The French Revolution of 1789 is a turning point in world history. It ended centuries of absolute monarchy and feudal privilege in France and inspired democratic movements across the globe . For Class 9 CBSE students, mastering this chapter is crucial for excelling in Social Science.

At Dhingra Classes Nashik, we provide comprehensive coaching to build strong conceptual foundations. This set of 75 solved MCQs covers key events, figures, and concepts, helping you prepare effectively for your exams.

📚 Set 1: Key Events and Dates

1. On which day did the ‘Storming of the Bastille’ occur?

• A. 14th July, 1789

• B. 14th July, 1798

• C. 14th June, 1789

• D. 14th June, 1798

Answer: (a) – The Storming of the Bastille took place on 14 July 1789 .

2. What did the Bastille symbolize?

• A. Benevolence of the king

• B. Despotic power of the king

• C. Armed might of France

• D. Prestige and power

Answer: (b) – The Bastille was hated by all because it stood for the despotic power of the king .

3. When was the French Republic declared?

• A. 14 July 1789

• B. 4 August 1789

• C. 21 September 1792

• D. 1794

Answer: (c) – The French Republic was declared on 21 September 1792 .

4. The Estates General was last convened in:

• A. 1604

• B. 1614

• C. 1416

• D. 1641

Answer: (b) – The Estates General was last convened in 1614 before being called again in 1789 .

5. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the:

• A. Reign of Terror

• B. Directory

• C. Jacobin Rule

• D. Napoleonic Era

Answer: (a) – This period is known as the Reign of Terror under Robespierre’s leadership .

📚 Set 2: The Estates System and French Society

6. 18th century French society was divided into:

• A. Castes

• B. Four Estates

• C. Three Estates

• D. Two Estates

Answer: (c) – French society was divided into three estates: the Clergy (First), the Nobility (Second), and the Common People (Third) .

7. Which of the following constituted the privileged class?

• A. Clergy and peasants

• B. Peasants and nobility

• C. First and Third Estate

• D. Clergy and nobility

Answer: (d) – The Clergy and Nobility were the privileged classes, exempt from paying taxes .

8. The most important privilege enjoyed by the clergy and nobility was:

• A. Right to collect dues

• B. Ownership of land

• C. Participate in wars

• D. Exemption from taxes to the state

Answer: (d) – The clergy and nobility were exempt from paying taxes to the state .

9. The Third Estate comprised:

• A. Poor servants and small peasants, landless labourers

• B. Peasants and artisans

• C. Big businessmen, merchants, lawyers etc.

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – The Third Estate included all common people .

10. What was the name of the tax directly paid to the state by the Third Estate?

• A. Tithes

• B. Livres

• C. Taille

• D. All of the above

Answer: (c) – The taille was a direct tax paid to the state by members of the Third Estate .

📚 Set 3: Philosophers and Thinkers

11. Who wrote the pamphlet called ‘What is the Third Estate’?

• A. Mirabeau

• B. Abbe Sieyes

• C. Rousseau

• D. Montesquieu

Answer: (b) – Abbe Sieyes wrote the famous pamphlet “What is the Third Estate?” .

12. Which of the following refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right?

• A. John Locke

• B. Rousseau

• C. Montesquieu

• D. Voltaire

Answer: (a) – John Locke refuted the doctrine of divine and absolute right of the monarch .

13. Who advocated a government based on Social Contract?

• A. Darwin

• B. Spencer

• C. Rousseau

• D. Montesquieu

Answer: (c) – Jean Jacques Rousseau advocated a government based on a Social Contract .

14. The division of power within the government was put forth in:

• A. ‘Two Treaties of Government’

• B. ‘The Spirit of the Laws’

• C. ‘Le Moniteur Universal’

• D. ‘The Social Contract’

Answer: (b) – Montesquieu proposed the division of power in “The Spirit of the Laws” .

15. Society based on freedom, equal laws and opportunities was advocated by:

• A. Middle class and people of the Third Estate

• B. Clergy and nobility

• C. Philosophers such as John Locke and Rousseau

• D. Englishmen Georges Danton and Arthur Young

Answer: (c) – Philosophers like John Locke and Rousseau advocated for such a society .

📚 Set 4: The National Assembly and Constitution of 1791

16. Where did the Third Estate form and announce the National Assembly?

• A. Indoor Tennis Court

• B. Hall of Mirrors

• C. Firoz Shah Ground

• D. Winter Palace

Answer: (a) – Representatives of the Third Estate assembled in an indoor tennis court .

17. Members of the Third Estate were led by:

• A. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

• B. Lenin and Kerensky

• C. Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes

• D. Rousseau and Voltaire

Answer: (c) – The Third Estate was led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes .

18. Which of the following was the main objective of the Constitution of 1791?

• A. To limit the powers of the king alone

• B. Do away with feudal privileges

• C. Give equal rights to women

• D. Establish a constitutional monarchy

Answer: (d) – The main objective was to establish a constitutional monarchy .

19. Which provisions were passed by the Assembly on the night of 4 August 1789?

• A. Abolition of the feudal system of obligations

• B. Clergy had to give up its privileges

• C. Tithes were abolished

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – All of these provisions were passed on the night of 4 August 1789 .

20. The National Assembly framed a Constitution in 1791 to limit the powers of the:

• A. Monarch

• B. Wealthy man

• C. Businessmen

• D. Press

Answer: (a) – The Constitution was framed to limit the powers of the monarch .

📚 Set 5: Jacobins, Sans-culottes, and the Reign of Terror

21. Which group of people did NOT join the Jacobin club?

• A. Artisans

• B. Shopkeepers

• C. Daily-wage workers

• D. Men with property

Answer: (d) – The Jacobin club was joined by artisans, shopkeepers, and daily-wage workers, but not by men with property .

22. Members of the Jacobin Club were known as:

• A. Conservatives

• B. Revolutionaries

• C. Terrorists

• D. Sans-culottes

Answer: (d) – Members were known as sans-culottes, meaning “without knee breeches” .

23. Who was the leader of the Jacobin club?

• A. Mirabeau

• B. Abbe Sieyes

• C. Maximilian Robespierre

• D. Napoleon Bonaparte

Answer: (c) – Maximilian Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobin club .

24. On what charge was Louis XVI sentenced to death?

• A. Treason

• B. Corruption

• C. Theft

• D. Conspiracy

Answer: (a) – Louis XVI was sentenced to death on charges of treason .

25. The period from 1793 to 1794 is known as the Reign of Terror because:

• A. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment

• B. There was a war with Prussia and Austria

• C. The king was executed

• D. The country faced a financial crisis

Answer: (a) – Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment .

📚 Set 6: Slavery and the Triangular Slave Trade

26. A triangular slave trade took place between Europe, the Americas, and:

• A. Africa

• B. Asia

• C. Australia

• D. None of the above

Answer: (a) – The triangular slave trade took place between Europe, the Americas, and Africa .

27. In which year did the Convention legislate to free all slaves in the French overseas possessions?

• A. 1789

• B. 1792

• C. 1794

• D. 1804

Answer: (c) – The Convention legislated to free all slaves in 1794 .

28. Who reintroduced slavery in French colonies after it was abolished by the Convention?

• A. Louis XVI

• B. Robespierre

• C. Napoleon Bonaparte

• D. Mirabeau

Answer: (c) – Napoleon reintroduced slavery ten years after it was abolished .

📚 Set 7: Rise of Napoleon

29. Which of the following was a factor in the rise of Napoleon?

• A. Fall of the Jacobin government

• B. Robespierre’s Reign of Terror

• C. Political instability of the Directory

• D. Nationalist forces

Answer: (c) – The political instability of the Directory was a major factor in Napoleon’s rise .

30. The rise of Napoleon marked the end of the:

• A. French Revolution

• B. Reign of Terror

• C. Jacobin rule

• D. Directory

Answer: (a) – The rise of Napoleon in 1804 marked the end of the French Revolution .

📚 Set 8: Legacy of the French Revolution

31. The French Revolution gave the term ‘nation’ its modern meaning. A nation is:

• A. The territory that the people inhabit

• B. The people themselves

• C. The government

• D. The army

Answer: (b) – A nation is not the territory but the people themselves .

32. The French Revolution inspired revolutionary movements in:

• A. Europe only

• B. South America only

• C. Europe and South America

• D. Asia only

Answer: (c) – It inspired movements in almost every country of Europe and in South and Central America .

33. The French legacy to the world included:

• A. Democracy

• B. Republicanism

• C. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – The Revolution gave the world democracy, republicanism, and the principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity .

📚 Set 9: Women and the French Revolution

34. French women demanded the right to:

• A. Vote

• B. Be elected to the assembly

• C. Hold political office

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – French women demanded all of these rights .

35. Which of the following was NOT a change brought about by the Revolution for women?

• A. Divorce was made legal

• B. Women could be trained for jobs

• C. Women were given the right to vote

• D. Women could become artists or run small businesses

Answer: (c) – Women were not given the right to vote during the Revolution; this came much later .

📚 Set 10: Additional Practice Questions (Q36-75)

36. The immediate cause of rioting in Paris in July 1789 was:

• A. Atrocities by the commander

• B. The high price of bread

• C. The killing of women and children

• D. All of these

Answer: (b) – The high price of bread was the immediate cause .

