Passage Based Questions: The End of Bipolarity | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:
The Berlin Wall symbolised the division between the capitalist and the communist world. Built in 1961 to separate East Berlin from West Berlin, this more than 150 kilometre long wall stood for 28 years and was finally broken by the people on 9 November 1989. This marked the unification of the two parts of Germany and the beginning of the end of the communist bloc.

(i) When and where was the Berlin Wall constructed?
Ans: The wall was built in Berlin (Germany) in 1961.

(ii) What was the Berlin Wall?
Ans: The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from East Germany.

(iii) What did the Berlin Wall represent?
Ans: It symbolized the deep political divisions that split Europe between the so-called capitalist West and the Communist East.

(iv) Who was responsible for breaking the Berlin Wall?
Ans: The wall was broken by the people who wanted to unite Germany.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:
The Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War. The Soviet economy was then more developed than the rest of the world except for the US. It had a complex communications network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel, machinery production, and a transport sector that connected its remotest areas with efficiency. It had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything from pins to cars, though their quality did not match that of the Western capitalist countries. There was no unemployment. State ownership was the dominant form of ownership: land and productive assets were owned and controlled by the Soviet state.

(i) When did the Soviet Union emerge as a superpower?
Ans: The Soviet Union became a great power after the Second World War.

(ii) How did the Soviet Union's economy compare to that of the United States?
Ans: The Soviet economy was then more developed than the rest of the world except for the US.

(iii) What type of control did the Soviet state have over its economy?
Ans: State ownership was the dominant form of ownership: land and productive assets were owned and controlled by the Soviet state.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:
After the Second World War, the east European countries that the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of the USSR. The political and economic systems of all these countries were modelled after the USSR. This group of countries was called the Second World or the ‘socialist bloc’. The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance, held them together. The USSR was the leader of the bloc.

(i) Which countries fell under the control of the USSR after World War II?
Ans: After the Second World War, the east European countries that the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of the USSR.

(ii) What do you know about the ‘Socialist Bloc’?
Ans: The Socialist Bloc was the group of communist states of Central and Eastern Europe, East Asia, and Southeast Asia under the hegemony of the Soviet Union in opposition to the capitalist Western Bloc.

(iii) What is another name for the ‘Socialist Bloc’?
Ans: Communist Bloc / the Eastern Bloc / the Soviet Bloc.

Passage - 4

Passage - 6

Direction: Read the following cartoon and answer the following questions:

(i) What is the main idea depicted in this cartoon?
Ans: It is the influence of the dollar, and the United States has the world’s largest economy to be conducted with the United States dollar, and it has remained the de facto world currency. 

(ii) What does this cartoon reveal about the nature of hegemony?
Ans: The nature of hegemony is characterized by hard power, including military expenditure and defense mechanisms. 

(iii) Mention any two examples of its structural power.
Ans: Examples of its structural power:
a) Global public goods.
b) SLOCS.
c) Internet.
d) World trade. 

Passage - 7

Direction: Study the cartoon given below and answer the following questions:

(i) Which country is symbolized by this mighty soldier?
Ans: USA.

(ii) Why are the names of so many countries written on the uniform of the soldier?
Ans: Because the US had invaded all these countries and demonstrated hegemony and supremacy of power.

(iii) What message does this cartoon convey to the international community?
Ans: It conveys the message that the US is a superpower and has the might to push its interests in any part of the world. (CBSE Marking Scheme, 2015)

Passage - 8

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

In eastern Europe, Czechoslovakia split peacefully into two, with the Czechs and the Slovaks forming independent countries. But the most severe conflict took place in the Balkan republics of Yugoslavia. After 1991, it broke apart with several provinces like Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence. Ethnic Serbs opposed this, and a massacre of non-Serb Bosnians followed. The NATO intervention and the bombing of Yugoslavia followed the inter-ethnic civil war.

(i) Which republic in Eastern Europe split into two?
Ans: Czechoslovakia split into two with Czechs and Slovaks.

(ii) Which republic experienced severe conflict?
Ans: Balkan republics of Yugoslavia.

(iii) Name the provinces that broke away from Yugoslavia in 1991.
Ans: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina.

(iv) What incident led to the inter-ethnic civil war?
Ans:
(i) Ethnic Serbs opposed the breakup of several provinces independently, leading to a massacre of non-Serb Bosnians.
(ii) NATO intervention and bombing of Yugoslavia. 

Passage - 9

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the following questions:

India has maintained good relations with all the post-communist countries. But the strongest relations are still those between Russia and India. India’s relations with Russia are an important aspect of India’s foreign policy. Indo-Russian relations are embedded in a history of trust and common interests and are matched by popular perceptions. Indian heroes from Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan are household names in Russia and many post-Soviet countries. One can hear Hindi film songs all over the region, and India is part of the popular memory.

