French Revolution Class 9 NCERT Solutions

French Revolution Class 9 NCERT Solutions – These solutions are prepared by subject experts (CBSE Skill Education) and are designed to help students understand the concepts covered in the textbook and apply them to solve questions. They are an important resource for students preparing for exams, such as the CBSE exams, as they provide step-by-step explanations of the solutions to the questions and help students develop a better understanding of the subject.

French Revolution Class 9 NCERT Solutions

1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.

Answer – The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that drastically and permanently transformed the country’s political and social structure. The causes of the French Revolution were complex and varied, but the following factors contributed to the crisis that led to revolution:

1. Financial crisis: France was heavily in debt due to costly wars with other European countries, such as the Seven Years’ War and the American Revolutionary War. The government was also spending a great deal of money on luxurious living for the royal family and the aristocracy.
2. Social inequality: There was a significant gap between the wealthy elite and the poor in France. The majority of the population was made up of peasants who lived in poverty and were heavily taxed, while the aristocracy enjoyed wealth and privilege.
3. Political corruption: The monarchy and the government were plagued by corruption, and many people felt that the system was rigged against them.
4. Ideas of the Enlightenment: The ideas of the Enlightenment, such as the belief in natural rights and the importance of reason, had spread throughout Europe and influenced many people in France.
5. Food shortages and economic difficulties: There were food shortages and economic problems in France, which added to the discontent of the people.

2. Which groups of French society benefited from the revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections of society would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution?

Answer – The French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (the clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility), and the Third Estate (everyone else). The Third Estate, which made up the majority of the population and included peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless laborers, servants, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, and lawyers, benefited the most from the revolution. The First and Second Estates, which had enjoyed privileges by birth, were forced to relinquish power and lost their privileges during the revolution. The goal of the revolution was to bring about equality in society, as inequality was one of the root causes of the revolution.

3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Answer – The revolution inspired movements for democracy and self-determination throughout Europe and beyond, leading to the abolition of feudal systems and the creation of more democratic forms of government. The ideas of the French Revolution also inspired movements for independence and self-determination among colonized peoples, who reinterpreted the idea of freedom from bondage in the context of their own struggles for independence. Tipu Sultan and Ram Mohan Roy are two examples of individuals who were influenced by the ideas of the French Revolution and played important roles in their own movements for independence and self-determination.

4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.

Answer – Here is a list of democratic rights that we enjoy today whose origins can be traced to the French Revolution:

1. The right to vote: The French Revolution introduced the idea of universal male suffrage, which expanded the franchise to include more people. This idea has been adopted and expanded upon in many countries around the world, leading to the right to vote for all adult citizens in many democracies today.
2. The right to a fair trial: The French Revolution established the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” which is a fundamental principle of modern criminal justice systems.
3. The right to free speech: The French Revolution established the right to freedom of expression and the press, which are fundamental rights protected in many democratic societies today.
4. The right to privacy: The French Revolution established the right to privacy, which is protected in many democracies today through laws such as the right to privacy in communications and the protection of personal information.
5. The right to property: The French Revolution established the right to property, which is protected in many democracies today through laws that guarantee the right to own and dispose of property.
6. The right to education: The French Revolution established the right to education, which is protected in many democracies today through laws that guarantee the right to a free and compulsory education for children.
7. The right to work: The French Revolution established the right to work, which is protected in many democracies today through laws that guarantee the right to fair and safe working conditions and the right to form unions.
8. The right to social security: The French Revolution established the right to social security, which is protected in many democracies today through laws that guarantee access to healthcare, unemployment benefits, and other forms of social support.

5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.

Answer – It is true that the message of universal rights, as espoused by the French Revolution and other movements for democracy and equality, has been beset with contradictions.

One contradiction is that the idea of universal rights has often been used to justify colonialism and imperialism, as the colonizers have argued that they are bringing the benefits of civilization and the protection of universal rights to the colonized peoples. However, the colonizers often violated the rights of the colonized peoples and did not extend the same rights and protections to them as they did to the colonizers.

Another contradiction is that the idea of universal rights has often been used to justify discrimination and inequality within societies. For example, the idea of universal male suffrage, which was introduced during the French Revolution, excluded women from the franchise and treated them as second-class citizens. Similarly, the idea of universal rights has often been used to justify discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities, as well as other marginalized groups.

