Displacing Indigenous People: NBSE Class 11 History answers

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Get summary, textual answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF to NBSE Class 11 (Arts) History (Themes in World History) Chapter 10: Displacing Indigenous People. However, the educational materials should only be used for reference and students are encouraged to make necessary changes.

Introduction

In this chapter, we delve into the complex and fascinating histories of the native peoples of North America and Australia from the 17th to 20th centuries. The European colonization of North America marked the beginning of an intriguing and transformative period in world history. Millions of individuals, driven by dreams of fortune and opportunity, left the Old World behind and embarked on a journey to the Americas, forever altering the lives of the indigenous populations. Similarly, in the 19th century, settlers ventured across the Indian Ocean to the newly discovered lands of Australia and New Zealand, leading to the displacement of native peoples and the establishment of European colonies. These colonies eventually gained independence and grew into thriving nations with diverse populations, as both European and Asian immigrants settled in these lands. Although the native inhabitants now constitute a minority, their influence is still evident in the names of towns, rivers, and landmarks that echo their cultural heritage. As historians and anthropologists continue to uncover the stories of these native peoples, we gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the past and the present, and the lasting legacies of colonization on indigenous communities.

Textual questions and answers

Very short answer type questions

1. Why is America known as ‘New World’?

Answer: America is known as the ‘New World’ because it was discovered later by Europeans and was previously unknown to them.

2. Who discovered North America?

Answer: North America was discovered by John Cabot.

3. How many colonies of North America revolted against the British?

Answer: Thirteen colonies of North America revolted against the British.

4. When did France, England and Holland begin trading activities with North America?

Answer: France, England, and Holland began trading activities with North America in the seventeenth century.

5. The word America is taken from which brave person?

Answer: The word America is taken from the name of the brave explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

Short answer type questions

1. Describe the geographical feature of North America.

Answer: The continent of North America extends from the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer, from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. West of the chain of the Rocky Mountains is the desert of Arizona and Nevada. Still further west, there are the Sierra Nevada Mountains. To the east are the Great Plains, the Great Lakes, the valley of the river Mississippi, the Ohio, and the Appalachian Mountains. To the south is Mexico. Forty per cent of the area of Canada is covered with forests. Minerals like oil and gas are found in many areas. It thus led to the establishment of big industries in the U.S.A. and Canada. Canada is a big producer of corn and fruit. Fishing is also a major industry of Canada.

2. When and how did the colonisation begin in America?

Answer: The process of colonisation of North America by the Europeans began early in the 17th century. It was the beginning of the most interesting story in world history. It was made up of the hopes and plans of countless young men coming to North America to seek their fortune, of wives following husbands, and parents following sons and daughters. For about four centuries, this great throng of humanity bade goodbye to the “old world”, crossed the Atlantic and began to live in the New World in the Americas.

3. Describe the expansion of colonial imperialism.

Answer: Spain and Portugal had established their empires in South America between the 16th and the 17th centuries. After the seventeenth century, France, Holland, and England started extending their trading activities. They started establishing their colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Even Ireland was also virtually a colony of its neighbour England. The landlords in Ireland were mostly English settlers. The European powers had established these colonies for amassing wealth and exploiting the natives. But the nature of control over their colonies varied. In South East Asia, the trading companies like the East India Company, at first, had profit motives. But they began to interfere in the affairs of the native states and became political powers. They defeated the local rulers and annexed their territories. They did not make many changes in the older administrative system and collected taxes from the landowners. In order to promote their own trade, they built railways and industries, excavated mines, and set up plantations. In Africa, they confined their trading activities to the coastal areas, except in South Africa. It was only in the late nineteenth century that they penetrated into the interior of the continent. The race for the colonisation of the continent among the European powers became intense. Some of the European countries reached an agreement to divide up the continent as colonies for themselves.

4. What was the impression of European scholars about the Native Americans?

Answer: In the 18th century, the Western Europeans considered three factors essential for civilised people, namely, literacy, an organised religion, and urbanism. They thought that the Native Americans were “uncivilised”. But the great French scholar Jean Jacques Rousseau admired such people because they were untouched by corruptions of civilisation. A popular term was “Noble Savage.” Wordsworth, the English poet, described them as living amid “Wilds where fancy hath small liberty to grace/The affections, to exalt them or refine.” He meant that people living close to nature had only limited powers of imagination and emotion. Both Rousseau and Wordsworth had never met a Native American.

5. How did Slavery come to an end?

Answer: The plantation owners had enslaved the natives to work in the southern regions of North America. Some of the European groups had started the anti-slavery movement. This led to a ban on the slave trade. The northern states of the U.S.A. had no slaves. Some groups of the northern states condemned this inhuman practice. In 1861-65, a war broke out between the states that wanted to retain slaves and those who wanted to abolish slavery. In this civil war, the northern states came out victorious. Slavery was legally abolished in the U.S.A. But it was only in the twentieth century that the African Americans won the battle of civil liberties after a hard struggle. The Government was obliged to end segregation between ‘whites’ and ‘non-whites’ in schools and public transport.

