowners with special privileges.
• Did not pay taxes.
• Took feudal dues from peasants.

3. Third Estate – Common People

• Included peasants, workers, businessmen, lawyers, etc.
• Made up 90% of the population.
• Paid all taxes like taille (direct tax) and other indirect taxes on goods.

The Struggle to Survive

• Population increased from 23 million (1715) to 28 million (1789).
• Food production could not match the demand → bread prices rose.
• Wages remained low; poor suffered hunger.
• Frequent subsistence crises (shortage of food).

Emergence of Middle Class

. New educated middle class included merchants, lawyers, manufacturers.

. Believed in freedom and equality.

. Inspired by philosophers:

• John Locke – opposed the divine right of kings.
• Rousseau – proposed a social contract between people and government.
• Montesquieu – supported division of power among legislature, executive, and judiciary.

2. The Outbreak of the Revolution

Meeting of the Estates General (1789)

• King Louis XVI called a meeting to raise new taxes.
• First Estate (300 members) and Second Estate (300) sat separately.
• Third Estate (600 members) stood at the back; wanted one member = one vote.
• King refused → Third Estate walked out and formed the National Assembly.

Tennis Court Oath (20 June 1789)

• Members of the Third Estate met at an indoor tennis court.
• Swore not to disperse until a constitution was made.
• Leaders: Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès.

Storming of the Bastille (14 July 1789)

• People of Paris attacked the Bastille prison (symbol of royal power).
• Considered the beginning of the French Revolution.
• Peasants revolted in villages, destroyed feudal records.

End of Feudal System

• On 4 August 1789, National Assembly abolished feudal taxes and privileges.
• Church lands were taken by the government.

3. France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy (1791)

• The Constitution of 1791 limited the king’s powers.
• Divided power among Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
• Established a constitutional monarchy.

Active and Passive Citizens

• Only men above 25 years who paid taxes (equal to 3 days of wages) could vote → called active citizens.
• Others (women and poor men) were passive citizens.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

. Introduced in 1791.

. Guaranteed natural and inalienable rights:

• Right to life, freedom, equality before law, freedom of speech.

. Duty of the state to protect these rights.

4. France Becomes a Republic

War and Rise of Jacobins

•  France declared war on Austria and Prussia (1792).
• Jacobins, led by Maximilian Robespierre, gained power.
• Members were workers, small shopkeepers, and artisans.

End of Monarchy

. On 21 September 1792, France became a Republic.

. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed in 1793.

The Reign of Terror (1793–1794)

. Robespierre ruled harshly.

. Anyone suspected of opposing the revolution was guillotined.

. He introduced strict laws:

• Price control on goods.
• Forced peasants to sell grain at fixed prices.
• Replaced titles like “Sir” and “Madam” with Citizen/Citoyen.

. Churches were closed.

. Robespierre was executed in July 1794 → end of Reign of Terror.

The Directory (1795)

• New constitution: power in two legislative councils.
• An executive of five members called the Directory ruled France.
• Political instability helped Napoleon Bonaparte rise to power.

5. Did Women Have a Revolution?

. Women participated actively in the revolution.

. Most were poor workers or peasants.

. They formed political clubs like the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women.

. Demanded:

• Equal rights.
• Right to vote and hold political office.

Reforms for Women

• Education made compulsory for girls.
• Marriage became a civil contract.
• Divorce legalized.
• Women could train for jobs and run businesses.

Olympe de Gouges

Wrote “Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen” (1791).

Demanded equality for women.

Executed in 1793 for opposing the Jacobin government.

Women in France finally got the right to vote in 1946.

6. The Abolition of Slavery

France had colonies like Martinique, Guadeloupe, and San Domingo.

Slave trade connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Enslaved Africans worked on sugar and coffee plantations.

In 1794, slavery was abolished by the revolutionary government.

Napoleon reintroduced it in 1804.

Finally abolished again in 1848.

7. The Revolution and Everyday Life

• The revolution affected people’s daily lives.
• Censorship was abolished – freedom of speech and press.
• Newspapers, pamphlets, and songs spread revolutionary ideas.
• New words like citizen, liberty, equality became common.
• Festivals and paintings reflected revolutionary symbols and values.

8. Conclusion – Legacy of the French Revolution

• In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte became emperor.
• Introduced laws for equality and protection of property.
• Spread revolutionary ideas across Europe.
• Inspired freedom movements in other countries, including India.

Examples: Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy.

Legacy

. Ended monarchy and feudal privileges.

. Established the ideas of:

• Liberty
• Equality
• Fraternity
• Democratic rights

. Inspired revolutions and democratic movements worldwide.