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If you’re seeking Class 9 Social Science Case Study Questions, you’ve come to the correct spot. Students can use Class 9 Social Science Case Study Questions to help them answer a variety of questions about the Class 9 Social Science case study.

The CBSE Board has included case study questions in Class 9 Social Science examination pattern. As a result, it becomes an indispensable study tool.

The need for a student-friendly app to explain and facilitate the understanding of the social sciences subject has been felt for a long. Especially for students who do not have a strong foundation in Class 9 Social Science. With myCBSEguide , class 9 social science students now have a place where they can find resources that are student-friendly, interesting and easy to understand.

Class 9 Social Science Case Study questions are intended to assess student’s abilities to apply their learning to practical scenarios. You’ll need to employ your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to come up with the best solution. Class 9 Social Science case study questions are designed to test your knowledge and help you improve your skills.

Class 9 Social Science Case Study Questions Samples

myCBSEguide has identified the essential themes connected to CBSE case study questions for Class 9 Social Science that every student should be aware of following a comprehensive examination of CBSE Sample Papers and Marking Scheme. Students in Class 9 Social Science will benefit from this information in understanding the changes in the Class 9 Social Science. For a better understanding and analysis, students should refer to the example of Class 9 Social Science case study questions attached below:

Class 9 Social Science Case Study Question 1

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow: On the morning of 14 July 1789, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. The king had commanded troops to move into the city. Rumours spread that he would soon order the army to open fire upon the citizens. Some 7,000 men and women gathered in front of the town hall and decided to form a peoples’ militia. They broke into a number of government buildings in search of arms. Finally, a group of several hundred people marched towards the eastern part of the city and stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille, where they hoped to find hoarded ammunition. In the armed fight that followed, the commander of the Bastille was killed and the prisoners released – though there were only seven of them. Yet the Bastille was hated by all because it stood for the despotic power of the king. The fortress was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the markets to all those who wished to keep a souvenir of its destruction. The days that followed saw more rioting both in Paris and the countryside. Most people were protesting against the high price of bread. Much later, when historians looked back upon this time, they saw it as the beginning of a chain of events that ultimately led to the execution of the king in France, though most people at the time did not anticipate this outcome. Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

On 14th July, 1789 the people of the ________ estate attacked the Bastille prison and freed all the prisoners signalling the start of the _________.

• first, civil war
• fourth, Russian war
• second, movement
• third, revolution

Which of the following statement is incorrect?

• The Bastille was the fortress-prison.
• The Bastille stood for the democratic power of the king.
• On the morning of 14 July 1789, the people of Paris stormed Bastille
• All are correct

In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option: Assertion (A): The people of France storm the Bastille. Reason (R): They were hopeful to find King Louis XIV and commander of the Bastille there.

• Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
• Both A and R are correct but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• A is correct but R is wrong.
• Both A and R are wrong.

What was the immediate cause of rioting in Paris?

• Atrocities by the commander
• The high price of bread
• The killing of women and children
• All of these

Answer Key:

• (d) third, revolution
• (b) The Bastille stood for the democratic power of the king. [Explanation: The Bastille stood for the despotic power of the king.]
• (c) A is correct but R is wrong. [Explanation: The people of France stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille because they were hopeful to find hoarded ammunition there.]
• (b) high price of bread

Class 9Social Science Case Study Question 2

Read the extracts and answer the question that follows:

The Himalayas, geologically young and structurally fold mountains stretch over the Himalayas northern borders of India. These mountain ranges run in a west-east direction from the Indus to the Brahmaputra. The Himalayas represent the loftiest and one of the most rugged mountain barriers of the world. They form an arc, which covers a distance of about 2,400 Km. Their width varies from 400 Km in Kashmir to 150 Km in Arunachal Pradesh. The altitudinal variations are greater in the eastern half than those in the western half. The Himalaya consists of three parallel ranges in its longitudinal extent. A number of valleys lie between these ranges. The northern most range is known as the Great or Inner Himalayas. It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres. It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.

The folds of Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature. The core of this part of Himalayas is composed of granite. It is perennially snow bound, and a number of glaciers descend from this range.

• The Great or Inner Himalayas is also known as?
• Give two features of the folds of Great Himalayas.
• Give two features of the Inner Himalayas.
• The Great or Inner Himalayas is also known as the ‘Himadri’.
• (Any two relevant points)
• The folds of Great Himalayas are asymmetrical in nature.
• The core of this part of Himalayas is composed of granite.
• It is perennially snow bound, and a number of glaciers descend from this range.
• Features of the Inner Himalayas:
• It is the most continuous range consisting of the loftiest peaks with an average height of 6,000 metres.
• It contains all the prominent Himalayan peaks.  

Class 9 Social Science Case Study Question 3

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow: In Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf led a military coup in October 1999. He overthrew a democratically elected government and declared himself the ‘Chief Executive’ of the country. Later he changed his designation to President and in 2002 held a referendum in the country that granted him a five-year extension. Pakistani media, human rights organisations and democracy activists said that the referendum was based on malpractices and fraud. In August 2002 he issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that amended the Constitution of Pakistan. According to this Order, the President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies. The work of the civilian cabinet is supervised by a National Security Council which is dominated by military officers. After passing this law, elections were held to the national and provincial assemblies. So Pakistan has had elections, elected representatives have some powers. But the final power rested with military officers and General Musharraf himself. Clearly, there are many reasons why Pakistan under General Musharraf should not be called a democracy. People may have elected their representatives to the national and provincial assemblies but those elected representatives were not really the rulers. They cannot take the final decisions. The power to take final decision rested with army officials and with General Musharraf, and none of them were elected by the people. This happens in many dictatorships and monarchies. They formally have an elected parliament and government but the real power is with those who are not elected. In a few countries, the real power was with some external powers and not with locally elected representatives. This cannot be called people’s rule. Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

What is the meaning of Referendum?

• Direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal
• A form of government in which the rulers are elected by the people
• A system where the majority or elected representatives are allowed to take decisions on behalf of all the people

In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and chose the correct option: Assertion (A): Pakistan not considered a democratic country even after having elections Reason (R): Despite elections to the national and provincial assemblies, the final powers rested with General Musharraf and military officers.

• Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
• A is wrong but R is correct.

After the passage of the ________, elections were held to the national and state assemblies.

• Military rule
• Legal Framework Order
• Both (b) and (c)

Does the given source explain the significance of which feature of democracy?

• Democracy must be based on a free and fair election
• In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people
• In a democracy, each adult citizen must have one vote
• Democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizens’ rights
• (a) Direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal
• (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• (c) Legal Framework Order
• (b) In a democracy, the final decision-making power must rest with those elected by the people

Steps to Master Class 9 Social Science Case Study Questions

Class 9 Social Science case study questions can be daunting, but there are some strategies you can use to ace them. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to Class 9 social science case study questions. The best way to solve a social science case study will vary depending on the specific case in question. However, there are some general tips that can be followed in order to improve your chances of success while answering class 9 social science case study questions.

• First, make sure to read the question carefully and understand what is being asked. It is often helpful to re-read the question after gathering all of your information.
• Next, organize your thoughts and create an outline of your answer. This will help you to stay on track and include all relevant information.
• Finally, write your answer in a clear and concise manner.

Class 9 Social Science Content Structure

Class 9 social science content is divided into four parts: History, Geography, Economics and Political Science. Each part is further divided into smaller themes/chapters.

Each of these topics given in Class 9 Social Science is important in its own right, and together they provide a comprehensive overview that affect our world today. The content is structured in such a way as to provide Class 9 Social Science students with a broad understanding of each issue, while also allowing them to focus on specific areas that are of particular interest to Class 9 Social Science students.

Class 9 Social Science COURSE CONTENT 

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Class 9th Social Science - The French Revolution Case Study Questions and Answers 2022 - 2023

Class 9th Social Science - The French Revolution Case Study Questions and Answers 2022 - 2023 Study Materials Sep-09 , 2022

QB365 provides a detailed and simple solution for every Possible Case Study Questions in Class 9th Social Science Subject - The French Revolution, CBSE. It will help Students to get more practice questions, Students can Practice these question papers in addition to score best marks.

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The french revolution case study questions with answer key.

Final Semester - June 2015

Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow: Some of the basic rights set forth in Olympe de Gouges’ Declaration. 1. Woman is born free and remains equal to man in rights. 2. The goal of all political associations is the preservation of the natural rights of woman and man: These rights are liberty, property, security, and above all resistance to oppression. 3. The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation, which is nothing but the union of woman and man. 4. The law should be the expression of the general will; all female and male citizens should have a say either personally or by their representatives in its formulation; it should be the same for all. All female and male citizens are equally entitled to all honours and public employment according to their abilities and without any other distinction than that of their talents. 5. No woman is an exception; she is accused, arrested, and detained in cases determined by law. Women, like men, obey this rigorous law. (a) How did Olympe de Gouges, view women? (b) What should be the goal of all political associations according to her? (c) What was her opinion about law?

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• CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 Notes - The French Revolution
• Revision Notes

The French Revolution Class 9 Notes History Chapter 1 - FREE PDF Download

CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 notes are carefully prepared by expert teachers who have years of experience in teaching Social Science. These The French Revolution Class 9 notes are easy to understand, comprehensive, and good study material to refer to before the board exams. Students can download History Class 9 Chapter 1 notes in free PDF format to study offline as well.

Access Social Science Class 9 History Chapter 1 Notes – The French Revolution

Before the french revolution.

Before the French revolution, the French territories and society were like an ancient regime. They had feudal lords who had taken over the political system of the country. The French society was divided into three Estates. They were the clergy, the nobility and the peasants and workers. The upper two estates were closer to the royals and hence received favours easily. The others had to pay multiple taxes and had a life of suffering.

The Initial Stage of the Revolution

When King Louis XVI sat on the throne, the financial condition of France was horrible.

The king decided to convene the Estates-General to put more taxes upon the citizens on the Finance Minister’s advice.

The votes of the Estate General used to happen on a per Estate basis.

The people of the Third Estate demanded that the votes should happen on a per head basis.

The King did not agree with such a proposal so the representatives of the Third Estate walked out of the assembly.

The Tennis Court Oath

The representatives of the Third Estate formed a National Assembly where they tried to draft a constitution that would limit the powers of the monarchy. The King and the Clergy ultimately conceded to the National Assembly. The legislative powers then shifted from the hands of the King to the National Assembly.

