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History

C1: Revolutions That Influenced The World

Exam-oriented Questions and Answers

10th
2025-06-03

PART A: ONE-WORD QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS


  1. Q: Who said, "No taxation without representation"? A: James Ottis
  2. Q: What is the British policy of treating colonies as raw material centers called? A: Mercantilism
  3. Q: Who wrote "Common Sense"? A: Thomas Paine
  4. Q: When was the Declaration of Independence signed? A: 1776
  5. Q: Who prepared the Declaration of Independence? A: Thomas Jefferson
  6. Q: First President of USA? A: George Washington
  7. Q: Who said "I am the state"? A: Louis XIV
  8. Q: Tax paid by Third Estate to government? A: Taille
  9. Q: Tax collected by clergy from farmers? A: Tithe
  10. Q: When was Bastille prison demolished? A: 1789
  11. Q: Napoleon's final defeat location? A: Waterloo
  12. Q: Russian legislative assembly? A: Duma
  13. Q: Event on 9 January 1905 in Russia? A: Bloody Sunday
  14. Q: Workers' organizations in Russia? A: Soviets
  15. Q: Leader of October Revolution? A: Lenin
  16. Q: When did China become People's Republic? A: 1949
  17. Q: Leader of Chinese Communist Party? A: Mao Zedong
  18. Q: Chinese journey of 12000 kms? A: Long March
  19. Q: Rebellion in China in 1900? A: Boxer Rebellion
  20. Q: American policy towards China? A: Open Door Policy

PART B: 4 MARK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What were the Mercantilist Laws imposed by Britain on American colonies?

Answer:

  • Goods to and from colonies must be carried only in British ships or ships built in British colonies
  • Products like sugar, wool, cotton, tobacco could only be exported to England
  • Import tax must be paid for tea, glass, paper, etc.
  • British stamp must be affixed on all legal documents, newspapers, pamphlets, licenses

2. Write about the First Continental Congress.

Answer:

  • Held in 1774 at Philadelphia
  • Delegates from all colonies except Georgia participated
  • Protested against British policies and rules
  • Submitted petition to King of England demanding revocation of industrial and commercial regulations and no taxation without people's approval

3. Explain the three estates of French society.

Answer:

  • First Estate (Clergy): Held vast land, exempted from taxes, collected tithe, controlled administrative positions
  • Second Estate (Nobility): Held vast land, exempted from taxes, engaged in military service, collected taxes from farmers
  • Third Estate: Middle class, farmers, craftsmen with low social status, paid all taxes, no role in administration

4. What were the causes of financial crisis in France during Louis XVI's rule?

Answer:

  • Luxurious life and squander of Bourbon kings, clergy and lords
  • Frequent wars waged by France
  • Frequent droughts and crop failures
  • Financial and military assistance given to American colonies during American War of Independence

5. Explain the Tennis Court Oath.

Answer:

  • Third Estate declared themselves as National Assembly of France
  • They assembled in nearby tennis court
  • Swore not to leave until framing a constitution for France
  • This event marked the beginning of French Revolution and showed determination of common people

6. What were Napoleon's major reforms?

Answer:

  • Made farmers owners of land
  • Constructed roads for transportation
  • Established Bank of France to centralize finance
  • Formed 'sinking fund' to avoid public debt
  • Exercised state control over clergy
  • Prepared new code of laws

7. What were the causes of Russian Revolution?

Answer:

  • Autocracy of Tsarist Emperor
  • Low agricultural and industrial production
  • Tragic life of farmers and laborers
  • High taxation on landless farmers
  • Influence of Marxist ideologies
  • Russia's defeat in Russo-Japanese War (1905)

8. Explain Bloody Sunday incident.

Answer:

  • Occurred on 9 January 1905 at Petrograd
  • Workers organized huge march demanding political rights and economic reforms
  • March was fired upon by soldiers
  • Hundreds of demonstrators were massacred
  • This event intensified revolutionary feelings in Russia

9. What were the demands of Bolsheviks after February Revolution?

Answer:

  • Withdraw Russia from First World War
  • Seize lands owned by lords and distribute among farmers
  • Make factories public property
  • Transfer complete power to Soviets

10. Write about Sun Yat-Sen's ideologies.

Answer:

  • Nationalism: To expel Manchu dynasty and imperial powers
  • Democracy: To establish democratic rule
  • Socialism: To control capital and distribute land equally
  • These three principles guided Chinese revolutionary movement

PART C: 6 MARK QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Explain the events that led to the formation of the United States of America.

