Extra 20 long-answer questions with detailed answers (5-6 points each) from the chapter "The Rise of Nationalism in Europe" for Class 10 CBSE History:
1-5: Nationalism and the French Revolution
Explain how the French Revolution contributed to the rise of nationalism in Europe.
Answer:
The French Revolution (1789) promoted the ideas of
liberty, equality, and fraternity
, inspiring nationalistic feelings.
It
abolished
monarchies and feudal privileges
, promoting the idea of people's sovereignty.
Revolutionary leaders introduced
uniform laws
, a common
national language (French)
, and symbols like the
Tricolor
flag
.
The
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
gave people individual rights, promoting the idea of national unity.
French armies spread
revolutionary ideas
to other parts of Europe during Napoleon’s conquests.
The rise of Napoleon and his reforms, including the
Napoleonic Code
, strengthened nationalist movements.
Describe the Napoleonic Code and its impact on Europe.
Answer:
Introduced in
1804
, the Napoleonic Code (Civil Code) brought
legal uniformity
across France and other European regions.
It
abolished
feudalism
and granted
equality before the law
.
It ensured
property rights
, promoting economic stability and growth.
The code spread to
Italy, Germany, and other conquered areas
, influencing legal systems.
It established
merit-based bureaucracy
, reducing corruption.
Despite these reforms, Napoleon also
limited political freedom
, increasing his control over Europe.
What was the Vienna Congress (1815), and what were its major decisions?
Answer:
The
Congress of Vienna
was held in
1815
to restore the political order in Europe after Napoleon’s defeat.
Led by
Prince Metternich of Austria
, it aimed to
restore monarchies
and suppress nationalism.
The
German Confederation
(a group of 39 states) was created under Austrian control.
France was reduced
to its pre-Napoleonic boundaries, and European borders were redrawn.
Monarchies were restored in
Spain, Portugal, and Italy
, reversing
revolutionary changes.
A balance of power was maintained to prevent future revolutions and wars.
Who was Giuseppe Mazzini? Describe his role in the unification of Italy.
Answer:
Giuseppe Mazzini was an Italian nationalist leader and the founder of the
Young Italy movement
(1831).
He believed that
Italy should be a united democratic republic
, free from foreign control.
Mazzini led several
unsuccessful revolts
against Austrian rule in Italy.
He spread nationalist ideas through
writings and secret societies
.
Though his efforts failed militarily, his ideas inspired
Cavour and Garibaldi
to achieve unification later.
He is considered the
"Soul of Italian Unification"
due to his dedication to nationalism.
Explain the role of Count Cavour in the unification of Italy.
Answer:
Count Camillo de Cavour
was the
Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia
, who led Italy’s unification diplomatically.
He
modernized
Piedmont’s economy and army, preparing it for expansion.
He used
diplomatic alliances
, especially with France, to defeat Austria in 1859.
He helped annex
Lombardy and later other Italian states
into Piedmont.
Though he preferred a constitutional monarchy, his strategies helped unify
northern Italy
.
Cavour worked with
Garibaldi
, who conquered southern Italy, leading to complete unification in 1870.
6-10: Unification of Germany and Italy
Describe the role of Otto von Bismarck in the unification of Germany.
Answer:
Otto von Bismarck
, the Prime Minister of Prussia, used
"Blood and Iron"
(war and diplomacy) for German unification.
He strengthened the
Prussian army
and formed an alliance with Austria to fight Denmark (1864).
He defeated Austria in the
Austro-Prussian War (1866)
, uniting northern Germany.
He provoked a war with France (
Franco-Prussian War, 1870-71
), leading to the final unification.
Germany was unified in
1871
, and
Kaiser Wilhelm I
was declared Emperor at
Versailles
.
Bismarck’s leadership made Germany a
powerful empire in Europe
.
Why was the Zollverein important for German unification?
Answer:
Zollverein was a
customs union
established by Prussia in
1834
to remove trade barriers.
It
united German states economically
, making trade easier.
It helped spread
nationalist ideas
by creating a sense of unity.
Prussia, as the leader of Zollverein, gained
economic and political influence
over Germany.
It
weakened Austria's control
, as Austria was excluded from Zollverein.
Economic unity paved the way for
political unification under Prussia
.
Explain the causes and effects of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71).
Answer:
Causes:
Bismarck wanted to unite southern Germany under Prussia.
He provoked France by
altering the Ems Telegram
, making France declare war.
Effects:
Prussia defeated France, and Germany was unified in
1871
.
France lost
Alsace-Lorraine
, creating tensions leading to
World War I
.
Germany emerged as a
strongest European power
.
Describe the role of Giuseppe Garibaldi in Italian unification.
Answer:
Garibaldi was an Italian nationalist and leader of the
Red Shirts
.
He led military campaigns in
Sicily and Naples (1860)
, defeating foreign rulers.
He handed over the conquered territories to
King Victor Emmanuel II
, promoting unification.
His efforts helped in the final unification of Italy in
1870
.
He is known as the
"Sword of Italian Unification"
for his military efforts.
What were the challenges faced by the newly unified Italy?
Answer:
Economic problems
: Italy was divided between an industrial north and an agrarian south.
Political instability
: Frequent changes in government and lack of strong leadership.
Regional differences
: People were divided by dialects, cultures, and local loyalties.
Papal opposition
: The Pope opposed the new Italian state.
Foreign influence
: Austria and France still had interests in Italy.
