The French Revolution

Chapter at a Glance
[The French Revolution is known as a landmark in the history of Europe
and the world It gave a serious jolt to the 'ancient regime', a system based on Division in
the privileges of nobles, the clergy and the supremacy of monarchy. The French Society
The French society at that time
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen' during the French Revolution was divided into three Estates.
announced the coming of new era. The slogan of the French Revolution The members of the first two
'Liberty, Freedom and Equality' became the newlanguagein world politics.) Estates, i. e., the Clergy and the
Nobility, enjoyed certain
privileges by birth and paid no
French Society During the Late 18th Century taxes. A large majority of the
Since 15s9, the Bourbon dynasty ruled France and the kings were population constituted the
absolute monarchs JIn I774, Louis XVIof the Bourbon family became the king. Third Estate. They formed the
underprivileged class and
He drove France into useless wars, bringing the country to the verge of shouldered the burden of
bankruptcy. So, the French Government was obliged to spend an increasing
taxation (Tithes, taille and a
percentage of its budget on interest payment only. number of indirect taxes).

The Struggle to Survive

century
The rapid expansion of the French population during the 18thdemand.
meet the
created a situation in which the grain production could not
Bread prices increased sharply and workers' wages were not accordingly raised.
reduced the harvest. This
It became worse when bad weather conditions
below.
frequently created a subsistence crisis, as explained in the diagram
Scarcity Rising food The poorest can no
Bad longer buy bread
harvest of grain prices

Increased number Disease Weaker Food

epidemics bodies riots
of deaths

Scenario
The Emerging Middle Class and the Changing emerged during
The term ´middle class' refers to new social groups which
prosperous and educated section of
18th century France. They formed the more professionals like d o c t o r s , s
the Third Estate. The middle class consisted of The rich among them were
lawyers, judges, administrative officials and teachers.
ideas of French intellectuals
bankers, manufacturers and businessmen. The
 2 AD 1 CBSE Social Science Class 9th T

based on principles of freedom, equality and opportunities for all inspired the Jean Was
Jacques
madle class. They envisaged a socicty based on merit, not on birth. The middle Rousseau
them. But the
clàss paid a large portion of their income as different taxes forced onclass great
philosopher whose writings
government did not care for their welfare. Thus, the middle took the greatly influenced
the
as well as other thinkers
people
leadership to bring about change in the social and economic order. time. In his book, of his
The ideas to change the world always come from the ideas of philosophers. In Contract', he The Social
of having a society based on the king and hisexplained thal
the context of the French Revolution, the ideas French parties to a subjects are
trecdom and cqual laws and opportunities for all werc put forward by the therefore, if the contract and
philosophers. rule the people king does note
n his book "Tvo Treatiscs of Government', John Locke
criticised the doctrine their general will,according
their loyalty. The peoplehe loses
of the divine and absolute right of the monarch.] every right to overthrowhaye
monarchy under the
The Outbreak of the Revolution circumstances. Such
Towards the end of the 18th century, France's financial condition had emphasised equalityRousseau
1774. freedom of the citízen. and
become terrible. Louis XVI of the Bourbon dynasty ascended the throne in
he became the ruler,
He was married to Austrian princess Marie Antoinette. When involved in wars which Montesquieu
he found an empty treasury. France had been continually King Louis XVI and his He was a great
philosopher
had broken its economy. Moreover the luxurious life led by American armies in who opposed the theory of
qucen had made the matter stillworse. Louis XVI also helped 'Divine Right of Kings. In thehis
meet its book, The Spirit of Laws' he
their War of Independence, which led to further 1 billion livres of debt. To rich stressed the
regular expense, the state was forced to increase taxes. Nobles, the Clergy and
Estate which would
Concept
separation of powers between
of
men were exempted from paying the taxes. It was the Third the legislature, executive and
bear the burden of taxes. judiciary as a pre-requisite to
Forced by financial bankruptcy, Louis XVI was compelled to call a meeting of eliminate corruption from the
the Estates General in 1789, after a lapse of 175 years, to pass proposals for new administration. His concept of
taxes. Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted according to the 'Separation of Powers' was
a great instrument against the
the principle that each state had one vote. But this time members of the Third despotic rule of French
Estate demanded that voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where emperors.
each member would have one vote. This idea was given by Rousseau in his book, Voltaire
The Social Contract'. The representatives of the Third Estate assembled in ahall at He was the great humanitarian
Versailles. They declared themselves a 'National Assembly' and the National of the 18th century,
was
Assembly drafted a new Constitution. Though Louis XVI recognised the National regarded as a man who was a
Assembly as a successor to the Estates General, he at the same time ordered his troops to hundred years ahead of his
move near Paris. The King's action made the people fear that the King would dissolve time. He was against absolute
the National Assembly. monarchy. He exposed the
bitter truth of the evils
Ahungry, starving mob attacked the Bastille, a medieval fortress used as a prison prevailing in the Church and
on 14th July, 1789 and destroyed it. They considered it as a symbol of oppression and the state administration. He
despotism. In the countryside, the peasants looted hoarded grain, burnt down made fun of the nobles and
documents containing records of manorial dues and attacked chateaux. Consequently, the way they behaved and
a large number of nobles fled to neighbouring countries. Finally Louis XVI recognised governed. In this way, he
the National Assembly and accepted that his powers would from now on be governed preached revolution and
by a Constitution. prepared the ground for it.
The ideas of these

