VISION IAS

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Approach Answer: General Studies Mains Mock Test 859 (2017)

1. Analyse the reasons behind the demand for linguistic provinces and apprehensions among the national
leadership on this issue after independence. Also explain how this issue was resolved.
Approach:
In the first part, write about the haphazard boundaries of states and the need of reorganization on
the basis of language.
In the second part, write about those circumstances in which the leadership was hesitant to
reorganization.
In the last part, write about the decisions taken by the government on the question of
reorganization.
Answer:
The boundaries of provinces in pre-1947 India had been drawn in a haphazard manner as the British
conquest of India had proceeded for nearly a hundred years. No heed was paid to linguistic or cultural
cohesion so that most of the provinces were multilingual and multicultural. The demand of linguistic
provinces emerged because of following reasons:
Language is closely related to culture and therefore to the customs of people.
The massive spread of education and growth of mass literacy can only occur through the medium of
the mother tongue.
Democracy can become real to the common people only when politics and administration are
conducted through the language they can understand.
During the national movement, Congress undertook political mobilization in the mother tongue and
in 1921 amended its constitution and reorganized its regional branches on a linguistic basis.
However, soon after the independence, the national leadership was reluctant to reorganize Indian states
on the basis of language due to the following apprehensions:
Partition had created serious administrative, economic and political dislocation.
Independence, coming immediately after the War, was accompanied by serious law and order
problems.
There was the vexed Kashmir problem and a war-like situation vis--vis Pakistan.
Immediately after independence, the most important task for the present was to consolidate
national unity and any effort undertaken immediately to redraw the internal boundaries might
dislocate administration and economic development, intensify regional and linguistic rivalries,
unleash destructive forces, and damage the unity of the country.
S.K. Dar committee opined that such reorganization might threaten national unity and also be
administratively inconvenient.
JVP committee advised against the creation of linguistic states for the time being, emphasizing on
unity, national security and economic development as the needs of the hour.
Due to the growing protest and after the death of freedom fighter Patti Sriramalu on the issue of creation
of Andhra Pradesh, the national government conceded the demand for a separate state and Andhra

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 Pradesh was created in 1953. To meet the demand halfway and to delay matters, Nehru appointed in
August 1953 the States Reorganization Commission. SRCs recommendations were accepted and were
quickly implemented. The States Reorganization Act was passed by parliament in November 1956. It
provided for fourteen states and six centrally administered territories.
The reorganization of 1956 was followed by further creation of linguistic states like Maharashtra and
Gujarat; Haryana and Punjab; some north-east states. While the linguistic criteria has no doubt fulfilled
the aspirations of people and accommodated plurality of country, but has also has strengthened
regionalism to some extent.

2. What were the factors that led to the declaration of Emergency in 1975? Why is it considered as the
dark period of Indian democracy? In this context, discuss the response to the imposition of emergency
among the masses, media and political class.
Approach:
In the first part of the answer, write down the reasons which led to the imposition of emergency.
In the second part, write about the sideling of democratic elements of the polity such as the
opposition, legislature, federation, press, civil society, judiciary etc.
In the last part, write about the reaction of masses, media and political classes of India.
Answer:
India not only faced two wars in quick succession but also food crisis, inflation, economic slowdown and
stagnation. This led to widespread displeasure against the government, especially amongst the youth
and students, and this was also backed by opposition parties and prominent politicians of the time. The
then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, instead of seeing it as genuine dissent in a democracy perceived it to
be an organized subversion against the state.
Consequently, the Indian government declared a state of Internal Emergency on 26 June 1975. The Prime
Minister justified her action of imposing the Emergency in terms of national interests on primarily three
grounds:
Indias stability, security, integrity and democracy were in danger from the disruptive character of the
Movement led by Jay Prakash (JP) Narayan. Referring to JPs speeches, she accused the opposition of
inciting the armed forces to mutiny and the police to rebel.
There was the need to implement a programme of rapid economic development in the interests of
the poor and the underprivileged.
She warned against intervention and subversion from abroad with the aim of weakening and
destabilizing India.
It is considered as the dark period of Indian democracy because:
Control over Legislature: During the Emergency, parliament was made utterly ineffective. The
opposition of a few brave MPs, who had not been arrested, was nullified as their speeches were not
permitted to be reported in the Press.
Control over political opposition: In the early hours of 26 June, hundreds of the main leaders of the
Opposition were arrested under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).
Crippling the judiciary: A series of decrees, laws and constitutional amendments reduced the powers
of the judiciary to check the functioning of the executive.
o An effort was made to change the basic civil libertarian structure of the constitution through its
42nd Amendment.
o Putting an end to the judicial review of a constitutional amendment: It was accused that the
judiciary was obstructing pro-poor socio-economic measures such as land reform legislation in
the name of defending Fundamental Rights.
Disregard of federal principles: The state governments were rigidly controlled. The two non-Congress
governments of DMK in Tamil Nadu and Janata in Gujarat were dismissed. Congress chief ministers of
Uttar Pradesh and Orissa, were replaced for not being reliable enough.

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 Controlling the Press and Civil Society: The government imposed strict censorship on the Press and
stifled all protest and opposition to the government. Several academics, newspapermen, trade
unionists and student leaders were also put behind bars.
Control over the party: The Congress party was also strictly controlled. Internal democracy within the
party was more or less completely snuffed.
Forced Sterilization: In September 1976, Sanjay Gandhi initiated a widespread compulsory
sterilization program to limit population growth.
Response to Emergency
People of India did not react to the emergency for about a year because price rise was curbed and
the normalcy returned after continued strikes of JP movement. However, masses got disenchanted
and opposed the emergency because the gain was of short term. In the general election of 1977,
Congress lost at the center for the first time after the independence.
Political class opposed the emergency but many important leaders were put behind the bars. Within
the Congress party, leaders who did not follow the command lost their positions. However, with the
fierce opposition to the emergency from political class led to the end of emergency and defeat of
Congress.
Media was either confirmed to the wishes of the government or faced severe sanctions on one
pretext of the other. Despite sanctions many newspapers presented a brave face and highlighted the
propaganda of the government.
The Emergency officially ended on 23 March 1977. This dark episode in Indian history only strengthened
the faith of people in democratic process.

