NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History Chapter 1 The French Revolution

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History Chapter 1 The French Revolution Social Science

Here you will find NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History Chapter 1 The French Revolution that will make learning and understanding more easier. Whenever you have any doubts in any question, you can take help from the given NCERT Solutions. You will experience the wonder and beauty in all that you are learning.

Chapter 1 The French Revolution NCERT Solutions for Class 9 History

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

Solution

The various circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:

• Political Causes: Louis XVI ruled like an autocrat and the people had no voice in any decision. The Estates General had not been called for many years. The French administration was inefficient, corrupt and dis-organized. It did not give weightage to the common masses.

• Economic Causes: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. The country owed more than 2 billion livres in debt. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes which angered the people.

The population of France also increased from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. Food grains were now in great demand. The price of bread shot up. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. This led to subsistence crisis.

• Social Causes: French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three estates namely The Clergy, The nobility and third estates. First two estates, that is, the clergy and the nobility enjoyed certain privileges by birth. They were exempt from paying taxes. The Third estate comprises of businessmen, merchants, Peasants and artisans, labours had to pay taxes to the state.

• Strong Middle Class: A new middle class emerged educated and wealthy during the eighteenth century. They believed that no group in society should be given privileges by birth. Ideas of equality and freedom were put forward by philosophers. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee houses and spread among people.

• Immediate Causes: On 5 may, 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Third estates protested against this proposal but as each estate have one vote, the king rejected this appeal. They walked out of the assembly.

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?

Solution

• The wealthy class of the third estate, which came to be known as the new middle class of France, benefited the most from the revolution. This group comprised of big businessmen, petty officers, lawyers, teachers, doctors, and traders.

• The clergy and the nobility were forced to relinquish (surrender) their power.

• The poorer sections of society, i.e. the small peasants, landless labourers, servants and daily wage earners and also women would have been disappointed with the outcome of the revolution.

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

Solution

• The French Revolution proved to be the most important event in the history of the world.

• The ideas of liberty and democratic rights became the legacy of the French Revolution, as these beliefs became an umpiring force for political movements in the world during 19th and 20th centuries.

• The idea of Nationalism that emerged after the French Revolution started becoming mass movements all over the world.

• The impact of the French Revolution would be seen in India too. Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy got deeply influenced by the ideas of the revolution. 

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

Solution

The following fundamental rights given in the Indian constitution can be traced to the French Revolution:

• Right to Equality before law
• Freedom of Speech and expression
• Right against exploitation

• Right to justice

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

Solution

• "The law has the right to forbid only actions injurious to society" and did not describe about criminal offences against other individuals.

• "Law is the expression of the general will. All citizens have the right to participate in its formation. All citizens are equal before it". But a large section of the society was denied to it. After France became a Constitutional Monarchy still millions of citizens (men under the age of 25) were not given right to vote at all. Women also did not have any political rights such as right to vote and hold political offices.

6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?

Solution

After the rule of Robespierre, a directory was formed to avoid concentration of power in one individual. Members of the directory often fought among themselves leading to total chaos and political instability. This created a political vacuum in France. Napoleon's military victories brought great political instability in France. Napoleon was ultimately able to take power and became emperor. In 1804, he proclaimed himself the Emperor of France. He set out to conquer neighbouring countries and create kingdoms where he placed members of his family.