The French Revolution - Social Science - English - History - Class 9 - Cbse & Ncert

Summary

The 18th-century French society was divided into three estates, with the third estate bearing the tax burden. Economic crises and social discontent led to the French Revolution, which abolished the monarchy and established a republic. The Reign of Terror saw extreme measures under Robespierre, followed by the Directory's rule. Women fought for rights, leading to eventual suffrage in 1946. Slavery was abolished in 1794, reinstated by Napoleon, and finally ended in 1848. The revolution influenced Europe and promoted the ideals of liberty and democracy.

Takeaways

• 👑 The 18th century French society was structured into three estates, with the third estate bearing the tax burden.
• 📉 Economic hardship, food scarcity, and a widening wealth gap led to discontent among the French populace.
• 🌾 The feudal system was abolished on August 4, 1789, marking a significant shift towards constitutional monarchy.
• 🗳️ The Estates General's refusal to accept the traditional voting structure sparked the formation of the National Assembly.
• 🏰 The French Revolution led to the monarchy's abolition and the establishment of the First French Republic in September 1792.
• ⚖️ The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was characterized by strict control, harsh punishments, and the execution of perceived enemies.
• 📜 The Directory's rule attempted to prevent the concentration of power by establishing a bicameral legislature and an executive committee.
• 🚺 Despite active participation in the revolution, women's rights were largely overlooked, leading to their own struggle for recognition and suffrage.
• 🌍 The abolition and subsequent reintroduction of slavery in French colonies highlighted the moral and economic complexities of the era.
• 📚 The revolution brought about significant cultural changes, including freedom of speech and expression, and the spread of revolutionary ideas.
• 🏆 Napoleon Bonaparte's rise and fall had a profound impact on France and Europe, with his rule ending the revolutionary period and establishing the French Empire.

Q & A

What were the three estates in 18th century French society?

The three estates in 18th century French society were: the First Estate, comprising the clergy; the Second Estate, comprising the nobility; and the Third Estate, which was further divided into three categories: big businessmen, merchants, court officials, peasants and artisans, and landless peasants, laborers, and servants.

What were the privileges enjoyed by the First and Second Estates?

The First and Second Estates enjoyed many privileges, including exemption from taxes, which were only paid by the Third Estate.

What were the main causes of discontent in 18th century French society?

The main causes of discontent included food scarcity due to a growing population, rising prices, especially of bread, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor, which was worsened by severe droughts or hail that reduced harvests.

What was the Estates General and why was it called in 1789?

The Estates General was a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives. It was called in 1789 by King Louis XVI to propose an increase in taxes.

How did France become a constitutional monarchy?

France became a constitutional monarchy after the National Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes on the night of 4th August 1789.

What significant event occurred on 21st September 1792?

On 21st September 1792, the newly elected assembly, called the Convention, abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.

Who was Maximilian Robespierre and what was his role during the Reign of Terror?

Maximilian Robespierre was a leading member of the Jacobin club. During the Reign of Terror (1793-1794), he followed a policy of strict control and harsh punishments, executing anyone he considered an enemy.

What was the Reign of Terror and when did it occur?

The Reign of Terror was a period from 1793 to 1794 where the government, under Robespierre, arrested and executed many perceived enemies, including clergymen, ex-nobles, and members of other political parties.

How did the French Revolution impact women?

Women participated actively in the revolution but initially were not granted political rights. They started their own clubs, demanded the right to vote, and to hold political office. Over time, they gained more rights, including the right to education, the ability to work in various jobs, and the right to divorce.

What was the role of slavery in the French economy and how was it eventually abolished?

Slavery played a significant role in the French economy, particularly in the Caribbean colonies where there were large plantations. Slavery was abolished by the Convention in 1794 under Jacobin control, but reintroduced by Napoleon. It was finally abolished in all French colonies in 1848.

How did Napoleon Bonaparte rise to power and what were the consequences of his rule?

