Chapter 1: The French Revolution
(Class 9 CBSE)
1. Background & Causes of the Revolution
A. The Old Regime (Ancient Regime)
Three Estates:
1. First Estate: Clergy (owned 10% land, exempt from taxes).
2. Second Estate: Nobility (held high offices, no taxes).
3. Third Estate:
Bourgeoisie (middle class: lawyers, merchants).
Peasants (80% population, paid taille, gabelle, tithe).
Urban workers (poor wages).
B. Economic Crisis
Empty Treasury: Wars (e.g., American Revolution) + Marie Antoinette’s
extravagance.
Food Shortages: Bad harvests (1788) → bread prices skyrocketed.
Taxation: Only Third Estate paid taxes → resentment.
C. Influence of Enlightenment Ideas
John Locke: Natural rights (life, liberty, property).
Rousseau: Social Contract (government by consent).
Montesquieu: Separation of powers (executive, legislature, judiciary).
2. Key Events & Phases
A. 1789: Revolution Begins
5 May 1789: Estates-General convened (1st time in 175 years).
o Voting Issue: 1 estate = 1 vote (Third Estate demanded individual
voting).
20 June 1789: Tennis Court Oath – Third Estate declared
itself National Assembly (pledged to draft a constitution).
14 July 1789: Storming of Bastille (symbol of royal tyranny; start of
popular revolt).
4 August 1789: Abolition of feudal privileges (tithes, forced labour).
26 August 1789: Declaration of Rights of Man and
Citizen (freedom, equality, property rights).
B. 1791–92: Constitutional Monarchy
1791 Constitution: Limited monarchy, power to elected Assembly.
Active Citizens: Only men paying taxes could vote (excluded poor +
women).
C. 1792–94: Radical Phase (Reign of Terror)
Jacobins (led by Robespierre) took control.
21 January 1793: Louis XVI executed for treason.
Reign of Terror (1793–94):
o Committee of Public Safety (led by Robespierre).
o 40,000+ executed (nobles, clergy, even revolutionaries like Danton).
o Law of Suspects: Anyone against revolution = enemy.
D. 1795–99: Directory & Rise of Napoleon
Directory Rule (1795): Weak, corrupt government.
1799: Napoleon staged a coup d’état → became First Consul.
1804: Napoleon crowned Emperor; introduced Napoleonic
Code (equality but restricted women’s rights).
3. Impact of the Revolution
A. Political Changes
End of Absolute Monarchy: France became a republic (1792).
Secularism: Church lands seized; clergy under state control.
B. Social Reforms
Abolition of Slavery: Temporarily ended in French colonies (1794,
reinstated by Napoleon in 1802).
Education: State-run schools promoted nationalism.
C. Limitations
Women’s Rights Ignored: Olympe de Gouges’ Declaration of Rights of
Woman (1791) rejected.
Voting Rights: Only propertied men could vote until 1848.
4. Symbols & Legacy
Tricolour Flag: Blue (liberty), white (equality), red (fraternity).
Marseillaise: National anthem (composed during Revolution).
Legacy: Inspired revolutions worldwide (Haiti, Latin America, 1848
Europe).
5. Important Definitions
Guillotine: Beheading device (symbol of equality in death).
Sans-culottes: Radical workers (wore long trousers, not knee-breeches).
Constitution: Written document defining government powers.
6. Timeline (Quick Recap)
Year Event
1789 Estates-General → Tennis Court Oath → Bastille → Rights of Man
1791 Constitutional monarchy established
1793 Louis XVI executed; Reign of Terror begins
1794 Robespierre executed; Terror ends
1799 Napoleon’s coup → Rise to power
1804 Napoleon becomes Emperor
7. Sample Exam Answers
Q: Why was the Bastille stormed?
A: The Bastille symbolized royal tyranny. People stormed it to seize arms
and protest King’s authoritarian rule (14 July 1789).
Q: How did the Revolution impact peasants?
A: Feudal dues were abolished, but taxes continued. Peasants gained land
but faced economic instability.
Q: What was the Reign of Terror?
A: A period (1793–94) where Robespierre’s Committee of Public Safety
executed "enemies of the revolution" via guillotine.
8. Mnemonics for Quick Recall
"EST" for Estates: Exploited Sans-culottes Taxed.
"JLR" for Jacobins’ Goals: Justice, Liberty, Republic.
