NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science History Chapter 2 Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Ans : In 1903, Hanoi was struck with Bubonic plague.In many colonial countries, the measures to control the spread of this diseases resulted in conflicts.The French part of Hanoi was well built with wide avenues and had well laid sewage system.These facilities were deprived in native parts of Hanoi In this part of the city, the sewer matter were drained into the river which over flooded the streets causing worst conditions of hygiene.The good aim of the French was in turn became the cause for breeding of rats which moved about freely in any part of the city.From this we can understand that though French colonial attitude towards hygiene and health was towards improving their control of country it turned futile and caused only diseases in the country. 

Ans : The goal of both the leaders was the same-freedom of Vietnam from French colonial rule, but they wanted to gain it through different ways. Phan Chu Trinh wanted to overthrow the monarchy in order to form a basis for the promotion of the popular rights by establishing a democratic republic.His opinion was not to gain freedom from the French colonial rule through the monarchy. Also, he did not want to boycott Western civilization. He also liked the democratic ideals of the West. He was much influenced by the French revolutionary ideal of liberty and so he accepted it. Opposite to it Phan goi Chau was much affected by the Confucian tradition and was in favour of driving out the French, using the monarchy. He wished that first the foreign enemy should be driven out and after their nation's freedom was restored they could talk about other things. 

Ans : (a) The "civilising mission" of the colonisers was an imperial disguise for controlling colonies. European powers assumed that their civilisation was the most advanced, and that it was their humanitarian concern to spread it around the world, even if this was done by force. Europeans became the self-professed carriers of light to the colonies, rejecting the latter's inherent traditions, religions and cultures as outdated. Also, education was viewed as a "civilising" tool, but fearing retaliation, the colonisers—the French in Vietnam, the British in India, did not want to give full access to the colonised people to Western education. They were aware that Western education might instill democratic ideals and a desire for independence. Hence, the "civilising mission" was marred by double standards and sheer hypocrisy. 
(b) Huynh Phu So was a revolutionary leader who started an anti-French movement known as the Hoa Hoa. He was declared the "Mad Bonze" and put in a mental asylum by the French. He performed miracles and helped the poor; condemning unnecessary expenses, gambling, intoxication and the sale of child brides. Interestingly, he was declared sane in 1941, but was exiled to Laos after the doctor treating him also became his follower. 

Ans : (a) Only one-third of the students in Vietnam would pass the school-leaving examinations because the French colonial administration followed a deliberate policy of failing students in their final year examinations so that they could not qualify for better-paid jobs. Only the wealthy Vietnamese could afford enrolment in these expensive schools, and to add to that, very few would pass the school-leaving examinations. 
(b) The French began building canals and draining lands in the Mekong delta for increased cultivation. This was done under a garb to "civilise" Vietnam on a European model, but it was actually an economic idea meant to increase rice production and subsequent export of rice to the international market. 
(c) When the French principal of the Saigon Native Girls School expelled the students protesting another student's expulsion, there was widespread remonstration. Considering the gravity of the situation, the government decided to control the intensity of the protests by providing an outlet—making the school take back the students. 
(d) Rats were most common in the modern, newly built areas of Hanoi because the modern and apparently hygienic sewage system provided ideal breeding grounds for rodents apart from being a good transport system as well, for the rats. Sewage from the old city was drained out into the river or overflowed in the streets during heavy rains. The large sewers now became a protected breeding and living space for rats. Hanoi, despite its "modernity', became the chief cause of the plague in 1903. 

Ans : The ideas behind the Tonkin Free School were predominantly based on policies of westernisation. Students were taught science, hygiene and French, and were encouraged to adopt Western styles of dressing. This school was a typical example of colonial ideas in Vietnam on account of the aforementioned. It rejected traditional Vietnamese education and lifestyle, and promoted western ideals and living.