NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 1
Social Science Class 9 History
The French Revolution 1
Important NCERT Questions Based on new NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
Questions No: 1
Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
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– Social Inequality: Rigid class divisions with clergy and nobility enjoying privileges, while commoners faced poverty and heavy taxes.
– Financial Crisis: King Louis XVI’s extravagant spending, costly wars, and a flawed tax system led to a severe financial crisis.
– Enlightenment Ideas: Intellectuals promoted liberty and equality, inspiring the desire for change among the people.
– Crop Failure and Hunger: Poor harvests in the late 1780s caused food shortages, intensifying commoners’ suffering.
– Storming of the Bastille: The people’s frustration led to the storming of Bastille, symbolizing the beginning of the revolution.
– Declaration of Rights: The National Assembly declared rights of liberty, equality, and fraternity for citizens, marking a turning point in the revolution.
These circumstances, including social disparities, financial woes, intellectual awakening, and public discontent, ignited the French Revolution, initiating significant changes in the country’s governance and society.
The circumstances leading to outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:-
Social inequality:- French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates namely the Clergy, the Nobility, and third estates.
first two estate that is the Clergy and the nobility enjoyed certain privileges by birth.
The circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France were:
• Social Inequality: 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.
• Political Causes: Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France. France had a debt of more than 2 billion livres. 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.
• Economic Problems: 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.
• 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
Following are some of the causes which had a cumulative effect to result in revolution in France:
(a) The war with Britain for an independent America: This war led to mounting debt on the French monarchy. This necessitated imposition of new taxes on the public.
(b) Privilege based on birth: People got privileges and position based on their lineage and not on their merit. This led to resentment among common people.
(c) Concentration of power among the privileged: People belonging to the first and second estate had all the power and money. Masses were at the mercy of this privileged class.
(d) Subsistence Crisis: Rising population and less grain production resulted in demand supply gap of bread, which was the staple diet. Wages did not keep pace with rising prices. It was becoming difficult for people.
(e) Growing Middle Class: Because of increased overseas trade a new class emerged. This class was wealthy not because of birth but because of its ability to utilize opportunities. People of the middle class started raising their voice for an end to privileges based on lineage.
All of this led to a general sense of resentment among people. Certain thinkers of the period spread awareness through various media. Some from the privileged classes also advocated a switch to democracy. So, finally there was revolution in France.
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