Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain:

1. Before the 18th century, there was no British nation. The British Isles were inhabited by ethnic groups — English, Welsh, Scots and Irish — each with their own cultural and political traditions.

1. As the English nation grew in wealth and power, the English Parliament (which had seized power from the monarchy in 1688) became the key instrument of nation-building.

1. The Act of Union (1707) between England and Scotland resulted in the formation of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', with England imposing its influence over Scotland.

1. Scotland's distinctive culture was suppressed — Highlanders were forbidden from speaking Gaelic or wearing national dress, and many were driven from their homeland.

1. Ireland, divided between Catholics and Protestants, was forcibly incorporated into the United Kingdom in 1801, after a failed revolt by Wolfe Tone.

1. A new British identity was forged by promoting the Union Jack, the national anthem (God Save Our Noble King), and the English language, while older nations survived only as subordinate partners.

Source: Chapter 1 — Nationalism in Europe, Section 4.3 The Strange Case of Britain

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• The examiner expects a process-based answer covering: pre-existing ethnic identities → role of English Parliament → Act of Union 1707 → suppression of Scotland → incorporation of Ireland 1801 → symbols of new British identity.
• Dates (1688, 1707, 1801) and key terms (Act of Union, Union Jack) fetch marks.
• Avoid generic nationalism points; stick strictly to the British case as described in Section 4.3.
• 6 crisp numbered points work well for 5 marks — easy to read and award marks against.