The Core Books

Ch 7 Nationalism MCQs

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Sri

in

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Class 11 • Political Science

Chapter 7: Nationalism

Source: NCERT Official Textbook

Chapter 7, “Nationalism,” explores one of the most powerful and complex political forces that has shaped modern history. It begins by acknowledging the difficulty of arriving at a precise definition of nationalism while emphasizing its importance in world affairs—having inspired both intense loyalties and deep hatreds, united people and divided them, and contributed to both the formation and breakup of states and empires.

The chapter traces nationalism through various phases: from the unification of small kingdoms into larger nation-states in nineteenth-century Europe, to the breakup of empires (Austro-Hungarian, Russian, British, French, Dutch, Portuguese), to anti-colonial liberation struggles in Asia and Africa, and finally to contemporary separatist movements like the Quebecois in Canada, Basques in Spain, Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, and Tamils in Sri Lanka.

The chapter examines what constitutes a nation, arguing that nations are primarily ‘imagined’ communities held together by collective beliefs, aspirations, and imaginations rather than by objective characteristics like common language, religion, or descent (since diverse nations like Canada and India demonstrate that unity can exist despite diversity).

Four key elements of nationhood are identified: shared beliefs among members that they belong together, a sense of continuing historical identity (drawing on collective memories and legends), attachment to a particular territory or homeland (characterized variously as motherland, fatherland, or holy land), and a shared political vision for the future—the collective aspiration for independent political existence based on values like democracy, secularism, and liberalism.

A significant portion addresses the crucial distinction between cultural and political bases of national identity. The chapter argues that in democracies, national identity should be based on shared political values and constitutional principles rather than on common culture, language, or religion.

This is because: (a) all major religions are internally diverse, and imposing a single religious identity would create an oppressive society; and (b) most societies are culturally diverse, and imposing a single cultural identity would exclude groups and restrict their liberty. Therefore, democracies need to emphasize loyalty to constitutional values rather than adherence to particular religions, races, or languages.

The concept of national self-determination—the right of nations to govern themselves—is examined in depth, tracing its historical application from the Treaty of Versailles after World War I to anti-colonial struggles. The chapter discusses the problematic consequences of the ‘one culture-one state’ ideal, including mass migrations, communal violence, and the ongoing dilemma of how to accommodate minorities within existing states.

Using the Basque Nationalist Movement in Spain as a case study, it illustrates contemporary challenges of self-determination claims. The chapter concludes that the right to self-determination has been reinterpreted to mean granting democratic rights within a state rather than independent statehood, and that the solution lies in making existing states more democratic and equal rather than creating new ones.

It ends with Rabindranath Tagore’s critique of narrow nationalism and his vision of humanity as the ultimate refuge, emphasizing that while identity claims are important, they should not lead to division and violence, and that citizens’ multiple identities should be freely expressed within an inclusive democratic framework.

Topics Covered:

Section A: Descriptive Questions

  1. What are some common responses people give when asked about nationalism? (Pg. 2) Page 98
  2. How did nationalism contribute to the formation of new states in nineteenth century Europe? (Pg. 2) Page 98
  3. How is a nation different from a family or tribe? (Pg. 4) Page 100
  4. What role does history play in forming a nation’s identity? (Pg. 5-6) Page 101-102
  5. What are the different ways in which nations characterize their homeland? (Pg. 6) Page 102
  6. Why might imposing a single religious or linguistic identity be problematic in a democracy? (Pg. 7) Page 103
  7. What were the consequences of reordering state boundaries based on the ‘one culture-one state’ idea after World War I? (Pg. 8) Page 104
  8. What is the Basque Nationalist Movement demanding? (Pg. 9) Page 105
  9. What dilemma do virtually all states face regarding movements for self-determination? (Pg. 10) Page 106
  10. What kinds of group rights have been granted in different countries to protect minority communities? (Pg. 11) Page 107
  11. What was Rabindranath Tagore’s critique of narrow expressions of nationalism? (Pg. 12) Page 108
  12. How has the right to national self-determination been reinterpreted in modern times? (Pg. 13) Page 109

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Section B1: Objective MCQs

Page 98

During the last two centuries, nationalism has emerged as: (Pg. 2)

