07. Life Lines of National Economy- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1: Multiple choice questions
(i) Which two of the following extreme locations are connected by the east-west corridor?
(a) Mumbai and Nagpur
(b) Silcher and Porbandar
(c) Mumbai and Kolkata
(d) Nagpur and Siliguri 
Ans: (b) Silcher and Porbandar

The East-West Corridor, one of the Super Highways being implemented by the National Highway Authority of India, connects Silcher (Assam) and Porbander (Gujarat). 

(ii) Which mode of transportation reduces trans-shipment losses and delays?
(a) Railways
(b) Roadways
(c) Pipeline
(d) Waterways
Ans: (c) Pipeline

Pipeline transport eliminates the risk of trans-shipment losses or delays because it provides a direct and continuous flow of materials, such as oil, gas, or other fluids, from the source to the destination.

Pipeline(iii) Which one of the following states is not connected with the H.V.J. pipeline?
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Gujarat
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Ans: (b) Maharashtra

Maharashtra is not connected with the H.V.J. (Hazira-Vijaipur-Jagdishpur) pipeline. The pipeline mainly passes through Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

(iv) Which one of the following ports are the deepest land-locked and well-protected port along with the east cost?
(a) Chennai
(b) Paradwip
(c) Tuticorin
(d) Vishakhapatnam
Ans: (d) Vishakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Port, located on the east coast of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh, is one of the country’s major ports and is renowned for being the deepest land-locked and well-protected port.

(v) Which one of the following are the most important modes of transportation in India?
(a) Pipeline
(b) Railways
(c) Roadways
(d) Airways
Ans: (b) Railways

Railways are the main mode of transportation for both freight and passengers in India. They enable people to engage in various activities such as business, sightseeing, and pilgrimage, while also facilitating the transport of goods over long distances.

Railways(vi) Which one of the following terms is used to describe trade between two or more countries?
(a) Internal trade
(b) International trade
(c) External trade
(d) Local trade
Ans: (b) International trade

International trade involves the buying and selling of goods, services, and capital across international borders. This type of trade allows countries to expand their markets, access goods and services that are not available domestically, and benefit from the competitive advantages of other nations.

Q2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) State any three merits of roadways.
Ans: Merits of roadways:
(a) They are cheaper than railways in terms of construction costs.
(b) Roads can go through dissected and undulating land areas and through steep mountains.
(c) They are economical as loading costs are low and door-to-door service can be availed of.

Roadways(ii) Where and why is rail transport the most convenient means of transportation?
Ans: In the northern plains, rail transport is the most convenient mode of transportation. This is because this region has vast level lands that are good for laying tracks, and huge population and high agricultural productivity, making rail transport a profitable venture.

(iii) What is the significance of the border roads?
Ans: The Border Roads Organisation, established by the Government of India in 1960, builds and maintains roads in border areas, especially in the northern and northeastern regions. These roads improve access in tough terrains and aid in the economic development of these areas. 

(iv) What is meant by trade? What is the difference between international and local trade?
 Ans: Trade is the movement of goods and services between regions for economic gain. Trade between two or more countries is termed international trade. It may take place through sea, air or land routes. Trade occurring in a region within the same country is called local trade. Local trade is carried in cities, towns and villages.


Q3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Why are the means of transportation and communication called the lifelines of a nation and its economy?
Ans:  Lifelines of a nation and its economy:

  • Transport system helps in the movement of goods and services from their supply locations to demand locations.
  • The means of transport provide an important link between the producers and consumers of goods/products.
  • They help in the development of agriculture and industry by providing raw materials and distributing finished goods.
  • A well-built transport system brings people from different regions within the country and world closer to one another.
  • With the advancement in the system of communication, each country is connected with the rest of the world. As a result, international trade adds vitality to its economy and enriches the lives of the people by raising their living standards.
  • Transport – Railways etc., helps in business sightseeing, pilgrimage and transportation of goods. Similarly pipelines, air transport are also very useful in the development of a country. Thus, means of transportation and communication are rightly called the lifelines of a nation and its economy.

(ii) Write a note on the changing nature of international trade in the last fifteen years.
Ans: Changing nature of international trade:

  • Before globalisation, generally, bilateral agreements were made to integrate national economies with the world economy.
  • Now producers from outside the country can sell their goods and services in other countries.
  • Globalisation includes the movement of capital as well as workers from one country to other countries. The restrictions on the import of goods have been removed.
  • Under World Trade Organisation (WTO), efforts are being made to have multi-lateral agreements for international trade. WTO is regulating the international trade of goods as well as services.
  • Nature of international trade has thus changed. The export of agricultural products, minerals etc., have increased.
  • The import of petroleum products has too increased.
  • Exchange of commodities and goods have been superseded by the exchange of information and knowledge. 
  • India has emerged as a software giant at the international level. It is earning large foreign exchange through the export of information technology because of its fast-growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.

06. Manufacturing Industries- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1: Multiple choice questions
(i) Which one of the following industries uses bauxite as a raw material?
(a) Aluminium
(b) Cement
(c) Jute
(d) Steel
Ans: (a) Aluminium

Bauxite is the raw material, which is crushed to dissolve out alumina. Alumina is then sent to the site of aluminium smelter.

Aluminium

(ii) Which one of the following industries manufactures telephones, computer, etc?
(a) Steel
(b) Electronic
(c) Aluminium
(d) Information Technology
Ans: (b) Electronic

The electronics industry includes a broad range of products, such as transistor sets, televisions, telephones, cellular telecom equipment, telephone exchanges, radars, computers, and other devices needed for telecommunications. 


Q2: Answer the following briefly in not more than 30 words.
(i) What is manufacturing?
(ii) What are basic industries? Give an example.
Ans: 
(i) Production of goods in large quantities after processing from raw materials to more valuable products is called manufacturing. For example, paper is manufactured from wood.
(ii) Basic industries are those industries which supply their products or raw materials to manufacture other goods e.g., iron and steel and copper smelting, aluminium smelting industries.


