ICSE 2020 History and Civics Question Paper Solved for Class 10

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ICSE Class 10 History and Civics Question Paper 2020 Solved

General Instructions:

Answers to this Paper must he written on the paper provided separately.
You will not be allowed to write during the first 15 minutes.
This time is to be spent in reading the question paper.
The time given at the head of this Paper is the time allowed for writing the answers.
Attempt all questions from Part I (Compulsory). A total of five questions are to be . attempted from Part 11, two out of three questions from Section A and three out of five questions from Section B.
The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in brackets [ ].

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

Question 1.
(a) Name the two Houses of the Indian Parliament. [ 1 ]
Answer:

Lok Sabha
The Rajya Sabha

(b) What is meant by the term ‘Session’? [1]
Answer:
It is the time period during which the House meets to conduct its business. Parliament should hold at least two sessions in a year.

(c) How is the Speaker of the Lok Sabha elected? [ 1 ]
Answer:
The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected by the members from amongst themselves.

(d) What is the term of office of a Rajya Sabha member ? [1]
Answer:
6 years

(e) Who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces of India ? [1]
Answer:
President

(f) What is the normal term of office of the Vice President of India ? [1]
Answer:
5 years

(g) Who appoints that Prime Minister of India ? [ 1 ]
Answer:
Prime Minister is appointed by the President.

(h) State the body that decides the major policies of the Government. [1]
Answer:
Cabinet

(i) Name the Courts that are empowered to issue Writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. [ 1 ]
Answer:
Supreme Court

(j) Mention any one advantage of the Lok Adalat. [1]
Answer:
The Lok Adalats work in the spirit of compromise. This way both the parties feel that they have been treated fairly.

Question 2.
(a) Mention any two contributions of Bipin Chandra Pal in promoting Nationalism. [2]
Answer:

During the Anti-Partition agitation he toured several parts of the country and wherever he went he carried with him the message of Boycott and Swadeshi.
He exhorted the people to appreciate their own culture and derive strength and unity from it.

(b) State any two methods adopted by the Early Nationalists in the National Movement. [2]
Answer:

To attain these demands they passed resolutions and prepared petitions which they sent to the Government for consideration.
They tried to get the support of the British public by popularising the demands of the Congress.

(c) Why is October 16, 1905 regarded as an important day in the history of the Indian National Movement ? [2]
Answer:
It was the day when the partition of Bengal became effective. The Nationalists declared it to be ‘a Day of Mourning’. Swadeshi and Bycott movements were launched which had for reaching consequences on the freedom struggle of India.

(d) Name any two leaders of the Khilafat Movement. [2]
Answer:
Ali Brothers – Muhammed Ali and Shaukat Ali.

(e) State any two causes for the Non-Cooperation Movement. [2]
Answer:
1. The Rowlatt Act : The Rowlatt Act was passed to crush any movement. The Act gave enomous powers to the police to arrest any person without any reason, search any place without a warrant and imprison anyone without a trial. The Act came to be known as “Black Act”.

2. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: The protest movement against the Rowlatt Act was very strong in Punjab. To check the movement, two Congress leaders, Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested. To protest against the arrests, a public meeting was held on 13th April in Jallianwala Bagh where General Dyer opened fire at the public without giving any warning in which more than 1,000 people were killed. This incident shook the whole world.

(f) Mention any two objectives of the Forward Bloc. [2]
Answer:

To develop the economy on socialistic ideas.
Abolition of landlordism i.e. Zamindari System.
A new monetary and credit system.

(g) What was meant by the term ‘Imperialism ’, as a cause for World War I? [2]
Answer:
Imperialism is a policy of extending a country’s power and influence through colonialisation, use of military force etc.
In the early nineteenth century, the policy of imperialism led to immense rivalry among the European powers over trade and military might. Europe got divided into two blocs i.e. Triple Entity and Triple Alliance.

(h) Give any two reasons for the rise of Fascism. [2]
Answer:

Dissatisfaction over humiliating peace treaty of Versailles.
Economic crisis after first World War.

(j) Name the two International Organisations that were formed, one as a consequence of World War I and the other after World War II. [2]
Answer:

League of Nations after World War I
United Nation after World War II

(j) Give the full form of UNICEF and WHO. [2]
Answer:

United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
World Health Organisation.

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

Question 3.
With reference to the Union Legislature, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain any three Legislative powers of the Union Parliament. [3]
Answer:
(i) Union and Concurrent Subjects : The Parliament can make laws on 97 subjects contained in the Union List, and 47 Subjects contained in the Concurrent List. Qn a Subject in the Concurrent List, both the Parliament and a State Legislature may make a law, but the law of the Parliament supersedes the law of the State Legislature. This establishes the superiority of the Parliament over the State Legislatures.

