SHIKHAR MAINS 2022 - DAY 2 Model Answer English
Q1. द्वितीय विश्व युद्ध के पश्चात उन कारणों का उल्लेख कीजिए जिन्होंने शीत युद्ध की पृष्ठभूमि तैयार की। साथ ही शीत युद्ध के तनाव को कम करने वाले कारकों पर भी चर्चा कीजिए।
Explain the factors that formed the background of the Cold War after the Second World War. Also discuss the factors that reduced the tension of the Cold War.
Approach
• Give a brief introduction to the Cold War.
• Mention the reasons which prepared the background of the Cold War.
• Further, discuss the factors that reduced the Cold War tension in various phases.
• Conclude the answer by highlighting that cold war like situation arose many times even after the disintegration of USSR.
Answer:-
During the period 1945-1991, the Cold War can be defined as the confrontation and competition between US and Soviet Union in various fields, such as political, economic, cultural, and ideological. Communist countries led by Russia and capitalist countries led by America were divided into two camps. There was never a direct war between these two factions, but the situation of conflict and tension persisted.
The signs of the Cold War were visible from the beginning of the Second World War. Both the superpowers were fighting a war for their narrow interests. The mutual differences between Russia and America created the background of the Cold War, which can be understood from the following reasons-
• Yalta Conference- Non-compliance of Yalta Agreement by Soviet Union.
• Conflict between capitalist and communist ideology.
• Mutual distrust - Before-1939 (withdrawal of communist Russia from World War I, doubts in Russia due to appeasement of fascist powers etc.) and 1939-45 (Germany-Russia non-aggression pact, Soviet Union's strong position in Eastern Europe, Not opening of second front at the time of Hitler's Russian invasion)
• Circumstances after World War II- The circumstances of 1945 and 1946 brought the Cold War to the surface, such as the statements of Stalin and Churchill, Truman Doctrine in 1947, etc.
• Potsdam Conference - increasing tension with Soviet Russia regarding elections in Poland and Eastern European countries.
• Some U.S. policymakers hoped that the U.S. monopoly on nuclear technology and the demonstration of its destructive power in Japan might influence the Soviets to make concessions, either in Asia or in Europe.
• The strengthening of the Soviet Union's hold on Eastern European countries during 1946, as well as conflicts between communism and democratic forces in Greece and Turkey.
• With the Berlin Blockade in 1948-49, all doubts about the Cold War were cleared and the world had entered into a new era.
Factors that reduced the Cold War tensions:
1953-1962 Phase:-
• In this phase, there were many incidents of which few escalated the cold war tension but few reduced it also.
• Some factors played a role in reducing the tension, such as Stalin's death in 1953 and Khrushchev's talk of peaceful coexistence with capitalist countries.
• Senator McCarthy was known for his anti-communist policies in the US, this also reduced his influence on American politics. Both the factions were understanding the destructive nature of the war and were also feeling the economic pressure.
• In this background some steps were taken to reduce the tension such as-
• Removal of military bases from Finland by the USSR, removal of veto on the entry of 16 nations into the UNO, agreement on the unification of Austria with the conditions that it will not merge with Germany.
• Agreement on Korean issue in 1953, Agreement on Vietnam issue in 1954 etc.
• However, there were some incidents in this phase that escalated the tension between the two powers such as, the Warsaw Pact Agreement in 1955, the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, etc.
1963-1969 phase:
• A hotline was established between the US and the USSR.
• Establishment of PTBT in 1963.
• In 1967 the NPT was signed to prevent the proliferation of nuclear bombs and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
• In 1972, an agreement, SALT-1 was signed between the US and the USSR. For the first time, both the superpowers agreed to limit the number of weapons.
• Helsinki Conference was held in 1975. It was agreed to uphold the sovereignty of the European countries. And in communist countries there was an agreement on respect for human rights.
• The civil war in Vietnam ended in the same year.
• In the 1970s, relations between the US and China improved gradually.
• However, in this phase also some escalating incidents occurred such as Vietnam Civil War, Arab-Israeli War, Indo-Bangladesh War etc.
The fourth phase of 1979-1991:-
• 1987-INF Treaty: - For the first time there was an agreement to reduce the number of weapons.
• In 1988, the USSR withdrew the army from Afghanistan and assured not to interfere in Eastern Europe.
• The Berlin Wall was demolished in 1989 and Germany was unified in 1990.
The Warsaw Pact was abolished. In December 1991, with the dissolution of the USSR, a bloc was disintegrated. The period 1945–1991 is called the period of the Cold War, but in international politics, before 1945 and after 1991, the Cold War-like situations were seen in international politics.