Long answer type questions

1. How did the Europeans exploit the natives of North America?

Answer: The European settlers in the U.S.A. induced or forced the natives to sell them their lands after signing treaties. The natives were paid very low prices for their lands. The European settlers of the U.S.A. even cheated the natives by taking more land or paying less than promised. Even the U.S. Government officials had no sympathy with the native people who had been unjustly deprived of their lands. An episode in Georgia, a state of U.S.A., shows such attitude of the officials. The officials argued that a native tribe “Cherokee” was governed by state laws, but were not entitled to rights of citizens. The Cherokees were eagerly learning English and understood the American way of life but were denied the rights of citizens.

In 1832, Justice Marshall, the Chief Justice of Supreme Court, in an important judgement said that Cherokees were a distinct community, occupying its own territory in which the laws of Georgia had no force and that they had sovereignty in certain matters. The U.S. President Andrew Jackson, was against economic and political privileges. But he did not come to secure the Cherokees their rights. He refused to honour the Chief Justice’s judgement. He rather ordered the U.S. army to evict the Cherokee tribals from their lands and to drive them to the Great American Desert. About 15,000 Cherokees were forced to go, about, a quarter died on their way.

The Whites who occupied the land of the tribals, justified it by saying that the natives did not use the land to the maximum. They, therefore, did not deserve to occupy the land. They condemned them as lazy people. “They did not use their craft and skills to produce goods for the market, far being interested in English, or dressing correctly”. They wanted them to “die out”, the Whites cleared the farmlands and killed off bisons. A visiting Frenchman wrote, “Primitive man will disappear with the primitive animal.”

Now the natives were pushed westwards. They were given land elsewhere but when any mineral, lead, gold or oil was found on their lands. They were again evicted and sent elsewhere. Many tribes were compelled to share the land originally occupied by one tribe. This led to quarrels between them. They were confined to small areas called “reservations”. In most of the cases, it was a land with which the natives had no earlier connection. They gave in only after tough fighting. The U.S. forces ruthlessly crushed a series of rebellions of the natives from 1865 to 1890. In Canada also there were rebellions by the Metis (people of European descent) between 1869 and 1885. But after that there were no revolts.

Answer: The European settlers in the U.S. forced or induced Native Americans to sell their lands, often through unfair treaties. The natives were paid low prices, and many were cheated out of more land or money than promised. U.S. government officials showed little sympathy for the natives, who were unjustly deprived of their lands. In Georgia, officials argued that the Cherokee tribe was subject to state laws but not entitled to citizens’ rights, despite their efforts to learn English and adapt to American ways.

In 1832, Chief Justice Marshall ruled that the Cherokee were a distinct community with sovereignty over their territory, free from Georgia’s laws. However, President Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the ruling. Instead, he ordered the U.S. army to evict 15,000 Cherokees, sending them to the Great American Desert. About a quarter died on the journey.

White settlers justified taking native lands by claiming the natives did not use them efficiently and were lazy. They condemned the natives for not producing goods for the market and cleared their lands, killing bisons. A visiting Frenchman remarked that “Primitive man will disappear with the primitive animal.”

Natives were repeatedly pushed westwards and evicted whenever valuable minerals were discovered on their lands. Many tribes were forced to share land, leading to conflicts, and were confined to small “reservations” with no prior connection to the land. After a series of native rebellions crushed by U.S. forces between 1865 and 1890, resistance largely ended. Canada also saw Metis uprisings between 1869 and 1885, after which there were no major revolts.

2. Describe the history of imperialistic expansion of North America.

Answer: The nineteenth century saw a drastic change in the landscape of America. The Europeans treated the land differently from the natives. Some of the migrants from Great Britain and France were the younger sons of their parents who would not inherit their father’s property. They, therefore, were eager to own land in America. Later, a large number of immigrants from countries like Germany, Sweden and Italy reached America. They had lost their lands to big farmers and wanted to own farms. The people from Poland who had migrated to America, were happy to work in large flat areas of grassy land. They were able to buy huge properties at very low prices. They cleared forests and cultivated crops like rice and cotton which could not be grown in Europe. They could send the produce to Europe and sell with huge profits.

To protect their big farms from wild animals like wolves and mountain lions, they hunted them indiscriminately. With the invention of barbed wires in 1873, the farmers felt totally secure from the wild animals. The Europeans had brought slaves from the African countries to work in South America.

The plantation owners had enslaved the natives to work in the southern regions of North America. Some of the European groups had started anti-slavery movement. This lead to a ban on slave trade. The northern states of the U.S.A. had no slaves. Some groups of the northern states condemned this inhuman practice. In 1861-65, a war broke out between the states that wanted to retain slaves and those who wanted to abolish slavery. In this civil war, the northern states came out victorious. Slavery was legally abolished in the U.S.A. But it was only in the twentieth century that the African Americans won the battle of civil liberties after hard struggle.

The Government was obliged to end segregation between ‘whites’ and ‘non-whites’ in schools and public transport.

The Canadian Government was faced with a more urgent problem than the question of natives. The British had occupied Canada in 1763, after a war with France. The French settlers demanded dominion status like other British colonies. The British were obliged to accept the demand of Canadians by establishing Canada as a Confederation of autonomous states.

