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

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Who was the last President of the Soviet Union and for how long?
Ans: Mikhail Gorbachev was the last President of the Soviet Union. He remains President from 1985 to 1991.

Q2: Mention any two reforms initiated by Gorbachev.
Ans: Gorbachev initiated following two reforms:

• Perestroika: It means restructuring.
• Glasnost: It means openness.

Q3: When did India sign the twenty- years ‘Treaty of Peace and Friendship’ with the Soviet Union?
Ans: India signed the twenty years ‘Treaty of Peace and Friendship’ with the Soviet Union in August 1971. This treaty assured India of Soviet’s support if the country faced any attack.

Q4: What is meant by Shock Therapy?
Ans: The authoritarian socialist system existed in Communist countries. With the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the process of change from an authoritarian socialist system to a Democratic Socialist System started in the countries and this process of change is called Shock Therapy.

Q5: Highlight any one feature of the multi-polar world as visualized by both Russian and India.
Ans: Collective responsibility for security.

Q6: Highlight any one major distinction between the Soviet economy and the Capitalist economy.
Ans: According to the Soviet economy, the state should have full control over the means of production and the material resources of the country, while the Capitalist economy believes in delicensing and removing restrictions governing the private sector.

Q7: Why did Boris Yeltsin oppose the coup that took place in the Soviet Union in 1991?
Ans: Boris Yeltsin opposes the coup to protect the democracy and for the continuation of reforms.

Q8: The Soviet economy was more developed than the rest of the world except for the U.S. after the end of the Second World War. Substantiate the statement with any one example.
Ans: The Soviet Union had a vast energy resource, including oil, iron and steel, machinery production.

Q9: When did Socialist Revolution take place in Russia?
Ans: 1917.

Q10: What was Shock Therapy?
Ans:  Shock Therapy was the transitional form from authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe under the influence of the World Bank and IMF.

Q11: What was the largest garage sale in history?
Ans: Largest garage sale in history was resulted due to shock therapy to undervalue the valuable industries of the USSR to sell them at throwaway prices.

Q12: What was the immediate cause of disintegration of USSR?
Ans: The rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within various republics including Russia and the Baltic Republic (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Ukraine, Georgia and others proved to be the most immediate cause for disintegration of the USSR.

Q13: What was Socialist Bloc?
Ans: The Second World countries or the group of east European countries who were liberated from fascist forces, followed the model of the USSR, known as Socialist Bloc.

Q14: What is the new name of former USSR?
Ans:  Russia.

Q15: When did the Berlin Wall fall?
Ans: November 1989.

Q16: Who was the General Secretary of Communist Party of Soviet Union in 1985?
Ans: Mikhail Gorbachev.

Q17: Mention the role of Boris Yeltsin in the disintegration of the USSR.
Ans: Boris Yeltsin had emerged as national hero after popular election in Russian Republic. In Dec 1991, under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus declared themselves independent.

Q18: What does CIS stand for?
Ans:  Commonwealth of Independent States.

Q19: What is meant by Shock Therapy?
Ans: The ‘Shock Therapy’ was the state of affairs which signifies the collapse of communism followed by a painful process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system-

• ‘Shock Therapy’ administered in the year 1900 not to lead the people into the promised utopia of mass consumption.
•  It brought ruin to economies and disaster upon the people of entire region.

Q20: Why is it said that collapse of Berlin wall signified the collapse of bipolar world?
Ans: Collapse of Berlin Wall unified the divided Germany and eight east European countries of the Soviet Bloc replaced their Communist government resulting into disintegration of Soviet Union. With the disintegration of Soviet Union, military alliances came to an end and the world became unipolar.

Q21: Mention any two characteristics of Soviet Political System.
Ans:  

• The Soviet Political System central around the Communist Party and no other political party or opposition was allowed.
• The economy was planned and controlled by the state only.

Q22: “The Soviet Union lagged behind the West”. Comment. 
Ans: The Soviet Union lagged behind the West in technology, infrastructure (transport, power etc.) as it could not cope with the political and economic aspirations of people and resulted in:

•  Though wages continued to grow but productivity and technology fell considerably behind that of the West.
  
• This led to shortage of consumer goods and increased food import every year.
•  The above mentioned reasons made the Soviet economy stagnant.

Q23: Mention some features of Soviet Society.
Ans:  

• Soviet Society gave priority to the state and party institutions only.
• Only the Communist Party was ruling over there and no opposition was allowed.
• The economy was planned and controlled by the state only.
  
• The Soviet Union became the great power after the Second World War.

Q24: Write anote onformationof Commonwealth of Independent States.
Ans: Disintegration of the USSR gave birth to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) when under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin Russia, Ukraine and Belarus declared themselves as independent and gave a surprise to other republics especially to central Asian Republics. This issue was resolved quickly by making these republics as founding members of the CIS and Russia became the successor state who inherited the Soviet sea in the UN and accepted all the international treaties and commitments.

Q25: Mention any two possibilities which were being presumed in changed scenario of world politics after disintegration of the USSR.
Ans: 

• The US, the only superpower could dominate the world and make a unipolar world.
• A multipolar world could also exist where no other power could dominate or the group of countries could participate in the international affairs.

Q26: How did the USSR come into existence?
Ans: The USSR came into existence after the Socialist revolution in Russia in 1917 with the inspiration of socialism and a need of egalitarian society who opposed capitalism. This was considered the biggest attempt in human history to abolish the institution of private property and to design a society based on equality.

Q27: Who was Gorbachev? Why did he seek to reform Soviet Society?
Ans:  Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985. He was forced by the following factors to seek reforms in Soviet Society:

• To keep the USSR abreast of the
   information and technological revolutions.
• To bring Soviet economy at par with the west.
• To loosen the administrative system.
• To democratise Soviet System and to normalise relations with the west.

Q28:  How did Shock Therapy affect trade and commerce of Russia?
Ans: Shock Therapy affected trade and commerce of Russia in the following manner:

• The value of Ruble, the Russian ’ currency declined.
• Inflation rose at a very high rate and it lost all savings of people.
• Lack of productivity and technology created shortage of food which increased food imports every year.
• The GDP of Russia also declined between 1989 to 1999.

Q29: When and how did Russia revive its economy?
Ans: Russia revived its economy in 2000 by the export of natural resources like oil, natural gas and minerals. Even other countries have also gained due to crossing of pipelines from their region and they have been paid a rent. Russia has started some manufacturing units also to revive its economy.

Q30: Write a note on tension and conflicts that occurred in Russia.
Ans: In Russia, two republics—Chechnya and Dagestan—had violent secessionist movements. Moscow’s method of dealing with the Chechen rebels and indiscriminate military bombings have led to many human rights violation but failed to deter the aspirations for ‘independence’.

Q31: Mention the methods of‘Shock Therapy’ amongst the former Second World countries.
Ans:  

• The newly evolved criterion required to make a total shift to a capitalist economy to root out completely any structures evolved during Soviet period.
• Shock therapy involved a drastic change in the external orientation.
• Sudden and complete switch to free trade was considered essential.
• It also involved openness to foreign investment, financial opening up and currency convertibility.

Q32: “ The old system of social welfare was systematically destroyed”. With reference to Shock Therapy, justify the statement. 
 Ans:

• The Government withdrew subsidies and pushed people into poverty.
• The middle classes were pushed to the periphery of society and the academic and intellectual manpower migrated.
• A mafia had been emerged and started controlling many economic activities.
• Privatisation led to new disparities.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q33: Write four main features of the Soviet Economic System.
Ans: Soviet Economic System was totally different from Western Economic System.

• The planned economy was adopted in U.S.S.R. The economy of the state was managed on the basis of state plans for economic and social development.
• In the Soviet Union, all economic activities were controlled by the state. All industries were nationalized.
• In the Soviet Union, there was no private economy and all means of production and distribution were owned and controlled by the state.

The citizens were given the Right to work, Right to wages, and Right to rest and leisure.

Q34: Describe any four consequences of Shock Therapy.
Ans: Most of the Communist countries changed from an authoritarian system to a democratic capitalist system. The process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system is called Shock Therapy. The following were the main features of Shock Therapy:

• Each of these countries had to make a total change from a socialist economy to a capitalist economy.
• Each of these countries had to adopt private ownership as a dominant pattern of ownership of property.
• All these countries had to privatize all state assets and establish corporate ownership patterns.
• Collective farming was replaced by capitalist (private) farming.

Q35: Explain any four reasons for the disintegration of the U.S.S.R.
Ans: The following were the main defects of the Soviet System:

• The Soviet system allowed only the Communist Party to exist in U.S.S.R. The Communist Party was regarded as ‘the Vanguard of the working people in their struggle to strengthen and develop the socialist system’. No other party was allowed to exist in the Soviet Union.
• The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian. The foes of socialism were ruthlessly dealt with. There was the dictatorship of the Communist Party.
• In Soviet Union, stress was more on social and economic rights than on political rights. There was no freedom of speech and expression. Any opinion expressed against the ‘Party line’ was deemed to be a matter of treason and hence punished with severity.
• In the Soviet system federalism was adopted but the Union Republic of the U.S.S.R. was completely under the control of the Communist Party. The Soviet federal structure was like a pyramid where the Communist Party was the apex and controlled the primary organs of the party at the base.

Q36: Discuss India’s emerging relationship with Russia.
Ans: India’s relations with Russia are cordial and friendly. In Jan. 1993 a new treaty of friendship and co-operation was designed to guide the path of Indo-Russian relations in the next 20 years. In December 1994, the Russian Prime Minister visited India and during his visit, India and Russia signed 8 agreements covering such vital areas as defense, technology, and space exploration.
In June 1998, India and Russia signed Nuclear Pact. On June 29, 2000, India and Russia signed a number of agreements on Indo-Russian defense co-operation. On 2nd October 2000, President Putin visited India. India and Russia signed 10 agreements. Russian President Putin visited India in January 2007. During his visit, nine Memorandums of Cooperation were signed between the two countries, in Dec. 2015 India P.M. Sh. Narendra Modi visited Russia and signed 16 agreements.

Q37: Analyse any six factors which helped the Soviet Union in becoming a superpower after the Second World War.
Ans: After the Second World War, the Soviet Union became a superpower and U.S.S.R. became a leader of the Socialist bloc. Following were the factors which helped the Soviet Union in becoming a superpower after the Second World War:

• In U.S.S.R. the economy was planned and completely controlled by the state.
• The Soviet Union had adequate natural resources.
• It had modern means of transport and telecommunication.
• Citizens of the Soviet Union enjoyed all basic needs for public life.
• It had a powerful and large army.
• It had nuclear weapons and the Soviet Union was a permanent member of U.N. Security Council.

Q38: Describe any four consequences of the disintegration of Soviet Union.
Ans: 

• The disintegration of Soviet Union meant the end of Cold War confrontations which demanded the end of armed race and restoration of possible peace.
• This disintegration created the possibility to bring in a ‘multipolar system’ where no power could dominate.
• The US became the sole superpower and the ‘capitalist economy’ was now dominant economic system at international level.
• This disintegration emerged in many new countries dividing Soviet Union into 15 independent countries alongwith their own aspirations and choices.

Q39: Explain any two reasons for disintegration of the USSR.
Ans:  

• The internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions failed to meet the aspirations of the people.
  
• Economic stagnation for many years led to severed consumer shortage and a large section of Soviet society began to double the system because Communist Party was not accountable to peoples.

Q40: What were the political reasons for disintegration of Soviet Union?
Ans:  

• The Communist Party of Soviet Union had ruled for over 70 years but it was not accountable to people.
• Ordinary people had been alienated and were exempted from enjoying the privileges and to participate actively in political affairs.
• Due to slow and stifling administration, the inability of system to correct mistakes lost popular support.

Q41: In what manner Gorbachev’s reform policy was protested? Who took the command during these events?
Ans: 

• The East European countries which were the part of the Soviet Bloc, started to protest against their own government and Soviet control.
• Boris Yeltsin took the command during these events as he got popular support of people in the elections and began to shake off centralised control.
• Power began to shift from centre to the republics which declared themselves independent.
• In December 1991, under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin Russia, Ukraine and Baltics declared themselves as sovereign states.

Q42: Why did Soviet system become so weak and Soviet economy stagnant?
Ans:  Soviet system became so weak and Soviet economy stagnant due to the following reasons:

• The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining nuclear and military arsenals.
• Soviet economy concentrated on the development of its satellite states in Eastern Europe especially in the five central Asian Republics.
• This led to a huge economic burden on people to be coped up with.
• Ordinary citizens became more knowledgeable about the economic advancement of the West and backwardness of Soviet system.

Q43:  Why did Gorbachev’s reform policy fail in spite of his accurate diagnosis of the problem?
Ans: 

• When Gorbachev carried out his reforms and loosened the system, he set in motion forces and expectations that few could have predicted and became virtually impossible to control.
• Some sections of Soviet Society felt that Gorbachev should have moved much faster and were disappointed and impatient with him.
• The members of communist party felt that their power and privileges were eroding and Gorbachev was moving too quickly.
• In this tug of war, Gorbachev lost support on all sides and divided public opinion with the disillusionment of inadequate dependence.

Q44: Read the following passage carefully and answer the 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 interethnic civil war.
(i) In Eastern Europe which republic split into two?
(ii) Name the republic/place where severe conflict took place.
(iii) Name various provinces with which Yugoslavia had been broken in 1991?
(iv) Which incidents resulted into inter-ethnic civil war?
Ans: 
(i) Czechoslovakia split into two with Czechs and Slovaks.
(ii) Balkan republics of Yugoslavia.
(iii) Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina.
(iv) 
(a) Ethnic Serbs opposed the breakirigup of several provinces independently following a massacre of non-serb Bosnians.
(b) NATO intervention and bombing on Yugoslavia.

Q45: Read the following passag carefully and answer the questions:
The Soviet system, however, became very bureaucratic and authoritarian, making life very difficult for its citizens. Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech stifled people who often expressed their dissent in jokes and cartoons. Most of the institutions of the Soviet state needed reform the one-party system represented by the communist party of the Soviet union had tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people. The party refused to recognise the urge of people in the fifteen different republics that formed the Soviet Union to manage their own affairs including their cultural affairs. Although, on paper, Russia was only one of the fifteen republics then together constituted the USSR in reality Russia dominated everything, and people from other regions felt neglected and often suppressed.
(i) What was Soviet system?
(ii) How many republics formed Soviet Union?
(iii) Which republic dominated in the USSR?
(iv) Why did people become dissatisfied with the rule of Communist Party of Soviet Union?
Ans: 
(i) Soviet system was bureaucratic and  authoritarian making life difficult for citizens.
(ii) Soviet system lacked democracy and the freedom of speech of people was also snatched away.
(iii) 15 Republics.
(iv) Russia.
(a) Soviet Union had tight control over all institutions.
(b) Soviet Union was unaccountable to people.
(c) Soviet Union refused 15 republics to manage their own affairs.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q46: Describe the role of Gorbachev j to reform the Soviet System and the j effects of these reforms on the U.S.S.R.
Ans: Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the General Party of the U.S.S.R. in 1985. He introduced political and economic reforms. Following factors forced Gorbachev to initiate reforms in the U.S.S.R.