The newly created Legislative Assembly was divided into various political groups.

The Constitutionalists

The Republicans (The Girondins and The Jacobins)

The Rise of The Jacobins

Due to war, France faced havoc. The Girondins lost power and the Jacobins became the rulers. They declared France a Republic but it lost its value when they turned into tyrants. It was a brutal period of terror that the French had to face. Their leader, Robespierre was killed in 1794.

The Rise of The Middle Class

The middle class became powerful in the National Convention after the Jacobins left power.

The National Convention again created a new constitution.

Now, the Legislative Assembly has become bicameral.

There were 5 directors in the Executive.

Two-thirds of the members were from the National Convention.

The public did not receive it well and attacked the convention in 1795.

Napoleon, who stopped this attack later became the commander in chief of the French Army and also the supreme leader of France in 1799.

List of Important Dates and Years Related to The French Revolution Class 9 Notes

French revolution class 9 notes - interesting facts.

The French Revolution was a significant event in history that brought about radical political and social changes in France during the late 18th century. Here are some interesting facts about the French Revolution:

The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris. This event is considered a symbol of the revolution and is celebrated as Bastille Day in France.

The French Revolution was fueled by ideas of the Enlightenment, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. It aimed to overthrow the absolute monarchy and establish a more democratic government.

The Reign of Terror, which lasted from 1793 to 1794, was a period of intense violence and political repression during the French Revolution. It resulted in the execution of thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.

The French Revolution introduced the metric system, which is still widely used today. It was implemented to standardize measurements and facilitate trade and communication.

During the revolution, the French calendar was also changed. The Gregorian calendar was replaced with the French Republican Calendar, which had a ten-day week and new names for the months.

The French Revolution had a profound impact on the arts and culture. It gave rise to revolutionary ideals in literature, music, and visual arts, with artists and writers expressing their support or criticism of the revolution through their works.

Napoleon Bonaparte, a military general who rose to power during the revolution, eventually became the Emperor of France. His rule marked the end of the revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic era.

The French Revolution inspired similar movements in other countries, spreading the ideals of liberty, equality, and nationalism throughout Europe and beyond.

Women played a significant role in the French Revolution. They actively participated in political clubs, marched on Versailles to demand bread, and advocated for their rights through pamphlets and petitions.

The French Revolution had a long-lasting impact on the political landscape of Europe. It led to the rise of nationalism, the spread of revolutionary ideas, and the eventual downfall of monarchies in various countries.

Benefits of Referring to Vedantu's History Class 9 Chapter 1 notes PDF

Here are some benefits of referring to Vedantu's Class 9 French Revolution notes:

History Class 9 chapter 1 notes PDF are designed to summarize key points from the chapter, helping you grasp the main ideas of the French Revolution efficiently.

The French Revolution class 9 short notes provided by Vedantu are likely created by subject expert teachers familiar with the curriculum and student needs. 

The history class 9 chapter 1 notes PDF highlights the important concepts and exam-relevant information.

The French Revolution class 9 notes follow the structure of the chapter, making it easier to revise and link concepts together.

Vedantu's class 9 history chapter 1 notes includes additional explanations or examples that go beyond the textbook, providing a deeper understanding.

The French Revolution class 9 short notes are likely tailored to the specific CBSE curriculum, ensuring they cover the required topics for exams.

Vedantu's class Class 9 history chapter 1 notes are a valuable supplement to your textbook, helping you learn effectively and prepare well for tests on the French Revolution.

Download CBSE Class 9 History Notes 2024-25 PDF

Also, check CBSE Class 9 Chapter wise History notes PDF from the table below:

The CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 notes - The French Revolution , available as a free PDF download, offer a comprehensive and insightful exploration of one of the most significant events in world history. This chapter delves into the causes, key events, and consequences of the French Revolution, providing a deeper understanding of its impact on society, politics, and human rights.

The French Revolution class 9 notes begin by introducing the historical context that led to the outbreak of the French Revolution. They cover the social, economic, and political factors that contributed to the discontent among the French population and the call for change.

Moreover, the French Revolution Class 9 Notes CBSE History Chapter 1 provide an in-depth analysis of the major phases and events of the revolution, including the storming of the Bastille, the rise of the Jacobins, the Reign of Terror, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Through these events, students gain insights into the power struggles, ideologies, and conflicts that shaped the course of the revolution.

FAQs on CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 Notes - The French Revolution

1. What is the French Revolution according to Chapter 1 of Class 9 History?

The French Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1789, took place in France and did not end until 1799. It was an overthrow of the French monarchy by the population due to the political, economical, and social inequalities creating differences. One important event that took place as a part of the French Revolution is the Razing of the Bastille. An important law that was brought into practice as the revolution took place was the abolition of censorship. 

2. What were the main causes of the French Revolution according to Chapter 1 of Class 9 History notes?

According to the Class 9 History Chapter 1 notes, the following were the main causes that lead to the evoking of the French Revolution:

War against Britain to help America achieve independence

Privileges provided based on birth

The concentration of power among the privileged citizens

Subsistence crisis due to the rising population

Growing middle-class population taking a stand for themselves.

Students can find detailed explanations for these causes in the CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 Notes - The French Revolution part-1.

3. Where can I find Class 9 History Chapter 1-French Revolution notes?

Notes provided by subject experts at Vedantu are just the right source for you if you are looking for revision notes that are well-explained, accurate, and thorough with each detail from the chapter. Students can access and download the revision notes for Class 9 History Chapter 1 - French Revolution in PDF form free of cost. The notes are available on Vedantu ’s website and mobile app. These notes are also available in the Hindi medium.

4. What are the topics covered in Class 9 History Chapter 1 notes?

The Class 9 History Chapter 1 Revision Notes have been designed to cover each topic that is provided in the NCERT. 

The following is a list of thoroughly explained topics that are a part of Chapter 1:

Pre-revolution period

The initial events

The Razing of the Bastille

The Entry of Jacobins

The Rise of Jacobins

The Rise of the Middle Class

The End of the French Revolution

5. Explain the three estates as discussed in Class 9 History Chapter 1.

As explained in Class 9 History Chapter 1 revision notes, the French society had been divided into three estates. The first estate was made up of the clergy, the second of the nobility, and the third consisted of everyone else i.e. the common population. The first two estates were considered as privileged as they barely paid any taxes and yet owned most of the land. While the third estate had to provide services to the first two estates and pay a variety of taxes as well.

6. Why were women disappointed with the French Revolution?

The new French Constitution considered women as passive citizens and there were no rights for the women. The political clubs of the females were also banned. So, they were disappointed with the Revolution.

7. Can you list some of the democratic rights that we enjoy today that have their origins rooted in the French Revolution?

Here are the democratic rights that have their origin in the French Revolution:

Election of leaders and representatives

Equality before law

Right to Freedom

Right to Personal Liberty

8. How was the message of the Universal Rights contradictory in nature?

The Declaration of Rights announced that all men were equal in the eyes of law. But the right to vote was granted only to those men who could pay taxes equal to three days’ wages. The women and non-tax-paying men were deemed, passive citizens. Thus, a large number of citizens became passive and could not vote making the Universal rights contradictory. So, in a way, the Universal Rights were not universal in nature.

9. What was the contribution of the French Philosophers to the French Revolution?

The French philosophers had little to do with the French Revolution. They are remembered today only for their ideas which planted the seeds of revolution into the mind of the people.

STUDY MATERIALS FOR CLASS 9

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History Chapter 1 The French Revolution

• 9th February 2024

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 1 The French Revolution are prepared by expert teachers. These solutions contain answers to all the exercise questions provided in the History (India and the Contemporary World – I) textbook.

Class 9 History The French Revolution Questions and Answers

Question 1: Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.

Answer: The outbreak of revolutionary protest in France was primarily triggered by deep financial crises. The monarchy spent too much on wars and luxury. French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and the third estates. This financial strain led to increased taxes and economic hardship for the Third Estate, which comprised the majority of the population. Many people were hungry and angry because bread was expensive and there were not enough jobs. Ideas about freedom and equality from the Enlightenment and the American Revolution made people want change. King Louis XVI’s attempt to impose additional taxes on the third estates sparked outrage. They stormed a prison called the Bastille on July 14, 1789, leading to widespread violence, and marking the start of the French Revolution.

Question 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?

Answer: The group that benefited from the French Revolution primarily was the Third Estate. The third estate consisted of Peasants, artisans, Small peasants, landless labourers, servants, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers etc. The nobility and clergy, who formed the First and Second Estates respectively, were forced to relinquish power, losing their privileges, exemptions from taxes, and feudal rights. As these people had lost all their privileges, they were disappointed with the outcome of the revolution. Women, despite playing a significant role in the revolution did not gain equal political rights, which led to disappointment and continued struggle for rights.

Question 3: Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Answer: The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French Revolution. These ideals spread from France to the rest of Europe, leading to the abolition of feudal systems and influencing the push for democratic reforms. It inspired the Germans, Italians, and Austrians to overthrow their oppressive regimes. The French Revolution inspired the struggling nations of Asia and Africa that were groaning under the oppression of European colonialism. Figures like Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy were inspired by these ideas, integrating them into their own struggles against colonialism and social reform.

Question 4: Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.

Answer: The following fundamental rights, given in the Indian constitution can be traced to the French Revolution:

• Right to equality
• Right to liberty
• Right to Property
• Freedom of speech and expression
• The right to freedom from exploitation
• The right to constitutional remedies

Question 5: Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.

Answer:  Yes, the idea of universal rights during the French Revolution had contradictions. Women were disappointed that the Constitution of 1791 reduced them to passive citizens and left them out of the basic rights that were promised. Olympe de Gouges highlighted this contradiction by drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen, pointing out the Revolution’s failure to include women in its promise of equality. Additionally, while the Revolution led to the abolition of slavery in French colonies in 1794, this measure was short-lived, and Napoleon reintroduced slavery in 1802. So, while the Revolution had big ideas about rights for all, it didn’t make those rights real for everyone right away.

Question 6: How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

Answer: After the French Revolution, France was in chaos and needed strong leadership. Napoleon was a great general who became very popular because he won many battles. When the government, called the Directory, wasn’t doing a good job, Napoleon took the chance to take over. In 1799, he made himself the boss in a quick move called a coup. Because he was good at making decisions and had strong control, he made himself Emperor in 1804. People liked him because they wanted the country to be stable and strong again after so much trouble from the Revolution.