3. Though India was facing several difficult problems, it has been argued that Lal Bahadur Shastri's
government did not deal with them in a decisive manner and followed a policy of drift instead.
Critically discuss.
Approach:
First write about the problems the country was facing during the Shastris regime and how he could
not dealt with them in a decisive manner.
Since, the question demands critical discussion you should also write about the other side as well.
Provide a balanced conclusion.
Answer:
After the death of Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri was sworn in as Prime Minister in the mid of 1964 when
government was facing several problems.
The problem of the official language of Hindi versus English, flared up in early 1965, but the central
government failed to handle it effectively.
The demands for a Punjabi Suba (state) and Goas merger with Maharashtra were also allowed to
simmer.
In 1965, the followers of Sheikh Abdullah and other dissident leaders created a great deal of unrest
in the Kashmir Valley however; the government was not able to deal with it decisively.
Agricultural production had slowed down, there was severe drought in several states in 1965 and
buffer food stocks were depleted to a dangerous extent. Clearly, long-term measures were needed to
deal with the situation. But those were not taken, particularly as the chief ministers of food grain-
surplus states refused to cooperate.
After the US suspended all food aid because of the Indo-Pak war, the government was compelled to
introduce statutory rationing but it covered only seven major cities. The government also created the
State Food Trading Corporation in January 1965, but it did not succeed in procuring a significant
amount of food grains.

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 However, with the passage of time, the Prime Minister took various steps to handle the worsening
situation of the country. For example,
The problem of language was resolved in early 1966 and it was due to the policy interventions taken
by the Shastri government.
The initiation of green revolution strategy with the purpose of increasing agriculture output and
achieving self-sufficiency in food in the long run was started during his tenure, though it was during
Indira Gandhi regime the policy was pursued vigorously.
On international front also India asserted itself. For example, the Indian government was among the
first to criticize the US bombing of North Vietnam.
He also set up his own Prime Ministers Secretariat as a source of information and advice to the
prime minister on policy matters, independent of the ministries. The secretariat came to be known
as Prime Ministers office with great deal of power and influence in decision making and execution of
governments policy. .
He responded decisively in against Pakistan and crossed Indian army crossed International boundary
and gained strategic positions. As a result of the war Shastriji became a national hero and a
dominating political figure.
Thus even though during his initial days Shastriji was criticized of failing to give a direction to government
policies, he later proved himself to be an honest politician, a decision maker and a great statesman.

4. Events around the globe at beginning of the last decade of 20th century, influenced multiple changes in
India which had long lasting consequences. Comment.
Approach:
First list out major global events of the last decade of 20th Century.
Then comment on the influence of these events in India. You can divide the effects of it under the
headings such political, economic, social/cultural, defense, foreign affairs, etc.
Answer:
The beginning of the last decade of 20th Century is watershed in the world history, the influence of which
can also be seen in India. The major events of this time are following:
Breaking up of USSR
Fall of Berlin wall
End of Bi-polar world
Emergence of WTO
Information revolution
Emergence of Taliban
Concept of Good Governance
Influence on India:
Foreign Policy With the end of Block-politics, the Non-alignment policy became less and less
relevant. This has shifted Indias policy from non-alignment to multi-alignment and multi-
interconnectedness. Indias relations with the west started improving and in the first decade of 21 st
century, India and west were more united. Indian and Russia became more equal partners as Russia
has no more remained a world power and India started developing.
Economy With the Indias BoP crisis, India adopted New Economic Policy which has completely
overhauled the socialist model hitherto adopted. India shifted from Socialist Economy to Mixed
Economy. Due to the coming up of WTO, Indias economy became more coupled with the world
economy. Due to the Information revolution in the west in 1980s, India under Rajiv Gandhi
government introduced major changes to adopt IT in India. As a result of it, India soon became an IT
superpower and service industry flourished in India like never before.

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 Politics: Entire political spectrum accepted the new model of development Mixed Economic model.
However, crony capitalism has been witnessed and corporate honchos started playing major role in
India politics by funding to the political parties.
Administration: Due to the coming up of Good Governance principles and introduction of New
Economic Policy which ended license raj, Indian administration started becoming more open.
However, it is also said that license-raj has been replaced by resource-raj.
Defense: India has diversified armed procurement and France, USA and Israel became important arm
sellers to India along with Russia. With the emergence of Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan
becoming a frontline state, India faced major problem of cross border terrorism.
Culture: With opening up of Indian economy and IT revolution India has undergone significant
cultural changes through the process of globalization. New cultural aspects in festivals, language,
food habits, clothings among others have been witnessed. Celebration of Christmas and New Year,
increasing importance of English, outlets of McDonalds and jeans among youth are few examples of
global influence on Indian culture.

5. In the context of Punjab crisis it can be argued that language, religion and regionalism combined into a
potentially explosive situation which political elites struggled to contain. Examine.
Approach:
Analyse the Punjab crisis under the heads of religion, language and region.
Discuss the role played by political leaders and how they failed to contain the situation.
Answer:
During the 1980s, Punjab was engulfed by a separatist movement rooted in linguistic, religious and
regional issues.
From the beginning, the Akali leadership adopted certain communal themes. Denying the ideal of a
secular polity, the Akalis asserted that religion and politics could not be separated as the two were
essentially combined in Sikhism. They also claimed that the Akali Dal was the sole representative of the
Sikh Panth which was defined as a combination of the Sikh religion and the political and other secular
interests of all Sikhs.
Akalis put forth that Sikhs were being continuously subjected to discrimination, oppression and
persecution. Hindus were accused of designs to dominate Sikhs, of imposing Brahminical tyranny over
them, and of threatening their Sikh identity . Akali used the SGPC, which controlled over 700 Sikh
gurudwaras, to promote Akali politics and to organize Akali political movements. In particular, consistent
use was made of the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
On the issue of the language of administration and schooling in bilingual Punjab the government tried to
resolve the problem by dividing Punjab into two Punjabi and Hindilinguistic zones. But the Hindu
communalists opposed the decisions to make the study of Punjabi, along with Hindi, compulsory in all
schools and Punjabi being made the only official language for district administration in the Punjabi
linguistic zone. Even more contentious was the problem of the script for Punjabi and the Akalis
demanded that Gurmukhi alone should be used as the script for Punjabi. Hindu organizations insisted on
Devanagari also being used along with Gurmukhi.
The vigorous demand of the separate Punjab state started soon after the independence by Akalis under
the leadership Master Tara Singh but States Reorganization commission refused to accept the demand.
Even after the creation of Punjab, the question of Chandigarh still remained. To settle the matter, Indira
Gandhi appointed the Punjab Boundary Commission, whose terms of reference were accepted by both
sides. The Commission by a majority of two to one awarded Chandigarh along with the surrounding
areas to Haryana. The Akali Dal, however, refused to accept the award.
Nehru recognized the communal underpinnings of the demands of a Punjabi suba. Prominent Sikh
leaders of Congress such as Pratap Singh Kairon and Darbara Singh were also opposed to such demands.
On the other hand, Communist Party allied with Akali Dal for making political gains. Even the Jan Sangh
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 allied with Akalis. Indira Gandhi yielded to demands of communal groups, which emboldened them for
the future.

