Chapter 1: A Period of Transition

Question 1

Name the periods into which the historians divide the history of mankind.

Answer 1

Historians have divided the history of mankind into 3 periods:

a) Ancient
b) Medieval
c) Modern

Question 2

What are sources?

Answer 2

Materials that have a direct relation in constructing the history of a particular period are called historical facts or sources

Question 3

Name the epicentre for the period of Renaissance.

Answer 3

Florence, Italy was the epicentre for the period of Renaissance.

Question 4

Name 2 tools developed in the Middle Ages and continued to be used during the Renaissance.

Answer 4

Astrolabe and Magnetic compass were the 2 tools developed in the Middle Ages for exploration and continued to be used during the Renaissance.

Question 5

What was Prince Henry popularly known as?

Answer 5

Prince Henry was known as ‘Prince Henry the Navigator’

Question 6

Who gave the earliest design of the submarine?

Answer 6

Leonardo da Vinci

Question 7

What became possible after the invention of mechanical clock?

Answer 7

Measuring a day’s time in 24 hours cycle.

Question 8

Who invented the printing press and when?

Answer 8

Johann Gutenberg in 1440.

Question 9

In which year were the eyeglasses invented?

Answer 9

1284

Question 10

How, when and where was gunpowder invented?

Answer 10

Gunpowder was accidently invented in around AD 850 in China.

Question 11

Who invented the matchstick?

Answer 11

Robert Boyle.

Question 12

Who invented the first friction match?

Answer 12

John Walker

Question 13

Name the Chinese voyager who was the first to use the mariner’s compass

Answer 13

Zheng

Question 14

What is imperialism?

Answer 14

Imperialism is gaining political and economic control of other areas with the use of power.

Question 15

State the positive impacts of imperialism.

Answer 15

1. Unified nations.
2. Increased agricultural products.
3. Higher literacy rate.
4. Asian and African products became valuable in the international market.

Question 16

State the negative impacts of imperialism.

Answer 16

1. Natives lost control of land and independence.
2. Expanded population led to famine.
3. Cash displaced the food crops.
4. Natives died of new diseases like smallpox.
5. Thousands of people died of rebellions.

Question 17

What was the contribution of the colonial powers to the welfare during imperialism?

Answer 17

The colonial powers setup schools and colleges, constructed roads and railways, built canals and bridges, provided law and order, improved sanitation and health, promoted trade and commerce.

Question 18

How did colonialism and imperialism lead to bitter rivalry among the European powers?

Answer 18

Colonialism and imperialism led to bitter rivalry among the European powers as they fought various wars for the possession of the colonies.

Question 19

State the negative economic impact of imperialism.

Answer 19

The imperialist powers exploited the colonies by importing raw materials at the cheapest possible rates and exported finished products at high rates.

Question 20

Classify the Modern Period. Explain each phase.

Answer 20

1) The Early Modern Phase: It is the period of the 16th century that witnessed European Renaissance, the Age of Discovery, and the Protestant Reformation.

2) The Late Modern Phase: The mid-18th century that witnessed the French Revolution, the American Revolution and the Industrial Revolution is known as the late modern phase.

3) Contemporary Phase: From 1945 to the present time is known as the contemporary phase.

Question 21

List and explain any four Inventions and Discoveries of the Renaissance period.

Answer 21

a. Submarine:
• Earliest design created by Leonardo da Vinci.
• Cornelius van Drebbel successfully developed the submarine in 1624.

b. Mechanical Clock:
Yi Xing discovered this in China. Earliest designs of mechanical clock incorporated a drum, which contained mercury driven by means of weights. After this invention measuring a day’s time in a 24 hours cycle became possible.

c. Printing press:
Invented by Johann Gutenberg of Germany in 1440. He made use of the movable type of letters for printing.

d. Eyeglasses:
Salvino D’Armato degi Armati from Italy is credited with making wearable glasses in 1284.

Question 22

Give reasons for the Industrial Revolution that began in England.

Answer 22

Reasons of Industrial Revolution:

• England controlled many colonies.
• England had natural resources like coal and iron which served as a source of raw material required for industries.
• There were people with new ideas and inventions to support the industry system.
• They are government was stable, wealthy and supportive.
• Above all England was free from domestic conflicts.

Question 23

State the positive and negative Impacts of Imperialism.

Answer 23

Positive Impacts:
• The colonial powers set up schools and colleges
• Constructed roads and Railways
• Built canals and bridges
• Provided law and order
• Improved sanitation and health
• Promoted trade and commerce

Negative Impacts:
• Exploitation
• Misery
• Poverty
• Cruelty
• Conversion and racial segregation