(ii) Residuary Powers: The Parliament has Residuary Powers also. It can make laws on a subject, which is not mentioned in any one of the three Lists, i.e., the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.

(iii) State List: The Parliament can make laws on 66 subjects in the State List in the following situations

During the Proclamation of Emergency,
When the Rajya Sabha declares by a Resolution passed by 2/3 majority that a State- List-Subject has assumed national importance,
When two or more State Legislatures desire that the Parliament should make a law on any subject of the State List.
When the state comes in conflict with the discharge of international commitments made by the central government.
During the breakdown of the constitutional machinery in a state.

(b) State any three exclusive powers of the Lok Sabha that is not enjoyed by the other House. [3]
Answer:

Money Bills can originate only in The Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha alone can vote a Ministry out of office by passing a no-confidence vote

He/She is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rules Committee and the Business Advisory Committee of the House.
He/She appoints Chairmen of all committees of the House and issues them directions regarding their work.
He/She decides whether a particular document is secret or not and whether to be placed before a committee or not.
The Speaker presides over the conference of Presiding Officers of legislative bodies in India.

Question 4.
The Executive Power of the Indian Union is vested in the President
In this context, answer the following:
(a) How is the President of India elected ? State the composition of the Electoral College that elects him. [3]
Answer:
Electoral College is the body that elects the President.
Nominated MPs and nominated MLAs have no hand in electing the President.

The joint body of elected MPs and MLAs
(i.e., elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States) which elects the President, is known as the Electoral College. It is a temporary body which is dissolved immediately after the election of the President is over. Nominated MPs and nominated MLAs have no hand in electing the President. The name of a Presidential candidate must be proposed by 50 members and seconded by another 50 members of the Electoral College. The candidate must deposit a security of ₹ 15000/- as laid down in the ordinance promulgated in June, 1997.

(b) Explain any three Discretionary powers of the President. [3]
Answer:
The President is just a figure-head or a golden zero for only ceremonial purposes. He/She has a very important role to play in the actual working of the Parliamentary system in our country.

President’s role become very important when no single party getting a clear majority, a coalition of parties Sake their claim to form the government. The President has to use his individual judgement and invite such a leader to head the government as Prime Minister, who can provide a Sable government to the country.
The President’s role also becomes very important under the circumstances when a Prime minister after losing the vote of confidence asks for the dissolution of the House. In this situation he/ she is not bound to act on the advice of the Prime minister. He/She should explore the possibility of forming an alternative government at the Centre.
He may refuse to give his assent to a Bill and return it for reconsideration “as soon as possible.”

(c) Mention any four Executive Powers of the President. [4]
Answer:
The Constitution lays down that “the Executive Powers of the Union shall be vested in the President”. His/ Her executive powers extend to all the subjects on which the Parliament can make laws. It includes the following:
(i) Administrative Head: The administration of the country runs in his name. All orders are issued in his name. All officials are his subordinates. He/She is the head of the Union administration.

(ii) Appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers: The President appoints the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha as the Prime Minister and on his advice, he/she appoints other ministers in the Council of Ministers and distribute their portfolios. The Prime Minister and the Ministers submit their resignation to the President, if required.

(iii) Appoints and dismisses high officials: The President appoints and removes dignitaries like the Attorney General of India, the Comptroller and the Auditor General of India, the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts, the State Governors, the Ambassadors and the High Commissioners. The President also appoints the Chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission, Planning Commission, Finance Commission, and the Election Commission of India.

(iv) Controls State Governments: The President has the power to issue such directions to the State Governments as he may think necessary from time to time. During an emergency on account of failure of Constitutional machinery in a State, the control of the President upon that State is complete through the Governor, who is appointed by the President, and to whom he/she is responsible.

Question 5.
With reference to the Supreme Court as the Apex Court in our Indian Judiciary, explain the following:
(a) Any three cases that come under the Original Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court [3]
Answer:
Original Jurisdiction means the power to hear and determine a dispute in the first instance; i.e., those cases which cannot be moved in any court other than the Supreme Court.
(i) Centre-State or Inter-States Disputes : The Supreme Court has been given exclusive original jurisdiction in any dispute:

between Government of India and one or more States; or
between Government of India and any State or States on one side and one or more States on the other; or
between two or more States.

(ii) Protection of Fundamental Rights: The original jurisdiction also extends to cases of violation of the Fundamental Rights of individuals and the court can issue several Writs for the enforcement of these rights. Any individual can approach the Supreme Court in case of violation of a fundamental right.