• The Soviet Union lagged behind the west in technology, infrastructure, etc.
• The Soviet System was authoritarian. There was rampant corruption in the administration and people were alienated from the government. Citizens were not happy with the political system.
• Communist Party controlled the government and all institutions and was not responsible to the people. There was neither any opposition party nor any democratic values.
• The Soviet Union failed in fulfilling the political and economic aspirations of the citizens.
• The invasion of Afghanistan weakened the Soviet Union both economically and politically.

Gorbachev sought to reform this system. He introduced economic and political reform policies of Perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). These reforms were necessary to keep the Soviet Union abreast of information and technological revolutions. Although power and privileges were declining, Gorbachev applied the policies into haste. As a result, it lost popular support. Due to this, the people of East European Countries started to protest against their own governments and Soviet control. This process was accompanied by a rapidly escalating crisis within the Soviet Union that has to end its disintegration.
As there was an internal struggle within the Soviet Union due to the rise of nationalism by the small states that were ethically diverse. It thus led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the socialist system. The disintegration of the Soviet Union means the emergence of many newly independent countries All the 15 Union Republics of the U.S.S.R. has become independent states. Each country has its own political aspirations. Some of them, especially the Baltic and the East European States, joined the European Union and became members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Q47: Highlight any three positive and three negative features each of the Soviet System in the Soviet Union.
Ans: Positive Features:

• The planned economy was adopted in U.S.S.R. The economy of the state was managed on the basis of state plans for the economy and social developments.
• In the Soviet Union, all economic activities were controlled by the state. All industries were nationalised.
• In the Soviet Union, there was no private economy all means of production and distribution were owned and controlled by the state.

Negative Features:

• The Soviet system allowed only the Communist Party to exist in U.S.S.R. The Communist Party was regarded as ‘the Vanguard of the working people in their struggle to strengthen and develop the socialist system’. No other party was allowed to exist in the Soviet Union.
• The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian. The foes of socialism were ruthlessly dealt with. There was the dictatorship of the Communist Party.
• In the Soviet Union, stress was more on social and economic rights than on political rights. There was no freedom of speech and expression. Any opinion expressed against the ‘Party line’ was deemed to be a matter of treason and hence punished with severity.

Q48: Give any three examples to show that most of the former Soviet Republic were prone to conflict and tension.
Ans: The disintegration of the Soviet Union took place in 1991. There were 15 Union Republics (states) in the former U.S.S.R. Most of the former Soviet Republics were prone to conflicts and many Republics witnessed civil wars and insurgencies.

• In Russia, Two Republics viz, Chechnya and Dagestan, witnessed violent secessionist movements. Moscow tried to suppress the movements. However, even indiscriminate military bombings failed to deter the aspirations for independence.
• In Central Asia, Tajikistan witnessed a long- drawn Civil War that continued for a decade till 2001.
• There were frequent conflicts in this region. Nagorno-Karabakh, in the province of Azerbaijan desire to secede and join Armenia.
• The two provinces led to civil war in Georgia to attain independence. This hampered the life of the ordinary citizens creating hardships.
• There were movements against the existing regimes in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia. Soviet Republics were fighting over issues such as river water, etc.
• The Central Asian Republics are rich in hydrocarbon resources thus, this area has become economically demanding. As a result, it has become a bone of contention between the outside power, oil companies and the neighbouring countries.

Q49: What was the Soviet System? Assess any four features of the Soviet System.
Ans: In October 1917 first Socialist Revolution took place in Russia. The Bolshevik Revolution took place under the leadership of Lenin. The rule of the Czar was overthrown and a new government headed by Lenin was established. A new constitution was framed in 1918, again in 1924, and again in 1936. The system of government in the U.S.S.R. is generally known as the Soviet System of government. The Soviet system of economy was a planned economy and was managed on the basis of state flaws for economic and social development. The system of government in the U.S.S.R. is generally known as the Soviet System of government.
The following were the main features of the Soviet System of government:

• The Soviet System was based on Communist Principles. Lenin and Stalin adjusted the communist philosophy to the needs of the country. Marxist philosophy was the guiding principle behind the Soviet Constitution.
• The ‘Soviet’ system formed the basis of the political and constitutional organization of the U.S.S.R. The word ‘Soviet’ means a council consisting of the elected deputies or delegates or workers.
• In the very first Article of the Stalin Constitution (1936), “The Union of Soviet Republic was described as a socialist state of workers and peasants.”
• U.S.S.R. was a one-party state. The Communist Party occupied a pivotal position in the socio-political system of the Soviet Union. The Communist Party was the supreme guiding energy in the state. The Communist Party was the architect and defender of the socialist system in the U.S.S.R. as well as the guide and teacher of the people. No other party was allowed in the U.S.S.R.
• Soviet System was based on the principle of ‘Democratic Centralism’. To quote Vyshinsky, “The Soviet Union State is built on the principle of democratic centralism sharply opposed to the bureaucratic centralism of the capitalist state.” This principle meant that all bodies of administration were elected and organised on democratic principles. The principle also meant that the lower body was responding to the higher body and the decision of the higher bodies was binding on the lower bodies.
• The citizens of the U.S.S.R. were given a number of fundamental rights along with duties. Rights were given to the citizens with a view to strengthening the socialist system. In other words, rights must be in conformity with the interests of the working people.

Q50: Mention any six reasons responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Ans: The following were the main reasons for the disintegration of the former Soviet Union:

• The Soviet system allowed only the Communist Party to exist in U.S.S.R. The Communist Party was regarded as ‘The Vanguard of the working people in their struggle to strengthen and develop the socialist system.’ No other party was allowed to exist in the Soviet Union.
• The Soviet system became bureaucratic and authoritarian. The foes of socialism were ruthlessly dealt with. There was the dictatorship of the Communist Party.
• In the Soviet Union, stress was more on social and economic rights than on political rights. There was no freedom of speech and expression. Any opinion expressed against the ‘Party line’ was deemed to be a matter of treason and hence severe punishment was inflicted.
• In the Soviet system, federalism was adopted but the Union Republic of U.S.S.R. was completely under the control of the Communist Party. The Soviet federal structure was like a pyramid where the Communist Party was the apex and controlled the primary organs of the party at the base.
• The Soviet Union lagged behind the west in technology, infrastructure, etc.
• The Soviet Union failed in fulfilling the political and economic aspirations of the citizens.

Q51: Examine India’s changing: relationship with Post-Communist Russia.
Ans: India's relationship with post-Communist Russia has undergone significant changes since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The relationship between these two countries, historically characterized by strong political, economic, and strategic ties during the Cold War era, has evolved in several ways:

• Strategic Partnership: After the end of the Cold War, India and Russia declared a strategic partnership in 2000. This partnership encompasses defense, energy, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges. Both countries have engaged in high-level dialogues and military cooperation, including joint exercises like INDRA and bilateral agreements for defense procurement.
• Defense Cooperation: India has been a significant buyer of Russian defense equipment, including submarines, aircraft, and missile systems. The most notable defense deal was the purchase of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) in 2014. India's reliance on Russian defense technology has remained a consistent aspect of their relationship.
• Nuclear Cooperation: Russia has been supportive of India's civilian nuclear program. The two countries signed an agreement in 2014 for Russia to build more nuclear reactors in India, strengthening their collaboration in the field of nuclear energy.
• Economic Cooperation: Economic ties between India and Russia have been relatively modest compared to their defense and strategic cooperation. However, both countries have expressed the desire to increase bilateral trade and investments, exploring opportunities in sectors like energy, pharmaceuticals, and technology.
• Regional and Global Diplomacy: India and Russia have collaborated on various regional and global issues, including counter-terrorism efforts and United Nations Security Council reforms. They often share similar positions on international matters, making their collaboration valuable in multilateral forums.
• Challenges: Despite the enduring friendship, India's deepening ties with the United States and Russia's closer relationship with China have sometimes created challenges. India's diversification of defense partnerships and its alignment with the Quad (a strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and Australia) have raised questions about the trajectory of Indo-Russian relations.