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power after the fall of the Jacobin government and the Directory. He crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804. His rule initially saw him as a liberator in conquered countries, but later he was viewed as an invader. Despite being defeated at Waterloo in 1815, his reforms had a lasting impact on Europe.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Structure and Discontent of 18th Century French Society

The first paragraph describes the social structure of 18th century France, which was divided into three estates. The first estate was the clergy, the second was the nobility, and the third estate, which bore the tax burden, was further divided into affluent businessmen, peasants, and the very poor. The paragraph also discusses the causes of discontent, including food scarcity, rising prices, and a widening gap between the rich and the poor. The feudal system and the privileges enjoyed by the first two estates are highlighted as sources of tension.

05:01

🗣️ The Outbreak of the French Revolution

This section details the events leading to the French Revolution, including King Louis XVI's call for a meeting of the Estates General to increase taxes. The third estate's demand for equal representation led to the formation of the National Assembly, which drafted a new constitution, limiting the monarch's power and establishing a constitutional monarchy. The revolutionaries abolished the feudal system and introduced the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, emphasizing individual freedoms and equality before the law.

10:02

⚖️ The Reign of Terror and the Fall of Monarchy

The third paragraph covers the period known as the Reign of Terror, marked by strict control and harsh punishments under Robespierre's rule. It discusses the establishment of the French Republic, the execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, and the radical changes in society, including wage and price controls, and the forced sale of grain at fixed prices. The Reign of Terror ended with Robespierre's own execution, leading to the rise of the Directory, a government body composed of the wealthier middle class.

15:05

👥 The Impact of the Revolution on Women and Slavery

This section discusses the role of women in the French Revolution and their struggle for rights. Despite their active participation, women were largely overlooked in the new political order. The paragraph also covers the abolition and subsequent reintroduction of slavery in French colonies, and its final abolition in 1848. The impact of the revolution on everyday life, including the abolition of censorship and the spread of literature and cultural activities, is also highlighted.

20:07

🏛️ The Legacy of the French Revolution

The final paragraph summarizes the key events and outcomes of the French Revolution, including the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, the abolition of monarchy and declaration of a republic, and the Reign of Terror. It also mentions the eventual granting of voting rights to women in 1946 and the abolition of slavery in French colonies in 1848. The paragraph emphasizes the lasting impact of the revolution on the ideas of liberty and democratic rights in Europe and beyond.

Keywords

💡Estates

In the context of 18th century French society, 'Estates' refers to the three social and economic classes: the First Estate (clergy), the Second Estate (nobility), and the Third Estate (commoners). These estates were a fundamental part of the feudal system and played a significant role in the social structure leading up to the French Revolution. The script mentions that the Third Estate, comprising of rich businessmen, merchants, professionals, poor peasants, and artisans, bore the brunt of taxation without the privileges enjoyed by the other two estates.

💡Subsistence Crisis

A 'Subsistence Crisis' is an extreme situation where the basic means of livelihood are endangered, often due to food scarcity. The script describes how the growing population of France led to food scarcity, causing the price of bread to rise steeply, which in turn affected the poor and working classes. This crisis was a significant cause of discontent leading up to the French Revolution.

💡Feudal System

The 'Feudal System' was the prevalent social hierarchy in medieval Europe, including France, where the nobility owned land and peasants worked on it in exchange for protection and a place to live. The script explains that this system was abolished by the National Assembly on the night of August 4, 1789, which was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, moving France towards a more egalitarian society.

💡Constitutional Monarchy

A 'Constitutional Monarchy' is a form of government where a monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten constitution. The script details how France became a constitutional monarchy after the 1789 revolution, which curtailed the powers of the monarch and distributed them among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

💡Reign of Terror

The 'Reign of Terror' refers to the period from 1793 to 1794 during the French Revolution, marked by extreme measures taken by the radical Jacobin faction led by Robespierre. The script describes how this period was characterized by strict control, harsh punishments, and the execution of perceived enemies, including clergymen, ex-nobles, and political dissidents.

💡National Assembly

The 'National Assembly' was a revolutionary assembly formed during the French Revolution, consisting of elected representatives from the Third Estate. The script mentions how the National Assembly drafted a constitution for France, abolished the feudal system, and later voted to declare war against Prussia and Austria, reflecting its role in shaping the revolutionary changes.

