History and Civics
Class 10 ICSE - all History and Civics chapters flashcards.
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| Nominal Head of State. | President. |
| How is PM appointed? | The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is invited to form the government and become the Prime Minister. |
| How is PM appointed if there is no absolute majority in the Lok Sabha? | The President may choose who the PM will be. But, the person must be able to prove that they have the support of smaller groups. |
| What happens if an appointed minister is not a member of the Parliament? | The minister must be nominated or elected into the Parliament within six months or they must resign from the post. |
| When has the distinction between the Cabinet and Council of Ministers become evident? | The 44th Amendement Act said that the PM cannot declare an emergency unless the decision of the Union Cabinet has communicated to the PM in writing. |
| What is the maximum no. of members for the Council of Ministers? | The Constitution Act, 2003. The Council of Ministers at the Centre and State is 15% of the strength of the Lok Sabha and State Legislatures, respectively. Why was this step taken? To check defection from one party to another. And, reduce government expenditure on jumbo-size ministries. |
| What does a minister vow in the oath of secrecy? | To not disclose any matter which is brought for consideration except the minister's discharge of duties. |
| Prime Minister and President. | 1. Advised Prez to summon and prorogue parliament and disssolve the Lok Sabha (traitor!) 2. Link b/w the Prez and Council of ministers. 3. Advises Prez in appointing the Council Of Ministers and advice on dismissing them too. 4. Advises Prez in appointing important posts like Judges of Supreme court, governors and ambassadors. 5. President can ask COM (Council of Ministers) to reconsider any matter not considered by the Cabinet. Prez can also call for information regarding affairs of the Union. |
| Prime Minister and the Cabinet. | 1. Leader of the Cabinet 2. Allocate portfolios and reshuffle ministers 3. Power to direct and coordinate policies 4. Resignation of the Prime Minister means resignation of the whole Cabinet 5. Power to select and dismiss ministers |
| Prime Minister and the Lok Sabha | 1. Leader of the Lok Sabha 2. Spokesperson of the Government 3. Defend Government Policies 4. Intervention in controversial issues |
| PM is the ex-officio chairperson of which organisation? | Niti Aayog and Atomic Energy Commission |
| Prime Minister as the Leader of the Nation | 1. PM represents the nation. 2. In a crisis or emergency, even the opposition supports them. 3. During elections, the PM is the person the public vote for or against. 4. Ex-officio chairman of the Niti Aayog and Atomic Energy Commission. 5. The PM decides what type of relations India will have with other countries. 6. In international forums, the PM discusses matters of mutual interests but also keeps India's interests in mind. |
| Check on the authority of the PM | 1. The PM must have the confidence of their ministers and the members of the Lok Sabha. 2. In coalitions, if the PM does not have an absolute majority, their position can be vulnerable. 3. The Opposition Parties always look for places to criticize the PM. 4. The Press and the public act as an effective check on the PM's authority. |
| Principle of Collective Responsibility. | (i) All decisions made in Cabinet meetings apply equally to all ministers even if they differ in opinions. (ii) All ministers jointly share the responsibilities of government functioning and defend government policies inside and outside the Parliament. (iii) A vote of no-confidence against one minister means a vote against the whole Cabinet. All the ministers of the Cabinet must resign as they have lost the Confidence of the Lok Sabha. |
| What are the proposals under the Wavell Plan? | Main proposals: 1. Granting of dominion status in the long run. 2. Allowing the Indians to draft their own constitution. |
| What are the main points of the Mountbatten Plan? | 1. Partition of India into two dominions 2. Relations between the two dominions: The dominions were to decide what relations they would have with the British Commonwealth and with eachother. 3. Boundary Commission: to decide boundaries for the two new dominions. 4. Princely States: All treaties with Princely states would lapse and they were free to associate with any of the two dominions or remain independent. 5. Sindh: They were to decide by a special meeting. 6. Bengal and Punjab: Their legislative assemblies were to decide partition. 7. North West Frontier Province (NWFP): They were to decide by a plebiscite whether they wanted to join India or Pakistan. 8. District of Sylhet: They would decide by referendum, whether they wanted to remain in Assam or join East Bengal. 9. Constituent Assembly: They would go on to work and draft out the Constitution, but this would not apply to Pakistan. 10. Transfer of power: It was decided that the transfer of power would not be in June 1948, but before 15th August, 1947. |
