Class 9 NCERT - Solved Question Answers Documents

 Page 1


5. What item/items did the British 
merchants import from China? 
 (a) Silk  (b) Tea
 (c)  Both (a) and (b)
 (d) None of the above
6. Which of the following countries became 
the bread ‘basket of the world’?
 (a) America (b) China
 (c) Japan (d) India
7. By 1773, the British government in 
Bengal had established a monopoly to 
trade in—
 (a) indigo (b) opium
 (c) tea (d) cotton
8. Why did East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 (a) To take balance of trade in favour 
of the Company
 (b) To get maximum profits
 (c) To attain favour from China
 (d) To get profit from India
9. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 (a) They did not need foreign goods.
 (b) They had no money to buy foreign 
goods.
 (c) They feared that the merchants 
would meddle in local polity and 
disrupt their authority.
 (d) None of the above.
10. Why were peasants in the 19th century 
unwilling to cultivate opium in India? 
 (a) The price paid by government was 
very low.
 (b) The plants were delicate.
 (c) The cultivators were poor.
 (d) All of the above
11. Which of the following was the main 
reason for unfavourable balance of trade 
between China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century? 
 (a) East India Company bought tea in 
return of silver coins.
 (b) China did not allow any foreign 
product in place of it.
 (c) East India Company forced to sell 
tea in loss. 
 (d) China favoured the Company.
12. When did Cyrus McCormick invent the 
first mechanical reaper?
 (a) In 1811 (b) In 1831
 (c) In 1801 (d) In 1809
13. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 (a) Threshing machines were broken.
 (b) Rich farmers were compelled to help 
poor farmers.
 (c) Landowners were looted.
 (d) Agriculture was expanded.
14. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 (a) For sowing seeds. 
 (b) For harvesting crop.
 (c) For cutting grass.
 (d) For cutting vegetables.
15. Opium was known primarily for its—
 (a) medicinal properties
 (b) deadly effect on its users
 (c) refreshing effect on its users
 (d) excellent taste
16. The English population began to expand 
rapidly from—
 (a) the nineteenth century
 (b) the mid-eighteenth century
 (c) the early-eighteenth century
 (d) the eighteenth century
 Ans. 1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 
  4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (a) 
  7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (c) 
  10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
  13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (a) 
  16. (b)
 II. Very Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. Give one reason that excited Swing 
rioters to destroy the threshing 
machines during 1930s in England?
 Ans. These machines deprived workmen of 
their livelihood.
 Q2. Why was common land essential for 
the survival of the poor in England?
 Ans. Common land supplemented income 
of the poor and helped them during 
bad times.
Page 2


5. What item/items did the British 
merchants import from China? 
 (a) Silk  (b) Tea
 (c)  Both (a) and (b)
 (d) None of the above
6. Which of the following countries became 
the bread ‘basket of the world’?
 (a) America (b) China
 (c) Japan (d) India
7. By 1773, the British government in 
Bengal had established a monopoly to 
trade in—
 (a) indigo (b) opium
 (c) tea (d) cotton
8. Why did East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 (a) To take balance of trade in favour 
of the Company
 (b) To get maximum profits
 (c) To attain favour from China
 (d) To get profit from India
9. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 (a) They did not need foreign goods.
 (b) They had no money to buy foreign 
goods.
 (c) They feared that the merchants 
would meddle in local polity and 
disrupt their authority.
 (d) None of the above.
10. Why were peasants in the 19th century 
unwilling to cultivate opium in India? 
 (a) The price paid by government was 
very low.
 (b) The plants were delicate.
 (c) The cultivators were poor.
 (d) All of the above
11. Which of the following was the main 
reason for unfavourable balance of trade 
between China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century? 
 (a) East India Company bought tea in 
return of silver coins.
 (b) China did not allow any foreign 
product in place of it.
 (c) East India Company forced to sell 
tea in loss. 
 (d) China favoured the Company.
12. When did Cyrus McCormick invent the 
first mechanical reaper?
 (a) In 1811 (b) In 1831
 (c) In 1801 (d) In 1809
13. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 (a) Threshing machines were broken.
 (b) Rich farmers were compelled to help 
poor farmers.
 (c) Landowners were looted.
 (d) Agriculture was expanded.
14. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 (a) For sowing seeds. 
 (b) For harvesting crop.
 (c) For cutting grass.
 (d) For cutting vegetables.
