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

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

Q1. “Napoleon had, no doubt destroyed democracy in France, but in the administrative field he had incorporated revolutionary principles in order to make the whole system more rational and efficient”. Support the statement. 

Ans : The five social and administrative reforms introduced by Napoleon in the regions under his control were :

a. He gave away with all privileges based on birth, established equality before the law.

b. He abolished the feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.

c. Equild restrictions were removed in the towns.

d. He introduced uniform and standardised weights and measures.

e. He also introduced a common national currency that would facilitate the movement and exchange of goods and capital from one region to another.

Q2. Describe the process of unification of Britain.

Ans :The unification of Britain was not the result of any revolution but it was a long drawn-out process. Earlier, Britain was comprised of English, Welsh, Scot or Irish. But in all these,

English nations grew in importance and power so was able to dominate over other nations of Britain. The English parliament came into power in 1688 with England at its centre.

a. The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland resulted in formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain’. This means England was able to dominate Scotland.

b. Ireland was divided into Catholic and Protestants. The English helped the Protestants to gain control over Catholic country. Catholic revolted against British but they were suppressed and Ireland was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801.

A new British nation’ came through the propagation of English culture, the British flag (Union Jack), the national anthem (God Save Our Noble Ring), and the English language.

Q3. The 1830s were years of great economic hardship in Europe.’ Support the statement with four examples.

Ans : The decade of 1830s known as great economic hardships in Europe because of the following reasons:

a. High rise in population led to the unemployment condition and scarcity of jobs.

b. The small producers faced stiff competition due to the import of cheap machine goods from England.

c. Due to the burden of the feudal dues and taxes there was bad harvest.

d. There was rise in the prices of food grains due to the bad harvest which made the condition of the common people miserable.

Q4. Explain any four ideas of liberal nationalists in the economic sphere.

Ans : The four ideas of liberal nationalists in the economic sphere were:

a. They demanded the freedom of markets and restrictions to be abolished which were imposed by the state.

b. They were in demand for the creation of the unified economic territory.

c. They wanted the currency disparities to be balanced.

d. They wanted to follow the uniform weights and measurement.

e. They demanded good infrastructure for their economic interests.

Q5. Describe the process of unification of Italy.

Ans : a. Earlier Italy was divided into seven states out of which the Italian princely house ruled only in the Sardinia-Piedmont region.

b. The youth of the country were greatly influenced by the most prominent Italian leader named Mazzini. The youth were inspired for the establishment of a single united Italy. Secret societies were set up in many states.

c. In the process of unification of Italy Cavour was helped a lot by Mazzini. King Victor Emmanuel II took the charge of the unification of Italy after a series of failure of Mazzini.

d. Cavour, the then chief minister due to his tactful diplomatic alliance with France was able to defeat the Austrian forces in the year 1859.

e. Finally the Spanish were driven out when Giuseppe Garibaldi marched into south Italy in the year 1860 with the support of the local peasants. Hence, Italy was unified in the year 1961 and Victor Emmanuel II was declared the king of united Italy.