Are you gearing up for the UPSC Mains examination and considering history as your optional subject? If so, you’ve embarked on a fascinating journey through time, delving into the intricacies of the nation-state system. In this blog series, we’ll take you on a comprehensive tour of the subject, focusing on previous year questions from 2013 to 2023. As an aspirant, you know that the Civil Services Mains exam demands an in-depth understanding of historical events and their implications on the world’s political landscape. The nation-state system is a pivotal topic that shapes the way modern nations interact and evolve, making it crucial for any serious UPSC candidate. Join us as we explore this subject in-depth, providing insights, analysis, and guidance that can help you excel in your history optional papers.
Over the years, the UPSC has posed a diverse range of questions on the nation-state system, reflecting the ever-evolving dynamics of global politics. From the impact of colonialism to the emergence of new nation-states, these questions are designed to test your analytical skills, historical knowledge, and your ability to draw relevant connections between past and present. In this series, we’ll not only present these questions but also offer detailed explanations, context, and tips on how to approach them effectively in your examination. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or someone who’s diving into the subject for the first time, this blog series will serve as a valuable resource, helping you navigate the intricate web of world history and its influence on the nation-state system. So, let’s embark on this journey together, unraveling the rich tapestry of the past and its profound impact on the world as we know it today.
Nation-State System History – Previous Year Questions (UPSC CSE Mains History Optional)
Nation-State System: Rise of Nationalism in 19th century; Nationalism: state building in Germany and Italy; Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world.
1. “They have stopped me from making Italy by diplomacy from the North, I will make it by revolution from the South.” Comment in about 200 words. (1985)
2. ‘The Unification of Germany was the one thing Bismarck was determined to prevent.’ Comment in about 200 words. (1987)
3. ‘The Eastern Question has always been an international question’. Comment in about 200 words. (1989)
4. ‘The comparion between Cavour’s and Bismark’s achievements reveals ‘striking points of resemblance and no less striking points of dissimilarity.’ Comment in about 200 words. (1990)
5. ‘Nominally the new Turkey was republican and democratic.’ Comment. (1992)
6. What were the obstacles to Italian unification till 1852? How and with what methods was the unification of Italy achieved? (1993)
7. At the end of the battle of Sedan (1870), “Europe lost a mistress and gained a master.” Comment. (1995)
8. The unification of Italy and that of Germany constituted a contrast in respect of the ways they were affected and the impact they left on later international politics. Elucidate. (1995)
9. “The unification of Italy completed the destruction of the European order.” Comment. (1997)
10. Isolation of France constituted the keystone of Bismarck’s foreign policy. Elucidate. (1997)
11. Lord Beaconsfield after his return from the Congress of Berlin (1878) boasted: “I have brought peace with honour” Comment. (1998)
12. The political unification of Germany was accomplished solely by Bismarck. Comment. (1999)
13. “The Crimean War was the most useless war ever waged.” Comment. (2000)
14. “Bismarck created a new Germany with the policy of ‘blood and iron’.” Comment. (2001)
15. “Napoleon kindled the national sentiment, but German unity was achieved by Bismarck.” Discuss. (2002)
16. ‘Bismarck united Germany not by majority of votes and speeches but by a policy of “blood and iron”. In the light of this statement assess the contribution of Bismarck to the unification of Germany. (2003)
17. ‘To Bismarck the conclusion of the Treaty of May 20, 1882, was the culmination of this system.’ Comment. (2004)
18. ‘They have stopped me from making Italy by diplomacy from the North, I will make it by revolution from the South.’ Comment. (2005)
19. “The Eastern Question has always been an international question.” Elucidate. (2010)
20. Was German unification achieved more by ‘coal and iron’ than by ‘blood and iron’? (2012)
21. “The language of narrow nationalism held at Frankfurt destroyed the German Revolution; as the fatal idea of aggrandisement of the House of Savoy destroyed the Italian Revolution.” Discuss. (2014)
22. Critically examine: “Mazzini’s conception of Italian nationality was not exclusive and his dominant ideal was the recreation of moral unity of mankind.” (2015)
23. “The Berlin Congress (1878) failed to unlock the Eastern Question. Though there was no major war in Europe for nearly three decades after the Treaty of Berlin, it contained the seeds of many future wars.” Critically evaluate. (2015)
24. What determinant factors, along with diplomatic, shaped the process of German Unification? (2017)
25. Critically examine: At the end of the Battle of Sedan (1870), “Europe lost a mistress and gained a master.” (2018)
26. Examine the role of Bismarck in state building in Germany. (2018)
27. How was Italy transformed from a ‘geographical expression’ to a nation-state? (2019)
28. Do you subscribe to the view that the Greek War of Independence was mired in contrasts of the best and the worst episodes? How did it affect the Concert of Europe. (2019)
29. “From Bismarck’s ‘Blood and Iron’ speech and his forceful actions to achieve German unification, Bismarck came to be known as the Iron Chancellor.” Critically examine. (2020)
30. The rise of nationalism across nations shattered the chains which held together the empires of modem Europe. Discuss. (2021)
FAQs on Nation-State System
Q: What is the modern nation-state system?
A: The modern nation-state system is a political organization in which sovereign states, each representing a distinct nation or people, exist within defined borders. It’s characterized by the recognition of the state’s authority over its territory, a government that exercises control, and a population with a shared sense of identity.
Q: What is a sovereign nation-state system?
A: A sovereign nation-state system refers to the absolute authority and independence a state possesses within its recognized borders. This means the state has the exclusive power to govern, make laws, and determine its policies without external interference.
Q: What is the nature of a sovereign nation-state system?
A: The nature of a sovereign nation-state system is marked by the principles of sovereignty, equality among states, non-interference in domestic affairs, and self-determination. It emphasizes the state’s supreme authority within its territory and the principle that states should not infringe on each other’s sovereignty.
Q: What are the main components of a nation-state?
A: The main components of a nation-state include:
- Territory: The defined geographic area over which the state has sovereignty.
- Population: The people living within the state’s borders who share a common identity or nationality.
- Government: The administrative and political machinery responsible for governing and making decisions within the state.
- Sovereignty: The state’s exclusive authority and independence within its borders, free from external control or interference.
Q: How did the modern nation-state system emerge?
A: The emergence of the modern nation-state system is a complex historical process that began in Europe during the early modern period and accelerated with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. This treaty marked the end of the Thirty Years’ War and introduced the concept of state sovereignty. The system further developed through colonialism, decolonization, and the dissolution of empires in the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to the creation of numerous independent nation-states worldwide. The process was influenced by political, economic, and social factors, and it continues to evolve in the contemporary world.
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