15. Opium was known primarily for its—
 (a) medicinal properties
 (b) deadly effect on its users
 (c) refreshing effect on its users
 (d) excellent taste
16. The English population began to expand 
rapidly from—
 (a) the nineteenth century
 (b) the mid-eighteenth century
 (c) the early-eighteenth century
 (d) the eighteenth century
 Ans. 1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 
  4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (a) 
  7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (c) 
  10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
  13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (a) 
  16. (b)
 II. Very Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. Give one reason that excited Swing 
rioters to destroy the threshing 
machines during 1930s in England?
 Ans. These machines deprived workmen of 
their livelihood.
 Q2. Why was common land essential for 
the survival of the poor in England?
 Ans. Common land supplemented income 
of the poor and helped them during 
bad times.
 Q3. Who was the American leader under 
whose period maximum expansion of 
wheat cultivation took place?
 Ans. Maximum expansion of wheat 
cultivation took place under President 
Wilson.
 Q4. Which two items did the British 
merchants import from China?
 Ans. The British merchants imported silk 
and tea from China.
 Q5. Why did the East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 Ans. The East India Company started 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain to take balance of trade in 
favour of the Company.
 Q6. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 Ans. They feared that the merchants would 
meddle in local polity and disrupt 
their authority.
 Q7. Why were the Indian peasants in the 
nineteenth century unwilling to grow 
opium? Give two reasons.
 Ans.  (i) The cultivation of opium was a 
difficult process.
  (ii) The price the government paid to  
the cultivators for the opium they 
produced was very low.
 Q8. What was the main reason for 
unfavourable balance of trade between 
China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century?
 Ans. The East India Company bought tea 
from China only by paying in silver 
coins or bullion. This meant an 
overflow of treasure from England, 
a prospect that created widespread 
anxiety.
 Q9. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 Ans. Threshing machines were broken on 
a large scale.
 Q10. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 Ans. Before the mid-nineteenth century, 
the scythe was used for cutting grass.
 Q11. Who created the early enclosures?
 Ans. Individual landlords created the early 
enclosures.
 Q12. How were the sixteenth century 
enclosures different from the late-
eighteenth century enclosures? Give 
one point.
 Ans. The sixteenth century enclosures 
promoted sheep farming whereas the 
late eighteenth century enclosures 
promoted grain production.
 Q13. When did the English population 
expand rapidly?
 Ans. From the mid-eighteenth century, the 
English population expanded rapidly. 
Between 1750 and 1900, it multiplied 
over four times, mounting from 7 
million in 1750 to 21 million in 1850 
and 30 million in 1900.
 Q14. How was increase in foodgrain 
production made possible in England 
in the late eighteenth century?
 Ans. It was made possible by bringing new 
lands under cultivation.
 Q15. What promoted farmers in England to 
grow turnips and cloves?
 Ans. When farmers came to know that 
planting of turnips and clovers 
improved the soil and made it more 
fertile, they began to grow these crops. 
Turnip was also a good fodder crop 
relished by cattle.
 Q16. How did land enclosures affect the life 
of the landlords and the poor?
 Ans. Land enclosures made the landlords 
prosperous. But, at the same time, the 
poor became poorer. For a very large 
part of the year, they had no work.
 Q17. How did the poor view the threshing 
machines?
Page 3


5. What item/items did the British 
merchants import from China? 
 (a) Silk  (b) Tea
 (c)  Both (a) and (b)
 (d) None of the above
6. Which of the following countries became 
the bread ‘basket of the world’?
 (a) America (b) China
 (c) Japan (d) India
7. By 1773, the British government in 
Bengal had established a monopoly to 
trade in—
 (a) indigo (b) opium
 (c) tea (d) cotton
8. Why did East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 (a) To take balance of trade in favour 
of the Company
 (b) To get maximum profits
 (c) To attain favour from China
 (d) To get profit from India
9. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 (a) They did not need foreign goods.
 (b) They had no money to buy foreign 
goods.
 (c) They feared that the merchants 
would meddle in local polity and 
disrupt their authority.
 (d) None of the above.
10. Why were peasants in the 19th century 
unwilling to cultivate opium in India? 
 (a) The price paid by government was 
very low.
 (b) The plants were delicate.
 (c) The cultivators were poor.
 (d) All of the above
11. Which of the following was the main 
reason for unfavourable balance of trade 
between China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century? 
 (a) East India Company bought tea in 
return of silver coins.
 (b) China did not allow any foreign 
product in place of it.
 (c) East India Company forced to sell 
tea in loss. 
 (d) China favoured the Company.
12. When did Cyrus McCormick invent the 
first mechanical reaper?
 (a) In 1811 (b) In 1831
 (c) In 1801 (d) In 1809
13. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 (a) Threshing machines were broken.
 (b) Rich farmers were compelled to help 
poor farmers.
 (c) Landowners were looted.
 (d) Agriculture was expanded.
14. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 (a) For sowing seeds. 
 (b) For harvesting crop.
 (c) For cutting grass.
 (d) For cutting vegetables.
15. Opium was known primarily for its—
 (a) medicinal properties
 (b) deadly effect on its users
 (c) refreshing effect on its users
 (d) excellent taste
16. The English population began to expand 
rapidly from—
 (a) the nineteenth century
 (b) the mid-eighteenth century
 (c) the early-eighteenth century
 (d) the eighteenth century
 Ans. 1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 
  4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (a) 
  7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (c) 
  10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
  13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (a) 
  16. (b)
 II. Very Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. Give one reason that excited Swing 
rioters to destroy the threshing 
machines during 1930s in England?
 Ans. These machines deprived workmen of 
their livelihood.
 Q2. Why was common land essential for 
the survival of the poor in England?
 Ans. Common land supplemented income 
of the poor and helped them during 
bad times.
 Q3. Who was the American leader under 
whose period maximum expansion of 
wheat cultivation took place?
 Ans. Maximum expansion of wheat 
cultivation took place under President 
Wilson.
 Q4. Which two items did the British 
merchants import from China?
 Ans. The British merchants imported silk 
and tea from China.
 Q5. Why did the East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 Ans. The East India Company started 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain to take balance of trade in 
favour of the Company.
 Q6. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 Ans. They feared that the merchants would 
meddle in local polity and disrupt 
their authority.
 Q7. Why were the Indian peasants in the 
nineteenth century unwilling to grow 
opium? Give two reasons.
 Ans.  (i) The cultivation of opium was a 
difficult process.
  (ii) The price the government paid to  
the cultivators for the opium they 
produced was very low.
 Q8. What was the main reason for 
unfavourable balance of trade between 
China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century?
 Ans. The East India Company bought tea 
from China only by paying in silver 
coins or bullion. This meant an 
overflow of treasure from England, 
a prospect that created widespread 
anxiety.
 Q9. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 Ans. Threshing machines were broken on 
a large scale.
 Q10. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 Ans. Before the mid-nineteenth century, 
the scythe was used for cutting grass.
 Q11. Who created the early enclosures?
 Ans. Individual landlords created the early 
enclosures.
 Q12. How were the sixteenth century 
enclosures different from the late-
eighteenth century enclosures? Give 
one point.
 Ans. The sixteenth century enclosures 
promoted sheep farming whereas the 
late eighteenth century enclosures 
promoted grain production.
 Q13. When did the English population 
expand rapidly?
 Ans. From the mid-eighteenth century, the 
English population expanded rapidly. 
Between 1750 and 1900, it multiplied 
over four times, mounting from 7 
million in 1750 to 21 million in 1850 
and 30 million in 1900.
 Q14. How was increase in foodgrain 
production made possible in England 
in the late eighteenth century?
 Ans. It was made possible by bringing new 
lands under cultivation.
 Q15. What promoted farmers in England to 
grow turnips and cloves?
 Ans. When farmers came to know that 
planting of turnips and clovers 
improved the soil and made it more 
fertile, they began to grow these crops. 
Turnip was also a good fodder crop 
relished by cattle.
 Q16. How did land enclosures affect the life 
of the landlords and the poor?
 Ans. Land enclosures made the landlords 
prosperous. But, at the same time, the 
poor became poorer. For a very large 
part of the year, they had no work.
 Q17. How did the poor view the threshing 
machines?
 Ans. They viewed the threshing machines 
as a sign of bad times. They became 
poorer because employment was not 
certain now.
 Q18. From the late nineteenth century, 
there was a dramatic expansion of  
wheat production in the USA. Give 
two reasons.
 Ans. (i) The urban population in the USA 
was growing as a result of which 
demand of wheat increased.
  (ii)  The export market was becoming 
ever bigger.
 Q19. Who said, “Plant more wheat, wheat 
will win the war.”?
 Ans. US President Wilson said it.
 Q20. How did Cyrus McCormick’s 
mechanical reaper prove to be a boon 
for the farmers in the USA?
 Ans. This mechanical reaper could cut in 
one day as much as five men could 
cut with cradles and 16 men with 
sickles.
