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  • Chapter 4: Forest Society and Colonialism, Class 9th, History, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. Discuss how the changes in forest management in the colonial period affected the following groups of people:

    • Shifting cultivators: Banned from practicing jhum, many lost livelihood and were displaced. Some resisted or joined rebellions.

    • Nomadic and pastoralist communities: Lost access to grazing lands, were forced to change occupations.

    • Firms trading in timber/forest produce: Some European firms gained monopoly rights, but local traders lost access.

    • Plantation owners: Benefited hugely, as forests were cleared for tea, coffee, and rubber plantations.

    • Kings/British officials engaged in hunting: Encouraged big game hunting, leading to destruction of wildlife.

    Q2. What are the similarities between colonial management of forests in Bastar and Java?
    → Both regions saw large-scale reservation of forests, restriction on local use, and introduction of scientific forestry. Communities lost customary rights and were forced into labour. Rebellions occurred—Bastar in 1910, Kalang and Samin movements in Java. In both cases, colonial states prioritised timber needs over people’s livelihoods.

    Q3. Discuss factors leading to decline in India’s forest cover (1880–1920).

    • Railways: Huge demand for sleepers and fuel.

    • Shipbuilding: Timber for navy and trade ships.

    • Agricultural expansion: Peasants encouraged to clear forests.

    • Commercial farming: Jute, cotton, wheat grown for Europe.

    • Plantations: Tea, coffee, rubber cleared natural forests.

    • Peasant use: Collection of firewood, fruits, grazing also added.

    Q4. Why are forests affected by wars?
    → During wars, timber was urgently needed for barracks, railways, weapons, and fuel. In WWI and WWII, British cut Indian forests recklessly. In Java, Dutch burnt logs to prevent Japanese capture; Japanese later exploited forests. Wars thus caused massive deforestation.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Explain how colonial forest policies affected the lives of forest dwellers.
    Colonial forest policies drastically changed the lives of forest dwellers. The Forest Acts of 1865, 1878, and 1927 brought forests under strict state control. Villagers were banned from hunting, grazing cattle, and collecting wood or forest produce. Shifting cultivation was prohibited, forcing many tribes to abandon their traditional livelihood. Customary rights were replaced by permits, which were hard to obtain. Many communities were displaced, some forced into bonded labour in forest villages. Women collecting firewood faced harassment by guards. Hunting became a sport for British officials, while ordinary people were punished as poachers. Thus, forest dwellers lost autonomy, livelihoods, and dignity under colonial forest laws.

    Q2. Describe the Bastar rebellion of 1910.
    The Bastar rebellion was a major tribal uprising against British forest policies. Located in present-day Chhattisgarh, Bastar’s communities like Gonds, Dhurwas, and Bhatras depended on forests for food, fuel, and shifting cultivation. In 1905, the government proposed reserving two-thirds of the forest, displacing villages and forcing others to work for free. Famines and exploitation worsened discontent. Under leaders like Gunda Dhur, villagers circulated mango boughs, chillies, and arrows as rebellion signals. In 1910, bazaars, schools, and police stations were attacked, officials’ houses burnt, and grain redistributed. The British retaliated with brutal suppression, but the planned reservation was reduced. The rebellion showed how forest communities resisted colonial oppression.

    Q3. What was ‘scientific forestry’? How did it differ from villagers’ ideas of a good forest?
    Scientific forestry, introduced by Dietrich Brandis, meant systematic cutting of natural forests and replacing them with single-species plantations like teak or sal. The Indian Forest Service (1864) and Imperial Forest Research Institute (1906) promoted it. Officials managed forests with working plans, restricting local use. For villagers, a good forest meant diversity—fuel, fodder, fruits, leaves, and medicinal plants. For the state, forests meant revenue and timber. Thus, scientific forestry prioritised commercial exploitation, while villagers’ needs were ignored. Over time, this system caused ecological imbalance and discontent among communities.

    Q4. Explain the similarities and differences between Indian and Indonesian forest policies under colonial rule.
    Both India (under the British) and Java (under the Dutch) saw strict forest laws. Villagers were banned from shifting cultivation, grazing, or hunting. Forest services were set up, and labour was extracted for timber extraction. In Bastar, resistance led to the 1910 rebellion, while in Java, the Kalangs and Saminists opposed Dutch control. A difference was that in Java, systems like blandongdiensten forced villagers to provide free labour and buffaloes in return for rent exemptions. In India, labour was extracted through ‘forest villages’. Thus, while contexts differed, both colonial powers prioritised timber for ships, railways, and wars over local rights.

