ICSE 2012 History and Civics Question Paper Solved for Class 10

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ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2012 Solved

Part – I (30 Marks)
Attempt all questions from this Part

Question 1.
(a) Name the law making body of the Union Government. [1]
Answer:
The Parliament

(b) What is the difference in the term of office between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha? [1]
Answer:
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House, hence it cannot be dissolved. Each member is elected for a term of 6 years. 1/3rd of its total members retire at the end of every two years. On the other hand the term of Lok Sabha is 5 years.

(d) **What is a bicameral legislature? Name any one state that has a bicameral legislature. [ 1 ]
Answer:

(e) Who settles disputes arising in connection with the election of the President of India ? [ 1 ]
Answer:
The Supreme Court.

(f) Which body formulates the foreign policy of India? [1]
Answer:
Union Cabinet

(g) Mr. Ajayveer Singh is a member of the Lok Sabha. Can he be appointed as a Governor of a State ? If so, under what criterion ? [ 1 ]
Answer:
Yes, he can be appointed as a Governor of a state. He will have to Resign from the membership of the Lok Sabha.

(h) ** Who presides over the meetings of the state cabinet ? [1]
Answer:

(i) What is the tenure of a Judge of the Supreme Court ?[ 1 ]
Answer:
A judge remains in the office until he attains the age of sixty-five years.

(j) How does the High Court protect the Fundamental Rights of individuals? [ 1 ]
Answer:
High court issues writs, e.g. the writs of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo-warranto and Certiorari to protect the Fundamental Rights.

Question 2.
(a) What was Nana Saheb’s grievance against the British ? [2]
Answer:
The British had refused to recognise him as the legitimate heir to the throne of Peshwa Baji Rao II, because he was his adopted son.

(b) State any two repressive policies of Lord Curzon. [2]
Answer:

He passed prevention of Seditious Meeting Act 1907.
It banned political meetings.
His most unpopular act was the Partition of Bengal.

The English were just and freedom loving people. They had an abiding faith in the British sense of justice and fairplay and believed in loyalty to the British crown.
So they believed that simply by presenting and pleading their case before the British Parliament and the British people, justice would be done and their grievances would be redressed.

(d) When was the Muslim League formally founded? Who presided over its session at Dhaka? [2]
Answer:
December 30,1906.
Nawab Salimullah presided over its session at Dhaka.

(e) Name the party formed by Subhas Chandra Bose. What was its immediate objective? [2]
Answer:
Forward Bloc.
The main aim was the immediate liberation of India.

(f) What was mentioned in the Cabinet Mission Plan regarding Provincial Autonomy? [2]
Answer:
The British Provinces would be divided into groups. Each group could determine the provincial subjects to be taken in common.
A province could opt out of any group and join another by majority of votes.

(g) Give two similarities in the foreign policies ofMussolini and Hitler. [2]
Answer:

Both were against democracy, rights and liberty of the people.
Both of them believe in rule of single party and leader.

(h) Name the signatory countries of the Triple Alliance (1882). State the rival bloc that was formed. [2]
Answer:

(i) Who appoints the Secretary General of the United Nations? [2]
Answer:

Tripple Alliance
Tripple Entente – Britain, France and Russia
General Assembly

(j) **What do you understand by the term ‘Human Rights ’? When is Human Rights Day celebrated each year? [2]

Part – II (50 Marks)
Section-A
Attempt any two questions from this Section

Question 3.
With reference to the Union Parliament, answer the following questions:
(a) What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha provided by the constitution? How many members does the President nominate to the Lok Sabha?
How are members to the Lok Sabha elected? [3]
Answer:
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha provided by the Constitution is 552. Out of these 530 represent the states and not more than 20 represent the Union Territories. 2 members are nominated by the President.
The President can nominate two members of the Anglo- Indian Community in case the President feels that the community has not been adequately represented.

The members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election on the basis of universal adult franchise. Each State and Union Territory is divided .into various constituencies and each constituency elects one member.