Answer: The 19th century brought significant changes to America’s landscape. European settlers treated the land differently from Native Americans. Many migrants, especially younger sons from Great Britain and France, sought land in America since they wouldn’t inherit property. Later, immigrants from Germany, Sweden, and Italy, having lost their farms to large landowners, also arrived. Polish migrants were eager to work on vast flatlands, buying land cheaply. They cleared forests and cultivated crops like rice and cotton, which were profitable exports to Europe.

Farmers hunted wild animals, like wolves and mountain lions, to protect their lands. The invention of barbed wire in 1873 further secured their farms. Europeans had brought African slaves to work in South America, and plantation owners in the southern U.S. also enslaved natives. However, some European groups launched anti-slavery movements, leading to a ban on the slave trade. The northern U.S. states opposed slavery, resulting in the Civil War (1861-65). The North’s victory led to the abolition of slavery, but African Americans only secured civil rights in the 20th century after a long struggle.

Meanwhile, Canada faced demands for dominion status from French settlers after Britain took control in 1763. Eventually, Canada was established as a Confederation of autonomous provinces.

3. What was the attitude of the Europeans towards the aboriginals of North America?

Answer: The natives were friendly to the European immigrants. They considered the goods they exchanged with the Europeans as gifts given in friendship. But the Europeans had profit motives. They dreamt of becoming rich. For them fish and furs were the commodities which they would sell for a huge profit in Europe. The native Americans had no knowledge about the theories of economics. Depending upon the supply of goods, the prices of the goods they sold varied from year to year. The natives could not understand this phenomenon. They had no knowledge or sense about the market position in far away Europe. They did not understand why the European traders sometimes gave them huge quantities of goods in exchange for their goods while sometimes very little. They were much annoyed by the greed of the Europeans. In their impatience to obtain furs, the Europeans had slaughtered hundreds of beavers. The natives were saddened. They feared that the animals would take revenge on them for the destruction of these animals. The first Europeans who came to America were traders. Those who came later, came to settle in the “New World”. From the 17th century, the Protestant Christians were being persecuted in the predominantly Catholic Christian countries of Europe. Many of the Protestant Christians left Europe and migrated to America to begin a new life. As long as the vacant land was available, there was no problem. When no vacant land was available in the coastal areas, the Europeans moved further inland near native villages. They cleared the forests with iron tools to lay out agricultural farms.

The Europeans cut down forests to cultivate land to grow corns. Jefferson the U.S. military general, wanted to make it a country populated by the Europeans with small farms. The natives grew crops only for their own needs, not for making profit. They thought it wrong to “own the land”. Jefferson viewed that this made the natives “uncivilised”.

Answer: The Native Americans were initially friendly toward European immigrants, viewing the goods exchanged as gifts of friendship. However, the Europeans had profit-driven motives, seeking wealth from fish and furs to sell in Europe. The natives, unfamiliar with economic concepts and market fluctuations, were confused when prices changed or when they received inconsistent amounts in trade. They grew frustrated with European greed, especially as the Europeans slaughtered hundreds of beavers, which saddened the natives, who feared the animals’ spirits would seek revenge.

Early European arrivals were primarily traders, but later settlers sought to make new lives in the “New World.” In the 17th century, persecuted Protestant Christians fled Europe, migrating to America for a fresh start. At first, there was no conflict over land, but as coastal areas filled up, Europeans moved inland, clearing forests for agriculture.

U.S. General Jefferson envisioned America as a land of small European farms. In contrast, natives only grew crops for subsistence and believed it was wrong to “own” the land, which led Jefferson to view them as “uncivilised.”

4. Describe the struggle of the natives of America for their political rights.

Answer: The governments took no measures to improve the condition of the native peoples of the U.S.A. and Canada. The Economic Depression of 1929-32, which engulfed the U.S.A., affected all the people. There was a grim picture of the terrible poor health and education facilities for natives in the “reservation areas”.

Though the White Americans felt sympathies for the natives, yet they denied them the benefits of citizenship. A major step for the betterment of the native Americans was taken when the Indian Reorganisation Act, of 1834, was passed. It gave the natives in reservation areas the right to buy land and take loans.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, the U.S. and Canadian Governments thought of abolishing all special provisions for the natives, presuming that they would join the main stream. It meant that they would adopt European culture. But the natives were severely opposed to this. In 1954, they prepared “the Declaration of Indian Rights”. A number of native people accepted the citizenship of the U.S.A. They, however, laid down the condition that their reservation areas would not be taken away and there would be no interference in their traditions. In Canada also there was a similar development. In 1969, the Canadian Government declared that it would not “recognise aboriginal rights”. The natives severely opposed this announcement. They held a series of demonstrations and debates. Till AD 1982, the question remained unsolved. But the Constitution Act of that year accepted the existing aboriginal treaty rights of the natives. The native people of both the countries are fully awakened. Though reduced so much in numbers from what they had been in the 18th century, they have forcefully asserted their rights to their own cultures and particularly in Canada, to their sacred lands, in such a powerful way their ancestors could not have done in the 1880’s.

Answer: The governments of the U.S.A. and Canada took little action to improve the conditions of native peoples. During the Economic Depression of 1929-32, natives suffered from poor health and education facilities in the reservation areas. While some White Americans sympathised with their plight, they still denied natives citizenship rights. A key improvement came with the Indian Reorganisation Act of 1834, which allowed natives in reservations to buy land and take loans.

