Summary: French Revolution Lecture

Introduction

• Instructor: Ankita
• Focus: Important paragraphs and questions from NCERT

Administrative Notes

• Overview of timetable and previous sessions

Chapter Overview: French Revolution

• French Revolution: Key events and implications
• Key Date: July 14, 1789 - Storming of the Bastille

French Society Before Revolution

• Old Regime/Three Estates
  • First Estate: Clergy
  • Second Estate: Nobles
  • Third Estate: Commoners (Bourgeoisie, Workers, Peasants)
• Tax System
  • Only Third Estate paid taxes
  • Types of Taxes: Tithe (church), Taille (state)

Crisis and Struggle

• Population increase led to subsistence crisis
• Poor harvests, food shortages, and disease

Rise of the Middle Class

• Emergence of educated middle class with Enlightenment ideas
• Key Philosophers: John Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu
  • John Locke: Two Treatises of Government
  • Rousseau: The Social Contract
  • Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws (Separation of Powers)

Financial Crisis

• King Louis XVI's lavish spending
• Aid to American colonies against Britain
• Meeting of Estates General (May 5, 1789)
  • Third Estate formed National Assembly (June 20, 1789)

Outbreak of the Revolution

• Attack on Bastille
• Abolishment of feudal privileges (August 4, 1789)
• Constitutional Monarchy established (1791)
  • Government Structure: Judiciary, Executive, and Legislature
  • Citizenship: Active vs Passive Citizens
  • Veto Power: Controlled by National Assembly
• Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

Shift to Republic

• War with Austria and Prussia (1792)
• Rise of Jacobins
• Fall of King Louis XVI (January 21, 1793)
• National Convention established (September 21, 1792)

Reign of Terror

• Robespierre's Rule: 1793-1794
  • Guillotine used for executions
  • Strict economic policies
  • Equality measures (same bread, same clothing)

Directorate Rule

• Conflict between directors and legislative councils
• Emergence of Napoleon Bonaparte

Role of Women

• Women formed political clubs, faced discrimination
• Key Figure: Olympe de Gouges
  • Declaration of Rights of Woman and Citizen
• Women’s rights post-revolution

Abolition of Slavery

• Triangle Slave Trade (Europe, Africa, America)
• Steps towards abolition during the revolution

Conclusion

• End of revolution led to rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
• Ideas of equality and nationalism spread across Europe

Exam Tips

• Focus on key dates and events
• Understand the social structure and tax system
• Remember the contributions of key philosophers and leaders

Additional Notes

• Reading the chapter multiple times is recommended
• Important to understand the implications of different governmental changes

Feel free to revisit this summary as you prepare for exams or need a refresher on the French Revolution!