(b) The two Houses of the Parliament enjoy co-equal powers in many spheres — explain it by giving any three examples. [3]
Answer:
(i) Regarding ordinary bill, both houses enjoy coequal powers. An ordinary bill can be introduced first in either House of Parliament and cannot become a law until approved by both the Houses.

(ii) As far as the constitutional amendments are concerned, both houses enjoy co-equal powers. The Constitutional Amendment Bill can be introduced in either House of Parliament and cannot be considered to have been passed unless approved by both the Houses.

(iii) Both the Houses enjoy co-equal authority in the judicial sphere. The resolution for the impeachment of the President, the Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts can be moved in either House of the Parliament and it must be passed by the two Houses with 2/3rd majority. The resolution for removing the Vice-President from office is first passed by the Rajya Sabha and when the Lok Sabha gives its approval to it, only then can he be removed.

(iv) Both the Houses have co-equal powers in the field of election to the office of the President and Vice-President of India.

(c) Explain any four of the Rajya Sabha s powers in India s federal set up. [4]
Answer:
Legislative Powers: (a) All Bills, except Money Bills, can originate in the Rajya Sabha. No Bill can become a law, unless it is passed by both the Houses of the Parliament. The Rajya Sabha can at the most delay the passage of a bill for six months.

Financial Powers: (b) In financial matters, e.g. Money Bills or the Union Budget, the position of the Rajya Sabha is weak. It can discuss the Money Bill or the budget, but it cannot vote upon it. The Rajya Sabha has only advisory role in financial matters.

Administrative or Executive Powers: (c) The Council of Ministers is answerable to the Lok Sabha. The Central Government formed by a party or various parties collapses if a No-Confidence Vote is passed. The Rajya Sabha has no role in this process. But the Rajya Sabha can exercise control over it by means of asking questions, motions of adjournment and debates. Moreover, ministers may be appointed from the Rajya Sabha.

Judicial Powers :

The Rajya Sabha can impeach the President on the charge of violating the constitution.
It can pass a special address to remove a judge of the Supreme Court or High Courts.
The charges against the Vice-President can be levelled in the Rajya Sabha only.
Along with the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha can pass resolutions for the removal of some high officers like the Attorney General of India, Comptroller and Auditor General, Chief Election Commissioner, etc. When such a resolution is passed, the President can remove these officers from office.

Question 4.
The President of India is the Head of the Indian Republic while the Governor is the Head of the State Government. In this context, answer the following questions.
(a) Besides being a citizen of India, state three other qualifications required by a person to be eligible to be the Governor of a state. [3]
(b) Enumerate three similar features in the legislative powers of the President and the Governor. [3]
(c) Under what circumstances can the President of India declare an emergency in the country? [4]
Answer:
1. National emergency : This type of emergency can be declared by the President of India if he is satisfied that the situation is very grave and the security of India or any part thereof is threatened or is likely to be threatened either
(i) By war or external aggression.

(ii) By armed rebellion in the whole of India or a part of its territory. It is to be noted here that the President can issue such a proclamation even before such a situation actually arises. Such an emergency was declared in India in 1962(Indo-Chinawar), 1971 (Indo-Pakistan war), and 1975 (declared by Indira Gandhi to maintain law and order in the country).

(iii) The President can declare such an emergency only on the basis of a written request by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

(iv) Such a proclamation must be approved by the Parliament within one month. Such an emergency can be imposed for six-months. It can be extended by six months by repeated Parliamentary approval.

2. Financial emergency : The President may declare financial emergency under Article 360 when Financial stability or credit of India is threatened.

Question 5.
The High Court is the apex of the judiciary in the state. In
this context, answer the following questions:
(a) State the composition of the High Court. State the qualifications required to become a High Court judge. [3]
Answer:
Organization and Composition: The number of Judges in a High Court is not fixed. It varies from one High Court to another. A High Court has a Chief Justice and such other Judges, as the President of India may appoint from time to time.

