D.N. Kundra Textbook Solutions A Period of Transition - History Class 8

History - Chapter 1

A Period of Transition

Class 8 - DN Kundra History & Civics Solutions

Objective Type Questions

Read the two statements given below about the impact of the Industrial Revolution. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).

Assertion (A): European countries acquired colonies in Asia and Africa.
Assertion (A):

Reason (R): Industrial Revolution led to mass production of goods which could not be consumed locally.
Reason (R):

1. (R) contradicts (A)
2. (R) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (R) is false
4. (A) and (R) are independent of each other

Answer

(R) is the reason for (A)

(i) Assertion: European countries acquired colonies in Asia and Africa.

(ii) Reason: Industrial Revolution led to mass production of goods which could not be consumed locally.

(iii) Justification: During the Industrial Revolution European industries produced goods on a large scale and required new markets to sell their surplus. They also needed raw materials such as cotton, rubber and coal to feed their factories. To secure raw materials and markets, and to gain cheap labour and strategic advantage, European powers expanded into Asia and Africa and established colonies.

Identify the main reasons for the rise of Imperialism.

P: Surplus production

Q: Greed for wealth

R: Need for raw materials

S: Cultural superiority of European countries

1. P and Q
2. R and S
3. P and R
4. Q and S

Answer

(c)

Both P (surplus production) and R (need for raw materials) were central causes of imperialism. European industries produced more goods than their domestic markets could absorb, so they looked for new markets. At the same time they required raw materials to feed factories. These economic needs pushed European countries to expand overseas and establish colonies.

Aditi is preparing a project on "Major inventions which drove the Industrial Revolution". Which of the following inventions is she most likely to highlight?

1. Invention of macadamised road
2. Invention and development of steam engine
3. Invention of cotton gin
4. Invention of spinning jenny

Answer

(b)

The steam engine was one of the most important inventions that powered the Industrial Revolution. It provided a new source of power for factories, mines and transport. Steam engines made mechanised production possible and also led to the development of steamships and railways, which transformed transport and trade.

Which of the following aspects is being depicted by the given picture?

1. Cause of imperialism
2. Cause of Industrial Revolution
3. Impact of Imperialism
4. Reformation

Answer

(c)

The picture illustrates the effects of imperialism. Imperialism led to political control over colonies, economic exploitation, cultural changes and social disruption in the colonised regions. These are typical impacts of imperial expansion by European powers in Asia and Africa.

Identify the ODD ONE out of the following main features of the Renaissance.

1. Rationalism
2. Humanism
3. Spirit of inquiry

Answer

Reformation

Rationalism, humanism and a spirit of inquiry are key intellectual features of the Renaissance, which emphasised learning from classical Greece and Rome and encouraged questioning old ideas. The Reformation, by contrast, was a religious movement that challenged the authority of the Pope and led to the rise of Protestant churches; it is not a feature of the cultural and intellectual revival called the Renaissance.

James Hargreaves: Spinning Jenny:: Arkwright: ?

1. Powerloom
2. Waterframe
3. Steam engine
4. Cotton gin

Answer

(b)

Richard Arkwright invented the waterframe, a machine that used water power to drive the spinning process. This was an important early step in mechanising textile production and increasing yarn output.

Usha is preparing a speech on the Reformation Movement. Which of the following person's contribution she MUST mention in her speech?

1. Johannes Gutenberg
2. Martin Luther
3. John Calvin
4. Zwingli

Answer

(b)

Martin Luther is a central figure of the Reformation. His publication of the Ninety-five Theses in 1517 challenged church practices and sparked a movement that led to the formation of Protestant churches and major religious changes across Europe.

Fill in the blanksQuestion II

Fill in the blanks.

1. The term Reformation refers to two major developments, the ............... and the ............... .
2. Vasco-da-Gama reached ............... on the west coast of India.
3. The Industrial Revolution began in England in about ............... .
4. Eli Whitney invented a ............... .

Answer

1. Protestant Reformation, Catholic Reformation
2. Calicut
3. 1750
4. Cotton gin

Which pair is correctly matched?Question III

Which one among the following pair is correctly matched?

Answer

Correctly matched pairs are given below:

True or False

State whether the following statements are True or False.

1. The Renaissance and the Reformation along with new voyages ushered in the Modern Age.
2. The Industrial Revolution began in Germany.
3. The Rise of capitalism and imperialism can be attributed to the Industrial Revolution.
4. The East India Company gradually became rulers from being traders.

Answer

1. Ans: True
   Explanation: The Renaissance and Reformation changed ideas and beliefs, and new voyages opened up trade and contact with other lands. Together these developments ended many medieval institutions and helped usher in the Modern Age.
2. Ans: False
   Explanation: The correct statement is that the Industrial Revolution began in England, not Germany. England had the conditions-capital, resources and markets-that allowed industrialisation to start there.
3. Ans: True
   Explanation: The Industrial Revolution led to large-scale production and the growth of trade and commerce. This favoured capitalist economic systems and encouraged countries to seek colonies for markets and raw materials, helping to drive imperialism.
4. Ans: True
   Explanation: The East India Company began as a trading company but gradually gained political control in parts of India and acted as a ruler before full British government control was established.

