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Political Science – Chapter 1: The End of Bipolarity

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Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Question Answer – Short Answer type

Q1. What were the main causes of the disintegration of the Soviet Union?

• The Soviet economy was stagnant and could not match the technological progress of the West.
• Military spending in the arms race drained resources.
• Nationalist movements in republics like Lithuania, Estonia, and Ukraine weakened unity.
• Bureaucracy and corruption reduced efficiency.
• Gorbachev’s reforms created more problems instead of solving them.

Q2. Explain the role of Mikhail Gorbachev in the disintegration of the USSR.

• Introduced Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring).
• Allowed greater freedom of speech and elections.
• These reforms weakened Communist Party control.
• Failed to balance democracy with stability.
• His policies accelerated disintegration rather than preventing it.

Q3. What were the features of the Soviet political system?

• One-party system under Communist Party.
• Centralized power without opposition.
• Lack of free and fair elections.
• Strict control over media and expression.
• Use of ideology (Marxism–Leninism) to justify authority.

Q4. What is meant by Shock Therapy?

• Sudden transition from communism to capitalism after USSR collapse.
• Privatisation of state industries.
• Withdrawal of state subsidies.
• Entry of foreign investment and free markets.
• Resulted in inflation, unemployment, and inequality.

Q5. How did the fall of the Berlin Wall affect world politics?

• Marked the end of Cold War divisions.
• Led to reunification of Germany.
• Collapse of Communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
• Strengthened European integration.
• Symbolized victory of liberal democracy.

Q6. What challenges did Russia face after the disintegration of the USSR?

• Political instability during Yeltsin’s rule.
• Economic depression and inflation.
• Unemployment and poverty increased.
• Separatist movements in Chechnya and other regions.
• Struggle to maintain Russia’s international status.

Q7. Describe the economic features of the Soviet system.

• State-controlled economy with no private ownership.
• Centralized planning through Five-Year Plans.
• Emphasis on heavy industry and defense.
• Guarantee of employment, health, and education.
• Neglect of consumer goods and services.

Q8. What were the consequences of Shock Therapy for ordinary people?

• Loss of jobs due to privatisation.
• Poverty increased as subsidies ended.
• Widening gap between rich and poor.
• Social services like health and education collapsed.
• Many fell below poverty line.

Q9. Explain the significance of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

• Formed after the breakup of the USSR in 1991.
• Provided a loose alliance of former Soviet republics.
• Aimed at military and economic cooperation.
• Russia became the dominant power within CIS.
• Reflected shift from unity to fragmented independence.

Q10. What was the impact of the disintegration of the USSR on international relations?

• End of bipolar world order.
• USA emerged as the sole superpower.
• Spread of democracy and free markets globally.
• Reduced ideological conflict.
• Rise of unipolarity and American dominance.

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Class 12 Political Chapter 1 Question Answer – Long Answer Questions

Q1. Analyse the causes of the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

• Economic stagnation due to inefficient planning.
• Arms race with the USA drained resources.
• Costly Afghan war added pressure.
• Nationalist movements in Baltic and Central Asian republics.
• Corruption and lack of reforms.
• Gorbachev’s Glasnost and Perestroika weakened control.
• Communist Party lost legitimacy.
• Young generation demanded democracy and freedom.
• Competition from Western technology and economy.
• Ultimately, republics declared independence leading to collapse.

Q2. Describe the consequences of Shock Therapy in post-Soviet countries.

• Collapse of state-owned industries.
• Sharp inflation and unemployment.
• Emergence of oligarchs (super-rich businessmen).
• Increase in inequality between rich and poor.
• Poverty and decline in living standards.
• Healthcare and education collapsed.
• Agricultural sector suffered without subsidies.
• Social unrest and crime increased.
• Political instability followed economic failure.
• Overall, society suffered a painful transition.

Q3. How did the disintegration of the USSR mark the end of the Cold War and bipolarity?

