Social Science History Chapter 1:French Revolution (Summary of the topic taught as on 06/04/2021)

 Topics Covered:

Division and Composition of French Society

Inequalities that persisted in French Society.

Explanation of Fig 2 and 3.

Notes of French Revolution

Introduction:

France revolution started in 1789. The series of events started by middle class shaken the upper classes. The people revolted against the cruel regime of monarchy. This revolution put forth the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity.

• The revolution began on 14th July, 1789 with the storming of the fortress prison, the Bastille.
• The Bastille, the fortress was hated by all, because it stood for the despotic power of the king.
• The Fortress was demolished.

Causes of French Revolution.

Political Cause

• Louis XVI came into the power in 1774 and found empty treasury.
• Long years of war had drained the financial resources of France.
• Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from the common enemy, Britain which added more than a billion livres to debt that had already risen to more than 2 billion livres.
• An extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles also cost a lot.
• 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.

Social Cause.

French Society during the late eighteenth century.

The Term old regime is usually used to describe the society and institutions of France before 1789.

The Society was divided into three estates.

1st Estate: Clergy (Group of persons involved in church matters)

2nd Estate: Nobility (Persons who have high rank in state administrations)

3rd Estate: Comprises of big businessman, merchants, court officials, lawyers, peasants and artisans, Small peasants, landless labors and servants.

• First two classes were exempted from paying taxes. They enjoyed privileges by birth. Nobility classes also enjoyed feudal privileges.
• Only the members of the third estate had to pay taxes to the state.
• Direct tax called Taille and also a number of indirect taxes which were charged on articles of everyday consumption like salt or tobacco.
•  A tax called Tithe was also collected by the church from the peasants.
• Clergy and Nobility were 10% of the population but possessed 60% of lands. The Third Estate was 90% of the population but possessed 40% of the lands.

Important Questions:

1. Describe the status of nobles in France before French Revolution.

OR

Briefly describe the French society in the late eighteenth century.

OR

Describe the division of French Society during the Old Regime. (Tb pg. 4)

2. Describe the taxes levied during old regime.

(Tb pg no. 4)

 

3. Depict fig.3 Why the artist has portrayed the noble man as the spider and the peasant as the fly?

(Tb pg no. 5)