(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.
(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.
(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.
Direction: Read the following passage and answer the following questions:
The end of the Soviet bloc meant the emergence of many new countries. All these countries had their own independent aspirations and choices. Some of them, especially the Baltic and east European states, wanted to join the European Union and become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The Central Asian countries wanted to take advantage of their geographical location and continue their close ties with Russia and also to establish ties with the West, the US, China and others. Thus, the international system saw many new players emerge, each with its own identity, interests, and economic and political difficulties.
(i) What did the end of the Soviet Bloc signify?
Ans: The end of the Soviet bloc meant the emergence of many new countries.
(ii) What was the decision of the Central Asian countries after the Soviet Bloc ended?
Ans: Baltic and east European states wanted to join the European Union and become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). The Central Asian countries wanted to take advantage of their geographical location and continue their close ties with Russia.
(iii) How did the newly independent countries act after the dissolution of the Soviet Bloc?
Ans: All these countries had their own independent aspirations and choices. Thus, the international system saw many new players emerge, each with its own identity, interests, and economic and political difficulties.
Direction: Read the following cartoon and answer the following questions:
(i) What was the primary cause of the disintegration of the USSR?
Ans: The rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty at various places proved to be the greatest and the immediate cause of the disintegration of the USSR.
(ii) Which event officially marked the end of the Soviet Union?
Ans: The main event that marked the end of the Soviet Union was the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The Berlin Wall had been the main symbol of the Cold War. It had kept people from Eastern Europe, which was communist, from escaping to the West.
(iii) Why was the collapse of the USSR considered a turning point in world history?
Ans: In December of 1991, as the world watched in amazement, the Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries. Its collapse was hailed by the West as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, and evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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:
Q2: What was the primary goal of the Soviet system in the USSR?
Ans:
Q3: Which institutions were given primacy in the Soviet system's design?
Ans:
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:
Q2: Who emerged as a national hero in opposing the 1991 coup in Russia?
Ans:
Q3: What were the consequences of the 1991 coup for the Russian Republic and the balance of power in the Soviet Union?
Ans:
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:
Q2: How did the response of the Soviet Union, under Gorbachev, differ from previous instances when disturbances occurred in East European countries?
Ans:
Q3: What was the ultimate result of the protests in East European countries against their governments and Soviet control during Gorbachev's era?
Ans:
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:
Q2: How did ordinary people in the Soviet Union feel alienated under the existing system?
Ans:
Q3: What contrasted the privileges of party bureaucrats with the status of ordinary citizens in the Soviet Union?
Ans:
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:
Q2: How do some individuals believe Gorbachev's reforms influenced nationalist dissatisfaction in the Soviet Union?
Ans:
Q3: What is the significance of the debate over the role of nationalist sentiments in the Soviet Union's history?
Ans:
34 videos|243 docs|52 tests
|
1. What were the key factors contributing to the end of bipolarity in the international system? |
2. How did the end of bipolarity impact global political dynamics? |
3. What role did the United States play in the transition from bipolarity to a more multipolar world? |
4. How did the end of bipolarity affect international security and conflict resolution? |
5. What are some implications of the shift from bipolarity to multipolarity for global governance and cooperation? |
|
Explore Courses for Humanities/Arts exam
|