Test: The End of Bipolarity- 2 - UPSC MCQ

• Government: The economy in the Soviet system was controlled by the government. The government had centralized control over all economic activities.



• State: The state had ownership of all means of production, distribution, and exchange in the Soviet system. This allowed the state to have complete control over the economy.



• Central Planning: The Soviet system operated on a centrally planned economy where the government made all decisions regarding production, resource allocation, and distribution of goods and services.



• Command Economy: The Soviet system followed a command economy model where the government determined what goods and services were produced, how they were produced, and for whom they were produced.



• No Private Ownership: In the Soviet system, there was no private ownership of businesses or property. Everything was owned and controlled by the state.

The question seems to be about a historical or geographical context, but it's not clear which specific event or time period it refers to. Here are a few possibilities:

• In the context of the Soviet Union or Eastern Bloc countries, the East (Eastern Europe) often faced shortages in consumer goods due to economic policies and inefficiencies.

If you can provide more context, I can give a more accurate answer. Based on the common historical context, the most likely answer is:

2. East (if referring to the Eastern Bloc during the Cold War)

Background:
Gorbachev's decision to normalize relations with the West and democratize and reform the Soviet Union marked a significant turning point in Soviet history. His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed to bring about transparency, political reform, and economic restructuring in the Soviet Union.
Key Points:

• Gorbachev: Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991, was the key figure behind the decision to normalize relations with the West and initiate reforms in the Soviet Union.



• Glasnost: Gorbachev's policy of glasnost aimed to increase openness and transparency in the Soviet system, allowing for greater freedom of speech, press, and expression.



• Perestroika: Gorbachev's policy of perestroika focused on restructuring the Soviet economy and political system, introducing elements of market reforms and decentralization.



• Normalization of Relations: Gorbachev's efforts to normalize relations with the West included initiatives such as arms control agreements with the United States and improved diplomatic relations with Western countries.



• Democratization: Gorbachev's push for democratization in the Soviet Union led to the introduction of competitive elections, political pluralism, and the loosening of state control over society.

Impact:

• End of the Cold War: Gorbachev's policies played a crucial role in ending the Cold War and improving relations between the Soviet Union and Western powers.



• Breakup of the Soviet Union: While Gorbachev's reforms aimed to revitalize the Soviet system, they ultimately contributed to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.



• Lingering Legacy: Gorbachev's legacy as a reformer and peacemaker continues to be debated, with some praising his efforts to modernize the Soviet Union and others criticizing the unintended consequences of his policies.

• A: 1988


• B: 1987


• C: 1994


• D: 1991

• Background: A coup refers to the sudden and illegal seizure of a government, usually by a small group of people within the existing state establishment. It is often carried out by military forces.


• Explanation: The correct answer is option D: 1991. A coup took place in 1991 in the context of the Soviet Union. This coup, known as the August Coup, was an attempt by a group of high-ranking officials to take control of the country and oust President Mikhail Gorbachev.


• Outcome: The coup ultimately failed due to strong opposition from the public, political leaders, and military forces loyal to Gorbachev. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of the Soviet Union and contributed to its eventual dissolution in December 1991.


• Significance: The August Coup of 1991 played a crucial role in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition of its constituent republics to independent states. It also highlighted the challenges of political instability and power struggles in times of significant change.

Boris Yeltsin emerged as a national hero in opposing the coup

• Background: In August 1991, a group of hardline communists attempted a coup to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev's government in the Soviet Union.


• Opposition: Boris Yeltsin, the President of the Russian Federation, played a key role in opposing the coup.


• Defiance: Yeltsin stood on a tank in Moscow, rallying the people against the coup plotters and calling for a general strike.


• Symbol of resistance: Yeltsin's defiance and courage in standing up to the coup made him a symbol of resistance and a national hero.


• Success: The coup ultimately failed, and Gorbachev was reinstated as the leader. Yeltsin's actions were instrumental in ensuring the failure of the coup.

• Answer: December 1991

• Background:




• After the failed coup attempt in August 1991, the Soviet Union began to disintegrate.




• Declaration:




• In December 1991, the leaders of Russia (Boris Yeltsin), Ukraine, and Belarus declared that the Soviet Union was disbanded.




• Belarus and Kazakhstan:




• Belarus and Kazakhstan also played significant roles in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.




• Independence:




• Following the declaration, the newly independent countries emerged from the ruins of the Soviet Union.

Protests against their own governments and Soviet control:

• Public Demonstrations: Citizens in Soviet bloc countries organized protests and demonstrations against their own governments and Soviet control. These protests were often met with violent crackdowns by the authorities.



• Political Dissent: Opposition groups and individuals openly criticized the policies of their governments and the influence of the Soviet Union. Intellectuals, writers, and artists played a significant role in voicing dissent.



• Worker Strikes: Labor strikes became a common form of protest against government policies and Soviet influence. Workers demanded better working conditions, higher wages, and more political freedom.



• Defiance of Soviet Orders: Some countries in the Soviet bloc openly defied Soviet orders and directives. This included refusing to implement certain policies or sabotaging Soviet initiatives.



• Revolutionary Movements: In some cases, revolutionary movements emerged to challenge both their own governments and Soviet control. These movements sought to overthrow the existing regimes and establish independent, democratic states.

Background:
- After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, several newly independent states inherited nuclear weapons from the Soviet arsenal.
- These states included Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
Transition:
- Ukraine, which had the third-largest nuclear arsenal in the world at the time, made the decision to denuclearize and signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, agreeing to give up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
- By 1996, Ukraine had transferred all its nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantlement, making it a non-nuclear state.
Russia as the only nuclear state:
- With Ukraine's denuclearization, Russia became the sole nuclear state in the post-Soviet space.
- Russia inherited the majority of the Soviet Union's nuclear arsenal and has since maintained its status as a nuclear power.
Conclusion:
- In the post-Soviet space, Russia took over as the only nuclear state after Ukraine's denuclearization. This transition solidified Russia's position as a major nuclear power in the region.

Answer: d. Gorbachev

• Background: Mikhail Gorbachev was a Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991.



• Economic Reform: Gorbachev promised to reform the Soviet economy through policies such as perestroika, which aimed to restructure and modernize the economy.



• Catching up with the West: Gorbachev recognized the need for the Soviet Union to catch up with Western countries in terms of technology, productivity, and living standards.



• Loosening Administrative System: Gorbachev also implemented policies like glasnost, which aimed to increase transparency and openness in the political system, loosening the strict control of the Communist Party.

Overall, Gorbachev's promises to reform the economy, catch up with the West, and loosen the administrative system were part of his efforts to modernize the Soviet Union and address its economic and political challenges.

On November 6 and 7, 1917 (or October 24 and 25 on the Julian calendar, which is why the event is often referred to as the October Revolution), leftist revolutionaries led by Bolshevik Party leader Vladimir Lenin launched a nearly bloodless coup d'état against the Duma's provisional government.

Another name for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is NATO.

• Explanation:

• NATO: NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.


• Formation: NATO was established in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in response to the threat of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.


• Objectives: NATO's primary purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.


• Membership: NATO member countries commit to mutual defense in response to an attack by any external party. This principle is enshrined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.


• Activities: NATO conducts military exercises, peacekeeping missions, and crisis response operations to promote stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic area.


• Role: NATO plays a crucial role in deterring aggression, maintaining peace, and upholding democratic values in the member countries.