| Why did the Congress accept the Mountbatten Plan? | (i) Large-scale communal riots were raging all over India and the only solution lay in partition (ii) The Muslim League had joined the Interim Government only to obstruct. The Congress knew that working with them as a joint administration would be impossible. (iii) National leaders felt that further delay could land India in a Civil War. (iv) A small federation with a strong centre was preferred over a large federation with a weak centre. (v) Partition was the price paid for immediate independence. The British were instigating rulers to remain independent. (vi) National leaders felt that partition would rid the constitution of seperate electorates and other undemocratic procedures. |
| What are the clauses of the Indian Independence Act, 1947? | 1. Two new dominions 2. Provisions of Partition 3. Constituent Assemblies to act as Central Legislatures 4. Governor-General for both the dominions 5. End of the jurisdiction of the British Parliament. 6. Division of Assets and Army 7. Getting the Act into operation 8. Office of secretary and the interests of the existing officials 9. Princely States 10. Treaties and Agreements |
| What titles were dropped from royal style after the India Independence Act, 1947? | 'Emperor of India' and 'King of England'. |
| Right to veto laws. Who had it and who was it given to? | Had it: The King of England. Given to: The governor-general |
| When was the new Governor-General of India appointed? | Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari was in office from June 1948, till January 26, 1947. |
| Where and when was Subhas Chandra Bose born? | Where: Cuttack, Odisha When: January 23rd, 1897. |
| When was the Forward Bloc formed? | May 3rd, 1939. |
| What were the objectives of the Forward Bloc? | Immediate Objective: Liberation of India with the help of youth, peasants and other organisations. Objectives after attaining independence: To build a sovereign social republic. (i) Developement of agriculture on socialist lines (ii) Abolition of Zamindari System (iii) Introduction of a new monetary and credit system |
| Who thought of the idea of the INA? | Mohan Singh. |
| When was Tokyo Conference held? What were the decisions taken at the Tokyo Conference? | 28th to 30th March, 1942. Decisions: (i) To strengthen and expand the Indian Independence League. (ii) To form under the command of the League an army for liberation, the INA. (iii) To hold a conference at Bangkok to consolidate these decisions. |
| When was Bangkok Conference held? What were the decisions taken at the Bangkok Conference? | 15th June to 23rd June, 1942. Decisions: (i) To invite Subhas Chandra Bose to come from Europe and lead this movement. (ii) To form a Council of Action to control and guide the movement. (iii) Elect Rashbehari Bose as the President of the Council of Action. (iv) Make Mohan Singh the Commander-In-Chief of the INA. |
| What was the women's regiment in the INA called? And who was its leader? | Rani Jhansi Regiment. Dr. Laxmi Swaminathan. |
| What are the objectives of the INA? | (i) To organize an armed revolution and to fight the British with modern arms. (ii) Since Indians in their homeland cannot organize a revolution, this responsibility is left to the Indians living abroad, specially those living in East Asia. (iii) To organize a Provisional Government of Free India to mobilize all the forces effectively. (iv) Total mobilization of labour-force and money for a total war. (v) Motto of the INA, 'Unity, faith, sacrifice.' |
| When and where was the Provisional Government of Free India set up? | In Singapore, on October 21st, 1943. |
| When and where was the Provisional Government headquarters shifted to? | In 1944, it was shifted to Rangoon. |
| When did Japan handover the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the Provisional Government? To what did Netaji rename them? | On November 6th, 1943. Netaji renamed them to Shaheed and Swaraj Islands. |
| State some of the contributions of Subhas Chandra Bose. | He renamed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as 'Shahid and Swaraj Islands'. He took charge of the INA as its supreme commander. He shifted the Provisional Government headquarters to Rangoon. Worked for the nation's interest and not his own. |
| When is UN day (when UN was first formed)? | October 24, 1945. |
| What are the objectives of the UN? | 1. To promote international peace and security. 2. To have friendly relations among nations. 3. To achieve international cooperation. 4. To be a centre for harmonising the actions of nations. New objectives: Disarm, Decolonize and Develop. |
| When was the United Nations Flag adopted? | On October 20, 1947. |
| What are the official languages of the UN? | Arabic, French, English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian. |
| What is the General Assembly? | The main deliberative assembly of the UN. Although, there is no legal binding for decisions made in the Assembly, there is still the moral authority of the world community and world opinion on major international issues. |
| What is the duration of a regular session of the General Assembly? | It starts on the 3rd Tuesday of September and lasts till the 3rd week of December. |
| What is the Security Council? | It is executive body of the UN. It's primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. |
| What is a VETO? | It is the negative vote given by a permanent member. |
| State the composition of the Supreme Court of India. | Composition: Previously, the Chief Justice of India and <= 30 judges. The Supreme Court Amendment Act 2019, changed it from 30 to 33 judges. |