Q3: Write the answers to the following questions in 120 words.
(i) How do industries pollute the environment?
Ans: Industries pollute the environment in four ways as given below:
(a) Air pollution: 

  • It is caused by sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide.
  • Smoke is emitted by chemical and paper factories, brick kilns and burning of fossil fuels in big and small factories.

(b) Water pollution: 

  • The industrial effluents are discharged into rivers and pollute the water.
  • The major industries responsible for this are paper, pulp, chemical, textile, dyeing and petroleum refineries and tanneries.

Water Pollution

(c) Thermal pollution: 

  • Thermal pollution of water occurs when hot water from factories and thermal plants is drained into the rivers and ponds before cooling.

(d) Noise pollution: 

  • Industrial and construction activities, machinery, factory equipment, generators, saws and other equipment make a lot of noise which have bad effects on human beings.
  • It can cause hearing impairment, increased heart rate and blood pressure among other physiological effects.

Industries Pollute the Environment


(ii) Discuss the steps to be taken to minimise environmental degradation by industry?

Ans: Steps to minimise environmental degradation: 

  • Minimising use of water for processing by reusing and recycling it in two or more successive stages.
    Harvesting of rainwater to meet water requirements.
  • Treating hot water and effluents before releasing them in rivers and ponds.
    1. Primary treatment is done by mechanical means, which includes processes like screening, grinding, flocculation, and sedimentation to remove large particles and solids.
    2. Secondary treatment involves a biological process where microorganisms are used to break down organic matter and pollutants in the water.
    3. Tertiary treatment uses a combination of biological, chemical, and physical processes to further purify the water, including recycling wastewater to make it suitable for reuse.
  • Particulate matter in the air can be reduced by fitting smokestacks to factories with electrostatic precipitators, fabric filters, scrubbers, and inertial separators.
  • Smoke can be reduced by using oil or gas instead of coal in factories. Machinery and equipment can be used, and generators should be fitted with silencers.

05. Minerals and Energy Resources- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1: Multiple choice questions
(i) Which one of the following minerals are formed by the decomposition of rocks, leaving a residual mass of weathered material?
(a) coal
(b) bauxite
(c) gold
(d) zinc
Ans: (b) bauxite

Bauxite forms through the decomposition of surface rocks. This process removes soluble elements, leaving behind a residual mass of weathered material that contains bauxite.

Bauxite

(ii) Koderma, in Jharkhand, is the leading producer of which one of the following minerals?
(a) Bauxite
(b) Mica
(c) Iron ore
(d) Copper
Ans: (b) mica

Mica deposits are primarily found in the northern Chota Nagpur plateau, with Jharkhand’s Koderma-Gaya-Hazaribagh belt as the top producer. It is also found in parts of Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh.

Mica

(iii) Minerals are deposited and accumulated in the strata of which of the following rocks?
(a) sedimentary rocks
(b) metamorphic rocks
(c) igneous rocks
(d) none of the above
Ans: (a) sedimentary rocks

Sedimentary rocks contain various minerals arranged in beds or layers. These minerals form through deposition, accumulation, and concentration within horizontal layers.

(iv) Which one of the following minerals is contained in the Monazite sand?
(a) oil
(b) uranium
(c) thorium
(d) coal
Ans: (c) Thorium

Thorium, found in Jharkhand, the Aravalli ranges of Rajasthan, and the monazite sands of Kerala, is used for generating nuclear power.

Thorium

Q2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Distinguish between the following in not more than 30 words.
(a) Ferrous and non-ferrous minerals
(b) Conventional and non-conventional sources of energy.
(ii) What is a mineral?
(iii) How are minerals formed in igneous and metamorphic rocks?
(iv) Why do we need to conserve mineral resources?
Ans: (i) 

(a) Ferrous minerals are in the category of metallic minerals that contain iron (Fe). The composition of iron varies from mineral to mineral. Pyrite is an example of a ferrous mineral. Non-ferrous minerals are the metallic minerals that do not contain iron (Fe). Gold (Au) is an example of a non-ferrous mineral.

Minerals

(b) Sources of Energy:ConventionalNon-conventional(i) They make use of non-renewable sources of energy.They make use of renewable sources of energy.(ii) They are expensive.They are cheaper.(iii) They can cause pollution; e.g., coal, petroleum, natural gas, electricity, etc.No pollution is caused by them; e.g., the solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biogas, etc.

(ii) Minerals are defined as solid, inorganic, naturally occurring substances with a definite chemical formula and general atomic structure. Minerals are found in varied forms in nature, ranging from the hardest diamond to the softest talc.

(iii) Minerals generally occur in igneous and metamorphic rocks. In most cases, they are formed when minerals in liquid or molten and gaseous forms are forced upward through cavities towards the earth’s surface, they cool and solidify as they rise in the cracks, crevices, faults or joints. The smaller occurrences are called veins and the larger is called lodes.

(iv) We need to conserve mineral resources because of following reasons:

(i) Mineral resources require millions of years to form and, therefore are finite and non-renewable in nature.
(ii) The continued extraction of ores will lead to increase in cost as extraction comes from greater depths.
(iii) There is also a decrease in quality along lower depths.

Q3: Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(a) Describe the distribution of coal in India.
Ans:  Coal Distribution in India

  • Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in India, crucial for commercial energy needs.
  • There are three main types of coal:
    • Lignite: Low-grade brown coal, mainly found in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu.
    • Bituminous: Most widely used, suitable for energy and metallurgical purposes.
    • Anthracite: Highest quality hard coal.
  • Coal is primarily found in two geological ages:
    • Gondwana coal: Over 200 million years old, located in the Damodar Valley (West Bengal and Jharkhand), with key coalfields in Jharia, Raniganj, and Bokaro.
    • Tertiary coal: About 55 million years old, found in northeastern states like Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland.
  • Coal is bulky and loses weight when burned, leading to heavy industries and thermal power stations being located near coalfields.

(b) Why do you think that solar energy has a bright future in India?
Ans: India has a bright future for solar energy due to several key factors:

  • Abundant sunlight: Being a tropical country, India receives a large amount of sunlight, making it ideal for solar energy generation.
  • Rural electrification: Solar energy is increasingly popular in rural areas, providing reliable power to regions with limited access to traditional electricity.
  • Environmental benefits: By reducing reliance on firewood and dung cakes, solar energy helps decrease deforestation and environmental degradation.
  • Agricultural advantages: Less use of dung cakes for fuel ensures a better supply of manure for farming, which enhances soil fertility.