    Q5. Analyse the impact of colonial forest management on ecology and economy.
    Colonial policies led to large-scale deforestation. Between 1880–1920, 9.7 million hectares of forests were lost. Monoculture plantations reduced biodiversity and soil fertility. Wildlife was hunted to near extinction—over 80,000 tigers and 200,000 wolves were killed. Ecologically, rivers dried, soil eroded, and climate patterns changed. Economically, local people were impoverished while European firms gained monopoly over trade. Plantations enriched planters but displaced tribals. Forest laws criminalised traditional practices, turning communities into labourers for the state. Thus, colonial forestry damaged both the environment and indigenous economies.

    MCQs

    1. Deforestation means:
      (a) Growing more trees
      (b) Disappearance of forests
      (c) Cutting grasslands
      (d) Making plantations
      Answer: (b)

    2. Who was the first Inspector General of Forests in India?
      (a) Lord Curzon
      (b) Dietrich Brandis
      (c) William Ward
      (d) Gunda Dhur
      Answer: (b)

    3. The Indian Forest Act was first passed in:
      (a) 1864
      (b) 1865
      (c) 1878
      (d) 1927
      Answer: (b)

    4. Forests were divided into:
      (a) Two categories
      (b) Three categories
      (c) Four categories
      (d) Five categories
      Answer: (b)

    5. Reserved forests meant:
      (a) Villagers could freely use them
      (b) Only for shifting cultivation
      (c) No access for villagers
      (d) For hunting only
      Answer: (c)

    6. Shifting cultivation in India is locally called:
      (a) Podu
      (b) Chena
      (c) Kumri
      (d) All of these
      Answer: (d)

    7. Bastar rebellion occurred in:
      (a) 1905
      (b) 1910
      (c) 1920
      (d) 1930
      Answer: (b)

    8. Leader associated with Bastar rebellion:
      (a) Gunda Dhur
      (b) Birsa Munda
      (c) Alluri Sitarama Raju
      (d) Kanu
      Answer: (a)

    9. Dutch introduced the blandongdiensten system in:
      (a) India
      (b) Java
      (c) Burma
      (d) Malaya
      Answer: (b)

    10. Kalangs of Java were:
      (a) Traders
      (b) Woodcutters
      (c) Soldiers
      (d) Farmers
      Answer: (b)

    11. Which tree was mainly promoted in plantations?
      (a) Neem
      (b) Teak
      (c) Mango
      (d) Bamboo
      Answer: (b)

    12. Hunting became:
      (a) A livelihood
      (b) A sport
      (c) Illegal for British
      (d) Religious practice
      Answer: (b)

    13. The Imperial Forest Research Institute was set up in:
      (a) Delhi
      (b) Dehradun
      (c) Bombay
      (d) Calcutta
      Answer: (b)

    14. The Bastar rebellion was triggered by:
      (a) High taxes
      (b) Forest reservation
      (c) Famine
      (d) British hunting laws
      Answer: (b)

    15. Samin’s movement in Java opposed:
      (a) Rent collection
      (b) Forest ownership by state
      (c) Trade restrictions
      (d) Plantation expansion
      Answer: (b)

    16. The British killed over _____ tigers between 1875–1925.
      (a) 40,000
      (b) 60,000
      (c) 80,000
      (d) 1,00,000
      Answer: (c)

    17. Forests were heavily exploited during:
      (a) World Wars
      (b) Revolts
      (c) Famines
      (d) Festivals
      Answer: (a)

    18. The mahua tree provides:
      (a) Fruits
      (b) Alcohol and oil
      (c) Medicines
      (d) All of these
      Answer: (d)

    19. Which community in Central India petitioned against loss of shifting cultivation?
      (a) Baigas
      (b) Bhils
      (c) Mundas
      (d) Santhals
      Answer: (a)

    20. Java’s forests were mainly rich in:
      (a) Mango
      (b) Teak
      (c) Bamboo
      (d) Coffee
      Answer: (b)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. The disappearance of forests is called deforestation.

    2. The first Inspector General of Forests in India was Dietrich Brandis.

    3. The Indian Forest Act was passed in 1865.

    4. Forests were divided into reserved, protected, and village forests.

    5. Shifting cultivation in Andhra Pradesh is known as podu.

    6. The Bastar rebellion took place in 1910.

    7. The Dutch used the blandongdiensten system in Java.

    8. Gunda Dhur was a leader in Bastar.

    9. The Imperial Forest Research Institute was established at Dehradun.

    10. The mahua tree is valued for its flowers, oil, and alcohol.

  • Chapter 3: Nazism and the Rise of Hitler, Class 9th, History, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.
    → The Weimar Republic, set up after WWI, faced several challenges. The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy reparations, territorial losses, and the War Guilt Clause. Politically, proportional representation led to unstable coalition governments, while Article 48 allowed the President to rule by decree. Economically, Germany suffered hyperinflation in 1923 and was hit hard by the Great Depression in 1929, causing massive unemployment. The Republic was also criticised by nationalists as the creation of “November criminals”. These problems weakened democracy and paved the way for Hitler’s rise.