Answer: The formation of USA was a gradual process involving several key events:

First Continental Congress (1774):

  • Held at Philadelphia with delegates from all colonies except Georgia
  • Protested against British policies and submitted petition to King demanding revocation of trade regulations and no taxation without representation
  • King responded by sending military force

Second Continental Congress (1775):

  • George Washington elected as commander-in-chief of Continental Army
  • Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense" declared it wise for Americans to break ties with Britain
  • War began between England and colonies

Continental Congress (1776):

  • Declaration of Independence prepared by Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin on July 4, 1776
  • Formally began American War of Independence
  • War ended in 1781

Treaty of Paris (1783):

  • England ratified freedom of thirteen colonies
  • Constitution Convention held at Philadelphia under James Madison
  • American Constitution framed
  • George Washington became first President of United States of America

2. Analyze the events that led to the formation of France as a Republic.

Answer: The transformation of France into a Republic involved several crucial events:

Financial Crisis and States General (1789):

  • Louis XVI summoned States General to levy new taxes due to financial crisis
  • Traditional system gave each estate one vote, allowing first two estates to overrule Third Estate
  • Third Estate demanded individual voting for each member

Formation of National Assembly:

  • Third Estate declared themselves as National Assembly of France
  • Tennis Court Oath - swore not to leave until framing constitution for France
  • This marked beginning of people's sovereignty

Revolutionary Events:

  • July 14, 1789: Demolition of Bastille prison with slogan "liberty, equality, fraternity"
  • August 12, 1789: Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen passed
  • October 1789: Women's march to Versailles demanding bread
  • September 1792: National Convention proclaimed France as Republic

Key Outcomes:

  • End of absolute monarchy
  • Establishment of people's government
  • Declaration of fundamental rights
  • Beginning of modern democratic principles

3. Examine the results and impacts of French Revolution.

Answer: The French Revolution had far-reaching consequences both within France and globally:

Political Impact:

  • Ended feudal system in Europe and threatened autocratic rulers
  • Proclaimed that nation consists of people, not just territory
  • Contributed concept of people's sovereignty
  • Led to emergence of nationalism across Europe
  • Stimulated later revolutions worldwide

Social Impact:

  • Helped growth of middle class
  • Spread ideas of equality, liberty and fraternity
  • Abolished privileges of clergy and nobility
  • Established concept of citizenship and individual rights

Economic Impact:

  • Land redistribution from feudal lords to farmers
  • Development of capitalist economy
  • Growth of trade and industry
  • Financial reforms and modern banking system

Global Influence:

  • Inspired independence movements in Latin America
  • Influenced democratic movements across Europe
  • Provided model for constitutional governments
  • As Metternich said: "When France sneezes, rest of Europe catches cold"

4. Explain February Revolution and October Revolution in Russia.

Answer:

February Revolution (1917):

  • Tsar Nicholas II decided to participate in First World War despite Duma's protest
  • Severe food shortage by 1917 due to war
  • March 8, 1917: Thousands of women marched in Petrograd demanding bread
  • Workers organized protest march in Petrograd
  • Initially soldiers clashed with demonstrators, later joined them
  • Workers captured Petrograd and Nicholas II was overthrown
  • Provisional government formed under Alexander Kerensky (Menshevik leader)
  • Called February Revolution due to difference in Russian calendar

October Revolution (1917):

  • Group of Soviets opposed provisional government
  • Lenin returned from Switzerland and strongly opposed provisional government
  • Argued entire power should be transferred to Soviets
  • Bolsheviks and Soviets supported Lenin
  • October 1917: Bolsheviks organized armed rebellion under Lenin's leadership
  • Kerensky fled the country
  • Russia came under Bolshevik control
  • Established first proletariat government in world history

Significance: Both revolutions marked end of Tsarist autocracy and beginning of socialist experiment that would influence world politics for decades.