💡Jacobins

The 'Jacobins' were a political club during the French Revolution, known for their radical and populist views. Led by Maximilien Robespierre, they played a significant role in the Reign of Terror. The script illustrates their influence by describing how they stormed the Tuileries Palace and held the king hostage, leading to the king's eventual execution.

💡Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and later became the Emperor of France. The script outlines his rise and fall, noting his initial popularity as a liberator and modernizer, his conquests across Europe, and his eventual defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

💡Abolition of Slavery

The 'Abolition of Slavery' refers to the ending of the practice of owning people as property. The script discusses how slavery was abolished in French colonies by the Jacobin-controlled Convention in 1794, only to be reintroduced by Napoleon and finally abolished again in 1848. This reflects the complex and shifting attitudes towards slavery during this period.

💡Women's Rights

The term 'Women's Rights' encompasses the rights and entitlements claimed for women in society. The script highlights the active participation of women in the French Revolution and their struggle for rights such as voting, being elected to the assembly, and holding political office. It also notes the eventual granting of the right to vote to women in France in 1946, after a long struggle.

💡Directory

The 'Directory' was the executive committee that ruled France after the fall of the Jacobin government. The script explains that it introduced a new constitution that denied voting rights to non-property owners and was characterized by political instability, which eventually led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Highlights

18th century French society was divided into three estates.

King Louis XVI faced an empty treasury and increased taxes.

The first and second estates enjoyed privileges including tax exemption.

The third estate, comprising of various social classes, bore the tax burden.

Discontent arose due to food scarcity and economic disparity.

The emerging middle class, including lawyers and philosophers, sought societal change.

The Estates General was convened to propose tax increases, leading to the formation of the National Assembly.

The feudal system was abolished on the night of August 4, 1789.

France became a constitutional monarchy with the 1791 constitution.

The political turmoil led to France abolishing monarchy and declaring itself a republic in 1792.

King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were executed.

The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was marked by strict control and mass executions.

The Directory attempted to stabilize France post-Reign of Terror with a new constitution.

Women actively participated in the revolution but were initially denied political rights.

Slavery was abolished in 1794 but reintroduced by Napoleon before being permanently abolished in 1848.

The revolution led to significant changes in everyday life, including freedom of speech and expression.

Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor and attempted to modernize Europe.

The French Revolution's ideals influenced the end of the feudal system and the formation of sovereign nation-states.

Transcripts

learning objectives

after completing this module learners

will be able to

understand and describe the 18th century

french society

understand and elaborate on the

discontent in the 18th century french

society

understand and describe the causes of

the outbreak of the revolution

understand and describe how french

abolished monarchy to become a republic

understand and describe in detail the

beginning

and end of the reign of terror

understand and explain the impact of

revolution on women

understand and describe the events that

led to

abolition of slavery in france

understand and explain the rise and fall

of napoleon bonaparte

the french society in the late 18th

century

in 1774 the 20 years old

louis 16 of the bourbon family of kings

married to austrian princess marie

antoinette

ascended the throne of france

he was greeted by an empty treasury

long years of war had mounted the deaths

to more than

two billion liveries currency of france

which was discontinued in 1794.