France BecomesaConstitutional philosophers were discussed

Monarchy,oiseupr Atio by common people in salons
and coffee houses of France
The National Assembly completed the draft of the Constitution in 1791. The and inspired them to fight for
new Constitution gave a final blow to absolute monarchy. Instead of the powers
being concentrated in one hand, powers were now separated and assigned to their rights.
different institutions like the legislature, executive and judiciary. This change of
AD a The French 3
Revolution
powers made France a constitutional monarchy. The newly elected assembly, called the Convention,
Under the new Constitution, the laws were to be
made by the National Assembly elected by abolished monarchy on 21st September, 1792. France was
declared a Republic'.
tax-paying, property owning males who wereo
above 25 years of age. The Constitution began The Reign of Terror
with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and
Citizen'. According to this declaration, Right to The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign
Life, Freedom of Specch, Freedom of Opinion and of Terror in France. Robespiere followed a policy of severe
Equality before Law were established as natural control and punishment, Enemies of the republic were arrested
rights and it was the duty of the state to protect and if, found guilty, they were guillotined (meaning ´exected by
these. beheading').
Robespierre's government made laws placing a
France Becomes a Republic maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were
rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the
Rulers of the neighbouring countries were cities and sell it at the prices fixed by the government. The use
worried by the developments in France and tried of expensive white flour was forbidden. People were forced to
to help Louis XVI. Before this could happen, the
eat 'equality bread', a loaf made of whole wheat. Churches
National Assembly declared war against Prussia were shut down and their buildings were converted into
and Austria. It was a war of the people against barracks or offices.
kings and aristocracies all over Europe. Among the
Robespierre became a virtual dictator of France. He
patriotic songs sung by them was 'La Marseillaise' followed his policies so adamantly that his supporters in the
composed by the poet Rouget De L' Isle, which end left him, He was finally convicted and guillotined in July,
later became the national anthem of France. 1794.
While men were busy in fighting at the
front, women had to earn a living and look after ADirectory Rules Francedu ok
their families. After the fall of the Jacobins, the wealthier middle
'Political Clubs' became popular, where classes seized power. A new Constitution was introduced
people could discuss government policies and their which denied the vote to non-propertied men. It provided for
appointed a directory, an
Own plarns of action. The most successful of these. wo elcted legislative councils, who
executive made up of five members. Often the Directors
clubs was that of the Jacobins. Their leader was
clashed with the legislative councils and were dismissed. This
Maximilian Robespierre. political instability paved the way for the rise of Napoleon
The Jacobins song Bonaparte.
The Jacobins comprised less prosperous sections of
society. They included shopkeepers, artisans, cooks,
The Women's Revolutionud
shoe-makers, watch-markers, printers, servants and Women played a very significant role in the French
daily-wage workers. They dressed differently. They Revolution. It was their active participation which brought
started wearing long striped trousers similar to those about important changes in French society. Most of the
worn by the dock workers. They came to be known as women belonging to the Third Estate worked for a living and
"Sans-Culottes' meaning 'those without knee breeches'. their occupations included dress makers, laundry workers,
flower vendors, fruit and vegetable vendors etc. Sometimes
On 10th August, 1792, the Jacobins they worked as maid servants in the houses of the rich. They
stormed the palace of the Tuileries, killed the were not trained for any job and were largely uneducated.
king's guard and held the King himself as hostage Only the daughters of nobles and wealthier members of the
for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to Third Estate could study at a cornvent. Besides caring for their
imprison the royal family. Elections were held families, the French womnen had to cook, fetch water, stand in
and now all men above 21 years of age were queues for bread etc. Their wages were always lower than the
allowed to vote. men.
ench Revolution.
the ideas
of the inspired
by were whoIndians the someof Rammohan
are Roy Raja and Sultan Tipu
nations. colonized freedom
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and feudal abolition
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to Europe, over spread
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ch French the legacy
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ideas The
1815. Waterlooin defeated
at finally was He force.
ing an as
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had
after long people impact
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ideas
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property
anda private protection of the as such laws manyintroduced He
Europe. moderniserof himself
aas
saw colonies.
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reintroduced
in Russia.
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ered France.
He Emperor
of himself crowned General, French famous Bonaparte,a Napoleon 1804, In
Conclusion
state. nation SOvereign flung, far in
work towant not Europeans
