■ History – Lesson 1: The French Revolution
1. Background of France in the 18th Century Society divided into Estates: - First Estate → Clergy
(church officials), owned land, paid no taxes. - Second Estate → Nobility (landlords, aristocrats),
enjoyed privileges, paid no taxes. - Third Estate → Common people (peasants, farmers, artisans,
lawyers, merchants). They made up 90% of the population and paid all taxes (tithe to church, taille
= land tax, indirect taxes on goods like salt, tobacco). Crisis: Growing population → demand for
food, but frequent bad harvests → rising bread prices → subsistence crisis (people barely
surviving). The state was bankrupt due to costly wars (e.g. Seven Years’ War, American
Revolution) and extravagant spending by kings like Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette.
2. Emergence of New Ideas
Enlightenment thinkers questioned monarchy and privileges: - John Locke → opposed monarchy,
promoted natural rights (life, liberty, property). - Jean-Jacques Rousseau → idea of social contract
(government is a contract between rulers and people). - Montesquieu → proposed separation of
powers (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary). Their ideas spread through books, pamphlets, and
salons, influencing the middle class (lawyers, teachers, businessmen).
3. Outbreak of the Revolution (1789)
- Estates-General called (5 May 1789) by King Louis XVI to discuss new taxes. - Each Estate had
one vote → unfair to Third Estate. - Third Estate (led by Mirabeau, Abbé Sieyès) walked out and
declared itself the National Assembly, promising to draft a Constitution. Tennis Court Oath (20 June
1789) → members swore not to separate until Constitution was written. Storming of Bastille (14 July
1789): - Prison symbolizing royal tyranny. - Mob stormed it, freed prisoners, destroyed it. - This
event marks the start of the Revolution.
4. Reforms & New Constitution
National Assembly (1789–1791): - Abolished feudal privileges (nobility lost special rights). -
Adopted Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789): Rights: freedom of speech, equality
before law, right to property. Basis: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. Constitution of 1791: - France
became a constitutional monarchy. - Powers divided: King → Executive. National Assembly → Law
making. Judiciary → Independent. - Only wealthy men (active citizens) could vote; women and poor
excluded.
5. France Becomes a Republic
- Austria & Prussia declared war on France (1792). - Fall of Monarchy (August 1792): King arrested,
monarchy abolished. - Republic declared (September 1792). - King Louis XVI executed (Jan 1793),
Queen Marie Antoinette executed (Oct 1793).
6. Reign of Terror (1793–1794)
Leader: Robespierre (Jacobins). Policies: - Harsh laws against enemies of the revolution. -
Thousands guillotined (executed). - Peasants forced to supply food. - Price controls on essential
goods. End: Robespierre himself executed (1794).
7. Directory Rule (1795–1799)
New Constitution → power in hands of five Directors. Weak, corrupt, and faced political instability.
Paved the way for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte (1799).
8. Impact of the French Revolution
- Spread ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity. - Ended feudal system and privileges of clergy/nobility.
- Inspired revolutions in other parts of Europe, America, and colonies. - Promoted nationalism and
democracy worldwide.