This PSEB 9th Class Social Science Notes History Chapter 5 The French Revolution will help you in revision during exams.
PSEB 9th Class Social Science Notes History Chapter 5 The French Revolution
→ The French Revolution:
- The French Revolution took place in 1789 A.D.
- Common people lived a miserable life but Nobles lived a luxurious life.
- That’s why the French people rose against Louis XVI (King of France) and brought the revolution.
→ The Tennis Court Oath:
- Louis XVI did not accept the demands laid down by the representatives of the people.
- So, the people collected at the Tennis Court and declared to form the new Constitution.
→ The Fall of Bastille:
- On 14 July 1789, the fortress prison of Bastille was captured bj the revolutionaries and this led to its fall.
- Even today, 14th July is celebrated as Bastille Day or National Day in France.
→ The Declaration of Rights of Men and Citizens:
- This declaration is related to the French Revolution.
- It specified the equality of all men before the law and without reason, no one will be captivated.
- In this declaration, freedom of speech and press was also accepted.
- Most importantly, it gave stress on the concepts of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
→ Louis XVI:
- Louis XVI became the French Emperor in 1774 A.D.
- He was only 20 years of age.
- He was incapable and worked under the influence of his wife.
- He had no interest in administrative functions.
- He had left all the administrative functions in the hands of corrupt officials who did not care about the public welfare.
- Consequently, there was growing dissatisfaction among the people and finally, they revolted against the King.
→ Voltaire:
- Voltaire was a famous Satirist writer of his time.
- He strongly opposed the social superstitions and the evils prevailing in the Church.
- He called Church the ‘infamous thing’.
- He encouraged the people to demand reforms.
→ Montesquieu:
- Montesquieu was a famous writer of his time.
- He opposed the divine right theory of the Kings.
- He liked the British system of administration.
- His famous book was ‘The Spirit of Laws’.
- His ideas gave great impetus to the revolutionary ideas.
→ Rousseau:
- Rousseau was a great philosopher of the 18th century.
- He gave his views in his book ‘The Social Contract’.
- According to him, social composition and people must be based on mutual contracts.
→ Napoleon:
- Napoleon was one of those great men who was born in a simple family and reached the highest post.
- He progressed from a post of a soldier to the French King.
- He was born at Korsika island and by 1812 A.D., he established his supremacy on almost the whole of Europe.
- Finally, many European powers collectively defeated him.
- He died in 1821 due to abdominal cancer at St. Helena island.
→ Clergy: A group of people working in the Church.
→ Tithe and Taille: Tithe was a religious tax paid by the people to the Church and Taille was a direct tax paid to the government.
→ Manor: An Estate where was situated the land and palace of the Feudal Lord.
→ 1774 – Louis XVI became King of France.
→ 1789 – Convocation of Estates General, Third Estate forms National Assembly, the Bastille was stormed, peasants revolt in the countryside.
→ 1791 – New Constitution is framed to limit the powers of the king and to guarantee basic rights to all human beings.
→ 1792 – 93 – France becomes a republic, the king was beheaded. The overthrow of the Jacobic Republic, a Directory rules France.
→ 1804 – Napoleon becomes emperor of France, annexes large parts of Europe.
→ 1815 – Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo.