EU
Chapter 1.1 — The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Compiled Q&A • One/Three/Five Marks • Searchable & collapsible
ONE MARK QUESTIONS
1.Why did big European powers meet in Berlin in 1885?
Ans: [Delhi 2018] In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, merchants from the towns in Europe began moving to the countryside, supplying money to peasants and artisans, persuading them to produce for an international market.
2.Name the treaty of 1832 that recognized Greece as an independent nation.
Ans: [Delhi 2016] It was the Treaty of Constantinople (1832) that recognized Greece as an independent nation.
3.Name the event that mobilized nationalist feelings among the educated elite across Europe in 1830–1848.
Ans: [Delhi 2016] The Greek War of Independence mobilized nationalist feelings among the educated elite across Europe.
4.What was the main aim of the revolutionaries of Europe during the years following 1815?
Ans: [Delhi 2016] To oppose monarchical rule and fight for liberty and freedom.
5.Who remarked “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches cold”?
Ans: [AI 2016] Duke Metternich.
6.Who was proclaimed the German emperor in the ceremony held at Versailles in January 1871?
Ans: [AI 2016] Kaiser William I of Prussia.
7.What was the meaning of liberalism in early 19th century Europe?
Ans: [Foreign 2016] Freedom for the individual, equality before law, government by consent, and freedom of markets.
8.What was the main aim of the Treaty of Vienna of 1815?
Ans: [Foreign 2016] To re-establish conservative regimes and restore the old order in Europe.
9.What was the strong demand of the emerging middle classes in Europe during the 19th century?
Ans: [Foreign 2016] Constitutionalism with national unification.
10.What was the major change in Europe’s political and constitutional scenario due to the French Revolution?
Ans: [Delhi 2015] End of absolute monarchy and transfer of sovereignty to a body of French citizens.
11.What was the main aim of the French revolutionaries?
Ans: [AI 2015] To transfer sovereignty from the monarchy to the French people by creating a sense of collective identity.
12.What was the major issue taken up by the liberal nationalists?
Ans: [Foreign 2015] Freedom of the press.
13.Mention the proclamation of the French Revolution.
Ans: [Delhi 2010] “The people would constitute the nation and shape its destiny.”
14.Who founded the secret society ‘Young Italy’ during the 1830s?
Ans: [AI 2010] Giuseppe Mazzini.
15.Name the female allegory representing the Republic of France.
Ans: [AI 2010] Marianne.
16.Name the female allegory of the German nation.
Ans: [AI 2010] Germania, often depicted with a crown of oak leaves (symbol of heroism).
17.What was the result of the first upheaval that took place in France in July 1830?
Ans: [Foreign 2010] Overthrow of the Bourbon kings and installation of a constitutional monarch, Louis Philippe.
THREE MARKS QUESTIONS
18.Describe any three economic hardships faced by Europe in the 1830s.
Ans: [Delhi 2017 / AI 2016 / AI 2013]
- Rapid population growth leading to unemployment and job scarcity.
- Small producers faced stiff competition from cheap machine-made British goods.
- Bad harvests, heavy feudal dues & taxes, and consequent food price rise hurt common people.
19.How did female figures become allegories of the nation in 19th-century Europe?
Ans: [Delhi 2016]
- Artists personified the nation as a female figure to give concrete form to an abstract idea.
- In France, statues of Marianne were erected; her symbols included the red cap, tricolour, and cockade.
- In Germany, Germania wore a crown of oak leaves (German oak symbolised heroism).
20.Culture played an important role in the development of nationalism in Europe—justify.
Ans: [Foreign 2016 / AI 2015]
- Romanticism and cultural movements (poetry, art, folklore, language) fostered unity and love for the nation.
- In Greece, culture energised resistance and national identity during the independence struggle.
- Composers like Karol Kurpiński in Poland used opera, music, folk dances to kindle nationalism.
21.How did a wave of economic nationalism strengthen wider nationalist sentiments in Europe?
Ans: [Foreign 2015]
- Demand for free movement of goods and people across regions.
- Formation of the Zollverein (customs union) integrating markets.
- Expansion of the railway network increased mobility and economic linkages.
22.Events of the French Revolution that influenced other parts of Europe.
Ans: [Delhi 2015]
- Jacobin clubs formed by students and middle classes; ideas spread with French armies.
- Nationalism spread abroad through revolutionary wars.
- The Napoleonic Code (1804) abolished privileges and upheld equality.
23.How did local people in areas conquered by Napoleon react to French rule?
Ans: [Delhi 2014]
- Businessmen and small producers welcome economic reforms.
