ITL Public School (2016-17)

Class : IX Chapter: Constitutional Design Subject: Political Science

Instructions:
For 1 mark questions write one line and underline the Key word.
For 3 mark question give three points and each points should be framed into one proper sentence or two
For five mark questions at least five points are to be there again frame each of these points to be framed in to one
proper sentence or two.
For each questions value points are given from the content frame the sentences of your own:
Highlighted points are value points

I. South Africa: What was Apartheid?

a) Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination unique to South Africa where the
white European minority discriminated the native black majority.
b) The blacks were forbidden from living in white areas.
c) They could work in white areas only if they had a permit.
d) Trains, buses, taxis, hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, libraries, cinema halls, theatres,
beaches, swimming pools, public toilets, were all separate for the whites and blacks. This was
called segregation.
e) They could not even visit the churches where the whites worshipped.
f) Blacks could not form associations or protest against the terrible treatment

Value points

i. System of racial discrimination

ii. White in minority discriminated the Black majority
iii. Blacks were segregated from whites in all respects
iv. No right to protest or form associations
v.
( E xp a nd th e se va l ue po int s to fr a me fu ll se nt e nc e s in y ou r an sw e rs )

II. The Man Who Led the Struggle : NELSO N M ANDELA

a. Nelson Mandela was tried for treason by the white South African government.
b. He and seven other leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for daring to
oppose the apartheid regime in his country.
c. He spent the next 28 years in South Africa’s most dreaded prison, Robben Island.

Possible questions
i. W hat was apartheid? How was it practiced in South Africa?
ii. W ho led the struggle against apartheid in South Africa? Elaborate his role.
iii. How was the Black majority being dominated by the white minority ?

III. Struggle against the Apartheid

a) Since 1950, the blacks, the coloured and Indians fought against the apartheid system by launching
protest marches and strikes.
b) The African National Congress (ANC) was the umbrella organization that led the struggle against
the policies of segregation included many workers’ unions and the Communist Party.
 c) Many sensitive whites also joined the ANC to oppose apartheid.
d) Nelson Mandela and seven other leaders were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for daring to
oppose the apartheid regime in his country. 5.
e) Several countries denounced apartheid as unjust and racist.
f) But the white racist government continued to rule by detaining, torturing and killing thousands of
black and coloured people.

Value points
i. Blacks, coloured and Indians launched protests
ii. ANC represented all non-whites and led the struggle
iii. Many whites also joined ANC
iv. Worldwide Apartheid was condemned and declared unjust
v. White racist continued to torture non-whites

Possible questions
i. How did the oppressed in South Africa fight against the oppressor?
ii. Which party led the struggle in South Africa? W hat was special about it?
IV. End of Apartheid in South Africa
i. The protests and struggles against apartheid increased, the government realized that they could no
longer keep the blacks under their rule through repression.
ii. Discriminatory laws were repealed.
iii. Ban on political parties and restrictions on the media were lifted.
iv. After 28 years of imprisonment, Nelson Mandela walked out of the jail as a free man.
v. At the midnight of 26 April 1994, the new national flag of the Republic of South Africa was
unfurled.
vi. The apartheid government came to an end, paving way for the formation of a multi-racial
government.
vii. Mandela became the first president of new South Africa.

Value points

a) Protests and struggle reached its peak

b) White government failed to repress the black majority
c) Discriminatory laws, ban on political parties and media restrictions were lifted
d) Nelson M andela was released from prison
e) South Africa hosted its flag as Independent democratic nation
f) End of racist government and Birth of multi-racial government
g) Mandela became the President

Possible questions
i. How did Apartheid Government came to an end in South Africa?

V. Journey Towards Democracy

i. Under new democratic South Africa, the black leaders appealed to fellow blacks to forgive the
whites for the atrocities they had committed while in power.
ii. They build a new South Africa based on equality of all races, social justice and human rights.
iii. After two years of discussion and debate they came out with one of the finest constitutions the
world has ever had.
iv. This constitution gave to its citizens the most extensive rights available in any country.
v. The South African constitution inspires democrats all over the world.
 vi. A state denounced by the entire world till recently as the most undemocratic one is now seen
as a model of democracy.