6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

Answer – The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte was a complex process that was influenced by a variety of factors. Some of the key factors that contributed to Napoleon’s rise to power include:

1. Political instability: France was in a state of political instability following the French Revolution, with various factions vying for power. This provided an opportunity for Napoleon to emerge as a leader.
2. Military successes: Napoleon was a skilled military strategist and his military successes, such as his victory at the Battle of Marengo, helped to establish his reputation as a leader.
3. Personal ambition: Napoleon was ambitious and sought to establish himself as the leader of France. He took advantage of the political instability and his military successes to build support and establish himself as the leader of France.
4. Popular support: Napoleon was able to garner popular support by presenting himself as a leader who could bring stability and prosperity to France. He also implemented a number of popular reforms, such as the Napoleonic Code, which helped to increase his popularity.

Extra Practice Questions and Answers

1. What was the French Revolution?

Answer – The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that drastically and permanently transformed the country’s political and social structure.

2. What were the causes of the French Revolution?

Answer – The causes of the French Revolution were complex and varied, but included financial crisis, social inequality, political corruption, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas.

3. How was French society divided before the revolution?

Answer – Before the revolution, French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (the clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility), and the Third Estate (everyone else, including peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless laborers, servants, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, and lawyers).

4. What changes did the French Revolution bring about?

Answer – The French Revolution brought about significant social, economic, and political changes, such as the abolition of feudalism, the introduction of the Napoleonic Code, and the expansion of the franchise. It also introduced the ideas of nationalism, liberalism, and socialism, and established the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

5. What was the legacy of the French Revolution?

Answer – The legacy of the French Revolution included the spread of the ideas of liberty and democracy throughout the world and the inspiration of other movements for democracy and self-determination. The revolution also had a lasting impact on the political, social, economic, and ideological landscape of France and the world.

6. Who were the main leaders of the French Revolution?

Answer – Some of the key leaders of the French Revolution included Maximilien Robespierre, Georges Danton, and Jean-Paul Marat.

7. What was the Reign of Terror?

Answer – The Reign of Terror was a period of extreme violence during the French Revolution in which thousands of people, including political opponents and those suspected of being against the revolution, were arrested and executed.

8. What was the Committee of Public Safety?

Answer – The Committee of Public Safety was a government body during the French Revolution that was responsible for public security and the administration of justice. It was also responsible for the Reign of Terror.

9. What was the Napoleonic Code?

Answer – The Napoleonic Code was a set of laws introduced during the French Revolution that granted more legal rights to women and established the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” It is also known as the Code Napoléon.

10. What were the Jacobins?

Answer – The Jacobins were a political club during the French Revolution that played a key role in the Reign of Terror and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.

11. What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen?

Answer – The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was a document adopted during the French Revolution that outlined the fundamental rights of citizens and the principles of the revolution, including liberty, equality, and fraternity.

12. What were the Thermidorian Reaction and the Directory?

Answer – The Thermidorian Reaction was a period of political moderation following the Reign of Terror, and the Directory was the government that ruled France during this time.

13. What was the Battle of Waterloo?

Answer – The Battle of Waterloo was a significant military conflict during the Napoleonic Wars in which Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated by a coalition of European forces led by the Duke of Wellington.

14. What was the Congress of Vienna?

Answer – The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of European powers following the Napoleonic Wars that was aimed at restoring stability to Europe and redrawing the map of the continent.

15. What was the July Monarchy?

Answer – The July Monarchy was a period of constitutional monarchy in France following the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte, which lasted from 1830 to 1848. It was named after the July Revolution, which overthrew King Charles X and established King Louis-Philippe as the new monarch.

French Revolution Summary

The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799 that drastically and permanently transformed the country’s political and social structure. The causes of the French Revolution were complex and varied, but included financial crisis, social inequality, political corruption, and the influence of Enlightenment ideas. French society was divided into three estates: the First Estate (the clergy), the Second Estate (the nobility), and the Third Estate (everyone else, including peasants, artisans, small peasants, landless laborers, servants, big businessmen, merchants, court officials, and lawyers).

The revolution resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy and the execution of King Louis XVI. It also brought about the abolition of the aristocracy and the confiscation of their lands. The revolution introduced the ideas of nationalism, liberalism, and socialism, and established the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The revolution brought about significant social, economic, and political changes, such as the abolition of feudalism, the introduction of the Napoleonic Code, and the expansion of the franchise.

The legacy of the French Revolution included the spread of the ideas of liberty and democracy throughout the world and the inspiration of other movements for democracy and self-determination. The revolution also had a lasting impact on the political, social, economic, and ideological landscape of France and the world.