- Initially saw French armies as messengers of liberty, later disillusioned as political freedoms lagged.
- Increased taxation and censorship drew resentment.
24.Obstacles to economic exchange and growth seen by new commercial classes in 19th-century Europe.
Ans: [AI 2014]
- Restrictions on movement of goods, capital, and people.
- Diverse weights and measures made calculations slow and costly.
- Numerous check posts and custom duties caused delays and price rises.
25.What were Jacobin clubs? How did their activities help spread nationalism abroad?
Ans: [Foreign 2014]
- Political clubs of educated middle classes seeking democratic regimes in place of autocracy.
- French armies moved into Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, spreading nationalist ideas during revolutionary wars.
26.Explain the process of unification of Italy.
Ans: [Delhi 2013, 2012]
- Mazzini initiated unification; founded Young Italy.
- King Victor Emmanuel II advanced unification through war, aided by Cavour.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi led armed volunteers; popular support propelled unification.
27.Explain the process of unification of Germany.
Ans: [Delhi 2013, 2012]
- Failure of the Frankfurt Parliament (1848) showed unity would need monarchy + army.
- Prussia led; Otto von Bismarck was chief architect.
- Three wars (with Denmark, Austria, France) over seven years ended in Prussian victory and unification.
28.How had Britain come into existence?
Ans: [Delhi 2013]
- Result of a long parliamentary process—no single revolution.
- 1707 Act of Union united England and Scotland into the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
- English culture, flag, anthem, and language became national symbols.
29.Name the French female allegory and explain any two features.
Ans: [Foreign 2013] Marianne
- Embodied the idea of the people’s nation.
- Shown with the red cap, tricolour, and cockade; statues placed in public squares, imagery on coins and stamps.
30.Describe the impact of the ‘revolution of liberals’ of 1848 in Europe.
Ans: [Foreign 2012]
- In France, monarch abdicated; a republic with universal male suffrage formed.
- Middle-class liberals united for constitutionalism and national unification.
- Frankfurt Assembly convened; drafted a constitution for Germany under a constitutional monarchy.
31.Explain any three beliefs of conservatism that emerged after 1815.
Ans: [Delhi 2011]
- Preserve traditional institutions of state and society.
- Modern administrative reforms could strengthen the state.
- Modern army, efficient bureaucracy, dynamic economy, and end of feudalism/serfdom would benefit monarchies.
32.Describe any three reforms introduced by Napoleon in conquered territories.
Ans: [Delhi 2011]
- Civil Code (1804): equality before law, end of birth-based privilege, right to property.
- Uniform weights & measures and a common currency eased trade.
- Improved transport and communications.
33.Explain the contribution of Otto von Bismarck in German unification.
Ans: [Delhi 2011]
- As Prussian Chief Minister, Bismarck led unification with support of the army and bureaucracy.
- Promoted nationalist sentiment.
- Won three wars (Denmark, Austria, France), culminating in German unification.
34.Three ways nationalist feelings were kept alive in Poland (18th–19th c.).
Ans: [AI 2011]
- Used culture to preserve national identity.
- Music (e.g., Karol Kurpiński) and folk dances fostered unity.
- Polish language used in church/religious instruction as resistance.
35.Explain any three causes of conflict in the Balkan area after 1871.
Ans: [AI 2011]
- Region comprised modern Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, etc.
- Intense nationalisms and mutual rivalries.
- Competing territorial ambitions created persistent conflicts.
36.Contribution of Giuseppe Mazzini in spreading revolutionary ideas in Europe.
Ans: [AI 2011]
- Italian revolutionary (born 1807, Genoa); joined the Carbonari; jailed in 1831.
- Founded Young Italy (Marseilles) and Young Europe (Berne).
- Advocated democratic nation-states; opposed monarchy; inspired youth.
37.How was Ireland incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801?
Ans: [Foreign 2011]
- Religious divide: Protestants (supported by England) vs. Catholics.
- Catholic revolt led by Wolfe Tone failed.
- English power suppressed Irish culture/language; Ireland forcibly incorporated in 1801.
38.Any three features of the ‘nation-state’ that emerged in Europe in the twentieth century.
Ans: [Foreign 2011]
- Intense rivalries among nations for trade and colonies.
- Ottoman Empire disintegration.
- Subject peoples declared themselves independent.
39.Any three features of the Napoleonic Code.
Ans: [Delhi 2010]
- Restored strong central authority after revolutionary turmoil.
- Rationalised and made administration more efficient.
- Abolished birth-based privileges; equality before law.
40.Any three measures by French revolutionaries to create a collective national identity.
Ans: [Delhi 2010]
- Idea of la patrie and le citoyen; equal rights under a constitution.