    Q2. Why did Nazism become popular in Germany by 1930?
    → The Great Depression created unemployment, poverty, and discontent. Hitler promised jobs, national revival, and an end to the humiliation of Versailles. Nazi propaganda projected him as a saviour, holding mass rallies, using radio, posters, and symbols like the swastika. His promises of strong leadership, racial purity, and expansion appealed to many. Weakness of the Weimar Republic and fear of communism also helped. By 1932, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag.

    Q3. What are the peculiar features of Nazi thinking?
    → Nazi ideology believed in racial hierarchy, with Aryans as the “master race” and Jews, Gypsies, and Slavs as undesirables. It glorified war, conquest, and militarism. It rejected democracy and promoted one-party dictatorship. Nazis emphasised Lebensraum (living space) and expansion eastwards. They believed in total control over society, culture, education, and media. Women were confined to motherhood, while youth were indoctrinated through Nazi schools and organisations.

    Q4. Explain why Nazi propaganda was effective in creating hatred for Jews.
    → Nazi propaganda used films, posters, radio, and speeches to spread stereotypes of Jews as greedy, conspiratorial, and unpatriotic. Textbooks were rewritten to portray Jews as enemies. Rallies glorified Hitler and vilified minorities. The Nazis manipulated people’s fears during economic crisis, blaming Jews for both capitalism and communism. This constant repetition and visual imagery convinced many Germans to see Jews as responsible for Germany’s problems.

    Q5. Explain the role of women in Nazi society. Compare with the French Revolution.
    → Women in Nazi Germany were seen as mothers and bearers of the Aryan race. They were encouraged to have many children, awarded crosses for large families, and discouraged from careers. Women who had relations with Jews or bore “undesirable” children were punished. In contrast, during the French Revolution, women actively participated in political clubs and demanded equality, though rights were limited. Thus, while revolutionary women sought political rights, Nazi women were confined to domestic roles.

    Q6. How did the Nazi state establish total control over its people?
    → Hitler used the Enabling Act of 1933 to establish dictatorship. Political parties and trade unions were banned. The Gestapo, SS, and concentration camps suppressed dissent. Education and media were controlled to spread Nazi ideology. Youth organisations trained children in obedience and militarism. Surveillance, propaganda, and terror ensured that ordinary Germans followed Nazi policies. The state controlled economy, culture, and even private life, creating a totalitarian regime.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Discuss the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany.
    The Treaty of Versailles (1919) had devastating effects on Germany. It held Germany responsible for WWI through the War Guilt Clause and forced it to pay £6 billion in reparations. Germany lost territories like Alsace-Lorraine, overseas colonies, 75% of its iron and 26% of its coal reserves. The Rhineland was demilitarised. The army was restricted to 100,000 men. These harsh terms caused humiliation and resentment among Germans. Nationalists blamed the Weimar Republic for accepting such a treaty, calling them “November criminals”. Economically, reparations strained Germany’s finances, leading to hyperinflation in 1923. The treaty crippled German pride, weakened democracy, and created conditions in which extremist ideologies like Nazism could grow. Thus, the Treaty of Versailles directly contributed to Hitler’s rise by creating anger, poverty, and a desire for revenge.

    Q2. How did the Great Depression help the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party?
    The Great Depression of 1929 severely hit Germany, which was dependent on American loans under the Dawes Plan. When loans stopped, banks collapsed, businesses shut down, and unemployment soared to 6 million. Poverty, homelessness, and despair spread rapidly. The Weimar government failed to provide relief, and people lost faith in democracy. Hitler and the Nazis exploited this crisis through propaganda. They promised jobs, bread, and restoration of national pride. Nazi rallies projected Hitler as a strong leader who could rescue Germany. Their anti-communist stance reassured industrialists, while their promises to workers and peasants attracted the masses. By 1932, the Nazis emerged as the largest party in the Reichstag. Thus, the Depression was the turning point that converted Nazism from a fringe movement into a mass political force.

    Q3. Explain the features of Nazi racial ideology and its consequences.
    Nazi ideology was based on racism and belief in Aryan superiority. Hitler believed Germans were a pure Nordic Aryan race destined to dominate the world. Jews were considered the worst enemies, blamed for Germany’s defeat, economic problems, and social decay. Other groups like Gypsies, Slavs, blacks, and the disabled were seen as “undesirable”. This ideology led to systematic persecution. Jews were excluded from citizenship by the Nuremberg Laws (1935), boycotted, ghettoised, and finally exterminated in concentration camps during the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews were killed. Gypsies, political opponents, and the disabled were also massacred. Children of occupied territories were kidnapped and “racially examined”. Thus, Nazi racial ideology created one of the darkest chapters of human history, marked by genocide and crimes against humanity.

