World History

21. Who among the following wrote the famous text ‘A Discourse on Politica

Who among the following wrote the famous text ‘A Discourse on Political Economy’?

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Montesquieu
Voltaire
Rousseau
Adam Smith
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The correct answer is C, Rousseau. Jean-Jacques Rousseau wrote ‘A Discourse on Political Economy’.
‘A Discourse on Political Economy’ (Discours sur l’économie politique) is an article written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau for the Encyclopédie, published in 1755. In this work, Rousseau distinguishes between domestic economy and political economy and discusses the concept of the general will in the context of the state.
Montesquieu is famous for ‘The Spirit of the Laws’. Voltaire was a prolific writer across various genres, but not specifically known for a text titled ‘A Discourse on Political Economy’. Adam Smith is considered the father of modern economics and is famous for ‘The Wealth of Nations’.

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22. During the Industrial Revolution, who among the following designed the

During the Industrial Revolution, who among the following designed the ‘flying shuttle loom’?

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Samuel Crompton
Edmund Cartwright
John Kay
Richard Arkwright
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The ‘flying shuttle loom’ was designed by John Kay in 1733. It was a key invention in the textile industry during the early Industrial Revolution.
The flying shuttle significantly increased the speed of weaving.
Samuel Crompton invented the spinning mule (1779). Edmund Cartwright invented the power loom (1785). Richard Arkwright invented the water frame (1769) and played a crucial role in the factory system.

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23. The United Nations Charter was signed by 51 original members of the Un

The United Nations Charter was signed by 51 original members of the United Nations in 1945 at the

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Hague Conference
London Conference
San Francisco Conference
Berlin Conference
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The United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO), also known as the San Francisco Conference, was held in San Francisco, California, from April 25 to June 26, 1945. Representatives from 50 countries signed the Charter of the United Nations on June 26, 1945. Poland, which was not represented at the conference, signed it later and is considered one of the original 51 member states.
– The UN Charter is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, establishing its purposes, principles, structure, and functions.
– The signing took place at the conclusion of the San Francisco Conference in 1945.
– The 51 original members were the countries that participated in the San Francisco Conference or signed the Charter subsequently in 1945.
The UN officially came into existence on October 24, 1945, when the Charter had been ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council (China, France, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, United States) and a majority of the other signatories. October 24th is celebrated annually as United Nations Day.

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24. In which of the following years were passenger trains introduced in En

In which of the following years were passenger trains introduced in England ?

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1823
1825
1848
1861
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The correct answer is B) 1825.
The Stockton and Darlington Railway, which opened in England in 1825, was the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives. While primarily intended for freight, it also began carrying passengers, marking the effective introduction of passenger trains.
The success of the Stockton and Darlington Railway paved the way for further railway development, notably the Liverpool and Manchester Railway which opened in 1830 and was the first railway designed specifically for both passenger and freight transport using only steam power.

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25. The Five Year Plan was first launched in

The Five Year Plan was first launched in

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China
USSR
India
Bhutan
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The concept of the Five Year Plan was first launched in the USSR.
The first comprehensive Five-Year Plan (Piatiletka) was implemented in the Soviet Union by Joseph Stalin in 1928. This system of centralized planning for economic development was later adopted by various socialist and developing countries, including India.
India adopted Five Year Plans after independence, starting in 1951. China began its first Five Year Plan in 1953. Bhutan started its first Five Year Plan much later, in 1961. The origin of the concept lies in the Soviet Union.

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26. Which country among the following was not a part of the Third Coalitio

Which country among the following was not a part of the Third Coalition against Napoleon ?

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Russia
Prussia
Sweden
France
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The correct option is D) France.
The Third Coalition (1805) was formed by several European powers including Great Britain, Austria, Russia, Naples, and Sweden *against* the First French Empire under Napoleon I. France was the primary opponent of the coalition, not a member of it.
Prussia remained neutral initially during the Third Coalition but joined the Fourth Coalition (1806-1807) after Napoleon’s victories. The Third Coalition was dissolved after Napoleon decisively defeated Austria and Russia at the Battle of Austerlitz in December 1805.

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27. Consider the following statements concerning the American War of Indep

Consider the following statements concerning the American War of Independence :

  • The Americans raised the slogan, ‘No taxation without representation’.
  • The American merchants resorted to the boycott of the British products.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
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C
Both statements accurately describe key aspects of the lead-up to and the American War of Independence. The slogan “No taxation without representation” was a central grievance of the American colonists, protesting against taxes imposed by the British Parliament where they had no elected representatives. This was a major catalyst for the revolution. American merchants and colonists frequently organized boycotts of British goods, such as in response to the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts (1767). These boycotts were a powerful tool of economic resistance against British policies.
The American War of Independence (1775-1783) was a conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen colonies in North America. Other factors contributing to the war included restrictive trade policies, lack of political freedom, and growing sense of a distinct American identity. The war resulted in the independence of the United States of America.

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28. Which among the following was/were among the factors for England to ex

Which among the following was/were among the factors for England to experience the Industrial Revolution first ?