In the 1950s and 1960s, both governments considered abolishing special provisions for natives, expecting them to assimilate into European culture. This was met with strong opposition. In 1954, natives in the U.S. issued the “Declaration of Indian Rights,” with some accepting U.S. citizenship on the condition that their reservation lands and traditions would remain protected. In Canada, a similar movement arose. In 1969, the Canadian Government declared it would not recognise aboriginal rights, leading to protests and debates. The issue remained unresolved until the Constitution Act of 1982, which acknowledged existing aboriginal treaty rights.

Today, the native peoples of both countries have asserted their rights to their cultures and sacred lands, particularly in Canada, in ways that their ancestors could not have imagined in the 1880s.

5. What was the policy of the Government of Australia towards the emigrants?

Answer: The policy of the Government of Australia towards emigrants, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, was shaped by several key factors. Initially, Australia was established as a penal colony in 1788, and many of its early European settlers were convicts. Once the penal period ended, free settlers, mostly of European descent, were encouraged to emigrate. Throughout much of its history, Australia’s immigration policies were restrictive, favouring Europeans, especially those from Britain. The “White Australia” policy, which was implemented in 1901 with the formation of the Commonwealth, effectively barred non-European immigration, especially from Asian countries. This policy remained in place until the 1970s.

After the Second World War, Australia’s government actively encouraged European migration as part of its “populate or perish” strategy, aiming to boost the nation’s population for economic development and national security reasons. This policy led to an influx of European emigrants, particularly from southern and eastern Europe, while non-European migration remained heavily restricted until the dismantling of the “White Australia” policy in the 1970s.

The post-1970s period saw significant changes, with the Australian government adopting more inclusive and multicultural immigration policies. These allowed for an increase in migrants from Asia and other parts of the world, contributing to Australia’s diverse population today​(10).

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The west frontier of the United States is special because:

A. It keeps shifting
B. It has the army headquarters
C. It is very fertile
D. It is a desert

Answer: A. It keeps shifting

2. Which country helped to build the railway lines of the United States of America?

A. China
B. India
C. Japan
D. Africa

Answer: A. China

3. When did the US Civil War take place?

A. 1442-52
B. 1807-10
C. 1750-56
D. 1861-65

Answer: D. 1861-65

4. Which country was won by the Britishers in their war with France in 1763?

A. Germany
B. UAE
C. Jerusalem
D. Canada

Answer: D. Canada

5. Who was Thomas Jefferson?

A. Scientist
B. Third President of United States
C. Jurist
D. Philosopher

Answer: B. Third President of United States

Competency Based Questions

Multiple Choice Questions II

1. Consider the following statements.

(i) The name of Canada originated from a word ‘kanata’, which means village.
(ii) In Latin language Southern means ‘austral’.
(iii) New Zealand got its name from Holland’s Tasman.

Which statement(s) is/are correct in the above statement?
A. Only statement (i) is correct
B. Only statement (ii) is correct
C. Only statement (iii) is correct
D. All the above statements are correct

Answer: D. All the above statements are correct

2. Match the following and select the correct option:

Column A
A. Discovery of a new world
B. Discovery of barbed wires
C. America purchased Louisiana from Australia
D. Six states were combined to make Australia
E. National Sorry Day is celebrated in Australia on

Column B
(i) 1803
(ii) 1901
(iii) 1492
(iv) 1998
(v) 1873

Options:
(a) A-(iii), B-(v), C-(i), D-(ii), E-(iv)
(b) A-(iv), B-(iii), C-(ii), D-(i), E-(v)
(c) A-(v), B-(iii), C-(i), D-(ii), E-(iv)
(d) A-(iii), B-(v), C-(ii), D-(i), E-(iv)

Answer: D. A-(iii), B-(v), C-(ii), D-(i), E-(iv)

3. Consider the following statements.

(i) The Natives of America can read the earth.
(ii) In America, the English infantry used to wear white coats.
(iii) Slaves were imported in America from Africa.

Answer: D. Only statement (i) and (iii) are correct

4. In 1968 anthropologist W.E.H. Stanner delivered a lecture ‘The Great Australian Silence’. It refers to:

(a) The silence of historians about the origin of the aborigines.
(b) The silence of historians about the past inventions.
(c) The silence of politicians about the problems of people.
(d) The Geographies about environment.

Answer: A. The silence of historians about the origin of the aborigines

5. Consider the following statements.

(i) The constitution was implemented in America in 1887.
(ii) There is a gold mine in California, America.
(iii) There was no difference between Europeans and Native Americans.
(iv) Settler word was used for Britishers in Australia.

Answer: B. Only statement (ii) is correct

Case-based Question

The northern states of the U.S.A., where the economy did not depend on plantations (and therefore on slavery) argued for ending slavery which they condemned as an inhuman practice. In 1861-65, there was a war between the states that wanted to retain slavery and those supporting its abolition. The latter won. Slavery was abolished, though it was only in the twentieth century that the African Americans were able to win the battle for civil liberties, and the segregation between ‘whites’ and ‘non-whites’ in schools and public transport was ended.

