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The French Revolution is one of the most significant turning points in CBSE Class 9 SST Syllabus, but for many students it feels long, confusing, and filled with unfamiliar events. With the right sequence, clear explanations, and simple language, this chapter becomes much easier to understand. These notes will help you revise efficiently by explaining causes, events, consequences, and key terms in a smooth narrative.
Class 9 French Revolution Notes
These notes on the French Revolution are carefully prepared to help Class 9 students understand the chapter in a simple and clear way. They cover all important points, key terms, and events needed for quick revision and exam preparation. For a detailed and easy-to-read version, download the notes from below.
What is a Revolution?
A revolution refers to a major change brought by a large group of people to completely transform an existing system. It usually happens when people are unhappy with the political setup, social structure, or economic conditions.
Political Revolution: A political revolution happens when people try to overthrow a government and replace it with a new system. This often includes protests, uprisings, public movements, and sometimes violence.
1. The French Revolution
The French Revolution began in 1789 when people rose against the monarchy of Louis XVI. This was a protest against injustice, social inequality, rising prices, and heavy taxation. It inspired movements across the world and introduced new ideas of democracy and human rights.
Its impact was so powerful that it influenced revolutions in Europe, Latin America and shaped modern political systems.
a) French Society in the 18th Century
French society was divided into three estates that enjoyed different rights and had different responsibilities. This created deep social inequality.
i) First Estate: The First Estate consisted of priests, bishops and clergy. They owned huge land and wealth and lived privileged lives. They did not pay taxes, even though they enjoyed all benefits of the society.
ii) Second Estate: This estate included nobles, lords, dukes and aristocrats. Like the clergy, they enjoyed special privileges by birth, owned large estates and collected taxes from peasants. They too paid no taxes and lived comfortably.
iii) Third Estate: The Third Estate included peasants, farmers, servants, labourers, traders, lawyers, teachers and the educated middle class. They formed nearly 90 percent of the population. They paid all taxes and lived under harsh economic conditions. Rising food prices and low wages added to their suffering.
The anger of the Third Estate became the driving force behind the French Revolution.
b) Causes of the French Revolution
- Absolute Monarchy of Louis XVI: Louis XVI ruled France with complete authority. He imposed high taxes on the poor, ignored their needs, and supported laws that benefited only the rich. His inability to solve problems made him unpopular.
- Financial Crisis due to American War of Independence: France spent huge amounts of money supporting America against Britain. The war ended successfully for America, but France was left with enormous debt. The king increased taxes on the poor to repay it.
- Extravagant Lifestyle of the Royal Family: Even during financial crisis, the king and queen lived in luxury. Queen Marie Antoinette became famous for her expensive tastes and was criticised by the public, creating resentment.
- High Prices and Food Scarcity: Bread prices increased sharply. Poor families could not afford even basic food. Hunger and starvation created anger.
- Social Inequality: The rich enjoyed privileges while the poor paid all taxes. This imbalance created deep frustration and pushed people toward revolt.
- Enlightenment Thinkers: Thinkers like Rousseau, Voltaire and Locke criticised monarchy and promoted equality, freedom and natural rights. Their writings inspired people to demand justice.
- Influence of the American Revolution: The American victory showed the world that ordinary people could defeat powerful rulers. This encouraged the French to fight for their rights.
2. The Outbreak of the Revolution
On 5 May 1789, the king called a meeting of the Estates General to increase taxes. Each estate had one vote, which the Third Estate found unfair because they represented the majority population. They demanded one vote per member, making the system more democratic. The king refused, creating tension and leading to major changes.
a) Attack on Bastille
On 14 July 1789, angry citizens stormed the Bastille prison, a symbol of royal oppression. They freed prisoners and took weapons. This event is considered the official beginning of the French Revolution and is celebrated as France’s National Day.
b) Formation of the National Assembly
In June 1789, the Third Estate walked out and formed the National Assembly. Leaders like Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès guided them.
Members took the Tennis Court Oath, promising to draft a constitution that guaranteed equal rights. Political groups formed, dividing into left wingers who wanted change and right wingers who supported old traditions.
c) The Great Fear and Peasant Revolts
Rumours spread that nobles would attack peasants for supporting the revolution. Fear led to riots and destruction of noble estates and tax records. Many innocent people were killed due to misunderstandings.
Under pressure, the king accepted some demands, but unrest continued.
d) France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
By 1791, France adopted its first constitution. It limited the powers of the king and ensured political rights to tax-paying citizens. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen announced rights such as liberty, property and security.
However, women and poor men were still denied voting rights, showing that equality had not fully reached everyone.
3. Abolition of Monarchy and Rise of the Republic
The king and his family attempted to escape but were caught. Louis XVI was put on trial and executed on 21 January 1793.
France was declared a republic soon after, ending centuries of monarchy.
a) The Reign of Terror
From 1793 to 1794, Maximilien Robespierre led the period known as the Reign of Terror. He believed strict laws were needed to protect the revolution. Thousands of people were executed for being suspected of supporting the monarchy.
However, his extreme measures made him unpopular. In 1794, he was arrested and executed, ending the terror.
b) Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
France faced political instability after the revolution. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte took control through a military coup. He crowned himself Emperor in 1804 and introduced the Napoleonic Code, which promoted equality before law and ended feudal systems.
Although he expanded French territories, he faced defeat in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, ending his rule.
c) Role of Women in the Revolution
Women actively participated in protests, marches and political discussions. They demanded education, equal rights and voting power. Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman, challenging inequality.Women gained educational rights during the revolution, but voting rights came much later, in 1946.
4. Impact of the French Revolution
The revolution brought major changes not only in France but across the world.
- End of monarchy and feudal privileges
- Spread of ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity
- Inspired revolutions across Europe and Latin America
- Rise of nationalism
- Political instability in France due to Napoleon
- Introduction of democratic concepts and written constitutions
The French Revolution changed the world by challenging injustice and introducing ideas of democracy. Understanding the chapter through sequence, causes, events and consequences makes exam preparation simple. These notes combine key explanations and important points to help you revise easily and perform confidently in your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why did the French Revolution start?
Ans: The French Revolution began because people were suffering from heavy taxes, high food prices, social inequality and the king’s unfair rule. Enlightenment ideas and the success of the American Revolution also motivated people to fight for their rights.
Q2. What was the condition of the Third Estate before the revolution?
Ans: The Third Estate included peasants, workers and the middle class. They paid all taxes, had no political rights and faced poverty, hunger and exploitation, which led to anger and rebellion.
Q3. What was the significance of the Bastille attack?
Ans: The attack on Bastille symbolised the end of royal oppression. It marked the beginning of the French Revolution and encouraged people to fight fearlessly against injustice.
Q4. What changes did the Constitution of 1791 bring?
Ans: It limited the king’s powers, created a Legislative Assembly and granted political rights to tax-paying citizens. It established the foundations of a constitutional monarchy in France.
Q5. Why is the Reign of Terror important?
Ans: The Reign of Terror was a period of extreme violence when Robespierre executed thousands of people to protect the revolution. It showed how revolutions can become harsh when power is misused.
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