SHIKHAR Mains Day 3 - English Answer

Updated : 8th Jun 2023

Q1: औद्योगिक क्रान्ति से आप क्या समझते हैं? उन कारकों की व्याख्या कीजिये जिनके कारण औद्योगिक क्रान्ति की शुरुआत ब्रिटेन से हुई। (8 Marks)

What do you understand about the industrial revolution? Explain the factors responsible for the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. (8 Marks)

Approach

Define industrial revolution in introduction.
In the main section, outline the reasons for the beginning of the Industrial Revolution from Britain.
Lastly, conclude the answer by giving information about industrialization in other countries.

Answer -

Industrialization represents a new stage in the development journey of human beings. Industrialization refers to a vast change in the methods of production. It is a continuous process and not an event occurring in a particular year. In the 18th-19th century, there were radical changes in the methods of production, hence it is also called the Industrial Revolution. Under this, changes are seen in production by machines, large-scale production, production with a focus on profits, operation of machines by steam power, etc. Industrialization had a great impact on economic life as well as political, social and cultural life. The development journey of capitalist industrialization started from Britain. By the year 1800, Britain was being counted among the industrialized nations. Many factors were responsible for this.

Why did the Industrial Revolution start in Britain?

Change in Agriculture (Agriculture Revolution)

Among the European nations, many important changes were seen in the field of agriculture in Britain in the 18th century such as: cropping, seed planter, agriculture on large farms, fencing movement (at throwaway prices by big landowners with government support) Buying land from small farmers) etc.
These changes resulted in surplus production and increased population and food became available to people engaged in non-agricultural activities, as well as the availability of labour was ensured.

population growth:

There was a rapid increase in the British population due to the availability of food, improvements in the medical sector, etc., such as: Between 1750 and 1800, the population of twenty cities in Western Europe doubled, out of which 11 were from Britain. Due to the increase in population, the demand also increased and the availability of labour was also ensured.

Effects of the business revolution

The period from 16th to 18th century is also important because of the commercial revolution.
Almost all Western European countries benefited from the commercial revolution, but by the middle of the 18th century Britain was at its best.
This ensured the availability of capital for investment in industries and also the availability of colonies for markets and raw materials.

Changes in transportation

By the end of the 18th century, Britain was ahead of other European countries in terms of advanced transport.
By 1800 AD, all the major cities were connected with canals and about 4000 miles of canals were built.
Similarly, Macden's introduction of paved roads and the commercial operation of railways in the 1820s also revolutionized transportation.
Due to improved transport, a national market was created, import-export became easier and development of basic industries was also done.

Political reasons

Britain was politically more stable than other European nations, such as Britain had a relatively stable system after the bloodless revolution of 1688, on the other hand, after the French Revolution or for other reasons, the European nations were struggling and unstable.
Political stability creates a favourable environment for economic growth and investment.
The government also supported industrial processes as a buyer and also made policies favourable to industrialization, such as the development of a type of currency, law, language etc. in Britain.
Along with this, the state also supported industrial processes through the policy of laissez faire, policy of free trade, establishment of colonies, war for colonies etc.

Social cause

British society had the characteristics of flexibility, progressiveness, syncretic approach, importance of scientific education etc.
This gave Britain a different place in contemporary society, as the transition from monarchy to democracy was relatively peaceful.
Thousands of new researches were done between 1750 and 1800, even the elites invested money in industries and so on.

Other economic reasons

Availability of iron and coal; Rivers being navigable.
Due to the developed banking structure such as around 300 regional banks till 1800 AD, Britain's position was much better than other European nations.

Technological advances

Britain was also a leading nation in terms of technological development.
Britain's Derby family developed the technology to shape iron as desired, McDen made paved roads and James Watt the engine.
Many new machines were also invented in the field of cloth like water frame, powerloom, spinning jenny etc.

Due to the above factors, the position of Britain was more favourable for industrial revolution than other European nations. Thus the Industrial Revolution started from Britain. By the middle of the 19th century, countries like France, Holland, Belgium, etc. also became recognized as industrial nations. By the last decades of the 19th century, countries such as America, Germany, Japan, etc., were also being counted as important industrial nations. Due to this industrial revolution in Britain, there was a huge positive effect on the economic, political field, while it also had adverse effects on the social sector of Britain.

Q2: प्रथम विश्व युद्ध के कारणों की व्याख्या कीजिये। इस युद्ध के पश्चात शांति स्थापित करने के लिए उठाए गए कदमों पर चर्चा कीजिए।

Explain the causes of the First World War. Discuss the steps taken to establish peace after the war.

Approach-

Introduce the role of the First World War.
Explain its main reasons in the second part of the answer.
Write the post-war peace efforts in the third part of the answer.
At the end of the answer, conclude the answer by writing a conclusion.

Answer :-

The First World War started in 1914 and lasted till 1918. In this war, the Allies included Britain, France, Italy, Russia and America on one side and Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey on the other side. In which the Allies were victorious.

Reasons behind First World War-

Competition in Colonies: After unification Germany and Italy emerged as a great power and they needed colonies. The creation of new factions intensified the Russian imperial rivalry.
Question of prestige: Germany infringed territorial integrity of France by taking the region of Alsace-Lorraine from France. France did not want to prove itself weak. In addition, differences over prestige between Russia and Austria continued.
Factionalism: Austria, Germany and Italy made a secret treaty with each other. Through this they wanted to keep France isolated. In response, a counter-faction was formed, led by England, France and Russia.
Militarism: Militarism was directly associated with various European factions. These secret treaties further increased suspicion and mistrust towards each other. After the French Revolution, the reunification of Germany-Italy, there was a need for military expansion.
Role of newspapers: Through articles, disseminating propaganda about different countries gave rise to the hatred towards enemy countries in general public. Prior to this, the role of these newspapers in various revolutions was also extensive, and people believed in the messages spread by them.
Immediate Cause: The assassination of Prince Ferdinand of Austria in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, started the First World War.

Post-war peace efforts:

In this war, factions like Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey were defeated. The victorious countries organized a peace conference in Paris in 1919 to establish a post-war period. Under this, many types of treaties were made:-

Treaty of Versailles: - This treaty was made with Germany. Under this, extensive changes were made in the regional, military and economic system. Its purpose was the pursuit of their interests by the friendly countries. Under this, the Alsace-Lorraine region was snatched from Germany and again given to France. Military capability was also limited. A limit was imposed on the maximum number of soldiers. The naval ships were confiscated. Financially Germany was held responsible for the compensation of war damages. This treaty was full of many discriminations which resulted in the Second World War.
Other Treaties: - The Allies made the Treaty of St. Germain with Austria whose purpose was to disintegrate the empire. After this, countries like Hungary, Poland etc. got independence. In addition, the Treaty of Triano with Hungary, the Treaty of Niuli with Bulgaria and the Treaty of Svres with Turkey was made by allies.
Establishment of League of Nations: Realizing the need for international peace and security after the war, League of nations was established.

Thus, due to imperialist interests, militarism, factionalism etc. of some nations, a European war turned into World War I. The result of which was very widespread, which affected the economic, geographical, political fields. After this war, peace efforts were made but could not be completely successful, which resulted in the Second World War.