1. What was the attitude of the northern states towards slavery?

Answer: The northern states of the U.S.A., where the economy did not depend on plantations (and therefore on slavery), argued for ending slavery, which they condemned as an inhuman practice.

2. What was the cause of the war between the northern and southern states in 1861-65?

Answer: The war between the states in 1861-65 was caused by the disagreement over slavery. The southern states wanted to retain slavery, while the northern states supported its abolition.

3. When did the African Americans win the battle of civil liberties?

Answer: The African Americans won the battle of civil liberties in the twentieth century, when the segregation between ‘whites’ and ‘non-whites’ in schools and public transport was ended.

Pictorial Questions

1. Identify the following pictures and write their name.

Answer: A. Wampum Belt
B. Native American Tipi Structure

Extra/additional MCQs

1. When did the process of colonisation of North America by Europeans begin?

A. Early 16th century
B. Early 17th century
C. Early 18th century
D. Late 19th century

Answer: B. Early 17th century

Q. Which oceans did immigrants cross to reach Australia in the 19th century?

A. Pacific Ocean
B. Atlantic Ocean
C. Indian Ocean
D. Arctic Ocean

Answer: C. Indian Ocean

Q. From which region did the majority of settlers who colonised North America come?

A. Europe
B. Africa
C. Asia
D. South America

Answer: A. Europe

Q. What century did the European colonisation of Australia begin?

A. 16th century
B. 17th century
C. 18th century
D. 19th century

Answer: C. 18th century

Q. By the 19th and 20th centuries, which groups formed the majority in the colonies like Australia and North America?

A. Native inhabitants
B. Europeans and Asians
C. Africans and Asians
D. Native Australians and Americans

Answer: B. Europeans and Asians

Q. From which century did historians begin to earnestly write about the histories of various regions of the continents?

A. 16th century
B. 17th century
C. 18th century
D. 20th century

Answer: D. 20th century

Q. Which European countries established their empires in South America between the 16th and 17th centuries?

A. France and Holland
B. Spain and Portugal
C. England and Ireland
D. Germany and Italy

Answer: B. Spain and Portugal

Q. Which trading company started with profit motives but later became a political power in Southeast Asia?

A. Dutch East India Company
B. British East India Company
C. French East India Company
D. Portuguese Trading Company

Answer: B. British East India Company

Q. In which region did European powers confine their trading activities to the coastal areas, except South Africa?

A. North America
B. Southeast Asia
C. Africa
D. Australia

Answer: C. Africa

Q. What name was given to Canada by Jacques Cartier?

A. Amerigo
B. Kanata
C. Austral
D. Zee

Answer: B. Kanata

Q. Which explorer gave New Zealand its name?

A. Amerigo Vespucci
B. Jacques Cartier
C. Abel Tasman
D. Christopher Columbus

Answer: C. Abel Tasman

Q. Which mountain range is located in the west of North America?

A. Appalachian Mountains
B. Sierra Nevada
C. Rocky Mountains
D. Alps

Answer: C. Rocky Mountains

Q. Which industry is a major contributor to the economy of Canada?

A. Shipbuilding
B. Fishing
C. Mining
D. Technology

Answer: B. Fishing

Q. How long ago did the first man possibly arrive in North America?

A. 30,000 years
B. 20,000 years
C. 10,000 years
D. 5,000 years

Answer: A. 30,000 years

Q. When did the migrations from Asia to North America occur?

A. 10,000 years ago
B. 5,000 years ago
C. Centuries before European migration
D. 30,000 years ago

Answer: C. Centuries before European migration

Q. What is the age of the oldest artifact found in North America?

A. 30,000 years
B. 5,000 years
C. 11,000 years
D. 10,000 years

Answer: C. 11,000 years

Q. What did the Native Americans primarily grow in their villages?

A. Rice and wheat
B. Maize and vegetables
C. Cotton and tobacco
D. Barley and beans

Answer: B. Maize and vegetables

Q. In the 17th century, what made hunting easier for the Native Americans?

A. Guns
B. Swords
C. Horses
D. Bows and arrows

Answer: C. Horses

Q. Who did the Native Americans purchase horses from?

A. British
B. French
C. Spanish settlers
D. Dutch

Answer: C. Spanish settlers

Q. What tradition did the Native Americans have that involved exchanging goods?

A. Trading for profit
B. Receiving gifts
C. Bartering
D. Buying goods with gold

Answer: B. Receiving gifts

Q. What was the primary weapon introduced to the Native Americans by Europeans?

A. Spears
B. Crossbows
C. Guns
D. Cannons

Answer: C. Guns

Q. Which European explorer is known for admiring Native Americans as “untouched by corruptions of civilisation”?

A. Christopher Columbus
B. Jean Jacques Rousseau
C. Hernán Cortés
D. John Cabot

Answer: B. Jean Jacques Rousseau

Q. When was the Louisiana Purchase made?

A. 1845
B. 1803
C. 1819
D. 1867

Answer: B. 1803

Q. Which country sold Alaska to the U.S.A.?

A. France
B. Spain
C. Russia
D. Mexico

Answer: C. Russia

Q. In what year did the U.S. purchase Alaska from Russia?

