The Rise of Nationalism in Europe Class 10 important questions with answers

What comes in the exam

• The Rise of Nationalism in Europe is in the History part (India and the Contemporary World – II).
• Most questions are 5-mark long answers or 1-mark MCQs, then 3-mark and 2-mark answers, some Assertion–Reason and, rarely, a case study.
• Almost every year you get questions on the French Revolution and nationalism, liberalism, the Treaty of Vienna, culture and Romanticism, the hardship of the 1830s, the Greek War of Independence, Britain as a nation-state, and the unification of Germany and Italy.
• Mazzini, the Napoleonic Code, the Zollverein and the Balkans also come almost every year.
• Poland and its language come often.

Top 10 The Rise of Nationalism in Europe questions from board papers

Real CBSE questions, printed as they appeared. Open each answer to see the marking and the steps.

1. Q1 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2023

   Sorrieu's dream of republics

   Explain Frederic Sarrieu's dream in the context of democratic and social republics in France during 1848.

   Answer and marking

   1. Say who he was and what he showed in his prints. In 1848 the French artist Sorrieu prepared prints of his dream of a world made of democratic and social republics. 1 mark
   2. Describe what the peoples in the print do. The peoples of Europe and America march past and pay homage to the Statue of Liberty, while symbols of absolutism lie shattered. 1 mark

   Answer: A world of democratic and social republics ; peoples pay homage to the Statue of Liberty as symbols of absolutism lie shattered

   Marks: Any two points 1 each

   For full marks: Two points in 40 words: one on what the dream was, one on what the print shows.

   Where students lose marks: Describing the print's colours or layout without saying what the dream of democratic and social republics was.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any two (2x1): 1848 prints by French artist Sorrieu of a world of democratic and social republics; peoples of Europe and America march, homage to Statue of Liberty (torch of Enlightenment, Rights of Man); absolutist symbols shattered; nations shown by flags and costume, USA and Switzerland lead; fraternity among nations.

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2. Q2 Very short answer · 2 marks CBSE · 2023

   Role of Cavour in Italy

   Analyse the role of Chief Minister Cavour who led the movement to unite the regions of Italy.

   Answer and marking

   1. Describe what kind of leader Cavour was. Cavour was neither a revolutionary nor a democrat; like many educated Italians he spoke French better than Italian. 1 mark
   2. Now say what he achieved, with the year. Through a diplomatic alliance with France that he engineered, Sardinia-Piedmont defeated Austria in 1859. 1 mark

   Answer: Neither revolutionary nor democrat ; alliance with France helped defeat Austria in 1859

   Marks: Two points 1 each

   For full marks: Name the alliance with France and the 1859 defeat of Austria. The answer is judged as a whole, so connect the two points.

   Where students lose marks: Calling Cavour a revolutionary; the book says he was neither a revolutionary nor a democrat.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Assessed as a whole: Cavour was neither a revolutionary nor a democrat; like many wealthy, educated Italians he spoke French better than Italian; through a diplomatic alliance with France that he engineered, Sardinia-Piedmont defeated Austria in 1859. Any other point.

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3. Q3 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2025, 2023 Asked in 2025, 2023

   Liberalism and national unity

   "Ideas of national unity in early-nineteenth-century Europe were closely allied to the ideology of liberalism." Explain the statement.

   Answer and marking

   1. Say what liberalism meant for the middle classes. For the new middle classes, liberalism stood for freedom of the individual and equality of all before the law. 1 mark
   2. Give the political meaning and what it opposed. Politically it meant government by consent: since the French Revolution, an end to autocracy and clerical privileges, a constitution and a parliament. 1 mark
   3. Give the economic meaning. Economically, liberalism stood for freedom of markets and the inviolability of private property. 1 mark

   Answer: Individual freedom and equality before law ; government by consent, constitution, parliament ; freedom of markets, private property

   Marks: Any three points 1 each

   For full marks: Explain what liberalism stood for — individual, political and economic. The middle classes link liberalism to national unity.

   Where students lose marks: Writing about conservatism or Romanticism instead of the meanings of liberalism.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any three (3x1): for the new middle classes liberalism stood for freedom of the individual and equality before the law; politically it meant government by consent; since the French Revolution it stood for the end of autocracy and clerical privileges, a constitution and representative government through parliament; 19th-century liberals stressed inviolability of private property; economically it stood for freedom of markets; any other relevant point.

