CBSE
History-1998 -Set I
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What is meant by ‘Second international’? Explain its attitude towards the danger of War in Europe before 1914 AD.
Ans. The second international was formed in 1889 and a congress were held in Paris, the French capital city. Its aim was to unite the socialist parties of the world. Though its main aim was propagation of socialism, but it also worked towards retaining peace and international brotherhood in the world. It tried to destroy capitalism and carry a struggle against militarism and wars. It was against Imperialism. Some of its leaders wanted to bring a socialist revolution in the World while others wanted to transform the world without the revolution. It was decided to educate the colonial people and give support to the rising nationalism in the Colonies. Peace and Human brotherhood were the two most important ideals of the second international. It had an agenda for the workers of the world to unite against the race of armaments. It adopted a resolution of militarism and international conflicts.
Q. 15. Do you agree with the view that the treaty of Versailles sowed seeds of the Second World War? Give reasons in support of your answer. (5 marks)
Ans. The First World War came to an end in November 1918 AD Soon after, a peace conference was held in Paris to decide the terms of the treaty after the war. The peace treaty which Germany was forced to sign with the victorious powers is commonly known as the treaty of Versailles. It was signed at the palace of Versailles on June 28, 1919 AD. It was the treaty of Versailles, which sowed seeds of the Second World War. The treaty of Versailles made Germany guilty of the war. She was compelled to cede her territory of Poland, Denmark, and Belgium etc. to the victorious powers. A new state of Poland was carved out of German territory. Denzing was made a free city. Germany was further debarred from joining with Austria. The victorious French took the German territory of Alsace and Loraine. It also got the right to exploit the rich coal mines of Saar, which came under German influence. Most of German colonies in Africa such as, Togoland, Congo, Cameroons were redistributed among British and the French. The military strength of Germany was reduced. Last, but not the lease, Germany was made to accept the war guilt and had to pay heavy sum of 6,600million dollars as war indemnity to the allies. The provisions of the treaty were, obviously very harsh. The Germans were insulted and retaliated by emerging a major fascist power under the leadership of Hitler who led the world to the Second World War.
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Q. Describe the economic policies followed by the Russian Government immediately after the success of the Bolshevik Revolution, Why were these policies given up in 1921?
Ans. The Russian revolution of 1917 was an important event in the World history. It marked the end of the autocratic rule of Czar Nicholas of Russia and the beginning of democracy and socialism. The power now passed in the hands of the people and the dictatorship of the proletariat or working class was set up under the leadership of Lenin. The Union of the Soviet Socialist Republic, under the rule of the Bolsheviks, introduced many economic reforms. The individual ownership over the means of production was now abolished and the motive of personal profits was eliminated from the system of production. The right to work was now made a constitutional right and the state took active measure to provide employment under its five-year plan over capital was discouraged. All means of economy were made available for the development of the nation with an aim of attaining social equality .In the rural sector, land was forcibly taken away from the landlords and redistributed among farmers. All the debts of the farmers were remitted. In the long run these economic policies proved fatal, especially after Lenin’s death. As a result, the process of the economic policies was reversed due to rampant corruption and inadequacy to run the economic plan smoothly. Due to this reason many of the economic policies were abandoned.