Class 9 History Notes: Chapter 1 The French Revolution

1. Introduction to the French Revolution

The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a pivotal event in the making of the modern world, marking the end of monarchy in France and introducing ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It inspired anti-colonial movements globally.

2. French Society in the Late 18th Century

2.1 Social Structure

French society was divided into three estates:

2.2 Economic Crisis

• Louis XVI inherited an empty treasury due to wars (e.g., American Revolution) and extravagant court expenses at Versailles.
• Debt exceeded 2 billion livres, with high interest rates (10%).
• Rising population (23M to 28M, 1715–1789) increased demand for food, causing bread prices to soar.
• Subsistence crisis: Frequent due to poor harvests, leading to hunger and unrest.

2.3 Rise of the Middle Class

• Wealthy merchants, manufacturers, and professionals (lawyers, officials) within the Third Estate gained wealth through trade and education.
• Influenced by philosophers like John Locke (refuted divine right of kings), Jean-Jacques Rousseau (social contract), and Montesquieu (division of powers).
• Demanded a merit-based society, opposing privileges by birth.

3. Outbreak of the Revolution

3.1 Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

Rumors of the king ordering troops to fire on citizens led to unrest in Paris. A crowd of 7,000 stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal despotism, freeing prisoners and seizing arms.

3.2 The Great Fear

Rumors of noble-hired brigands attacking crops led peasants to attack chateaux, burn feudal records, and loot grain. Many nobles fled France.

4. France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy

4.1 Constitution of 1791

• Established a constitutional monarchy with powers divided among legislature, executive, and judiciary.
• National Assembly held legislative power, indirectly elected by active citizens (men over 25 paying taxes equal to 3 days’ wages).
• Passive citizens (remaining men, all women) had no voting rights.

4.2 Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

Proclaimed natural rights: liberty, equality, property, security, and resistance to oppression. Key articles included:

• Men are born free and equal in rights.
• Law is the expression of the general will, equal for all.
• Freedom of speech, religion, and property rights protected.

5. France Becomes a Republic

5.1 Jacobin Insurrection

The Jacobins, led by Maximilien Robespierre, represented less prosperous groups (artisans, shopkeepers). They wore long trousers and the red Phrygian cap, earning the name sans-culottes (without knee breeches).

5.2 Reign of Terror (1793–1794)

• Robespierre’s policies targeted “enemies” of the republic, leading to mass arrests and executions via the guillotine.
• Laws fixed prices and wages, rationed food, and banned white flour.
• Churches were closed, and titles like Monsieur/Madame were replaced with Citoyen/Citoyenne.
• Robespierre’s extremism led to his arrest and execution in July 1794.

6. Directory and Rise of Napoleon

6.1 Directory Rule (1795–1799)

• A new constitution denied voting rights to non-propertied classes.
• Two legislative councils appointed a five-member Directory.
• Political instability led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

6.2 Napoleonic Era

7. Role of Women in the Revolution

7.1 Women’s Contributions

• Women from the Third Estate (seamstresses, vendors, servants) actively participated, e.g., marching to Versailles on October 5, 1789.
• Formed political clubs like the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women.
• Demanded equal political rights, education, and job opportunities.

7.2 Key Reforms for Women

• Compulsory schooling for girls.
• Marriage became a civil contract; divorce legalized.
• Women could train for jobs and run businesses.

7.3 Olympe de Gouges

Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen (1791), demanding equal rights. She was executed in 1793 for criticizing the Jacobins.

8. Abolition of Slavery

• French colonies (Martinique, Guadeloupe, San Domingo) relied on the triangular slave trade for sugar, coffee, and indigo.
• The Convention abolished slavery in 1794, but Napoleon reintroduced it in 1804.
• Slavery was permanently abolished in 1848.

9. Revolution and Everyday Life

• Abolition of censorship in 1789 led to a flood of newspapers, pamphlets, and prints spreading revolutionary ideas.
• Symbols like the tricolour flag and patriotic songs (e.g., Marseillaise) fostered unity.
• Changes in language (Citoyen/Citoyenne), dress (sans-culottes), and festivals reflected revolutionary ideals.

10. Legacy of the French Revolution

• Spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity across Europe and beyond.
• Inspired anti-colonial movements in India (e.g., Tipu Sultan, Rammohan Roy), Africa, and South America.
• Napoleonic Code influenced legal systems in Europe.
• Established democratic rights like freedom of speech, equality before law, and universal suffrage.

11. Key Terms

• Livre: French currency until 1794.
• Sans-culottes: Radical Jacobins wearing long trousers, symbolizing equality.
• Convent: Religious community building.
• Treason: Betrayal of one’s country.
• Directory: Five-member executive body (1795–1799).

12. Important Dates

13. Activities and Questions

13.1 Activities

• Explain why the nobleman is portrayed as a spider and the peasant as a fly in Fig. 3.
• Analyze Arthur Young’s message about “slaves” and the dangers he sensed in 1787.
• Interpret the symbols in the Declaration of Rights painting (Fig. 8).
• Compare the views of Desmoulins and Robespierre on liberty and state force.
• Describe the actions and symbols in the women’s march to Versailles (Fig. 12).
• Write a biography of a revolutionary figure (e.g., Mirabeau, Olympe de Gouges, Robespierre).
• Create a newspaper article or conduct an imaginary interview on a revolutionary event.

13.2 Questions

• Describe the circumstances leading to revolutionary protest.
• Which groups benefited, lost power, or were dissatisfied with the revolution?
• Discuss the global legacy of the French Revolution.
• List democratic rights originating from the revolution.
• Evaluate contradictions in the message of universal rights.
• Explain the rise of Napoleon.