Q2: "शुरुआत में नेपोलियन ने फ्रांसीसी क्रांति के आदर्शों को पोषित किया लेकिन अंत तक उनका पालन नहीं कर सका।" चर्चा कीजिये।
"Initially Napoleon cherished the ideals of the French revolution but could not adhere to them till the end." Discuss.
Approach-
· In the introduction, discuss the important ideas arising out of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon.
· Discuss the works of Napoleon on which the effects of the revolution were clearly reflected.
· Discuss the violation of these ideas by Napoleon in the revolution.
· Conclude the answer by establishing a connection between the breach of values and the fall of Napoleon.
Answer -
The rise of Napoleon took the central elements of the French Revolution in which liberation, liberty and equality were the main ones. Therefore he has also been addressed by some historians as the son of revolution. Napoleon included the rule of law in the main stream of politics at that time in place of the archaic monarchical and privileged system. The revolution was threatened by the presence of opponents, the success of military campaigns, the absence of any important opponent, as well as factors such as leadership qualities, military talent, decision-making ability, courage, took Napoleon to the pinnacle of power.
In 1799 Changes in the French constitution, the responsibility of the executive to three councilors, more powers to the first councilor and Napoleon became the first councillor. By amending the constitution in 1802, he made arrangements to remain in his post for life. A plebiscite was held in 1804 and Napoleon came to be called the Emperor of the French Republic.
Echo of ideas of revolution
Spread of revolution
· Within a short period, control was established over large areas of Europe, such as Italy, Germany , Poland etc. Various elements related to modern politics were established by ending the old system in the conquered areas.
· Germany, Italy which was divided into many parts brought under one power Foundation of governance was laid on the basis of modern laws, the monarchical system and privileges were attacked, In this whole process, the support of the middle class and common people of these nations was with Napoleon.
· Napoleon's campaigns also led to a political upheaval in South Eastern Europe. Thus Napoleon not only changed the European political map but also, Ideas like liberty and fraternity also became the subject of discussion in Europe.
In the field of administration
· The main features of the Revolution period were - Elections, election on the basis of merit.
· To maintain the revolutionary changes in the field of administration in France (such as the rule of the constitution, administrative division) as well as the appointment of family members and benevolent people to all important posts.
In the field of law
· Legal basis of the present modern society was created by Napoleon, which in various forms are still applicable today in Europe and beyond.
· Napoleon compiled various laws like Civil Code (Civil Code), Penal Code (Penal Code), Professional Code etc. Napoleon had a personal interest in this process.
· These laws not only led to the legal unification of France, but also led to the implementation of these laws in Europe.
In the field of religion
· Simultaneously in 1801, an agreement was made with the Pope. Through this agreement, Napoleon tried to reduce religious tensions.
· The Pope accepted the changes in the field of religion during the Revolution,
· Napoleon considered Catholicism to be the religion of the majority.
· This ended the era of autocracy and control of religion and strengthened the concept of the state.
In the field of education
· Like the Revolution, Napoleon also kept education free from the influence of the Church.
· Made policy for the development of primary, secondary and higher education
· Norman School established for the training of teachers
In the economic sphere
Napoleon did some work for economic development like roads, canals etc. Importance was given to the development of infrastructure.
Bank of France was established , Exhibition organized for the promotion of indigenous clothes.
Violation of ideas of revolution
Napoleon spread the ideas of revolution through the expansion of the empire but it also had some limitations such as putting the people of his family at the top of power in these nations and sometimes treating these nations like colonies. This gave shelter to nepotism
The process of election and merit-based election, started in the Revolutionary period, was rejected by Napoleon himself after a short time and gave importance to nomination in place of election in cities and autonomous units and to place his relatives on important posts.
Napoleon gave importance to nomination instead of election and himself remained in his post for life. These changes were somewhere against the values of the revolution.
Impressed by the values of the revolution, Napoleon codified various laws to establish the rule of law, although these laws also had limitations such as giving rights only to sons in property and the provision of adjudication in favor of capitalists in case of commercial disputes. These laws denotes a privilege which was a clear violation of the principles of the revolution.
Under the reform of education, Napoleon's glorification at every level of education, emphasis on military education, higher education and the establishment of strict government control over the press were the limits of these educational efforts.
It is known that the economic failure of the king was made the main issue in the French Revolution, but even by Napoleon no concrete measures were found for it. Ignoring the circumstances of the time, Napoleon did not emphasize on industrialization. Due to this, France remained dependent on industrial goods made by Britain. Along with this, due to the continental system, tried to stop the pace of capitalism. This was an attempt against the value of freedom.
Thus, the rise of Napoleon took the principles arising out of the revolution. But later on, these principles were done away by him and Napoleon himself became like an autocratic emperor. Napoleon tried to establish a political system more or less similar to the monarchical system. But compromising with the values of the revolution became the root cause of Napoleon's downfall.