| What are the qualifications to become a Judge of the Supreme Court? | (i) Must be a citizen of India. (ii) Must be of a sound mind Note: (i) and (ii) are not necessary. (iii) Must have been a judge of the High Court or of two or more such courts in succession. (iv) Must have been an advocate of the High Court or of two or more such courts in succession. (v) Must be, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist. |
| How is a judge of the Supreme Court appointed? | The President appoints a judge of the Supreme Court in consultation with other judges of the Supreme Court and of High Courts and the Council of Ministers (well, indirectly. The PM advises the President based on the decisions made by the Council of Ministers). For the Chief Justice of India, usually, the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court is appointed. |
| What is the term of office for a judge of the Supreme Court? | The judge remains in office until the age of 65 years. S/He must vacate their office on the day they turn 65. They can also resign by submitting a resignation letter to the President. |
| Describe the impeachment procedure of a Supreme Court Judge. | The President first issues an order against the judge on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity. Then, the two Houses of Parliament pass this order by support of majority of the total membership of each House and at least two-thirds majority of the members present and voting. If such an order is passed, the judge will be impeached. The conduct of the judges of High Court and Supreme Court cannot be discussed in the Parliament. So, the President must issue an order to proceed with impeachment. |
| Define JURISDICTION. | Jurisdiction is the power that a court of law exercises to carry out judgements and enforce laws. |
| What jurisdictions does the Supreme Court have? | 1. Original Jurisdiction 2. Appellate Jurisdiction 3. Advisory Jurisdiction |
| Elaborate on Original Jurisdiction. | Original Jurisdiction is the power to hear and determine a dispute in its first instance. These cases cannot be moved in any other court other than the Supreme Court. |
| What are the cases involving Original Jurisdiction? | 1. Centre-State Disputes (i) Government VS one or more States (ii) Government and any other State or States on one side VS one or more States on the other. (iii) Between two or more States Exception: (i) Cases arising out of an existing treaty in operation (ii) Inter-state water disputes or matters referred to the Finance Commission (iii) Adjustments in the expenses and pensions in the Union and the State. 2. Protection of fundamental rights - cases of violation of fundamental rights of individuals. The court issues several writs to enforce these rights. 3. Cases from lower courts - the Supreme Court can transfer cases to itself from one or more high courts if they involve an important question of the law or interpretation of the constitution. 4. Interpretation of the Constitution |
| Elaborate on Appellate Jurisdiction. What is a court of appeal? | Appellate Jurisdiction is the power to grant special leave to appeal against a judgement delivered in any court of law in India. A court of appeal can change or reduce the sentence passed by the lower courts. |
| What are the cases involving Appellate Jurisdiction? | 1. Criminal Cases - has two types of cases: (a) with a certificate from the High Court and (b) without the certificate. For cases that do not require a certificate from the High Court: (i) where the High Court has reversed the judgement of aquittal given by the lower court and gave a death sentence to the accused. (ii) where the High Court has withdrawn cases from the lower courts and has given the accused a death sentence. 2. Civil Cases - Cases involving (a) a substantial question of law of general importance; (b) the question needs to be decided by the Supreme Court. 3. Constitutional Cases - all cases which have a certificate issued by a High Court that it involves an important point of law or requires interpretation of the Constitution. If the High Court does not issue a certificate, the Supreme Court can grant a special leave of appeal. |
| When does the Supreme Court exercise its power of granting special leave? | * In civil cases, the Supreme Court does not grant appeal unless it involves a substantial question of law of general importance. * In criminal cases, the Supreme Court only grants appeal when the circumstances are special and exceptional and grave injustice has been done. * If a tribunal delivers a judgement which is in excess of their jurisdiction or undemocratic or against the principles of natural justice, then the Supreme Court can quash the judgement. |
| State the 5 kinds of writs and define them. | 1. Habeas Corpus - meaning: 'to have the body'. It is issued when a person is unlawfully detained by a group of individuals or the State. 2. Mandamus - order issued by a superior court to a lower court or administrative authority to perform a certain duty. 3. Writ of Certiorari - a superior court asks the lower court desiring to be informed of what is going on. This writ is issued after the proceedings of the case is over. 4. Writ of Prohibition - a superior court asks a lower court to stop the proceedings of a case which may be in excess of the jurisdiction of the lower court. 5. Quo Warranto - issued when a person has usurped any office. It prevents any public officials from wrongly or forcefully holding a high public office. |
| When is the law declared null or void? | The Supreme Court can declare any law null or void if the law made violates or takes away the fundamental rights of the citizens. |
