Ch1 - Rise of Nationalism in Europe - Class 10 History | Top 30 MCQs | GPN

MCQs: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Practice these 30 multiple‑choice questions to test your understanding. Each question carries 1 mark. Answers with explanations are provided in highlighted boxes.

📌 PART A: STANDARD MCQs (15 Questions)

Q1. Who created the series of four prints visualising a world of "democratic and social republics" in 1848?
a) Ernst Renan
b) Giuseppe Mazzini
c) Frederic Sorrieu
d) Otto von Bismarck
Ans1. ✅ Answer: c) Frederic Sorrieu
Explanation: Frederic Sorrieu, a French artist, prepared four prints in 1848 visualising his dream of a world made up of democratic and social republics. The first print shows peoples of Europe and America marching and offering homage to the Statue of Liberty.
Q2. According to Ernst Renan, what is the basis of a nation?
a) Common language and race
b) Shared religion and territory
c) A heroic past, great men, glory, and a daily plebiscite
d) Economic interests and trade
Ans2. ✅ Answer: c) A heroic past, great men, glory, and a daily plebiscite
Explanation: In his 1882 lecture "What is a Nation?", Ernst Renan argued that a nation is based on social capital (heroic past, great men, glory) and the continuous will to live together – a "daily plebiscite." He rejected language, race, or religion as the basis.
Q3. The Napoleonic Code of 1804 is associated with which of the following?
a) Restoration of monarchy in France
b) Abolition of privileges based on birth and equality before the law
c) Granting universal suffrage to all men
d) Establishment of the Estates General
Ans3. ✅ Answer: b) Abolition of privileges based on birth and equality before the law
Explanation: The Napoleonic Code (Civil Code) of 1804 did away with all privileges based on birth, established equality before the law, and secured the right to property. However, it did not grant universal suffrage – voting rights were limited to property‑owning men.
Q4. Which of the following was NOT a measure taken by French revolutionaries to create a sense of collective identity?
a) Introduction of a new tricolour flag
b) Encouragement of regional dialects
c) Abolition of internal customs duties
d) Composition of new hymns and oaths
Ans4. ✅ Answer: b) Encouragement of regional dialects
Explanation: French revolutionaries actually discouraged regional dialects and promoted French as the common language of the nation. All other options were measures they implemented to create a unified national identity.
Q5. What was the Zollverein?
a) A political party in Germany
b) A customs union formed by German states in 1834
c) A secret revolutionary society
d) The German Parliament
Ans5. ✅ Answer: b) A customs union formed by German states in 1834
Explanation: The Zollverein was a customs union formed at the initiative of Prussia. It abolished tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies from over thirty to two, stimulating economic nationalism and unifying German states economically before political unification.
Q6. The Congress of Vienna (1815) was hosted by:
a) King Louis XVIII of France
b) Tsar Alexander I of Russia
c) Duke Metternich of Austria
d) King Frederick William III of Prussia
Ans6. ✅ Answer: c) Duke Metternich of Austria
Explanation: The Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich hosted the Congress of Vienna. The meeting of European powers (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria) aimed to restore the conservative order after Napoleon's defeat.
Q7. Giuseppe Mazzini founded the secret society 'Young Italy' in which year?
a) 1815
b) 1831
c) 1848
d) 1861
Ans7. ✅ Answer: b) 1831
Explanation: Mazzini founded Young Italy in Marseilles in 1831 at the age of 24, after being sent into exile for attempting a revolution in Liguria. He later founded Young Europe in Berne.
Q8. The Greek war of independence began in:
a) 1815
b) 1821
c) 1830
d) 1832
Ans8. ✅ Answer: b) 1821
Explanation: The Greek struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire began in 1821 and ended with the Treaty of Constantinople in 1832, which recognised Greece as an independent nation.
Q9. Who among the following is associated with the concept of volkgeist (spirit of the nation)?
a) Johann Gottfried Herder
b) Karol Kurpinski
c) Lord Byron
d) Ernst Renan
Ans9. ✅ Answer: a) Johann Gottfried Herder
Explanation: German philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder claimed that true German culture was to be discovered among the common people (das volk). He believed that folk songs, poetry, and dances expressed the volkgeist – the spirit of the nation.
Q10. The Silesian weavers' uprising of 1845 was a revolt against:
a) The Prussian monarchy
b) Contractors who reduced payments
c) Russian occupation
d) The Catholic Church
Ans10. ✅ Answer: b) Contractors who reduced payments
Explanation: In 1845, weavers in Silesia revolted against contractors who supplied them raw material but drastically reduced their payments. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the army, with eleven weavers shot.
Q11. The Frankfurt Parliament (1848) was convened in:
a) Berlin Cathedral
b) Church of St Paul
c) Palace of Versailles
d) Vienna Hofburg
Ans11. ✅ Answer: b) Church of St Paul
Explanation: The all‑German National Assembly, known as the Frankfurt Parliament, met in the Church of St Paul in Frankfurt on 18 May 1848. It comprised 831 elected representatives who drafted a constitution for a unified Germany.
Q12. The unification of Germany was completed after the defeat of which country in 1871?
a) Austria
b) Denmark
c) France
d) Russia
Ans12. ✅ Answer: c) France
Explanation: The Franco‑Prussian War (1870‑71) ended with the defeat of France. In January 1871, the Prussian King William I was proclaimed German Emperor in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, completing German unification.
Q13. Who led the famous 'Expedition of the Thousand' to southern Italy in 1860?
a) Count Cavour
b) Giuseppe Mazzini
c) Giuseppe Garibaldi
d) Victor Emmanuel II
Ans13. ✅ Answer: c) Giuseppe Garibaldi
Explanation: Giuseppe Garibaldi led the Expedition of the Thousand in 1860. With his armed volunteers, known as Red Shirts, he marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, winning local support and overthrowing the Spanish Bourbon rulers.
Q14. The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland resulted in the formation of:
a) The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
b) The United Kingdom of Great Britain
c) The British Empire
d) The Commonwealth of Nations
Ans14. ✅ Answer: b) The United Kingdom of Great Britain
Explanation: The Act of Union (1707) united England and Scotland to form the "United Kingdom of Great Britain." Ireland was later forcibly incorporated in 1801.
Q15. Which symbol on Germania represents heroism?
a) Sword
b) Olive branch
c) Crown of oak leaves
d) Broken chains
Ans15. ✅ Answer: c) Crown of oak leaves
Explanation: In visual representations, Germania wears a crown of oak leaves, which stands for heroism. The oak is a traditional German tree associated with strength and bravery.