    Q4. Analyse the role of Nazi propaganda in strengthening Hitler’s control.
    Propaganda was central to Nazi control. Hitler understood the power of symbols, speeches, and media in shaping public opinion. Huge rallies with swastika flags, military parades, and Hitler’s charismatic oratory created mass appeal. Radio, films, and posters portrayed Hitler as Germany’s saviour. Jews were depicted as greedy, dangerous, and unpatriotic. School textbooks were rewritten with racial science, teaching children to hate minorities. Propaganda glorified motherhood for Aryan women and militarism for men. Even art and cinema were used to spread Nazi ideas. Through constant repetition, Nazi propaganda created an atmosphere where people accepted dictatorship, believed in Hitler’s messiah image, and participated in persecution. It turned lies into accepted truths and manipulated emotions to establish totalitarian control.

    Q5. What was the Holocaust? Why is it remembered as one of the greatest crimes against humanity?
    The Holocaust was the mass extermination of Jews and other “undesirable” groups by the Nazis during WWII. Between 1941–1945, millions of Jews were deported from ghettos to concentration camps like Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Sobibor, where they were gassed, starved, or worked to death. Gypsies, Poles, Russians, political prisoners, and the disabled were also victims. The Nazis carried out genocide with chilling efficiency, using trains, gas chambers, and crematoria. Over 6 million Jews perished, alongside millions of others. The Holocaust was not only a tragedy for the Jewish people but also a moral failure of humanity, as many nations remained silent. Today, it is remembered through memorials, literature, and museums as a warning against racism, hatred, and blind obedience. It remains one of history’s greatest crimes against humanity.

    MCQs

    1. The Weimar Republic was established in:
      (a) 1918
      (b) 1919
      (c) 1920
      (d) 1921
      Answer: (b)

    2. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in:
      (a) 1917
      (b) 1918
      (c) 1919
      (d) 1920
      Answer: (c)

    3. Germany was forced to pay reparations of:
      (a) £2 billion
      (b) £4 billion
      (c) £6 billion
      (d) £8 billion
      Answer: (c)

    4. Hyperinflation in Germany occurred in:
      (a) 1921
      (b) 1922
      (c) 1923
      (d) 1924
      Answer: (c)

    5. The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash in:
      (a) 1928
      (b) 1929
      (c) 1930
      (d) 1931
      Answer: (b)

    6. Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in:
      (a) 1929
      (b) 1932
      (c) 1933
      (d) 1934
      Answer: (c)

    7. The Enabling Act was passed in:
      (a) 1932
      (b) 1933
      (c) 1934
      (d) 1935
      Answer: (b)

    8. Which Nazi organisation was the secret state police?
      (a) SS
      (b) Gestapo
      (c) SA
      (d) SD
      Answer: (b)

    9. The Nazi salute and swastika were symbols of:
      (a) Socialism
      (b) Communism
      (c) Nazi ideology
      (d) Liberalism
      Answer: (c)

    10. Who was the Nazi propaganda minister?
      (a) Himmler
      (b) Goering
      (c) Goebbels
      (d) Hindenburg
      Answer: (c)

    11. The Nuremberg Laws were passed in:
      (a) 1933
      (b) 1934
      (c) 1935
      (d) 1936
      Answer: (c)

    12. Hitler’s autobiography was titled:
      (a) My Life
      (b) Mein Kampf
      (c) Struggle
      (d) Nazi Germany
      Answer: (b)

    13. Which concept meant “living space” in Nazi ideology?
      (a) Volk
      (b) Lebensraum
      (c) Aryanhood
      (d) Reich
      Answer: (b)

    14. The Holocaust refers to:
      (a) Nazi rise to power
      (b) Nazi racial policies
      (c) Mass killing of Jews
      (d) WWII battles
      Answer: (c)

    15. The famous concentration camp Auschwitz was located in:
      (a) Germany
      (b) Poland
      (c) Austria
      (d) France
      Answer: (b)

    16. The Nazi youth organisation was called:
      (a) Hitler Youth
      (b) Young Germany
      (c) Aryan Youth
      (d) Storm Youth
      Answer: (a)

    17. Which group was NOT considered “undesirable” by Nazis?
      (a) Jews
      (b) Gypsies
      (c) Aryan Germans
      (d) Disabled persons
      Answer: (c)

    18. WWII began when Germany invaded:
      (a) Austria
      (b) France
      (c) Poland
      (d) USSR
      Answer: (c)

    19. The Holocaust ended in:
      (a) 1943
      (b) 1944
      (c) 1945
      (d) 1946
      Answer: (c)

    20. Hitler committed suicide in:
      (a) April 1944
      (b) April 1945
      (c) May 1945
      (d) June 1945
      Answer: (b)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. The Weimar Republic was established in 1919.