6. The role of women since independence has not been confined to issues of women alone, rather they
have played an important role in the issues related to peasants, tribals, farmers, trade unions and
environment. Discuss.
Approach:
In a brief introduction, provide a background of women emerging as important actors in their own
right through participating in the struggles for issues related to them.
Following that, enumerate the examples of womens participation in peasant, tribal, trade union and
environmental movements in which women and women organizations played a key role.
Answer:
Dramatic changes have taken place in the legal, political, educational and social status of women since
independence. This can be largely attributed to the advocacy of womens issues by womens
organizations, grass roots movements as well as political parties. Thus, women have been active
participants in the movements and organizations advocating causes linked to them.
This has further enabled them to become important participants in issues related to various sections of
society:
Women played major role in diverse issues. In the Tebhaga peasant movement in Bengal in 194647,
women had organized themselves on a separate platform of the Nari Bahini and they ran shelters
and maintained lines of communication.
In another major Communist peasant struggle of that time in the Telangana area of Hyderabad state
from 1946 to 1950, womens participation was also quite significant.
Among the tribal people too women played a key role. For instance in the Shahada tribal area of
Dhulia district in Maharashtra in 1972, the movement for drought relief and land, in which the Bhil
tribal women were very prominent culminated in a militant anti-liquor campaign
Women were active participants in the anti-price rise movement of 1973-75 as well as the Nav
Nirman movement in Gujarat.
The founding of a womens wing of the Textile Labour Association (TLA), in the form of SEWA (Self
Employed Womens Association) in Gujarat, is an important example of womens participation in the
trade unions. SEWA took up women in the unorganized sector who worked as vendors and hawkers
and at home in the putting-out system and organized them into a union which along with collective
bargaining provided training, credit and technical help.
In the field of environment the role of women, was key in Chipko movement in 1974, named after
the the actions of women who hugged trees in order to prevent them from being cut down by
timber contractors.
The Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan played the leading role in the effort to secure
justice for the victims of the chemical gas leak in the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal in 1984.
In politics women have emerged as keen voter group and through one-third reservation in
panchayats they have been able to exert important influence in governance at grass roots level.

7. Not only was Japan able to escape imperialist control, it also underwent a process of modernization
that enabled her to emerge as a world power. Discuss. Also analyse the reasons for emergence of
'military-fascism' in Japan.
Approach:
Give a brief background on Japanese isolationism which helped it to escape imperialism.
Address how they had to end international isolationism and modernize in the process.
State reasons for emergence and sustenance of military-fascism in Japan.

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Answer:
For around 200 years, Japan practised isolationism from the rest of the world under Sakoku (strict
foreign policy of Japan during 17th-19th century).
During Sakoku, Japanese trying to leave the country were punishable with a death penalty and very
few foreign nationals were permitted to enter and trade with Japan.
The rationale of the Shogunate behind the implementation of Sakoku in Japan was to remove any
religious and colonial influence, primarily from Portugal and Spain, considered a threat to the
shogunate. This isolationism helped Japan to escape imperialism.
In the beginning of the 19th century, Britain, United States, Russia and France wanted Japan to open
its ports. Ships from those countries often stopped and anchored at Japanese shores, but the
Japanese refused to receive them.
In 1853, Commodore Perry entered Japanese shores with four US fleets and delivered an ultimatum
to Japan. The Japanese then realised that they were not powerful enough to resist foreign
domination.
In the wake of threat to its independence and a vehement anti foreign agitation, Japan underwent a
process of modernization.
In 1868, the rule of the shoguns ended and new set of advisers came to the forefront. They
introduced changes in the name of the emperor, Meiji. Thus began the period of Meiji Restoration in
Japan. It resulted in speedy transformation of economic and political institutions in less than four
decades.
The government raised taxes by exploiting the peasantry and heavily invested the collected capital in
industries. It eventually sold the industries to capitalists, who later started industries on their own
without government support.
By the end of the 20th century, foreign commerce multiplied twenty-seven fold and Japanese goods,
particularly textiles were competing in the international market.
In addition to industrialisation, modernisation of Japan comprised education and skill development
of its people, including women. More and more women entered into the labour force during the
Meiji era.
Reasons for the Emergence of Military Fascism
Failure of democratic government- Japan's democratic leaders were seen as weak, corrupt and
inefficient, and they could not solve the economic problems. Government heavily suppressing the
peasants. The workers were also unhappy.
Parliament (Diet) had limited power- Real power remained in the hands of the Japan Emperor and
the genro(Retired Japanese statesmen who served as informal advisers to Emperor). The Diet did not
have the power to make decisions and make its own policies. It could only question the decisions of
the cabinet ministers.
Corruption damaged Democracies reputation
Trade imbalance- Japan needed raw materials for its major industries most of which had to be
imported. The trade imbalance grew when Japan had to import more food to feed its growing
population. Great Depression occurred of 1929, led to a decrease in Japanese exports and worsened
the situation.
Growing American influence in the Asia pacific region (for example in Philippines and Hawaii)
threatened Japanese plans to control the region. Washington Naval conference (1921-22) was seen
as an unfair treaty by Japanese.

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 Further, educational system was used to promote emperor worship and an attitude of extreme
nationalism and chauvinism. Civil liberties were suppressed, the police curtailed the press and
prevented public meetings and demonstrations.
The military enjoyed excessive power in the transformed system and eventually came to dominate it.

8. In what ways did Cuba play a significant role in shaping the cold war? Analyse the factors that led to
the period of dtente between the United States and USSR.
Approach:
State the importance of Cuba during the Cold War period and incidents related to Cuba that
intensified the already existing tension between the US and USSR
Briefly explain dtente during the cold war period
Delineate the factors that led to the state of dtente between the two countries
Answer:
During the Cold War period, several events in Cuba intensified the existing tension between the US and
USSR:
Cuban revolution (1953) led by Fidel Castro overthrew the regime of American- backed dictator
Batista. The new government nationalised foreign owned industries and adopted radical social and
economic measures that outraged the United States
In January 1961, the US ended diplomatic relations with Cuba and economic transactions between
the two countries stopped. In the same period Soviet Russia increased the economic aid to Cuba.
In April 1961, the US deployed 2000 armed Cuban exiles at Bay of Pigs in Cuba to overthrow the
government. The movement was crushed and later the same year, Castro announced that he was
now a Marxist and that Cuba was a socialist country. Thus, Cuba became firmly entrenched in the
Soviet camp.
In 1962, pictures taken by US spy planes revealed that the USSR was building missiles in Cuba in an
area near Florida, which would make the US within an easy range of attack. It created a danger of
war between the two nuclear enabled countries but the crisis was resolved.
Cuba also played an active role in the development of Cold War overseas, such as the Angolan Civil
War.
Dtente refers to the period of improved relations between the US and Soviet Union, mainly during
1969-1979, after a period of escalating tensions and looming danger of war.
The leaders of the countries realised the destructive potential of the breakout of a nuclear war. As a
measure of pragmatism, a Test Ban Treaty was signed by the US, Soviet Union and Britain in 1963. It
prohibited the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, outer space and underwater
Similarly, the US and USSR negotiated Strategic Arms Limitations Talk I and II in 1972 and 1979
respectively, aiming at reduction of arms and certain missiles
The leaders of the two countries also wanted to reduce defence spending and USSR wanted to
expand trade with Western Europe after the West German policy of Ostpolitik helped in alleviating
tension in Europe
Further, the Sino-Soviet split (1960-1989) due to ideological differences led the USSR to restructure
its foreign allies. Hence, it did not wish to antagonize other powers.
According to some analyst the Dtente can be seen as a period of permanent relaxation of the relations
between east and the west starting in the early 1970s and lasting till the end of cold war, with one or two
blips along the way, such as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