Additional and Acting’ Judges : When work load in a High Court increases, the President may appoint an Additional Judge for two years. The President may also appoint a duly qualified person as an Acting Judge to work in place of a Judge who is unable to perform his duty as Judge due to ill health or leave. Similarly, the President can appoint a Senior Judge of the Hight Court as Acting Chief Justice, if the regular Chief Justice is unwell.

(b) Why is the High Court also known as a Court of Record? [2]
Answer:
A High Court being a “Court of Record” means:
(a) Its judgements are kept as a record, and are used as precedent.
(b) If a person commits the contempt of High Court, it has the authority to punish him.

(c) (i) What is the meaning of Lok Adalat? [2]
(ii) State any three advantages of the Lok Adalat. [3]
Answer:
(a) Lok Adalat means “People’s Court”. It encourages the settlement of disputes through compromise between two parties.

(b) Advantages of a Lok Adalat are as under:

The Lok Adalats work in the spirit of compromise. This way both the parties feel that they have been treated fairly.
The decisions passed by a Lok Adalat are final and binding on the parties. No appeal lies before any court against its decision.
A Lok Adalat reduces the workload of other courts.
(iv) A Lok Adalat delivers speedy and inexpensive justice.

Section B
Attempt any three questions from this Section

Question 6.
With reference to Nationalism and the birth of the Indian National Congress, explain each of the following:
(a) **Vemacular Press Act, 1878 [3]

(b) Role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in the formation of the Muslim League. [3]
Answer:
(i) Sir Syed pioneered modem education for the Muslim community in India by founding the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, which later developed into the Aligarh Muslim University.
His work gave rise to the new generation of Muslim intellectuals and politicians who started the Aligarh movement of secure the political future of Muslims in India.

(ii) In-1887, he convened a Muslim Conference and in 1893, he founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental Defence Association to keep the Muslims away from the Congress to promote loyalty towards the rulers and to prevent Muslims from participating in any political movement.

(iii) He is identified by historians as one of the earliest advocates of the Two-Nation Theory that Hindus and Muslims were distinct and incompatible nations.
His philosophy guided the creation of the All India Muslim League in 1906, as a political party separate from the Congress.

Promotion of close relations between nationalist workers from different parts of the countiy.
Development of the feeling of national unity, irrespective of caste, religion or region.
The formulation of popular demands on main Indian problems and their presentation before the Government.
To train and organise public opinion in the country.

Question 7.
One of Lord Curzon’s administrative measures that resulted in a strong resentment from the masses was the Partition of Bengal in 1905. In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) What was Lord Curzon s argument in favour of the Partition of Bengal ?
How did the nationalists interpret Lord Curzon’s motives? [4]
Answer:
(i) Lord Curzon’s Argument : Bengal was then the largest province of the British India. It was said that it was difficult to administer such a big province so it was necessary to break it up.

(ii) Nation’s Interpretation :
1. To weaken the National Movement: Bengal was the largest province and the National Movement was very strong there. The British Government intended to crush this movement. Bengal at that time was considered the nerve centre of Indian nationalism and Lord Curzon wanted to crush the spirit of nationalism.

2. To divide the Hindus and the Muslims: Another motive behind the partition was to drive a wedge between the Hindus and the Muslims. By partitioning Bengal in East Bengal, the government wanted to please the Muslims.
On his tour of Bengal, Lord Curzon told the Muslims in 1904 that “his objective in partitioning was not only to relieve the Bengal administration, but also to create a Mohammedan Province, where Islam could be predominant and its followers in ascendancy.

(b) How did the people react to the Partition of Bengal? [3]
Answer:
The Partition of Bengal is considered one of the events which helped in accelerating the National Movement.
(i) Mass Movements: This was the first mass movement in which all classes of people participated against the Britishers. The Movement helped in widening the base and dimensions of the National Movement. This movement found supporters in all classes of the society from princely landlords and merchants to humble workers and even the sanyasis. Students and women also took an active part in organising processions.