| Explain advisory jurisdiction. | The Supreme Court can advise the President on matters involving a question of public importance or any question of law. The Supreme Court can advise the President in two classes of matters: 1. Any question of law or matter of public importance may be referred to the Supreme Court, if the President finds it necessary. This advice is not binding and the President is not required to act in accordance with it. 2. For disputes involving pre-constitutional treaties and agreements which exclu |
| Explain revisory jurisdiction. | The Supreme Court is empowered to change or alter a judgement made by it to remove any error or mistake that might of crept into the judgement. Why? The Supreme Court is a court of record and its judgements are of evidentiary value and cannot be questioned in any other court of law. |
| Explain revisory jurisdicition. | The Supreme Court can declare any law null or void if the law made violates or takes away the fundamental rights of the citizens. The Supreme Court can declare any law made by the Union or the State as 'ultra vires', null or void if it is against the letter and the spirit of the Constitution or contravenes any provision of the Constitution. |
| What is the need for Judicial Review? | (i) When a law is made, the question of interpretation of the constitution arises and the Supreme Court alone has the power of original jurisdiction. (ii) The legislature may not have the wisdom, experience and impartiality to explain the law. This can be best done by the Supreme Court. |
| What is a court of record? | A court of record is a court whose judgements are recorded for testimony and evidence. These records are precedents, i.e, High Courts and other subordinate courts are bound to give a similar judgment in a similar case. This has two implications: (i) The judgements are preserved as record. These can be produced in any court as precedent. (ii) Any person who commits a contempt of court can be punished. The court is not deprived by this right. |
| Where did the name 'Pakistan' come from? | 'Pakistan' was derived from the provinces and communities the new country would comprise. Punjab, Afghan (NWFP), Kashmir, Sind and Baluchistan. |
| Why did the people reject the Cripps Mission? | 1. The Cripps mission did not mention immediate independence. 2. The plan involved the partition of India. 3. The Muslim League opposed the creation of a single union. The proposals did not specifically accept Pakistan. 4. The Hindu Mahasabha did not accept the plan for fear of partition. 5. The Sikhs, Anglo-Indians and Indian Christians felt that their rights and interests were not provided with sufficient safeguards. 6. The people of the Princely states could not send their own representatives to the proposed Constitution making body. The representatives were selected by the rulers. 7. The Congress opposed the principle of non-accession. Gandhiji called the Cripps Mission a 'post-dated cheque'. 8. The Congress wanted all subjects, including defence, to be handed over to the National Government. |
| State the Quit India Resolution. Where and when did they adopt this resolution? | 'British rule in India must end immediately.' The resolution was adopted in July, 1942 in Wardha, Maharashtra. |
| When was the Quit India Resolution passed? | On August 8, 1942. |
| What is the impact of the Quit India Movement? | (i) It demonstrated the depth of nationalist feelings in India and the capacity of Indians for struggle and sacrifice. (ii) It was clear that the British could no longer rule India against the wishes of the people. (iii) People of all sections of society participated in this movement. |
| When did WW2 start? | 1st September 1939 to 2nd September 1945. |
| What are the causes of WW2? | 1. Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles 2. Rise of Fascism and Nazism (Totalitarianism) 3. Policy of Appeasement 4. Japan's invasion of China 5. Failure of the League of Nations 6. Hitler's Invasion of Poland |
| Why did Hitler invade Poland? | (i) Germany wanted to regain lost territories which were given to Poland. Especially, the port of Danzig. Germany was divided into two parts to provide a land route to Poland. (ii) Danzig was mainly occupied by Germans and by occupying the Danzig corridor, Germany would have direct connections with East Prussia. (iii) Germany and Russia had signed a non-aggression pact in 1939 and it accused Poland of committing atrocities against Germans. |
| Some points on the Attack on Pearl Harbour. | On December 7, 1941, the Japanese soldiers, under the premiership of General Tojo, ordered a suprise aerial attack on Pearl Harbour. Destruction: (i) Important airfields (ii) Battleships What the Japanese failed to destroy: (i) Battleship repair facilities (ii) US carriers (Lexington, the Enterprise) Death Toll: 3700 people |
| When was the first atomic bomb detonated? | In July, 1945 near Alomogordo, New Mexico. |
| When were the bombs dropped in Japan? | On August 6, 1945 it was dropped in Hiroshima. Japan still refused to surrender. On August 9, 1945 it was dropped in Nagasaki. |
| What are the consequences of WW2? | 1. Defeat of the Axis Powers - they had to face the following consequences: (i) Germany would be divided into zones. (a) FRG (Federal republic of Germany) - administered by UK, USA and France. They came under the capitalist ideology. (b) GDR (German Democratic Republic) - administered by the Soviet Union. They would come under communist ideology. (ii) Japan and Italy became very weak. They were to be governed by conquering forces. 2. Formation of the UN - on October 24, 1945 at San Francisco. 3. Cold war between USA and the Soviet Union |