(iii) Transfer of Cases from Lower courts: Under Article 139 A inserted by the 44th amendment in 1978, the Supreme Court may transfer to itself cases from one or more High courts, if these involve questions of law or cases are of great importance. The Supreme court may transfer cases from one High Court to another in the Interest of Justice.

(iv) Interpretation of Constitution : All cases, where interpretation of the Constitution is required, can be
directly filed in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has the power of exclusive jurisdiction (Article 131 A) in regard to questions as to constitutional validity of central laws.

(b) Power of Judicial Review. [3]
Answer:
Judicial Review is the power of the Supreme Court to examine laws passed by the independent and the executive orders of the Centre and State governments in order to find whether these are in accordance with the Constitution or not. This is called Judicial Review. If an order or a law is found to be contrary to the Constitution, the Supreme Court declares it null and void.

(c) Supreme Court as a Court of Record. [4]
Answer:
Court of Record is a court whose judgements are recorded for evidence and testimony. The judgements are in the nature of precedents, i.e., the High Courts and other Courts are bound to give a similar decision in a similar case. They are not to be questioned when they are produced before any subordinate court.

According to Article 129 of the Constitution the Supreme Court shall be a “Court of Record” and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of itself.

The Court of Record has two implications :

Its judgements and orders are preserved as record. These can be produced in any court as precedents.
If a person commits a contempt of court, the court has the authority to punish him. No authority can deprive the court of this right.

Section-B
Attempt any three questions from this Section

Question 6.
By 1857, conditions were ripe for a mass uprising in the form of the Great Revolt of 1857. In this context, explain the following:
(a) Any three Economic causes for the revolt of 1857. [3]
Answer:

An Act was passed in 1720 which prohibited the use of Indian silk and calicoes in England. This was done to reduce the popularity of Indian textile products in England.
Heavy duties on Indian products were imposed whereas British products were imported without any duties.
The Industrial Revolution gave a final blow to the .Indian handicraft industries which were mostly cottage industries.

(b) Any three Military causes. [3]
Answer:

The Indian soldiers were given low salaries.
The Indian soldiers could not rise to a rank higher than that of a Subedar.
The Indian soldiers were considered inferior and were ill-treated.
The General Service Enlistment Act 1856 provided that all recruits to the Bengal Army should be ready for service anywhere. This Act caused great alarm in the minds of the Hindu soldiers, as to travel across the sea was forbidden as per Hindu religious beliefs.

Lord Dalhousie’s policy of annexation and the Doctrine of Lapse made the Indian rulers angry and insecure. The prominent states which fell victim to the Doctrine were: Satara, Jhansi and Nagpur.
Lord Canning declared that Bahadur Shah’s successor would not be allowed to use the imperial title, i.e. the ‘King’.
Lord Dalhousie stopped the pension of Nana Saheb.
The kingdom of Oudh was annexed in 1856 on the ground of maladministration.

Question 7.
With reference to the Mass Phase of the National Movement under the leadership of Gandhi, answer the following:
(a) Briefly explain the Dandi March of1930. [3]
Answer:
(a) The Civil Disobedience Movement began with what is known as the Dandi March. On March 12, 1930 Gandhiji along with 79 satyagrahis, started from his ashram at Sabarmati on a march to Dandi. Dandi is a wayside village at a distance of 390 km from Sabarmati on the west coast of Gujarat.
Main aim and progress of the Dandi March:

To break the Salt Laws. It was a symbol of defiance of the laws made by the Government.
To convert the national movement into a mass movement.
The defiance of the Salt Laws was followed by the spread of Civil Disobedience Movement all over the country. There was boycott of foreign goods and later refusal to pay taxes.
Lakhs of people including women participated in the movement.
The movement forced the government to sign Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

(b) State any three reasons for the launching of the Quit India Movement. [3]
Answer:
Quit India Resolution:
(i) Failure of the Cripps Mission: The failure of the Cripps Mission left no meeting ground between the Congress and the government. It was clear from the proposals that the government was not willing to grant independence in the near future. The Indians were also not happy at the proposals of Cripps Mission because proposals contained within them provisions which could divide India into hundreds of independent provinces.

(ii) War Situation : There was every possibility that India might be attacked by Japan and the Indians were helpless because they had no power or means to resist the attack. So, the Indian leaders felt that the situation called for complete independence. Gandhiji also felt that an orderly and peaceful withdrawal of the British could save India from internal anarchy and external aggression.

(iii) Internal Anarchy: The communal situation was worsening day by day. The Muslim League was demanding a separate state i.e., Pakistan. This had spoiled the communal situation.

