■ The French Revolution - NCERT Class 9 (2025 Syllabus)
1■■ Introduction
The French Revolution began in 1789 and changed the course of history. It was not just a revolt against a
king but a struggle for liberty, equality, and fraternity. Imagine being a peasant then: you worked hard, paid
heavy taxes, and still went hungry while the nobility and clergy lived lavishly. The Revolution inspired
movements for democracy worldwide, from Europe to Latin America.
2■■ French Society Before the Revolution
French society was divided into three estates. The First Estate (clergy) and Second Estate (nobility) enjoyed
privileges like exemption from taxes, while the Third Estate bore all the burden. A poor peasant would pay
tax even for grinding wheat, while nobles feasted in their palaces. This unfairness created great anger.
Estate Who? Privileges Burdens
First Estate Clergy Owned land, collected tithes, no taxes None
Second Estate Nobility High offices, feudal dues, no taxes None
Third Estate Peasants, workers, middle class None Paid all taxes, feudal dues
3■■ Economic Causes
France was drowning in debt. The king had spent vast amounts on wars, including helping America fight
Britain. On top of this, harvest failures meant bread prices shot up. For a poor family, bread was the main
food, so when prices doubled, it meant starvation. Meanwhile, Queen Marie Antoinette was mocked for her
lavish lifestyle, famously (though falsely) said to have remarked: 'If they don’t have bread, let them eat
cake.'
4■■ Political Causes
France had an absolute monarchy under Louis XVI. The king made laws, controlled taxes, and nobody
could question him. Ordinary people had no say. They wanted a constitution where power was shared. This
was influenced by the success of the American Revolution (1776) which had shown that kings could be
overthrown.
5■■ Role of Middle Class
The educated middle class, or bourgeoisie, played a key role. They read philosophers like John Locke, who
said rulers must protect people's rights, and Montesquieu, who suggested power should be divided into
legislative, executive, and judiciary. Rousseau spoke of a social contract where government must follow the
general will. These ideas lit a fire in people’s minds.
6■■ Events of the Revolution
■ May 1789: The Estates-General was called for new taxes. The Third Estate walked out and declared itself
the National Assembly. ■ 14 July 1789: The storming of the Bastille, a prison symbolizing tyranny, became
the iconic start of the Revolution. ■ 1791: France got its first Constitution, limiting monarchy but allowing
only wealthy men to vote. ■ 1792-93: France became a Republic. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie
Antoinette were executed. This was followed by the Reign of Terror under Robespierre. ■ 1795: The
Directory took power but was corrupt. ■ 1799: Napoleon Bonaparte seized power and later crowned himself
Emperor in 1804.
7■■ Impact of Revolution
The French Revolution ended monarchy and introduced democracy. It spread ideas of equality and
nationalism across Europe. It inspired other countries like Italy, Germany, and even Latin America.
However, women and the poor still had to continue their struggles for rights.
8■■ Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
In 1789, the National Assembly adopted this document. It declared that all men are born free and equal in
rights. It guaranteed liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It was a guiding light for future
democracies.
9■■ Symbols of Revolution
Symbol Meaning
Bastille Despotism destroyed
Red Phrygian Cap Freedom
Tree of Liberty Equality
Declaration Rights of man
Guillotine End of monarchy
■ Brain Map of the French Revolution
French Revolution → Causes → (Social, Economic, Political, Philosophical) → Main Events → (Bastille,
Constitution, Republic, Terror, Napoleon) → Outcomes → (End of monarchy, Democracy, Inspiration
worldwide) → Symbols & Documents → (Declaration, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)