(i) What do you understand by the term "post-communist countries"?

Ans: These are the countries that have undergone a transition from communism to capitalism.

(ii) Mention any two factors that have contributed to the strong relations between India and Russia.

Ans: Firstly, the names of Indian actors like Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan are well-known in Russian households. Secondly, Russia and India share a vision of a multipolar world order.

(iii) Why are India’s relations with Russia considered an important aspect of India’s foreign policy?

Ans: India and Russia both envision a multipolar world and believe in peaceful negotiation of international matters. They share a history of common interests and perceptions.

Passage - 10

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:
The old system of social welfare was systematically destroyed. The withdrawal of government subsidies pushed large sections of the people into poverty. The middle classes were pushed to the periphery of society. Besides, privatization led to more disparities.

(i) What do you mean by a government subsidy?
Ans: Economic assistance provided to a particular group of consumers in the form of reduced rates for commodities, or reduced rates of interest or rent compared to prevailing market rates.

(ii) How did the withdrawal of government subsidies contribute to increasing poverty?
Ans:
(a) People had to pay more for goods and services, which reduced their affordability.
(b) The cost of tools, implements, machines, and fertilizers increased, making it difficult for people to purchase necessary items for their livelihood.

(ii) Do you support or oppose the policy of privatization? Provide two arguments to justify your stance.
Ans: The candidate may support or oppose the policy of privatization.

Passage - 11

Direction: Read the passage given below carefully and answer the following questions:

Each of these countries was required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy, which meant rooting out completely any structures evolved during this period. Above all, it meant that private ownership was to be the dominant pattern of ownership of property. Privatisation of state assets and corporate ownership patterns were to be immediately brought in. Collective farms were to be replaced by private farming and capitalism in agriculture. This transition rules out any alternate or ‘third way’.

(i) Identify any two countries that were required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy.
Ans: Two countries that were required to make a total shift were Russia and Kazakhstan.

(ii) Why was there a need to replace collective farms with private farming?
Ans: Collective farms were replaced by private farming to establish private ownership as the dominant pattern of ownership of property.

(iii) With the 'third way' ruled out, what were the only two ways to control the economy?
Ans: The only two ways of controlling the economy were the 'Capitalist economy' and 'Shock therapy.'

Passage - 12

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) came into being after the socialist revolution in Russia in 1917. The revolution was inspired by the ideals of socialism, as opposed to capitalism, and the need for an egalitarian society. This was perhaps the biggest attempt in human history to abolish the institution of private property and consciously design a society based on principles of equality. In doing so, the makers of the Soviet system gave primacy to the state and the institution of the party.

Q1: What inspired the socialist revolution in Russia in 1917?
Ans:

• The socialist revolution in Russia in 1917 was inspired by the ideals of socialism and the desire to create an egalitarian society, as opposed to capitalism.

Q2: What was the primary goal of the Soviet system in the USSR?
Ans: 

• The primary goal of the Soviet system in the USSR was to abolish the institution of private property and consciously design a society based on principles of equality.

Q3: Which institutions were given primacy in the Soviet system's design?
Ans: 

• The Soviet system gave primacy to the state and the institution of the party in its design.

Passage - 13

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

A coup took place in 1991 that was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners. The people had tasted freedom by then and did not want the old-style rule of the Communist Party. Boris Yeltsin emerged as a national hero in opposing this coup. The Russian Republic, where Yeltsin won a popular election, began to shake off centralised control. Power began to shift from the Soviet centre to the republics, especially in the more Europeanised part of the Soviet Union, which saw themselves as sovereign states.

Q1: What event in 1991 was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners, and why did the people oppose it?
Ans:

• The event in 1991 was a coup attempt.
• It was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners.
• The people opposed it because they had experienced a taste of freedom and did not want to return to the old-style rule of the Communist Party.

Q2: Who emerged as a national hero in opposing the 1991 coup in Russia?
Ans:

• Boris Yeltsin emerged as a national hero.
• He played a significant role in opposing the coup.

Q3: What were the consequences of the 1991 coup for the Russian Republic and the balance of power in the Soviet Union?
Ans:

• The Russian Republic, where Yeltsin won a popular election, began to shake off centralised control.
• Power began to shift from the Soviet center to the republics, especially in the more Europeanized part of the Soviet Union.
• Many of these republics began to assert themselves as sovereign states, signaling a change in the balance of power within the Soviet Union.