Napoleon’s rise can be explained by the political instability and turmoil that France experienced during and after the French Revolution. After the fall of the Jacobin government, the wealthier middle classes seized power through a new constitution. They denied votes to the lower class of society and established the Directory, an executive made up of five members. However, the Directors often clashed with the legislative councils, leading to political instability. This environment paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte, a military dictator, to rise to power. Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804 and set out to modernize Europe, introducing laws like the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights and measures. Initially, many saw him as a liberator who would bring freedom to the people, but his armies were soon viewed as an invading force. Despite his eventual defeat at Waterloo in 1815, many of his measures that carried revolutionary ideas had a long-lasting impact on Europe.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9th: Ch 1 The French Revolution History

Ncert solutions for class 9th: the french revolution history social studies (s.st), contact form.

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NCERT Solutions for Chapter 1 The French Revolution Class 9 History

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Extra Questions for Class 9 History Chapter 1 The French Revolution

Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 1 The French Revolution extra questions and answers available here in PDF format. Solving class 9 extra questions help students to revise the Chapter most competently. We prepared these questions with PDF as per the latest NCERT book and CBSE syllabus. Practising these questions before the exam will ensure excellent marks in the exam.

Class 9 History Chapter 1 extra Questions and Answers

Very short answer questions.

1. When did the French Revolution begin? Or When was the Bastille Prison stormed? Answer:  It began on 14th July, 1789 with the storming of the Bastille prison just outside Paris.

2. Louis XVI belonged to which dynasty? Or Which ruler came to power in France in 1774? Answer:  Louis XVI belonged to the Bourbon dynasty. He became the king of France 1774.

3. Who belonged to the third estate? Or  Which estate of the French society paid all taxes? Answer:  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.

4. The new Constitution of France drafted in 1791 immediately after the revolution made France what kind of state? Answer:  It made France a Constitutional monarchy, with the powers of the king severely limited.

5. Who was the leader of the Jacobin club? Answer:  The leader of the Jacobin club was Maximilian Robespierre.

6. Who was the author of the pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate’? Answer:  Abbe Sieyes, originally a priest, wrote an influential pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate’.

7. Who was the editor of the paper called “L’ami du peuple” (The friend of the people)? Answer:  The revolutionary journalist Jean-Paul Marat was the editor.

8. What was the charge on which king Louis XVI was sentenced to death? Answer:  Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the charge of treason. On 21st January, 1793 he was executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde.

9. What was the name of the assembly which was called in France in 1792? Or  Which new Assembly was formed by Jacobins? Or Who abolished monarchy in France and declared it a republic and when? Answer:  On 21 st September, 1792 the Convention, the newly elected assembly abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.

10. A triangular slave trade was held between which areas of the world during the 18th century? Or  Between which three continents triangular slave trade was held? Answer:  A triangular slave trade was held between Europe, Africa and the Americas to meet a shortage of labour on the plantations in the Americas.

11. When did Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France? Or When did Napoleon Bonaparte become Emperor of France? Answer:  He crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804.

12. When and where was Napoleon Bonaparte finally defeated? Or In which famous war was Napoleon Bonaparte defeated? Answer:  Napoleon was finally defeated at the battle of Waterloo in 1815.

13. Name the French port cities related with the slave trade. Or Name the French ports through which slave trade was done. Answer:  Bordeaux and Nantes were the places from where the French merchants sailed to the African coast, where they bought slaves from local chieftains.

14. Who did seize power after the fall of the Jacobin government? Answer:  The fall of the Jacobin government allowed the wealthier middle classes to seize power in the form of a political body called Directory.

15. Who did lead the representatives of the third estate in Versailles on 20th June, 1789? Answer:  The representatives of the third estate were led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes.

16. Which social groups emerged in the 18th century? Answer:  The 18th century witnessed the emergence of social groups, termed the middle class, as well as lawyers and administrative officials.

17. What was the name of the direct tax collected by the state from the peasants in 18th century France? Or What was taille? Answer:  These included A direct tax, called taille was collected by the state.

18. Name the French colonies in the Caribbean. Answer:  The French colonies in the Caribbean were Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo.

19. When was slavery finally abolished in the French colonies? Answer:  Slavery was finally abolished in the French colonies in 1848.

20. Who wrote a ‘Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizens’? Answer:  Olympe de Gouges wrote a ‘Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizens’ in 1791.

21. When did the women in France get the right to vote? | Or When did women in France finally get the right to vote in France? Answer:  In 1946, the women in France won the right to vote.

22. Name the symbol of eternity in the French society. Answer:  Snake biting its tail to form a ring is the symbol of eternity in the French society.

23. Which section of French society was forced to give up their power after the French Revolution? Answer:  First and second estates were forced to give up their power after the French Revolution.

24. Whom did Louis XVI get married to? Answer:  Louis XVI was married to princess Marie Antoinette of Austria.

25. Why was the Bastille hated by all? Or What did the fall of the Bastille signify? Answer:  The Bastille, the fortress prison was hated by all, because it stood for the despotic power of the king.

26. Name the classes which formed the privileged estates. Answer:  The clergy and the nobility constituted the privileged estates.

27. When was monarchy abolished and France declared a republic? Answer:  On 21st September, 1792 monarchy was abolished and France became a republic.

28. Name the authors of these following books.  (i) The Social Contract  (ii) The Spirit of Laws Answer:  (i)  ‘The Social Contract’ was written by Jean Jacques Rousseau. (ii)  ‘The Spirit of Laws’ was written by Montesquieu.

29. Explain the terms Liberty, Equality and Fraternity of French Revolution. Answer:  The term ‘Liberty’ means freedom, Equality stands for being equal and Fraternity stands for brotherhood.

30. Name the European countries which share common boundaries with France. Answer:  The countries which share common boundaries with France are Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium.

31. What was the most important legacy of the French Revolution? Answer:  The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French Revolution.

32. When was slavery finally abolished in France? Answer:  Slavery was finally abolished in 1848 in France.

33. Name the important political clubs formed by women in France to fight for their political rights. Answer:  The society of Revolutionary and The Republican Women.

34. What was ‘Directory’? Answer:  Directory was an executive made up of five members. They were appointed by two elected legislative councils.

35. How Robespierre’s end came? Answer:  Robespierre was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and on the next day sent to the guillotine and killed in the same manner he punished guilty people.

36. What was Guillotine? Answer:  Guillotine was a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It was named after Dr. Guillotine, who invented it.

37. Who introduced ‘Reign of terror’ in France? Answer:  Robespierre introduced Reign to Terror when he followed a policy of severe control and punishment in France.

38. Who were ‘Sans-Culottes’? Answer:  Those Jacobins were known as Sans-Culottes, who were without knee breeches and who wore red caps to symbolize liberty.

39. What were political clubs? Answer:  Political clubs were formed by people to discuss government policies and plan their own forms of actions. Women too formed such clubs.

40. What was ‘Marseillaise’? Answer:  It was a patriotic song sung by volunteers of Marseilles as they marched into Paris. Marseillaise is now the national anthem of France.

41. Who could qualify as an Elector? Or Who were electors? Answer:  To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to belong to the highest bracket of taxpayers.

42. When was the draft of the National Assembly’s constitution completed and what was its main objective? Answer:  The draft of the constitution was completed in 1791 and its main objective was to limit the powers of the monarch.

43. What was tithe? Answer:  It was a tax levied by the church, comprising at least one tenth of the agricultural produce by the farmers.

44. What was a ‘Manor’? Answer:  Manor was an estate consisting of the lord’s lands and his mansion.

45. What does ‘Chateau’ mean? Answer:  It was a castle or stately residence belonging to a king or a nobleman.

46. What do you know about Abbe Sieyes. Answer:  Abbe Sieves was originally a priest. He wrote an influential pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate’.

47. What was the Estates General? Answer:  The Estates General was a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives.

48. How was division of power suggested by philosopher Montesquieu? Answer:  Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.

49. Why was Bastille Prison attacked? Answer:  The revolutionaries stormed the Bastille prison with a hope to find hoarded ammunition for the revolution.

50. What does ‘subsistence crisis’ mean? Answer:  It is an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood were endangered.

51. What was the Bastille? OR Who had stormed the Bastille during the last years of the 18th century? Answer:  The Bastille was the fortress-prison that was stormed by the people of Paris on 14 July 1789.

Short Answer Type Questions

1. What was the subsistence crisis? Why did it occur in France during the Old Regime?

Answer:   Definition-  Subsistence crisis can be defined as an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered. Reason-  The population of France was on the rise. It rose from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. This led to an increase in the demand for food grains. The production of food grains could not keep pace with the demand and the price of bread which was the staple diet of the majority rose rapidly. The wages also did not keep pace with the rise in prices. This led to the subsistence crisis in France.

2. What was the system of voting in the Estates General? What change did the Third Estate want in this system?

Answer:  Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote. Members of the Third Estate demanded that voting must now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote.  This was according to the democratic principles put forward by philosophers like Rousseau in his book  “The Social Contract” .

3. What were ‘natural and inalienable rights’?

Answer:  The constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law were established as ‘natural and inalienable rights’, i.e., they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away. It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights.

4. What was the importance of the Declaration of the Rights of Man? 

Answer:  The document ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man” passed by France’s National Constituent Assembly in August 1789, hit the prevailing European system which was based on privileges. It is a fundamental document of the French Revolution that granted civil rights such as faith in equality, liberty and fraternity. It was a remarkable declaration and is regarded as ‘‘gospel of modern time” although it excluded a significant segment of the French population.

5. Discuss the role of women in the French Revolution.

Answer:  Women were active participants in the events related to the French Revolution of 1789. Most women of the Third Estate had to work for a living as seamstresses, flower-sellers, vegetable and fruit sellers. They led a hard life, and were paid lower wages. So to discuss and voice their interests they began their own newspapers and political clubs. They put forward their political and economic demands.

6. Who were the people who comprised the Third Estate? Who paid the taxes and to whom?

Answer:   The people who comprised the Third Estate were big businessmen, merchants, lawyers, peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless labour and servants. These were 95 percent of the population. They had to pay taxes to the state. Taxes included taille, tithes and a number of indirect taxes. 

7. Who formed the National Assembly? On which day is ‘Bastille Day’ celebrated and why?

Answer:  The representatives of the Third Estate assembled at Versailles on 20 June 1789 and declared themselves a National Assembly and swore not to disperse till they had drafted a constitution for France. The Bastille Day is celebrated on 14th July every year because on this day the unruly Paris mob stormed and attacked the prison of Bastille which was considered a symbol of terror and despotism.

