CBSE Class 9 Social Science 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 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, 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 estates dated 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
Increase in population led to a rapid increase for food grains. Production of grains could not
keep pace with the demand due to which the price of bread rose rapidly. Due to 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. 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 expand in gover seas 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.
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 drafted for France that would limit the
powers of the monarch.
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 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, 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 estates dated 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
Increase in population led to a rapid increase for food grains. Production of grains could not
keep pace with the demand due to which the price of bread rose rapidly. Due to 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. 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 expand in gover seas 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.
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 drafted for France that would limit the
powers of the monarch.
