HISTORY

1) Discuss the main causes of the French Revolution.

Ans. The following are the main causes of French Revolution.

(a) Despotic rule of Louis XVI. Long years of wars and extravagance of the king
led to financial crises in France. This forced king to increase taxes mostly paid by
the third estate. It created chaos in the society.

(b) Privileges and Burdens of the French Society. First and the second estate
had certain privileges by birth. The first two estates were comprised of the
clergy and nobility which was 10% of the total population. Rest of the 90%
population made up the third estate that paid all the various direct and indirect
taxes. This discrimination led to the revolution by the 3rd estate.

(c) Rising prices. The population of France had increased. This resulted into
more demand of foodgrains. So, the price of bread rose rapidly, the poor were
not able to buy the high-priced bread. So, the gap between the rich and poor
widened.

(d) Inspiration by the Philosophers. The philosophers like Locke, Rousseau and
Montesquieu spread the ideas of having a society where the people enjoy
freedom, equal laws and equal opportunities. They inspired the people of
France to realise their dreams.

(e) Role of Middle class. Another major cause was the role of the middle class
who earned their wealth through expanding trade of manufactured goods,
being exported.

(f) Storming of Bastille prison. During the political turmoil, France experienced
severe winters leading to bad harvest. The price of bread increased, as the
stocks were hoarded in the market. Angry women attacked the shops. At the
same time troops were ordered into Paris. Agitated crowd stormed and
destroyed Bastille prison administrative officials, i.e., those who were educated.
They believed that no person in the society should be privileged by birth.

2) What does subsistence crisis mean? What led to subsistence crises in France?

Ans. A subsistence crisis is an extreme situation where the basic means of

livelihood, particularly food, are endangered.
 ● Population Growth: The population of France increased from 23 million in
1715 to 28 million in 1789, leading to higher demand for food.

● Insufficient Food Production: Grain production could not keep up with the
growing demand, causing a shortage of food.

● Rising Prices and Wage Issues: As food became scarce, the price of bread, a
staple diet for many, rose rapidly. Most workers were laborers with fixed wages,
but these wages did not rise in line with the increasing prices, widening the gap
between the rich and the poor.

● Bad Harvests: Droughts or hail that affected the harvests worsened the
situation, triggering frequent subsistence crises during the Old Regime in
France.

3) How did the women suffer in France during the Old Regime?

Ans (a) During the Old Regime, most women worked to earn a living. They
worked as seamstresses or laundresses or domestic servants in the houses of
rich people. Many sold fruits, flowers, and vegetables at the market to earn
money.

(b) Most of them were not educated or trained to do any job. Only the
daughters of rich people could study.

(c) Working women had to take care of their families too. They had to fetch
water, queue up for bread, cook and look after the children. Therefore, it can be
said that women suffered a lot during the Old Regime.

4) What were the views of Liberals, Radicals, and Conservatives regarding

societal change?

Ans. ● Liberals -Liberals wanted a nation that tolerated all religions and opposed
the unchecked power of rulers. They believed in a representative government
but did not support universal voting rights for all citizens.

● Radicals-Radicals wanted a government based on the majority of the

population, including support for women’s right to vote. They opposed the
power of wealthy landowners and factory owners but didn’t mind private
property as long as it wasn’t concentrated in a few hands.
 ● Conservatives-Conservatives were against both Liberals and Radicals. They
believed in respecting the past and wanted change to happen slowly over time.

5) Make two lists: one with the main events and effects of the February
Revolution and the other with the main events and effects of the October
Revolution. Write a paragraph on who was involved in each, who were the
leaders and what the impact of each was on Soviet history.