04. Agriculture- Textbooks Solutions

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Multiple Choice Questions

Q1. Which one of the following describes an agriculture system where a single crop is grown on a large area?
(a) Shifting Agriculture
(b) Plantation Agriculture
(c) Horticulture
(d) Intensive Agriculture
Ans: (b) Plantation Agriculture

Plantation is a type of commercial farming where a single crop is grown over a large area. It combines agriculture and industry, using capital-intensive methods and migrant labor, with the produce serving as raw material for industries.

Plantation Agriculture

Q2. Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice
(b) Gram
(c) Millets
(d) Cotton
Ans: (b) Gram

Rice, millets and cotton are kharif crops, while gram is a rabi crop.

Q3. Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses
(b) Jawar
(c) Millets
(d) Sesamum
Ans: (a) Pulses

Pulses belong to the legume family, and are able to survive in dry conditions. They help in restoring soil fertility by fixing nitrogen from the air (except arhar).

Leguminous Crops

Answer the Following Questions in 30 words

Q1. Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
Ans: Tea is an important beverage crop. Geographical conditions: 

  • Tropical and sub-tropical climates endowed with deep and fertile well-drained soil so rich in humus and organic matter.
  • Temperature: 20°C -30°C.
  • Annual rainfall: 150-300 cm.
  • Frequent showers evenly distributed over the year.

Q2. Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
Ans:

  • Rice is a staple crop of India.
  • Regions, where it is produced, are plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and deltaic regions, i.e., West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.

Q3. Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
Ans: Institutional reforms: 

  1. Minimum Support Price (MSP)
  2. Subsidies on fertilisers
  3. Crop insurance against draught, flood, etc.
  4. Establishment of Grameen banks, cooperative societies and banks to provide loans at lower rates of interest. 
  5. Kissan credit cards

Answer the following questions in about 120 words

Q1. Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
Ans:

  • To ensure an increase in agricultural production, the government prioritised collectivisation, consolidation of holdings, cooperation and abolition of the zamindari system. 
  • ‘Land reform’ was the main focus of the First Five Year Plans. In the 1960s and 1970s, agricultural reforms were the order of the day. 
  • The Green Revolution and the White Revolution (Operation Flood) were aimed at improving Indian agricultural productivity.
  • During the 1980s and 1990s, a comprehensive land development programme was initiated. 
  • Under this, various technical and institutional reforms were introduced by the government for the benefit of farmers.
    Example: Minimum Support Price policy, provision for crop insurance, subsidy on agricultural inputs and resources, Grameen banks, Personal Accident Insurance Scheme, and special weather bulletins and agricultural programmes like ‘Krishi Darshan’ on national television.

Q2. Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Ans:

  • Rice is a Kharif crop grown in the onset of monsoon and harvested in September-October.
  • It is grown in plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal areas and deltaic regions. 
  • In India, important rice growing regions are Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, particularly the (Konkan coast) along with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
  • It requires high temperatures (above 25°C) and high humidity with annual rainfall above 100 cm. 
  • In areas with less rainfall, it grows with the help of irrigation via canals and tube-wells. This has made production of rice possible in areas such as Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Rajasthan.

03. Water Resources- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Based on the information given below classify each of the situations as ‘suffering from water scarcity’ or ‘not suffering from water scarcity’.
(a) Region with high annual rainfall.
(b) Region having high annual rainfall and large population.
(c) Region having high annual rainfall but water is highly polluted.
(d) Region having low rainfall and low population.
Ans:
(a) Not suffering from water scarcity. This is because the freshwater and groundwater are replenished with the annual rainfall.
(b) Suffering from water scarcity. Even though the annual rainfall is high, the large population results in a high demand for water, resulting in scarcity.
(c) Suffering from water scarcity. If there is high rainfall and the water is polluted, then there will be scarcity as the water is unfit for domestic, industrial or agricultural use.
(d) Not suffering from water scarcity. In this case, the rainfall is low, but the population is also low. In such cases, the demand for water by the population is met. As the usage is not much, water scarcity will not prevail.

(ii) Which one of the following statements is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects?

Multi-purpose River Valley Projects(a) Multi-purpose projects bring water to those areas which suffer from water scarcity.
(b) Multi-purpose projects by regulating water flow help to control floods.
(c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large scale displacements and loss of livelihood.
(d) Multi-purpose projects generate electricity for our industries and our homes.
Ans: (c) Multi-purpose projects lead to large-scale displacements and loss of livelihood.

This is not an argument in favour of multi-purpose river projects. Dams require a large area of land to be built, and local people living in that area are forced to move to another area, causing loss of livelihood and displacement. For various reasons, multi-purpose projects and huge dams have come under intense scrutiny and resistance in recent years. River regulation and construction of dams alter their natural flow, resulting in poor sediment flow and heavy sedimentation at the reservoir’s bottom. Dams split rivers, making migration difficult for aquatic animals.

(iii) Here are some false statements. Identify the mistakes and rewrite them correctly.
(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have helped in proper utilisation of water resources.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers does not affect the river’s natural flow and its sediment flow.
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were not agitated when higher priority was given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
(d) Today in Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater water harvesting has gained popularity despite high water availability due to the Indira Gandhi Canal.
Ans: 
(a) Multiplying urban centres with large and dense populations and urban lifestyles have caused over-exploitation of water resources.
(b) Regulating and damming of rivers affect their natural flow, causing poor sediment flow and excessive sedimentation at the bottom of the reservoir.
(c) In Gujarat, the Sabarmati basin farmers were agitated and almost caused a riot over the higher priority given to water supply in urban areas, particularly during droughts.
(d) Today in Western Rajasthan, the practice of rooftop rainwater harvesting is on the decline as plenty of water is available due to the perennial Indira Gandhi Canal.

Q2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) Explain how water becomes a renewable resource.
Ans: Water is a renewable resource due to the hydrological cycle, which continually renews freshwater from surface runoff and groundwater. The processes of this cycle include evaporations, condensation and precipitation.

