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Why is the French… (Class 10 Social Science 2026, Q8a)

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Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 32/3/1 · 5 marks · Long answer

CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026: question 8(a)

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 32/3/1, section A, question 8(a), for 5 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q8(a) · 5 marks · Long answerThe Rise of Nationalism in Europe

Why is the French Revolution of 1789 considered the first clear expression of nationalism? Explain with examples.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 32/3/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Who held power in France before 1789, and who after?

Hint 2

Think of the symbols and ideas created to build a sense of unity.

Hint 3

Recall the administrative measures: laws, duties, weights and measures, language.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. In 1789 France was under an absolute monarch. The Revolution brought political and constitutional changes.

    1 mark

  2. Sovereignty was transferred from the monarchy to the body of French citizens. The Revolution declared that the people would form the nation and shape its destiny.

    1 mark

  3. The ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) emphasised a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.

    1 mark

  4. A new tricolour flag replaced the royal standard. The Estates General was elected by active citizens and renamed the National Assembly. New hymns were composed, oaths taken and martyrs commemorated in the name of the nation.

    1 mark

  5. A centralised administrative system made uniform laws for all citizens. Internal customs duties were abolished, a uniform system of weights and measures was adopted, and regional dialects were discouraged so that French became the common language of the nation.

    1 mark

Answer: The French Revolution shifted sovereignty to citizens and created national symbols, uniform laws and a common language, so it was the first clear expression of nationalism.

Where the marks are

  • Absolute monarchy in 1789 and the changes (1 mark)
  • Sovereignty passed to citizens (1 mark)
  • La patrie and le citoyen, equal rights (1 mark)
  • Tricolour, National Assembly, hymns and oaths (1 mark)
  • Uniform laws, weights and measures, abolished customs, French language (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 32/3/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.