Ans. February Revolution – Events

● In the winter of 1917, the situation in Petrograd was grim. There was food
shortage in the workers' quarters.
● 22 February: Lockout took place at a factory. Workers of factories joined in
sympathy. Women also led and participated in the strikes. This came to be called
the International Women's Day. The government imposed a curfew.
● 24, 25 February: The government called out the cavalry and police to keep an eye
on them. 25 February: The government suspended the Duma and politicians spoke
against this measure. The people were out with force once again.
● 27 February: The police headquarters were ransacked.
1. Cavalry was called out again.
2. An officer was shot at the barracks of a regiment and other regiments mutinied,
voting to join the striking workers gathered to form a Soviet or council. This was the
Petrograd Soviet. 3. A delegation went to meet the Tsar. The military commanders
advised him to abdicate.
● 2 March: The Tsar abdicated.
● A provisional government was formed by the Soviet and Duma leaders to run the
country.
February Revolution – Effects
● Restrictions on public meetings and associations were removed.
● Soviets were set up everywhere.
● In individual areas, factory committees were formed which began questioning the
way industrialists ran their factories.
● Soldiers' committees were formed in the army.
● The Provisional Government saw its power declining and Bolshevik influence
grew. It decided to take stern measures against the spreading discontent.
● It resisted attempts by workers to run factories and arrested leaders.
● Peasants and the socialist revolutionary leaders pressed for a redistribution of
land.
● Land committees were formed and peasants seized land between July and
September 1917.
October Revolution – Events
● 16th October 1917: Lenin persuaded the Petrograd Soviet and Bolshevik Party to
agree to a socialist seizure of power. A Military Revolutionary Committee was
appointed by the Soviet to organise seizure.
● 24th October: Uprising began. Prime Minister Kerenskii left the city to summon
troops. Military men loyal to the government seized the buildings of two Bolshevik
newspapers. Pro-government troops were sent to take over telephone and
telegraph offices and protect the Winter Palace. Events In response Military
Revolutionary Committee ordered to seize government offices and arrest ministers.
● The 'Aurora' ship shelled the Winter Palace. Other ships took over strategic points.
● By night, the city had been taken over and ministers had surrendered.
● All Russian Congress of Soviets in Petrograd approved the Bolshevik action.
● By December: Heavy fighting in Moscow. The Bolsheviks controlled the Moscow-
Petrograd area. The people involved were Lenin, the Bolsheviks and pro-
government troops.
October Revolution – Effects
● Most industries and banks were nationalised in November 1917.
● Land was declared social property and peasants were allowed to seize the land of
the nobility.
● Use of old titles was banned.
● New uniforms were designed for the army and officials.
● Russia became a one-party state.
● Trade unions were kept under party control.
● A process of centralised planning was introduced. This led to economic growth.
● Industrial production increased.
● An extended schooling system was developed.
● Collectivisation of farms started.
6) "The Treaty of Versailles was humiliating on the Germans." Give three
examples in support of your statement.

Ans) The Treaty of Versailles was humiliating on the Germans in the following
ways.

(a) The War Guilt clause held Germany responsible for the war and damages,
the Allied countries suffered.

(b) Germany was forced to pay compensation amounting to £ 6 billion.

(c) Germany lost her overseas possessions, 13 percent of her territories, 75 per
cent of its iron and 26 per cent of its coal to France, Poland, Denmark and
Lithuania.

7) How was Nazi ideology taught to the youth in germany?

Ans. ● Nazi ideology was taught to the youth in the school. Hitler was fanatically
interested in the youth of the interested.

● School textbooks were rewritten to teach Nazi ideas, including racial science
to justify Nazi beliefs about race and spreading stereotypes about Jews.

● Children were taught to be loyal to Hitler, hate Jews, and worship the Nazi
regime. Even sports like boxing were used to make children strong and
aggressive.

● Youth Organizations-Children were forced to join Nazi youth groups like

Jungvolk at age 10, and Hitler Youth at 14, where they learned to glorify war,
violence, and hatred toward "undesirable" groups.

● The Nazi Youth League, renamed Hitler Youth, took control of all youth
organizations, banning others to ensure total control over the upbringing and
education of German children.

GEO
8) Why is the difference between the durations of day and night hardly felt at
Kanyakumari but not so in Kashmir?
 Ans. The Equator divides the Earth into two equal parts, where day and night
are always the same length.
In places near the Equator, like Kanyakumari, the difference between day and
night is very small, only about one hour.
As we move farther from the Equator, toward the poles, the difference in day
and night becomes bigger.
This happens because the Earth is divided into lines called latitudes, and they
change how long the day and night are.

9) Describe the three parallel ranges of the Himalayas.

Ans. The three parallel ranges of the Himalayas are:

(i) Great or Inner Himalayas : Greater himalayas is the northernmost and

highest part of the Himalayas, with peaks over 6,000 meters. It stays
covered in snow all year, creating glaciers and rivers.

(ii) Himachal or Middle Himalayas : Himachal lies south of Himadri and has
rugged mountains. Its height is between 3,700 and 4,500 meters. It
includes famous ranges like Pir Panjal and valleys like Kullu and Kashmir.

(iii) Shivaliks : Shivaliks are the outermost range, with heights between 900
and 1,100 meters. They are made of loose rocks, which makes them
prone to earthquakes and landslides. The valleys between Shivaliks and
Himachal are called 'Duns'.

10) How do the physical divisions of India complement each other?

Ans. Each physiographic region is unique in itself, but inspite of their differences
they are interdependent on each other. They complement one another, in the
following sense:
(a) The Northern mountains are a rich source of water and forest resources.
(b) The Northern Plains with fertile soil are the granaries for the whole country.
(c) The Peninsular plateau is the storehouse of mineral wealth, so it is a base of
manufacturing industries.
(d) The coastal plains provide sites for fishing and port activities.
(e) The island groups have a unique diversity in flora and faura.

Conclusion: None of these regions can exist without the other. Therefore, there
is a geographical unity between these different regions. In other words there is
a kind of unity in diversity that exists in India