The Growth of Nationalism : The Age of Revolutions

(A) is true but (R) is false

Explanation — At the time the Constitution was framed, Napoleon was still a military leader and had no political leadership role. The new constitution was prepared by the National Assembly, not by Napoleon.

P and R

Voltaire

Storming of the Bastille

1789

Thomas Jefferson

Both statements (I) and (II) are correct.

All the above

Independence day

Napoleon Bonaparte

Nationalism is a strong feeling of love, loyalty, and devotion toward one’s nation. It is the belief that people who share a common language, culture, history, and territory should unite under one government and work for the welfare and independence of their country.

The causes for the American War of Independence are as follows:

1. The Americans were not allowed to start any industry or trade with any country except England. They also had to pay more taxes than the English paid in England.
2. The English Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, which imposed stamp taxes on all business transactions. This Act created violent resentment among the colonists.
3. The American settlers were inspired by European philosophers like John Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, who believed in freedom, equality, and the rights of the people.
4. American thinkers like Thomas Jefferson asked the people to rebel against the tyrannical rule of England.
5. The Boston Tea Party (1773), in which people threw crates of tea into the sea to protest against the new taxes imposed by the British government, especially on tea, became a major cause leading to the American War of Independence.

The American Revolution is an important landmark in world history. It inspired the people of other colonies, including India, to overthrow their colonial masters and showed the path of democracy. It was also the inspiring factor behind the French Revolution. The Revolution established the principles of liberty, equality, and the rights of individuals, and gave birth to a new nation - the United States of America.

The French Revolution took place because France was facing severe financial and social problems. When Louis XVI of the Bourbon family came to power, he found an empty treasury as long years of war had drained the country’s resources. France had also spent a huge amount helping the American colonies in their war against Britain, which increased the debt to more than 2 billion livres. To meet expenses, the state had to increase taxes, but only the Third Estate (common people) had to pay them, while the Clergy and Nobility enjoyed privileges and paid no taxes.

The common people lived a life of hardship and misery, while the king and nobles lived in luxury. The people were inspired by the writings of philosophers like Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire, who spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity. They were also influenced by the American War of Independence, which encouraged them to fight for their rights and justice. All these factors together led to the French Revolution.

The results of the French Revolution are given below:

1. The French Revolution introduced democratic ideas and ended the supreme rule of kings.
2. The nobles and the church lost their property, which was distributed among the peasants.
3. Slaves in French colonies were set free.
4. The watchwords of the Revolution — Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity — led to the rise of a new democratic and social order in Europe.
5. The Revolution awakened national feelings, and the common people were prepared to fight for the rights and privileges they had gained.
6. It inspired other European people to overthrow their oppressive governments.
7. The ideals of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity were so influential that they are mentioned in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.