French Revolution - Class 9 History Chapter 1 [Full Chapter]

Ncert Tutorial (ExamVita)・2 minutes read

The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France, marked by protests, the overthrow of the monarchy, and the establishment of a republic. Philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau advocated for equal rights and opportunities, influencing the revolution and leading to significant changes in government structures.

Insights

The French Revolution was a period of political upheaval in France marked by protests, overthrowing the government, and the establishment of a new ruling system.
The revolution began with the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and ended with Napoleon declaring himself king in 1799, leading to the formation of a revolutionary government.
Financial distress, societal divisions based on taxation, and bread price inflation were significant factors that fueled public unrest during the French Revolution.
The National Assembly in France was formed in response to the existing voting system, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and the Declaration of Rights of Mother and Citizen.
The Reign of Terror, led by the Jacobin government under Robespierre, imposed strict controls and punishments, ultimately ending with the establishment of the Directory government and Napoleon seizing power in 1799.

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Recent questions

What is the French Revolution?
A large group changing a country's government.
Who were the active citizens in France?
Men above 25 paying taxes.
What were the causes of inflation during the French Revolution?
Crop failure and rising bread prices.
Who were the members of the Jacobin Club?
Small shopkeepers, artists, and daily wage workers.
What was the outcome of the Reign of Terror in France?
Establishment of the Directory government.

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Summary

00:00

French Revolution Tutorial for 9th Class Students

The video is a tutorial on the French Revolution chapter from the class ninth history book by NCERT.
The tutorial will provide a line-by-line explanation of the chapter and highlight important questions and topics.
It is part of the NCERT Foundation Series for 9th and 10th class students.
The French Revolution is defined as a large group of people trying to change the government of a country through violent or non-violent means.
The revolution in France involved protests, overthrowing the government, and a complete change in the ruling system.
The French Revolution started on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille and ended in 1799 when Napoleon declared himself king.
A revolutionary government was formed after the initial incidents of the revolution.
On July 14, 1789, the city of Paris was in alarm as the king ordered troops to move in, leading to rumors and fear among the people.
Around 7000 people gathered in front of the town hall in Paris to form a non-regular army called the People's Malaysia.
The people searched for weapons in government buildings and attacked the Bastille fortress to acquire arms and free prisoners, symbolizing the despotic power of the king.

16:01

French Revolution: Stones, Forts, and Taxes

Stones were removed from bananas and sold at the market the next day in Gaya.
The fort in Gaya was taken down, prompting discussions on the French Revolution.
Inflation led to protests during the French Revolution due to high bread prices.
Soldiers were called in to handle protests during the French Revolution.
Historians found a series of related events during the French Revolution.
Louis XVI became king of France in 1774 at the age of 20.
France's treasury was empty due to long wars and extravagant spending.
France's debt reached three billion livre, causing financial distress.
The French government faced a crisis due to lack of funds and increasing debt.
Taxes were proposed to be increased in France, leading to societal divisions based on taxation.

31:21

France's Tax System and Financial Struggles

60% of France was owned by the people of the state, but they did not pay taxes, leading to financial issues.
The church collected special taxes from the first state, while the third state took money from the people above them.
90% of the population in France belonged to the third state, which included laborers, farmers, artisans, and government employees.
The nobility did not have to pay taxes and provided services like reducing construction costs and maintaining the army.
The feudal system in France involved the king assigning land to nobles in exchange for services like farming and military support.
The clergy and nobility in the first state enjoyed privileges like exemption from paying taxes to the state.
The feudal lords had power and privileges, receiving land and taxes from farmers in return for services.
The church collected taxes from the public, and the third state paid taxes to their feudal lords and the government.
Direct and indirect taxes were collected by the government, with the church taking a share of the taxes delayed by the public.
The struggle to survive in France was due to a population increase from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789, leading to increased demand for grains and rising bread prices.

46:37

Impact of Grain Shortage on French Revolution

Shaking the crop led to its ruin, causing a shortage of grains and inflation.
The increase in prices due to the shortage of grains made it difficult for the poor to afford food.
The scarcity of grains resulted in people being unable to buy food, leading to weakness, diseases, and even death.
The emergence of the middle class in France brought about a new social group with wealth and education.
The middle class consisted of merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, and administrative officers who believed in merit-based social positions.
Philosophers like John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau advocated for equal rights and opportunities based on merit.
John Locke's "Treatises of Government" emphasized absolute monarch power, while Rousseau proposed a government based on social contract and voting.
Montesquieu's "The Spirit of the Laws" suggested dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judiciary branches.
The American Constitution implemented the division of power among branches, ensuring individual rights and inspiring political thinkers in France.
Philosophers' ideas were discussed internationally in salons and coffee shops, spreading through books and newspapers, leading to protests against increased taxes by Louis 16.

01:02:40

French Tax System Sparks Revolution in 1789

The tax system in France was causing unrest, leading to anger among the general public.
Taxes were not being increased for the nobility or clerks, but for the general population.
The State General was a political body with representatives from the clergy, nobility, and common people.
Voting in the State General was based on a system where each state had one vote, regardless of the number of representatives.
The representatives of the third state protested against this voting system and demanded individual voting rights.
The representatives of the third state, mainly farmers and artisans, compiled a list of grievances and demands.
The representatives of the third state, denied entry to the State General, took their demands to the Palace of Versailles.
The representatives of the third state declared themselves the National Assembly on June 20th, 1789.
The National Assembly vowed to create a new constitution and limit the king's power.
The situation in France worsened due to severe winter, crop failure, and rising bread prices, leading to public unrest and eventual riots on July 14th.