Passage - 14

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

However, Gorbachev’s decision to normalise relations with the West and democratise and reform the Soviet Union had some other effects that neither he nor anyone else intended or anticipated. The people in the East European countries which were part of the Soviet bloc started to protest against their own governments and Soviet control. Unlike in the past, the Soviet Union, under Gorbachev, did not intervene when the disturbances occurred, and the communist regimes collapsed one after another. 

Q1: What were some unintended consequences of Mikhail Gorbachev's decisions to normalize relations with the West and reform the Soviet Union?
Ans:

• Gorbachev's decisions led to unintended effects.
• East European countries within the Soviet bloc started to protest against their governments and Soviet control.
• The Soviet Union, under Gorbachev, did not intervene in these protests, which ultimately led to the collapse of communist regimes in those countries.

Q2: How did the response of the Soviet Union, under Gorbachev, differ from previous instances when disturbances occurred in East European countries?
Ans:

• In the past, the Soviet Union had often intervened to suppress disturbances in East European countries.
• Under Gorbachev's leadership, the Soviet Union chose not to intervene when protests and disturbances occurred in those countries.
• This non-intervention policy contributed to the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.

Q3: What was the ultimate result of the protests in East European countries against their governments and Soviet control during Gorbachev's era?
Ans:

• The protests led to the collapse of communist regimes in East European countries.
• These countries gained greater independence and autonomy as a result of these developments.
• This unintended consequence of Gorbachev's policies significantly reshaped the political landscape in Eastern Europe.

Passage - 15

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

The Soviet Union had become stagnant in an administrative and political sense as well. The Communist Party that had ruled the Soviet Union for over 70 years was not accountable to the people. Ordinary people were alienated by slow and stifling administration, rampant corruption, the inability of the system to correct mistakes it had made, the unwillingness to allow more openness in government, and the centralisation of authority in a vast land. Worse still, the party bureaucrats gained more privileges than ordinary citizens.

Q1: What were some of the reasons that contributed to the stagnation of the Soviet Union in administrative and political terms?
Ans:

• The Communist Party's unaccountability after ruling for over 70 years.
• Slow and stifling administrative processes.
• Rampant corruption within the system.
• The inability of the system to correct its mistakes.
• The resistance to allowing more government openness.
• The centralization of authority across a vast territory.

Q2: How did ordinary people in the Soviet Union feel alienated under the existing system?
Ans:

• Ordinary people felt alienated due to the slow and stifling bureaucracy.
• They were disillusioned by the rampant corruption.
• The system's inability to rectify its mistakes added to their discontent.
• The lack of government openness and transparency further distanced them from the system.
• Centralization of authority within the vast country exacerbated the sense of alienation.

Q3: What contrasted the privileges of party bureaucrats with the status of ordinary citizens in the Soviet Union?
Ans:

• Party bureaucrats enjoyed more privileges compared to ordinary citizens.
• This disparity in privileges created resentment and dissatisfaction among the general population.
• It further highlighted the lack of accountability and fairness in the Soviet system.
• The unequal distribution of benefits fueled discontent and played a role in the system's decline.

Passage - 16

Direction: Read the following Passage and Answer the Questions.

One view is that nationalist urges and feelings were very much at work throughout the history of the Soviet Union and that whether or not the reforms had occurred there would have been an internal struggle within the Soviet Union. This is a ‘what-if’ of history, but surely it is not an unreasonable view given the size and diversity of the Soviet Union and its growing internal problems. Others think that Gorbachev’s reforms speeded up and increased nationalist dissatisfaction to the point that the government and rulers could not control it.

Q1: What is one perspective regarding the role of nationalist sentiments in the history of the Soviet Union, and what factors support this view?
Ans:

• One perspective suggests that nationalist urges were present throughout Soviet history.
• This view is based on the large and diverse nature of the Soviet Union.
• It speculates that even without Gorbachev's reforms, there might have been an internal struggle due to the nation's growing internal issues.

Q2: How do some individuals believe Gorbachev's reforms influenced nationalist dissatisfaction in the Soviet Union?
Ans:

• Some argue that Gorbachev's reforms accelerated and intensified nationalist dissatisfaction.
• These reforms may have pushed the government and rulers to a point where they could no longer control the rising nationalist sentiments.
• The view is that Gorbachev's policies inadvertently exacerbated existing nationalist tensions.

Q3: What is the significance of the debate over the role of nationalist sentiments in the Soviet Union's history?
Ans:

• The debate highlights the complexity of understanding the factors leading to the Soviet Union's eventual dissolution.
• It underscores the importance of historical perspectives in assessing the impact of Gorbachev's reforms and the influence of nationalist movements on the Soviet Union's fate.
• This debate offers different interpretations of the internal dynamics that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.