    2. The Treaty of Versailles imposed war guilt on Germany.

    3. The Great Depression began in 1929.

    4. Hitler became Chancellor on 30 January 1933.

    5. The Enabling Act gave Hitler dictatorial powers.

    6. The Nazi secret police was called Gestapo.

    7. The Nazi youth organisation was Hitler Youth.

    8. The Nuremberg Laws denied Jews citizenship.

    9. The Nazi ideology emphasised Aryan racial superiority.

    10. The Holocaust killed about 6 million Jews.

  • Chapter 2: Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, Class 9th, History, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. What were the social, economic and political conditions in Russia before 1905?
    → Socially, Russia was dominated by nobles, the Orthodox Church, and the Tsar’s autocracy. Peasants (85% population) lived in poverty and wanted land reforms. Economically, Russia was primarily agricultural, though industries existed in pockets like St Petersburg and Moscow. Working conditions in factories were poor, wages low, and working hours long. Politically, Tsar Nicholas II ruled as an autocrat, ignoring the Duma and suppressing political parties. There was widespread discontent among workers, peasants, and minorities.

    Q2. In what ways was the working population in Russia different from other countries in Europe, before 1917?
    → Russian workers were divided by skill (metal workers considered elite), had ties with villages, and women formed 31% of the workforce but earned less than men. Unlike Western Europe, political parties and trade unions were illegal, though strikes occurred often. Peasants in Russia pooled land through communes (mir), unlike Western Europe. Thus, Russian workers and peasants were distinct in organisation and demands.

    Q3. Why did the Tsarist autocracy collapse in 1917?
    → The Tsar’s refusal to share power, defeats in WWI, economic crisis, food shortages, strikes, and mutinies led to collapse. The February 1917 Revolution began with worker strikes in Petrograd, soon joined by soldiers. Tsar Nicholas II abdicated on 2 March 1917, ending centuries of autocracy.

    Q4. Make two lists: main events and effects of the February and October Revolutions.

    • February Revolution: Worker strikes, women’s protests, mutiny of soldiers, abdication of Tsar, Provisional Government formed. Effect: End of monarchy, establishment of dual power (Provisional Govt + Soviets).

    • October Revolution: Bolsheviks under Lenin and Trotsky seized Winter Palace, overthrew Provisional Govt. Effect: Soviet rule, land to peasants, industries nationalised, Russia became first socialist state.

    Q5. Main changes brought about by the Bolsheviks immediately after the October Revolution.
    → Nationalisation of industries and banks, abolition of private property, land redistribution to peasants, censorship, establishment of one-party rule, and peace with Germany (Treaty of Brest-Litovsk).

    Q6. Short notes:

    • Kulaks: Wealthy peasants targeted by Stalin during collectivisation.

    • Duma: Russian parliament created after 1905, but controlled by Tsar.

    • Women workers (1900–1930): Formed a large part of workforce, led strikes like in February Revolution, but faced wage discrimination.

    • Liberals: Wanted elected government, civil rights, but restricted voting rights to property-owning men.

    • Stalin’s Collectivisation: Policy forcing peasants into collective farms; resisted violently, caused famine, but aimed to modernise agriculture.

    Extras – Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Discuss the role of Lenin and the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution of 1917.
    Lenin and the Bolsheviks played a decisive role in the Russian Revolution. Lenin opposed WWI and demanded “Peace, Land, and Bread”. His April Theses in 1917 called for withdrawal from war, transfer of land to peasants, and nationalisation of banks. The Bolsheviks organised soviets in factories and the army, spreading socialist ideas. Trotsky led the Military Revolutionary Committee, which organised the October uprising. On 24 October 1917, Bolsheviks captured key government offices and the Winter Palace. They redistributed land, nationalised industries, and withdrew from WWI through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. The Bolsheviks transformed Russia into the world’s first socialist state. Their leadership and discipline made them the most influential political force in 1917.

    Q2. Explain the causes and significance of the 1905 Revolution in Russia.
    The 1905 Revolution was triggered by economic hardship, poor working conditions, and political repression. Rising prices reduced real wages by 20%, leading to mass strikes. On 22 January 1905, thousands marched to the Winter Palace led by Father Gapon, demanding better wages and an elected assembly. Troops fired, killing over 100 workers—this event became known as Bloody Sunday. Strikes, peasant revolts, and student protests spread across Russia. The Tsar was forced to create the Duma, though it had limited powers. The revolution showed the growing power of workers and peasants, and the weakness of autocracy. It set the stage for 1917.

    Q3. Analyse Stalin’s collectivisation policy.
    By 1927, grain shortages in Soviet Russia led Stalin to enforce collectivisation. Private farms were abolished and peasants were forced into collective farms (kolkhoz). Land, livestock, and tools were taken over by the state. The kulaks, or wealthy peasants, resisted and were deported or executed. Many peasants slaughtered cattle and destroyed crops rather than surrender them. Between 1929–1933, production declined, leading to famine that killed over 4 million. While collectivisation aimed at modernising agriculture and ensuring grain supply for industries, it caused immense human suffering. It symbolised Stalin’s authoritarian style of governance, prioritising state control over individual welfare.

