COLEGIO BRITANICO INTERNACIONAL

SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

SECTION 2 ASSESSMENT
Rafael Serrano 16/11/2023

TERMS & NAMES

1. For each term or name, write a sentence explaining its significance.

- Conservative: Conservatives like things the way they are and don't want big
changes.
- Liberal: Liberals want elected parliaments and changes to make society better.
- Radical: Radicals want big and fast changes through democracy.
- Nationalism: Nationalism is about really liking your own country and culture.
- Nation-State: A nation-state is a country where everyone shares the same
culture.
- The Balkans: The Balkans is a place in Southeastern Europe with a lot of
different people and some past conflicts.
- Louis-Napoleon: Louis-Napoleon ruled France a long time ago and tried to
make it more modern.
- Alexander II: Alexander II was a leader in Russia who made big changes, like
freeing the serfs.
-

USING YOUR NOTES

2. Why did most of the revolts fail?

Many of the revolts were failing due to a lack of structure and stability. Also, as many
countries in Europe were also having revolutions, everyone had to mind their own business.
This means that revolutionary movements had a lack of support from other countries which
made them lose power.

MAIN IDEAS

3. How were radicals different from liberals?

Although radicals and liberals may have some similarities, the truth is that they have
big differences that make them two totally different movements. On one hand, the
radicals have the objective of extending democracy to all the people. Also, they
thought that governments should follow the ideals of the French Revolution, which
are: liberty, equality and fraternity. On the other hand, liberals were middle-class
 people that thought that the government should be based on a parliamentary system,
which would be voted only by educated people.

4. Why did France’s Third Republic fail?

France’s third republic failed because radicals had split into two different points of view. One
side just wanted a political reform. The others also wanted political reform, but also wanted
social and economic reforms. The consequence of this were many violent battles in the
streets.

5. What was the driving force behind Russia’s industrial expansion?

The end of serfdom was a very important force behind Russia's industrial expansion. Also,
the government of Alexander III helped a lot in this development.

CRITICAL THINKING & WRITING

6. MAKING INFERENCES Why might liberals and radicals join together in a

nationalist cause?

They might join together in a nationalist cause because they realized that they were in the
same country and joining together in a nationalist cause would be very good for the country.
Anyways, both wanted to support their nation.

7. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Why did some liberals disapprove of the way

Louis-Napoleon ruled France after the uprisings of 1848?

This could have happened because Louis-Napoleon had a strong and authoritarian way of
governing. Also, he could have taken political, economical and social reforms which weren’t
of the liking of some liberals.

8. EVALUATING DECISIONS What consequences did Alexander’s reforms have on

Russia?

The most important reform of Alexander in Russia was a decree freeing serfs in 1861. This
reform and many others started a new era for Russia, in which they were converting
themselves into a very strong and developed nation thanks to industrial reforms.

9. WRITING ACTIVITY Imagine you live in Europe in 1848. Write a letter to a friend,
stating your political position—conservative, liberal, or radical. Relate your feelings
about the uprisings and Europe’s future.
Hey Manolo, how are you doing?

I’m writing to you to let you know the actual situation in my country. As you know, I'm a
very conservative man, and I consider that the best way to govern is by using traditional and
conventional methods, just as we used before. But these liberal and radical groups are
damaging everything, they just want reforms and changes without thinking about the
consequences. I’m very disappointed in my country, but what could I do?

I hope everything goes well

Sincerely,

Rafael.