(ii) What is water scarcity and what are its main causes?
Ans: Water scarcity implies water shortage in low-rainfall regions or drought-prone areas. It is related to the availability and the bad quality of water as well.

Water ScarcityCauses:

  • The increase in population leads to more water for domestic use and to the production of more food. 
  • Intensive industrialisation means more water and hydroelectric power to run them. 
  • Urbanisation leads to more use of water.

(iii) Compare the advantages and disadvantages of multi-purpose river projects.
Ans: 
Advantages: 

  • These help irrigate agricultural fields. 
  • Helps in the generation of electricity.
  • It helps to control floods.
  • Provides water supply for industry.

Disadvantages: 

  • It affects the natural flow of the river causing excessive sedimentation.
  • Projects lead to large-scale displacement of local communities.
  • Sometimes these projects lead to interstate water disputes.


Q3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Discuss how rainwater harvesting in semi-arid regions of Rajasthan is carried out.
Ans: 

  • In the semi-arid and arid regions of Rajasthan, particularly in Bikaner, Phalodi and Barmer, almost all the houses traditionally had underground tanks or tankas for storing drinking water.
  • The tanks could be as large as a big room.
  • These tankas were part of the well-developed rooftop rainwater harvesting system.
  • These were built inside the main house or the courtyard. They were connected to the sloping roofs of the houses through a pipe.
  • Rain falling on the rooftops would travel down the pipe and be stored in these underground ‘tankas’.
  • The first spell of rain was usually not collected, as this would clean the roofs and the pipes. The rainwater from the subsequent showers was then collected.
  • The rainwater is stored in the tanks till the next rainfall.

(ii) Describe how modern adaptations of traditional rainwater harvesting methods are being carried out to conserve and store water.
Ans: In many parts of rural and urban India, rooftop rainwater harvesting is being successfully adapted to store and conserve water.

  • In Gendathur village in Mysore, Karnataka, nearly 200 households have installed a system of rainwater harvesting to meet their water needs.
  • Gendathur receives annual precipitation of 1,000 mm, and with 80 per cent of collection efficiency and about 10 fillings, every house can collect and use 50,000 litres of water annually.
  • From the 20 houses, the net amount of rainwater harvested annually comes to 1,00,000 litres. Thus, the rainwater harvesting system is being carried out successfully in Gendathur, which has earned the rare distinction of being rich in rainwater.
  • In addition to Gendathur, Tamil Nadu is the first and the only state in India which had made the rooftop rainwater harvesting structure compulsory for all houses across the state. There are legal provisions to punish defaulters.

02. Forest and Wildlife Resources- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1. Multiple choice questions
(i) Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community participation?
(a) Joint forest management
(b) Beej Bachao Andolan
(c) Chipko Movement
(d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries
Ans: (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries

Wildlife sanctuaries are established and maintained by the government, while all other options are examples of community participation.

Q2. Match the following.

Ans:


Q3. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.
(i) What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
(ii) How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
Ans: 
(i) Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on earth. Biodiversity is typically a measure of variation at the genetic, species and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is abundant in tropical areas, which cover about 10 per cent of the earth’s surface but host about 90 per cent of the world’s species.
(ii) Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, overexploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning and forest fires are factors that led to the decline of biodiversity.

Q4. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in India.
(ii) Write a note on good practices towards conserving forests and wildlife.
Ans: 

Conservation of Forest

(i) 

  • In the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
  • The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district have declared 1,200 hectares of forest as Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, declaring their own set of rules and regulations disallowing hunting and protecting the wildlife against outside encroachments.
  • The Mundas and Santhals of the Chota Nagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba trees.
  • Tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the tamarind and mango trees during weddings.
  • Langurs and macaques around temples are fed daily and treated as part of the temple devotees.
  • In and around Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan, herds of blackbuck, nilgai and peacocks can be seen as an integral part of the community, and nobody can harm them.

(ii) 

  • In the conservation of forests and wildlife, many good practices have evolved over the years, which are socio-cultural on one hand and legal on the other hand, such as the making of National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Bio-Reserves to protect endangered species of plants and animals.
  • Mundas and the Santhals of the Chota Nagpur region worship Mahua and Kadamba.
  • Bishnoi people protect blackbuck, nilgai and peacocks, and no one can harm them.
  • Attempts to revive the traditional conservation methods or develop new methods of ecological farming are widespread.
  • Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals are possible and economically viable.
  • Programmes such as Van Mahotsav are for creating awareness among people.

01. Resources and Development- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1. Multiple-Choice Questions

(i) Which one of the following is the main cause of land degradation in Punjab?
(a) Intensive cultivation
(b) Deforestation
(c) Over irrigation
(d) Overgrazing
Ans: (c) Over irrigation

In Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, excessive irrigation is causing land degradation. This happens because too much water is causing waterlogging, which increases the soil’s salinity and alkalinity.

(ii) In which one of the following states is terrace cultivation practised?
(a) Punjab
(b) Plains of Uttar Pradesh
(c) Haryana
(d) Uttarakhand
Ans: (d) Uttarakhand

Step farming or terrace cultivation is practiced in hilly areas to decrease the flow of water down the slopes. Here, Uttarakhand is the only region with hills.

Terrace Cultivation

(iii) In which of the following states black soil is predominantly found?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Jharkhand
Ans: (c) Maharashtra

Black soil is found in Maharashtra, Saurashtra, Malwa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and extend in the south east direction along the Godavari and the Krishna valleys. 

Q2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) Name three states having black soil and the crop which is mainly grown in it.
Ans: The three states are

  • Maharashtra
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Gujarat

And the crop which is mainly grown on black soil is cotton.

Black Soil

(ii) What type of soil is found in the river deltas of the eastern coast? Give three main features of this type of soil.
Ans: Alluvial soil is formed in the river deltas of the eastern coast. Its main features are- 

  • Alluvial soil is rich in potassium and phosphoric acid and lime.
  • It has a high water retention capacity.
  • It is highly fertile soil.