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4. Q4 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2026

   Imperialism and the road to 1914

   Explain the role of imperialism in leading Europe towards the First World War in 1914.

   Answer and marking

   1. Explain how big powers used nationalism for their own aims. The big European powers manipulated the nationalist aspirations of subject peoples for their own imperialist aims. 1 mark
   2. Name the region and the rivalry over it. Russia, Germany, England and Austro-Hungary competed to control the Balkans, a rivalry over trade, colonies and military might. 1 mark
   3. End with the result in 1914. This rivalry and the Balkan wars led to the First World War in 1914. 1 mark

   Answer: Big powers used subject peoples' nationalism ; rivalry over the Balkans, trade and colonies ; Balkan conflict led to the First World War

   Marks: Any three points 1 each

   For full marks: Join nationalism and imperialism in each point; the examiner wants the Balkans named as the area of tension.

   Where students lose marks: Describing only the Balkan peoples' revolt and not saying how the big powers' rivalry turned it into war.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any three, 1 each: (i) colonised countries began opposing imperial rule; (ii) big powers manipulated subject peoples' nationalism for imperial aims; (iii) Balkans: ethnically varied, under Ottoman control; (iv) Balkan peoples claimed independence on nationality; (v) rivalry over trade, colonies, naval and military might; (vi) Russia, Germany, England, Austro-Hungary sought Balkan control; (vii) Balkan wars led to the First World War; (viii) any other.

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5. Q5 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2026

   Polish language as resistance

   Why did the Polish language become a symbol of the struggle against Russian dominance in the later half of the 19th century ? Explain.

   Answer and marking

   1. Say what Russia did to the language. After Russian occupation, Polish was forced out of schools and Russian was imposed everywhere. 1 mark
   2. Say how the church fought back. The clergy used Polish as a weapon of national resistance, for church gatherings and all religious instruction. 1 mark
   3. Give the price they paid. Many priests and bishops were jailed or sent to Siberia for refusing to preach in Russian. 1 mark

   Answer: Polish forced out of schools ; clergy used Polish for church and religious teaching ; priests jailed or sent to Siberia

   Marks: Any three points 1 each

   For full marks: Start with why Polish was under threat — Russia imposed its language — then show the resistance.

   Where students lose marks: Writing about Kurpinski's music; the question asks about the Polish language.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any three, 1 each: (i) after Russian occupation Polish was forced out of schools and Russian imposed everywhere; (ii) many clergy used language as a weapon of national resistance; (iii) Polish was used for church gatherings and all religious instruction; (iv) many priests and bishops were jailed or sent to Siberia for refusing to preach in Russian; (v) use of Polish came to be seen as a symbol of the struggle against Russian dominance; (vi) any other relevant point.

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6. Q6 Short answer · 3 marks CBSE · 2026

   Provisions of Treaty of Vienna

   Analyse the main provisions of the Treaty of Vienna of 1815.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with what happened in France. The Bourbon dynasty was restored to power and France lost the territories it had annexed under Napoleon. 1 mark
   2. Say how France was stopped from expanding again. States were set up on France's boundaries — the kingdom of the Netherlands (with Belgium) in the north and Genoa added to Piedmont in the south. 1 mark
   3. Name what the big powers gained. Prussia got new territories on its western frontiers, Austria got control of northern Italy and Russia got part of Poland. 1 mark

   Answer: Bourbons restored, France lost Napoleon's annexations ; buffer states on France's borders ; Prussia, Austria, Russia gained territory

   Marks: Any three points 1 each

   For full marks: Name the actual places — the Netherlands, Genoa, Piedmont, northern Italy. Vague points like 'borders were changed' do not earn a mark.

   Where students lose marks: Writing the aims of the treaty only, without giving any of its actual provisions.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any three (3x1=3): monarchies restored; Bourbon dynasty reinstated in France; France lost territories annexed under Napoleon; states set up on France's boundaries to prevent future expansion — kingdom of the Netherlands incl. Belgium in the north, Genoa added to Piedmont in the south; Prussia got new territories on its western frontiers and part of Saxony; Austria got control of northern Italy; Russia got part of Poland; any other relevant point.