8. Name three famous writers and philosophers who influenced the French Revolution. What were their ideas?

Answer: Jean Jacques Rousseau –  A French Swiss philosopher. His main idea was – man is naturally good and that society of civilisation makes man anxious and unhappy. Mirabeau-  He brought about a journal and delivered powerful speeches to the crowds at Versailles. Voltaire –  A famous French writer. He exposed the evils prevailing in the Church and administration.

9. Who were the sans culottes? Who were able to control them in the end?

Answer:  A large among the Jacobins decided to start wearing long striped trousers similar to those worn by dock workers. To set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of the society, especially nobles, who wore knee breeches. It was a way of proclaiming the end of the power wielded by wearers of knee breeches. These Jacobins came to be known as the sans culottes, literally meaning ‘those without knee breeches’. After the fall of Jacobins, power was seized by the wealthier middle class.

10. Which single event turned the revolution into a Reign of Terror? Describe the role of Robespierre in it.

Answer:  The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the ‘‘Reign of Terror’’. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All these he saw as enemies of the republic. Examples:  Nobles, clergymen and other party members, with whom he did not agree were arrested, imprisoned, tried and guillotined if found guilty. He pursued his policies relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation.

11. Describe the role of the Bourbon kings in the French Revolution.

Answer:  The Bourbon kings maintained an extravagant court. They lived and spent lavishly. The many wars and their lavish style of living had drained the financial resources of France. The treasury was empty. France was under a debt of more than 2 billion livres.  To meet expenses the state under Louis XVI, who was only 20 years of age when he ascended, increased taxes. There was a steep rise in prices, extreme shortage of food, low wages, the gap between the rich and the poor widened. All this finally led to the French Revolution.

12. How was French Society organised? What privileges did certain sections of society enjoy? Or How far was the French society responsible for the drastic changes brought about by the revolution?

Answer:  French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three Estates-two privileged estates, i.e. the clergy and the nobility, and the Third Estate comprising businessmen, traders, lawyers, peasants, workers, poor people. Out of these, only the members of the Third Estate paid taxes. 

The maximum burden of taxes was borne by the common people, which gave rise to the ‘subsistence crisis’. The growth of an enlightened, educated middle class plus the role of philosophers like Locke and Rousseau, together brought about the changes caused by the revolution.

13. Write the importance of Napoleon Bonaparte in the History of France and the world.

Answer:  Napoleon saw himself as a moderniser of Europe. He introduced many laws such as protection of private property and uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. He carried out the revolutionary ideas of liberty and modern laws to other parts of Europe which he conquered. They had a great impact on people. He was a great general too.

14. What was the Estates General? Which demand of the Third Estate did Louis XVI reject?

Answer:  The estates general was a political body of France to which the three estates sent their representatives which would then pass the proposal of new taxes. The Third Estate demanded that voting in the assembly should be conducted as a whole and each member should have one vote. This was rejected by King Louis XVI.

15. What is the significance of ‘The Tennis Court Oath’ in the French Revolution?

Answer: The representatives of the Third Estate viewed themselves as spokesmen for the whole French nation. On 20th June, 1789, they assembled in the hall of on indoor tennis court in the grommets of versailles. They declared themselves a national assembly and score not the disperse till they had drafted a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch. They were led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes.

16. Write three main features of the French constitution of 1791.

Answer: (a)  The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791. Its main objective was to limit the powers of the monarch. (b)  The power to make laws was vested in the National Assembly. Citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the assembly. (c)  Rights like the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law were established as ‘natural and inalienable’ rights. It as the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights.

17. What was the contribution of Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes to the French Revolution?

Answer:  On 20 June, 1789, the representatives of the Third Estate had assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. They were led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes. Himself from a noble family, Mirabeau was convinced of the need to do away with a society of feudal privileges. He brought out a journal and delivered powerful speeches to the crowds assembled at Versailles. Abbe Sieyes, originally a priest, wrote an influential pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate’?

18. How was the Church responsible for the French Revolution? Mention three points.

Answer: (a)  The members of the church- clergy belonged to the First Estate. The clergy enjoyed all privileges with no obligations. They lived in pomp and extravagance which led to resentment among the members of the Third Estate. (b)  The church was the owner of a big chunk of land in France. It maintained a federal set up. (c)  The church too extracted its share of taxes called tithes from the peasants. Apart from this, the church also collected several other dues.

Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the “Reign of Terror” in brief.    [CBSE 2015]

Answer:  The following points explain the Reign of Terror: (a)  The period from 1793 to 1794 is called the Reign of Terror because Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. Ex-nobles, clergy, members of other political parties and even the members of his own party, who did not agree with his methods, were arrested, imprisoned and guillotined. (b)  Laws were issued by Robespierre’s government laws were issued by placing a maximum ceiling of wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. (c)  Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government. The use of more expensive white flour was forbidden; all citizens were required to eat the equality bread. (d)  Equality was also sought to be practiced through forms of speech and address. Instead of the traditional Sir and Madam, French men and women were addressed as citizen. (e)  Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into barracks or offices. Finally, Robespierre was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and the next day, sent to the guillotine.

2. Explain the features of the constitution of France drafted in 1791.

Answer: (a)  The constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution in France, created after the collapse of absolute rule. (b)  Its main aim was to limit the powers of the monarch. (c)  Powers were then divided/separated and assigned to different institutions like legislative, executive and judiciary. (d)  According to this, active citizens of France elected electors who in turn voted to elect the National Assembly. (e)  Not all citizens had the right to vote. Only men of 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least three days of a labourer’s wage. They were called active citizens. (f)  The remaining men and all women were called the passive citizens. (g)  The National Assembly controlled the king. France became a constitutional monarchy.

3. Describe the incidents that led to the storming of the Bastille.

Answer: (a)  While the National Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of France was seething with turmoil. A severe winter had meant a bad harvest, the price of bread rose. (b)  The situation worsened When bakers started hoarding supplies. (c)  After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into the shops. At the same time, the king had ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14 July,1789 the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed Bastille. (d)  In the armed fight the commander was killed and all the seven prisoners were released. Bastile was hated by all because it stood for despotic powers of the king. (e)  The fortress was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the market to all those who wished to keep a souvenir of its destruction.

4. Why did slavery begin and why was it abolished in French colonies?

Answer: (a)  The slave trade began in the 17th century. The colonies in the Caribbean – Martinique, Guadeloupe and San Domingo – were important Suppliers of commodities. (b)  But the reluctance of Europeans to go and work in distant and unfamiliar lands meant a shortage of labour on the plantations. (c)  Throughout the eighteenth century there was little criticism of slavery in France. The National Assembly did not pass any laws, fearing opposition from businessmen whose incomes depended on the slave trade. (d)  It was the Convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in the French overseas possessions. This, however, turned out to be a short-term measure. Napoleon reintroduced slavery. (e)  Slavery was finally abolished in French colonies in 1848.

5. what is a revolution? In what ways did the French Revolution mean different to different people?

Answer:   It is an attempt by a large number of people to change the government of a country, especially by violent action. It has changed the life of many people in the following manner. (a)  The Third Estate comprising the common men benefited from the Revolution. (b)  The clergy and nobility had to relinquish power. Their land was confiscated. Their privileges were finished. (c)  The people of lower middle class also benefited. Position of artisans and workers improved. (d)  Clergy, feudal lords, nobles and even women were disappointed. (e)  The revolution did not bring real equality as everyone was not given the right to vote meaning women who got it finally in 1946.

6. Describe how the new political system of constitutional monarchy worked in France.

Answer:   The Constitution of 1791-  The new system had many new following changes in the functioning of government. (a)  The constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected. That is, citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly. (b)  Not all citizens, however, had the right to vote. 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 citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote. (c)  The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens. To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to belong to the highest bracket of taxpayers.

7. How did Robespierre propose to bring about equality in the French society?

Answer:   Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment to bring about equality in the French society. He brought many following changes. (a)  He put a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. (b)  Meat and bread were rationed. (c)  Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government. (d)  The use of expensive white flour was prohibited. .All citizens were required to eat the equality bread made of whole wheat. (e)  Equality was also practised through forms of speech and address. All French men and women were called Citoyen and Citoyenne respectively (citizens). (f)  Churches were shut down and converted into barracks or offices (the church buildings).

8. What are the three important ideas of the French Revolution? How were they guaranteed under the constitution of 1791?

Answer:   The three important ideas of the French revolution was Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The constitution passed the right of man and citizen and the following rights were established as ‘natural and unalienable’ rights:  (a)  Right to life,  (b)  Freedom of speech,  (c)  Freedom of opinion,  (d)  Equality before law  Rights were given by birth and could not be taken away. The duty of the state was to protect each citizen’s natural rights.

9. What were the causes for the empty treasure of France under Louis XIV? Assess any three causes.

Answer:   (a)  Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. Under Louis XIV, France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from the common enemy, British. The war added more than a billion lives to a debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion lives. (b)  Lenders who gave the state credit began to charge 10 percent interests on loans. So the French government was obliged to spend an increasing percentage of its budget on interest payments alone. (c)  The cost of maintaining the army, the court, government officials and universities was very high.

10. ‘‘The inequality that existed in the French society in the Old Regime became the cause of French Revolution.’’ Justify the statement by giving three suitable examples.

Answer: (a)  Peasants constituted about 90 per cent of the population but about 60 per cent of the land was owned by nobles, the church and richer members of the Third Estate.

(b)  The members of the First Estate and the Second Estate, that is the clergy and the nobility, enjoyed certain privileges by birth. The most important of these was exemption from paying taxes to the state.  The nobles further enjoyed feudal privileges. These included feudal dues, which they extracted from the peasants, peasants were obliged to render services to the lord–to work in his house and fields, to serve in the army or to participate in building roads.

(c)  The burden of financing activities of the state through taxes was borne by the Third Estate alone. Taxes included tithes collected by the church from the peasants and taille, a direct tax, and a number of indirect taxes which were levied on activities of everyday consumption like salt and tobacco.  Thus the members of the Third Estate groaned under heavy taxation with no privileges whatever. This led to a deep sense of resentment among the members of the Third Estate who galvanised and led the revolution.