Alluvial Soil

(iii) What steps can be taken to control soil erosion in the hilly areas?
Ans: Some steps that can be followed to prevent soil erosion in hilly areas include:

  1. Contour ploughing
  2. Terrace farming
  3. Strips cropping

Q3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.

(i) Explain the land use pattern in India and why has the land under forest not increased much since 1960-61?
Ans: 
(a) The land use pattern in India in 1960-61 and 2008-09 is given in the figure given below:

Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Ministry of Agriculture, 2008 – 09

(b) From above it is clear that in 2008-09, the main uses are as mentioned below:

  1. Net sown area – 46.24%
  2. Forest – 22.78%
  3. The rest is used for other purposes such as non-agricultural uses, tree crops, groves etc.

(c) The land under forest has shown only marginal increase (0.98%). This is due to increasing population, industrialization and urbanization.

(ii) How have technical and economic development led to more consumption of resources?

Ans:  (a) As technology improves with development, more resources are needed for production.
(b) According to Gandhi, the misuse of modern technology is a major cause of resource depletion worldwide.
(c) The advanced technology of colonial powers allowed them to exploit resources and dominate the countries they colonized.
(d) Resources only help in development if there is suitable technology and the right changes in institutions of the country. India went through these stages during colonization.
Example: In Punjab and Haryana, water resources are heavily used to increase irrigation and farming during dry seasons. This has led to a drop in water levels, causing problems for farmers.

05. Print Culture and the Modern World- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1: Give reasons for the following:

(a) Woodblock print only came to Europe after 1295.
Ans: The Italian explorer Marco Polo learned about woodblock printing during his visit to China. When he returned to Italy in 1295, he brought this knowledge with him, and gradually, it spread from Italy to other parts of Europe.
Woodblock(b) Martin Luther was in favour of print and spoke out in praise of it.
Ans: In 1517, Martin Luther, a religious reformer, wrote ninety-five theses criticizing the corrupt practices of the Catholic Church and posted them on the door of a church in Wittenberg. The quick printing of thousands of copies helped spread his ideas widely, sparking the Reformation and leading to the rise of Protestantism. Luther was deeply impressed by how printing helped his ideas reach so many people. 

Ninety Five Theses(c) The Roman Catholic Church began keeping an Index of Prohibited Books from the mid-sixteenth century.
Ans: In the 16th century, print and popular literature helped people develop different interpretations of religious beliefs. Manocchio, a miller in Italy, found books easily available and came up with his own ideas about the Bible, God, and creation. His new views angered the Roman Catholic Church, leading to two trials and his execution during the Church’s inquisition.  


(d) Gandhi said the fight for Swaraj is a fight for the liberty of speech, liberty of the press, and freedom of association.
Ans: In 1922, during the Non-cooperation Movement (1920-22), Mahatma Gandhi stated that a nation needs freedom of speech, press, and association to thrive. He believed that these freedoms were essential for a country to free itself from foreign control. 

Formula of Indepence

Q2: Write short notes to show what you know about:
(a) The Gutenberg Press
(b) Erasmus’s idea of the printed book
(c) The Vernacular Press Act
Ans: 
(a) The Gutenberg Press

Johannes Gutenberg, from Strasbourg, invented the Gutenberg Press, the first printing press in Europe. Growing up on a large estate where he worked with olive and wine presses, he used this experience to create the printing press around 1448. The Bible was the first book printed using this groundbreaking technology. 

(b) Erasmus’s idea of the printed book

Erasmus, the Latin scholar, was worried about the rise in book production due to printing. He feared that the widespread availability of books could spread rebellious ideas. Although he saw the value in some books, he was concerned that many might be irrelevant or illogical, leading to the spread of scandalous or irreligious ideas and potentially sparking rebellion.
(c) The Vernacular Press Act

In 1878, the British government in India passed the Vernacular Press Act, which gave them broad powers to censor reports and editorials in local language newspapers. If a newspaper published seditious content, it could be banned, and its printing equipment could be seized and destroyed.

Vernacular Press

Q3: What did the spread of print culture in nineteenth-century India mean to:
(a) Women
(b) The poor
(c) Reformers
Ans: 
(a) Women
As more women learned to read and write, they became important readers and writers. With better literacy, many women grew interested in reading and writing. Several journals highlighted the value of educating women, which led to magazines and books being made just for them. The rise of print culture gave women some freedom to read and form their own opinions on different topics, especially those related to women.  

Rashundari Devi

(b) The poor
As literacy rates improved in both Europe and India, printed materials, especially for entertainment, became available to the poor. In England, “penny magazines” were sold by peddlers at low prices, making them affordable for even the poor. For those who couldn’t read, stories and folklore were shared aloud by others. Some book owners also rented out books for a small fee. In 19th-century Madras towns in India, very cheap small books became available, allowing the poor to take part in print culture.

(c) Reformers
Reformers used newspapers, journals, and books to highlight social issues in society. For example, Raja Ram Mohan Roy published ‘Sambad Kaumudi’ to raise awareness about the struggles of widows. From the 1860s onward, Bengali women writers like Kailashbashini Debi wrote books about women’s experiences, focusing on issues such as being confined to their homes, kept ignorant, burdened with hard domestic work, and treated unfairly by the men they served.

Q4: Why did some people in eighteenth-century Europe think that print culture would bring enlightenment and end despotism?
Ans: 

  • Spreading of new ideas: After the coming of the print culture, the ideas of scientists and philosophers now became more accessible to the common people. Ancient and medieval scientific texts were compiled and published.
  • Writings of scholars: The writings of thinkers such as Thomas Paine, Voltaire and Jean Jacques Rousseau were also widely printed, and could gain popularity. Thus, their ideas about science, reasoning and rationality found their way into popular literature.
  • Books as a medium of progress: By the mid-18th century, books became a medium of spreading progress and enlightenment which could change society and the world. It was also believed that the books could literate society from despotism and tyranny.
  • Ideas of enlightened thinkers: The print popularised the ideas of the enlightened thinkers like that of Martin Luther who attacked the authority of the Church and the despotic power of the state, e.g., Voltaire and Rousseau.
  • A new culture of dialogue and debate: The print created a new culture of dialogue and debate and the public, became aware of reasoning and recognized the need to question the existing ideas and beliefs.


