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FRENCH REVOLUTION - Part 1 | French Society During the Late the Century | Class 7 | SHIKHAR 2024

BYJU'S - Class 9 & 10・2 minutes read

The French Revolution is a key chapter in class 10 history textbooks, focusing on liberty, equality, and fraternity, depicting the struggle against inequality and oppression due to economic disparities and feudal privileges. Influenced by philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, the revolution highlighted the need for change towards equality, merit-based governance, and division of power, shaping the movement for freedom and fairness in society.

Insights

  • The French Revolution is depicted as a pivotal chapter in history textbooks, emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity as key principles. It sheds light on the financial struggles faced by King Louis XVI, the unequal taxation system, and the societal divisions among clergy, nobility, and common people.
  • The Revolution was triggered by the oppressive conditions endured by the common people, particularly women, due to economic hardships, social inequality, and feudal privileges. Influenced by Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu, the movement advocated for equality, challenged absolute monarchy, and promoted the division of power, impacting not only France but also inspiring revolutionary ideas in the USA post the American War of Independence.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key ideas of the French Revolution?

    Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

  • Who were the three estates in French society?

    Clergy, Nobility, Common People

  • What sparked the French Revolution?

    Inequality and cruelty faced by common people

  • What role did philosophers play in the French Revolution?

    Influenced ideas of equality and democracy

  • What were the economic challenges faced by the common people in France?

    Rising bread prices, low wages, wealth gaps

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"French Revolution: Key Concepts and Background"

  • The class is about the French Revolution, focusing on the introductory part.
  • The chapter is crucial for understanding history in class 10.
  • The French Revolution is the first chapter in the history textbook.
  • The chapter is significant for learning and understanding the background of the Revolution.
  • The French Revolution is likened to a movie, making it engaging and interesting.
  • The key ideas of the French Revolution are Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
  • Liberty allows individuals to act freely without harming others.
  • Equality ensures that laws are the same for all citizens.
  • Fraternity emphasizes unity and brotherhood among citizens.
  • The story of King Louis XVI highlights the financial struggles leading to increased taxes and debt.

16:27

French Revolution: Rise Against Oppressive Inequality

  • Tax in France was based on income levels, with the rich not paying taxes while the poor had to bear the burden.
  • French society was structured into three estates: the clergy, nobility, and the common people, with the clergy exempt from taxes.
  • The clergy consisted of church officials, the nobility were close to the king, and the common people included businessmen, doctors, peasants, and laborers.
  • Feudal privileges allowed nobility to collect taxes from the common people working on their land.
  • The common people in the Third Estate had to pay various taxes, including tithes to the church, taxes to the nobility, and feudal dues for working on the land.
  • Women in the Third Estate faced hardships, working for lower wages than men and struggling to balance work and home responsibilities.
  • The situation of women in French society was challenging, with majority in the Third Estate facing low pay and lack of education.
  • The French Revolution was sparked by the inequality and cruelty faced by the common people, leading to a rise against the oppressive system.
  • The revolution began due to the harsh conditions faced by the common people, especially women, in the unequal society.
  • The revolution was a response to the oppressive system that favored the rich and powerful, leading to a movement for change and equality.

37:59

French Revolution: Causes, Influences, and Impact

  • The population of France increased from 1 million to 28 million, leading to a struggle for survival due to low food grain production and stagnant wages.
  • The majority of the population belonged to the Third Estate, facing substantial crises like increasing bread prices, natural disasters, and widening wealth gaps.
  • The crisis was characterized by a demand-supply imbalance, rising bread prices, and a significant portion of income spent on food.
  • The middle class played a crucial role in the Revolution, advocating for equality, merit-based judgment, and equal rights for all.
  • John Locke emphasized that kings should not be treated as divine beings, rejecting absolute monarchy.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau proposed a social contract between the government and the people's representatives.
  • Montesquieu advocated for the division of power into legislative, executive, and judiciary branches in "The Spirit of the Laws."
  • These philosophers' ideas influenced the French Revolution and were later adopted in the USA after the American War of Independence.
  • The feudal system involved nobility collecting taxes from peasants working on their land, leading to economic disparities.
  • Terms like "tenant," "tithe," and "clergy" were integral to understanding the social and economic structures of the time.

57:05

"Tax from Third Estate: Pronunciation, NCERT, Subscription"

  • The class discussed a tax given directly to the country by the Third Estate, emphasizing the importance of pronouncing names correctly and encouraging students to read the NCERT textbook, subscribe to the channel, and share the video.
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