37. What does the term ‘Old Regime’ mean?

• A. History of France before 1789

• B. Administration of France before 1789

• C. Society and institutions of France before 1789

• D. None of the above

Answer: (c) – The Old Regime refers to the society and institutions of France before 1789 .

38. What was the Guillotine?

• A. A device consisting of two poles and a blade for beheading

• B. A fine sword for cutting off heads

• C. A special noose to hang people

• D. A prison

Answer: (a) – The guillotine was a device used for beheading .

39. The word livres stands for:

• A. Unit of currency in France

• B. Tax levied by the Church

• C. Tax to be paid directly to the state

• D. None of these

Answer: (a) – Livres was the unit of currency in France before the Revolution .

40. How does a ‘Subsistence Crisis’ happen?

• A. Bad harvest leads to scarcity of grains

• B. Food prices rise and the poorest cannot buy bread

• C. Leads to weaker bodies, diseases, deaths, and even food riots

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – All of these factors contribute to a subsistence crisis .

41. In the war against Prussia and Austria, the army sang which patriotic song?

• A. ‘Liberty’, written by an unknown woman poet

• B. ‘Marseillaise’ written by the poet Roget de Lisle

• C. ‘Viva France’ written by a French peasant

• D. None of the above

Answer: (b) – The Marseillaise was composed by Roget de Lisle .

42. Who was the King of France at the time of the Revolution?

• A. Louis XIV

• B. Louis XVI

• C. Marie Antoinette

• D. Nicholas II

Answer: (b) – Louis XVI was the King at the time of the Revolution .

43. Who said: “The task of representing the people has been given to the rich”?

• A. Mirabeau

• B. Jean-Paul Marat

• C. Rousseau

• D. Georges Denton

Answer: (b) – Jean-Paul Marat is credited with this statement .

44. The Constitution of 1791 began with:

• A. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

• B. The Bill of Rights

• C. The Magna Carta

• D. The Communist Manifesto

Answer: (a) – The Constitution began with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen .

45. The Jacobin club was named after:

• A. Its leader Jacob

• B. The former convent of St. Jacob in Paris

• C. A revolutionary leader

• D. A place in France

Answer: (b) – The Jacobins got their name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris .

46. A broken chain symbolized:

• A. Chains used to fetter slaves

• B. Strength lies in unity

• C. Royal power

• D. Act of becoming free

Answer: (d) – A broken chain stands for the act of becoming free .

47. The bundle of rods or fases symbolized:

• A. Royal power

• B. Strength lies in unity

• C. Act of becoming free

• D. Knowledge

Answer: (b) – The bundle of rods symbolizes that strength lies in unity .

48. The eye within a triangle radiating light symbolized:

• A. Royal power

• B. Strength lies in unity

• C. Knowledge

• D. Equality

Answer: (c) – The all-seeing eye stands for knowledge .

49. The Red Phrygian cap symbolized:

• A. Royal power

• B. Liberty

• C. Equality

• D. Fraternity

Answer: (b) – The red cap was worn by a slave upon becoming free and symbolized liberty .

50. The National Assembly was formed by the Third Estate because:

• A. They wanted to support the king

• B. They wanted to form a new government to reduce the powers of the king

• C. They wanted to support the clergy

• D. They wanted to support the nobility

Answer: (b) – They formed the National Assembly to reduce the powers of the king .

51. Who were not considered ‘passive citizens’?

• A. Women

• B. Children

• C. Non-propertied men

• D. Wealthy people

Answer: (d) – Wealthy people were considered active citizens, not passive .

52. Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Third Estate?

• A. The Third Estate was made of the poor only

• B. Within the Third Estate some were rich and some were poor

• C. Richer members of the Third Estate owned lands

• D. Peasants were obliged to serve in the army, or build roads

Answer: (a) – The Third Estate included both rich and poor members .

53. Which of these books was written by John Locke?

• A. The Spirit of the Laws

• B. Two Treatises on Government

• C. The Social Contract

• D. None of the above

Answer: (b) – John Locke wrote “Two Treatises on Government” .

54. A triangular slave trade took place between Europe, the Americas, and:

• A. Africa

• B. Asia

• C. Australia

• D. None of the above

Answer: (a) – The triangular slave trade took place between Europe, the Americas, and Africa .

55. The National Assembly framed a Constitution in 1791 to limit the powers of the:

• A. Monarch

• B. Wealthy man

• C. Businessmen

• D. Press

Answer: (a) – The Constitution was framed to limit the powers of the monarch .

56. Which group of people did not join the Jacobin club?

• A. Artisans

• B. Shopkeepers

• C. Daily-wage workers

• D. Men with property

Answer: (d) – Men with property did not join the Jacobin club .

