The French Revolution — Class 9 Social Science NCERT Solutions (Free)
Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "The French Revolution" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE board exam preparation.
TL;DR: Free step-by-step NCERT solutions for Class 9 Social Science chapter "The French Revolution" — 6 important questions with detailed answers for CBSE bo…
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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science — The French Revolution. Step-by-step answers to all 6 textbook questions from this chapter, written for CBSE board preparation and free to use.
The French Revolution — All 6 Questions Solved
Q1. What were the main causes of the French Revolution?
Main causes included: (1) Economic crisis and heavy taxation burdening common people, (2) Food shortage and bread prices causing hunger, (3) Extravagant spending by nobility and clergy, (4) Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and democracy, (5) Resentment of absolute monarchy and social inequality, (6) Weak leadership under King Louis XVI. These factors combined to create conditions for revolution.
Q2. What were the major events and phases of the French Revolution?
Major events included: (1) Storming of Bastille (1789), (2) Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, (3) Women's March on Versailles, (4) Abolition of feudalism, (5) Civil Constitution of the Clergy, (6) Royal family's flight to Varennes, (7) Declaration of war on Austria, (8) Reign of Terror under Robespierre. The revolution progressed through phases: constitutional monarchy, republic, terror, and finally Napoleon's rise.
Q3. What did the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen establish?
The Declaration established fundamental principles: (1) Liberty, property, security, and happiness as rights, (2) Sovereignty residing with the people, not the monarchy, (3) Equality before law for all citizens, (4) Freedom of opinion and religion, (5) Limits on government power. The Declaration became foundation of democratic and republican ideals that influenced worldwide liberation movements.
Q4. What was the Reign of Terror and what were its consequences?
The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period under Robespierre's leadership of mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution. Thousands, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, were guillotined. It caused fear, bloodshed, and trauma. The Terror eventually turned against Robespierre himself when he was guillotined. It exposed how revolutionary ideals could be perverted into tyranny.
Q5. How did the French Revolution impact social structure and privileges?
The revolution abolished feudalism and the privileges of nobility and clergy. It established legal equality ending hereditary privileges. Peasants gained land ownership through redistribution. The Catholic Church lost its power and wealth. Social hierarchy based on birth was replaced with meritocratic principles. However, women remained largely excluded from the new rights, and wealth inequality persisted.
Q6. What was the lasting impact of the French Revolution on Europe and the world?
The French Revolution's lasting impacts include: (1) Spread of democratic and nationalist ideals across Europe, (2) Abolition of feudalism in Europe, (3) Development of modern nation-states and national identity, (4) Influence on subsequent revolutions worldwide, (5) Establishment of principles of human rights and equality, (6) Beginning of industrialization and modern era. It marked transition from medieval to modern world.
The French Revolution — Practice MCQs with Answers
Attempt these 20 multiple-choice questions after working through the solutions above. Each carries the correct option and the reasoning behind it, so a wrong answer tells you which idea to revisit.
MCQ 1. Who comprised the 'First Estate' in French society during the Ancien Régime?
- A. Peasants and artisans
- B. Nobility
- C. Clergy
- D. Merchants and lawyers
Answer: C. Clergy — The First Estate consisted of the clergy, who enjoyed significant privileges including exemption from most taxes.
MCQ 2. Which of the following was a direct tax paid by the Third Estate to the State in pre-revolutionary France?
- A. Tithe
- B. Corvée
- C. Taille
- D. Gabelle
Answer: C. Taille — The 'Taille' was a direct land tax levied by the state, primarily on the Third Estate, as the First and Second Estates were largely exempt.
MCQ 3. Which philosopher proposed the idea that the government should protect the natural rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property?
- A. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- B. John Locke
- C. Baron de Montesquieu
- D. Voltaire
Answer: B. John Locke — John Locke, in his 'Two Treatises of Government', challenged the divine and absolute rights of the monarch and argued for the protection of natural rights by the government.
MCQ 4. What was the significance of the 'Tennis Court Oath' taken on 20th June 1789?
- A. It marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror.
- B. It was an oath by the Third Estate to draft a constitution.
- C. It declared France a republic.
- D. It led to the storming of the Bastille.
Answer: B. It was an oath by the Third Estate to draft a constitution. — The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge by members of the Third Estate to continue meeting until they had drafted a constitution for France, signifying their defiance of the king's authority.
MCQ 5. The storming of the Bastille, which occurred on 14th July 1789, symbolised what?
- A. The end of the monarchy
- B. The despotic power of the king
- C. The beginning of the Reign of Terror
- D. The establishment of a republic
Answer: B. The despotic power of the king — The Bastille, a medieval fortress-prison, was a symbol of the king's oppressive power, and its fall represented the triumph of the people over absolute monarchy.
MCQ 6. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789) declared which of the following as natural and inalienable rights?
- A. Right to vote, right to education, right to work
- B. Liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression
- C. Right to property, right to protest, right to free speech
- D. Right to religion, right to assembly, right to bear arms
Answer: B. Liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression — The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen outlined fundamental rights such as liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression, considering them natural and inalienable.
MCQ 7. During which period did Maximillian Robespierre lead the Jacobin Club, instituting severe control and punishment?
- A. The Directory
- B. The National Assembly
- C. The Reign of Terror
- D. The Consulate
Answer: C. The Reign of Terror — Maximillian Robespierre's period of leadership (1793-1794) was characterized by extreme measures, including executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, and is known as the Reign of Terror.
MCQ 8. Who crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804?
- A. Louis XVI
- B. Maximillian Robespierre
- C. Napoleon Bonaparte
- D. Georges Danton
Answer: C. Napoleon Bonaparte — Napoleon Bonaparte seized political power and crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, bringing stability after the revolutionary turmoil.
