European History 2020

European History 2020

European History 2020

SECTION-I

No. 2. “Prince Metternich is regarded as the incarnation of the restoration and reaction”. Why?  (20)

No. 3. ‘Italy is a geographical expression Politically speaking there was no Italy’ Comment. (20)

No. 4. Write down the results of the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71). (20)

No. 5. ‘The Eastern Question entered upon a new and startling phase from 1908-1914’. Discuss. (20)

SECTION-II

No. 6. Winston Churchill criticized appeasement as “a total and unmitigated defeat”. Discuss. (20)

No. 7. British entry into the European Economic Community was delayed until 1973. Why? Give reasons. (20)

No. 8. Write notes on any TWO of the following: (10 marks each)

  • Gorbachev
  • NATO
  • Socialism

 

 

Summaries of Questions:

No. 2. “Prince Metternich is regarded as the incarnation of the restoration and reaction”. Why?

Prince Metternich is considered the symbol of restoration and reaction due to his role in shaping post-Napoleonic Europe. He aimed to restore monarchies and maintain conservative power after Napoleon’s defeat. His diplomacy at the Congress of Vienna focused on preserving the status quo and preventing revolutionary changes across Europe.

No. 3. ‘Italy is a geographical expression Politically speaking there was no Italy’ Comment.

The statement refers to the lack of a unified Italian state before the 19th century. Italy was divided into various kingdoms, duchies, and foreign-controlled regions. Only in the mid-1800s, through a series of wars and alliances, did Italy unify into a single political entity.

No. 4. Write down the results of the Franco-Prussian war (1870-71).

The Franco-Prussian War led to the defeat of France and the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership. France lost the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, and the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The war also caused a shift in European power dynamics.

No. 5. ‘The Eastern Question entered upon a new and startling phase from 1908-1914’. Discuss.

The Eastern Question refers to the political instability in the Balkans and the weakening Ottoman Empire. From 1908-1914, tensions escalated due to the Austro-Hungarian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balkan wars, and growing nationalism, contributing to the outbreak of World War I.

No. 6. Winston Churchill criticized appeasement as “a total and unmitigated defeat”. Discuss.

Churchill criticized the policy of appeasement, particularly toward Nazi Germany, as a failure. He argued that by making concessions to Adolf Hitler, Britain and France only encouraged further aggression, leading to World War II. Churchill believed appeasement was a sign of weakness, not diplomacy.

No. 7. British entry into the European Economic Community was delayed until 1973. Why? Give reasons.

Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community was delayed due to political and economic reasons. Initially, there was reluctance to give up national sovereignty, and economic challenges at home made joining the EEC unappealing. Additionally, France’s vetoes in the 1960s further postponed Britain’s membership until 1973.

No. 8. Write notes on any TWO of the following:

Gorbachev:
Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, known for introducing reforms like Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring). His policies aimed at modernizing the USSR but eventually led to its collapse and the end of the Cold War.

NATO:
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a military alliance founded in 1949 to provide collective security against the Soviet Union. It has since expanded to include various European and North American countries, focusing on mutual defense and peacekeeping.

Socialism:
Socialism is a political and economic ideology that advocates for public or collective ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods. It aims to reduce inequality and ensure that wealth is distributed more fairly within society.