Q5. Why did some people fear the effect of easily available printed books? Choose one example from Europe and one from India.
Ans: The rise of printed books worried many, who feared they might spread rebellious or irreligious ideas and undermine traditional authority.

  • Example from Europe:
    Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses (1517) criticized the Catholic Church. Its rapid spread through print fueled the Protestant Reformation, disrupting Church authority.
  • Example from India:
    In 19th-century India, conservatives opposed women’s education through print, fearing it would corrupt morals and challenge traditions. Despite this, many women pursued education.


Q6. What were the effects of the spread of print culture for poor people in nineteenth-century India?
Ans:  

  • The spread of print culture in 19th-century India significantly impacted the poor. Publishers produced cheap books sold at crossroads, and Christian missionaries and wealthy individuals established public libraries.
  • Writings began addressing class discrimination. Jyotiba Phule, in Gulamgiri (1871), exposed caste injustices. Later, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar wrote against untouchability and caste oppression, inspiring nationwide readers. Local movements also produced journals critiquing ancient scriptures, advocating for a just society.
  • For poor workers, print offered a voice despite their struggles. Kanpur mill worker Keshibaba published Chhote Aur Bade Ka Sawal (1938), linking caste and class issues, while Sudarshan Chakra’s poetry highlighted workers’ experiences. By the 1930s, mill workers in cities like Bangalore and Bombay (Mumbai) established libraries to educate themselves, supported by reformers promoting literacy, sobriety, and nationalism.


Q7. Explain how print culture assisted the growth of nationalism in India.
Ans: 

  • New ideas and debates: Many people criticized existing practices and campaigned for reforms, while others challenged the reformers’ arguments. These debates happened openly in public and through print. 
  • Connecting various communities: Print not only encouraged the spread of differing opinions among communities but also connected people across different parts of India. Newspapers transmitted news from one region to another, helping to build a sense of pan-Indian identity.
  • Print and newspaper: Despite efforts to suppress them, nationalist newspapers increased across India. These newspapers reported on colonial misrule and promoted nationalist activities.
  • Various novels on national history: Indian novelists wrote many works that helped create a sense of pan-Indian identity. For example, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s Anandamath fostered a feeling of unity across India. Munshi Premchand’s Godan illustrated the exploitation of Indian peasants by colonial officials.
  • Various images of Bharatmata: Printers like Raja Ravi Verma and Rabindranath Tagore created images of Bharatmata (Mother India) that inspired a sense of nationalism among Indians. 

04. The Age of Industrialisation- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1. Explain the following:
(a) Women workers in Britain attacked the Spinning Jenny.

Spinning JennyAns: 

  • With the Spinning Jenny, only one worker was enough to set a number of spindles in motion by turning one single wheel and could spin several threads at the same time, speeding up the spinning process. 
  • Women workers in Britain had survived on hand spinning. The new machine caused a valid fear of unemployment among women working in the woollen industry.

(b) In the seventeenth century merchants from towns in Europe began employing peasants and artisans within the villages.
Ans: 

  • The demand for goods increased with the expansion of world trade. The town producers failed to produce the required quantity.
  • The trade and commerce guilds were very powerful. They controlled the market, raw materials, employees, and also the production of goods in the towns. This created problem for merchants who wanted to increase production by employing more men.
  • The rulers granted different guilds the monopoly right to produce and trade in specific products. It was therefore difficult for new merchants to set up business in towns. So they turned to the countryside and began employing peasants and artisans within the villages.

(c) The port of Surat declined by the end of the eighteenth century.
Ans: 

  • The European companies gradually gained power, securing a variety of concessions from local courts and monopoly rights over trade. With the growth of colonial power, the ports of Bombay and Calcutta grew.
  • Trade started through new ports controlled by European companies and was carried in European ships.
  • The above factors resulted in a decline of the old ports such as Surat. In the last years of the seventeenth century, the gross value of trade that passed through Surat fell from ₹16 million to ₹3 million by 1740.

(d) The East India Company appointed gomasthas to supervise weavers in India.
Ans:

  • After establishing political power, the East India Company could assert over monopoly Indian trade. So it took various steps to eliminate competition, control costs and ensure supplies of cotton and silk goods.
  • One of the steps was to appoint a paid servant called the gomastha to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth.
  • The weavers who had taken advances from the Company had to hand over the cloth they produced to the gomastha.
  • However, the gomasthas were outsiders with no long-term social link with the village. They acted arrogantly and punished weavers for delays.

Q2. Write True or False against each statement:
(a) At the end of the nineteenth century, 80 per cent of the total workforce in Europe was employed in the technologically advanced industrial sector.
Ans. False

At the end of the nineteenth century, less than 20 per cent of the total workforce was employed in technologically advanced industrial sectors

 (b) The international market for fine textiles was dominated by India till the eighteenth century.
Ans. True

Before the age of machine industries, silk and cotton goods from India dominated the international market in textiles. By the late eighteenth century, however, the situation changed with the arrival of East India Company.

(c) The American Civil War resulted in the reduction of cotton exports from India.
Ans. False

When the American Civil War began, cotton supplies from the United States were disrupted, prompting Britain to look to India for its cotton needs. As a result, India’s raw cotton exports surged.

(d) The introduction of the fly shuttle enabled handloom workers to improve their productivity.
Ans. True

The fly shuttle is a mechanical device for weaving that uses ropes and pulleys to insert horizontal threads (weft) into vertical threads (warp). Its invention enabled weavers to use large looms and produce wider cloth.

Q3. Explain what is meant by proto-industrialization.
Ans: 

  • The early phase of industrialisation in which large-scale production was carried out for the international market was known as proto-industrialisation. This type of industrialization was not based on the factory system but on decentralised units. 
  • During this period, most of the goods were hand manufactured by trained crafts-persons for the international market.