- Replaced royal standard with the French tricolour.
- Elected a new Estates-General; new hymns; honoured martyrs; promoted French as common language.
41.Describe briefly how the ‘British nation’ came into existence.
Ans: [Foreign 2010]
- Pre-18th c.: English, Welsh, Scots, Irish with distinct cultures.
- 1707 Act of Union formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
- English culture, Union Jack, anthem, and language unified identity.
FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS
42.Describe the explosive conditions that prevailed in the Balkans after 1871.
Ans: [Delhi 2018]
- The Balkans included modern Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, etc.
- Mutual jealousies, competing nationalisms, and territorial ambitions.
- Region became an arena of Great Power rivalry (Russia, Germany, England, etc.).
- Historical claims fuelled rebellion to regain lost independence.
43.Measures introduced by French revolutionaries to build a collective national identity.
Ans: [Delhi 2016]
- Idea of La patrie and Le citoyen; equal rights under a constitution.
- Replaced royal standard with the French tricolour.
- Elected a new Estates-General.
- New hymns; martyrs commemorated.
- French declared the common language; regional dialects discouraged.
44.‘Napoleon destroyed democracy in France but incorporated revolutionary principles to make administration rational and efficient.’ Explain.
Ans: [AI 2016 / Delhi 2012]
- Abolished birth-based privileges; established equality before law.
- Abolished feudalism; freed peasants from serfdom/manorial dues.
- Removed guild restrictions in towns.
- Standardised weights & measures.
- Introduced a common national currency to facilitate trade and capital movement.
45.By the late 19th century, European nationalism lost its idealistic, liberal, democratic sentiment. Analyse.
Ans: [Foreign 2016]
- Nationalism narrowed into exclusive and often aggressive forms.
- Meaning shifted toward power politics and expansion.
- Nationalist causes were sometimes manipulated by major powers.
- Balkan questions remained unresolved and instrumentalised by great powers.
46.Describe the process of unification of Germany.
Ans: [Delhi 2015]
In 1848, Germans sought to unite the Confederation under an elected parliament, but monarchy and military repulsed the initiative. Thereafter, Junkers of Prussia backed unification under Otto von Bismarck, who used the Prussian army and bureaucracy. Over seven years, Prussia fought three wars (with Austria, Denmark, and France), won them, and unified Germany. William I was proclaimed German Emperor on 18 January 1871. The new state standardised currency, banking, legal and judicial systems.
47.“Nationalism spreads when people believe they are part of the same nation.” Support.
Ans: [Delhi 2015]
- Romanticism emphasised shared heritage and cultural past.
- Folk songs/poetry/dances embody national spirit and bind people.
- Vernacular languages allowed common thought and identity.
- Music ignited emotional connection to the nation.
- Collecting folklore spread nationalism even among the illiterate.
48.Describe the process of unification of Italy.
Ans: [AI 2015]
- Italy had seven states; Sardinia-Piedmont under an Italian princely house.
- Youth inspired by Mazzini; secret societies formed.
- Cavour (PM) forged a diplomatic alliance with France; defeated Austria (1859).
- Garibaldi marched into South Italy (1860) with peasant support; Spanish driven out.
- Italy unified by 1861; Victor Emmanuel II became king of united Italy.
49.Describe the process of unification of Britain.
Ans: [Delhi 2015]
- Long drawn process; England’s power enabled dominance over other nations in the Isles.
- 1688: English Parliament consolidated power with England at centre.
- 1707 Act of Union formed the United Kingdom of Great Britain (England dominated Scotland).
- Ireland: Protestants backed by England; Catholic revolt crushed; Ireland incorporated in 1801.
- New British identity spread via English culture, Union Jack, anthem, and language.
50.‘The 1830s were years of great economic hardship in Europe.’ Support with four examples.
Ans: [Foreign 2012]
- Rapid population growth → unemployment.
- Small producers vs. cheap British machine-made goods.
- Feudal dues & taxes + bad harvests.
- Food prices rose sharply, worsening misery of common people.
51.Any four ideas of liberal nationalists in the economic sphere.
Ans: [AI 2011]
- Free markets; abolish state-imposed restrictions.
- Create a unified economic territory.
- Harmonise currencies and adopt uniform weights & measures.
- Develop supportive infrastructure for commerce.
52.Any four changes brought about in Europe by the Treaty of Vienna (1815).
Ans: [Foreign 2011]
- Restoration of the Bourbon dynasty in France.
- Series of buffer states created around France.
- Prussia gained territories to the west; German Confederation maintained.
- Overall monarchical order restored in Europe.