did the but
create
a to andbondage against protest toworld areas, these plantations in workers
for needed French
he over people
all colonised inspired Revolution French The etc.coffee sugar, indigo, tobacco, suppliers
of
the ideals
of century.
The 19th thduring
e Europe of
rest important were Domingo San Guadeloupe
and
to
the France from spread Revolution,
which French tMartinique,
he Caribbean
like the colonies
in French The
important
acy
tyof most the were rights
democratic and colonies. French slavery
in abolish Government
to was
of The
ideas Revolution. French the justice
of Jacobin the by
made reform greatest The
quality
and liberty, ideas
of the with relate toread Slavery social
Abolition of The
rms wriote art not Could who mencommon the evenenabled
oral and visual These processions. festive vote. riglht
to the won vomen French
as.ndsongs plays,paintings, form
of tflourished
he in Art 1946, Finally
incenturies. 20tlh and 19th late thduring
e
counter and enabled press women French inspired revolutionary
ycars theduring
Freedom
t of pictures,opinions
printed voicing andofbookspamphlets, rights political cqual struggle
for Women's businesses.
ersa, of
growth the to led This right. natural small run or
artists become jobs, for train Could
freedom of 1791, 1 Citizen in and Man Women it. for apply could women and men both and
the
Declaration
Riolgitof
htiosn speech
of in
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s law. civil under registered be
etanguage
hretyy of With
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at
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d
anequality Revolutionary
of
ideas longer could
no Women girls. education
for compulsory
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Life Revolution
and The systems
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state of the with
avery cducation access
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1848. colonies
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passed were laws years, early the activities,
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Termi gth Af:1
Class Science Social CBSE 4
Aj a1 The French Revolution
Terms Used
o Bastille Afort In the eastern part of Paris used
as a state prison.
Z Broken Chain Chains are used to fetter slaves.
Abroken chain symbolised the act of
free.
becoming
3. Chateau Castle or stately residence belonglng
to a king or nobleman,
9 Clergy Group of persons invested with speclal
functions in the Church.
5. Confiscated Oficially took
from somebody, especially as asomething
punishment.
away
6, Convent Building belonging to a
devoted to a religious life. community
7. \Democracy A system of Government in which
a|l the people of a country can vote to elect their
relpresentatives.
8. Despotic A ruler with great power, especially
one who uses it in a cruel way.
9. Dictatorship State ruled by a person with
absolute awthority. people to change the government of a country,
10. Estates General Apolitical body to which theo especially by violent action.
three estates sert their representatives. 22 Sceptre Symbol of royal power.
L2. Feudal Connected with or similar to feudalism,
which was a social system that existed during
the Middle Ages in Europe. In this system, people
were given land and protection by a nobleman
and had to work and fight for him in return.
(22 Guillotine Adevice consisting of two poles and
a blade with which a person is beheaded.
5
13. Indirectly Elected Citizens vote for a group of
electors who in turn choose the representatives.
(y4. Jacobin Club Its members belonged mainly to
the less prosperous sections of French society,
like small shopkeepers, artisans etc.
15. Livre Unit of currency in France which was
discontinued in 1794.
16. Manor An estate consisting of a noblernan's
lands and his mansion.
(17. La Marseillaise National anthem of France,
composed by the poet Rouget De L1sle.
18. 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.
19.) Nationalism Afeeling of intense loyalty and
devotion to one's own country.
20) Old Regime Term used to describe society
and institutions of France before 1789.
21. Revolution An attempt by a large number of
23. Subsistence Crisis An extreme situation where
the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
24 Taille Tax to be paid directly to the state.
25) Tithe Atax levied by the Church, comprising
one-tenth of the agricultural produce.
262 Treason Betrayal of one's country or
governnment.
 Time (Line
Year/Date Important Events
1774
Louis XVI ascends throne of France
5th May, 1789 The king calls an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes
20th June, 1789 Third Estate representatives assemble and take the Tennis Court Oath
14th July, 1789 Storming of the Bastille: French Revolution starts
4th August, 1789
National Assembly passes a decree to abolish the feudal system of obligations and taxes
5th October, 1789 Women march to Versailles and bring back King Louis XVI with them to Paris
1791
National Assembly completes draft of new constitution bois32itno2
1791
Revolutionary woman Olympe de Gouges writes 'Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citzen
April, 1792 National Assembly votes to declare war against Prussia and Austria
21st September, 1792 Monarchy abolished and France declared a republic
21st January, 1793 35130r9Q
Louis XVIexecuted
1793-1794 'Reign of Terror
July, 1794 Robespierre arrested and executed
1794 All slaves in French overseas possessions freed, but decision overturned by Napoleon ten,
France
years later
1804
os e Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor of
1 8 1 5 S m a Napoleon finally defeated at Waterloo
1848 Slavery finally abolished in French colonies
1946 Women in France win the right to vote