Other Class 10 SST Chapters:

📌 PART B: ASSERTION‑REASONING QUESTIONS (10 Questions)

Directions: In each of the following questions, two statements are given – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R does NOT explain A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Q16. Assertion (A): Frederic Sorrieu's print showed the peoples of Europe and America offering homage to the Statue of Liberty.
Reason (R): The statue held the torch of Enlightenment and the Charter of the Rights of Man.
Ans16. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: Sorrieu's 1848 print indeed depicted this scene. The attributes of the statue (torch of Enlightenment, Charter of Rights) symbolised the ideals of liberty and revolution, explaining why people offered homage.
Q17. Assertion (A): The Napoleonic Code established equality before the law but did not grant universal suffrage.
Reason (R): Only property‑owning men had the right to vote, and women were reduced to the status of a minor.
Ans17. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: The Napoleonic Code (1804) did establish equality before the law, but voting rights were restricted to property‑owning men. Women were legally subordinate to fathers and husbands – this explains why universal suffrage was absent.
Q18. Assertion (A): The Zollverein abolished tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies in German states.
Reason (R): It was formed at the initiative of Austria in 1834.
Ans18. ✅ Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.
Explanation: The Zollverein did abolish tariff barriers and reduce currencies, but it was formed at the initiative of Prussia, not Austria. Austria was excluded from the customs union.
Q19. Assertion (A): The Congress of Vienna restored the Bourbon dynasty in France and created a conservative order.
Reason (R): The delegates aimed to undo most of the changes brought about by Napoleon.
Ans19. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: The Congress of Vienna (1815) indeed restored the Bourbons and established a conservative order. The main intention was to undo Napoleon's changes – this explains why they took such measures.
Q20. Assertion (A): Giuseppe Mazzini was sent into exile in 1831 for attempting a revolution in Liguria.
Reason (R): He later founded Young Europe in Berne.
Ans20. ✅ Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R does NOT explain A.
Explanation: Both statements are true, but the reason (founding Young Europe) is a later event and does not explain why he was exiled. He was exiled for the failed revolution, not for founding Young Europe.
Q21. Assertion (A): The Greek war of independence received widespread support from West Europeans.
Reason (R): West Europeans admired ancient Greek culture and saw Greece as the cradle of European civilisation.
Ans21. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: Many West Europeans, including poets like Lord Byron, supported Greece because they identified with its ancient heritage. This cultural admiration explains the widespread support.
Q22. Assertion (A): The Frankfurt Parliament was dominated by the middle classes who resisted the demands of workers.
Reason (R): This led to the loss of support from workers and artisans, and the assembly was eventually disbanded.
Ans22. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: The Frankfurt Parliament (1848) consisted mainly of middle‑class professionals and businessmen. They resisted worker demands, which alienated the working class and weakened the parliament's social base, contributing to its disbandment by troops.
Q23. Assertion (A): Otto von Bismarck is called the architect of German unification.
Reason (R): He followed a policy of "blood and iron" and fought three wars against Denmark, Austria, and France.
Ans23. ✅ Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R explains A.
Explanation: Bismarck's policy of "blood and iron" (military force) and the three successful wars were the means by which he achieved German unification – the reason explains why he is called the architect.
Q24. Assertion (A): Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of united Italy in 1861.
Reason (R): The Papal States were the last to join Italy in 1870.
Ans24. ✅ Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R does NOT explain A.
Explanation: Both statements are factually correct, but the Papal States joining in 1870 is a later event and does not explain why Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king in 1861. The proclamation occurred after most of Italy was unified, except for Venetia and Rome.
Q25. Assertion (A): In Britain, the formation of the nation‑state was the result of a sudden revolution.
Reason (R): The English parliament seized power from the monarchy in 1688.
Ans25. ✅ Answer: (d) A is false but R is true.
Explanation: The formation of the British nation‑state was a long‑drawn‑out process, not a sudden revolution – so A is false. However, the English parliament did seize power from the monarchy in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 – R is true.