57. French women demanded the right:

• A. To vote

• B. To be elected to the assembly

• C. To hold political office

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – French women demanded all of these rights .

58. A triangular slave trade took place between Europe, the Americas and:

• A. Africa

• B. Asia

• C. Australia

• D. None of the above

Answer: (a) – The slave trade involved Europe, the Americas, and Africa .

59. The Third Estate comprised:

• A. Poor servants and small peasants, landless labourers

• B. Peasants and artisan

• C. Big businessmen, merchants, lawyers etc.

• D. All the above

Answer: (d) – The Third Estate included all common people .

60. How does a ‘Subsistence Crisis’ happen?

• A. Bad harvest leads to scarcity of grains

• B. Food prices rise and the poorest cannot buy bread

• C. Leads to weaker bodies, diseases, deaths and even food riots

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – All of these factors contribute to a subsistence crisis .

61. Which of these provisions were passed by the Assembly on the night of 4 August, 1789?

• A. Abolition of feudal system of obligations

• B. Clergy had to give up its privileges

• C. Tithes were abolished

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – All of these provisions were passed on the night of 4 August 1789 .

62. Who wrote the book ‘The Social Contract’?

• A. John Locke

• B. Montesquieu

• C. Rousseau

• D. Voltaire

Answer: (c) – Rousseau wrote “The Social Contract” .

63. The National Anthem of France is:

• A. Vande Matram

• B. Roget de L Isle

• C. Le Monsieur Universal

• D. Marseillaise

Answer: (d) – The Marseillaise is the national anthem of France .

64. The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte was due to:

• A. Fall of the Jacobin government

• B. Political instability of the Directory

• C. Both A and B

• D. None of the above

Answer: (c) – Both factors contributed to Napoleon’s rise .

65. Which of the following was NOT a French legacy to the world?

• A. Democracy

• B. Republicanism

• C. Monarchy

• D. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Answer: (c) – Monarchy was not a French legacy; the Revolution promoted democracy and republicanism .

66. Arrange in chronological order:
a) Reign of Terror
b) Abolition of slavery in the French colonies
c) Storming of the Bastille
d) Rise of Napoleon to power

• A. c-a-b-d

• B. a-c-b-d

• C. c-b-a-d

• D. b-c-a-d

Answer: (A) – The correct order is: Storming of the Bastille (1789), Reign of Terror (1793-94), Abolition of slavery (1794), Rise of Napoleon (1804) .

67. On what charge was Louis XVI of France sentenced to death?

• A. Treason

• B. Corruption

• C. Theft

• D. Conspiracy

Answer: (a) – Louis XVI was sentenced to death on charges of treason .

68. The political body of France was called:

• A. Duma

• B. Reichstag

• C. Lok Sabha

• D. Estates General

Answer: (d) – The Estates General was the political body of France .

69. The middle class believed that social position must depend on:

• A. Birth

• B. Merit

• C. Wealth

• D. Religion

Answer: (b) – The middle class believed social position must depend on merit .

70. The French Revolution ended the practice of:

• A. Democracy

• B. Feudalism

• C. Republic

• D. None of the above

Answer: (b) – The French Revolution ended the practice of feudalism in France .

71. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was adopted in:

• A. 1789

• B. 1791

• C. 1792

• D. 1794

Answer: (a) – The Declaration was adopted in August 1789 .

72. Which of the following was NOT a cause of the French Revolution?

• A. Social inequality

• B. Economic crisis

• C. Political instability

• D. Industrial Revolution

Answer: (d) – The Industrial Revolution was not a direct cause of the French Revolution .

73. The women’s club in France that was most famous was:

• A. Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women

• B. Jacobin Club

• C. National Assembly

• D. Estates General

Answer: (a) – The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was the most famous women’s club .

74. Which philosopher proposed the separation of powers?

• A. John Locke

• B. Rousseau

• C. Montesquieu

• D. Voltaire

Answer: (c) – Montesquieu proposed the separation of powers .

75. The French Revolution is considered a landmark event because:

• A. It ended the monarchy in France

• B. It spread ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity

• C. It inspired democratic movements worldwide

• D. All of the above

Answer: (d) – The French Revolution is significant for all these reasons .

📞 Contact Dhingra Classes Nashik

• Phone: 98230 62106

• Email: dhingraclassesnsk@gmail.com

• Website: www.dhingraclassesnashik.com

• Address: Plot No 3, XQ3G+H3M Deacon Homes, 301C, opp. Metro Zone, near Guru Govind Sing, Samarth Nagar, Dnyaneshwar Nagar, Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra 422009