WBBSE Chapter 1 Some Aspects Of The French Revolution Introduction
The French Revolution of 1789 was the most important event in European history during the 18th century. It broke out during the reign of the Bourbon king, Louis XVI. He ruled France of his own free will and believed in the king’s absolute power.
The revolution was not just directed against the absolute monarchy but was also a protest against social injustice and economic exploitation.
WBBSE Class 9 French Revolution Summary Notes
The French society was divided into three main classes called ‘estates’- namely, the First Estate, the Second Estate, and the Third Estate. The members of the first two estates were exempted from paying taxes to the state. So the entire burden of taxation fell on the Third Estate. This unjust system of tax collection played an important part in the outbreak of the French Revolution.
Understanding Causes of the French Revolution
In 1789, France became bankrupt. Louis XVI summoned the States-General, the representative assembly in France. The people’s representatives took the opportunity to seek redressal of their grievances.
Louis XVI wanted the support of the people’s representatives to levy new taxes. He failed in his mission and closed the meeting room of the States General.
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The representatives of the Third Estate assembled at the nearby tennis court and took an oath to disperse till they had drafted a new constitution for France.
The revolutionary ideas in France were preached and propagated by famous thinkers and philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire. They criticized the tyrannical rule of the king of France.
Influenced by the French philosophers when the constitution framers were busy preparing the constitution, a large mob attacked the Bastille, the state prison on 14 July 1789 and set the prisoners free.
WBBSE Causes And Effects Of The French Revolution
The States-General assumed a new name- Constituent Assembly. It drew up a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. The absolute power of the king was taken away and he was made a constitutional monarch.
In September 1792, a new body known as the National Convention met and drew up a revised constitution abolished the monarchy, and declared France a Republic.
In 1793, the king was found guilty of treason. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on a charge of treason. He was guillotined on January 21.
With the execution of the king, the supporters of the monarchy burst out in rebellion. Moreover, the Republican French government became involved in a war with monarchical countries such as Holland, Spain, Austria, and Prussia.
Key Events of the French Revolution for Class 9
To save France from this critical situation, the French government unleashed a ‘Reign of Terror’ (September 1793-July 1794) which suppressed all opposition. More than 20,000 people were executed. With the execution of Robespierre, the Reign of Terror came to an end.
In August 1795, a new government known as the ‘Directory’ came to power. Its authority was vested in a body of five Directors. There were now internal rebellions in France and the task of combating the danger was entrusted to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleon Bonaparte was an army general who overthrew the Directory and assumed supreme power. His rise to power marked the end of the period which is distinctively called the French Revolution.