Class 10 History Chapter 2 Case Based Questions - India and the Contemporary World - II

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Silk Routes were a network of trade routes that connected Asia, Europe, and Africa. These routes facilitated the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals. Along with goods, they also enabled cultural interactions, spreading religions like Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Historians believe that these routes existed before the Christian Era and flourished until the fifteenth century.

i. What was the significance of the Silk Routes in global trade?(1 mark)
ii. Explain how the Silk Routes contributed to cultural exchange.(2 marks)
iii. Which religious faith spread from India along these routes?(1 mark)

Ans: 
i. The Silk Routes were vital for facilitating trade between Asia, Europe, and Africa. They played a crucial role in enabling economic exchange and cultural interaction among these regions.
ii. The Silk Routes significantly contributed to cultural exchange by facilitating the movement of traders, missionaries, and scholars. This interaction led to the dissemination of languages, religions, and ideas across vast regions.
iii. Buddhism spread from India along the Silk Routes.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

After the discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus, new crops such as potatoes, maize, tomatoes, and chillies were introduced to Europe and Asia. These crops transformed diets and increased food security in many parts of the world. However, the potato famine in Ireland (1840s) highlighted the dangers of relying too much on a single crop.

i. Name any two crops introduced to the world after the Columbian Exchange.(1 mark)
ii. How did the introduction of potatoes affect Europe’s population?(2 marks)
iii. What disaster occurred in Ireland due to dependence on potatoes?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. Two significant crops introduced to the world after the Columbian Exchange are: Potato, maize.
ii. The introduction of potatoes significantly improved nutrition across Europe, contributing to increased population growth. This staple food provided a reliable source of calories and nutrients, which played a crucial role in supporting larger populations.
iii. The Irish Potato Famine was a devastating disaster that resulted from the overreliance on a single crop, the potato.

Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

When the Spanish and Portuguese arrived in the Americas, they brought with them diseases like smallpox, which wiped out large portions of the indigenous population. The local people had no immunity to these European diseases, which helped the colonizers gain control over the land.

i. What was the most devastating disease brought to the Americas by Europeans?(1 mark)
ii. Why did Native Americans suffer so much from these diseases?(2 marks)
iii. How did this biological factor help European conquest?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. Smallpox was the most devastating disease brought to the Americas by Europeans. Its impact on the indigenous populations was catastrophic, leading to widespread mortality and significantly altering the demographic landscape of the continent.
ii. Native Americans lacked immunity to diseases such as smallpox, which resulted in significantly high death rates. This vulnerability stemmed from their isolation from European populations, which had been exposed to these diseases over centuries and had developed some level of resistance.
iii. The significant depopulation of native populations facilitated the European conquest of land. With fewer inhabitants to resist, Europeans found it easier to establish control and expand their territories.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In the 19th century, thousands of Indian laborers were sent to work on plantations in the Caribbean, Fiji, and Mauritius under indentured labor contracts. These contracts promised return passage after five years, but in reality, many workers faced harsh conditions and never returned.

i. What was the indentured labor system?(1 mark)
ii. Why did many Indians agree to become indentured laborers?(2 marks)
iii. Which regions were common destinations for Indian indentured laborers?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. A system where laborers worked on plantations for a fixed period in return for wages and return passage.
ii. Many Indians agreed to become indentured labourers due to a combination of factors:

• Poverty: Widespread poverty left many families with few options.
• Unemployment: The lack of job opportunities compelled individuals to seek work abroad.
• False promises: Agents often misled potential labourers with exaggerated claims about wages and living conditions.

iii. Indian indentured laborers commonly migrated to several regions, including:

• Caribbean
• Fiji
• Mauritius

These areas were significant destinations due to their demand for labour and the historical context of indentured servitude.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Great Depression (1929-1934) led to a sharp decline in global trade. In India, agricultural prices fell, and peasants suffered as the British did not reduce land revenue taxes. The crisis deepened rural distress and fueled discontent.

