History! Chapter 1 ofi Class 9 History 1s The French Revolution. This is a massive turning point in
wotld histoy becauseit intoduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
1. The French Society in the Late 18th Century
In i789, France was ruled by Louis XVI Bourbon family). The society was divicled into three
Estates
1st Estate (Clergy): Church officials. They held vast land and paid no taxes.
2nd Estate (Nobility): Wealthy landowners. They also enjoyed "feudal privileges" and paid no
taxes.
3rd Estate: Evervyone else (90% of the population)-peasants, artisans, merchants, and
lawyers. They paid all the taxes.
The Struggle to Survive: A rapid increase in population led to a Subsistence Crisis
an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
2. The Outbreak of the Revolution
Louis XVI calledameeting of the Estates-General to increase taxes.
1. The 3rd Estate demanded that each member have one vote (instead of one vote per estate).
2. When the King refused, the 3rd Estate declared themsel ves the National Assembly at an
indoor tennis court (The Tennis Court Oath).
3. July 14, 1789: A mob stormed the B astille (a fortress-prison representing royal tyranny). This
date is nowFrance's National Day.
3. France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
The National Assembly passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.
The King's powers were limited.
The right to vote was given only to "Active Citizens" (men over 25 who paida certain amount
of taxes).
4. The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
After the monarchy was abolished and France became a Republic, the Jacobin leader Maximilien
Robespierre took control.
He followed a policyof "severe control and punishment."
Anyone seen as an enemy of the republic was guillotined.
Eventually, Robespierre himself was executed in July 1794.
5. The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
After the fallof the Jacobins, a"Directory" (five-member executive) ruled France, but it was
unstable. This political instability paved the way for the military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte, who
wotld histoy becauseit intoduced the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
1. The French Society in the Late 18th Century
In i789, France was ruled by Louis XVI Bourbon family). The society was divicled into three
Estates
1st Estate (Clergy): Church officials. They held vast land and paid no taxes.
2nd Estate (Nobility): Wealthy landowners. They also enjoyed "feudal privileges" and paid no
taxes.
3rd Estate: Evervyone else (90% of the population)-peasants, artisans, merchants, and
lawyers. They paid all the taxes.
The Struggle to Survive: A rapid increase in population led to a Subsistence Crisis
an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered.
2. The Outbreak of the Revolution
Louis XVI calledameeting of the Estates-General to increase taxes.
1. The 3rd Estate demanded that each member have one vote (instead of one vote per estate).
2. When the King refused, the 3rd Estate declared themsel ves the National Assembly at an
indoor tennis court (The Tennis Court Oath).
3. July 14, 1789: A mob stormed the B astille (a fortress-prison representing royal tyranny). This
date is nowFrance's National Day.
3. France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
The National Assembly passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.
The King's powers were limited.
The right to vote was given only to "Active Citizens" (men over 25 who paida certain amount
of taxes).
4. The Reign of Terror (1793-1794)
After the monarchy was abolished and France became a Republic, the Jacobin leader Maximilien
Robespierre took control.
He followed a policyof "severe control and punishment."
Anyone seen as an enemy of the republic was guillotined.
Eventually, Robespierre himself was executed in July 1794.
5. The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
After the fallof the Jacobins, a"Directory" (five-member executive) ruled France, but it was
unstable. This political instability paved the way for the military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte, who
