Class 9 History Chapter 1: The French Revolution - Detailed Notes
CHAPTER 1: THE FRENCH REVOLUTION (Class 9 NCERT Detailed Notes)
INTRODUCTION
- The French Revolution started in 1789 and brought major political and social changes.
- Ended absolute monarchy and introduced ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- Inspired revolutions worldwide.
FRENCH SOCIETY IN THE 18TH CENTURY
- Society divided into three Estates:
1. First Estate: Clergy
2. Second Estate: Nobility
3. Third Estate: Common people (peasants, artisans, merchants)
- First and Second Estates were privileged: no taxes, owned land.
- Third Estate paid all taxes (like taille) and had no privileges.
THE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE
- Population increase: from 23 million (1715) to 28 million (1789).
- Increased demand for food, but production couldn't match it.
- Wages did not increase; cost of living rose.
- Frequent famines and unemployment made life hard for common people.
THE GROWING MIDDLE CLASS
- Educated middle class emerged (merchants, lawyers, administrative officials).
- Believed in equality and freedom.
- Inspired by philosophers like:
- John Locke (natural rights: life, liberty, property)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (social contract)
- Montesquieu (separation of powers)
IMMEDIATE CAUSES
- France in debt due to wars and lavish spending by Louis XVI.
- High taxation on the Third Estate.
- Harsh winters in 178889 caused food shortages.
ESTATES GENERAL & NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
- King called Estates-General in May 1789 to increase taxes.
- Third Estate demanded voting by head, not by estate.
- Declared themselves the National Assembly (led by Mirabeau and Abb Sieys).
- Took the Tennis Court Oath vowed not to disband until France had a constitution.
STORMING OF THE BASTILLE (14 July 1789)
- Symbol of royal tyranny; crowd stormed and destroyed it.
- Marked the start of the Revolution.
- Peasants attacked nobles, burned documents of feudal dues.
ABOLITION OF FEUDALISM (August 4, 1789)
- National Assembly abolished feudal privileges and taxes.
- Clergy had to give up privileges.
- Drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen:
- Guaranteed rights: liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression.
CONSTITUTION OF 1791
- Limited monarchy: King had powers, but laws made by the National Assembly.
- France became a constitutional monarchy.
- Only active citizens (men above 25 who paid taxes) could vote.
OPPOSITION TO NEW SYSTEM
- Women demanded equal rights; led bread marches.
- Slaves in French colonies revolted.
- Clergy and nobility disliked the changes.
THE JACOBINS AND THE REIGN OF TERROR
- King tried to escape; caught and put on trial.
- France became a republic in 1792; monarchy abolished.
- King Louis XVI executed in Jan 1793.
- Jacobins (radical revolutionaries) led by Maximilien Robespierre took control.
- Reign of Terror (1793-94): Thousands executed by guillotine.
- Ended with Robespierres execution in 1794.
THE DIRECTORY
- A new government with a 5-member executive.
- Weak and corrupt.
- Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte from the army.
WOMEN IN THE REVOLUTION
- Demanded education, vote, and political equality.
- Famous figures: Olympe de Gouges wrote Declaration of the Rights of Woman.
- Womens political clubs were later banned by the government.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
- France had colonies like Martinique, Guadeloupe, San Domingo (Haiti).
- Slaves from Africa were used on plantations.
- Slavery abolished in 1794 but reintroduced by Napoleon.
- Finally ended in 1848.
LEGACY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
- Ended feudalism and absolute monarchy.
- Spread ideas of liberty and equality.
- Inspired other struggles (e.g., Haitis independence, later revolutions in Europe).