i. How did the Great Depression affect Indian agriculture?(1 mark)
ii. Why didn’t the British government reduce land revenue taxes?(2 marks)
iii. Which nationalist movement gained momentum during this period?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. The Great Depression had a significant impact on Indian agriculture. During this period, agricultural prices fell sharply, which made it extremely challenging for peasants to sustain their livelihoods. 
ii. The British government did not reduce land revenue taxes because they required substantial revenue to sustain their administration and cover war expenses.
iii. The Civil Disobedience Movement was a significant nationalist movement that gained momentum during this period.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In the 19th century, steamships, railways, and the telegraph revolutionized global trade. Faster transport and communication made it easier to move goods and information, leading to the rise of a global economy.

i. Name any two technological innovations that boosted global trade in the 19th century.(1 mark)
ii. How did railways contribute to economic growth?(2 marks)
iii. What was the impact of the telegraph on trade?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. Two significant technological innovations that boosted global trade in the 19th century are: Steamships, railways.
ii. Railways played a significant role in promoting economic growth by connecting agricultural regions to ports. This connectivity facilitated increased trade and encouraged settlement in previously isolated areas.
iii. The telegraph significantly improved communication across long distances, enabling businesses to conduct transactions more efficiently.

Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

After World War II, world leaders met at Bretton Woods (USA) to establish a new economic system. This led to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which aimed to stabilize global economies and promote reconstruction.

i. What were the two institutions formed at the Bretton Woods Conference?(1 mark)
ii. What was the main purpose of the IMF?(2 marks)
iii. Which country dominated these institutions?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. The two key institutions formed at the Bretton Woods Conference are the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
ii. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) was established primarily to oversee currency exchange and promote economic stability among its member countries.
iii. The United States has historically dominated various international institutions, influencing global policies and frameworks significantly.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

By the 1950s, many multinational corporations (MNCs) emerged, setting up businesses in multiple countries. These firms helped increase global trade but also created concerns over economic dependence.

i. What is an MNC?(1 mark)
ii. How did MNCs contribute to globalization?(2 marks)
iii. Name any one MNC that operates globally.(1 mark)

Ans:
i. An MNC is a company that operates in multiple countries.
ii. Multinational Corporations (MNCs) have played a significant role in driving globalization by establishing connections between economies. 
They achieve this through:

• Investment in various countries, which helps to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
• Promoting trade by facilitating the exchange of goods and services across borders.

iii. One prominent multinational corporation (MNC) that operates globally is Apple. Other notable examples include Microsoft and Toyota.

Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In the 1970s, the fixed exchange rate system collapsed, leading to a floating exchange rate system. This meant that currency values fluctuated based on demand and supply in global markets.

i. What does a floating exchange rate mean?(1 mark)
ii. Why did the Bretton Woods system collapse?(2 marks)
iii. Which country’s currency was the global standard before 1971?(1 mark)

Ans:
i. A floating exchange rate refers to a situation where the value of a currency is determined by market demand and supply.
ii. The collapse of the Bretton Woods system was primarily due to the devaluation of the US dollar, which resulted from significant financial strain. As the US faced mounting economic pressures, the dollar became less stable, undermining the fixed exchange rates that were a cornerstone of the Bretton Woods framework.
iii. The US dollar served as the global standard currency before 1971. Its widespread acceptance and stability made it a dominant force in international trade and finance.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In the late 19th century, Rinderpest (cattle plague) arrived in Africa through infected cattle from British Asia that were brought to feed Italian soldiers in Eritrea. This disease spread rapidly across the continent, killing 90% of African cattle within a few years. The loss of cattle devastated African livelihoods, as many depended on cattle for food, trade, and wealth. With their cattle gone, African peasants were forced to work for European colonists in plantations and mines to survive. The European colonists used this crisis to increase their control over Africa, ensuring a steady supply of cheap labor.

i. How did Rinderpest reach Africa?(1 mark)
ii. Why was the loss of cattle devastating for Africans?(1 mark)
iii. How did the spread of Rinderpest help European colonization?(2 marks)

Ans:
i. Rinderpest reached Africa when infected cattle were transported from British Asia to provide food for Italian soldiers in Eritrea.
ii. Cattle were essential for food, trade, and wealth, so their loss led to starvation and poverty.
iii. The spread of Rinderpest significantly impacted African communities by decimating their cattle herds. As a result, Africans found themselves with limited options for livelihood and were compelled to work for European colonists. This situation led to a greater reliance on the colonists, particularly in plantations and mines, thereby strengthening European control over the continent.