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9. The events that led to the American Revolution had causes rooted in the social, economic, political and
ideological context of that time. Elaborate. Also, bring out the influence that the American Revolution
had on the French Revolution.
Approach:
Describe the social, economic, political and ideological reasons behind events of the American
Revolution.
Explain how the American Revolution subsequently influenced the French Revolution.
Answer:
Economic and political causes
Triangular Trade, coupled with the British policy of Mercantilism, provided a favourable balance of
trade only to Great Britain.
American capitalists faced obstacles as they were forbidden to use non-British ships for trade by the
English government.
Further, products such as tobacco, cotton, sugar etc. could only be transported to England and heavy
duties were levied when the American colonies imported goods from other places.
Additionally, the colonies could not start industries such as iron works and textiles and had to
compulsorily import them from England.
Under the Navigation Law 1651, American ships had to compulsorily attend British ports before
leaving to other parts of the world.
The 1689 English Bill of Rights discriminated between the rights of Americans and native British
natives.
England was involved in multiple wars in Europe and needed new revenue streams to overcome its
debt burden. The English Parliament passed the Stamp Act (1765), which imposed stamp taxes on
business transactions in the American Colonies. The colonialists were enraged and boycotted English
goods. They claimed that the English Parliament had no representative from the colonies and
therefore had no right to levy taxes on them. They raised the slogan No taxation without
representation in the Massachusetts Assembly. In 1774, the representatives of 13 American colonies
met at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia and appealed to the British king to remove
trade restrictions and refrain from imposing compulsory taxes. The king declared it as a mutiny and
sent troops to repress them. The colonies planned for military defence with local militia.
With George Washington as the command of the American forces, the war of Independence was
fought in 1776. It ended in 1781 with the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, the English commander
Social and ideological causes
Proclamation of 1763 introduced a massive boundary to separate white settlements from Indian
country. The Americans believed the British were siding with the Native Indians against the colonists.
The American revolutionaries were inspired by the ideas of equality and liberty espoused by
philosophers John Locke, Harrington, Paine etc. They believed they had fundamental rights which no
government could infringe.
These causes triggered the revolution when in 1774, the representatives of 13 American colonies met at
the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia and appealed to the British King to remove trade
restrictions and refrain from imposing compulsory taxes. The King declared it as a mutiny and sent troops
to repress them. The colonies planned for military defence with local militia.
With George Washington as the command of the American forces, the War of Independence was fought
in 1776. It ended in 1781 with the surrender of the English.

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 Inspiration for French Revolution
The experience of the American Revolution provided the French with an example and a new
interpretation of the ideas of liberty, equality, and private property which they believed might be
applied to the differing circumstances existing in France.
The conflict between the people of America and the King of England over taxation and American
representation in the British Parliament was, to the French, similar to the conflict over taxation
between the Kings of France and the people of France who had not been represented in a national
assembly since the dismissal of the Estates-General in 1615.
The French General, Lafayette who participated in the American Revolution eventually became a
hero of the successful French Revolution.
Additionally, French soldiers who participated in the American Revolution wanted to install similar
democratic conditions in France, which granted liberty and equality.

10. Examine the root causes behind ethnic assertion and secessionist tendencies by various tribal
communities of Northeast India. Also discuss why institutional mechanisms for their accommodation
and assimilation have proved to be ineffective.
Approach:
Analyse various causes behind ethnic assertion and secessionist tendencies by tribal communities in
North East India.
Analyse the institutional mechanisms in place to integrate them and their success and failures.
Answer:
North-East states in India have often demonstrated signs of ethinic assertion and separatist tendencies in
the form of secessionist movements by various groups. These include the National Democratic Front of
Bodoland, The Karbi Longri N.C. Hills Liberation Front, etc. The demands of these extremist groups vary
from autonomy to secessionism and sovereignty. For example, while the aim of ULFA was to create a
sovereign State of Assam, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland aims to set up an autonomous
region Bodoland.
The reasons for ethnic assertion and secessionist tendencies include:
Cultural and ethnic diversity: Though cultural and ethnic diversity per se are not causes for conflict,
but since ethnic and cultural specificities were ignored during the process of delineation of state
boundaries in the 1950s, it gave rise to discontentment and assertion of identity.
Historical reasons: The British administered the hills as a loose frontier area, with the result that
large parts of the north-eastern hill areas never came in touch with the principle of a central
administration.
Poor geographical connectivity: The allegiance of various tribes to the newly formed Indian State was
lacking from the beginning and it was accentuated by the creation of Bangladesh, which isolated the
region further in terms of geographical connectivity (the region stands connected with the mainland
through the narrow Siliguri corridor; 99% boundary of the region being international).
Porous borders with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar adds to the crisis of
demographic change which threatens local culture and employment opportunities. Hazarika
Commission appointed by the Supreme Court has revealed the influx of illegal Bangladeshi
immigrants into Assam.
Issues related to governance: For example, clubbing all the states under the tag of northeast has a
homogenizing effect for the region, which is culturally very diverse. Similarly the Sixth Schedule
Autonomous Councils feel overshadowed by State Legislatures. AFSPA has become a symbol of