A. 1818
B. 1857
C. 1867
D. 1803

Answer: C. 1867

Q. What was one major crop European settlers began to grow in North America that could not be grown in Europe?

A. Wheat
B. Cotton
C. Corn
D. Rice

Answer: B. Cotton

Q. What invention in 1873 helped protect farms from wild animals?

A. Iron plow
B. Barbed wire
C. Steel traps
D. Hunting rifles

Answer: B. Barbed wire

Q. Which side won the U.S. Civil War between states that wanted to keep slavery and those that opposed it?

A. Southern states
B. Northern states
C. European settlers
D. Native Americans

Answer: B. Northern states

Q. When was slavery abolished in the U.S.A.?

A. 1803
B. 1865
C. 1867
D. 1890

Answer: B. 1865

Q. In which year did Canada become a Confederation?

A. 1763
B. 1867
C. 1845
D. 1783

Answer: B. 1867

Q. Which U.S. President ordered the eviction of the Cherokee from their lands?

A. Abraham Lincoln
B. George Washington
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. Andrew Jackson

Answer: D. Andrew Jackson

Q. What was the ruling of Chief Justice Marshall regarding the Cherokee in 1832?

A. They had no rights
B. They were a distinct community with sovereignty
C. They were U.S. citizens
D. They were governed by U.S. federal law

Answer: B. They were a distinct community with sovereignty

Q. Which animal’s population was drastically reduced by Europeans, saddening the Native Americans?

A. Wolves
B. Bison
C. Beavers
D. Mountain lions

Answer: C. Beavers

Q. When did James W. Marshall discover gold in California?

A. January 22, 1848
B. January 24, 1848
C. January 26, 1848
D. January 28, 1848

Answer: B. January 24, 1848

Q. In what year was the network of railways completed in the U.S.A.?

A. 1865
B. 1870
C. 1875
D. 1880

Answer: B. 1870

Q. When did Canada complete its railway network?

A. 1870
B. 1875
C. 1880
D. 1885

Answer: D. 1885

Q. What year marks the completion of continental expansion in the U.S.A.?

A. 1890
B. 1892
C. 1894
D. 1896

Answer: B. 1892

Q. Which act gave Native Americans in reservation areas the right to buy land?

A. Indian Civil Rights Act
B. Indian Reorganisation Act
C. Indian Land Act
D. Native American Rights Act

Answer: B. Indian Reorganisation Act

Q. In which year did the Canadian Government declare it would not recognise aboriginal rights?

A. 1965
B. 1967
C. 1969
D. 1971

Answer: C. 1969

Q. In what year was the Constitution Act in Canada that recognised existing aboriginal treaty rights?

A. 1980
B. 1982
C. 1984
D. 1986

Answer: B. 1982

Q. When did Captain James Cook reach Australia?

A. 1770
B. 1780
C. 1790
D. 1800

Answer: A. 1770

Q. When was the first British settlement in Australia founded?

A. 1778
B. 1788
C. 1798
D. 1808

Answer: B. 1788

Q. When did Australia form a Federation with six states?

A. 1899
B. 1900
C. 1901
D. 1902

Answer: C. 1901

Q. In which year did the Australian High Court recognise native land claims from before 1770?

A. 1990
B. 1992
C. 1994
D. 1996

Answer: B. 1992

Q. In which year did the Australian Government establish ‘National Sorry Day’?

A. 2005
B. 2006
C. 2007
D. 2008

Answer: D. 2008

Q. When did Chinese immigration stop in Australia due to a legal ban?

A. 1845
B. 1850
C. 1855
D. 1860

Answer: C. 1855

Q. In what year was Canberra established as the capital of Australia?

A. 1909
B. 1911
C. 1913
D. 1915

Answer: B. 1911

48. What year did Britain grant self-government to Australian colonies?

A. 1850
B. 1860
C. 1870
D. 1880

Answer: A. 1850

Extra/additional questions and answers

1. When did the process of colonisation of North America by Europeans begin?

Answer: The process of colonisation of North America by Europeans began early in the 17th century.

Q. What motivated young men to come to North America?

Answer: Young men came to North America to seek their fortune, often followed by wives, parents, and children.

Q. What happened to native people due to European settlement?

Answer: Native people were pushed out of their original homes into other areas due to European settlement.

Q. What were European settlements in these countries called?

Answer: European settlements in these countries were called “colonies.”

Q. Where do most of the native inhabitants live now?

Answer: Most of the native inhabitants live in villages and are rarely seen in the towns.

Q. How did the European powers differ in their control of colonies?

Answer: The control over colonies varied among European powers. While some colonies, like those established by Spain and Portugal in South America, were focused on exploitation, others, like the East India Company in Southeast Asia, initially had profit motives but later involved themselves in political affairs. In Africa, the Europeans confined their trading activities to the coastal regions until the late 19th century. The British, Dutch, and others sought to maximise the extraction of wealth, sometimes resulting in the establishment of extensive administrative systems, railways, and industries. The nature of colonial administration and interaction with native peoples varied depending on the local context and the colonising power involved.