You may also want to explore Chapter 2 – Nationalism in India .

📌 PART C: CASE‑BASED QUESTIONS (5 Questions)

Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Source: "A nation is the culmination of a long past of endeavours, sacrifice and devotion. A heroic past, great men, glory, that is the social capital upon which one bases a national idea. To have common glories in the past, to have a common will in the present, to have performed great deeds together, to wish to perform still more, these are the essential conditions of being a people. A nation is therefore a large‑scale solidarity ... Its existence is a daily plebiscite ... A province is its inhabitants; if anyone has the right to be consulted, it is the inhabitant. A nation never has any real interest in annexing or holding on to a country against its will."

– Ernst Renan, "What is a Nation?", 1882

Q26. According to Renan, what constitutes the "social capital" for a national idea?
a) Common language and territory
b) A heroic past, great men, and glory
c) Economic prosperity and trade
d) Shared religion and customs
Ans26. ✅ Answer: b) A heroic past, great men, and glory
Explanation: Renan explicitly states: "A heroic past, great men, glory, that is the social capital upon which one bases a national idea."
Q27. What does Renan mean by the term "daily plebiscite"?
a) A referendum held every day
b) The continuous will of the people to live together
c) A vote on language policy
d) A daily newspaper
Ans27. ✅ Answer: b) The continuous will of the people to live together
Explanation: Renan uses "daily plebiscite" metaphorically to mean that a nation's existence depends on the ongoing, daily consent and will of its people to remain united.
Q28. Which of the following is NOT mentioned by Renan as an essential condition of being a people?
a) Common glories in the past
b) Common will in the present
c) Same religion and race
d) Having performed great deeds together
Ans28. ✅ Answer: c) Same religion and race
Explanation: Renan explicitly rejected common language, race, and religion as the basis of a nation. He emphasised shared history and present will instead.
Q29. According to the source, what is Renan's view on annexing a territory against its will?
a) Nations have the right to annex weaker territories
b) Annexation is justified for economic reasons
c) A nation should never hold a country against its will
d) The province has no right to be consulted
Ans29. ✅ Answer: c) A nation should never hold a country against its will
Explanation: Renan states: "A nation never has any real interest in annexing or holding on to a country against its will. The existence of nations is a guarantee of liberty."
Q30. What, according to Renan, would be lost if the world had only one law and one master?
a) Economic prosperity
b) Cultural diversity
c) Liberty
d) Religious freedom
Ans30. ✅ Answer: c) Liberty
Explanation: Renan argues that the existence of nations is a guarantee of liberty, "which would be lost if the world had only one law and only one master."

Practice these MCQs repeatedly. Assertion‑reason questions require understanding cause‑effect relationships – don't just memorise, analyse why the reason explains (or doesn't explain) the assertion.

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