 Q21. What was opium known primarily for?
 Ans. Opium was known primarily for its 
medicinal properties and used in 
minuscule quantities for certain types 
of medicines.
 Q22. What was the triangular trade?
 Ans. The triangular trade took place 
between India, China and Britain. 
The British traders took opium from 
India to China and tea from China to 
England. Between India and England 
trade flowed both ways.
 III. Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. The enclosure movement proceeded 
slowly till the middle of the 18th 
century. Why? What happened after 
that?
 Ans.(i)  The early enclosures were usually 
created by individual landlords. They 
were not supported by the state or the 
church.
 (ii) After the mid-18th century, the 
enclosure movement swept through 
the countryside, changing the English 
landscape for ever. Between 1750 and 
1850, 6 million acres of land was 
enclosed.
 (iii) The British Parliament no longer 
watched this process from a distance. 
It passed 4,000 Acts legalising these 
enclosures.
 Q2. Why was the land being enclosed in 
the late eighteenth century England?
 Ans.(i) In the late eighteenth century 
England, the land was being enclosed 
for grain production. These enclosures 
became a sign of a changing time. 
From the mid-18th century, English 
population expanded rapidly. Between 
1750 and 1900, it multiplied over four 
times, mounting from 7 million in 
1750 to 21 million in 1850 and 30 
million in 1900.
 (ii) This meant an increased demand for 
foodgrains to feed the population. 
Moreover, Britain at this time was 
industrialising. More and more people 
began to live and work in urban areas. 
Men from rural areas migrated to 
towns in search of jobs.
 (iii) To survive, they had to buy foodgrains 
in the market. As the urban population 
grew, the market for foodgrains 
expanded and, when demand 
increased rapidly, foodgrain prices 
rose. This encouraged landowners to 
enclose lands and enlarge the area 
under grain cultivation.
 Q3. How were the poor affected by 
enclosures?
 Ans.(i)  Enclosures made the life of the poor 
miserable. When fences came up, the 
enclosed land became the exclusive 
property of one landowner. The poor 
could no longer collect their firewood 
from the forests, or graze their cattle 
on the commons.
Page 4


5. What item/items did the British 
merchants import from China? 
 (a) Silk  (b) Tea
 (c)  Both (a) and (b)
 (d) None of the above
6. Which of the following countries became 
the bread ‘basket of the world’?
 (a) America (b) China
 (c) Japan (d) India
7. By 1773, the British government in 
Bengal had established a monopoly to 
trade in—
 (a) indigo (b) opium
 (c) tea (d) cotton
8. Why did East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 (a) To take balance of trade in favour 
of the Company
 (b) To get maximum profits
 (c) To attain favour from China
 (d) To get profit from India
9. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 (a) They did not need foreign goods.
 (b) They had no money to buy foreign 
goods.
 (c) They feared that the merchants 
would meddle in local polity and 
disrupt their authority.
 (d) None of the above.
10. Why were peasants in the 19th century 
unwilling to cultivate opium in India? 
 (a) The price paid by government was 
very low.
 (b) The plants were delicate.
 (c) The cultivators were poor.
 (d) All of the above
11. Which of the following was the main 
reason for unfavourable balance of trade 
between China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century? 
 (a) East India Company bought tea in 
return of silver coins.
 (b) China did not allow any foreign 
product in place of it.
 (c) East India Company forced to sell 
tea in loss. 
 (d) China favoured the Company.
12. When did Cyrus McCormick invent the 
first mechanical reaper?
 (a) In 1811 (b) In 1831
 (c) In 1801 (d) In 1809
13. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 (a) Threshing machines were broken.
 (b) Rich farmers were compelled to help 
poor farmers.
 (c) Landowners were looted.
 (d) Agriculture was expanded.
14. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 (a) For sowing seeds. 
 (b) For harvesting crop.
 (c) For cutting grass.
 (d) For cutting vegetables.
15. Opium was known primarily for its—
 (a) medicinal properties
 (b) deadly effect on its users
 (c) refreshing effect on its users
 (d) excellent taste
16. The English population began to expand 
rapidly from—
 (a) the nineteenth century
 (b) the mid-eighteenth century
 (c) the early-eighteenth century
 (d) the eighteenth century
 Ans. 1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (a) 
  4. (c) 5. (c) 6. (a) 
  7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (c) 
  10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (b)
  13. (a) 14. (c) 15. (a) 
  16. (b)
 II. Very Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. Give one reason that excited Swing 
rioters to destroy the threshing 
machines during 1930s in England?