Value points

a. Blacks forgave the whites for the atrocities they had committed
b. New nation based on equality of all races, social justice and human rights was built
c. Finest constitution was framed after Two years of debates and discussions
d. gives the most extensive to its citi zens
e. Inspires the democrats worldwide
f. South Africa now a model of democracy
Possible questions
a. How was the constitution framed in South Africa?
b. ‘The South African constitution inspires democrats all over the world’. Justify

VI. Why South Africa Needed a Constitution

i. The black majority was keen to ensure that social and economic rights of majority are not
compromised along with majority rule.
ii. The white minority was keen to protect its privileges and property.
iii. After long negotiations both parties compromised, the whites agreed to the principle of
majority rule and that of one person one vote. They also agreed to accept some basic rights
for the poor and the workers.
iv. The blacks agreed that majority rule would not be absolute. They agreed that the majority
would not take away the property of the white minority.
v. The only way to build and maintain trust in such a situation is to write down some rules of
the country that everyone would abide by.
vi. These rules also determine what the elected governments are empowered to do and what
they cannot do.
vii. They agreed on some basic rules which will be supreme , that no government will be able to
ignore these. This set of basic rules is called a constitution.

Value points
a. Blacks wanted rule of majority and socio -economic rights for themselves
b. Whites wanted to protect their property and privileges
c. After negotiations both parties comprised
d. Blacks accepted majority rule will not be absolute and property of whites will not taken
e. Whites agreed majority rule with one person one vote
f. It was necessary to write down these rules
g. Set of basic rules which are supreme and abided by all -constitution
Possible questions
i. Explain the circumstances under which South African constitution was drawn?
ii. Why was it important for South Africa to frame its constitution?
iii. ‘The constitution of south Africa is one step ahead of India.’ Explain

VII. Role of Constitution In a Democracy

i. A Constitution generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kind
of people to live together.
ii. A Constitution specifies how the government will be constituted, who will have power to take
which decisions.
iii. A Constitution lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of
the citizens are.
 iv. A Constitution expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.
v. All countries that have constitutions are not necessarily democratic. But all countries that are
democratic will have constitutions.

Value points
a. Establishes trust among diverse people
b. Specifies powers and functions and limits of government and citizens
c. Guiding light for the country
d. Is a necessity for democratic country

Possible Q uestions
i. Why is constitution necessary for a democratic country?
ii. Analyze the need for a constitution in a democracy.

VIII. PATH TO M AKING OF TH E INDIAN CONSTITU TIO N

Circumstances at the time of making of our constitution

i. For the first time people of India were emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens.
ii. The country was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences .
iii. This was a traumatic experience for the people of India.
iv. At least ten lakh people were killed on both sides of the border in partition related violence.
v. The British had left it to the rulers of the princely states to decide whether they wanted to merge
with India or with Pakistan or remain independent.
vi. The merger of these princely states was a difficult and uncertain task.
Value points
a. Indian emerged as citizens from subjects
b. Underwent Traumatic experience of partition based on communal violence and
bloodshed
c. 10 lakh people died on both sides of border
d. British disintegrated India into 516 princely states, merger of these was difficult and
uncertain
Possible questions
i. India’s Constitution was drawn up under very difficult circumstances- How?

IX. Factors contributed to the making of our Constitution

i. In 1928, Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders drafted a constitution for India with
features like universal adult franchise, right to freedom and equality and to protecting the rights
of minorities
ii. In 1931, the resolution at the Karachi session of the Indian National decided to add universal
adult franchise, right to freedom and equality and to protecting the rights of minorities to the
constitution of Independent India.
iii. The experience gained by Indians in the working of the legislative institutions of the colonial
period proved to be very useful for the country ..
iv. Indian constitution adopted many institutional details and procedures from colonial laws like the
Government of India Act 1935 .
v. Our leaders gained confidence to learn from other countries , but on our own terms. Many of our
leaders were inspired by the ideals of French Revolution, the practice of parliamentary
democracy in Britain, the Bill of Rights in the US and the socialist revolution in Russia.
 Value points

i. 1928 motilal Nehru and 8 others prepared draft of Indian Constitution

ii. 1931, Karachi session U.A.F and many other rights were added
iii. Experience of Indians working in legislative bodies during British rule proved helpful
iv. Adopted procedures and details from colonial laws
v. Took inspiration from many independent and democratic nations

X. MAKERS OF INDIAN CO NSTITUION

Composition of Constituent Assembly
i. . The drafting of the document called the constitution was done by an assembly of elected
representatives called the Constituent Assembly.
ii. The Constituent Assembly was elected mainly by the members of the existing Provincial
Legislatures.
iii. This ensured a fair geographical share of members from all the regions of the country.
iv. The Assembly was dominated by the Indian National Congress, But the Congress itself
included a variety of political groups and opinions.
v. In social terms, the Assembly represented members from different language groups, castes,
classes, religions and occupations.
vi. The Constituent Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner .
vii. Though it was not elected by universal adult franchise but represented the entire country.