Mebsites for Additional Information

1. Events during the French Revolutionel-no
http://wwW.newadvent.org/cathen/13009a.htm
2. Napoleon Bonaparte
http://www.sacklunch.net/biography/N/NapoleonBonaparte.html
3. Video of the Guillotine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l05BBHtn4tM
Exam Practice
SUMMATIVE assessment
Very Short Answer Type Questions [1 Mark each]
1. When did the French Revolution begin?
Ans. It began on 14th July 1789 with the storming
of the Bastille prison just outside Paris.
2. Louis XVI belonged to which dynasty?
Ans. He belonged to the Bourbon Dynasty.
3. Who belonged to the Third Estate?
Ans. The Third Estate comprised all the people of
France except the Clergy (First Estate) and the
nobility (Second Estate), i.e. all those who paid
taxes.
XWhat is the name of the national anthem of
France?
Ans. It is named Le Marseillaise'. It was composed
by the poet Roget de L'Isle. It was sung for the first
time by volunteers from Marseilles as they
marched into Paris and so got its name.
The new constitution of France drafted in 1791
immediately after the revolution made France
what kind of state?
Ans. It made France a Constitutional Monarchy,
with the powers of the King severely limited.
6. Who was the leader of the Jacobin Club?
Ans. The leader of the Jacobin Club was
Maximilian Robespierre.
7.Who was the author of the pamphlet called What
is the Third Estate'?
Ans. Abbé Sieyès, originally a priest, wrote an
influential pamphlet called ((What is the Third
Estate"?)
8. Who was the editor of the paper called "Iami du
peuple" (The friend of the people)?
Ans. The revolutionary journalist Jean-Paul
Marat was the editor.
9. What was the charge on which King Louis XVI
was sentenced to death?
Ans. Louis XVIwas sentenced to death by a court
on the harge of treason. On 21 January 1793 he
was executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde.
10. What was the name of the Assembly which was
called in France in 1792?
Ans. The newly elected assembly was called the
Convention.
11. Who abolished Monarchy in France and declared
it a republic and when?
Ans. On 21 September 1792 it abolished the
monarchy and declared France a republic.
12. What did a Sceptre stand for in the Declaration of
Rights?
Ans. The Sceptre was a symbol of royal power.
13. A triangular slave trade was held between which
areas of the world during the 18th century?
Ans. A triangular slave trade was held between
Europe, Africa and the Americas to meet a
shortage of labour on the plantations in the
Americas.
14. When did Napoleon Bonaparte crown himself
Emperor of France?
Ans. He crowned himself Emperor of France in
1804.
15. When and where was Napoleon Bonaparte finally
defeated?
Ans. He was finally defeated at the Battle of
Waterloo in 1815.
16. Which Estate of the French Society paid all
taxes?
Ans. The Third Estate paid all the taxes.
 A) 1 CBSE Social Science Class 9th Term I
17. Nanme the French port cities related with the slave
trade.
Ans. Bordeaux and Nantes were the places from
where the French merchants sailed to the African
coast, where they bought slaves from local
chieftains.
18. Which Indian individuals responded to the ideas
coming from revolutionary France?
Ans. Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy are
two examples of Indian individuals who
responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary
France.
19. Alarge number of Jacobinscame to be known as
'Sans-culottes'. What does this term mean?
Ans. A large group among the Jacobins decided to
start wearing long striped trousers similar to those
worn by dock workers. This was to set themselves
apart from the fashionable sections of society,
especially nobles, who wore knee breeches. These
Jacobins came to be known as the 'sans-culottes',
literally meaning those without knee breeches'.
20. Who seized power after the fall of the Jacobin
government?
Ans. The fall of the Jacobin government allowed
the wealthier middle classes to seize power.
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks each]
Describe any three causes for the fall of the
Jacobin Government in France.
Ans. The causes for the fall of the Jacobin
Government were
(i) Many persons who were seen as 'enemnies' of
the republic, i.e., those who did not agree
with the strict measures taken by
Robespierre, were executed.
() A maximum ceiling was fixed on wages and
prices. Rationing of essential food items was
introduced, causing hardships to the people.
(iüi) Churches were shut down and converted
into barracks or offices, causing resentment
in the Clergy.
Estate in
21. Who led the representatives of the Third
Versailles on 20 June, 1789?
Ans. The representatives of the Third Estate were
led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès.
22. Which social groups emerged in the 18th
century?
the
Ans. The eighteenth century witnessedmiddle
emergence of social groups, termed the
class, as well as lawyers and administrative
officials.
23. What was the name of the direct tax collected by
the state from the peasants in 18th century
France?
Ans. AIl members of the third estate, which
included peasants, had to pay taxes to the state.
These included adirect tax, called taille, and a
number of indirect taxes.
24. Name the French colonies in the Caribbean.
Ans. The French colonies in the Caribbean were
Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo.
25. When was slavery finally abolished in the French
colonies?
Ans. Slavery was finally abolished in the French
colonies in 1848.
Describe the divisions in French society before
the French Revolution.
Ans. The French society was divided into three
estates.
) First Estate It comprised of the Church and
the clergy. They enjoyed certain privileges by
birth. They were exempted from paying taxes
to the state.
(ii) Second Estate They were big aristocrats
and landlords. They were considered above
law and exempted from paying taxes.
(iii) Third Estate This comprised the peasants,
artisans, city workers and the middle class
people like teachers, doctors, lawyers, writers
etc. All such people had no political rights.
They had to pay many kinds of taxes.