to meet the regular expenses of

maintaining the army

the court the government offices and

universities

king louis xvi was compelled to increase

the taxes

the 18th century french society was

divided into three

estates the first estate

comprised of clergy who undertook

special services

in the church the second estate

comprised of the nobility nobility

was inherited by birth the third estate

was further divided into three

categories

the first category of big businessmen

merchants court officials etc was

relatively

affluent the second category

of peasants and artisans had little

money

the third category of landless peasants

labourers

and servants was the poorest of all

the first and second estate enjoyed many

privileges

including exemption from taxes

only the third estate paid taxes

the church collected taxes called the

tithe

from the peasants daily a kind of direct

tax

and a number of other indirect taxes

were paid by all members of the third

estate

the society of estates evolved under the

feudal system

that prevailed in the middle ages

causes of discontent in the 18th century

french society

struggled to survive

the growing population of france led to

food scarcity

as the production of food grains was

much below its demand

the price of bread the staple food of

the majority

rose steeply

workers earning poor wages in workshops

never had enough to keep pace with the

rising prices

the gap between the rich and the poor

increased

this condition was worsened by severe

drought

or hail which reduced the harvest

it led to substance crisis

it is an extreme situation when even the

basic means of livelihood

are endangered

a growing middle class envisaged an end

to privileges peasants and artisans

they occasionally revolted against the

food scarcity

and heavy taxes but they did not have

sufficient means

to bring about a radical change in the

society

at this time a wealthy social group

termed the middle class was emerging in

the french society

the lawyers and administrators in this

category

were educated people who did not believe

in any privileges by birth

philosophers like lorc and russo

envisioned a society based on freedom

and

equal laws and opportunities for all

philosopher montesquieu proposed a

division of power within the government

between the legislative the executive

and the judiciary

the american constitution and its

guarantee

of individual rights set an ideal

example for french political thinkers

these ideas spread fast and gain

support from the french mosses

outbreak of the revolution

on 5th may 1789

louis xvi called a meeting of the estate

general to propose an increase in the

taxes

the estates general was a political body

to which the three estates sent their

representatives

in the past each estate could cost

one vote

this time the third estate demanded

that voting be conducted by the assembly

as a whole

where each member would have one vote

king louis vi rejected the idea

and the third estate walked out in

protest

on 20th june they assembled in the hall

of an

indoor tennis court in the grounds of

versailles and declared themselves a

national

assembly they drafted a constitution for

france

on the night of 4th august 1789

the assembly passed a decree abolishing

the feudal system

of obligations and taxes

france became a constitutional monarchy

the draft of the constitution was

completed

in 1791

it curtailed the powers of the monarch

and

assigned it to three institutions

the legislature the executive

and the judiciary

this made france a constitutional

monarchy

the power to make laws now vested with

the national assembly

which was indirectly elected

the citizens voted for electors who

chose the assembly

a declaration of the rights of man and

citizen in the constitution emphasized

on the right to life

freedom of speech freedom of opinion

and equality before law

france abolishes monarchy and becomes

a republic

post-revolution the situation in france

remained

tense for a long time

louis xvi sought help from the

neighboring

states to stop the revolutionary events

taking place in france

since 1789.

