First World War and Nationalism MCQs Quiz | Class 10
This quiz tests your knowledge on Class X History, Unit: Nationalism in India, specifically focusing on the topic ‘First World War and Nationalism’. It covers the significant impact of the First World War on India and the rise in defence expenditure. Answer all 10 multiple-choice questions and then submit to view your results. You can also download a detailed answer PDF for revision.
Understanding the Impact of the First World War on India and Nationalism
The First World War (1914-1918) was a global conflict that had profound and lasting effects worldwide, and India, then a British colony, was no exception. While not directly involved in the fighting on its own soil, India contributed immensely to the British war effort in terms of men, money, and materials. This period created a new political and economic situation that significantly fueled the growth of nationalism in India.
Key Impacts of the First World War on India:
- Economic Hardship: The war led to a massive increase in defence expenditure for the British, which was largely financed by India. This resulted in:
- Increased Taxes: New taxes were introduced, including an income tax, and custom duties were raised to generate revenue for the war.
- War Loans: The British government forced Indians to contribute war loans, placing a heavy financial burden on the population.
- Inflation: Commodity prices doubled between 1913 and 1918, leading to extreme hardship for common people, especially the poor, who struggled to afford basic necessities.
- Social Discontent:
- Forced Recruitment: British authorities resorted to forced recruitment of soldiers from rural areas, which caused widespread anger and resentment among the villagers.
- Crop Failures and Epidemics: Between 1918 and 1919, many parts of India experienced crop failures. This, coupled with the devastating influenza epidemic, resulted in acute shortages of food and claimed millions of lives, further exacerbating the suffering and discontent.
- Political Awakening and Nationalism:
- The economic and social hardships created a fertile ground for nationalist sentiments. People began to question the rationale of supporting a foreign war while their own country suffered.
- Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India in 1915 coincided with this period of immense turmoil. He effectively used the prevailing discontent to launch early Satyagraha movements (Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad), which brought a new method of mass struggle against British rule.
- Indian soldiers, fighting abroad, gained exposure to new ideas of self-determination and equality, which they brought back, contributing to the nationalist awakening.
Summary Table of WWI’s Impact on India
| Aspect | Situation Before WWI | Situation During/After WWI (1914-1918) |
|---|---|---|
| Defence Expenditure | Moderate and steady | Dramatically increased to fund British war efforts |
| Taxation | Existing land revenue, custom duties | New income tax introduced, custom duties raised significantly |
| Commodity Prices | Relatively stable | Doubled between 1913 and 1918, causing inflation |
| Recruitment | Voluntary basis | Forced recruitment from rural areas, causing resentment |
| Public Health | Disease outbreaks existed | Devastating influenza epidemic (1918-1919) alongside crop failures |
| Nationalism | Growing but fragmented | Intensified and unified due to shared hardships and new leadership |
Quick Revision Points:
- WWI started in 1914 and ended in 1918.
- India provided soldiers, money, and resources to the British war effort.
- Defence expenditure escalated, leading to new taxes and war loans.
- Prices of essential goods doubled, causing widespread economic distress.
- Forced recruitment in villages led to anger.
- Crop failures and the influenza epidemic (1918-1919) resulted in millions of deaths.
- These hardships contributed significantly to the rise of nationalism and provided a backdrop for Mahatma Gandhi’s early movements.
Practice Questions:
- Explain two major economic impacts of the First World War on India.
- What was ‘forced recruitment’ and why did it cause widespread anger?
- How did the First World War contribute to the rise of nationalist sentiments in India?
- Describe the social conditions in India during 1918-1919, particularly related to health and food.
- In what ways did the increase in defence expenditure burden the Indian population during the First World War?
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