Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by XAM CONTENT
Here you will find revision notes for CBSE Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 1 The French Revolution. It is a part of Revision Notes for CBSE Class 9 Social Science Series.
| CBSE | Class 9 History |
|---|---|
| Useful for | Class 9 Students |
| Subject | Social Science – History |
| Chapter | The French Revolution |
| Type | Revision Notes |
| Covers | Notes Important Keywords Important Dates Mind Map Frequently Asked Questions |
| Important Link | Class 9 Social Science Chapterwise Revision Notes |
The French Revolution Class 9 Revision Notes CBSE History Chapter 1
Notes
- Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France in 1774. Upon his accession, the new king found an empty treasury.
- At the age of 20, Louis XVI married the Austrian princess Marie Antoinette.
- Prior to the revolution, the French society was divided into three estates-1st estate: Clergy, 2nd estate: Nobility and 3rd estate consisted of big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, small peasants, artisans, landless labourers and servants.
- The members of the first two estates were exempted from paying taxes.
- The Church extracted its share of taxes known as tithes from all the members of the third estate.
- A direct tax, known as taille, and a number of indirect taxes were levied on articles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco.
- From 1715 to 1789 , the population of France rose from 23 million to 28 million, which led to a rise in the demand for foodgrains.
- The eighteenth century witnessed the emergence of the middle class, who earned their wealth through an expanding overseas trade and from the manufacturing of goods.
- Montesquieu wrote ‘The Spirit of the Laws’. In it, he proposed a division of power among the different organs of government such as, the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
- The ideas of the French philosophers, such as Montesquieu, Rousseau and John Locke, were discussed intensively and spread among people through books and newspapers.
- The Estates General was a political body of France, in which the three estates sent their representatives. The monarch alone could decide when to call a meeting of this body. The last time it was done in 1614.
- In the Old Regime of France, the monarch did not have the power to impose taxes according to his will alone, he had to call a meeting of the Estates General to pass his proposals for new taxes.
- Louis XVI finally accorded recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the principle that his powers would from now on be checked by a constitution.
- The National Assembly passed a decree on the night of 4 August 1789. It abolished the feudal system of obligations and taxes. Members of the clergy were also forced to give up their privileges.
- On 21 September 1792, Convention (The newly elected assembly), abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.
- Robespierre’s reign was known as the Reign of Terror. His tenure followed a policy of severe control and punishment.
- Women actively took part in the events that brought about important changes in the French society. Nearly sixty women’s clubs came up in different French cities during the years of Revolution.
- With the Declaration of the Rights of citizens, it proclaimed freedom of speech and expression to be a natural right.
Important Keywords
Livres: Unit of currency in France, discontinued in 1794.
Clergy: Group of persons invested with special functions in the church.
Tithes: 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.
Negroes: A term used for the indigenous people of Africa. It is a derogatory term not in common use any longer.
Emancipation: The act of freeing.
Important Dates
- 14 July 1789 : Fall of Bastille
- 4 July 1789 : National Assembly of France passed a decree to abolish feudal system.
- 1792 : National Assembly declared war against Prussia and Austria.
- 21 September 1792 : Abolition of Monarchy in France, and France became a Republic.
- 1793–1794 : Reign of terror in France.
- 21 January 1793 : Louis XIV was executed at Place de la Concorde.
- 1804 : Napolean became the Emperor of France.
- 1815 : Fall of Napolean in the battle of Waterloo.
We hope the given Revision Notes for The French Revolution Class 9 History helps you in your learning.
The French Revolution – Mind Map
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on The French Revolution
Q1: What is the French Revolution and why is it important?
A1: The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799. It marked the end of absolute monarchy and the rise of democratic principles, inspiring similar movements around the world.
Q2: What were the main causes of the French Revolution?
A2: The main causes of the French Revolution include socioeconomic inequality, unfair taxation, political corruption, Enlightenment ideas challenging traditional authority, and financial crisis due to costly wars and extravagant spending by the monarchy.
Q3: What were the key events of the French Revolution?
A3: Key events include the Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789), the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August 1789), the Reign of Terror (1793-1794), and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. All important dates are also covered in the above revision notes.
Q4: What were the long-term effects of the French Revolution?
A4: Long-term effects include the rise of nationalism, the spread of Enlightenment ideas across Europe and beyond, the decline of absolute monarchy, the inspiration for future revolutions, and the transformation of European society and politics.
Q5: What role did women play during the revolutionary years in France?
A5: (i) From the very beginning, women were active participants in the events which brought about so many important changes in French society. They hoped that their involvement would pressurize the revolutionary government to introduce measures to improve their lives.
(ii) In order to discuss and voice their interests, women started their own political clubs and newspapers. About sixty women’s clubs came up in different French cities. The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was the most famous of them.
(iii) One of their main demands was that, women should enjoy the same political rights as men. Women were disappointed that the Constitution of 1791 reduced them to passive citizens. They demanded the right to vote, to be elected to the Assembly and to hold political office. Only then, they felt, would their interests be represented in the new government.
(iv) Women’s struggle for equal political rights, however, continued. During the Reign of Terror, the new government issued laws ordering closure of women’s clubs and banning their political activities. Many prominent women were arrested and a number of them executed.
(v) The example of the political activities of French women during the revolutionary years was kept alive as an inspiring memory. It was finally in 1946 that women in France won the right to vote.
Q6: How can I effectively study for CBSE Class 9 Social Science Chapter 1 on the French Revolution?
A5: To effectively study for this chapter, create concise notes summarizing key events, figures, and concepts. We have already provided revision notes for CBSE Class 9 Social Science Revision Notes. You can visit our website and start learning.
Q7: How can revision notes help in preparing for CBSE Class 9 Social Science exams?
A7: Revision notes are beneficial for CBSE Class 9 Social Science exam preparation in the following ways:
Condensed Information: They provide a concise summary of the chapter, making it easier to review key points quickly.
Focused Study: Highlight important concepts and facts that are crucial for exams, helping to focus study efforts.
Quick Recap: Useful for a quick recap before exams or tests, ensuring all important topics are covered.
Memory Aid: Simplified notes aid in better retention and recall of information during exams.
Q8: What are the benefits of using revision notes for “The French Revolution”?
A8: The benefits of using revision notes for “The French Revolution” include:
(i) Concise Summary of Events:
(ii) Highlight Key Figures and Contributions:
(iii) Focus on Important Dates:
(iv) Enhanced Retention:
(v) Efficient Revision Tool:
