Short Answer- Class 10 – Social Science – History – Chapter 1 : The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Class 10 – Social Science – History – Short Answer- Chapter 1  : The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Q1. Describe in brief the process by which the ‘British nation’ came into existence.

Ans : The formation of Britain or the unification of Britain was a result of long drawn parliamentary process. Before the 18th century there was no such nation called Britain.

It was all comprised by the English, Welsh, Scot and Irish lived in the British Isles. All these regions had their own cultural and political traditions.

Gradually England grew in importance due to its rising wealth and power which resulted in expansion of her influence over the other countries in that region.

 In the year 1707, the act of union between England and Scotland resulted in the formation of United Kingdom of Great Britain. Finally, the British nation had its own English culture, British flag, national anthem and English language

Q2. Explain any three measures introduced by the French revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people.

Ans : The three measures introduced by the French revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity amongst the French people were:

a. The idea of la patrie and le Citoyen helped the people enjoying the equal rights under a constitution.

b. The former royal standard flag was replaced by a new French tricolor flag.

c. The new estate general was elected.

d. New hymns were composed and martyrs were commemorated.

e. The regional dialects were discouraged in France and French was declared the common language of the nation.

Q3. Explain any three causes of conflict in the Balkan area after 1871.

Ans : The three causes of conflict in the Balkan area after 1871 were:

 a. The modern day Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia etc. were comprised together called the Balkans. They had conflict with one another on the basis of feelings of nationalism.

b. The different Balkan regions were jealous of each other and always for their own identity.

c. They wanted to gain more territory at the expense of the others.

Q4. Explain any three ways in which nationalists feelings were kept alive in Poland in the 18th and 19th century.

 Ans : The three ways in which nationalist feelings were kept alive in Poland in the 18th and 19th century were as follows:

a. The polish people used their culture in maintaining and upgrading their national identity.

b. For their unity and identity they had used music. For example, Karol Kurpinski was able to develop the feeling of nationalist through his operas, music and folk dances.

c. They used their language as a national resistance in church gatherings and other religious instructions.

Q5. Explain the contribution of Otto van Bismarck in German unification. 

 Ans : The movement of unification of Germany was leaded by Prussia. The chief minister of Prussia (Otto von Bismarck) became the main architect in the process of unification of Germany.

The process of unification of Germany was taken up by him with the help of the Prussian army and the bureaucracy. He infused the feeling of nationalism in the minds of the people.

Three wars were fought with Austria, Denmark and France over seven years and defeated Austria, Denmark and France which’ finally ended with the Prussian victory and thus completed the process of unification of Germany.

Q6. Explain the process of unification of Italy.

Ans : a. Giuseppe Mazzini started initiative for the unification of Italy. He formed a secret society called ‘Young Italy’.

b. King Victor Emmanuel II tried to unify Italian states through war.

c. Further Victor Emmanuel II was supported and helped by Chief Minister Cavour and large number of armed volunteers under the leadership of Giuseppe Garibaldi.

Q7. What were Jacobin clubs? How did then- activities and campaigns help to spread the idea of nationalism abroad? Explain.

Ans : The political clubs in Europe formed by the educated middle class for the replacement of autocratic regimes by the democratic government called the Jacobin clubs. Their activities and campaigns helped to spread the idea of nationalism abroad in the following ways:

a. The French armies were able to move into Holland, Belgium and Switzerland.

b. The French armies were able to spread the ideas of nationalism in other countries of the world after the outbreak of the revolutionary wars.

Q8. Explain the conditions that were viewed as obstacles to the economic exchange and growth by the new commercial classes during the 19th century in Europe.

Ans : The following were the conditions that were viewed as obstacles to the economic exchange and growth by the new commercial classes during the 19th century in Europe:

a. Restrictions were put on the movement of goods, capital and the people by many states.

b. There was a problem of time-consuming calculations due to the different system of weights and measures in different confederations.

c. There was a problem of price rise and delay in supply of goods due to so many check posts and custom duties.

Q9. How did nationalism develop through culture in Europe? Explain.

Ans : It is true to say that culture had played an important role in the development of nationalism in Europe during the 18th and 19th centimes.

This can be justified with the following examples:

 a. Romanticism and cultural movements in Greece helped in developing the feeling of nationalism, sense of togetherness and love for the country through language, art, poetry, stories, folk songs, music and the past experiences.

b. Karol Kurpinski was able to develop the feeling of nationalist through his operas, music and folk dances.

c. The Poland people were fighting with Russia for their language and culture.

Q10. Describe the events of French Revolution which had influenced the people belonging to other parts of Europe.

 Ans :  The events of French Revolution which had influenced the people belonging to other parts of Europe were:

a. Jacobins clubs were set up by the students and the members of educated middle class after the news of the French revolution which affected the French army.

b. The idea of nationalism was spread abroad by the French army.

c. The napoleon code was introduced in the year 1804, which abolished privileges and upholded equality.

Q11. How did the local people in the areas conquered by Napoleon react to French rule? Explain.

Ans : The local people in the areas conquered by Napoleon had a mixed reaction to French rule.

a. The businessman and the small producers welcomed the economic reforms introduced by Napoleon.

b. Initially, the French armies were recognized as the messenger of liberty but later on it was realised that the administrative reforms cannot go hand in hand with the political reform.

c. The increased taxation and censorship were not liked by the people.