FRENCH
REVOLUTION
Class 9 - Section A
Social Science Notes
Prepared by: Himanshu Raj
Academic Year: 2025-26
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Cover Page
The Old Regime
The Three Estates
Declaration of the Rights of Man
The Guillotine
Revolutionary Wars
A Detailed Look at One of History's Greatest Uprisings
FRENCH REVOLUTION NOTES
French Revolution Notes
Page 1: Introduction to the French
Revolution
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” – Motto of the French Revolution
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The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a period of radical social
and political change in France that profoundly affected French
and modern history. It led to the downfall of the monarchy, rise
of democracy, and spread of Enlightenment ideals.
Causes of the Revolution:
Social Inequality: French society was divided into three
Estates. The First (Clergy) and Second (Nobility) enjoyed
privileges while the Third Estate (commoners) bore the tax
burden.
Economic Crisis: Heavy taxation, debt from wars, and food
shortages created widespread hardship.
Enlightenment Ideas: Philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire,
and Montesquieu promoted liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Absolute Monarchy: King Louis XVI’s autocratic rule and
lavish spending alienated the people.
American Revolution: Inspired the French with ideas of
liberty and republicanism.
“Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains.” – Rousseau
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Page 2: The Three Estates and the
Estate-General
Three Estates:
First Estate: Clergy (1% of population), owned 10% of land,
paid no taxes.
Second Estate: Nobility (2% of population), held high positions,
paid minimal taxes.
Third Estate: Commoners (97% of population), paid all taxes,
no political rights.
“The storming of the Bastille was not just the fall of a prison, but the rise of
a nation.”
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Meeting of the Estates-General (May 1789):
Louis XVI called a meeting of all three estates to solve the
financial crisis. The Third Estate broke away and formed the
National Assembly, vowing to write a new constitution (Tennis
Court Oath).
Page 3: Major Events of the
Revolution
Storming of the Bastille (14 July 1789): Symbol of tyranny, its
fall marked the start of the Revolution.
“Terror is nothing but prompt, severe, inflexible justice.” – Robespierre
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Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (August
1789): Ensured liberty, property, security, and resistance to
oppression.
Abolition of Feudalism: National Assembly ended feudal
privileges.
Women’s March to Versailles (October 1789): Forced royal
family to move to Paris.
Constitution of 1791: Established constitutional monarchy.
Page 4: Radical Phase and Reign
of Terror
“The Revolution devours its own children.”
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Rise of Radicals:
Jacobins took control, led by Robespierre. King Louis XVI was
executed in 1793.
Reign of Terror (1793–1794):
Robespierre’s Committee of Public Safety executed thousands
using the guillotine.
Suspicion and fear dominated.
Ended with Robespierre’s execution in 1794.
Page 5: Role of Key People and
Outcomes
Key People:
“The French Revolution is the ultimate modern revolution.”
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Louis XVI: Weak monarch, executed for treason.
Marie Antoinette: Queen, symbol of royal excess.
Maximilien Robespierre: Radical leader, architect of Reign of
Terror.
Jean-Paul Marat and Danton: Influential revolutionaries.
Outcomes:
End of monarchy and rise of republic.
Spread of revolutionary ideas across Europe.
Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Page 6: Impact and Legacy
Impact on France:
Abolished feudal system.
Introduced legal equality and secular laws.
Strengthened nationalism.
Global Influence:
Inspired revolutions and democratic movements worldwide.
Set the stage for modern nation-states.
Conclusion:
The French Revolution changed the course of history by ending
absolute monarchy and laying the foundation for democratic
institutions.