Q4. Why did some industrialists in nineteenth-century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?
Ans: In the 19th century, Europe some British industrialists preferred hand labour over machines because:

  • New technologies and machines were expensive and untested. So the producers and the industrialists were cautious about using them.
  • Machines often broke down and repairing them was an expensive affair.
  • Poor peasants and migrants moved to cities in large numbers in search of jobs. As a result, there was a large pool of labourers available for cheap labour.
  • In seasonal industries, where production fluctuated with the seasons, industrialists usually preferred hand labour, employing workers only for the season, when it was needed.
  • The variety of products required in the market could not be produced by the machines available at that time. In the mid-nineteenth century, in Britain, for instance, 500 varieties of hammers and 45 kinds of axes were produced. These required human skills and not mechanical technology.

Q5. How did the East India Company procure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles from Indian weavers?
Ans: The East India Company adopted various steps to ensure regular supplies of cotton and silk textiles:

  • They established political power to assert a monopoly on the right to trade.
  • The company tried to eliminate the existing traders and brokers connected with the cloth trade and establish direct control over the weavers. It appointed paid servants called the ‘Gomasthas’, to supervise weavers, collect supplies and examine the quality of cloth.
  • It prevented the company weavers from dealing with other buyers. Once an order was placed, the weavers were given loans to purchase the raw material. Those who took loans had to hand over the cloth they produced to the Gomasthas only. They could not take it to any other trader.
  • They developed a system of management and control that would eliminate competition, control cost and ensure a regular supply of cotton and silk goods. This system forced the sale at a price dictated by the company. By giving the weavers a loan, the company tied the weavers with them.

Q6. Imagine that you have been asked to write an article for an encyclopedia on Britain and the history of cotton. Write your piece using information from the entire chapter.
Ans: During the 17th and 18th centuries, there was a trade-in textile production among the merchants and the rural people. A garment maker would buy wool from a wool stapler, then it would be taken to the spinners, and later to the yarn weavers, and for the final product, it would be taken to fuller and dyers. The finishing centre for the goods was London. This phase in British manufacturing history is known as proto-industrialisation. In this phase, the factories were only a network of commercial exchange and not an essential part of the industry. Cotton industry

Cotton came up as the first symbol of the new era of factories. During the late 19th century, its production increased rapidly. Imports of raw cotton sky-rocketed from 2.5 million pounds in 1760 to 22 million pounds in 1787. The reason behind this was the invention of the cotton mill and new machines and better management.
One of the new inventions during that time was the Spinning Jenny. Most inventions in the textile production sector were met with disregard and hatred by the workers because machines implied less hand labour and lower employment needs. Before such inventions, cotton and silk goods were imported from India in vast numbers. There was a high demand for fine textiles of India in England. After the East India Company gained political power, they exploited the weavers and textile industry in India to its fuller potential. Manchester became the hub of cotton production. Consequently, India turned into a major buyer of British cotton goods.

During the First World War, the British were in a rush to provide for war needs. Hence, the demand for Indian textiles rose again. There was a fluctuation in the demand and supply in textile production.

Q7. Why did industrial production in India increase during the First World War?
Ans: There was an increase in industrial production during the First World War in India due to the following reasons:

  • British industries became busy producing and supplying the war essentials. Hence, they stopped exporting British goods or clothes for colonial markets like that in India.
  • With the decline of imports suddenly, it was a good opportunity for Indian industries to produce enough goods to meet the demand of the home market.
  • As the war prolonged, Indian factories were called upon to supply war needs such as jute bags, cloth for the army uniforms, tents and leather boots, etc.
  • To meet the increased demands of a variety of products, new factories were set up and old ones were made to increase their production.
  • Many new workers were employed. Thus, the First World War gave a boost to Indian industries.

03. The Making of a Global World- Textbooks Solutions

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Q1. Give two examples of different types of global exchanges which took place before the seventeenth century, choosing one example from Asia and one from the Americas.
Ans:
(i) Asia 

  • The Silk Routes are an example of vibrant pre-modem trade. These routes linked Asia with Europe and northern Africa and were used for trades in Chinese pottery and spices from India and Southeast Asia. 
  • Gold and silver came from Europe to Asia. Noodles are believed to reach Europe from China.
  • Christian missionaries and Muslim preachers too travelled through these routes.

Global Exchange

(ii) America 

  • America was rich in foods and minerals. Today’s common foods like potatoes, tomatoes, chillies, soya, maize, groundnuts, etc., came to Europe and then Asia from America after Christopher Columbus accidentally discovered this continent.
  • Precious metals like silver from mines in Peru and Mexico enhanced Europe’s wealth and financed its trade with Asia. 
  • Thus, there was a global exchange before the seventeenth century


Q2. Explain how the global transfer of disease in the pre-modern world helped in the colonization of the Americas.

Ans: 

  • The global transfer of disease in the pre-modern world helped in the colonisation of the Americas because the native Americans had no immunity against the disease that came from Europe. 
  • Before the discovery of America, it had been cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years. So, they had no defense against the disease. 
  • In particular, Smallpox proved a deadly killer. It killed and decimated whole communities, paving the way for conquest.


Q3. Write a note to explain the effects of the following:
(a) The British government’s decision to abolish the Corn Laws.

Ans: 

  • The British government’s decision to abolish the Corn Laws resulted in the inflow of cheaper food in Britain. British agriculture was unable to compete with imports. Vast areas of land were left uncultivated. 
  • Thousands of men and women, who were thrown out of work, migrated to towns and cities. This indirectly led to global agriculture and rapid urbanisation, a prerequisite of industrial growth.

(b) The coming of Rinderpest to Africa

Ans:

  • Rinderpest (a fast-spreading disease of cattle plague) arrived in Africa in the late 1880s. Within two years, it spread in the whole continent reaching Cape Town within five years. 
  • Rinderpest had a terrifying impact on people’s livelihoods and the local economy. It killed about 90% of the cattle. 
  • Planters, mine owners and colonial governments became successful to strengthen their power and forcing Africans into the labour market.

(c) The death of men of working-age in Europe because of the World War.

Ans:

  • World War-I was mainly fought in Europe between the years 1914 to 1918. Millions of soldiers were recruited from all over the world. The scale of death and destruction – 9 million dead and 20 million injured – was unthinkable. Most of the killed and injured were men of working age. 
  • In Europe, there was a reduction in the able-bodied workforce due to the deaths and injuries of the war. This led to the decline in the household incomes as the number of people reduced in the family.
  • Due to this, the women stepped in to undertake the jobs that earlier only men were expected to do. It increased the role of women that led to a demand for their equal status in society. It made the feminist movement even stronger.