11-15: Nationalism and Its Impact on Europe
How did Romanticism contribute to the rise of nationalism in Europe?
Answer:
Romanticism was a
cultural movement
that promoted emotions, folk traditions, and national pride.
It glorified
common people and folk culture
, emphasizing their role in shaping national identity.
Poets, painters, and musicians like
Eugène Delacroix and Johann Gottfried Herder
celebrated national history.
Folklore, folk songs, and language
were revived to create a sense of belonging.
Artists depicted struggles for independence, like Delacroix’s painting
"Liberty Leading the People."
Romanticism rejected
rationalism of the Enlightenment
, promoting emotional and cultural unity.
What was the impact of the 1848 revolutions in Europe?
Answer:
The
1848 Revolutions
were nationalist and democratic uprisings across Europe.
In
France
, the monarchy was overthrown, leading to the establishment of the Second Republic.
In
Germany, Italy, and Austria
, revolutions demanded
constitutional governments
, but monarchs suppressed them.
The
Frankfurt Parliament
attempted to unify Germany but failed due to lack of support.
Feudalism and serfdom were abolished in some regions, especially in
Austria and Prussia
.
Though the revolutions failed politically, they spread nationalist and democratic ideas.
Explain the role of women in nationalist movements in Europe.
Answer:
Women actively participated in
protests, demonstrations, and revolutionary movements
.
They organized
political clubs and discussions
, advocating for national unity.
Many women, like
Louise Otto-Peters in Germany
, demanded voting rights and equal political participation.
Female revolutionaries played key roles in uprisings, though they were
denied political rights
later.
In
France and Italy
, women worked as
nurses, writers, and activists
, supporting national struggles.
Despite their contributions, most nationalist movements
did not grant women suffrage
after independence.
How did nationalism lead to the disintegration of the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires?
Answer:
The
Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires
ruled over
multiple ethnic groups
(Germans, Hungarians, Slavs, Greeks, etc.).
Nationalist movements in
Greece, Serbia, and Italy
led to wars for independence.
The Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) succeeded, weakening the Ottoman Empire.
Hungary and Slavic regions
demanded autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The growth of
Balkan nationalism
caused tensions, leading to
World War I in 1914
.
Eventually, these empires collapsed after
World War I (1918)
, forming independent nation-states.
Explain the significance of the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832).
Answer:
Greece was under
Ottoman rule for centuries
before the nationalist uprising in 1821.
The war was inspired by
European Romanticism
, with poets like
Lord Byron
supporting it.
Greek nationalists received help from
Britain, France, and Russia
, who wanted to weaken the Ottomans.
The
Battle of Navarino (1827)
was a turning point, leading to Ottoman defeat.
In
1832
, the Treaty of Constantinople officially recognized Greek independence.
This war inspired
other nationalist struggles in Europe
, proving that nationalism could overthrow empires.
16-20: Colonialism and Nationalist Struggles
How did industrialization impact nationalism in Europe?
Answer:
Industrialization strengthened
economic unity
, leading to demands for
political unification
.
Growth of
railways and infrastructure
connected different regions, promoting a sense of national identity.
The
Zollverein (1834)
in Germany created an
economic union
, which helped in unification.
Industrialization led to the rise of the
middle class
, who supported nationalist movements.
Nationalism became linked to
imperialism
, as industrial nations sought colonies for resources.
Strong economies led to
militarization
, making wars like the
Franco-Prussian War (1870-71)
possible.
What was the impact of nationalism on colonies in Asia and Africa?
Answer:
Nationalist movements in Europe inspired
anti-colonial struggles
in Asia and Africa.
European powers imposed their
language, culture, and laws
, creating resistance among local populations.
Leaders like
Mahatma Gandhi (India) and Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
used nationalist ideas to fight colonialism.
Nationalism in colonies led to the formation of
political organizations
like the Indian National Congress.
After
World War II
, European nations weakened, allowing colonies to gain independence.
Nationalism helped in the creation of new
nation-states in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East
.
Describe the role of folk culture and language in nationalism.
Answer:
Nationalists used
folk culture, language, and literature
to create a sense of unity.
Poems, songs, and folk tales
were collected and published to revive national identity.
Johann Gottfried Herder (Germany) promoted the idea that
"a nation is shaped by its folk culture."
In Italy,
Dante’s works in Italian
rather than Latin helped unite the people.
Folk traditions symbolized resistance against
foreign rule and monarchy
.
Nationalist leaders used language as a
political tool
to unify diverse regions.
What were the challenges faced by new nation-states in Europe?
Answer:
Ethnic conflicts
: Many newly formed states had ethnic minorities who wanted independence.
Political instability
: Constant changes in government led to internal divisions.
Economic struggles
: Wars and revolutions had destroyed economies, causing unemployment and inflation.
Religious and cultural differences
: Some groups resisted forced national identity.
Foreign interference
: European powers tried to control smaller nations through alliances.
Rise of aggressive nationalism
: Led to militarization and conflicts like
World War I
.
How did the rise of nationalism contribute to World War I?
Answer:
Nationalist movements increased tensions between
European powers
.
The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) created hostility between
Germany and France
.
The collapse of the
Ottoman Empire
led to the rise of
Balkan nationalism
.
Austria-Hungary and Russia clashed over
influence in the Balkans
.
The assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand (1914)
by a Serbian nationalist triggered the war.
Nationalism led to
militarization and alliances
, escalating conflicts into a global war.