(ii) Swadeshi and Boycott : The Partition of Bengal strengthened the National Movement by giving it the weapons of the Swadeshi and the Boycott. Swadeshi and Boycott had a positive impact on the Indian handicrafts. So, even the workers took active part in the movement.

(iii) Impact on the Working of the Congress: The Partition of Bengal had a great impact on the working of the Indian National Congress. Earlier the Congress was dominated by the Moderates and the Congress demands included only reforms but after the Partition of Bengal ‘Self-government’ or ‘ Swaraj ’ was declared as the aim of the Congress. Even the Swadeshi and Boycott Movements were supported. This marked a very big change in the methods and working of the Congress.

(iv) Impact on Revolutionary Organisation: The government was terror-stricken and came out with repressive measures. The repressive measures forced the revolutionary organisations to follow the policy of Bullet for Ballet. These organisations started attacking British officials.
Though the government announced the annulment of Bengal in 1911, this incident had a deep impact on the Indian society.

(c) What was the impact of the Swadeshi Movement on Indian Industries? [3]
Answer:
(i) Impetus to Indian Industries: Boycott was mainly directed against British cloth, salt, shoes etc. This gave an impetus to Indian industries, as there was an increase in demand for the Indian goods.

(ii) Decline in Imports : Swadeshi means ‘of one’s own country’. After the movement people started using indigenous products. This helped in increasing the demand of Indian products. So, on the whole, both Swadeshi and Boycott movements helped in accelerating the growth of Indian industries.

Question 8.
Gandhiji introduced new ideas in politics and adopted new methods to give a new direction to the political movement In this context, answer the following questions:
(a) Gandhiji s doctrine of Satyagraha. [3]
Answer:
Gandhiji’s doctrine of ‘Satyagraha’ consists of two Sanskrit words. The word ‘Satya’ means ‘truth and ‘Agraha’ means ‘insistence’. So, the term means “firm insistence on truth”. According to this doctrine a satyagrahi should always be ready to accept pain and suffering. He should remain peaceful under provocation and should not harm others under any conditions. To fight injustice, a Satyagrahi should use non-violent and non co-operative methods. ‘Satyagaha ’ stood for self-restraint and did not mean lack of courage.

(b) Gandhiji’s Social Ideals. [3]
Answer:
Social ideals: Gandhi spiritualised politics. He laid stress on the incorporation of moral values in politics. Gandhiji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics. Doctrine of Trusteeship : Gandhi believed that wealthy people could not use the wealth the way they liked. They should regard themselves as trustees and hold their property in trust for their wards – the workers and peasants, and use it for their welfare.

Social justice: Gandhi was a social reformer who fought the evils of communalism, untouchability, purdah and the dowry system.

(c) Which mass struggle was launched by him on non-violent lines in 1920 ?
Explain in brief the programmes of such a campaign.
Answer:
Non-Cooperation Movement was launched by Gandhi. The main aim of this Movement was not to co-operate with the British Government in any sphere. It had two kinds of programmes: negative and positive.

Negative	Positive
1. The boycott of government schools and colleges.	1. Removal of untouchability.
2. The boycott of British goods.	2. The prohibition of intoxiating drinks.
3. The boycott of legislative councils.	3. HinduMuslim Unity.
4. The boycott of the law courts by the lawyers.	4. Promotioin of swadeshi, especially home-spun and home- woven cloth.
5. Surrender of titles and honorary posts.

Response of the people or methods adopted by the people:

The Movement began with the renunciation of titles. Mahatma Gandhi surrendered his title of Kaisar-e- Hind and many other people followed him.
All Congress candidates withdrew from the elections and nearly two-thirds of the voters boycotted the elections.
The lawyers like C.R. Das, Motilal Nehru and Rajendra Prasad suspended their practices.
Students left the educational institutions run by the government.
People boycotted the foreign clothes, and shops selling foreign goods and liquors were picketed.