(c) Explain any four significant effects of the Quit India Movement. [4]
Answer:
(i) It demonstrated the depth of the national feelings: The movement showed the depth of the national will and convinced the Britishers that the days of their domination in India were numbered. People from all parts of India fought together against the Britishers.

(ii) Set back to the Britishers: Now the British officials had realized that the British would not be able to retain their hold on India.

(iii) Parallel Government: A significant feature of the Quit India Movement was the emergence of parallel governments in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh, Midnapur in Bengal and Satara in Maharashtra.

(iv) Strengthening of the Congress Socialist Party: The Quit India Movement helped in strengthening the Congress Socialist Party because of its magnificent and heroic role in the movement. Its socialist ideas had an impact on the Indian National Congress.

Question 8.
With reference to the Partition Plan, answer the following:
(a) (i) Name the last Viceroy of India.
(ii) State any two reasons for him to come to India. [3]
Answer:
(i) Lord Mountbatten.

To give common plan to the Congress and the League regarding the transfer of power from the British to Indian states/provinces.
To discuss partition plan with the leaders of the Congress and the League.

(b) Mention any three proposals under his plan. [3]
Answer:

Division of the Country: The country would be divided into two Dominions i.e, India and Pakistan.
The Constituent Assembly: The existing Constituent Assembly would continue to work, but the Constitution framed by it would not be applied to Pakistan. A separate Constituent Assembly would be constituted for those parts which decided in favour of partition.
The Princely States : The Princely States would be free to choose their own option, and treaties signed with them would soon come to an end.

(c) State any four reasons for the Congress to finally accept the Plan. [4]
Answer:
(i) Non-Cooperative attitude of the League: The League had joined the Congress to obstruct the . working of the Congress and not to cooperate with it.

(ii) Communal Riots : The large scale communal riots that engulfed the whole country convinced all that the only solution to the communal problem lay in the partition of India. These riots were the outcome of “Direct Action” Day by the League.

(iii) To get rid of undemocratic Procedures: The leaders felt that constitution of separate electorate and other undemocratic procedures would weaken the democracy. So to get rid of these, partition was a must.

(iv) Immediate end of the British rule : All the people and leaders were so fed up with the British rule that they wanted to get rid of their rule immediately and were ready to pay any price. Hence, partition was a price for immediate independence.

Question 9.

(a) Name the organization associated with the above Emblem.
Mention any two of its objectives. [3]
Answer:
United Nations

To maintain peace and security in the world with the cooperation of all the nations.
To safeguard human rights and provide justice to all.

(b) Mention any three functions of WHO, as its agency. [3]
Answer:
(i) Research Work : The WHO promotes and coordinates research in the field of health by financing research projects in many countries. Its research activities include nutritious food, environmental safety, mental health, control of specific diseases like cancer, heart-attack etc.

(ii) Standardisation of Medicines: It sets international standards with respect to biological and pharmaceutical products. It also provides essential drugs to developing countries.

(iii) To Eradicate Diseases : Many deadly diseases like small pox, measles, diptheria, polio, T.B. have been brought under control with the help of the WHO.
It tries to prevent the spread of diseases to other countries by checking the disease at the source.

(c) Name the Principal Judical Organ of this organization and explain its composition. [4]
Answer:
The International Court of Justice

It is composed of 15 judges elected for a 9-year 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 Second World War and the Non- Aligned Movement, answer the following:
(a) Explain briefly three reasons for the Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles. [3]
Answer:
Unjust and Humiliating Treaty of Versailles: The victors of the First World War (Britain, France and U.S.A.) forced Germany to sign the unjust and humiliating Treaty of Peace. It imposed heavy war- penalties on Germany, made her surrender large chunks of her territories like Saar, Rhineland, Ruhr area, etc. and some parts of her foreign colonies. The Treaty also prohibited Germany from re-arming herself; her army was disbanded beyond a limit of one lakh soldiers.

The Germans found it too humiliating. The huge reparations imposed on Germans, prevented Germanys’ economic recovery. Moreover, the attitude of France towards Germany was revengeful. Now when Germany lay prostrate before France, she took revenge from her by taking the Saar valley and the Ruhr zone in 1923 A.D.

(b) State any three consequences of the Second World War. [3]
Answer:
The War shattered the colonial empires of Britain, France, Portugal, Germany, Italy, etc. A desire for freedom gained ground in the people of the colonies in Asia and Africa. India, Burma, Sri Lanka, Malaya, which were under Britain, became free. The East-Indies overthrew the Dutch rule; Indo-China became free from French rule ; Indonesia also earned her freedom. Similarly, the British, the French, Portuguese and Holland’s colonies in African continent also shed the yoke of colonialism.

Jawaharlal Nehru
Gamal Abdul Nasser
Sukarno
Josip Broz Tito