5. How did China become a People's Republic? Discuss the role of Mao Zedong.

Answer:

Background:

  • After Sun Yat-Sen's death, Chiang Kai-Shek led military autocracy
  • Gave opportunities to foreign powers to interfere in China
  • Did not cooperate with Communists
  • Foreign countries controlled coal, iron industries, banking, and trade

Rise of Mao Zedong:

  • Communists protested against Chiang Kai-Shek's policies but were brutally suppressed
  • Mao Zedong rose to leadership of Communist Party
  • Provided alternative leadership to Chinese people

The Long March (1934):

  • Journey started from Kiangsi in South China under Mao's leadership
  • Ended at Yanan in Northwestern China
  • Covered around 12,000 kilometers
  • Throughout journey, seized agricultural land from lords and distributed among farmers
  • This journey made Mao and Communist Party symbol of Chinese struggle against foreign powers

Formation of People's Republic:

  • Red Army of Mao Zedong captured center of Kuomintang rule
  • Chiang Kai-Shek had to seek political asylum in Taiwan
  • October 1, 1949: China became People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong's leadership

Significance:

  • Ended foreign domination in China
  • Established socialist government
  • Inspired liberation movements in Asia and Africa
  • Made China major world power

6. Analyze the influence of American Revolution on later world history.

Answer:

The American Revolution had profound and lasting impact on world history:

Political Influence:

  • Gave direction and motivation to later freedom struggles and revolutions worldwide
  • Put forward concept of republican form of government as alternative to monarchy
  • Demonstrated that colonies could successfully revolt against imperial powers
  • Inspired French Revolution and Latin American independence movements

Constitutional Contributions:

  • Prepared first written constitution in modern world
  • Established principle of separation of powers
  • Introduced concept of fundamental rights and individual liberty
  • Created model for constitutional governments globally

Federal System:

  • Contributed concept of federal system ensuring freedom and authority of states within union
  • Showed how diverse regions could unite while maintaining local autonomy
  • Influenced federal structures in countries like Germany, Australia, and India

Ideological Impact:

  • Established principle of "no taxation without representation"
  • Promoted concepts of popular sovereignty and consent of governed
  • Spread ideas of natural rights and equality
  • Challenged divine right theory of kingship

Global Revolutionary Spirit:

  • Proved that people could overthrow oppressive governments
  • Inspired democratic movements across Europe, Latin America, and Asia
  • Contributed to end of colonialism in 19th and 20th centuries
  • Established precedent for national self-determination

Modern Democratic Principles:

  • Introduced concepts of religious freedom and tolerance
  • Established importance of free press and expression
  • Created model for peaceful transfer of power
  • Influenced Universal Declaration of Human Rights

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

  • 1774: First Continental Congress
  • 1775: Second Continental Congress
  • 1776: Declaration of Independence (July 4)
  • 1783: Treaty of Paris
  • 1789: French Revolution begins, Bastille demolished
  • 1792: France becomes Republic
  • 1815: Battle of Waterloo
  • 1905: Bloody Sunday in Russia
  • 1917: February and October Revolutions in Russia
  • 1934: Long March in China begins
  • 1949: People's Republic of China established

KEY PERSONALITIES

American Revolution: James Ottis, Thomas Paine, John Locke, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin

French Revolution: Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, Napoleon

Russian Revolution: Nicholas II, Lenin, Alexander Kerensky, Karl Marx, Frederick Engels

Chinese Revolution: Sun Yat-Sen, Chiang Kai-Shek, Mao Zedong

Latin American Revolution: Jose De San Martin, Francisco Miranda, Simon Bolivar