    Q4. How did the First World War create conditions for the Russian Revolution?
    WWI had devastating effects on Russia. Over 7 million soldiers were killed or wounded. Food and fuel shortages worsened due to disrupted transport. Industries collapsed as raw materials ran out, and bread riots became common by 1916. The Tsar’s mismanagement, corruption, and refusal to consult the Duma discredited his rule. Soldiers mutinied, and strikes spread. The February Revolution of 1917 began in Petrograd during food shortages and snow, when workers and women protested. The army joined them, forcing the Tsar’s abdication. Thus, WWI acted as the immediate trigger that exposed the weakness of Tsarist autocracy and created revolutionary conditions.

    Q5. What was the global influence of the Russian Revolution and the USSR?
    The Russian Revolution inspired workers and peasants worldwide. It showed that an alternative to capitalism was possible. Communist parties were formed in Europe and Asia, including India, where leaders like M.N. Roy and Jawaharlal Nehru admired Soviet socialism. The Bolsheviks founded the Comintern to unite socialist movements. USSR’s policies of equality, land redistribution, and planned economy impressed many, though its authoritarianism drew criticism. Writers like Tagore and Shaukat Usmani described Soviet Russia as a land of equality and education. By the mid-20th century, the USSR became a global power, shaping world politics and inspiring anti-colonial struggles.

    MCQs

    1. Who wrote The Communist Manifesto?
      (a) Lenin and Stalin
      (b) Marx and Engels
      (c) Rousseau and Montesquieu
      (d) Robespierre and Danton
      Answer: (b)

    2. Which party was formed in Russia in 1898?
      (a) Socialist Revolutionary Party
      (b) Bolshevik Party
      (c) Russian Social Democratic Workers Party
      (d) Mensheviks
      Answer: (c)

    3. The event of 22 January 1905 is known as:
      (a) Red Sunday
      (b) Bloody Sunday
      (c) Labour Sunday
      (d) People’s March
      Answer: (b)

    4. Soviets were:
      (a) Peasant communes
      (b) Workers’ and soldiers’ councils
      (c) Secret police
      (d) Parliament of Russia
      Answer: (b)

    5. Lenin’s April Theses demanded:
      (a) More wages
      (b) Peace, Land, and Bread
      (c) Collectivisation
      (d) End of Duma
      Answer: (b)

    6. Who led the Bolsheviks?
      (a) Trotsky
      (b) Stalin
      (c) Lenin
      (d) Kerensky
      Answer: (c)

    7. The October Revolution took place in:
      (a) 1914
      (b) 1917
      (c) 1919
      (d) 1922
      Answer: (b)

    8. Which treaty ended Russia’s involvement in WWI?
      (a) Treaty of Versailles
      (b) Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
      (c) Treaty of Moscow
      (d) Treaty of Berlin
      Answer: (b)

    9. The secret police under Lenin was called:
      (a) Cheka
      (b) KGB
      (c) NKVD
      (d) Gestapo
      Answer: (a)

    10. The elected parliament created after 1905 was:
      (a) Soviet
      (b) Duma
      (c) Diet
      (d) Reichstag
      Answer: (b)

    11. The Bolshevik Party was later renamed as:
      (a) Communist Party of Russia
      (b) Soviet Socialist Party
      (c) Marxist Party
      (d) People’s Party
      Answer: (a)

    12. Stalin’s collective farms were called:
      (a) Kolkhoz
      (b) Sovkhoz
      (c) Mir
      (d) Commune
      Answer: (a)

    13. Who among the following was NOT a socialist thinker?
      (a) Karl Marx
      (b) Friedrich Engels
      (c) Louis Blanc
      (d) Adam Smith
      Answer: (d)

    14. Tsar Nicholas II ruled until:
      (a) 1914
      (b) 1917
      (c) 1922
      (d) 1930
      Answer: (b)

    15. Which leader organised the Red Army?
      (a) Stalin
      (b) Lenin
      (c) Trotsky
      (d) Kerensky
      Answer: (c)

    16. The USSR was formed in:
      (a) 1922
      (b) 1917
      (c) 1919
      (d) 1930
      Answer: (a)

    17. Which group supported peasants’ rights in Russia?
      (a) Mensheviks
      (b) Socialist Revolutionaries
      (c) Bolsheviks
      (d) Liberals
      Answer: (b)

    18. The capital Petrograd was earlier called:
      (a) Moscow
      (b) Leningrad
      (c) St Petersburg
      (d) Volgograd
      Answer: (c)

    19. The Comintern was founded to:
      (a) Spread communism internationally
      (b) Train Red Army
      (c) Control peasants
      (d) Promote trade unions
      Answer: (a)

    20. Who introduced collectivisation in USSR?
      (a) Lenin
      (b) Trotsky
      (c) Stalin
      (d) Gorbachev
      Answer: (c)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. The Russian Revolution of 1917 occurred in two stages – February and October.