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  • 1. The scientific inventions had paved the way for Industrial Revolution.
  • 2. It had favourable social and political structures in place.
  • 3. Navigable rivers had made inland transport easier.
  • 4. It had seen the ascendancy of capitalist practices.

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1 and 3 only
1, 3 and 4
4 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
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All the listed factors contributed significantly to England being the first country to experience the Industrial Revolution.
England had a unique confluence of factors, including technological innovation, favourable socio-political conditions, excellent infrastructure, and an advanced economic system, that facilitated industrialization on an unprecedented scale.
1. **Scientific inventions:** Breakthroughs like the steam engine, spinning jenny, power loom, and improvements in iron production provided the technological basis.
2. **Favourable social and political structures:** A relatively stable political system after the Glorious Revolution, a society more open to innovation compared to many continental counterparts, and the enclosure movement which created a mobile labour force.
3. **Navigable rivers:** An extensive network of navigable rivers and later canals provided efficient and cost-effective transportation for raw materials and finished goods within the country.
4. **Ascendancy of capitalist practices:** A strong tradition of mercantilism, growing colonial markets, accumulation of capital from trade, and an entrepreneurial spirit provided the necessary investment and economic framework.

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29. Which among the following statements is not correct about the Reign of

Which among the following statements is not correct about the Reign of Terror ?

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The Jacobins dashed out the Girondists with the help of sans-culottes.
The Jacobins were in league with the French clergy.
The arrest for anti-revolutionary activities was by law restricted to the political class.
The Reign of Terror came to an end with the execution of Robespierre by guillotine in July 1794.
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The Reign of Terror (approx. 1793-1794) was a period of intense violence during the French Revolution, dominated by the Committee of Public Safety under Jacobin influence.
A) The Jacobins dashed out the Girondists with the help of sans-culottes. This is correct. The sans-culottes, radical working-class revolutionaries, were instrumental in pressuring the National Convention to arrest the Girondist deputies in June 1793, consolidating Jacobin power and effectively ending the Girondists’ influence.
B) The Jacobins were in league with the French clergy. This is incorrect. The Reign of Terror saw significant dechristianization efforts, including the closure of churches, persecution of priests (especially those who refused to swear allegiance to the state), and promotion of secular alternatives like the Cult of Reason. The Jacobins were generally hostile to the Catholic Church and clergy.
C) The arrest for anti-revolutionary activities was by law restricted to the political class. This is incorrect. The Law of Suspects (17 September 1793) defined suspects broadly, including nobles, clergy, emigres, officials suspended from office, and anyone who “by their conduct, their contacts, their words or their writings showed themselves to be supporters of tyranny or federalism and enemies of liberty.” This clearly extended far beyond the political class.
D) The Reign of Terror came to an end with the execution of Robespierre by guillotine in July 1794. This is correct. Robespierre’s execution following the Thermidorian Reaction marked the end of the radical phase of the Revolution and the height of the Terror.
The question asks for the *not correct* statement. Both B and C are incorrect. However, statement C makes a specific, verifiable false claim about the legal scope of arrests under the Law of Suspects. Statement B is a more general mischaracterization of the relationship between Jacobins and clergy during the Terror. Historical sources confirm that the Law of Suspects explicitly did *not* restrict arrests to the political class. Therefore, C is definitively incorrect.
– Reign of Terror under Jacobin dominance.
– Jacobins purged Girondists with sans-culottes support.
– Dechristianization and persecution of clergy were features of the Terror.
– Law of Suspects allowed broad arrests, not restricted to politicians.
– Ended with Robespierre’s execution.
The Reign of Terror resulted in thousands of executions, ostensibly to protect the Revolution from internal enemies. The Committee of Public Safety held immense power, implementing radical policies and suppressing dissent. The broad definition of “suspect” under the Law of Suspects contributed to the high number of arrests and executions.

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30. Which of the following was/were among the decisions taken by the First

Which of the following was/were among the decisions taken by the First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in September 1774 ?

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  • 1. It rejected a plan for a colonial union under the British authority.
  • 2. It drew up a statement of grievances.
  • 3. It agreed upon a scheme to stop trade between the Colonies and England.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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1 and 3 only
2 only
1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
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The First Continental Congress, which met in Philadelphia in September 1774, was a pivotal event leading up to the American Revolution. The delegates took several key actions in response to the British Intolerable Acts. Statement 1 is correct because they rejected Joseph Galloway’s Plan of Union, which proposed a colonial union under British authority. Statement 2 is correct as they drafted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances outlining their complaints against British policies. Statement 3 is correct because they established the Continental Association, which called for a boycott of British goods (non-importation, non-consumption) and a cessation of exports to Britain (non-exportation) as a means of economic protest.
– Rejected Galloway Plan (colonial union under British authority).
– Issued Declaration of Rights and Grievances.
– Formed the Continental Association to enforce a trade boycott.
The Congress did not advocate for independence at this stage but sought to pressure the British government into repealing the Intolerable Acts and respecting colonial rights. The failure of these measures led to escalating tensions and ultimately the outbreak of armed conflict in 1775, leading to the Second Continental Congress and eventual Declaration of Independence.

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