• USSR collapsed in 1991, ending the superpower rivalry.
• USA emerged as the sole global superpower.
• NATO remained intact, Warsaw Pact dissolved.
• Germany was reunified and Europe integrated.
• Democratic governments rose in Eastern Europe.
• Communism lost influence worldwide.
• Market economies replaced central planning.
• UN gained greater role but under US influence.
• New power centres like EU and China later emerged.
• Thus, bipolarity gave way to a unipolar world.

Q4. Explain the challenges faced by Russia after 1991.

• Economic crisis: inflation, unemployment, and poverty.
• Political instability under Yeltsin’s weak leadership.
• Rise of separatist movements (Chechnya).
• Oligarchs controlled resources and politics.
• Military power declined.
• Loss of superpower status.
• Social inequality widened.
• Dependence on Western aid and investment.
• Struggle to redefine national identity.
• Transition to democracy remained incomplete.

Q5. Evaluate the role of Mikhail Gorbachev in the collapse of the USSR.

• Introduced Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring).
• Aimed to modernize economy and democratize politics.
• Reduced censorship, allowed free debate.
• Initiated multiparty elections.
• Nationalist movements gained momentum.
• Failed to control centrifugal forces.
• Reforms exposed inefficiency instead of curing it.
• Lost support of Communist Party and conservatives.
• Could not satisfy republics demanding independence.
• His policies unintentionally accelerated disintegration.

Q6. What were the features of the Soviet model of the economy and its weaknesses?

• State-owned industries and farms.
• Centralized planning.
• Focus on heavy industry and defense.
• Guarantee of basic needs (jobs, health, education).
• Equal distribution in theory.
  Weaknesses:
• Shortages of consumer goods.
• Lack of innovation and technology.
• Low productivity and inefficiency.
• Corruption and bureaucracy.
• Could not compete with Western economies.

Q7. Examine the effects of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Eastern Europe.

• End of Communist rule in East Germany.
• Germany reunited in 1990.
• Communist governments collapsed in Poland, Hungary, and others.
• Spread of democracy and free elections.
• Eastern Europe integrated into the EU.
• NATO expanded eastwards.
• Symbolized end of Cold War divisions.
• National identity revived in Eastern countries.
• Economic reforms introduced.
• Entire region shifted to democracy and capitalism.

Q8. Discuss the role of Boris Yeltsin in shaping post-Soviet Russia.

• First elected President of Russia (1991).
• Led Russia during collapse of USSR.
• Promoted privatisation and free market reforms.
• Faced economic crisis and inflation.
• Handled separatist wars in Chechnya.
• Weakened by corruption and oligarch influence.
• Brought closer ties with the West.
• Ensured Russia kept nuclear arsenal and UN seat.
• Struggled with political opposition.
• Paved way for Putin’s rise in 2000.

Q9. How did the disintegration of the USSR affect global politics?

• End of bipolar Cold War rivalry.
• USA became sole superpower.
• Spread of liberal democracy.
• Expansion of NATO and EU.
• Weakening of socialism worldwide.
• Rise of new power centres (China, India, EU).
• United Nations gained importance.
• Globalisation increased.
• US dominance in military and economy.
• Shift from ideological conflict to economic competition.

Q10. Compare the Cold War era with the post-Cold War world.

• Cold War: Bipolar world (USA vs USSR).
• Post-Cold War: Unipolar world (US dominance).
• Cold War: Ideological division (capitalism vs communism).
• Post-Cold War: Spread of democracy and free markets.
• Cold War: NATO vs Warsaw Pact.
• Post-Cold War: Warsaw Pact dissolved.
• Cold War: Arms race, proxy wars.
• Post-Cold War: Arms reduction agreements.
• Cold War: Divided Germany and Europe.
• Post-Cold War: Reunified Germany, integrated Europe.
• Cold War: Global tension and fear of nuclear war.
• Post-Cold War: Globalisation and economic competition.

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Class 12 Political Science Chapter 1 MCQ | The End of Bipolarity Important MCQ