Q. What does the name ‘America’ originate from?

Answer: The name ‘America’ was derived from the name of Amerigo Vespucci, who discovered the region in the 15th century. Vespucci was an Italian explorer whose voyages to the New World were recognised by European cartographers, and his name was given to the landmass. Similarly, other countries in the New World were given names by European explorers; for example, Canada was named after a village called ‘Kanata,’ while Australia was derived from the Latin word ‘austral’ meaning ‘south,’ and New Zealand was named after ‘Zee,’ a Dutch word meaning sea.

Q. How did European settlers affect the native populations of North America and Australia?

Answer: The European settlers had a profound impact on the native populations of North America and Australia. As settlers arrived in the 17th century, they began displacing native peoples from their lands, pushing them into less desirable areas. This process was often violent and resulted in a massive decline in the native population due to diseases introduced by Europeans, warfare, and the destruction of their traditional way of life. Over time, European settlers became the majority, with Asian immigrants also contributing to this demographic shift in the 19th and 20th centuries. The native populations were marginalised, relegated to rural areas, and rarely seen in towns. They lost their land and their dominant status, forgetting that they were once the masters of their countries. The cultural memory of their past is often maintained only through place names and oral traditions, while their material culture is preserved in museums, thanks to the work of historians and anthropologists.

Q. What three factors did Western Europeans consider essential for civilisation in the 18th century?

Answer: The Western Europeans considered literacy, an organised religion, and urbanism essential for civilised people.

Q. How did Rousseau perceive native Americans?

Answer: Jean Jacques Rousseau admired native Americans because he believed they were untouched by the corruptions of civilisation.

Q. How did Wordsworth describe the natives living close to nature?

Answer: Wordsworth described the natives as living amid “wilds where fancy hath small liberty to grace the affections, to exalt them or refine.”

Q. How did the natives view the goods exchanged with the Europeans?

Answer: The natives considered the goods exchanged with the Europeans as gifts given in friendship.

Q. What was the European motive behind trading with the natives?

Answer: The Europeans had profit motives and dreamt of becoming rich by trading commodities like fish and furs in Europe.

Q. What was Jefferson’s vision for the country?

Answer: Jefferson wanted to make the country populated by Europeans with small farms.

Q. How did the natives view land ownership?

Answer: The natives thought it was wrong to “own the land” and only grew crops for their own needs, not for profit.

Q. What led to the European migration to America in the 17th century?

Answer: Protestant Christians were being persecuted in predominantly Catholic countries, leading many to migrate to America for a new life.

Q. How did the U.S.A. expand its territory?

Answer: The U.S.A. expanded its territory through land purchases from France and Russia and by acquiring territory from Mexico through war.

Q. What invention helped farmers feel secure from wild animals?

Answer: The invention of barbed wire in 1873 made farmers feel secure from wild animals like wolves and mountain lions.

Q. What caused the U.S. Civil War?

Answer: The U.S. Civil War was caused by a conflict between states wanting to retain slavery and those wanting to abolish it.

Q. What was the result of the U.S. Civil War?

Answer: The northern states won, and slavery was legally abolished in the U.S.A.

Q. How did the U.S. President Andrew Jackson handle the Cherokee case?

Answer: President Andrew Jackson refused to honour a Supreme Court judgement in favour of the Cherokees and ordered their eviction to the Great American Desert.

Q. How did Rousseau and Wordsworth view native Americans, despite never meeting them?

Answer: Rousseau admired native Americans for their purity, as they were untouched by the corruptions of civilisation. He saw them as symbols of innocence and natural living. Wordsworth, on the other hand, described them as living amid “wilds where fancy hath small liberty to grace the affections, to exalt them or refine.” He believed that people living close to nature had limited powers of imagination and emotion. Despite these romanticised or critical perceptions, neither Rousseau nor Wordsworth had ever met a native American, and their views were shaped by idealised concepts rather than direct experience.

Q. What were the differing views of land ownership between the natives and Europeans?

Answer: The natives believed that it was wrong to “own the land” and viewed land as a communal resource to be used for subsistence farming, not for profit. They grew crops only for their own needs and did not seek to accumulate wealth through agriculture. In contrast, Europeans, especially settlers like Jefferson, believed in individual ownership and saw land as a means for economic growth and cultivation for profit. Jefferson, in particular, viewed the natives as “uncivilised” because they did not own land or engage in farming for profit. This fundamental difference in the perception of land use and ownership became a source of conflict between the natives and the European settlers.

Q. How did the Europeans profit from trading with native Americans?

Answer: The Europeans engaged in trade with the native Americans primarily for profit. They viewed fish and furs as valuable commodities that could be sold in European markets for significant financial gain. The natives, however, considered the goods exchanged with the Europeans as gifts given in friendship and had no knowledge of the economic theories that drove the Europeans’ actions. The natives were unaware of market fluctuations in Europe and could not understand why European traders sometimes offered generous quantities of goods in exchange for their products and, at other times, very little. This discrepancy in trade practices often annoyed the natives, who were unfamiliar with the Europeans’ profit motives.

Q. What was the impact of the Gold Rush on North America?

Answer: The Gold Rush in North America, particularly the discovery of gold in California in 1848, triggered one of the most significant migrations in the continent’s history. Thousands of Europeans and Americans flocked to California in search of quick fortunes. This influx of people spurred rapid development, with railways being built across the continent to facilitate transportation and trade. By 1870, a network of railways was completed in the U.S.A., and Canada followed in 1885. The Gold Rush not only transformed the economic landscape of North America but also accelerated industrialisation and the expansion of infrastructure, contributing to the growth of industries and cities in the U.S.A.

