Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Until the nineteenth century, poverty and hunger were widespread in Europe due to the following reasons:

1. The first half of the nineteenth century saw an enormous increase in population, creating more job seekers than employment opportunities.
2. Rural population migrated to cities, leading to overcrowded slums.
3. Small producers faced stiff competition from cheap machine-made imports from England.
4. Peasants struggled under feudal dues, and bad harvests caused widespread pauperism.

Source: Chapter 1, Section 3.2 – Hunger, Hardship and Popular Revolt

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This is a 2-mark analytical question. Examiners expect 2 clear, specific points drawn directly from the textbook passage. Avoid vague statements — mention specific causes like population growth, unemployment, competition from English imports, feudal burdens, and food price rise. No need to give examples of revolts (like 1848 Paris or Silesia) unless you have space; the causes are the focus here.