The French Revolution
3. What was the contribution of Mirabeau to the
formation of the National Assembly?
Ans. On 20th June, 1789, the Third Estate
assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in
the grounds of Versailles. The Third Estate
declared themselves a National Asscmbly and
Swore not to disperse till they had drafted a
Constitution. They wanted to introduce a
Constitution for France which would limit the
powers of the monarch.
Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes led the movement.
Mirabeau brought out a journal and delivered
powerful speeches to inspire the crowd assembled
at Versailles.
4. How id peasants protest against the feudal lords
or nobles of France?
Ans. In the countryside, there were rumours that
the landlords of the manor had hired criminals to
destroy the ripe crops of the peasants. Being afraid
of the situation, peasants in several districts seized
hoes and pitchforks and attacked chateaux (castles
belonging to the noblemen).
They looted the hoarded grain. They also burnt
down documents containing records of the
manorial dues. As a result, a larger number of
nobles fled from their home towns and migrated to
neighbouring countries.
5. How did France become a Constitutional
monarchy?
Ans. In 1791, the National Assembly completed
the draft of the Constitution. Its main object was to
limit the powers of the monarch. The powers
instead of being concentrated in the hands of the
monarch, were now separated and divided
between the legislature, executive and judiciary.
The Constitution also declared that it was the duty
of the state to protect each citizen's natural rights.
In this way, France became a constitutional
monarchy.
8. Differentiate between Active and Passive citizens
of France.
Ans. In France, only men above 25 years of age
who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a
labourer's wage were given the status of active
citizen. They were entitled to vote. The remaining
men as well as women who were not entitled to
vote were called passive citizens. At that time, to
qualify as an elector and a member of the
Assembly, a man had to belong to the highest
bracket to taxpayers.
9
A. What was the condition of women in France
before the revolution?
Ans. AIl women were classed as passive citizens:
they did not have voting powers. They workedand as
seamstresses or laundresses, sold flowers
vegetables, or worked as domestic servants. Their
wages were lower than those of men. They looked
after their children, did the cooking, fetched water
and queued for bread.
Most women did not have access to education or
job training. Only daughters of wealthy parents
could study at a convent, after which they were
married off.
g. Which laws were made to improve the status of
women in the French society?
Ans. In the beginning, the revolutionary
government introduced some laws to improve the
status of women in society. These were
) Schooling was made compulsory for all giris.
(i1) Their fathers could no longer force them into
marriage against their will. Marriage was
made into a contract entered into freely and
it was registered under civil law.
(iii) Divorce was made legal and could be applied
for by both men and women.
(iv) Women could train for jobs, could become
artists or run small businesses.
9. What was the Guillotine? How was it used?
Ans. The Guillotine was a device consisting of
two poles and a blade with which a person was
beheaded. It was used by Robespierre, who folowed
apolicy of Reign of Terror ie, of severe control and
punishment. Those who did not agree with his
methods were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by
a revolutionary tribunal. If the court found them
'guilty', they were guillotined.
0. Compare the manifesto drafted by Olympe de
Gouges with the Declaration of the Rights of Man
and Citizen. [NCERT)
Ans. While the manifesto drafted by Olympe de
Gouges talked primarily about women and
equality, the Declaration of Rights of Man and
Citizen talked only about men. The manifesto
sought to give political, social and economic
equality to all citizens including women and men.