Answer the following questions brieflyQuestion 1

How did the Renaissance, Reformation, and the new geographical discoveries lead to the Modern Age?

Answer

The Renaissance, Reformation and new geographical discoveries brought major changes in European society that together led to the Modern Age:

• The Renaissance revived learning from ancient Greece and Rome, encouraging art, science and a spirit of inquiry.
• The Reformation challenged the authority of the Pope, led to Protestant churches and the Catholic Reformation, and weakened the old religious order.
• New geographical discoveries expanded knowledge of the world, opened sea routes and new trade opportunities, and connected continents through commerce.
• These developments, together with social and economic changes inside feudal societies, broke down medieval structures and helped create modern political, economic and cultural systems.

Give reasons why the Industrial Revolution first began in England.

Answer

The Industrial Revolution began in England because of the following factors:

1. Accumulation of capital: Profits from overseas trade, including colonial trade, provided funds for industrial investment.
2. Access to raw materials: Colonies supplied raw materials such as cotton that were needed by English industries.
3. Availability of labour: Enclosure and changes in agriculture created a pool of workers available for factories.
4. Stable government: Political stability protected property rights and encouraged business growth.
5. Natural resources: England had abundant coal and iron near industrial centres, essential for industry.
6. Developed transport: A strong shipping industry and later canals and railways made movement of goods easier.

Explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society, economy, and polity.

Answer

The Industrial Revolution affected society, the economy and politics in important ways.

Social impact:

1. Rapid urbanisation: New towns and cities grew around factories, causing overcrowding, poor housing and health problems.
2. Class divisions: Society became divided mainly into industrial capitalists (owners) and wage-earning workers, creating new social tensions and inequalities.

Economic impact:

1. Mass production: Factories produced goods in large quantities, creating surpluses that led countries to seek overseas markets.
2. Rise of capitalism: Trade and industry enlarged the role of merchants, bankers and industrialists, concentrating economic power and encouraging investment, profit-seeking and competition.

Political impact:

1. New ideas about economic policy such as laissez-faire gained support; later, poor working conditions prompted reforms and labour legislation such as Factory Acts.
2. Competition for markets and colonies strengthened imperialism, which reshaped international politics and contributed to major conflicts in the 20th century.

What is imperialism? Discuss the factors which led to the rise of imperialism.

Answer

Imperialism is the practice by which a country extends its control and dominance over the economic and political life of another country. The country that controls is called the mother country and the controlled territory is a colony.

Factors that led to the rise of imperialism:

1. Surplus production: European industries produced more goods than local markets could absorb, prompting the search for new markets.
2. Need for raw materials: Colonies supplied raw materials required by factories.
3. Transport and communication: Steamships, railways and telegraphs made it easier to conquer and manage distant territories.
4. Population pressure: Rapid population growth created demand for new lands and markets.
5. Industrial capitalism: Merchants and financiers sought new investment opportunities and markets.
6. Missionary activity: Christian missionaries often supported expansion and cultural influence.
7. Geographical exploration: Earlier discoveries opened routes and knowledge that facilitated imperial expansion.

Describe the general impact of imperialism with special reference to South Asia.

Answer

The impact of imperialism on South Asia included political, economic and social changes:

1. Political subjugation: Most countries in South and South-East Asia became colonies of European powers. In India the East India Company moved from trade to political control.
2. Economic changes: European powers introduced large-scale plantation farming (tea, rubber, etc.) and reorganised local economies to supply raw materials and buy manufactured goods, often harming local industries.
3. Destruction of local systems: Traditional social, economic and political structures were weakened or replaced by colonial administrations, as seen in parts of China and Southeast Asia.
4. Rise of nationalism: Colonial rule provoked resistance and led to the growth of nationalist movements that eventually fought for independence.

Give Reasons

Give Reason: Most of the countries in South Asia became colonies of Europe.

Answer

Most countries in South Asia were politically and economically backward compared with European powers and had not industrialised. European countries, driven by economic motives and superior military and naval technology, were able to dominate and gradually take political control over these regions.

Give Reason: New inventions and discoveries led to the Industrial Revolution.

Answer

New inventions such as the steam engine, spinning jenny and cotton gin, together with improved transport like steamships and railways, made production faster and cheaper. These technological advances enabled factories to produce goods on a large scale and transformed Europe's economies, starting the Industrial Revolution.

Case-Study Based QuestionsQuestion VII

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

A source is something which provides information or from which information can be obtained. Historical sources tell us about history. They can be divided into primary sources and secondary sources. Primary sources are original documents, first-hand accounts on a topic. Manuscripts, letters, newspapers, artifacts, etc. are examples of primary sources. Secondary sources are created by interpreting the primary sources. Scholarly books, articles, interpretation of data are some of the examples of secondary sources.

(i) Manuscript, newsletters, etc. are associated with ............... .

1. Traditional sources
2. Primary sources
3. Basic sources
4. Trade sources

(ii) Interpretation of data is associated with ............... .

1. Professional sources
2. Tertiary sources
3. Secondary sources

Answer

(i) Primary sources
(ii) Secondary sources

The Growth of Nationalism: The Age of Revolutions