 Ans. These machines deprived workmen of 
their livelihood.
 Q2. Why was common land essential for 
the survival of the poor in England?
 Ans. Common land supplemented income 
of the poor and helped them during 
bad times.
 Q3. Who was the American leader under 
whose period maximum expansion of 
wheat cultivation took place?
 Ans. Maximum expansion of wheat 
cultivation took place under President 
Wilson.
 Q4. Which two items did the British 
merchants import from China?
 Ans. The British merchants imported silk 
and tea from China.
 Q5. Why did the East India Company start 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain?
 Ans. The East India Company started 
triangular trade between India-China-
Britain to take balance of trade in 
favour of the Company.
 Q6. Why were the Manchus not willing to 
allow entry of foreign goods in China?
 Ans. They feared that the merchants would 
meddle in local polity and disrupt 
their authority.
 Q7. Why were the Indian peasants in the 
nineteenth century unwilling to grow 
opium? Give two reasons.
 Ans.  (i) The cultivation of opium was a 
difficult process.
  (ii) The price the government paid to  
the cultivators for the opium they 
produced was very low.
 Q8. What was the main reason for 
unfavourable balance of trade between 
China and East India Company 
during the nineteenth century?
 Ans. The East India Company bought tea 
from China only by paying in silver 
coins or bullion. This meant an 
overflow of treasure from England, 
a prospect that created widespread 
anxiety.
 Q9. What was done in different countries 
of England during the Captain Swing 
movement?
 Ans. Threshing machines were broken on 
a large scale.
 Q10. What was the scythe used for before 
the mid-nineteenth century?
 Ans. Before the mid-nineteenth century, 
the scythe was used for cutting grass.
 Q11. Who created the early enclosures?
 Ans. Individual landlords created the early 
enclosures.
 Q12. How were the sixteenth century 
enclosures different from the late-
eighteenth century enclosures? Give 
one point.
 Ans. The sixteenth century enclosures 
promoted sheep farming whereas the 
late eighteenth century enclosures 
promoted grain production.
 Q13. When did the English population 
expand rapidly?
 Ans. From the mid-eighteenth century, the 
English population expanded rapidly. 
Between 1750 and 1900, it multiplied 
over four times, mounting from 7 
million in 1750 to 21 million in 1850 
and 30 million in 1900.
 Q14. How was increase in foodgrain 
production made possible in England 
in the late eighteenth century?
 Ans. It was made possible by bringing new 
lands under cultivation.
 Q15. What promoted farmers in England to 
grow turnips and cloves?
 Ans. When farmers came to know that 
planting of turnips and clovers 
improved the soil and made it more 
fertile, they began to grow these crops. 
Turnip was also a good fodder crop 
relished by cattle.
 Q16. How did land enclosures affect the life 
of the landlords and the poor?
 Ans. Land enclosures made the landlords 
prosperous. But, at the same time, the 
poor became poorer. For a very large 
part of the year, they had no work.
 Q17. How did the poor view the threshing 
machines?
 Ans. They viewed the threshing machines 
as a sign of bad times. They became 
poorer because employment was not 
certain now.
 Q18. From the late nineteenth century, 
there was a dramatic expansion of  
wheat production in the USA. Give 
two reasons.
 Ans. (i) The urban population in the USA 
was growing as a result of which 
demand of wheat increased.
  (ii)  The export market was becoming 
ever bigger.
 Q19. Who said, “Plant more wheat, wheat 
will win the war.”?
 Ans. US President Wilson said it.
 Q20. How did Cyrus McCormick’s 
mechanical reaper prove to be a boon 
for the farmers in the USA?
 Ans. This mechanical reaper could cut in 
one day as much as five men could 
cut with cradles and 16 men with 
sickles.
 Q21. What was opium known primarily for?
 Ans. Opium was known primarily for its 
medicinal properties and used in 
minuscule quantities for certain types 
of medicines.
 Q22. What was the triangular trade?
 Ans. The triangular trade took place 
between India, China and Britain. 
The British traders took opium from 
India to China and tea from China to 
England. Between India and England 
trade flowed both ways.
 III. Short Answer Type Questions
 Q1. The enclosure movement proceeded 
slowly till the middle of the 18th 
century. Why? What happened after 
that?
 Ans.(i)  The early enclosures were usually 
created by individual landlords. They 
were not supported by the state or the 
church.
 (ii) After the mid-18th century, the 
enclosure movement swept through 
the countryside, changing the English 
landscape for ever. Between 1750 and 
1850, 6 million acres of land was 
enclosed.
