CLASS NOTES
Class - 9th
Subject - Social Science
History - The French Revolution
Important Dates Words and their Meanings
14 July 1789 - The storming of the Bastille occurred in Paris.
1774 - Louis XVI becomes king of France, faces empty treasury and growing discontent within
society of the Old Regime.
1794 - Unit of currency in France discontinued.
1789 - Convocation of Estates General, Third Estate forms National Assembly, the Bastille is
stormed, peasant revolts in
the countryside.
1791 - A constitution is framed to limit the powers of the king and to guarantee basic rights to all
human beings.
1792-93 France becomes a republic, the king is beheaded. Overthrow of the Jacobin republic, a
Directory rules France.
1804 - Napoleon becomes emperor of France, annexes large parts of Europe.
1815 - Napoleon defeated at Waterloo.
Livres - It was the currency of the Kingdom of France from 781 to 1794
Clergy – Group of persons invested with special functions in the church.
Tithe – A tax levied by the church, comprising one-tenth of the agricultural produce.
Taille – Tax to be paid directly to the state.
Subsistence crisis – An extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
Anonymous – One whose name remains unknown.
Chateau (pl. chateaux) – Castle or stately residence belonging to a king or a nobleman
Manor – An estate consisting of the lord’s lands and his mansion.
Convent – Building belonging to a community devoted to a religious life
Treason – Betrayal of one’s country or government
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Negroes – A term used for the indigenous people of Africa south of the Sahara. It is a derogatory term not in
common use any
longer.
Emancipation – The act of freeing.
Questions from the NCERT
1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
Ans. The circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were as follows :
1. The war with Britain for an independent America - This war drowned france in debt, new taxes
imposed on public.
2. Privileged Based on birth - people got privileges and position based on their lineage and not on
their merit, this led to dissatisfaction among common people.
3. Concentration of power among the Privileged - people belonging to the first and second estate
had all the power and money, people were at the mercy of this privileged class.
4. Subsistence Crisis - Rising Population and less grain production resulted in demand supply gap of
bread, which was the staple diet. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. it was becoming
difficult for people.
5. Growing Middle class - This class was wealthy and educated not because of birth but because of its
ability to utilize opportunities. People of the middle class started raising their voice for an end to
privileges based on lineage.
2. Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were forced to
relinquish power? Which
sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?
Ans. Peasants and artisans of French society benefited from the revolution. Clergy, nobles and church had
to relinquish power. It is obvious that those who had to forego power and privileges would have been
disappointed. People from the first and second estate must have been a disappointed lot.
3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth
and twentieth centuries.
Ans. The French revolution gave way to some of the most critical democratic rights. Even in India, leaders
like Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy reacted to the ideas inspired by the French revolution. powers
were divided and given to several institutions, including the judiciary, the executive branch, and the
legislature, to prevent the consolidation of power in the hands of the single individuals.
4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French
Revolution.
Ans. The following fundamental rights, given in the Indian Constitution can be traced to the French
revolution -
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1. Right to equality
2. Right to freedom
3. Freedom of speech and expression
4. Right against exploitation
5. Right to Justice
6. Freedom of press.
5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with
contradictions? Explain.
Ans. Yes the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions, the major contradiction in the
message of universal rights as per the French constitution of 1791 was the total ignorance of women. All
rights were given to men. Apart from that the presence of huge number of people as passive citizens,
without voting rights, was like not putting into practice what you preach. In other words it can be said that
although the declaration of universal rights was a good starting point but it left much to be desired.
6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
Ans. After France became a republic in 1792, then the ruler, Robespierre gave more privileges to the
wealthier section of society. Further , he was a sort of autocrat himself. This led to reign of terror for the
following many years. After Robespierre’s rule came to an end a directory was formed to avoid
concentration of power in one individual. Members of the directory often fought among themselves leading
to total chaos and political instability. This created a political vacuum in France. This was conducive
situation and Napoleon Bonaparte took the reign of power as a military dictator.
Other Useful Questions
1. What is Jacobin club & who were the members of the Jacobin Club?
Ans.
Jacobin Club, the most famous political group of the French Revolution, which became identified with extreme
egalitarianism and violence and which led the Revolutionary government from mid-1793 to mid-1794.
Shopkeepers, artisans - shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers as well as servants and dailywage
workers were the members of the Jacobin club.
2. The French Revolution popularised many symbols. Each symbol depicted some basic values. Mention
such symbols and their related meanings.
Ans.
1. The broken chain: Chains were used to fetter slaves. A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free.
2. The bundle of rods or fasces: One rod can be easily broken, but not an entire bundle. Strength lies in
unity.
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3. The eye within a triangle radiating light: The allseeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of the sun
will drive away the clouds of ignorance
4. Sceptre: Symbol of royal power
5. Snake biting its tail to form a ring: Symbol of Eternity. A ring has neither beginning nor end.
6. Red Phrygian cap: Cap worn by a slave upon becoming free.
7. Blue-white-red: The national colours of France
8. The winged woman: Personification of the law
9. The Law Tablet: The law is the same for all, and all are equal before it.
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