The Growth of Nationalism : The Age of Revolutions

Read the two statements given below about the results of the French Revolution. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).

Assertion (A): It introduced democratic ideas and ended the supreme rule of kings.

Reason (R): In 1790 a new constitution was framed at Paris under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte.

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — At the time the Constitution was framed, Napoleon was still a military leader and had no political leadership role. The new constitution was prepared by the National Assembly, not by Napoleon.

Identify the achievements of George Washington.

P: The Continental Army was led by him.

Q: He established the Young Socialist Party at Boston.

R: He became the first President of the United States of America.

S: He wrote 'A History of the English-speaking Peoples'.

1. P and Q
2. R and S
3. P and R
4. Q and S

Answer

P and R

Sonali is preparing a project on "French Revolution". Which of the following philosophers would MOST LIKELY be part of her project?

1. Voltaire
2. John Locke
3. Dante
4. Aristotle

Answer

Voltaire

Which of the following events is being depicted by the given picture?

1. Fall of Paris
2. Arrest of Rousseau
3. Boston Tea Party
4. Storming of the Bastille

Answer

Storming of the Bastille

American Revolution : 1776 :: French Revolution : ...............

1. 1787
2. 1784
3. 1789
4. 1781

Answer

1789

Meghna is preparing a speech on the American revolution. Which of the following person's contribution she must mention in her speech?

1. Louis XVI
2. Thomas Jefferson
3. Napoleon Bonaparte
4. Marie Antoinette

Answer

Thomas Jefferson

Consider the statements given below and choose the correct answer.

Statement I: In 1765, the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act which imposed stamp taxes on all business transactions.

Statement II: In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France.

1. Statement (I) is correct and statement (II) is incorrect.
2. Statement (I) is incorrect and statement (II) is correct.
3. Both statements (I) and (II) are incorrect.
4. Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

Answer

Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

Which among the following statements is correct?

1. America was discovered by Columbus in CE 1492.
2. Rousseau wrote that subjects have the right to overthrow a king who does not rule according to the general will.
3. The most important effect of the French Revolution was that it awakened national feelings.
4. All the above

Answer

All the above

The Americans celebrate 4th of July every year as their

1. Martyrdom day
2. Constitution day
3. Republic day
4. Independence day

Answer

Independence day

Who among the following was finally defeated in 1815 in the battle of Waterloo?

1. George Washington
2. Rousseau
3. Woodrow Wilson
4. Napoleon Bonaparte

Answer

Napoleon Bonaparte

Fill in the blanks.

1. The thirteen American colonies were assisted by France under ............... in gaining their freedom from their mutual enemy, Britain.

2. The American Revolution began in ............... .

3. The First Estate in France was made up of ............... .

4. The USA has a ............... constitution, which makes the country a Federal, Democratic Republic.

5. England had ............... in North America.

6. American thinker ............... asked the people to rebel against their ............... .

7. A new country called ............... was born after the American Revolution.

Answer

1. Louis XVI

2. 1776

3. the Clergy

4. written

5. thirteen colonies

6. Thomas Jefferson, oppressors (England)

7. the United States of America (USA)

Match Column A with Column B.

Answer

State whether the following statements are True or False.

1. The 13 colonies of North America were dissatisfied with the rule of the master country, England.

2. The French society was divided into three classes, each enjoying similar rights and privileges.

3. The French Revolution began with the storming of Bastille in 1789.

4. A new constitution was framed by the French Assembly in 1785.

5. The French Revolution led to rise of nationalism in Europe.

6. India was greatly inspired by both the American and French Revolution.

Answer

1. True

2. False
   Correct Statement — The French society was divided into three classes, each enjoying different rights and privileges.

3. True

4. False
   Correct Statement — A new constitution was framed by the French Assembly in 1795.

5. True

6. True

Define the term Nationalism.

Answer

Nationalism is a strong feeling of love, loyalty, and devotion toward one’s nation. It is the belief that people who share a common language, culture, history, and territory should unite under one government and work for the welfare and independence of their country.

What were the causes for the American War of Independence?

Answer

The causes for the American War of Independence are as follows:

1. The Americans were not allowed to start any industry or trade with any country except England. They also had to pay more taxes than the English paid in England.
2. The English Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, which imposed stamp taxes on all business transactions. This Act created violent resentment among the colonists.
3. The American settlers were inspired by European philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, who believed in freedom, equality, and the rights of the people.
4. American thinkers like Thomas Jefferson asked the people to rebel against the tyrannical rule of England.
5. The Boston Tea Party (1773), in which people threw crates of tea into the sea to protest against the new taxes imposed by the British government, especially on tea, became a major cause leading to the American War of Independence.

Explain the significance of the American Revolution.

Answer

The American Revolution is an important landmark in world history. It inspired the people of other colonies, including India, to overthrow their colonial masters and showed the path of democracy. It was also the inspiring factor behind the French Revolution. The Revolution established the principles of liberty, equality, and the rights of individuals, and gave birth to a new nation - the United States of America.

Why did the French Revolution take place?

Answer

The French Revolution took place because France was facing severe financial and social problems. When Louis XVI of the Bourbon family came to power, he found an empty treasury as long years of war had drained the country’s resources. France had also spent a huge amount helping the American colonies in their war against Britain, which increased the debt to more than 2 billion livres. To meet expenses, the state had to increase taxes, but only the Third Estate (common people) had to pay them, while the Clergy and Nobility enjoyed privileges and paid no taxes.

The common people lived a life of hardship and misery, while the king and nobles lived in luxury. The people were inspired by the writings of philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire, who spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. They were also influenced by the American War of Independence, which encouraged them to fight for their rights and justice. All these factors together led to the French Revolution.

What were the results of the French Revolution?

Answer

The results of the French Revolution are given below:

1. The French Revolution introduced democratic ideas and ended the supreme rule of kings.
2. The nobles and the church lost their property, which was distributed among the peasants.
3. Slaves in French colonies were set free.
4. The watchwords of the Revolution — Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity — led to the rise of a new democratic and social order in Europe.
5. The Revolution awakened national feelings, and the common people were prepared to fight for the rights and privileges they had gained.
6. It inspired other European people to overthrow their oppressive governments.
7. The ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity were so influential that they are mentioned in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

The most potent effect of the French Revolution was that it awakened national feelings. The common people were prepared to die for the sake of protecting the rights and privileges they had got due to the Revolution. It also inspired other European people to overthrow their oppressive governments. The words Liberty, Equality and Fraternity find a mention in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.

(i) The French Revolution took place in ............... .

1. 1783
2. 1782
3. 1784
4. 1789

(ii) Liberty, Equality and Fraternity were the chief slogans of the ............... .

1. French Revolution
2. Chinese Revolution
3. Egyptian Revolution
4. American Revolution

(iii) The word 'Preamble' means ............... .

1. introduction or preface
2. brotherhood
3. all religions are equal
4. classless society

Answer

(i) 1789

(ii) French Revolution

(iii) introduction or preface