    2. The Tsar of Russia in 1914 was Nicholas II.

    3. The Socialist Revolutionary Party worked mainly for peasants’ rights.

    4. Lenin’s three slogans were Peace, Land, and Bread.

    5. The Bolshevik Party later became the Communist Party of Russia.

    6. The Russian secret police was called Cheka.

    7. Stalin forced peasants into collective farms known as Kolkhoz.

    8. The 1905 protest where workers were fired upon is called Bloody Sunday.

    9. Russia withdrew from WWI by signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.

    10. The USSR was formed in 1922.

  • Chapter 1: The French Revolution, Class 9th, History, Social Science, NCERT

    NCERT Questions & Answers

    Q1. Describe the circumstances leading to the outbreak of revolutionary protest in France.
    → The French monarchy faced financial crisis due to long wars and extravagant spending. The treasury was empty and taxation was increased. Society was divided into three estates, where clergy and nobility enjoyed privileges, while the Third Estate bore the tax burden. Rising population, food shortages, and high bread prices created a subsistence crisis. Enlightenment thinkers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Locke spread ideas of equality and liberty. The American Revolution also inspired French people. Thus, social inequality, economic hardship, and new political ideas led to revolutionary protests.

    Q2. Which groups of French society benefited from the Revolution? Which groups were forced to relinquish power? Which sections would have been disappointed?
    → Benefited: Peasants, artisans, and the middle class who gained equality before law and end of feudal dues.
    Relinquished power: Nobility and clergy lost privileges, taxes, and feudal rights.
    Disappointed: Women, who were still denied political rights, and poorer sections, who remained passive citizens under the 1791 Constitution.

    Q3. Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the peoples of the world.
    → The Revolution spread the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It inspired struggles against monarchy and feudalism in Europe. Colonised countries like India drew from its principles to fight colonial rule. Democratic rights such as freedom of speech, equality before law, and sovereignty of the people became universal values. However, contradictions existed, such as denial of rights to women and colonies.

    Q4. Draw up a list of democratic rights we enjoy today whose origins could be traced to the French Revolution.
    → Right to equality before law, right to freedom of speech and expression, right to vote, right to liberty, right against exploitation, and right to property (later modified in India).

    Q5. Would you agree with the view that the message of universal rights was beset with contradictions? Explain.
    → Yes. While the Revolution declared universal rights, women were excluded, as were slaves in colonies. Only active male citizens with property could vote initially. Thus, universal rights were limited by class, gender, and race.

    Q6. How would you explain the rise of Napoleon?
    → Political instability after the fall of Jacobins, failure of the Directory, and constant wars created conditions for a strong leader. Napoleon, a military general, seized power in 1799 and later crowned himself Emperor. He introduced reforms in law, administration, and modernised Europe. Initially hailed as a liberator, he later became a dictator until his defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

    Long Answer Questions

    Q1. Explain the social and economic causes of the French Revolution.
    The French society in the 18th century was divided into three estates. The first two estates—the clergy and nobility—enjoyed privileges, including exemption from taxes, while the Third Estate bore the entire tax burden. Peasants, artisans, and workers faced exploitation through feudal dues and tithes. Economic hardship worsened as population growth outpaced food supply, leading to a subsistence crisis. Bread prices soared, and wages stagnated. Extravagant expenditure by King Louis XVI and his court deepened the financial crisis. France’s involvement in the American War of Independence added to the debt. These conditions created resentment, and people demanded an end to inequality, paving the way for revolution.

    Q2. Discuss the role of philosophers in the French Revolution.
    Enlightenment philosophers inspired people with ideas of equality, freedom, and democracy. John Locke refuted the doctrine of divine right of kings and argued for government based on consent. Rousseau’s Social Contract emphasised collective sovereignty and equality. Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws proposed division of power among executive, legislature, and judiciary, influencing democratic structures. Their works spread through salons, newspapers, and coffee houses, reaching even the illiterate. These ideas encouraged the Third Estate to demand reforms and shaped revolutionary demands for a society based on merit and rights rather than birth.

    Q3. Explain the Reign of Terror under Robespierre.
    The period from 1793–1794 is called the Reign of Terror. Maximilien Robespierre, leader of Jacobins, imposed severe controls to protect the republic. Suspected enemies of the revolution, including nobles, clergy, and even his opponents, were arrested and executed by guillotine. Harsh economic measures like price controls on bread and rationing were introduced. Traditional titles like Monsieur and Madame were replaced by Citizen. Churches were closed. While the aim was equality, fear and repression dominated. Ultimately, Robespierre lost support, was arrested, and executed in 1794, ending the Terror.