11. Why did King Louis XIV conclude to increase taxes? Assess any three points.

Answer: (a)  Upon his accession, Louis XIV found the treasury empty. Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. France had helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence. Total debt rose to more than 2 billion livres. Lenders began to charge 10 per cent or more as interest.

(b)  Added to this financial burden was the huge cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immerse of Versailles

(c)  The French government was obliged to spend an increasing percentage of its budget on interest payments alone. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes.

12. Explain the condition which led to the rise of Jacobins.

Answer: (a)  The revolutionary wars brought losses and economic difficulties to the people. Huge sections of the population were convinced that the revolution had to be carried further, as the constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society.

(b)  Political clubs became an important rallying point for people who wished to discuss government policies and plan their own forms of action. The most successful of these clubs was that of the Jacobins which got its name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris.

(c)  In the summer of 1792, the Jacobins planned an insurrection of a large number of Parisians who were angered by the short supplies and high prices of food. On August 10, they stormed the palace of the Tuileries, massacred the king’s guards and held the king himself hostage for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to imprison the royal family. The Jacobin regime from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror.

13. How did the peasants contribute to the outbreak of the French Revolution? Explain.

Answer:  The peasants constituted the majority of the Third Estate which led the revolution. Peasants made up about 90 per cent of the population. However, only a small number of them owned the land they cultivated. They had to bear the burden of taxes. The nobles extracted feudal dues from the peasants. 

Peasants were obliged to render services to the lord–to work in his house and fields and to serve in the army or to participate in building roads. The exploitation of peasantry and their misery led the peasants to revolt. 

They became the most vociferous section of the Third Estate which led the revolution. Moreover, the peasants were the worst victims of the Subsistence Crisis which occurred frequently in France during the Old Regime.

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Class Notes

Free Class Notes & Study Material

History Chapter 1 The French Revolution – Notes & Study Material

Last Updated on July 3, 2023 By Mrs Shilpi Nagpal

☛ NCERT Solutions – Chapter 1 The French Revolution

• 1 French Society During the Late 18th Century 
• 2 A Growing Middle Class Envisages an End to Privileges
• 3 The Outbreak of the French Revolution
• 4.1 Social Cause 
• 4.2 Economic Cause (The struggle to survive)
• 4.3 Political Cause
• 5 France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
• 6 Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
• 7 The Jacobins
• 8 The Reign of Terror
• 9 The Directory Rules France
• 10 Revolution and Women
• 11 The Abolition of Slavery
• 12 The Revolution and Everyday Life or Effect of Revolution on the People of France
• 13 Legacy of the French Revolution

French Society During the Late 18th Century 

(i) The first two estates, i.e., the clergy and the nobility were called the privileged classes because they enjoyed certain rights and privileges by birth. They were exempted from paying taxes to the state.

(ii) Only the Third Estate paid taxes. They also had to render services to the landowners.

(iii) The Church also collected taxes called tithes from the peasants.

(iv) When Louis XVI ascended the throne he found an empty treasury.

(v) Long years of war had drained the financial resources of the country.

(vi) France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain independence from Britain; this added to the economic problems of France.

(vii) Louis XVI wanted to raise the taxes to meet the expenses and increase the income of the government.

A Growing Middle Class Envisages an End to Privileges

(i) In the 18th century, a new social group emerged who were known as the middle class. They had become rich through expansion of overseas trade.

(ii) In addition to merchants and manufacturers there were lawyers and administrative officials who were educated and believed that no group of society should be privileged by birth but their position should depend on merit. They demanded an end to privileges.

(iii) Philosophers like Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu believed in a society based on freedom, equal law and opportunities for all Rousseau proposed a government based on a social contract between the people and their representatives.

The Outbreak of the French Revolution

(i) On 5th May, 1789 Louis XVI called together an assembly of the three Estates to pass proposals for new taxes.

(ii) Each Estate had one vote. The Third Estate demanded one vote for each member of the assembly. They demanded that voting should now be conducted by the assembly as a whole.

(iii) When the king rejected the proposals of the Third Estate, they walked out of the assembly in protest and held their meeting in the hall of an indoor tennis court and declared themselves the National Assembly.

(iv) Meanwhile the rest of France was seething with turmoil because a bad harvest led of increase in bread prices and hoarding. Crowds of angry women stormed the shops.

(v) On 14th July, 1789, an agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille, a prison just outside Paris, freeing all its prisoners.

(vi) Due to rumours spreading about the nobles trying to destroy crops, the peasants attacked them, booting and destroying records of manorial duces.

(vii) Finally, the king agreed to a Constitutional Monarchy rule. On 4th August, 1789, the Assembly abolished taxes and tithes and the lands owned by the Church were confiscated.

Causes of French Revolution

France becomes a constitutional monarchy.

(i) The National Assembly completed the draft of the Constitution in 1791. Power was assigned to different institutions, the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This made France a Constitutional Monarchy.

(ii) Only men who paid taxes equal to 3 days wages of a labourer were entitled to vote.

(iii) The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

(i) The Constitution began with a declaration of the rights of man and citizen. Rights such as right to live, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion and equality before law as established as the ‘natural and inalienable’ rights.

(ii) Each right belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away.

(iii) It became the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights. 

The Jacobins

(i) The people who were poor were not her given political rights. So, they formed clubs to discuss government policies and plan their actions.

(ii) The most popular club was that of the Jacobins. This club included small shopkeepers, artisans such as shoemakers, pastry cooks, printers, servants and daily-wage workers.

(iii) Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre.

(iv) The Jacobins wore striped trousers to set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of society who wore knee breeches.

The Reign of Terror

(i) The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror.

(ii) Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment.

(iii) All those whom he saw as being ‘enemies’ of the republic, ex-nobles and clergy, members of other political parties and even members of his own party who did not agree with his methods were arrested, imprisoned and tried by a revolutionary tribunal.

(iv) If the court found them guilty they were guillotined.

(v) This government placed a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Use of expensive white bread was forbidden.

(vi) All French men and women were now called citoyen and citoyenne (citizens). Churches were closed.

(vii) Even the supporters of Robespierre demanded moderation Finally, he was convicted by a court in, July 1794, arrested and on the next day sent to the guillotine.

The Directory Rules France

(i) The fall of the Jacobins allowed the wealthier middle class to seize power. A new Constitution provided for two councils which elected a Directory made up of five members.

(ii) The directors often clashed with the Legislative Councils who then sought to dismiss them.

(iii) The political instability of the directory paved the way for the rise of the military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.

Revolution and Women

(i) Most of the women of the Third Estate had to work hard for a living. They worked as seamstresses, sold flowers. fruits and vegetables or worked as domestic servants. They had no access to education or job training.

(ii) Their wages were lower then men.

(iii) They started their own newspapers and political clubs.

(iv) One of their main demands was equal political rights; they demanded the right to vote, to be elected to the Assembly and to hold political office.

(v) The revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped to improve the lives of women.

(vi) Schooling for girls was made compulsory.

(vii) Their fathers could not force them into marriage against their will. Marriage was made into a contract entered into freely and registered under civil law.

(viii) Divorce was made legal and could be applied for by both women and men.

(ix) Women too could now train for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses.

(x) It was finally in 1946 that women in France won the right to vote.

(xi) Olympe de Gouges was one of the most important politically active women in revolutinary France.

The Abolition of Slavery

(i) One of the most revolutionary reforms of the Jacobin regime was the abolition of slavery in the French colonies in the Caribbean.

(ii) The slaves were brought from Africa by the European traders and sold in Europe and America to work in the sugar, coffee and Indigo plantations. 

(iii) The National Assembly did not pass laws to abolish slavery, as they feared opposition from businessmen whose income depended on slave trade.

(iv) Finally, the Convention in 1794 made laws to free all slaves in French overseas possessions.

(v) After 10 years, Napoleon reintroduced slavery.

(vi) Slavery was finally abolished in French colonies in 1848.

The Revolution and Everyday Life or Effect of Revolution on the People of France

(i) The years following 1789 in France saw many changes in the lives of women and children.

(ii) One important law was the abolition of censorship on books, newspapers, plays, etc.

(iii) Now the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen proclaimed freedom of speech and expression to be a natural right.

(iv) Newspapers, pamphlets, books and printed pictures flooded the towns of France from where they travelled rapidly to the countryside.

(v) Freedom of the Press meant that opposing views of events could be expressed.

Legacy of the French Revolution

(i) The ideas of liberty, equality, and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French revolution.

(ii) These spread from France to the rest of Europe during the 19th century where feudalism was abolished.

(ii) Colonised people reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign state.

(iv) Tipu Sultan and Ram Mohan Roy are two examples of individuals who responded to ideas coming from revolutionary France.

About Mrs Shilpi Nagpal

Author of this website, Mrs. Shilpi Nagpal is MSc (Hons, Chemistry) and BSc (Hons, Chemistry) from Delhi University, B.Ed. (I. P. University) and has many years of experience in teaching. She has started this educational website with the mindset of spreading free education to everyone. In addition to this website, author also has a Youtube channel, here is the link Class Notes Youtube Channel

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• CBSE Notes For Class 9
• Class 9 Social Science Notes
• Class 9 History Notes
• Chapter 1 The French Revolution

CBSE Class 9 History Notes Chapter 1 - The French Revolution

CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 – The French Revolution led to the end of the monarchy in France. The chapter also discusses the Declaration of the Rights of Man, notions of equality and freedom, and anti-colonial movements in India and China, Africa and South America. Class 9 History Notes of Chapter 1 enable students to study smartly and get a clear idea about every concept discussed in the Class 9 History syllabus. The notes contain all the important topics, which help in quick revision. By going through these CBSE Class 9 History notes for Chapter 1, students can boost their exam preparation and score higher marks in the exams.

• Chapter 2 Socialism In Europe and The Russian Revolution
• Chapter 3 Nazism and The Rise Of Hitler
• Chapter 4 Forest Society and Colonialism
• Chapter 5 Pastoralists In The Modern World

CBSE Class 9 History Notes Chapter 1 – The French Revolution

The french revolution.

In 1789, in the wake of early morning, the city of Paris was in a state of alarm. Rumours spread that the King would open fire upon the citizens. People started gathering, and they started breaking down a number of government buildings in search of arms. The commander of the Bastille was killed in the armed fight, and the prisoners were released. People hated the Bastille as it stood for the despotic power of the king. People protested against the high price of bread. A new chain of events began, which led to the execution of the King in France.