Value points
a. Elected body of members of provincial legislatures
b. Dominated by INC, but included varied political groups and opinions
c. Represented members from different language groups, castes, classes, religions and
occupations.
d. Worked with sanctity

Working of constituent Assembly

i. Election to the Constituent Assembly was held in July 1946. The Constituent Assembly that
wrote the Indian constitution had 299 members .
ii. Its first meeting was held in December 1946. The Constituent Assembly worked in a
systematic, open and consensual manner .
iii. First some basic principles were decided and agreed upon.
iv. Then a Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft constitution
for discussion.
v. Several rounds of thorough discussion took place on the Draft Constitution, clause by
clause .
vi. More than two thousand amendments were considered.
vii. The members deliberated for 114 days spread over three years.
viii. The Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November 1949 but it came into effect on
January 26, 195 0. To mark this day we celebrate January 26 as Republic Day every year.
Value points
a. Elected body of 299 members
b. Ist meeting in December 1946
c. Worked in systematic and open manner
d. Basic principles were decided
e. B.R Ambedkar prepared draft of constitution for discussion
f. Rounds of discussions clause by clause
g. Over two thousand amendments were considered
h. Worked for 3 years
 Possible questions
i. ‘The manner in which constituent assembly worked gives sanctity to the Constitution’.
Justify
ii. Elaborate the process of making of our constitution.
iii. ‘Some basic values were accepted by all leaders much before the Constituent Assembly met
to deliberate on the Constitution’ explain.

Why should we accept the Constitution made by this Assembly more than sixty years ago?
i. Constituent assembly was a elected body
ii. It represented people from all sections of our society with varied political opinions
iii. The process of framing the constitution was open, systematic and based on mutual
consensus
iv. It was a result of long years of thinking and deliberation

XI. Constituent Assembly Debates

i. Every document presented and every word spoken in the Constituent Assembly has been
recorded and preserved. These are called ‘Constituent Assembly Debates’.
ii. When printed, these debates are 12 bulky volumes!
iii. These debates provide the rationale behind every provision of the Constitution.
iv. These are used to interpret the meaning of the Constitution.

XII. PREAMBLE
a) Preamble is an introduction to the constitution; it is a short statement of basic values and
ideals on which our constitution is based upon.
b) Preamble of the Indian Constitution guides all the articles of the Indian Constitution.
c) It is the soul of Indian Constitution
d) Preamble is not enforceable by law or legally binding.

XIII. Institutional design

i. A constitution is not merely a statement of values and philosophy it is mainly about
embodying these values into institutional arrangements such as Office of the Prime
Minister, President, Judiciary etc.
ii. Much of the Constitutional rules are about these arrangements.
iii. It explains in a very legal language , how every institution in the country will function.
Constitutional amendments
i. Indian Constitutio n felt that it has to be in accordance with people’s aspirations and
changes in society.
ii. Constitution makers made provisions to incorporate changes in the constitution from
time to time.
iii. Some old laws are replaced by new ones
iv. Existing laws are changed
v. These changes are called constitutional amendments.
Value points
a) Constitution Not just a philosophy
b) Embodying values into institutions
c) Implementation of rules into institutional arrangements’
d) With time society and its needs and aspirations change
e) Constitutional amendments means the changes made in the constitution
Possible questions
i. Why is there a need for making amendments in the constitution?
ii. ‘Constitution is not a mere philosophy or written document but a guide to institutional
arrangements’. Explain

Key words of the Preamble

REPUBLIC- T he head of the state, the president of India is an elected person and not a hereditary position.

JUSTICE- Citizens cannot be discriminated on the grounds of caste, religion and gender.
Government should work for the welfare of all, especially of the disadvantaged groups.

LIBERTY - T here is no restrictions on the citizens in what they think, express their thoughts and follow up their
thoughts in action.

EQUALITY- All is equal before the law. T he government should ensure equal opportunity for all.

FRATERNITY - All of us should behave as if we are members of the same family. No one should treat a
fellow citizen as inferior.

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA- T he constitution has been drawn up and enacted by the people through their
representatives not handed over by a king or outside powers.

SOVEREIGN - People have supreme right to make decisions on internal as well as external matters. No
external power can dictate the government of India.

SOCIALIST- Wealth is generated socially and should be shared equally by society. Government should reduce
socio-economic inequalities.

SECULAR - Citizens have complete freedom to follow any religion. Government treats all religious beliefs and
practices with equal respect
DEMOCRATIC- A form of government where people enjoy equal political rights, elect their rulers and hold
them accountable.