In summary, India's relationship with post-Communist Russia has evolved from a strong ideological and strategic alliance during the Cold War to a multifaceted partnership in the post-Soviet era. While defense cooperation remains a cornerstone, both countries are exploring opportunities to expand their collaboration into other sectors. However, the changing global dynamics and India's strategic recalibrations pose challenges to maintaining the same level of closeness seen during the Cold War period.

Q52: Highlight any three major consequences of ‘Shock Therapy’ in the Post Communist Regimes.
Ans: "Shock therapy" refers to the rapid and comprehensive economic reforms implemented in several post-Communist regimes during the 1990s. This approach involved the rapid transition from centrally planned economies to market-based systems. While it aimed to achieve economic stability and growth, it had significant consequences, some of which are highlighted below:
Economic Instability and Dislocation:

• Hyperinflation and Currency Devaluation: The abrupt shift to a market economy often led to hyperinflation and devaluation of local currencies. Prices skyrocketed, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
• Sudden Unemployment: State-owned enterprises, which were often inefficient and uncompetitive, faced closures or privatization. This led to mass layoffs and a surge in unemployment rates, causing social unrest and economic insecurity.
• Income Inequality: The reforms often benefited a small segment of society, including newly emerging entrepreneurs and foreign investors. Simultaneously, many citizens faced declining living standards, contributing to increased income inequality.

Political and Social Consequences:

• Social Discontent: The shock therapy approach led to widespread social discontent and public protests. Citizens, especially those who lost jobs or experienced declining living standards, expressed dissatisfaction with the reforms, leading to social unrest.
• Rise of Political Extremism: Economic instability and disillusionment with the post-Communist regimes sometimes led to the rise of political extremism and nationalism. Extremist parties gained support by exploiting the frustrations of the population.
• Loss of Social Safety Nets: The dismantling of state-run social welfare programs and subsidies further exacerbated social hardships, affecting vulnerable groups like the elderly and low-income families.

Economic Restructuring and Long-Term Impact:

• Market-Oriented Reforms: Shock therapy facilitated the rapid privatization of state-owned enterprises and the introduction of market-oriented policies. In the long term, these reforms contributed to the growth of a private sector, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The liberalization of economies attracted foreign investors, leading to an influx of foreign capital and expertise. This, in turn, contributed to the modernization of industries and infrastructure in some post-Communist countries.
• Lessons Learned: The experiences of shock therapy prompted many countries to adopt more gradual and cautious economic reforms, learning from the social and political upheaval caused by the abrupt transition.

In summary, while shock therapy had long-term positive effects in terms of economic restructuring and attracting foreign investment, its immediate consequences included economic instability, social unrest, and political challenges in several post-Communist regimes. These consequences highlight the complexities and difficulties associated with transitioning from planned economies to market-driven systems.

Q53: What was Soviet system? Assess any four features of Soviet system.
Ans:  Soviet system was introduced after Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917. It was based on the principle of egalitarian society and planned economy controlled by the state. Its four features can be summed up in the following ways:

1. The Soviet system ensured a minimum standard of living for its citizens.
2. The government subsidised basic necessities including health,education, childcare and other welfare schemes.
3. There was no unemployment in the Soviet system.
4. State ownership was the dominant owned and controlled by the Soviet state.

Q54: Explain six factors which helped Soviet Union becoming superpower after Second World War.
Ans: The following factors helped Soviet Union becoming superpower after Second World War:

1. The east European countries the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of the USSR.
2. The political and economic systems of all these countries were modelled after the USSR and collectively were called the second world.
3. The WARSAW PACT, a military alliance held them together and the USSR was the leader of the bloc.
4. The Soviet economy was then more developed than the rest of the world except for the US.
5. It had a complex communication network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel, (machinery) production and a transport sector that connected its remotest _areas with efficiency.
6. It had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything from pins to cars to make themselves self-dependent.