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7. Q7 Case study · 4 marks CBSE · 2025

   Case: the revolutionaries

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : The Revolutionaries During the years following 1815, the fear of repression drove many liberal-nationalists underground. Secret societies sprang up in many European states to train revolutionaries and spread their ideas. To be revolutionary at this time meant a commitment to oppose monarchical forms that had been established after the Vienna Congress, and to fight for liberty and freedom. Most of these revolutionaries also saw the creation of nation-states as a necessary part of this struggle for freedom. (34.1) Mention any one political demand of the liberals. (1) (34.2) Mention the main cause for the rise of secret societies in European States. (1) (34.3) Analyse the reasons for many liberal-nationalists going underground after 1815. (2)

   Answer and marking

   1. (34.1) Read the last line of the source for the liberals' aim. The creation of nation-states. 1 mark
   2. (34.2) Find in the source why secret societies sprang up. Secret societies were set up to train revolutionaries and spread their ideas of the nation-state. 1 mark
   3. (34.3) Give the first reason they went underground. Their ideas were opposed by the monarchies set up after the Vienna Congress. 1 mark
   4. Give the second reason, also in the source's first line. Fear of repression by the conservative regimes. 1 mark

   Answer: (34.1) Creation of nation-states (34.2) To train revolutionaries and spread ideas (34.3) Opposed by monarchies ; fear of repression

   Marks: (34.1) 1 · (34.2) 1 · (34.3) Two reasons 1 each

   For full marks: Read the source first; most answers are in it. Part 34.3 needs two separate reasons for 2 marks.

   Where students lose marks: Giving only one reason in 34.3 and losing a mark, or copying a whole paragraph instead of a point.

   CBSE marking scheme

   (34.1) Creation of nation-states / any other relevant point. (34.2) To train revolutionaries and spread their ideas of the nation-state / any other relevant point. (34.3) Any two, 1 each: opposed by monarchies; fear of repression; any other relevant point.

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8. Q8 Long answer · 5 marks CBSE · 2026, 2023 Asked in 2026, 2023

   Describe unification of Italy

   Describe the process of unification of Italy.

   Answer and marking

   1. Start with how divided Italy was. In the mid-19th century Italy was divided into seven states; only Sardinia-Piedmont had an Italian princely house. 1 mark
   2. Give Mazzini's contribution. In the 1830s Mazzini sought a unitary Italian Republic and formed Young Italy. 1 mark
   3. Give Cavour's role, with the year. Cavour's diplomatic alliance with France helped Sardinia-Piedmont defeat Austria in 1859. 1 mark
   4. Give Garibaldi's role, with the year. In 1860 Garibaldi's armed volunteers marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, with peasant support. 1 mark
   5. End with the result and its year. In 1861 Victor Emmanuel II was proclaimed king of united Italy. 1 mark

   Answer: Seven states ; Mazzini and Young Italy ; Cavour, Austria defeated 1859 ; Garibaldi in the south 1860 ; Victor Emmanuel II king 1861

   Marks: Any five points 1 each

   For full marks: Name all three leaders, Mazzini, Cavour and Garibaldi, with what each did. Keep the dates in order.

   Where students lose marks: Mixing up roles, like saying Garibaldi made the alliance with France; that was Cavour.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any five (5x1=5): (i) Mid-19th c. Italy divided into seven states; only Sardinia-Piedmont ruled by an Italian princely house. (ii) North under Austrian Habsburgs, centre under the Pope, south under Bourbon kings of Spain. (iii) 1830s Mazzini sought a unitary Italian Republic; formed Young Italy. (iv) After failed uprisings of 1831 and 1848, Sardinia-Piedmont under Victor Emmanuel II sought unification through war (elites saw economic development and political dominance). (v) Cavour's diplomatic alliance with France defeated Austria in 1859. (vi) Garibaldi's armed volunteers marched into South Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in 1860, with peasant support, to drive out the Spanish rulers. (vii) 1861 Victor Emmanuel II proclaimed king of united Italy.

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9. Q9 Long answer · 5 marks CBSE · 2026

   French Revolution as nationalism

   Why is the French Revolution of 1789 considered the first clear expression of nationalism ? Explain with examples.