| Define Cold war. | Cold war is an atmosphere with no armed struggle but the rivals continue to maintain their peace time diplomatic relations along with their hostility. |
| Write the full forms and headquarters of the following: (i) UNICEF (ii) WHO (iii) UNESCO | (i) United Nations Children's Fund (previously: United Nations Children's Emergency Fund) HQ: New York, USA. (ii) World Health Organization HQ: Geneva, Switzerland. (iii) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization HQ: Paris, France. |
| Who introduced Subsidiary Alliance? | Lord Wellesley |
| Who introduced the Doctrine of Lapse? | Lord Dalhousie |
| What is the policy of expansion? | It is the British policy of territorial expansion and gradual annexation of the native Indian States. |
| Explain the four points under policy of expansion. | Policy of expansion: (i) Outright Wars (ii) Subsidiary Alliance - bringing Indian states under British control without actually annexing them. The Indian rulers who entered into this alliance would: •Accept the British as their supreme power. •Surrender all their alliances to the East India Company and not enter into any alliance and wage wars •Would allow one British Resident to reside at their headquarters and would not employ any other European without the consent of the British •Would maintain the British troops at their own cost •Virtually lost their independence (iii) Doctrine of Lapse - If a ruler died without a male heir to the kingdom, the kingdom would lapse and would come under the rule of the British. Major states annexed due to this: Jhansi, Satara, Nagpur. (iv) On the pretext of alleged misrule: Annexing a kingdom with the excuse of it being misgoverned. Major states annexed due to this: Awadh After annexing Awadh: people had to pay more taxes, many nobles and soldiers were out of a job, zamindars and talukdars were affected. |
| Who announced that the successors of Bahadur Shah Zafar will no longer be permitted to use the Red Fort as their residence? | Lord Dalhousie. |
| Who was the adopted son of Baji Rao II? | Nana Saheb. |
| Explain absentee sovereignty. | Indians did not like this concept. India was being ruled by the British Government from England, thousands of miles away from India. The revenues collected in India were spent in Britain. So, the taxes paid were not for the welfare of the Indians. |
| List all the socio-religious causes. | •Interference in social customs - British did not take the feelings of Indians into mind. •Activities of Missionaries - British denounced idol worship. •Oppression of the poor •Policy of racial discrimination - British officials were rudue and arrogant to common Indians. •Corruption in the Administration •Taxing religious places - Previous rulers exempted these places from taxes. •Apprehension about modern innovations - There were rumours that the telegraph poles were being used to hang those who didn't agree with the British. •Fears regarding western education - Indians thought that the institutions encouraged their students to become Christians. •Changing the Hindu Law of Property - A convert from Hinduism can still inherit the property of their father. This might encourage people to convert their religion. |
| Elaborate on the economic causes. | 1. Exploitation of economic resources 2. Drain of wealth 3. Decay of cottage industries and handicraft 4. Economic decline of peasantry 5. Growing Unemployment 6. Poverty and famines 7. Decline of Landed Aristocracy 8. Inhuman treatment of Indigo cultivators |
| List the military causes. | 1. Ill-treatment of Indian soldiers 2. General Service Enlistment Act 3. Bleak Prospects of promotions 4. Deprivation of allowances 5. Lower salaries 6. Faulty distribution of troops 7. Poor performance of British troops 8. Larger proportion of Indians in the British Army |
| Define Nationalism. | It is the feeling of oneness and belonging that emerges between people coming from the same social, political and culture background and have the same cultural values and consider themselves as one nation. |
| Define the Parliament. | The parliament is a body of the people's representatives who have supreme governance in a democratic country. |
| What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha? | 552 530 - representatives of the state. 20 - representatives of the union territories. 2 - nominated members of the anglo-indian community, if the president feels that the community is not adequately represented. |
| Who has the authority to disqualify a member of the Lok Sabha? | President and the election commission. If the question arises that a member of either house of Parliament is subject to any of the disqualifications, it is the president's decision in accordance with the opinion of the election commission. |
| What is a parliamentary procedure? | Some formalities which legislators have to observe in parliament and state legislatures. |
| What are the 3 sessions of Parliament? | 1. Budget session (February - May) 2. Monsoon Session (July - August) 3. Winter Session (November - December) |
| Define Quorum. | It is the minimum number of members required to be present to allow the House to transact its business. Quorum = 1/10th of the total membership of each house of parliament. |