Question 9.
Study the picture given and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Identify the organization associated with the above emblem.
Mention any three principles of this organization. [4]
Answer:
The United Nations

International Peace: This is one of the most important purposes of establishing the UNO. It should take effective measures for the removal of threats to the peace.
Friendly Relations: Its second most important purpose is to develop friendly relations among nations, based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self determination of people.
International Cooperation: Its third most important purpose is to promote international cooperation in solving international problems on eonomic, social, cultural or humanitarian charter.

(b) Where is the headquarters of this organization located? Who can become its member? [3]
Answer:
New York

Membership of General Assembly :
1. Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter.
2. The admission of any such state to membership in the United Nations will be effected by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

A recommendation for admission from the Security Council requires affirmative votes from at least nine of the council’s fifteen members, with none of the five permanent members voting against. The Security Council’s recommendation must then be subsequently approved in the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority votes.

(c) Name the principal judicial organ of this organization and explain its composition. [3]
Answer:
International Court of Justice :

It is composed of 15 judges elected for a 9-years term.
The judges are elected by both Security Council and General Assembly by a majority vote.
To maintain the continuity, one third of the court, i.e. five judges are elected every three years.
The court elects its President and Vice-President for three years. It also has power to appoint its Registrar.

Question 10.
With reference to the Cold War and the Non-Aligned Movement, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain Truman s Doctrine. [3]
Answer:
The Truman Doctrine was the American policy in 1947 of providing economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey because they were threatened by communism. It was the start of the containment policy to stop Soviet expansion; it was a major step in beginning the Cold War.
President Harry S. Truman was the architect of this policy. He argued that if Greece and Turkey did not receive the aid that they urgently needed, they would inevitably fall to communism with grace consequences throughout the region.

The American Congress agreed to send $400 million in military and economic aid to support the government of Greece.

It confirmed the fact of a divided world-American Bloc and Russian Bloc.
It formally inaugurated the cold war and increased hostility between America and Russia.
The USA, as the leader of free world gave up its policy of isolation, which was a revolutionary departure from American foreign policy and took upon itself the responsibility of preventing communism.

(b) State any three consequences of the Cold War. [3]
Answer:
1. Arms Race and Militarisation : The Cold War set in motion a mad race for armaments. Both the blocs spent huge sums on arms and amassed deadly weapons. The Americans lost the nuclear weapon monopoly when Russia exploded its first Atom Bomb in 1949. Once Soviet Russia developed its nuclear weapon, she became a rival of the United States and the two came to be recognised as Super Powers.

2. Formation of Military Alliances: The Cold War led to the formation of various alliances like :

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)
SEATO (South-East Asia Treaty Organisation)
CENTO (Central Treaty Organisation)
The Warsaw Pact, etc.

3. Setback to the United Nations : The Cold War gave a major setback to the working of the United Nations. The rivalry between the two Blocs barred admission of certain nations to the UNO. It was in 1955 that Albania, Austria and Bulgaria were able to join the United Nations. The USA did not allow for a very long time the entry of China also to the UNO. This prevented the world body form attaining a truly universal character.

(c) Mention four major objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement. [4]
Answer:
1. Abolition of imperialism and colonialism: The member countries of NAM are against imperialism and colonialism. The NAM believed in self-determination, natural equality and freedom of all nations.

2. International Peace : The main objective of the NAM is to eliminate the causes and horrors of war and, in particular, the elimination of nuclear weapons.

3. An end to Racism : The Non-Aligned Movement is against all forms of racial discrimination. Most of the summits of NAM condemned the policy of racial segregation being practised in South Africa and in other parts of the world.

4. Disarmament : The NAM favoured disarmament and in particular opposed the possession and the use of unclear weapons. The criteria of Non-alignment determined as early as 1961 was that a country should not be a member of any of the military alliances.