01:18:30

French Revolution: Rise of National Assembly

The State General increased taxes, leading to anger among the people from the third state who wanted to form the National Assembly.
Inflation and poverty worsened, culminating in the 14th July incident in Paris.
The incident occurred in the city and surrounding rural areas, sparking rumors and anger among farmers.
The manner, symbolizing the lord's land and Haj Mansion, was attacked by angry farmers.
The feudal system was abolished, and taxes were imposed by the National Assembly.
The National Assembly took control over the king through the Constitution, leading to a constitutional monarchy in France.
Active citizens, men above 25 years paying taxes, were granted voting rights, while passive citizens, including women and those under 25, did not have voting rights.
Electors chosen by active citizens elected members of the National Assembly, reducing the king's power and controlling the executive and judiciary.
The National Assembly had the power to make laws, and the king had the right to reject them.
To be elected to the National Assembly, individuals had to belong to the highest tax bracket, equivalent to three days' wages.

01:34:16

France's Transition to Republic and Revolution

In France, to sit in the assembly, one must be the highest taxpayer, as per a rule established, and have certain rights like freedom of speech and equality before the law.
The Declaration of Rights of Mother and Citizen in France outlines fundamental rights like freedom of speech and life, and it was established when the Constitution was formed.
France transitioned from a monarchy to a republic in 1791, where the highest post is held by a common man elected through elections, unlike in a monarchy.
King Louis 16 of France entered secret negotiations with the King of Prussia to save his throne, as neighboring countries were concerned about the events in France.
The National Assembly of France was formed in 1792, and war was declared against Austria and Prussia, leading to thousands of volunteers joining the war against the monarchy.
The people of France faced economic difficulties and losses during the war, with women taking on the responsibility of running families as men went to war.
Despite the hardships, many in France believed in continuing the war and revolution to ensure democracy and equal rights for all, as only the rich had political rights initially.
Censorship was removed in France, allowing people to form political clubs like the Jacobin Club, which was popular among the poor and small business owners.
Members of the Jacobin Club came from various backgrounds like small shopkeepers, artists, and daily wage workers, with Max Player being the leader of the club.
The Jacobins decided to wear long striped trousers to distinguish themselves from the rich and show unity and power in their support for the revolution.

01:50:01

"Revolutionary Fashion and Reign of Terror"

The dress known as British was a symbol of power and status among the wealthy.
Members of the Jacobin Club wore red caps, symbolizing freedom and independence.
In 1792, the Jacobin Club planned a rebellion against the monarchy, leading to the king's capture.
Following the king's capture, a vote was held to decide the fate of the royal family, resulting in the establishment of a republic on September 21, 1792.
A republic is a form of government where the public elects the head of state, unlike a hereditary monarchy.
Louis 16, the king, was sentenced to death in January 1793, followed by his queen.
The Reign of Terror from 1793 to 1794 was a period of fear and oppression led by the Jacobin government under Robespierre.
Robespierre's government imposed strict price controls and rationing to combat inflation and ensure equality in access to goods.
The Reign of Terror involved severe punishments for those deemed enemies of the Republic, including the use of the guillotine.
Robespierre's rule ended in July 1794 with his arrest and execution, leading to the establishment of the Directory government, which restricted voting rights to the wealthy and abolished the concept of active citizenship.

02:05:02

French Women's Revolution: From Clubs to Votes

Establishment of two Legislative Councils in the country, with one appointing a directory consisting of five members.
The directory, comprising five individuals, will hold the final decision-making power in the absence of the Prime Minister.
The system was implemented to prevent conflicts between the Legislative Council and the directory, which had previously caused issues.
Napoleon Bonaparte, a skilled military and political leader, seized power in France in 1799, becoming the supreme leader.
The French Revolution inspired subsequent political movements in France and across Europe, leading to changes in government structures.
Women in France during the revolution were active participants, forming political clubs and demanding political rights, including the right to vote.
The Revolutionary Government introduced reforms to improve the lives of women, such as compulsory education, legal divorce, and the right to work.
Women's struggle for equal political rights continued for over a century, culminating in the right to vote in France in 1946.
During the Reign of Terror, women's clubs and political activities were suppressed, leading to arrests and even death sentences for prominent female leaders.
The fight for women's rights and equal wages continued globally for the next 200 years, with the French Women's Revolution serving as an inspiring example.

02:20:31

French Colonies: Slavery, Revolution, and Abolition

Slavery was prevalent in French colonies, but the Jacobin government prohibited buying or selling slaves.
The Caribbean islands were significant suppliers of goods like sugar, tobacco, and coffee to Europe.
Europeans faced a labor shortage on plantations in distant lands, leading to the triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
The French Revolution sparked debates about extending rights to men in colonies, but laws were not passed due to opposition from those dependent on the slave trade.
Slavery was officially abolished in French territories in 1794, but Napoleon reinstated it ten years later.
The concept of freedom was skewed, with Europeans believing they had the right to enslave Africans.
The term "Negros" was derogatory and offensive, leading to its avoidance in America.
Slavery was finally abolished in 1848, marking the end of a dark era.
The French Revolution brought significant changes to daily life, with the abolition of censorship allowing for freedom of expression.
Citizens in France were granted the right to freely express themselves through newspapers and books, leading to widespread discussions and debates.

02:36:20

"Napoleon's Rise and French Revolution Legacy"

The French government engaged in conflict with Austria, sparking debates about the necessity of war versus seeking support through printed materials like books and pamphlets distributed among the people.
Napoleon rose to power in 1799, eventually declaring himself emperor of France and expanding his influence across Europe by removing old kings, creating new kingdoms, implementing laws, and modernizing systems.
The French Revolution left a lasting legacy of liberty, equality, and fraternity, influencing not only France but also other countries like India, where figures such as Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy were inspired by the revolutionary ideas.

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