Class 10 History Chapter 4 Question Answers - The Age of Industrialisation

Q1. What factors were responsible for increasing demand for goods? Give an example.

Ans: The demand for goods increased due to several key factors:

• Expansion of trade: The growth of international trade networks allowed for a greater exchange of goods.
• Acquisition of colonies: European powers established colonies, providing new resources and markets.
• Increased production: As colonies were developed, they contributed to a rise in the volume of trade.

For example, during the eighteenth century, the establishment of colonies enabled Europeans to access more resources, which significantly boosted trade.

Q2. What were the first symbols of industrialisation?

Ans: Cotton and metal production, particularly iron and steel, were the first symbols of industrialisation. Key points include:

• Factories in England began emerging in the 1730s.
• The number of factories steadily increased over time.
• Production processes evolved to include carding, twisting, spinning, and rolling.

Q3. Write a short note on trade guilds.

Ans: Trade guilds were associations of producers that played a significant role in regulating various trades. They had several key functions:

• Trained craftspeople and artists in their respective trades.
• Controlled production by managing competition and setting prices.
• Restricted the entry of new individuals into the trade.
• Were often granted the exclusive right to produce certain goods by their rulers.

As a result, these guilds made it challenging for new merchants to establish businesses in towns.

Q4. What other sectors of production benefited from ordinary inventions?

Ans: Cotton and metal industries were powered by steam, but many ordinary inventions also aided various non-mechanised sectors. These sectors include:

• Food processing
• Building
• Pottery
• Glasswork
• Tanning
• Furniture-making
• Production of implements

These innovations significantly improved efficiency and productivity across these industries.

Q5. What is the most recent views regarding industrial revolution of the eighteenth and mid-nineteenth centuries?

Ans: Modern historians now acknowledge the significant role of traditional craftspersons and labourers during the mid-nineteenth century. Key points include:

• Technological changes were slow and costly, limiting their effectiveness.
• Merchants and manufacturers were cautious about adopting new technologies due to concerns over cost and maintenance.
• By the mid-nineteenth century, most workers were not machine operators but rather skilled craftspersons.

This recognition highlights the complexity of the industrial revolution and the importance of human labour in this transformative period.

Q6. Write a short note on the condition of a labour’s life in Victorian Britain.

Ans: In Victorian Britain, the life of labourers was challenging due to several factors:

• Many poor peasants and vagrants migrated to cities seeking work.
• This influx led to low wages as the supply of labour exceeded demand.
• Workers were often exploited by industrialists, who preferred to hire seasonal labour.
• Industries like gas works and breweries required more workers during peak seasons, leading to temporary employment.
• Despite some wage increases, the real value of earnings often declined due to rising prices.
• During economic slumps, unemployment rates could reach as high as 75% in certain areas.

The overall condition of labourers reflected a struggle for survival amidst economic challenges.

Q7. Explain why machines did not necessarily affect the employment of labours.

Ans: Machines required large capital investments. Their introduction did not immediately change traditional production methods. Key reasons include:

• The need for machines depended on the availability of labour.
• In areas with abundant labour, wages remained low.
• Many industries preferred hand labour due to its flexibility and lower costs.

Q8. What were the limits of machine-made products?

Ans: Machines had several limitations when it came to production:

• They could only create uniform, standardised products.
• Machines were designed for mass markets, not for unique items.
• Many consumers preferred goods with intricate designs and specific shapes.
• In mid-nineteenth-century Britain, for example, a large variety of tools required human skill rather than mechanical technology.

Q9. Who invented the Spinning Jenny? How did it work?

Ans: The Spinning Jenny was invented by James Hargreaves in 1764. This innovative machine:

• Increased the speed of the spinning process.
• Reduced the amount of labour needed.
• Allowed one worker to operate multiple spindles simultaneously.
• Enabled the spinning of several threads of yarn with a single turn of the wheel.

Q10. What is the monopoly of trade?

Ans: Monopoly of trade refers to a situation where a country establishes control over trade, effectively eliminating competition.

• This allows the country to manage costs efficiently.
• It ensures a steady supply of goods in the market.
• For instance, British colonisers monopolised products like silk and cotton in India.

Q11. How did the Indian weavers react to the monopoly of cotton production?

Ans: Indian weavers reacted strongly to the monopoly of cotton production. Their responses included:

• Increased reliance on income from raw cotton sales, which reduced their independence and bargaining power.
• Many weavers in Carnatic and Bengal deserted their villages and migrated.
• Some joined local traders in revolting against Company officials.
• Over time, many weavers refused loans, closed their workshops, and turned to agricultural labour.

Q12. Discuss the impact of the Indian national movement on Indian entrepreneurs.

Ans: During the Indian national movement in the early twentieth century:

• Swadeshi activists boycotted and burned foreign goods.
• Indigenous industrialists organised to demand tariff protection and government grants.
• During wartime, Indian industries diversified into products like war goods, steel, and iron.
• As British mills focused on war production, imports into India declined, creating a vast home market.
• Indian factories supplied various war needs, leading to the establishment of new factories.