MCQ 9. What was the 'Livre' in pre-revolutionary France?
- A. A unit of land measurement
- B. A form of feudal tax
- C. The currency of France
- D. A type of noble title
Answer: C. The currency of France — The 'Livre' was the unit of currency in France until 1794, when it was replaced by the franc during the revolution.
MCQ 10. What was a significant demand of women during the French Revolution?
- A. The right to hold military positions
- B. The right to inherit noble titles
- C. The right to political equality, including the right to vote
- D. The right to wear specific clothing
Answer: C. The right to political equality, including the right to vote — Women actively participated in the revolution and formed political clubs demanding equal political rights, including the right to vote and hold political office.
MCQ 11. Why did the First and Second Estates resist reforms and change during the early stages of the French Revolution?
- A. They feared losing their traditional landholdings.
- B. They were satisfied with the existing economic conditions.
- C. They wanted to maintain their feudal privileges and exemption from taxes.
- D. They believed the Third Estate was incapable of governance.
Answer: C. They wanted to maintain their feudal privileges and exemption from taxes. — The First and Second Estates enjoyed significant feudal privileges and exemptions from most taxes, which they were unwilling to give up, thus resisting any reforms that challenged their status.
MCQ 12. Napoleon Bonaparte introduced many laws such as the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. How were these reforms viewed in the conquered territories?
- A. They were universally rejected as foreign imposition.
- B. They were initially welcomed but later seen as oppressive.
- C. They were seen as a return to old monarchical rule.
- D. They were entirely ignored by the local populations.
Answer: B. They were initially welcomed but later seen as oppressive. — Initially, many reforms introduced by Napoleon were welcomed in conquered territories as they brought principles of equality and modernization. However, this initial enthusiasm waned due to increased taxation, censorship, and conscription into French armies.
MCQ 13. The term 'Sans-culottes' referred to which group during the French Revolution?
- A. The nobility who wore breeches
- B. Wealthy merchants
- C. Those without knee-breeches, typically urban poor and revolutionaries
- D. The members of the clergy
Answer: C. Those without knee-breeches, typically urban poor and revolutionaries — 'Sans-culottes', literally meaning 'those without knee-breeches', referred to ordinary Parisians, including artisans and shopkeepers, who wore long trousers instead of the fashionable knee-breeches of the upper classes, and were radical revolutionaries.
MCQ 14. What significant change occurred on the night of 4th August 1789, following the storming of the Bastille and peasant uprisings?
- A. Louis XVI declared war on Austria.
- B. The National Assembly abolished the feudal system.
- C. Robespierre came to power.
- D. France was declared a republic.
Answer: B. The National Assembly abolished the feudal system. — On the night of 4th August 1789, the National Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes, marking a fundamental shift in the social order.
MCQ 15. Which of the following was NOT a direct cause of the subsistence crisis in France during the late 18th century?
- A. Bad harvests leading to scarcity of grain
- B. Rapid increase in population
- C. Increased price of bread, the staple diet
- D. Excessive luxury spending by the Third Estate
Answer: D. Excessive luxury spending by the Third Estate — While the Third Estate included wealthy merchants and professionals, excessive luxury spending by this entire estate was not a direct cause of the subsistence crisis; bad harvests, population growth, and high bread prices were the main culprits.
MCQ 16. Why did Louis XVI call a meeting of the Estates General in 1789?
- A. To declare war on Britain
- B. To propose reforms for the Third Estate
- C. To pass proposals for new taxes to meet government expenses
- D. To ratify a new constitution for France
Answer: C. To pass proposals for new taxes to meet government expenses — Louis XVI was compelled to call a meeting of the Estates General to approve new taxes, as the French treasury was depleted and the government faced immense financial crisis.
MCQ 17. What did the broken chain symbolise during the French Revolution?
- A. The unity of the nation
- B. The act of becoming free
- C. The strength of the monarchy
- D. The equality of all citizens
Answer: B. The act of becoming free — The broken chain was a common symbol in the French Revolution, representing the act of becoming free from slavery or bondage.
MCQ 18. What ultimately led to the downfall and execution of Maximillian Robespierre?
- A. His defeat in a major battle against Austria.
- B. His support for the monarchy.
- C. His policies became too radical, even for his supporters.
- D. He attempted to restore the feudal system.
Answer: C. His policies became too radical, even for his supporters. — Robespierre's extreme policies during the Reign of Terror, including the relentless execution of even his own party members, eventually alienated his supporters, leading to his arrest and execution.
MCQ 19. How did the French Revolution, despite its internal turmoil, contribute to the spread of democratic ideals across Europe?
- A. By establishing stable democratic governments in neighboring countries.
- B. By demonstrating the success of absolute monarchy.
- C. By popularizing ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- D. By proving that revolutions are always peaceful and orderly.
Answer: C. By popularizing ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. — The French Revolution popularized the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, inspiring similar movements and challenging existing monarchical and aristocratic systems across Europe.
MCQ 20. During the initial years of the French Revolution, who was granted the right to vote under the Constitution of 1791?
- A. All men and women above 25 years of age.
- B. All men, regardless of their wealth.
- C. Only men above 25 years who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer's wage.
- D. Only noblemen and clergy members.
Answer: C. Only men above 25 years who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer's wage. — The Constitution of 1791 granted voting rights only to 'active citizens', defined as men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equivalent to at least 3 days of a labourer's wage.
How to Use These Solutions
Attempt each question yourself first and only then compare with the worked answer. Marks in the CBSE board exam are awarded for the METHOD as much as the final result, so reproduce the steps rather than memorising the last line. Where a solution states a law, a formula or a definition, learn that wording — examiners look for it.
Related practice for this chapter: chapter MCQs, previous-year questions, revision notes and sample papers.