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 oppression in the region. Reports of Human rights violation have also been a matter of great
concern.
Ethnic assertions of tribals have resulted in ethnic riots and mass agitations. Some ethnic movements in
the region include the Assam Movement of 1979-84 against illegal migration and protection of Assamese
identity, Mizo uprising in 1966 demanding an independent state, tribal movements in Tripura against
Bengali domination etc.
Institutional mechanisms
After independence, Indias constitutional democracy instead of adopting a confrontationist
approach followed a policy of accommodation and assimilation.
Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the Panchsheel policy to ensure that the tribals are integrated in
mainstream India while maintaining their cultural traits.
The Constitution of India provides institutional accommodation for tribal communities of northeast
India through various measures like protective discrimination policies.
In some states in the region, the interests of tribal communities are protected by invoking Inner Line
Permit (for instance, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram) and special provisions.
The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution gives special status to the traditional institutions and
makes provisions for the creation of autonomous district councils. In spite of all these
accommodations, the tribal communities are confronting with multiple kinds of exclusion.
The Central government has responded to the conflicts in the region in various ways such as
deployment of armed forces to combat rebel groups (including imposition of AFSPA Act in some
North East states), signing peace agreements with rebel factions such as Naga Peace Accord and
Mizoram Accord, transferring large economic funds to the region (which does not reach the bottom
strata of the society), exemption of income tax in some North East states etc.
Failure of Institutional mechanisms
After independence, N-E tribals repeatedly face instances of discrimination in Indian cities and are
sometimes victims of racist violence.
In the process of nation-building some communities were left out either because of their low
numerical strength or due to low bargaining power with the power structure.
Overlapping of functional responsibilities between the State and the District Council created under
the 6th schedule.
The demands of extending Inner Line Permit to other states like Manipur and a stronger assertion of
the son of the soil concept depicts failure in checking demographic change in the region. The
situation gets further complicated by delays in deportation of migrants.
The core problems faced by the region such as underdevelopment, and restricted freedom in certain
regions due to AFSPA etc. remain and need to be pragmatically addressed.
Moreover, the institutional mechanisms prove to be futile when the State and its institutions indulge
in human rights violations.

11. Discuss the immediate challenges faced by India in the process of nation building and ways in which
these were sought to be addressed in the first few decades. Also examine whether some of these
challenges still persist.
Approach:
Discuss the challenges faced by Indian leaders in the process of nation building immediately post-
independence.
Comment on whether the challenges still resurface in modern day India.
If yes, mention the forms in which the challenges persist.

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Answer:
British withdrawal from India and their decision of partitioning the country was sudden and unplanned.
Thus, the birth of country itself took place amidst chaos and centrifugal tendencies. Hence, Post-
independence, leaders faced several challenges in the process of nation building.
Unity: India had to ensure that diverse social groups belonging to different religion, region, language,
culture and ethnicity remain united in a land of vast continental size.
Communal Violence: Leaders had to ensure safety of minorities on both sides of India-Pakistan border as
there were ruthless killings and atrocities on either sides in the name of religion.
Integration of Princely states: Country faced another problem regarding integration of princely states like
Travancore, Hyderabad and Kashmir, which eventually acceded to India.
Linguistic Reorganisation: States demanded reorganization based on linguistic and ethnic principles,
which led to the creation of states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Nagaland etc.
Poverty and development: India was a sea of poor with few islands of rich. Hence, India had to
immediately take up poverty removal programmes and economic measures. Leaders also had to ensure
the development and well -being of all sections of the society and not a few.
Social Reforms and welfare: India was plagued by social evils like caste-system, dowry, gender inequality.
Status of public health, education and sanitation was abysmal and life expectancy was merely 32 years.
State had to become an agent of social change and public welfare.
Seven decades after independence, India has made remarkable progress along several dimensions like
reducing poverty, improving health and education, maintaining unity, peace and security, adherence to
institutional democracy and elections and one of the fastest growing economies. However, some
challenges still persist:
The country still witnesses episodes of communal and caste based clashes. Communal and caste
based politics exist. In fact, communal politics has become more visible.
There are ongoing demands for creation of new states based on ethnic lines and regionalism and
development issues. Eg. Gorkhaland, Bodoland, Vidarbha etc.
Matters of integration and autonomy have continually fuelled a series of crises in J&K and ethnic
assertions have resulted in secessionist tendencies in the North East. Uneven development,
marginalization, continued poverty, apathy of concerned authorities etc. have led to the spread of
the Naxalismin relatively backward states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha. Instances of farmers
suicide and marginalization of vulnerable groups like tribals, Scheduled Castes etc. are on the rise.
Despite development, issues related to poverty, hunger, unemployment etc. still persist and effect
significant number of Indians.
Nation building is an ongoing process as country still faces challenges that are diverse and complex,
however they need to be addressed through democratic, peaceful and people centric means.

12. The transformation in agriculture was also reflected in social as well as political relations in India.
Analyse in the context of green revolution and rise of a new agrarian class.
Approach:
Mention the transformation of Indian agriculture and the role played by Green Revolution.
Discuss the social and political impacts brought about by this transformation.
Answer:
Indian agriculture evolved from traditional agriculture in 1950s to technology driven capital intensive
agriculture incorporating food crops, non-food crops, horticulture and other allied activities.
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 Green Revolution has played a major role in this by introducing technologies, adopting mechanization
and increasing productivity and production, thereby transforming India from a food insecure importing
nation to a food exporting nation.
Impact of transformation
The improvement in agriculture has widely influenced the rural society. With the increase in farmers
income, rural areas witnessed increased investment towards nutrition, education and healthcare.
One of the major aspects of this transformation was the deepening of class divide in rural areas. The
Green Revolution fragmented social and political classes in rural India. Socio-economic inequalities
inherent in the agrarian structure were further reinforced. It led to further concentration of land into the
hands of a few. The agricultural labourers, the landless and near landless, formed the core of the rural
poor.
The big farmers, landlords and zamindars have benefitted in the absence of proper land reform
implementation in northern India. They formed organizations such as Kshetkari Sanghatana to safeguard
their interests. The prosperity of certain agrarian communities also helped them play a larger role in
political process in India occupying senior political offices of government.
The Green Revolution has led to the displacement of tenant-cultivators. The landowners began to take
back land from their tenants and cultivate it directly because cultivation was becoming more profitable.
In addition, the introduction of machinery such as tillers, tractors, threshers, and harvesters led to the
displacement of the service caste groups who used to carry out these agriculture-related activities.
The end result has been the emergence of feudal landlords, a rich class of farmers, that are socially,
economically and politically more powerful. On the other hand, the small tenant farmers and agricultural
laborers lack equitable access to resources, dependent on vagaries of economics and seasonality of
weather.
Farmer suicides in India, in prosperous states of Maharashtra; socio-economic fragmentation of farmers
in Punjab along with the problem of drug abuse is a direct corollary to the seeds of inequality sown by
Green Revolution.
Because of such polarisation between classes, rich farmers continue to reap dividends from access to
natural resources in irrigation, public investment in agriculture, and other technological solutions, while
small farmers that already face acute discrimination on grounds of caste politics, exclusion from schemes
continue to get poorer. Women farmers especially are the worst affected in absence of any land rights or
recognition.
Also, Green Revolution was prominently visible in the western part of the country while eastern India
and especially the N-E states were left out. This has caused a stark contrast in the development of these
regions.
Thus, it is essential to focus on marginal areas that reel under perpetual droughts and address the
political factors that hamper equitable growth.