(d) The Great Depression on the Indian Economy

Ans:

  • In the nineteenth century, colonial India had become an exporter of agricultural goods and an importer of manufactures. The impact of the Great Depression in India was felt, especially in the agricultural sector. 
  • It was evident that the Indian economy was closely becoming integrated into the global economy. India was a British colony and exported agricultural goods and imported manufactured goods. 
  • As international prices crashed so did the prices in India. The wheat prices in India fell by 50% between 1928 and 1934. The government did not decrease their taxes due to which peasants’ indebtedness increased all across India.

(e) The decision of MNCs to relocate production to Asian countries.

Ans: The relocation of industry to the low-wage countries had the following impact:

  • It provided a cheap source of labour for MNCs.
  • It stimulated world trade and increased capital inflow in the Asian Countries.
  • It brought about new technology and production methods to the Asian Countries.
  • It produced greater employment opportunities for Asian countries.


Q4. Give two examples from history to show the impact of technology on food availability.
Ans:  Examples of Technology Impacting Food Availability are: 
(i) Improved Transportation Systems: Improved transportation systems helped the foods get delivered on time to the markets without any harm. Faster railways, lighter wagons and larger ships helped move food cheaply and quickly from faraway farms to final markets.
(ii) Refrigerated Ships: The development of refrigerated ships enabled the transport of perishable foods over long distances. Animals were slaughtered for food at the starting point -in America, Australia or New Zealand – and then transported to Europe as frozen meat. This reduced shipping costs and lowered meat prices in Europe.

Q5. What is meant by the Bretton Woods Agreement?

Ans: 

  • In order to preserve economic stability and full employment in the industrial world, the post-war international economic system was established. 
  • To execute the same, the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference was held in July 1944 at Bretton Woods in New Hampshire, USA. The Bretton Woods Conference established the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to deal with external surpluses and shortages of its member-nations. 
  • The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (popularly known as the World Bank) was set up for financial post-war reconstruction, and they started the financial operations in 1947.Bretton Woods System
  • Under the agreement, currencies were pegged to the price of gold, and the US dollar was seen as a reserve currency linked to the price of gold. Decision-making authority was given to the Western industrial powers. 


Q6. Imagine that you are an indentured Indian labourer in the Caribbean. Drawing from the details in this chapter, write a letter to your family describing your life and feelings.
Ans:
Dear Family,
I hope you all are fine there. I am working in the Caribbean as an indentured labourer. Through this letter, I want to tell you about my work life and hardships. I have been hired by the colonisers under a contract that included wrong information regarding the place of work, mode of travel and living and working conditions. The contractor uses harsh and abusive language for us. There is a lot of work at the plantations with a heavy workload and sometimes I have to finish all of it in just one day. The contractor cuts my wages if he is not satisfied with my work. I am living here a slave’s life. I know you will be very upset to know my situation but the governments here are thinking to introduce new laws to protect the labourers like us. So, I hope this situation will pass soon.
Your Loving,
ABC

Q7. Explain the three types of movements or flows within the international economic exchange. Find one example of each type of flow that involved India and Indians, and write a short account of it.

Ans: The three types of movements or flows within the international economic exchange are:
(i) Flow of trade (trade in goods such as cloth or wheat): India was involved in trade relations since ancient times. It exported textiles and spices in return for gold and silver from Europe.
(ii) Flow of labour (the migration of people to new areas in search of work): In the nineteenth century, thousands of Indian labourers went to work on plantations, in mines, and in road and railway construction projects around the world. Indentured labourers were hired under contacts which promised their return to India after working for five years in the plantation. The living conditions were harsh and the labourers had very few legal rights.
(iii) Flow of capital (short-term and long-term loan to and from other nations): To finance the World War, Britain took high loans from the USA. Since India was under British rule, the impact of these loan debts was felt in India too. The British government increased taxes, interest rates, and lowered the prices of products it bought from the colony. This affected the Indian economy very strongly.


Q8. Explain the causes of the Great Depression.
Ans: There were various factors that led to the Great Depression:

  • The post-war global economy was weak during that time. The problem began with agricultural overproduction, which got worse by the falling of food grain prices. Due to the fall in prices, the agricultural incomes declined.
  • Farmers began expanding their production and bringing, even more, produce to the markets to maintain their annual incomes. This worsened the glut in the market, pushing down prices even further.
  • Prosperity in the USA during the 1920s created a cycle of higher employment and incomes. It led to a rise in consumption and demands. More investment and more employment created tendencies of speculations which led to the Great Depression of 1929 up to the mid-1930s. 
  • The stock market crashed in 1929. It created panic among investors and depositors who stopped investing and depositing. As a result, it created a cycle of depreciation.
  • Most of the countries took loans from the US, but American overseas lenders were wary about the same. As they decreased the amount of loans, the countries which were economically dependent on the US loans faced an acute crisis.
  • In Europe, it led to the failure of some major banks and the currencies collapsed. The USA import duties were doubled in order to protect its economy. All these factors played a major role in causing the Great Depression.


Q9. Explain what is referred to as the G-77 countries. In what ways can G-77 be seen as a reaction to the activities of the Bretton Woods twins?
Ans:

  • G-77 countries is a group of developing countries that demanded a new International Economic Order (NIEO). By the NIEO they meant a system that would give them:
    (i) Real control over their natural resources.
    (ii) Fairer prices for raw materials.
    (iii) Better access for their manufactured goods in the markets of the developed countries. 
  • The Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members’ collective economic interests.
  • The Bretton Woods twins i.e., the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have been established by the developed countries. 
  • These institutions were set up to meet the financial needs of the industrialised countries and had nothing to do with the economic growth of the former colonial countries and developing nations. 
  • G-77 was created entirely to cater to the needs of developing nations. 
  • Thus it was a reaction to the activities of the Bretton Woods system and to protect the interests of the developing countries.