Q. How did European settlers exploit the natives in the U.S.A.?

Answer: European settlers in the U.S.A. often induced or forced native tribes to sell their lands by signing treaties, frequently paying them very low prices for these transactions. In many instances, the settlers cheated the natives by taking more land than was agreed upon or paying less than what was promised. Even U.S. Government officials showed little sympathy for the natives who were unjustly deprived of their lands. An example of this exploitation is seen in the treatment of the Cherokee tribe in Georgia, where officials argued that the Cherokees were governed by state laws but were not entitled to the rights of citizens, despite their efforts to learn English and adopt the American way of life.

Q. What was the nature of the relationship between the native Americans and the European settlers in the early stages of colonisation?

Answer: Initially, the relationship between native Americans and European settlers was somewhat amicable. The natives welcomed the European immigrants and engaged in trade, viewing the goods exchanged as gifts of friendship. They did not fully understand the European motives behind these exchanges, which were primarily driven by profit. For the Europeans, commodities like fish and furs were valuable products that could be sold for significant profit in European markets. The natives, who had no knowledge of economic theories or market conditions in Europe, could not comprehend why European traders sometimes offered large quantities of goods in exchange for their products and, at other times, very little. Over time, the natives grew frustrated with the Europeans’ greed, particularly as the Europeans began overhunting animals like beavers, which saddened the natives and caused them to fear that the animals would take revenge for their destruction. This early tension over trade and resources foreshadowed the more significant conflicts that would arise as European settlers expanded further into native lands.

Q. How did European settlers justify the displacement of native Americans from their lands?

Answer: European settlers justified the displacement of native Americans from their lands by claiming that the natives did not use the land to its maximum potential. They argued that because the natives did not engage in large-scale farming or use the land for commercial purposes, they did not deserve to occupy it. The Europeans viewed the native way of life, which involved subsistence farming and hunting, as inefficient and believed that the land should be used for more profitable activities, such as agriculture and industry. This perspective was rooted in the European belief in land ownership and economic growth, which contrasted sharply with the native view that land was a communal resource to be shared and not owned by individuals. The settlers also condemned the natives as lazy, claiming that they lacked the skills and motivation to produce goods for the market or to adopt European customs, such as speaking English or dressing in European fashion. This dehumanising attitude contributed to the widespread displacement of native tribes, who were often forced to move westward as European settlers expanded their control over North America.

Q. What is the most isolated large landmass in the world?

Answer: Australia is the most isolated large landmass in the world.

Q. What early types of life survived in Australia due to isolation?

Answer: The oldest forms of life, including eucalyptus plants and mammals like monotremes and marsupials, survived in Australia due to isolation.

Q. When did the British settlers arrive in Australia?

Answer: The first British settlers arrived in Australia in the late eighteenth century.

Q. When did the aboriginals arrive in Australia?

Answer: Archaeologists estimate that the aboriginals arrived in Australia between 10,000 and 100,000 years ago.

Q. What was the early European view of the aboriginal people, and how did it change?

Answer: At first, Captain James Cook reported that the aboriginal people were enthusiastic and friendly. However, after Cook’s death at the hands of a native in Hawaii, the British authorities used this single incident to justify acts of violence towards the native populations of Australia and other colonies. This led to a deterioration in relations between settlers and natives.

Q. What led to the Federation of Australia in 1901?

Answer:

• The economic development of Australia through sheep farms, mining stations, vineyards, and wheat farming created the foundation for prosperity.
• The discovery of gold and the granting of self-government stimulated rapid development across the colonies.
• In 1897, a convention was held that finalized the instrument for intercolonial cooperation, leading to the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901.

Q. How did the European settlers affect the aboriginal population in Australia?

Answer: The European settlers had a devastating impact on the aboriginal population in Australia. Initially, relations were amicable, but after Captain Cook’s death in Hawaii, the settlers began justifying acts of violence against the native populations. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, about 90 per cent of the aboriginal population perished due to exposure to diseases, loss of land and resources, and violent conflicts with the settlers. Many of the early settlers were convicts deported from England, and after their jail terms ended, they were allowed to stay in Australia. These settlers began driving aboriginals off their land to set up farms, further displacing the native people and contributing to their decline.

36. How did Australia’s government policy change towards the native populations and immigrants in the 20th century?

Answer: In the 1970s, Australia, like the U.S. and Canada, became eager to understand its native communities. The government began to recognize the unique cultures, traditions, and skills of the aboriginal people. Universities established departments to study native cultures, and museums expanded to display native art and artifacts. The concept of “Human Rights” became more prevalent in public discourse, and the Australian government began acknowledging the historical injustice done to the aboriginals. By the 21st century, this shift led to two important decisions: recognizing the aboriginals’ sacred connection to their lands and issuing a public apology for the forcible separation of mixed-blood children from their families. In February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd publicly apologized to the aboriginal people for past atrocities, marking a new chapter in Australia’s history.