French Society During the Late Eighteenth Century

Louis XVI, in 1774, ascended the throne of France. Financial France was drained because of the war. France, under Louis XVI, helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from Britain. Taxes were increased to meet regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, and running government offices or universities. The country of France was divided into three estates in the eighteenth century. The feudal system was part of the society’s estates dating back to the middle ages. 90 percent of the population was dominated by peasants, but only a small number of them owned the land they cultivated. 60 percent was owned by nobles, the Church and other richer members of the third estate. The clergy and the nobility, members of the first two estates, enjoyed certain privileges by birth. These groups of members were exempted from paying taxes and enjoyed feudal privileges. All members of the third estate had to pay taxes to the state, which included a direct tax, called taille, and a number of indirect taxes, which were levied on articles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco.

The Struggle to Survive

The increase in population led to a rapid increase in the requirement for food grains. Production of grains could not keep pace with the demand, due to which the price of bread rose rapidly. Due to the low wages paid to the labourers, the gap between the poor and the rich widened. Things became worse whenever drought or hail reduced the harvest.

A Growing Middle Class Envisages an End to Privileges

Peasants used to participate in revolts against taxes and food scarcity. The group of the third estate had become prosperous and had access to education and new ideas. In the eighteenth century, new social groups emerged, termed the middle class, who earned their wealth through expanding overseas trade and by manufacturing woollen and silk textiles that were either exported or bought by the richer members of society. The third estate included professions such as lawyers or administrative officials. A person’s social position was dependent on their merit.

All these groups were educated and believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth. Rather, a person’s social position must depend on his merit. A new form of government was proposed by Rousseau based on a social contract between people and their representatives.

Similarly, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. In the USA, this model of government was put into force. Louis Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes to meet the expenses.

The Outbreak of the Revolution

In France, the monarch didn’t have the power to impose taxes. They had to call a meeting of the Estates-General, a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives, to pass proposals for new taxes. Louis XVI, on 5 May 1789, called an assembly to pass proposals for new taxes. Representatives from the first and second estates were present, and the third estate was represented by its prosperous and educated members. According to the principle, each estate had one vote. But, representatives from the third estate demanded each member would have one vote. The demand was rejected, so members of the third estate walked out to protest. They swore not to disperse till a constitution was drafted for France that would limit the powers of the monarch.

Due to the severe winter, bread prices rose, and people had to spend hours in long queues. Rumours spread that the lords of the manor hired bands of brigands to destroy the ripe crops. In fear, peasants started looting hoarded grain and burnt down documents containing records of manorial dues. Nobles fled from their homes. Louis XVI accorded recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the principle that his powers would, from now on, be checked by a constitution. The Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes on 4 August 1789. Tithes were abolished, and lands owned by the Church were confiscated.

France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy

In 1791, The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution, and its main object was to limit the powers of the monarch. These powers were now separated and assigned to different institutions – the legislature, executive and judiciary. France became a constitutional monarchy.

Citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly, but unfortunately, not every citizen had the right to vote. Men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage were entitled to vote. The Constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, and equality before the law were established as ‘natural and inalienable’ rights; that is, they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away.

France Abolishes Monarchy and Becomes a Republic

In April 1792, the National Assembly voted for a war against Prussia and Austria. Marseillaise became the national anthem of France. While men were away fighting in the war, women took care of their families. Large sections of the population demanded that the revolution had to be carried further, as the Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society. Political clubs were formed, and among them, Jacobins became the most successful club. Members of the Jacobin club included small shopkeepers, artisans such as shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers, as well as servants and daily-wage workers. Jacobin members started wearing long striped trousers similar to those worn by dockworkers. These Jacobins were called the sans-culottes, literally meaning ‘those without knee breeches’. On August 10 1792, Jacobins stormed the Palace of the Tuileries and held the king hostage for several hours. Elections were held, and all men of 21 years and above got the right to vote. The monarchy was abolished on 21 September 1792, and France was declared a republic. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the charge of treason.

The Reign of Terror

The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror. People whom Robespierre saw as enemies of the republic were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If they were declared guilty by the court, then they were guillotined. The guillotine is a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded, named after Dr Guillotin. Laws were issued to place a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Expensive white flour was forbidden to use. Equality was practised through forms of speech and address. All French men and women were addressed as Citoyen and Citoyenne (Citizen). In July 1794, he was convicted by a court, arrested and the next day sent to the guillotine.

A Directory Rules France

The fall of the Jacobin government allowed the wealthier middle classes to seize power. According to the new constitution, non-propertied sections of society were denied voting. It provided for two elected legislative councils. The government appointed a Directory consisting of executives made up of five members. Political instability paved the way for a military dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Did Women have a Revolution?

Women were active participants from the beginning, which brought important changes in the country of France. Women from the third estate had to work for a living, and they didn’t have access to education or job training. Daughters of nobles of the third estate were allowed to study at a convent. Working women also had to care for their families. Compared to men, their wages were lower. Women also started their political clubs and newspapers. The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was one of the most famous women’s clubs. They demanded equal political rights as men, the right to vote and to hold political office. The revolutionary government introduced laws to improve the lives of women. Schooling became compulsory, divorce was made legal, and they could run small businesses. During the Reign of Terror, the government closed women’s clubs banning their political activities. After much struggle, women in France in 1946 won the right to vote.

The Abolition of Slavery

Jacobin’s regime’s most revolutionary social reform was the abolition of slavery in the French colonies. In the seventeenth century, the slavery trade began. Slaves were brought from local chieftains, branded and shackled and packed tightly into ships for the three-month-long voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. Slave labour met the growing demand in European markets for sugar, coffee, and indigo. Throughout the eighteenth century, there was little criticism of slavery in France. In 1794, the Convention legislated to free all slaves in the French overseas possessions. Napoleon introduced slavery after ten years. In 1848, slavery was abolished in French colonies.

The Revolution and Everyday Life

France during 1789 saw changes in the lives of men, women and children. The abolition of censorship happened in the summer of 1789. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen proclaimed freedom of speech and expression to be a natural right. Freedom of the press meant opposing views of events could be expressed. Plays, songs and festive processions attracted large numbers of people.

Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804 and introduced many laws, such as the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1815. The ideas of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French Revolution. Colonised peoples reworked the idea of freedom to create a sovereign nation-state.

For more information on Political Causes of French Revolution , watch the below video

Students can go through geography, history, political science and economics notes by visiting the CBSE Class 9 Social Science page at BYJU’S. Keep learning and stay tuned for further updates on CBSE and other competitive exams.

Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 9 History Notes Chapter 1: French Revolution

When was the french revolution started.

The French Revolution started on the 5th May 1789.

Who won the French Revolution?

Napoleon Bonaparte took charge and came to power at the end of the French Revolution.

What were the main causes of the French Revolution?

The main factors which contributed to the French Revolution were: 1. The Estate system 2. Absolutism 3. Ideas from the ‘Enlightenment’ 4. The American Revolution 5 Poverty and food shortage

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9th Class Social Science The French Revolution Question Bank

Done case based (mcqs) - the french revolution total questions - 20.

A) Communist state done clear

B) Constitutional Monarchy done clear

C) Democratic state done clear

D) Totalitarian state done clear

question_answer 2) Which of these rights were not established as ‘natural and inalienable’ rights by the constitution of 1791?

A) Right to life done clear

B) Freedom of speech and opinion done clear

C) Equality before the law done clear

D) All of the above done clear

question_answer 3) In the case of constitutional monarchy, the monarch.............

A) has no or few legal limitations in political matters. done clear

B) retains a distinctive legal and ceremonial role but exercise limited or no power. done clear

C) has so all the power and no legal limitation in the political matter. done clear

D) has no legal and ceremonial roles in the government. done clear

question_answer 4) What was the main objective behind drafting of constitution of 1791?

A) To limit the power of the monarch. done clear

B) To regulate the powers of the monarch. done clear

C) To increase the powers of the monarch. done clear

D) None of the above done clear

A) Rulers of the neighbouring countries wanted to make an association. done clear

B) Rulers of the neighbouring countries preferred the policies of Louis XVI. done clear

C) Rulers of the neighbouring countries were worried by the development in France. done clear

question_answer 6) Identify the reason, why thousands of volunteers from the different provinces joined the army of National Assembly?

A) They thought they would get a good remuneration for it. done clear

B) They wanted to take part in war. done clear

C) They saw this as a war of people against kings and aristocracies of European countries. done clear

question_answer 7) Why did the large section of French people thought that the revolution had to be carried further?

A) Leaders only could achieve desired freedom. done clear

B) It made the society livable. done clear

C) The Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society. done clear

D) The Third Estate wanted economic freedom. done clear

question_answer 8) Political club during the French people thought that the revolution had to be carried further?

A) Revolution became very significant in society as it became a rallying for discussing government policies. done clear

B) they planned their own forms of action. done clear

C) they wanted cultural upliftment of the society. done clear

D) Both (a) and (b) done clear

A) This period was ruled by the Jacobin club under the leadership of Robespierre. done clear

B) Robespierre was strict administrator and reformer. done clear

C) Robespierre follow a policy of severe control and punishment. done clear

question_answer 10) Who were referred as enemies of French Society by Robespierre?

A) Ex-nodes ana dergy. done clear

B) Members of other political parties. done clear

C) Even member of his own party who did not agree with Robespierre. done clear

question_answer 11) Identify the steps taken by Robespierre Government.

A) Government controlled basic foods like bread and meat. done clear

B) Peasants were forced to sell their grains at a fixed rate. done clear

C) Wages were increased. done clear

question_answer 12) What steps were taken by Robespierre in the field of religion?

A) Churches were shut down. done clear

B) Christianity became state religion. done clear

C) Building of Churches were converted into barracks or offices. done clear

D) Both (a) and (c) done clear

A) women were given equal rights after revolution. done clear

B) women were treated as inferiors even after the revolution. done clear

C) women were allowed to form clubs and participate in politics. done clear

question_answer 14) The ‘Reign of Terror’ in France is the period between..............

A) 1791 and 1792 done clear

B) 1792 and 1793 done clear

C) 1793 and 1794 done clear

D) 1794 and 1795 done clear

question_answer 15) ........was a famous woman revolutionary in France during the 18th Century?

A) Abbe Sieyes done clear

B) Mandelin Malt done clear

C) Olympic De Gouges done clear

D) Melteza Van Gogh done clear

question_answer 16) When did women finally won the right to vote in France?