13. Examine the factors that resulted in the formation of Non Aligned Movement (NAM). What was the
significance of the movement in the international arena? Also assess the relevance of the movement in
the contemporary world.
Approach:
Introduce about Non Aligned Movement.
Discuss the factors that led to its formation.
Significance of NAM.
Bring out the relevance of NAM in present day context with respect to India.

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Answer:
Post World War II, the world was getting divided two superpower blocs each led by USSR and USA.
During this period, the NAM was founded as an international movement with idea of creating a grouping
of like-minded countries that believed in the concept of a level-playing field in global geo-politics and
world strategy, thereby not being formally aligned with any power bloc.
The Bandung conference held in 1955, where heads of Asian African countries met is considered to be
the precedent to NAM and its formation. Six years after Bandung, the Movement of Non-Aligned
Countries was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade in 1961.
Factors responsible
Cooperation among leaders of these five countries - India, Egypt, Indonesia, Yugoslavia, Ghana.
Emergence of a bi-polar world and formation of two military blocs (NATO and Warsaw pact) leading
to growing Cold War tensions
The dramatic entry of many newly decolonized African countries into the international arena. By
1960, there were 16 new African members in the UN
Significance of NAM
Third Option: NAM offered the newly decolonised countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America an
alternativenot to join either alliance.
Reducing hostility: The non-aligned countries, including India, played an active role in mediating
between the two rival alliances in the cause of peace and stability.
They worked to prevent war between others and tried to end wars that had broken out.
Economic independence: This emergence of NAM as a new economic pressure group created a new
bloc of countries especially through the creation of a New International Economic Order of LDCs
which were anti-imperialist and anti-colonialism, striving to end socio-economic disparities between
nations of the world.
Preserved Autonomy: Non-alignment allowed India to take international decisions and stances that
served its interests rather than the interests of the superpowers and their allies.
India was often able to balance one superpower against the other. If India felt ignored or unduly
pressurized by one superpower, it could tilt towards the other. Neither alliance system could take
India for granted or bully it.
Relevance of NAM today
It is widely assumed that with the end of cold war, the NAM has lost its relevance. However, its
philosophy and principles will remain relevant until sustainable global justice and peace is established.
From the outset of movement, NAM declared general and complete disarmament under effective
international control to be one of their main objectives. The relevance of NAM continues as it looks after
the interest of all Third World countries for which the movement was created.
However, NAM today, is starting to lose its importance due to its inefficiency in utilizing its influence on
the member countries. The emergence of multipolar world and NAMs loosing significance in Indias
foreign policy and other members is pointing towards its closure.
Despite that, it must be noted that movement comprising 120 countries can be a great instrument for
global challenges such as democratic reforms in international organizations (UNSC reforms), terrorism,
climate change, global inequality, international trafficking etc. It offers a platform for increased south-
south cooperation.

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14. The disintegration of Soviet Union was followed by a transition in both economic and political spheres.
Analyse.
Approach:
Enumerate the issues which Post-communist countries faced following the disintegration of the
Soviet Union.
Focus on transition in both economic and political sphere separately. Talk about how these two
differed.
Answer:
Revolutions of 1989 contributed to the revolutionary wave that resulted in the end of communist rule in
Central and Eastern Europe and beyond. The Soviet Union was dissolved by the end of 1991, resulting in
14 countries declaring their independence.
The new post-communist governments in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union faced a daunting
complex tasks: the re-creation of democratic politics, the construction of market economics, and a
reorientation of foreign policy towards the West. These changes required a fundamental transformation
of each countrys political and economic systems.
Within a few years, most had been through several sets of free elections, had adopted new constitutions,
and had established representative legislatures. They made remarkably speedy progress toward
democracy. Some of the representatives of the former communist parties even got voted back to power
in free elections.
However, in the economic realm, the transition was not so smooth. The tasks of economic restructuring
included price deregulation, currency rationalization and a large-scale program for the privatization of
state enterprises and farmland. Dismantling the old system of central planning and full employment
disrupted almost everyones life.
Almost all the countries experienced sharp economic decline and skyrocketing inflation in the early years
of the transition. There were also big increases in inequality. Unemployment, which had been nearly
nonexistent in the communist era, reached nearly double-digit rates in many countries.
Despite such problems, most people of these countries were glad to be free of the restrictions of the
communist era. By about 1994, most countries had begun to recover, the private sector was taking hold,
and consumer goods and services were more available. Even though, a Communist presence forever
remained in place however, but reduced from its earlier size. Many of these countries reoriented their
trade from East to West and joined NATO and EU.
At the same time, several former soviet entities retained close ties with Russia. Organisations seeking
close political or economic cooperation were also formed (For example: Commonwealth of Independent
States, Eurasian Economic community, Eurasian Customs Union and the Eurasian Economic Union). The
newly formed countries also opted to join organisations like NATO and European Union in the coming
years (for example Estonia, Latvia and Lithonia are members of NATO and EU).

15. Even though there is much that is wrong with the European Union (EU), its achievements can not be
discounted either. Discuss.
Approach:
Start with a brief introduction of EU.
Talk about the fundamental problems associated with EU.
Then, mention the achievements of EU, how it has emerged a case study for regional integration.
Answer:
With the formal birth of the EU in 1993, the countries of Europe became ever more closely tied together.
Individual countries moved to synchronize their economic and social policies. At the same time, concerns
related EU regulations supplementing and superseding national legislation also have been raised from
time to time.
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 In the early 1990s, for example, more laws affecting France were adopted by the community than by the
French government itself. Another example being the imposition of Common Agricultural Policy which
has had discriminatory effects on the members.
Recently, there was a perception that prolonged economic stagnation of Greece can be attributed to how
it was forced to accept austerity measures. Therefore, joining EU obviously involves ceding of some
national autonomy. The recent Brexit vote can be seen as an effort being made by individual countries to
regain that control over its sovereignty.
The current instability in the EU can be attributed to the economic tensions, terrorist attacks and wave of
resurgent nationalism across the globe. Migration crises, Brexit are the manifestations of such issues.
However, despite such problems EU was conferred with the noble peace prize in 2012 primarily for its
role towards democratic value systems, being an outstanding example of regional integration, respect for
human rights, creation of the Schengen area by abolishing passport controls and creating a unique
singular common market, EU currency and the way it fought back after the cold war to convince eastern
and central European countries together to join the EU;
By offering financial support and prospect of membership, the EU ensured that previously socialist
countries to the east of the Berlin wall transformed themselves into a stable democracy and functioning
market economy.
The achievements of EU in terms of creating an integrated economic market, a uniform currency is a
good example of cooperative federalism and coexistence of different states and a strong centre, akin to
the model of Indian polity. EU is possibly the most profound case study on regional integration.