On the other hand, the Declaration of the Rights of
Man and Citizen denied privileges to women. They
were sidelined as passive citizens.
10
Long Answer Type Questions (5 Marks each]
R. What do you understand by the term 'Reign of
Terror'?
Ans. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to
as the Reign of Terror' because during this time,
Robespierre followed a policy ofsevere controland
punishnent. All those whom he regarded as bcing
'enemies' of the republic c.g.,nobles, clergy, or
memberS of his or other political parties, were
arrested and tried by a revolutionary tribunal.
If found guilty, they were guillotined. More than
15000 persons were guillotined during this period.
TheReign of Terror became intolerable and people
were against Robespierre and his followers.
Finally, Robespierre was guillotined in July, 1794
and the Reign of Terror ended with his death.
A) Which groups of French society benefited from
the revolution?
(i) Which groups were forced to relinquish
power?
(ii) Which sections of society would have been
disappointed with the outcome of the
revolution? [NCERTÊ
Ans.
) All the groups which formed the Third
Estate were benefited from the revolution.
These groups included workers,
businessmen, merchants, court officials,
lawyers, teachers, doctors, etc.
(ii) The classes which formed the privileged
sections of society like the nobility, clergy
and aristocracy were forced to relinquish
their executive powers.
(ii) Naturally, the privileged classes viz, the
clergy and the nobles would have been
disappointed with the outcome of the
revolution because their privileges were
taken avway from them.
Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today
whose origins could be traced to the French
Revolution.
[NCERT; Value Based Question]
Ans. Some of the democratic rights which we
enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the
French Revolution are given in the Indian
Constitution.
(i) Right to Equality The Right to Equality
has its origin in the French Revolution. It
A)in1 CBSE SocialScience Class 9th Term
gave special ríghts and privileges to
classes and established
Comon
economic and social equality. In the Indiapolitical,
Constitution, right to equality
equality before Jaw,
means
prohibition of
discrimination and equality of opportunity
in matters of employment.
(ii) Right to Liberty or Freedom The origin of
this right can also be traced to the French
Revolution. It discarded the Divine Right of
Kings and led to the establishment E
constitutional monarchy. In the Preamble to
the Indian Constítution, Right to Liberty or
Freedom meanS freedom of thought,
expression, belief, faith and worship Right
to freedom of speech and expression includes
right to practice any profession
occupation.
(ii) Encouraging the Spirit of Fraternity The
French Revolution introduced the growth of
the spirit of fraternity and social welfare. In
the Indian Constitution the concept
'fraternity' abolishes untouchability, local or
provincial anti-social feelings and asks us to
maintain friendly relations with foreign
countries in the spirit of brotherhood.
(iv) Inspiring the Spirit of Democracy The
French Revolution inspired the spirit of
Democracy which ensured many rights, viz.
Right against exploitation, Right to life,
Right to vote etc. Today we are enjoying
these rights in our democracy.
A. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
[NCERT
Ans. It was the revolution which removed the
barrier of the privilege of birth and made the way
for the privilege of talent. Glorious victories of
Napoleon in wars made the French realise that
only a soldier's sword could restore discipline and
respect for authority and stable government. In the
political, economic and social field, he carried out
certain reforms which were associated with the
basic spirit of the revolution.
In 1799, Napoleon ended the politically unstable
rule of the Directory and became the first council
of France. In the economic field, he
continued the
old policy of the revolution by reorganising the
taxation system. He uprooted the
All these factors paved the way foraristocrats
his rise.
also.
