Notes for NCERT Class 9 History Chapter- French Revolution | India and Contemporary World-I |

We all knows that, French revolution leads to, developing of democratic republic and decline the monarchy system of government. 

On 14th July 1789, some rumours spread that king is going to open fire upon the citizen of france. 7000 mens and women gather infront of town hall, Paris and decided that, instead of fired or killed by King they will try to kill King as soon as possible. Finally, groups of people Marched towards fortress Prison, the Bastille to get, some weapons and arms. They kill the Bernard (Commander in Bastille) and gets many weapons to rebel against king. 

In this chapter, we will know about what are the behind reasons of French begins rebel against the king? How france become a democratic republic? And how third class people get their basic Rights? Let's get Started. 

French Society in Eighteenth Century, period of 1700 to 1799 AD

In 1774, Louis XVI become the monarch of French. He was just 20 year old and married to a Austrian Princess, Mary Antoinette. Louis XVI found that france is not having good financial standard. Because of 30 year war between Deccan republic and of 7 year war with Britain. Instead of improving the financial standard of france; He had made to more mistakes they are-

• Building a huge palace in Paris, known as Versailles. 
• In 1776, He had made a war with Britain to independence United States of America which made a debt of 1 billion livres (currency of France before 1790) and also having 2 billion Livres as debt. 

Louis XVI had only one way to install debt of 3 billion, Running Government universities, Court maintaining army etc. The option was increasing taxes upon the citizen of France.  French society was divided into three states of citizens in Eighteenth Century and only member of III State paid Taxes. 

90% of the population of french were peasant.  However, only some of them owned land as because 60% of the land in french where owned by Clergy and Nobility. The two types of taxes were collected by III State's Member. They were- 

1. Clergy collect tithe which was one third of the agriculture production, from peasant in the name of Dharmik or Religious tax. 

2. The king collector direct Tax know as Taille from III State's Members. 

The livelihood of III State's Members became Endangered

In 1715, the population of france was about 23 million; rose to 28 Million in 1789. Increasing in population, leads to increase in the demand of food grains. Production of food grains could not pace with the demand, as because 50% of a Agriculture Production taken by clergy and Nobility as a Tax; and the climate has changed leds, to bad agriculture production and harvesting. So the price of bread rise rapidly. The wealth third state people on did not face with rapid rise of bread's price. This, become extreme worse and these lead to subsistence Ciris. 

Subsistence Ciris means, an Extreme Situation where People's Livelihood are Endangered. The Diagram of Subsistence Ciris is given below. 

Did 3rd State's members Revolt against government? 

3rd State's people revolt against increasing taxes and Scarcity of food. But, it was not successful; because they does not have idea to win, does not have wealth and does not Access education. The 18th century, witnessed the Emergence of the member of third stage. They earned some wealth through manufacturing woolen and Silk textiles. They also access education. The Philosopher John Locke had written a book, 'Two Treaties of Government', where he had denied Monarchy System of Government and given a New idea of Government, which is know as Democratic Republic. Another philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau implement his idea and the power of Monarch has separated into Three Parts. 

I. Legislative- group of people make laws. 

II. Executive- kings have to implement law upon the citizen.

III. Judiciary- Judge have to punish,if law is not  followed by citizen.

Meeting of EState General with Monarch Louis XVI 

Before Old Regime of France, the Monarch does not have power to imposed taxes without permission of EState General. It is a political body where representative leaders of all states seats. However, the Monarch could decide when have to call the Meeting of EState General; The last time it was done 1614.

On 5th May 1789, Louis XVI called meeting of EState General to pass imposing Taxes upon the Citizen. I and II states sents 300 Representative each; III State sents  600 representative. but, Peasant and Artisan were not allows. So, the king denied seating of III State's Representative. 3rd State's Memeber grievance in about 40,000 letter but Louis XVI was completely denied. 

After, seating of all representative. The head of all representative would be elected and each state have one vote. This time too Louis XVI  was determined to continue. But, 3rd State's People demanded that each member or person have one vote. Louis XVI rejected this proposal, and member of III States walk out at the Assembly in protects. On, 20th June 1789, at tennis court in the ground of Versailles. The member of III State decided at they would draft the constitution from France to limits the power of Monarch and also declare themselves the, 'National Assembly' leaded by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyés.

France becomes Constitutional Monarchy System in 1791

The National Assembly drafted the constitution in 1791. The main object of this constitution was to limits the power of the monarch and express basing rights of a citizen. According to Constitution,the citizens of France divided into two Names. They are- 

I. Passive Citizen- all women, childrens and man of below 25 years are known as Passive Citizen and not entitled to vote. 

II. Active Citizen- Man of 25 years, paid government taxes; are entitled to vote and known as Active Citizen. 

About the Content of National Assembly's Constitution

The National assembly's constitution begins with the Declaration of the rights of man and Citizen written by Le Barbier in 1790.  At that time ,the people in france were not know to read and write. Le Barbier was a artisian and in absence of writing, he had painted some symbols to convey the Content of Declaration of Right. Olympe de Gouges protest against constitution and declaration of right of a man and citizen; has they excluded women's right. So, in 1791 she had written declaration of Rights of a Women and Citizen. 

France become a Democratic Republic and abolished Monarchy.

Louis XIV has signed to follow constitution. But was making secret plans, with nearby country to send troops that put down the events that had been taken placed since Summer of 1789. Before any troops, the National Assembly declared war between Persian and Austria in April 1792. 

The constitution of 1791, gaves rights only richer section of society. So III State's people formed the political club known as 'Jacobin Club' leaded by Maximilian Robespierre to demonstrate right among lower section of Society. The,' Jacobin Club', leads to a new rule that man of above 21 years can participate election. Finally, on 21 September 1792, the France become democratic and abolished monarchy system of government. on 21 January, 1793, Louis XVI and his Father Place de la Concorde had sentenced to death and placed on Guillotine. 

The obligation of slavery bought in  Africa Coast. 

France Trader including Maximilian Robespierre trade in Caribbean Colonies (near USA) to produce and export; tobacco, Indigo, sugar and coffee. But, there was no one from France to be employed in Carribbean from the production of these material. France's Trader sailed from Africa coast; and bought slaves and they were transported to this colonies and forced to work.  After production the raw material was exported to france. National Assembly abolished of Slavery in 1798. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. Why louis XVI increase taxes upon the citizen? 

In 1774, when Louis XVI become a new emperor of the France. The financial standard was not Good because of Wars with many Empire. So, he increases Taxes upon the Citizen ; to run Government and also pay debt of 3 billion livres. 

2. What is the meaning of Subsistence Ciris? 

Subsidence series based on extreme situation where the latitude of a person are endangered due to not getting basic needs. 

Conclusion

After death of Louis XVI, Napoleon Bonaparte become a new emperor of France. He Conquered part of Europe and also expanded the France Country. In 1838, He defeated in Waterloo War .