16. Cooperativization was seen as an important element in the agenda for institutional changes sought to
be achieved through land reforms. Discuss. Also explain why the progress made by the cooperative
movement in India largely fell far short of the goals set by its early proponents.
Approach:
Discuss why cooperativization was seen as important institutional reforms.
Discuss what was done to promote cooperativization in India.
Discuss the reasons for its limited success.
Briefly provide some suggestions.
Answer:
After independence, the land reforms were initiated to transform the colonial agricultural structure so as
to bring inclusive, modern and progressive farming in country. The most significant aspects of land
reforms were institutional changes such as abolition of Zamindari, Tenancy reforms etc.
Among these institutional reforms, many nationalists including Gandhiji, Nehru, Socialists and
Communists agreed that cooperativization would lead to major improvement in Indian agriculture and
particularly benefit poor. The small lands freed by land reforms were to be pooled through
cooperativization and reap the benefits of large scale farming.
The advantages of scientific farming, the new potential technologies could be reaped through
cooperativization. In addition, cooperative farming lays the foundation of strong democracy. In this way,
the cooperative farming was supposed to solve the problem of rural poverty, inequity and landlessness.
To encourage cooperativization in Indian agriculture, early FYPs recommended that farmers should be
encouraged and assisted to group themselves into cooperatives. The second FYP made an ambitious plan
of covering substantial proportion of land under cooperative farming. The Nagpur resolution of Congress
proposed village cooperatives and panchayats should be provided adequate functions, resources and
powers. In 1960s, several pilot projects on cooperative farming were initiated.
However, it could not attain desired success owing to following reasons:
There was no general consensus on the mode of implementation and nature of cooperatives.

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 Many were formed to evade land reforms and access incentives offered by state including credit
meant for poor. These were formed by influential families who used agricultural labourers or ex-
tenants as bogus members.
Leadership and management of cooperatives remained under leading families of village which not
only owned a great deal of land but also controlled trade and money lending.
State-sponsored cooperative farms were generally poor, previously uncultivated lands. Its poor
quality, lack of proper irrigation, etc., and the fact that these farms were run like government-
sponsored projects made them unsuccessful.
Refusal of cooperatives to issue crop loans or loans in anticipation of the crop being produced, and
their insisting on credit being given against land as security, meant that landless were essentially
excluded from scheme.
A large bureaucracy, generally not in sympathy with principles of the cooperative movement and
influenced by local vested interests, instead of becoming an instrument for promoting cooperatives,
became a hindrance.
Cooperative credit societies, suffered from non-repayment of loans and large overdues.
Yet, cooperative movement has thrown some success stories like AMUL or agricultural credit societies.
Their success is owed to following features which need to be replicated elsewhere:
An integrated approach with participation of community and the management being attuned to the
need of most marginalised.
Strong democratic ethos and fair elections with single voting right for each member irrespective of
number of shares.
Use of modern technology.
Mobilization of women and rural workers.
Recent model framework for cooperatives provided through constitutional amendment is another
positive step and should be implemented in letter and spirit by states.

17. Napoleons conquest of Europe was a source of new wave of modernisation, the legacy of which
continues till date. Discuss.
Approach:
Briefly discuss about the Napoleons conquest.
Bring out the modernizing forces he set in.
Also, bring out how they continue to survive till today.
Answer:
The conquest of Napoleon brought new territories outside France under his rule. He was a despot who
halted the democratic progress made by French Revolution and aftermath. Nevertheless, he introduced
many reforms in the territories ruled by him. These reforms eventually did not remain confined to
Europe. European imperialism spread these modern standards to new regions and many of them survive
even today. These can be summarised as follows:
Napoleonic Code: He established a unified, progressive legal system. He removed ascriptive privileges,
established equality before law and secured right to property. This remains the basis of modern laws in
democratic nations.
Administrative reforms: Simplified administrative divisions, abolished feudal system and freed peasants
from serfdom and manorial dues.
Economic reforms: Standardised weights and measures, introduced common national currency for whole
empire, improved infrastructure and transport, developed French luxury industries, brought new
commercial code and a central bank to control monetary policy. All these brought economic
development to France and remain central to any modern economy.
Religious freedom: Although accepting the presence of Church, he tried to provide religious freedom to
all. He also abolished slavery and freed serfs, today seen as a great progressive step.
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 Freedom for Jews: Jews were the most discriminated section in Europe. They had been forced to wear
arm bands, kept from certain professions, made to live in ghettos, and prevented from attending their
synagogues. Napoleon put an end to all of those restrictions and made Jews full citizens of France.
Education reforms: To create a middle-class cadre of leaders he brought in foresighted reorganization of
Frances education system. He restarted primary schools, created a new elite secondary system of
schools, and established many other schools for general populace. He promoted education for girls and
greatly improved teacher training.
European unity: Napoleons empire, accompanied by his legal and other reforms, helped provide the
basis for what is today the European Union. He worked to create a unified Italy, Poland, and Germany.
Napoleon was also responsible for sweeping away many of the old regimes and promoting the ideals of
equality and European solidarity.
For these reasons and persistence of his legacy even after two centuries, Napoleon is considered by
many as the father of modern Europe.