A) 1945 done clear

B) 1946 done clear

C) 1947 done clear

D) 1948 done clear

A) adopt the ideas of the Protestant Reformation done clear

B) restore Louis XVI to power done clear

C) provide stability for the nation done clear

D) end British control of France done clear

question_answer 18) Napoleon was defeated in the…...........

A) Crimean War done clear

B) Battle of Waterloo done clear

C) Seven Weeks’ War done clear

D) None of these done clear

question_answer 19) Which country emerged as the most powerful continental state after the fall of Napoleon?

A) Russia done clear

B) Prussia done clear

C) Britain done clear

D) Italy done clear

question_answer 20) Which of the following facts is/are incorrect about Napoleon’s rule?

A) It was the first egalitarian dictatorship of modern times. done clear

B) Revolutionary institutions were consolidated. done clear

C) The French government was thoroughly decentralised under his rule. done clear

D) Spread positive achievements of the French Revolution to the rest of Europe. done clear

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Class 9 History Chapter 1 Extra Questions and Answers The French Revolution

In this page, you can find CBSE Class 9 History Chapter 1 Extra Questions and Answers The French Revolution Pdf free download, NCERT Extra Questions for Class 9 Social Science  will make your practice complete.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Very Short Answers Type

Question 1. Why did the people of France storm the Bastille? Answer: The people of France stormed the fortress-prison, the Bastille because they were hopeful to find hoarded ammunition there.

Question 2. Why was the Bastille hated by all? Answer: The Bastille was hated by all because it stood for the despotic power of the king.

Question 3. What was the Bastille? What happened to it? Answer: The Bastille was the fortress-prison where prisoners were kept. It was demolished and its stone fragments were sold in the market.

Question 4. What was the issue most French people were protested against? Answer: Most French people were protesting against the high price of bread.

Question 5. The french society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates. Name them. Answer:

• Third estate which included big businessmen, merchants, peasants, etc.

Question 6. What do you mean by the term Old Regime? Answer: The term Old Regime is usually used to describe the society and institutions of France before 1789, the year of the French Revolution.

Question 7. Who owned about 60 percent of the land in France? Answer: Nobles, the church and other richer members of the third estate owned about 60 percent of the land in France.

Question 8. What privileges were enjoyed by the clergy and the nobility by birth? Answer: These people were exempted from paying taxes to the state. The nobles enjoyed feudal privileges too which included feudal dues.

Question 9. What services did the peasants render to the lord? Answer: They worked in his house and fields, served in the army or participated in building roads.

Question 10. Name the taxes that all members of the third estate had to pay to the state. Answer: A direct tax, called taille and a number of indirect taxes which were levied on articles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco.

Question 11. What led to a rapid increase in the demand for food grains in 1789? Answer: The population of France increased dramatically in 1789 which led to a rapid increase in the demand for food grains.

Question 12. Why did the gap between the poor and the rich widen in 1789? Answer: Since a major portion of workers were employed as labourers in workshops whose owners fixed their wages. But wages did not keep pace with the rise in prices of bread.

Question 13. Who had participated in revolts against increasing taxes and food security in the past? Answer: They were peasants and workers.

Question 14. Why were peasants and workers not successful in bringing about a change in the French social and economic order? Answer: It was because they lacked the means and programmes to carry out full-scale measures that would bring about that change.

Question 15. What did the educated section of the third estate believe? Answer: They believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth. Rather, a person’s social status must depend on his merit.

Question 16. Which doctrine was refuted by John Locke in his ‘Tiro Treatises of Government’! Answer: In his book ‘Two Treatises of Government’ John Locke refuted the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch.

Question 17. What idea did Rousseau propose? Answer: He proposed a from of government based on social contract between people and their representatives.

Question 18. What idea did Montesquieu propose in his book ‘The Spirit of the Laws’! Answer: He proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.

Question 19. What was the main object of the Constitution of 1791? Answer: Its main object was to limit the powers of the monarch.

Question 20. What made France a Constitutional Monarchy in 1791? Answer: In 1791, the draft of the Constitution was completed by the National Assembly. This constitution made the monarch a Constitutional head by giving his powers to different institutions—the legislature, executive and judiciary.

Question 21. Who were considered passive citizens under the Constitution of 1791? Answer: Women, children and youth below 25 were considered passive citizens under the Constitution of 1791.

Question 22. Who was eligible for an elector and then for a member of the National Assembly? Answer: A man who belonged to the highest bracket of taxpayers was eligible for an elector and then for a member of the National Assembly.

Question 23. Which rights were established as ‘natural and inalienable’ rights by the constitution in 1791? Answer: Right such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law, were established as ‘natural and inalienable’ rights.

Question 24. Mention one drawback of the Constitution of 1791. Answer: The Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society.

Question 25. Who joined the Jacobin club? Answer: Small shopkeepers, artisans such as shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers as well as servants and daily-wage workers joined the Jacobin club.

Question 26. Which law came into effect soon after the storming of the Bastille in 1789? Answer: It was the law that abolished censorship.

Question 27. When and where was Napoleon Bonaparte defeated? Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo in 1815.

Question 28. Name the continents which were associated with the triangular slave trade. Answer: Europe, Africa and the Americas.

Question 29. Who reintroduced slavery in 1804? Napoleon reintroduced slavery in 1804.

Question 30. What was guillotine? Answer: It was a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It was named after Dr Guillotin who invented it.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Short Answers Type

Question 1. What were reasons behind an empty treasury upon the accession of Louis XVI in 1774? Answer: Upon his accession in 1774 the new king Louis XVI found an empty treasury. There were several reasons behind it:

• Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. Added to this was the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immerse palace of Versailles.
• Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from Britain. The war added more than a billon livres to debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion livres. Lenders who gave the state credit, now began to charge 10 per cent interest on loans.
• French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates and only members of the third estate paid taxes.

Question 2. How was the system of estates in French society organised? Answer: French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates:

• The first estate was constituted by the clergy, who enjoyed certain privileges by birth.
• The second estate was constituted by the nobility who enjoyed feudal privileges.
• The third estate was consisted of big businessmen, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless labour and servants. Thus, within the third estate some were rich and others poor. Here, it is worth mentioning that the members of the first two estates were exempted from paying taxes to the state. Only the members of the third estate had to pay taxes.

Question 3. Which factors were responsible for the subsistence crisis in France in 1789? Answer: The following factors led to the subsistence crisis in France in 1789:

• The population of France rose dramatically in 1789. This led to a rapid increase in the demand for food grains. Production of grains could not keep pace with the growing demand. So the price of bread which was the staple diet of the majority rose rapidly.
• Most of the workers were employed as labourers in workshops where owners fixed their wages. But wages did not keep pace with the rose in price.
• Things became worse due to a severe winter which reduced the harvest.

Question 4. Why did members of the third estate walk out of the assembly of the Estates General, called by Louis XVI on 5 May 1789? Answer:

• On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. The first and second estate sent 300 representatives each, while the third estate sent 600 representatives.
• Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote. This time too the king was determined to continue the same practice.
• But Members of the third estate demanded that voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote. When the king rejected this proposal, members of the third walked out of the assembly in protest.

Question 5. What was the immediate cause that angered the French people so much so that they stormed and destroyed the Bastille and started the Revolution? Answer: The National Assembly was busy at Versailles in drafting a constitution that would limit the powers of the monarch. The common people on the other hand, were facing hardships. The king had nothing to do with their problems.

Meanwhile, there occurred a severe winter in France which aggravated their problem. Severe winter resulted in bad harvest. So, the price of bread rose. Often bakers exploited the situation and hoarded supplies. After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into the shops. At the same time, the king ordered troops to move into Paris. So, on 14 July 1789, the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille, which stood for the despotic power of the king. This was the start of the French Revolution.

Question 6. Under what circumstances did Louis XVI finally accord recognition to the National Assembly? Mention the changes brought by the Assembly on the night of 4 August 1789. Answer: There was agitation all over France due to the short supplies and high prices of food. Unaware of the common man’s problems, the king decided to suppress it. As a result the agitation got intensified. Peasants began to attack chateaux. They looted hoarded grain and burnt down documents containing records of manorial dues. Faced with the power of his revolting subjects, 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 Assembly passed a decree on the night of 4 August 1789 that brought the following changes:

• The feudal system of obligations and taxes was abolished.
• Members of the clergy were forced to give up their privileges.
• Tithes were abolished and lands owned by the church were confiscated.

Question 7. What were the consequences of the uprising led by the Jacobins in 1792? Answer:

• The Assembly voted to imprison Louis XVI and his family members. Elections were held. From now on all men of 21 years and above, regardless of wealth, got the right to vote.
• Monarchy was abolished and France was declared a republic.
• Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the charge of treason. On 21 January 1793 he was executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde. The queen Marie Antoinette met the same fate shortly after.

Question 8. Write three points about the Jacobin club in France. Who was its leader? Answer: (i) The most successful of the political clubs during the revolutionary France was that of the Jacobins, which got its name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris.

(ii) The members of the Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous sections of society. They included small shopkeepers, artisans such as shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers, as well as servants and daily-wage workers.

(iii) A large group among the Jacobins began to wear long striped trousers to set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of society, especially nobles, who wore knee breeches. The leader of the Jacobin club was Maximilian Robespierre.

Question 9. What was a Directory? Why was it dismissed? Answer: After the fall of the Jacobin government the wealthier middle classes seized the power. They introduced a new constitution which denied the vote to non-propertied sections of society. It provided for two elected legislative councils. These then appointed a Directory, an executive made up of five members. This was meant as safeguard against the concentration of power in a one-man executive as under the Jacobins. However, the Directors often clashed with the legislative councils as a result of which the Directory was dismissed which gave rise to Napoleon.

Question 10. “Women had been active participants in the events which brought about many important changes in French society. Still their condition did not improve.” Explain. Or Did the French Revolution bring any improvement in the condition of women? How can you say that their life was full of hardships? Answer: Women in France were sure that their involvement in the events would pressurise the revolutionary government to introduce measures to improve their lives. But they had to face disappointment. They had to work hard for a living. They worked as seamstresses or laundresses, sold flowers, fruits and vegetables at the market, or even employed as domestic servants in the houses of wealthy people. Most women did not have access to education or job training. They had also to take care for their own families, that is cook, fetch water, queue up for bread and look after the children. Their wages were lower than those of men.