A) A minor political forceB) One of the most compelling political creedsC) An irrelevant ideologyD) A purely economic concept
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 98
Page 99

Which of the following is an example of a separatist movement mentioned in the chapter? (Pg. 3)

A) Indian National CongressB) Quebecois in CanadaC) British ParliamentD) French Revolution
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 99
Page 100

According to the chapter, nations are to a great extent: (Pg. 4)

A) Physical entitiesB) An ‘imagined’ communityC) Based solely on common languageD) Determined by geography
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 100
Page 102

Jawaharlal Nehru’s book that speaks about the oneness of India despite diversity is: (Pg. 6)

A) The Indian StruggleB) An AutobiographyC) The Discovery of IndiaD) Glimpses of World History
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 102
Page 102

What distinguishes groups from nations according to the chapter? (Pg. 6)

A) Common languageB) Shared historyC) Shared vision of the future and aspiration for independent political existenceD) Common religion
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 102
Page 103

Democracies need to emphasize loyalty to: (Pg. 7)

A) A particular religionB) A common languageC) A set of values enshrined in the ConstitutionD) Ethnic identity
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 103
Page 104

The Treaty of Versailles after World War I: (Pg. 8)

A) Ignored all nationalist demandsB) Established a number of small newly independent statesC) Created one large stateD) Eliminated all boundaries
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 104
Page 105

The Basque region is an ‘autonomous’ region within which country? (Pg. 9)

A) FranceB) PortugalC) SpainD) Italy
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 105
Page 106

More people are realizing that the solution to self-determination movements lies in: (Pg. 10)

A) Creating new statesB) Making existing states more democratic and equalC) Suppressing all demandsD) Ignoring minority groups
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 106
Page 107

The Indian Constitution has provisions for the protection of: (Pg. 11)

A) Only religious minoritiesB) Religious, linguistic, and cultural minoritiesC) Only linguistic groupsD) Only Scheduled Castes
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 107
Page 108

Rabindranath Tagore said: “Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is ______.” (Pg. 12)

A) IndiaB) The nationC) HumanityD) My family
View Answer
Correct Answer: C
Reference: NCERT Page 108
Page 109

According to the chapter, a person has: (Pg. 13)

A) Only one identity based on nationalityB) Multiple identities based on gender, caste, religion, language, regionC) Only religious identityD) Only regional identity
View Answer
Correct Answer: B
Reference: NCERT Page 109

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Section B2: Factual One-Liners

Nationalism has inspired intense loyalties as well as deep ______. (Pg. 2) Page 98

Reveal Answer
hatreds (Page 98)

Arab nationalism hopes to unite Arab countries in a pan ______ union. (Pg. 3) Page 99

Reveal Answer
Arab (Page 99)

A nation is constituted by ______ rather than physical characteristics. (Pg. 5) Page 101

Reveal Answer
belief (Page 101)

Nations identify with a particular ______ where they have lived over a long period of time. (Pg. 6) Page 102

Reveal Answer
territory (Page 102)

In a democracy, shared commitment to a set of political ______ is the most desirable basis of a nation-state. (Pg. 6) Page 102

Reveal Answer
values (Page 102)

The right to govern themselves and determine their future development is called the right to national ______. (Pg. 8) Page 104

Reveal Answer
self-determination (Page 104)

Humanity paid a heavy price for re-organizing boundaries to satisfy culturally distinct communities, including mass migration and ______ violence. (Pg. 8) Page 104

Reveal Answer
communal (Page 104)

The Spanish dictator ______ further cut down the autonomy of the Basque region and banned the use of Basque language. (Pg. 9) Page 105

Reveal Answer
Franco (Page 105)

A nation-state which does not respect the rights and cultural identity of minorities would find it difficult to gain the ______ of its members. (Pg. 11) Page 107

Reveal Answer
loyalty (Page 107)

The national identity has to be defined in an ______ manner that recognizes the contribution of all cultural communities. (Pg. 11) Page 107

Reveal Answer
inclusive (Page 108)

Tagore made a distinction between opposing western ______ and rejecting western civilization. (Pg. 12) Page 108

Reveal Answer
imperialism (Page 108)

In a democracy, the political identity of citizen should ______ the different identities which people may have. (Pg. 13) Page 109

Reveal Answer
encompass (Page 109)

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