 The French Revolution
What is the role of philosophers in the French
Revolution ? (Value Based Question)
Ans. The revolutionary ideas of philosophers
encouraged people to fight for their riglhts.
(1) Voltaire believcd that man's
his own hands, destiny was in
(i) John Locke criticised the divine and
rights of the rulers. absolute
(iii) Rousseau put forward tho idea of
of a government bascd on a socialformation
contract
between people and their representatives.
Men had the right to change their govern
ment, if they were not satisfied with it.
(iv) Montesquieu believed that all powers should
not be concentrated in one person's
They should be divided between hand. the
legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
The ideas of these philosophers were discussed by
common people in salons and coffee houses and
inspired them to fight for their rights.
How was slavery abolished in France?
Ans. One of the most revolutionary social reforms
of the Jacobin regime was the abolition of slavery.
An acute shortage of labour in the French
Caribbean colonies, Martinique, Guadeloupe and
San Domingo, led to a triangular slave trade
between Europe, Africa and America in the 17th
century.
French merchants sailed from Bordeaux or Nantes
to the African coast where they bought slaves from
local chiefs and sold them to plantation owners in
the Caribbean. Slave labour enabled the Caribbean
colonies to meet the demand for sugar, coffee and
indigo. The convention in 1794 passed laws
freeing slaves in the French overseas possessions.
Miscellaneous 0uestions
1, Why was the Bastille hated by all?
Ans. The Bastille, the fortress-prison washated by
all, because it stood for the despotic power of the
King.
2. What did the fall of the Bastille signity?
Ans. The fall of the Bastile signified the end of the
autocratic rule of the monarch.
11
After ten years, slavery was reintroduced by
Napoleon. Finally, it was abolished in 1848.
Name one of the most important of the politically
active women in revolutionary France. What do
you know about her? 1HOTS)
Ans. Olympe de Gouges was a polywríght and
political activist whose feminist writings reached a
large audience. As political tension rose in France,
she became politically involved. She was
outspoken advocate for improving the conditions
of slaves. She wrote a 'Declaration of the Rights of
Woman and Citizen' and demanded that French
women be given the same rights as French men.
In 1793, she criticised the Jacobin Government for
forcibly closing down women's clubs. She was
executed by Guillotine during the Reign of Terror
for attacking Robespiere. Today she is best known
as an early feminist who challenged the practice of
male authority and the notion of male-female
inequality.
Write a short note on Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ans. Nepoleon Bonaparte was a great French
General, who won many battles for revolutionary
France and raised his nation's prestige. In 1804, he
crowned himself Emperor of France.
He set out to conguer neighbouring European
countries and became a terror for all European
monarchs.He introduced many modern laws like
the protection of private property, a uniform
system of weights and measures provided by the
decimal system.
Initially many saw him as a liberator who would
bring freedom for the people. But soon he was
looked upon by the conquered European countries
as an invader. Finally in 1815, Napoleon was
defeated by the European allies at Waterloo.
3. Name the classes which formed the privileged
estates.
Ans. The clergy and the nobility constituted the
privileged estates.
4. When was monarchy abolished and France
declared a republic?
Ans. On 2lst September, 1792 monarchy was
abolished and France declared a republic.
 (iii) 12
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(a) 1798 (b) 1804 convicted person was known as .....
(c) 1810 (d) 1815
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(a) Those without knee breeches Answers
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(d) The Aristocrats 3. Guillotine 4. Napoleon

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