before they could take action the

national assembly

voted to declare a war against prussia

and austria in 1792

it was a war against kings and

aristocracies

all over europe the revolutionary wars

caused huge losses and economic

difficulties

yet a large section of people wished to

carry the war

further as the 1791 constitution gave

political rights only to the richer

section

soon political clubs were formed to

discuss

government policies and their own plans

of action

jacobins the most successful club

was led by maximilian robespierre

members of this club belonged to the

less

prosperous sections of the society

in the summer of 1792 the jacobins

stormed the palace of the tilleries and

held the king hostage for several

hours the royal family

was imprisoned

elections held soon after gave voting

rights to

all individuals above the age of 21

regardless of wealth

the newly elected assembly was called

the convention

on 21 september 1792

it abolished monarchy and declared

france a republic

louis xvi was sentenced to death by a

court

and executed publicly at the place de la

concorde on 21 january

1793

the queen mary antoinette 2 was

executed shortly after

the reign of terror the period from 1793

to 1794 is called the reign of terror

robespierre followed a policy of strict

control

and harsh punishments everyone whom

he considered his enemy was arrested and

executed it included clergymen

ex-nobles members of other political

parties

and also members of his own party who

disagreed with him

robespierre's government placed a

maximum ceiling on

wages and prices meat

and bread were rationed peasants were

forced

to sell their grains in cities at prices

fixed by the government

citizens were forced to eat equality

bread

made of whole wheat flour the costlier

white flour bread

was forbidden the traditional address of

monsieur

for men and madame for women was

replaced

by citoyen and citoyene meaning

citizen the buildings of churches were

converted

into barracks or offices

robespierre followed his policies so

ruthlessly

that even his own supporters went

against him

and demanded moderation in july

1794 he was convicted

arrested and sent to guillotine

a directory rules france

after the fall of the jacobin government

the power was seized by

the wealthier middle class it introduced

a new constitution

which denied voting rights to the

non-property persons

it provided for two legislative councils

which appointed an executive committee

of five members

called the directory this

arrangement attempted to prevent

concentration of power

in one man the directory often clashed

with the councils

it led to political stability which

eventually

gave way to military dictator napoleon

bonaparte

did women have a revolution

women had participated actively in the

revolutionary events of france

yet no measures were taken to improve

their lord

the third estate women had to work hard

as

laundresses fruits vegetables and flower

cellars

or work as domestic servant

they were deprived of education only

daughters of the prosperous members of

the third estate could study at convents

after which they were married off

against their will

women were paid wages lower than men

to get their due position in the society

women started their own clubs

the most famous of them was the society

of revolutionary and republican women

they were disappointed that the 1791

revolution

relegated them to the status of passive

citizens

they demanded the right to vote to be

elected to the assembly

and to hold political office

in the initial years the revolutionary

government

did open schools for women and made

schooling compulsory

girls could not be married off without

their consent

marriage was made a contract which could

be entered into

and registered under the civil law

women too could apply for divorce

women could get training for jobs work

as artists or run a business

important women activists were arrested

and a number of them

executed after a long struggle of

200 years french women were finally

granted the right to vote

in 1946

abolition of slavery

martinique guadeloupe and

san domingo the three colonies in the

caribbean

had huge plantations of tobacco

coffee indigo and sugar

but the europeans were not willing to

work in distant

and unfamiliar lands it created a

shortage of labor on the plantations

this shortage was met by a triangular

slave trade

between europe africa and the americas

the slave trade had its origins in the

17th century

the french merchants bought slaves from

african chieftains

packed them tightly into ships to sail

across the atlantic

to reach the caribbean it was a

three-month

long voyage there they were sold

to plantation owners to fill in the

shortage of labor

port cities like bordeaux and nantes

prospered due to the exploitive slave

trade

there was almost no criticism of slave

trade in the 18th century france

the national assembly did discuss the

idea

of extending the rights of man to all

french subjects

including those in the colonies

but it feared opposition from

businessmen who depended heavily on

slave trade for their incomes

in 1794 the convention

then under the control of jacobin

abolished

slavery unfortunately

ten years later napoleon bonaparte

reintroduced it

slavery was finally abolished in all

french

colonies in 1848

the revolution and everyday life

the years following 1789 saw many

changes in the lives of men women

and children in france

the revolutionary government passed many

laws to bring the ideals of liberty

and equality into practice

one of the most important of these laws

was abolition of censorship

it came into effect immediately after

the storming

of the bastille in 1789

prior to this all literature and

cultural activities

required the approval of the king

the declaration of the rights of man and

citizen proclaimed freedom of speech and

expression to be a natural right

soon literature in the form of

newspapers

pamphlets books and printed pictures

spread country-wide

cultural activities like plays songs

etc caught attention of the masses

it helped them identify with the ideas

of liberty

and justice

abolition of slavery

in 1804 napoleon bonaparte

crowned himself emperor of france

napoleon saw himself as the modernizer

of

europe he conquered neighboring

countries

disposed dynasties and created

kingdoms to place members of his family

though seen as a liberator initially the

opinion

soon changed and he was viewed as an

invading force

yet some of his reforms had a lasting

impact on europe

he was defeated at waterloo in 1815.

the ideas of liberty and democratic

rights

were the most important contribution of

the french revolution

under its influence feudal system

came to an end in many parts of europe

colonized people worked towards

formation

of sovereign nation states

summary let us summarize what we have

learned

the 18th century french society was

divided

into three estates the third

estate comprised of rich businessmen

merchants professionals poor peasants

artisans etc the 18th century france

faced subsistence crisis it is an

extreme

situation when even the basic means of

livelihood

are endangered the draft of the

constitution

curtailed the powers of the monarch and

assigned it

to three institutions the legislature

the executive and the judiciary

this made france a constitutional

monarchy

on 21 september 1792

france abolished monarchy and declared

france a republic

king louis xvi and queen marie

antoinette

were executed publicly in short

succession

the period from 1793 to 1794

is called the reign of terror

after a long struggle of 200 years

french women were finally granted the

vote to write

in 1946 in 1794

the convention then under the control of

jacobin abolished slavery

ten years later napoleon bonaparte

reintroduced it

but slavery was finally abolished in all

french colonies

in 1848 the