 (iii) The British Parliament no longer 
watched this process from a distance. 
It passed 4,000 Acts legalising these 
enclosures.
 Q2. Why was the land being enclosed in 
the late eighteenth century England?
 Ans.(i) In the late eighteenth century 
England, the land was being enclosed 
for grain production. These enclosures 
became a sign of a changing time. 
From the mid-18th century, English 
population expanded rapidly. Between 
1750 and 1900, it multiplied over four 
times, mounting from 7 million in 
1750 to 21 million in 1850 and 30 
million in 1900.
 (ii) This meant an increased demand for 
foodgrains to feed the population. 
Moreover, Britain at this time was 
industrialising. More and more people 
began to live and work in urban areas. 
Men from rural areas migrated to 
towns in search of jobs.
 (iii) To survive, they had to buy foodgrains 
in the market. As the urban population 
grew, the market for foodgrains 
expanded and, when demand 
increased rapidly, foodgrain prices 
rose. This encouraged landowners to 
enclose lands and enlarge the area 
under grain cultivation.
 Q3. How were the poor affected by 
enclosures?
 Ans.(i)  Enclosures made the life of the poor 
miserable. When fences came up, the 
enclosed land became the exclusive 
property of one landowner. The poor 
could no longer collect their firewood 
from the forests, or graze their cattle 
on the commons.
 (ii) They could no longer collect apples 
and berries, or hunt small animals 
for meat. Nor could they gather the 
stalks that lay on the fields after the 
crops were cut.
 (iii) Everything belonged to the landlords, 
everything had a price which the 
poor could not afford to pay.  In 
places where enclosures happened 
on an extensive scale, the poor were 
displaced from the land.
 (iv) Deprived of their customary rights 
and driven off the land, they tramped 
in search of work.
 Q4. What were the factors that contributed 
to the expansion of wheat-production 
in the USA from the late 19th century?
 Ans. Several factors contributed to the 
expansion of wheat production in 
the USA:
 (i) The urban population in the USA was 
growing and the export market was 
becoming ever bigger.
 (ii) As the demand increased, wheat 
prices rose encouraging farmers to 
produce wheat. The spread of the 
railways made it easy to transport the 
grain from the wheat-growing regions 
to the eastern coast for export.
 (iii) By the early 20th century, the demand 
became even higher, and, during the 
First World War, the world market 
boomed. Russian supplies of wheat 
were cut off and the USA had to feed 
Europe. US President Wilson called 
upon farmers to respond to the need 
of the time. Hence, farmers began to 
grow more and more wheat.
 Q5. How did mechanisation of agriculture 
affect the lives of the poor farmers in 
the USA? [HOTS]
Or
  “Machines brought untold miseries for 
the poor.” Explain.
 Ans.(i) Many of the farmers bought 
machines, imagining that wheat 
prices would remain high and profits 
would flow in. If they had no money, 
the banks offered loans. Those, 
who borrowed, found it difficult to 
pay back their debts. Many of them 
deserted their farms and looked for 
jobs elsewhere.
 (ii) But it was not easy to find jobs. 
Mechanisation had reduced the need 
for labour. And the boom of the late 
19th and early 20th centuries seemed 
to have come to an end by the mid-
1920s. After that, most farmers faced 
trouble. Production had expanded so 
rapidly during the war and post-war 
years that there was a large surplus.
 (iii) Unsold stocks piled up, storehouses 
overflowed with grain, and vast 
amounts of corn and wheat were 
turned into animal feed. Wheat prices 
fell and export markets collapsed. 
This created the grounds for the Great 
Agrarian Depression of the 1930s that 
ruined wheat farmers everywhere.
 Q6. What happened when the entire 
region of the Great Plains became a 
dust bowl?
Or
  What were the consequences of 
expansion of wheat cultivation in the 
Great Plains?
 Ans.(i) Terrifying dust-storms began to blow 
over the southern plains of America. 
Black blizzards rolled in, very often 
7,000 to 8,000 feet high, rising the 
monstrous waves of muddy water.
 (ii) They came day after day, year after 
year, through the 1930s. As the 
skies darkened, and the dust swept 
in, people were blinded and choked. 
Cattle were suffocated to death, their 
lungs choked with dust and mud.
 (iii) Sand buried fences, covered fields, 
and coated the surfaces of rivers till 
the fish died. Dead bodies of birds 
and animals were scattered all over 
the landscape.