    Q4. What was the impact of the French Revolution on women?
    Women actively participated in protests, marched to Versailles, and formed political clubs. They demanded education, equal wages, and the right to vote. The Constitution of 1791, however, denied them political rights, reducing them to passive citizens. Revolutionary governments introduced some reforms like compulsory schooling for girls, legalised divorce, and civil marriages. Women like Olympe de Gouges demanded political equality, writing the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and Citizen. Yet, during the Reign of Terror, women’s clubs were closed, and many activists were punished. Women in France finally gained voting rights only in 1946.

    Q5. Describe the abolition of slavery during the French Revolution.
    Slavery existed in French colonies in the Caribbean, where Africans were forced to work on plantations. The French Revolution initially ignored the issue due to pressure from merchants benefiting from the slave trade. In 1794, the Convention abolished slavery in all French colonies, recognising the rights of slaves as citizens. This was a significant step towards equality. However, Napoleon reintroduced slavery in 1804. Finally, slavery was abolished permanently in 1848. The abolition of slavery highlighted the Revolution’s broader struggle for human rights and influenced anti-slavery movements globally.

    MCQs

    1. The storming of Bastille took place on:
      (a) 5 May 1789
      (b) 14 July 1789
      (c) 4 August 1789
      (d) 21 September 1792
      Answer: (b)

    2. Louis XVI belonged to which dynasty?
      (a) Habsburg
      (b) Bourbon
      (c) Tudor
      (d) Stuart
      Answer: (b)

    3. The unit of currency in France before 1794 was:
      (a) Franc
      (b) Livre
      (c) Pound
      (d) Dollar
      Answer: (b)

    4. The tax paid directly to the state was called:
      (a) Tithe
      (b) Taille
      (c) Gabelle
      (d) Octroi
      Answer: (b)

    5. Tithes were collected by:
      (a) Nobles
      (b) Church
      (c) King
      (d) Merchants
      Answer: (b)

    6. The middle class in France was also known as:
      (a) Clergy
      (b) Nobility
      (c) Bourgeoisie
      (d) Sans-culottes
      Answer: (c)

    7. Who wrote The Social Contract?
      (a) Montesquieu
      (b) Rousseau
      (c) Locke
      (d) Voltaire
      Answer: (b)

    8. Who proposed separation of powers?
      (a) Montesquieu
      (b) Rousseau
      (c) Locke
      (d) Danton
      Answer: (a)

    9. The slogan of the French Revolution was:
      (a) Justice, Equality, Power
      (b) Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
      (c) Liberty, Justice, Sovereignty
      (d) Equality, Rights, Nation
      Answer: (b)

    10. Who led the Jacobins?
      (a) Napoleon
      (b) Robespierre
      (c) Danton
      (d) Marat
      Answer: (b)

    11. Which period is called the Reign of Terror?
      (a) 1789–1791
      (b) 1791–1792
      (c) 1793–1794
      (d) 1794–1799
      Answer: (c)

    12. Which device was used for executions?
      (a) Cannon
      (b) Sword
      (c) Guillotine
      (d) Axe
      Answer: (c)

    13. Who wrote Declaration of Rights of Woman and Citizen?
      (a) Olympe de Gouges
      (b) Rousseau
      (c) Montesquieu
      (d) Marat
      Answer: (a)

    14. Napoleon was finally defeated at:
      (a) Paris
      (b) Moscow
      (c) Leipzig
      (d) Waterloo
      Answer: (d)

    15. Slavery in French colonies was finally abolished in:
      (a) 1794
      (b) 1804
      (c) 1848
      (d) 1815
      Answer: (c)

    16. National Anthem of France is:
      (a) Vande Mataram
      (b) The Marseillaise
      (c) La Revolutionnaire
      (d) Liberté Song
      Answer: (b)

    17. Who criticised monarchy in Two Treatises of Government?
      (a) Locke
      (b) Rousseau
      (c) Montesquieu
      (d) Voltaire
      Answer: (a)

    18. Which section wore knee breeches?
      (a) Sans-culottes
      (b) Nobles
      (c) Bourgeoisie
      (d) Jacobins
      Answer: (b)

    19. Which new title was introduced during Revolution?
      (a) Sir and Madam
      (b) Monsieur and Madame
      (c) Citoyen and Citoyenne
      (d) Comrade
      Answer: (c)

    20. Who crowned himself Emperor in 1804?
      (a) Robespierre
      (b) Napoleon
      (c) Louis XVI
      (d) Danton
      Answer: (b)

    Fill in the Blanks

    1. The French Revolution began in 1789.

    2. The Bastille was a symbol of despotic monarchy.

    3. The tax paid to the state directly was taille.

    4. The tax collected by the church was tithe.

    5. Rousseau wrote The Social Contract.

    6. Montesquieu proposed division of powers.

    7. The slogan of the French Revolution was Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.

    8. The Reign of Terror lasted from 1793–1794.

    9. Olympe de Gouges demanded rights for women.

    10. Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1815.