Question 11. Describe the triangular slave trade that was carried on during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries? Answer: (i) A triangular slave trade was carried on between Europe, Africa and the Americas. The slave trade began in the seventeenth century.

(ii) French merchants sailed from the ports of Bordeaux or Nantes to the African coast, where they bought slaves from local chieftains.

(iii) The slaves were branded and shackled and then they were packed tightly into ships for the three- month long voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. There they were sold to plantation owners.

Question 12. Under what circumstances did the representatives of the third estate form the National Assembly? Answer: Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. The first and second estates sent 300 representatives each while the third estate sent 600 representatives. Voting in the Estate General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote. This time too the king was determined to continue the same practice. But members of the third estate demanded that each member would have one vote because it was based on the democratic principle. But the king rejected this proposal as a result of which members of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest.

The representatives of the third estate viewed themselves as spokesmen for the whole French nation. On 20 June 1789, they assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. They declared themselves a National Assembly and began to draft a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Long Answers Type

Question 1. Describe how France became a republic? Answer: (i) Louis XVI was not happy by signing the Constitution of 1791. So, when he got opportune moment he entered into secret negotiations with the king of Prussia.

(ii) Rulers of other neighbouring countries too were worried by the developments in France and made plans to send troops to put down the events that had been taking place there since the summer of 1789.

(iii) Before this could happen, the National Assembly voted in April 1792 to declare a war against Prussia and Austria. Thousands of volunteers thronged from the provinces to join the army. The Marseillaise composed by the poet Rouget de L’lsle was sung for the first time by the volunteers from Marseilles as they marched into Paris.

(iv) Political clubs became important rallying point for people who wished to discuss government policies and plan their own forms of action. The most successful of these clubs was that of the Jacobins

(v) In the Summer of 1792, these Jacobins planned on insurrection of a large number of Parisians who were angered by the short supplies arid high prices of food . On the morning of August 10, they stormed the Palace of the Tuileries, malssacred the king’s guards and held the king himself as a hostage for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to imprison the royal family. Elections were held. The newly elected assembly abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Louis XVI and his queen were executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde.

Question 2. Why is Robespierre’s government known as the Reign of Terror? Give reasons. Answer: Robespierre’s government remained in power from 1793 to 1794. But this short period became so infamous that it began to be referred to as the Reign of Terror. The following reasons were responsible for this:

(i) Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All those whom he saw as being ‘enemies’ of the republic such as ex-nobles and clergy, members of other political parties, even members of his own party 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.

(ii) Robespierre’s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government.

(iii) The use of more expensive white flour was forbidden. All citizens were required to eat pain d’e‘galite’ meaning equality bread, made of whole wheat.

(iv) Churches were shut down and their building were converted into barracks or offices.

(v) Robespierre pursued his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand modernisation. Finally, He was arrested and guillotined.

Question 3. How did the revolution affect the everyday life of the people in France? Answer: (i) The years following 1789 in France saw many changes in the lives of men, women and children. Politics changed the clothes people wore, the languages they spoke and the book they read.

(ii) The revolutionary governments tool it upon themselves to pass laws that would translate the ideals of liberty and equality into everyday practice.

(iii) Censorship was abolished. Now the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen proclaimed freedom of speech and expression to be a natural right.

(iv) Newspapers, pamphlets, books and printed pictures flooded the towns of France from where they travelled rapidly into the country side. They all described and discussed the events and changes taking place in France.

(v) Freedom of the press also meant that opposing views of events could be expressed. Each side sought to convince the others for its position through the medium of print.

(vi) Plays, songs and festive processions attracted large numbers of people. The system of slavery began to be criticised and finally it was abolished.

Question 4. Describe how slavery was abolished in France? Answer: The abolition of slavery in the French colonies took place under the Jacobin regime. The colonies the Caribbean were important suppliers of commodities like tobacco, indigo, sugar and coffee. But the reluctance of Europeans to go and work in distant lands caused shortage of labour on the plantations.

Hence, a triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa and the Americas began in the seventeenth century. French merchants sailed from the ports of Bordeaux or Nantes to the African coast, where they bought slaves from local chieftains. The slaves were branded and shackled and then packed tightly into ships for the three-month long voyage across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. There they were sold to plantation owners.

Throughout the eighteenth century there was little criticism of slavery in France. The National Assembly held long debates about whether the rights of man should be extended to all French subjects including those in the colonies. But it did not pass any laws due to expected opposition from businessmen whose

incomes depended on the slave trade. It was finally the convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in the French overseas possessions. But this lasted for a short term. Napoleon reintroduced slavery after he became the emperor of France in 1804. This exploitative system was finally abolished in French colonies in 1848. .

Question 5. How did the French Revolution impact the world? Answer: (i) The ideals of liberty and democratic rights were the most important legacy of the French Revolution.These ideals spread from France to the rest of Europe during the nineteenth century, where feudal system were abolished.

(ii) Political revolution in Europe began with the French Revolution. This revolution influenced the people in other European countries and political revolutions raged through Europe as people fought against the authority of kings.

(iii) Colonised peoples got inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution. They reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into the movements to create a sovereign nation state. Pipu Sultan and Rammohan are two examples of inthviduals who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Questions

Question 1. What was the role of the philosophers in the French Revolution? Or Describe the role of the philosophers in the French Revolution. Answer: The French philosophers played an important role in preparing the background of the revolution. (i) The famous philosophers like John Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu believed that no group in society should be privileged by birth. Rather, a person’s social position must depend on his merit. They inspired the common mass of France with their revolutionary ideas and mobilised them to raise voice against injustices.

(ii) In his Two Treatises of Government, Locke refuted the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch. Rouseau carried the idea forward, proposing a form of government based on a social contract between people and their representatives.

(iii) In The spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.

(iv) The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among people through books and newspapers. These were frequently read aloud in groups for the benefit of those who were illiterate. The news that the king planned to impose further taxes generated anger and protest against the system of privileges.

Question 2. Why were images and symbols frequently used during the French Revolution? What did the following symbols convey—The broken chain, The bundle of rods or fasces, Sceptre, Red Phrygian cap. Blue-white-red, The winged woman, The Law Tablet and The eye within a triangle radiating light. Answer: The majority of men and women in the eighteenth century France were illiterate. They could not read and write. So images and symbols were frequently used instead of printed words to communicate important ideas. The following symbols convey the following ideas:

• The Broken Chain: Chains were used to fetter slaves. A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free.
• The bundle of rods or fasces: One rod can be easily broken, but not an entire bundle. It conveys the idea that strength lies in unity.
• Scepter: Symbol of royal power.
• The Phrygian cap: This cap was worn by a slave upon becoming free.
• Blue-White-Red: The national colours of France.
• The winged woman: Personification of the law.
• The Law Tablet: The law is the same for all and all are equal before it.
• The eye within a triangle radiating light: The all seeing eye stands for knowledge. The rays of the sun will drive away the clouds of ignorance.
• Snake biting its tail to from a ring: Symbol of Eternity. A ring has neither beginning nor end.

Question 3. Why did Olympe de Gouges protest against the Constitution and the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen? Mention some of the basic rights set forth in her Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen which came in 1791. Answer: Olympe de Gouges was one of the most important of the politically active women in revolutionary France. She protested against the Constitution and the Declaration of Rights of Men and Citizen because they excluded women from basic rights that each human being was entitled to. So, she wrote a Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizen. Some of the basic rights set forth in her Declaration are:

• Woman is born free and remains equal to man in rights.
• The goal of all political associations is the preservation of the natural rights of woman and man. These rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.
• The source of all sovereignty resides in the nation, which is nothing but the union of woman and man.
• The law should be the same for all. All female and male citizens are equally entitled to all honours and public employment according to their abilities and talents.
• No woman is an exception, she is accused, arrested, and detained in cases determined by law. Women like men, obey this rigorous law.

Question 4. Describe the political activities of French women during the revolutionary years. Or Describe what women in post-revolution France did to voice their interests. To what extent were they successful? Answer: The Constitution of 1791 disappointed women because it reduced them to passive citizens who had no right to vote. So, they decided not to sit idle. They started their own political clubs and newspapers, to fight for their rights. About sixty women’s clubs came up in different French cities. The most famous of them was The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women. One of their main demands was that women enjoy the same political rights as men.

They demanded the right to vote, to be elected to the Assembly and to hold political office. In the early years, the revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped improve the lives of women. State schools were created and schooling was made compulsory for all girls.

Marriage was made into contract entered into freely and registered under civil law. Divorce was made legal, and could be applied for by both women and men. Women could now train for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses. But they denied voting rights for which their struggle continued for more than hundred years. It was finally in 1946 that they won the right to vote.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Value-based Questions (VBQs)

Question 1. Mention the salient features of the Constitution of 1791. Answer: The National Assembly completed the draft of the Constitution in 1791. The salient features of this Constitution were: (i) It limited the powers of the monarch. These powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person, were now separated and assigned to different institutions—the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. This made France a constitutional monarchy.

(ii) The Constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected. That is, citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly. Not all citizens had the right to vote. Only wealthy men above 25 years of age were given the status of active citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote. The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens without right to vote.

(iii) The new constitution adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law, were established as natural rights, that is, they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away.

Question 2. What values are associated with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen? Answer: The Constitution of 1791 began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Values associated with it were:

• Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law were established as natural and inalienable rights.
• These rights belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away. It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights.
• The law had the right to forbid only actions that were injurious to society.
• Liberty consisted of the power to do whatever was not injurious to others.
• The source of all sovereignty resided in the nation; no group or individual might exercise authority that did not come from the people.
• Law was the expression of the general will. All citizens were equal before it.

Question 3. In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. What values are reflected through this proposal? Answer: The values reflected through this proposal are:

• When power is shared between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary, there is least chance of dominance of one institution over the other.
• Montesquieu’s arrangement refuted the doctrine of the divine and absolute rights of the monarch. He advocated that no group in society should be privileged by birth. There should be equality in every sphere. Montesquieu also stressed on individual freedom because it was necessary for the growth of individual’s personality.

The French Revolution Class 9 Extra Questions and Answer History Chapter 1 Map-based Questions

Question 1. On the given outline map of France, locate and label the following: (a) Bordeaux (b) Nantes (c) Paris (d) Marseilles Answer:

Question 2. On the given outline map of France, identify the places marked. (a) The place not affected by the Great Fear (b, c and d) The epicentres of main panic movements. Answer: