CBSE Important Questions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 1 help students understand the causes, events, and outcomes of the French Revolution in a clear and exam-focused way.
These The French Revolution Class 9 Important Questions cover every major topic like French society before 1789, the role of philosophers, the outbreak of the revolution, France under the Jacobins, and the rise of Napoleon.
The important questions include short, long, and reasoning-based questions. It ensures strong conceptual clarity and better exam preparation for Class 9 students.
The French Revolution Class 9 Important Questions and Answers
Below are the The French Revolution Class 9 Important Questions and Answers for practice:
Section –A [1 Mark]
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A kind of tax called Taille was a/an:
(A) Direct tax
(B) Indirect tax
(C) Indiscriminate tax
(D) Custom duty
Ans. (A) -
The constitution begins with a declaration of the –
(A) Rights of Church
(B) Rights of the king
(C) Rights of feudal lords
(D) Rights of Man and Citizen
Ans. (D) -
Which of the following was a patriotic song of France during the revolution?
(A) Long live King
(B) Long live Robespierre
(C) Versailles
(D) Marseillaise
Ans. (D) -
The National Assembly completed the drafting of constitution in –
(A) 1791
(B) 1779
(C) 1782
(D) 1792
Ans. (A) -
Which was the most famous political club formed by women during the French Revolution?
(A) The Jacobin Club
(B) The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women
(C) The National Assembly
(D) The French Women's Alliance
Ans. (B)The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women -
The greatest achievement of the National Assembly convened in France in 1789 was:
(A) Issuing of Declaration of Rights.
(B) The passing of laws checking the power of the monarch.
(C) Establishment of a new judiciary.
(D) Establishment of a new legislature.
Ans. (A) -
Society based on freedom, equal laws and opportunities was advocated by
(A) Philosophers such as John Locke and Rousseau
(B) Middle class and people of the third estate
(C) Clergy and nobility
(D) Englishmen George Danton and Arthur Young
Ans. (A) -
Who was the leader of the Jacobin club during the Reign of Terror?
(A) Maximilien Robespierre
(B) Jean-Paul Marat
(C) Louis XVI
(D) Napoleon Bonaparte
Ans. (A) -
As a result of elections held after the Jacobins’ revolt in 1792, which of these steps were taken in France?
(A) Elections were held
(B) Monarchy was abolished
(C) France was declared a Republic
(D) All of the above.
Ans. (D)
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Assertion (A): The period from 1795 to 1798 is referred as the Reign of Terror.
Reason (R): Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment.
Choose the correct option: (A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is correct but (R) is wrong.
(D) (A) is wrong but (R) is correct
Ans. (D)
Section –B [2 Marks]
11. What was the main aim of the National Assembly?
Sol. The main aim of the National Assembly during the French Revolution was to create a constitution for France that would establish a representative government and limit the absolute power of the monarchy.
12. What is a guillotine? Who invented it?
Sol. A guillotine is a device used for carrying out executions by beheading. It consists of a tall, upright frame with a weighted blade suspended at the top. The condemned person is positioned beneath the blade, which is then released to swiftly fall and sever the head from the body. The guillotine was invented by Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician, in the late 18th century.
13. What do you mean by ‘subsistence crises? Why did it occur frequently during the old Regime in France?
Sol. A subsistence crisis is a shortage of food and resources leading to hardship. In old Regime France, factors like poor harvests, feudal taxation, and unequal distribution of wealth contributed to frequent crises.
14. Why did Louis XVI want to raise taxes? Why was he opposed?
Sol. Louis XVI sought to raise taxes primarily due to France's dire financial situation, worsened by years of costly wars and extravagant spending by previous monarchs. He faced opposition from various quarters, including the nobility and clergy, who resisted efforts to tax them and demanded exemptions from taxation. Additionally, commoners were already burdened by heavy taxes and were increasingly frustrated by their economic hardships, leading to resistance against further taxation.
15. State any two laws passed by Napoleon.
Sol. Two significant laws passed by Napoleon Bonaparte are: (i) Protection of private property (ii) A uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system
Section –C [3 Marks]
16. What was the Tennis Court Oath?
Sol. The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal event during the early stages of the French Revolution. Here's a summary in three points:
Context: It took place on June 20, 1789, at the Palace of Versailles. The Estates-General had convened, and tensions were high between the Third Estate (commoners) and the First and Second Estates (clergy and nobility).
Action: Frustrated by being consistently outvoted by the privileged estates, the representatives of the Third Estate moved to a nearby indoor tennis court (Jeux de Paume) and took an oath not to disband until they had drafted a new constitution for France, asserting the sovereignty of the people.
Significance: The Tennis Court Oath marked the first deliberate act of defiance by the representatives of the Third Estate against the monarchy.
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Who was Jacobins? What role did they play in the emergence of the republic in France?
Sol. The Jacobins were members of a radical political club during the French Revolution, named after the former Dominican convent where they held their meetings. They were advocates of republicanism, egalitarianism, and secularism. The Jacobins played a significant role in the emergence of the republic in France by promoting the overthrow of the monarchy, advocating for the execution of King Louis XVI, and leading the Reign of Terror, which aimed to suppress counter- revolutionary activities. Their influence helped pave the way for the establishment of the French First Republic in 1792.
18. What role did the philosophers play in bridging the France Revolution?
Sol. Philosophers played a significant role in shaping the ideological underpinnings of the French Revolution. Here's how they bridged the revolution:
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Ideological Foundation: Philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire provided the intellectual groundwork for concepts such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became central to the revolutionary ideals.
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Inspiration for Revolutionary Leaders: The writings of philosophers served as inspiration for revolutionary leaders and thinkers, influencing their vision for a more just and equitable society.
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Critique of Monarchical Absolutism: Philosophers critiqued the existing political and social order, challenging the legitimacy of monarchical absolutism and advocating for principles of popular sovereignty and individual rights.
19. What was the impact of the French Revolution on the world?
Sol. The French Revolution had a profound impact on the world in several ways:
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Inspiration for Democratic Movements: The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity espoused during the French Revolution inspired similar movements for democracy and social justice around the world.
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End of Absolute Monarchy: The French Revolution led to the abolition of absolute monarchy in France and the establishment of a republic. This event marked the decline of traditional monarchies and the rise of modern nation-states.
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Transformation of Society: The revolution brought about significant social changes, including the abolition of feudal privileges and the promotion of meritocracy.
20. What was Directory? What were its consequences?
Sol. The Directory was the government established in France after the end of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. It lasted from 1795 to 1799. Here are its key aspects and consequences:
Moderate Phase: The Directory marked a shift towards a more moderate phase of the Revolution compared to the radicalism of the Reign of Terror under Robespierre.
Political Instability: Despite its attempts to stabilize France, the Directory faced challenges from both royalists and radicals, leading to political instability and frequent coups.
Rise of Napoleon: The most significant consequence of the Directory was the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1799, he staged a coup overthrowing the Directory and establishing himself as First Consul, eventually leading to the establishment of the French Empire.
Section–D [5 Marks]
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Write short notes on (i) France slave trade (ii) Reign of Terror (iii) Fall of Napoleon
Sol. (i) France Slave Trade • French colonies in the Caribbean, such as Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), Guadeloupe, and Martinique, relied heavily on enslaved Africans for labor in sugar, coffee, and other plantations.
• The French government regulated and profited from the slave trade through entities like the French West India Company.
• Despite the abolition of the slave trade in 1815 and slavery itself in 1848 in French territories, the legacy of France's involvement in the slave trade continues to impact social and economic structures in former colonies.
(ii) Reign of Terror: • The Reign of Terror was a period of extreme violence and political repression during the French Revolution, lasting from 1793 to 1794.
• It was characterized by mass executions, primarily through the guillotine, targeting perceived enemies of the revolution, including aristocrats, clergy, and political opponents.
• The Committee of Public Safety, led by figures like Maximilien Robespierre, wielded dictatorial power during this period, justifying the use of violence as necessary for the preservation of the revolution.
(iii) Fall of Napoleon: • Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to power during the French Revolution and became Emperor of the French in 1804.
• * Initially, many saw Napoleon as a liberator who would bring freedom for the people. But soon the Napoleonic armies came to be viewed everywhere as an invading force. He was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815. Many of his measures that carried the revolutionary ideas of liberty and modern laws to other parts of Europe had an impact on people long after Napoleon had left.
22. How did the teaching of Rousseau lay the foundation of democracy?
Sol. Jean-Jacques Rousseau's teachings played a significant role in laying the foundation of democracy through several key ideas:
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The Social Contract: Rousseau's concept of the social contract emphasized the idea that legitimate political authority arises from the consent of the governed. He argued that individuals should willingly surrender some of their freedoms to the community in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.
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Popular Sovereignty: Rousseau emphasized the principle of popular sovereignty, which asserts that ultimate political authority resides with the people.
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General Will: Rousseau introduced the concept of the "general will," which represents the common good or the collective interest of the people. According to Rousseau, legitimate political decisions should reflect this general will rather than the desires of particular individuals or factions.
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Equality: Rousseau advocated for greater social and political equality among citizens. He argued that in order to create a just society, individuals should be treated as equals before the law and have equal opportunities to participate in the political process.
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Education and Civic Virtue: Rousseau emphasized the importance of education in fostering civic virtue and creating active, informed citizens. He believed that a well- educated populace was essential for the functioning of democracy, as citizens needed to be capable of understanding complex issues and participating meaningfully in political life.
23. Discuss the role of women in the revolutionary movement in France. When did women gain political equality in France?
Sol. Women played a significant but often overlooked role in the revolutionary movement in France.
• During the French Revolution (1789-1799), women participated in various capacities, including as activists, agitators, and even combatants.
• They were involved in political clubs, such as the influential Jacobin Club, where they advocated for their rights and contributed to revolutionary discourse.
• One of the most notable events involving women during the French Revolution was the Women's March on Versailles in October
• Thousands of women from Paris marched to Versailles to demand bread and better living conditions for their families, ultimately forcing King Louis XVI and the National Assembly to return to Paris.
• This event highlighted the role of women in shaping the course of the revolution and their willingness to take action for their grievances. Despite their active participation, women did not gain full political equality during the revolutionary period.
• The French Revolution initially brought some advancements for women's rights, such as the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen by Olympe de Gouges in 1791, which argued for equal rights for women.
• However, these rights were not implemented, and women continued to face legal and social discrimination.
Section–E [4 Marks]
24. Case-based Questions:
Read the information below and answer the questions that follow: The Constitution of 1791 vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected. That is, citizens voted for a group of electors, who in turn chose the Assembly.
Not all citizens, however, had the right to vote. Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a laborers wage were given the status of active citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote. The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens. To qualify as an elector and then as a member of the Assembly, a man had to belong to the highest bracket of taxpayers. The Constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law, were established as natural and inalienable rights, that is, they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away. It was the duty of the state to protect each citizen’s natural rights.
(i) The Constitution of ______ vested the power to make laws in the National Assembly, which was indirectly elected.
Sol. 1791
(ii) What was criteria for voting?
Sol. Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a laborer’s wage were given the status of active citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote
(iii) Which types of rights were established as natural and inalienable rights?
Sol. The Constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. Rights such as the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of opinion, equality before law, were established as natural and inalienable rights, that is, they belonged to each human being by birth and could not be taken away
(iv) What was the line with which constitution began?
Sol. The Constitution began with a Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.
Benefits of Preparing The French Revolution Important Question Answers
Studying important question answers on The French Revolution for Class 9 gives students a deep understanding of historical processes and helps them connect the sequence of events meaningfully. Here’s how these questions help:
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Students understand causes, events, and consequences of the revolution more accurately.
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It improves answer-writing skills. It helps understanding how to structure long and short answers to score better.
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It helps in better chronological understanding. Key events like the fall of Bastille or the Reign of Terror become easier to remember.
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Important concepts are summarised in simple language for fast revision.
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Students understand question patterns asked in CBSE exams based on this chapter.