Q55: “During the Cold War era India and the USSR enjoyed a special relationship which made critics to say that India was part of Soviet camp”. Examine the statement.
Or
“India and the USSR enjoyed mutual dimensional relationship.” Justify the statement.
Ans: During the Cold War era India and the USSR enjoyed a special relationship which made critics to say that India was part of the Soviet camp. It was a multi-dimensional relationship:

1. Economic:

• The Soviet Union assisted India’s public sector companies at a time when such assistance was difficult to get.
• It gave aid and technical assistance for steel plants like Bhilai, Bokaro, Vishakhapatnam and machinery plants like Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
• The Soviet Union accepted Indian currency for trade when India was short of foreign exchange.

2. Political:

• The Soviet Union supported India’s positions on the Kashmir issue in the WN.
• The Soviet Union also supported India during its major conflicts during the war with Pakistan in 1971.
• India too supported Soviet foreign policy in some crucial but indirect ways.

3. Military:

• India received military hardware from Soviet Union.
• India got technological know-how regarding maintenance of military arsenal.
• India and Soviet Union got mutual agreements to produce military equipments.

4. Cultural:

• Hindi films and Indian culture were popular in the Soviet Union.
• A large number of Indian writers and artists visited the USSR.
• Indian heroes from Raj Kapoor to Amitabh Bachhan are household names in Russia.
  
  

Q56: Mention the causes of Soviet disintegration.
Ans: The causes of Soviet disintegration can be summed up as follows:

1. Economic Stagnancy:

• Economic institutions experienced internal weaknesses to meet the aspirations of people.
• Economic stagnation for many years to severe consumer shortages.

2. Political and Administrative Causes:

• The only ruling Communist Party was not accountable despite its rule of 70 years.
• Theordinaiypeoplewereabstained from taking participation in political riots, hence the system became incapable of correcting its mistakes.
• The ordinary citizens were exempted from gaining the privileges.
• Due to non-participation of people, the government lost popular support from all sides.

3. Gorbachev’s Reform Policies:

• Gorbachev’s reforms aimed at keeping the USSR abreast of information and technological revolutions taking place in the west.
• Gorbachev focused to normalise relations with the west.
• Gorbachev worked to democratise the Soviet System.
• But Society was divided into two sections towards Gorbacheve’s reforms and both of them had contradictory views towards him.

4. Rise of Nationalism and Desire for Sovereignty:

• The rise of nationalism in various republics of Soviet Union proved to be immediate cause of revolutions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Georgia.
• The nationalist dissatisfaction with the Soviet Union was strongest in European and prosperous part in Russia and the Baltic areas as well as Ukraine and Georgia.
• Ordinary people felt alienated from Central Asia.

Q57: What sot of conflicts had occurred in Soviet Republics? Explain.
Ans:  

1. In Russia:

• Chechnya and Dagestan had violent secessionist movements.
• Moscow’s method to deal with Chechen rebels and indiscriminate military bombings led to many human rights violation but for deter aspirations for independence.

2. In Central Asia:

• Tajikistan witnessed a civil war that went on for ten years till 2001.
• In Azerbaijan’s provinces of Nagorno-Karobakh, some local Armenians want to secede and join Armenia.
• In Georgia, the demand for independence came from two provinces resulting in a civil war.
• There are still movements against the existing regimes in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.
• Even countries and provinces are fighting over river water.

3. In Eastern Europe:

• Czechoslovakia, split peacefully into two with the Czechs and Slovaks, forming independent countries.
• The severe conflict took place in the Balkan republics of Yugoslavia.
• After 1991, Yugoslavia broke \ apart with several provinces like Croatia, Slovania, Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence.
• Ethnic Serbs opposed this and a massacre of non-Serbs Bosanians followed.
• The NATO intervention and the bombing of Yugoslavia followed inter-ethnic Civil war.