SOLUTION OF REVISION TEST- CHAPTER 1 THE END OF BIPOLARITY

Question No. 1 to 5- Find the answers

Q6. Give any two reasons to prove that the Soviet Union had become stagnant in an administrative
and political sense.

ANSWER

Two reasons to prove that the Soviet Union had become stagnant in an administrative and political
sense:

1. Authoritative bureaucracy: The Soviet leadership was dominated by an aging and inflexible
bureaucracy, with power concentrated in the hands of a few elderly officials who clung to
outdated ideologies and were resistant to change.

2. Corruption and nepotism: The Soviet system was plagued by widespread corruption,
favouritism, and nepotism, which undermined meritocracy and efficiency in the
administration and political spheres.

Q7 Was Shock Therapy the best way to make a transition from communism to capitalism. Give
reasons.

ANSWER

Shock Therapy was a controversial approach to transitioning from a communist to a capitalist

economy. Here are some arguments for and against it:

Reasons why Shock Therapy could be considered the best way:

 It allowed for a rapid and decisive break from the inefficient centrally-planned economy.

 It facilitated the privatization of state-owned enterprises and the introduction of market-

based pricing mechanisms.

 It enabled the establishment of a legal framework for private property rights and
entrepreneurship.

Reasons why Shock Therapy may not have been the best way:

 It caused significant economic disruption, leading to a sharp decline in living standards for
many people.

 The rapid privatization process often favoured insiders and led to the concentration of
wealth in the hands of a few.

 The lack of robust institutions and regulatory frameworks made the transition chaotic and
susceptible to corruption.

OR

Distinguish between the Soviet economy from that of a capitalist economy.

(Dear children, the following points are to be written in complete meaningful sentences)

Soviet Economy:

Centrally-planned command system

State ownership of the means of production (factories, land, resources)

Economic decisions made by central planners

No private property or private enterprise

Strict government control and regulation

Capitalist Economy:

Free-market principles

Private ownership of the means of production

Economic decisions driven by market forces of supply and demand

Private property rights and profit motive

Minimal government intervention

Competition and pricing mechanism allocate resources

Q8. How far was Gorbachev responsible for the disintegration of the Soviet Union?

Mikhail Gorbachev played a significant role in the disintegration of the Soviet Union, both directly
and indirectly:

 His policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed at reforming the
Soviet system but inadvertently exposed its weaknesses and fueled nationalist movements
within the Union republics.

 His decision not to use force to suppress the growing independence movements in the Baltic
states and other republics was a crucial factor in the eventual dissolution of the Soviet
Union.

 His concessions to the demands of the republics for greater autonomy and the weakening of
central authority contributed to the unraveling of the Soviet system.

 However, it's important to note that the disintegration was also driven by deep-rooted
economic, political, and social factors that had been building up for decades.

Q9 “India had very close relations with the Soviet Union.” Justify the statement.

Answer- "India had very close relations with the Soviet Union." This statement can be justified by
the following points:

1. Strategic partnership: India and the Soviet Union shared a close strategic partnership during
the Cold War era, with the Soviet Union providing India with military and economic
assistance.

2. Ideological alignment: India's policy of non-alignment resonated with the Soviet Union's
efforts to counter Western influence, and both countries opposed colonialism and
imperialism.

3. Economic cooperation: The Soviet Union played a crucial role in helping India develop its
heavy industries, particularly in the fields of steel, mining, and machinery.

4. Cultural ties: There was a significant exchange of culture, education, and people-to-people
contacts between the two countries.

5. Political support: The Soviet Union consistently supported India's position on various
international issues, such as the Kashmir dispute and India's nuclear program.

6. Diplomatic support: The Soviet Union was a strong supporter of India's bid for a permanent
seat on the United Nations Security Council. It consistently backed India's position on various
international issues and wielded its veto power in India's favour whenever required.
 OR

Explain the consequences of shock therapy in the Soviet Union.

ANSWER

Consequences of shock therapy in the Soviet Union:

Shock therapy was the rapid and sudden transition from a centrally-planned economy to a
market-based economy in the Soviet Union. It had several severe consequences:

a) Economic collapse: There was a sharp decline in GDP and industrial production as inefficient
state-run industries were shut down or privatized.

b) Hyperinflation: Prices skyrocketed as price controls were removed, eroding people's savings
and purchasing power.

c) Unemployment and poverty: With the closure of state enterprises, millions lost their jobs,
leading to a significant rise in unemployment and poverty levels.

d) Social unrest: The economic hardships and growing inequality caused widespread social
unrest and political instability.

e) Rise of oligarchs (rich people): The privatization process was marred by corruption, leading to
the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few well-connected individuals, known as
oligarchs.

f) Brain drain: Many skilled professionals and intellectuals emigrated due to the economic
turmoil and lack of opportunities.

Q10. Regarding the picture of the Berlin Wall:

1. What does the Berlin Wall symbolise?

Answer- The Berlin Wall symbolized the ideological divide between the Western and Eastern
blocs during the Cold War. It represented the physical and metaphorical barrier separating
the capitalist West from the communist East.

2. When was this wall built and why was it toppled?

Answer- The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 by the German Democratic Republic (East
Germany) to prevent its citizens from fleeing to West Berlin and West Germany. It was a
symbol of the repressive nature of the communist regime in East Germany.

The wall was toppled in 1989, due to widespread public demand for reunification and an end
to the division between East and West Germany, fuelled by political changes in Eastern
Europe and pressure from mass demonstrations.

Answer- The consequences of the fall of the Berlin Wall were far-reaching:

 It marked the end of the Iron Curtain and the Cold War division of Europe.

 It led to the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990.

 It symbolized the collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe and the
eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union itself.

 It paved the way for the expansion of democracy, capitalism, and Western influence
in formerly communist countries.
 It reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the world, ushering in a new
era of global relations.