18. United States entered the Vietnam war incrementally, in a series of steps between 1950 and 1965.
Elucidate. Also analyse the reasons for America's failure in the war.
Approach:
Briefly discuss the context of the war.
Bring out the incremental involvement of US in the war.
Discuss the reasons for USAs failure in the war.
Answer:
After end of WWII, Ho Chi Minh setup an independent democratic republic. Its erstwhile coloniser,
France tried to re-establish its rule through the puppet regime of emperor Bao Dai. But, resistance
against it was carried on by communists. Propelled by its containment of communism policy, US entered
into the conflict. Initially it provided funds to French. Eventually in 1954, Vietnam split into two parts,
North under communists and south under French client.
The authoritarian and repressive regime of Ngo Dinh Diem was supported by the US initially, but was
later overthrown by a US backed coup. US started building an independent state in south. However,
communists continued to fight for unification of Vietnam. But as communists were gaining popular
support in south as well, US increased its direct involvement.
First, it sent military advisers. Then, in 1961, 400 U.S. troops were sent and the level of aid was
multiplied. By the end of 1964 U.S. personnel in South exceeded 23,000. US also assisted South in covert
operations to gather intelligence, disseminate propaganda, and harass North, but its success continued
to decline. In 1965, US launched major air offensive. In 1965, U.S. aircraft flew 25,000 sorties against
North and that number grew to 79,000 in 1966 and 108,000 in 1967. In 1967 annual bombing tonnage
reached almost a quarter million and US troops fighting in Vietnam were 500,000.
However, communists in spite of huge losses continued scoring victories with 1968 being an important
year. Moreover, high loss of lives of US soldiers and its huge cost made it highly unpopular in US.
Government also realised the need of de-escalation and from 1968 it started reducing its troops with
eventual withdrawal in 1973.
Thus, the escalation and de-escalation of war could be termed as incremental. However, this war proved
to be a monumental failure for US and it generated worldwide criticism. Some of the reasons for USAs
failure in war could be:
US underestimated the power of nationalism to move people to action and sacrifice.
It overestimated the impact of communist rule in Vietnam as creating a domino effect worldwide. In
panic, it entered the war without sincere assessment of ground realities.
It overestimated its technological supremacy.

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 This was first television war and the destruction and causalities were widely shown on TV. This
generated huge criticism both in and outside US, thus forcing retreat.
Southern regime proved incapable of translating military success into political success.
Massive U.S. assistance seemed to prove Norths claim that South Vietnam was not a Vietnamese but
an American creation thus denting its moral and strategic credibility.
US could not win support of Vietnamese people and hence faced resistance everywhere while the
communists received popular support.

19. Weaknesses inherent in the structure and functions of the League of Nations were a decisive factor in
its inability to maintain peace. Comment.
Approach:
Discuss in brief the conditions under which the league was formed.
Highlight its structure and functioning.
Examine how these led to dissatisfaction snowballing into greater cause for WWII.
Answer:
The Peace Conference held after the end of WWI, established the League of Nations. The Primary
objective of the League was to promote international cooperation, peace and security.
Structure and inherent weaknesses
At the time of its formation it had 44 members including most European countries (except USSR,
Germany) and some colonies of Latin America and Asia. USA was not a member; its membership was
later given to Germany. It had an Assembly and a Council, much like UNs Security Council, consisting of
Permanent and Non-Permanent members. It was dominated by Britain and France, while colonies were
inducted in the League merely to provide legitimacy to it as a world body. With absence of USA and USSR
(inducted only in 1934) it proved to be a weak body and the divisions created by imperialist ambitions
continued to exist as evident by walking out of Germany and Japan by 1934. Its structure paved way for
Britain and France to use League as their fiefdom and fulfil their imperialist aims.
Moreover, the Assembly could only make a decision by a unanimous vote, and on the Council, all the
permanent members had a veto. The Secretariat was understaffed. Its slow decision making and an
element of 'toothlessness' in the sanctions it could impose on aggressive nations weakened it further.
Further, Conference of Ambassadors functioned in parallel resolving disputes and undermined the
authority of League of Nations.
Leagues Inability to maintain Peace
While the pledged function of the League was to promote world peace and joint action against any
country showing aggression against any member, it could not be actualised. League was able to resolve
minor disputes between small states but failed to prevent aggression, maintain independence and
territorial integrity of member-states where a big power was involved. This failure is reflected in policy of
appeasement adopted by big powers towards aggression by fascist and militarist powers.
Covenant of the League had provided tools to prevent it, but they were never used. Hence, technically it
was not the functions of the league per-se but not doing its functions that proved detrimental.
The divisions in the League made its members blind to rising ambitions of Germany, Italy and Japan.
European powers believed that their aggression would be targeted at communist USSR and hence
League remained passive to Japans annexation of Manchuria, Italys invasion of Ethiopia and Spanish
Civil War. In fact, League members facilitated Hitlers occupation of Czechoslovakia. USA also followed
the same policy. All this emboldened Fascist powers and their mounting aggression eventually
culminated into WWII.

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20. Whatever its faults, the China of today is very much the creation of Mao Zedong. In this context,
highlight the problems that Mao faced after the communist victory in 1949 and the steps taken by him
to deal with these.
Approach:
In the first part talk about the problems faced and steps taken by Mao Zedong as he set about
rebuilding a shattered China in 1949. Large part of the answer would be based on this part.
In the conclusion, talk about the legacy of Mao Zedong and his influence on present day China.
Answer:
After the communist victory in 1949, Mao Zedong set about rebuilding a shattered China as the problems
they were facing were quite complex.
The country was devastated after the long civil war and the war with Japan. The countrys
infrastructure railways, roads and canals had been destroyed.
There was chronic food shortage and agriculture was inefficient.
Industry was backward and incapable of serving the needs of poverty-stricken was backward with
inflation seeming out of control.
Further, a huge population base of 600 million posed another challenge.
Therefore, it was essential for Mao Zedong to tackle these challenges if he were to hold on to the
support of the peasants and masses who had supported him. Mao carried out radical reforms to address
the challenges that stood before newly independent China.
Political Changes This included the Constitution of 1950 which was officially adopted in 1954. This
lead to the establishment of National Peoples Congress, State Councils and Political Bureau. This was
important because it provided China with a strong central government for the first time for many and
it has largely remained unchanged.
Agricultural Changes Land was redistributed among the peasants and then, they were persuaded to
join together in collective farms in order to increase food production. By 1956, about 95 per cent of
all peasants were in co-operatives. These transformed China from a country of small, inefficient
private farms into large co-operative farms like those in Russia.
Industrial Changes These began with the government nationalizing most businesses. With Russian
aid, China embarked on a Five year plan which concentrated on development of heavy industries.
Large communes were set up to transform agriculture during the Great Leap Forward. These also
managed backyard steel furnaces and carried out most functions of the local government.
Ideological Changes Mao did not blindly follow Russia. Even though he initially followed Russian
model, he dismissed Russians as revisionists for taking side with capitalist model. He started the
Cultural Revolution to keep China on a pure Marxist-Leninist course. It also involved brutal
repression and violence against opposition.
Policies of Mao politically united China but economic success of programmes like Great Leap is
debatable. In fact, his brand of communism was diluted later and China made economic reforms,
opening itself to global market and embarking upon remarkable growth path. His reign was of political
oppression and persecution. Owing to his legacy, Chinese still face civil rights abrogation, uni-party
system and strict state control.
However, it is also believed that these steps prevented China from disintegration and laid the basis for
modernization programs later which propelled economic growth. All these steps laid a foundation which
meant that communism as a political ideology survived in China and is prevalent today as well.
His legacy is debatable but nonetheless everlasting in the making of modern China.

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