   Answer and marking

   1. Set the scene: what France was in 1789. In 1789 France was a full-fledged territorial state under the rule of an absolute monarch. 1 mark
   2. Say what the Revolution changed about who holds power. The Revolution transferred sovereignty from the monarchy to a body of French citizens. 1 mark
   3. Give the two French ideas and explain them. The ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) stressed a united community with equal rights under a constitution. 1 mark
   4. Give symbols as examples, since the question asks for them. A new French tricolour replaced the royal standard, and the Estates General was renamed the National Assembly. 1 mark
   5. Add the steps that made France one administrative unit. A centralised administration made uniform laws, abolished internal customs duties and made French the common language. 1 mark

   Answer: Territorial state under absolute monarch ; sovereignty to citizens ; la patrie and le citoyen ; tricolour and National Assembly ; uniform laws, no internal customs, French as common language

   Marks: Any five points 1 each

   For full marks: The question says 'with examples' — name real ones like the tricolour, the National Assembly and la patrie.

   Where students lose marks: Listing only symbols and forgetting the key point: sovereignty moved from the king to the citizens.

   CBSE marking scheme

   Any five (5x1): France a full territorial state under an absolute monarch in 1789; Revolution brought political and constitutional change; sovereignty transferred from monarchy to French citizens; people would constitute the nation and shape its destiny; ideas of la patrie and le citoyen — a united community with equal rights under a Constitution; new tricolour flag replaced royal standard; Estates General elected by active citizens, renamed National Assembly; new hymns, oaths, martyrs commemorated in the nation’s name; centralised administration with uniform laws; internal customs duties abolished; uniform weights and measures; regional dialects discouraged, French the common language; any other relevant point.

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10. Q10 Long answer · 5 marks CBSE · 2024

    Effects of liberalism in Europe

    How did the ideology of ‘liberalism’ affect the Europe in early nineteenth century ? Explain.

    Answer and marking

    1. Link liberalism to national unity first. Ideas of national unity in early-nineteenth-century Europe were closely allied to the ideology of liberalism. 1 mark
    2. Say what liberalism ended. Since the French Revolution, liberalism stood for the end of autocracy and clerical privileges, a constitution and representative government through parliament. 1 mark
    3. Say what liberalism meant in politics. Politically, it emphasised government by consent. 1 mark
    4. Give the economic meaning. Economically, it stood for freedom of markets and abolition of state restrictions on the movement of goods and capital. 1 mark
    5. Add the limit of liberal equality. Liberals stressed the inviolability of private property, but equality before the law did not necessarily mean universal suffrage. 1 mark

    Answer: Allied to national unity ; end of autocracy, constitution, parliament ; government by consent ; free markets ; private property, no universal suffrage

    Marks: Any five points 1 each

    For full marks: Cover both the political and the economic side of liberalism. The point on suffrage shows the limit and earns its mark.

    Where students lose marks: Repeating 'freedom' in different words as several points instead of giving five different ideas.

    CBSE marking scheme

    Any five (5×1): ideas of national unity in early 19th-century Europe were closely allied to liberalism; since the French Revolution liberalism stood for the end of autocracy and clerical privileges; politically it emphasised government by consent; economically it stood for freedom of markets and abolition of state restrictions on movement of goods and capital; it stood for a constitution and representative government through parliament; it stressed the inviolability of private property; yet equality before the law did not necessarily mean universal suffrage; any other relevant point.

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Free 10-question test: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

MCQ and Assertion–Reason questions from CBSE papers. About 10 minutes. Your score shows straight away.

Common mistakes in The Rise of Nationalism in Europe

How to write for full marks

• 'Any five' (5 marks) or 'any three' (3 marks) means separate points, 1 mark each. Write that many numbered points, one fact in each, and keep to the word limit: 2 marks up to 40 words, 3 marks up to 60, 5 marks up to 120.
• For 'explain', 'examine' or 'justify the statement', tie each point back to the statement. Say how it shows nationalism or liberalism, not only what happened.
• Put a name and a year in your points where the book gives them: 1789, 1815, 1830s, 1848, 1861, 1871, Bismarck, Cavour, Garibaldi.
• Spell the terms as the book does and give their meaning: la patrie (the fatherland), le citoyen (the citizen), das volk, volksgeist, Zollverein.
• For MCQs, make a timeline of the chapter's years and learn the allegories in the book's pictures. In Assertion–Reason, first check if each statement is true, then if the Reason explains the Assertion.

Questions students ask