Class 12 Political Science Chapter 1 The Cold War Notes
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Selected Questions-Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
(a) What is the full form of NATO? H.S. ’20
Ans: The full form of NATO is North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
(b) What is the full form of NIEO? H.S. ’17
Ans: The full form of NIEO is New International Economic Order.
(c) What is the full form of CENTO?
Ans: The full form of CENTO is Central Treaty Organization.
(d) What is LOCs?
Ans: LOCS means Line of Controls.
(e) What is the full form of NAM?
Ans: Non-Aligned Movement.
(f) What are LDCs?
Ans: Least Developed Countries.
(g) In which year was Germany reunified?
Ans: In 1990.
(h) What is meant by ‘Cold War’?
Ans: After the Second World War, the competition and diplomatic hostilitybetween the two superpowers of the world, the United States of America andthe Soviet Russia, over establishing dominance in world politics is called theCold War.
(i) When did the Cold War begin?
Ans: The Cold War began in 1945.
Note: Many historians consider 1947, with the Truman Doctrine, as theformal beginning of the Cold War.
(j) When did the Cold War end?
Ans: The Cold War ended in 1991.
(k) What was the main function of the Warsaw Pact?
Ans: The main function of the Warsaw Pact was to counter NATO.
(l) What is the Cuba Crisis?
Ans: The Cuba Crisis refers to the disagreement that arose when the United States tried to prevent the Soviet Russia from transporting nuclear missiles toCuba.
(m) Write the names of the two superpowers.
Or
Write the names of the two major powers that emerged after theSecond World War. H.S. ’18
Ans: The United States of America and Soviet Russia.
(n) In which year did America drop atomic bombs on Hiroshimaand Nagasaki in Japan?
Ans: In 1945.
(o) Was the objective of CENTO separation?
Ans: No, the objective of CENTO was not separation. The Central TreatyOrganization was a military alliance formed in 1955 with the primary aim ofcontaining Soviet expansion and strengthening collective security among itsmember states in the Middle East and South Asia during the Cold War.
(p) Who was the founder of the Non-Aligned Movement?
Ans: Josip Broz Tito.
Note: The Non-Aligned Movement had multiple founding leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Josip Broz Tito, Gamal Abdel Nasser, KwameNkrumah, and Sukarno. It was not founded by Tito alone.
(q) When and where was the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held?
Ans: In 1961, at Belgrade.
(r) How many member states were present at the first conferenceof the Non-Aligned Movement? H.S. ’17
Ans: 25.
(s) “Non-alignment is not neutrality, because neutrality meansstaying away from events.” Is this statement true?
Ans: True.
(t) Name the two places where atomic bombs were dropped duringthe Second World War.
Ans: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
(u) What is meant by the Warsaw Pact?
Ans: The Warsaw Pact was a military treaty signed in 1955 under theleadership of Soviet Russia by eight countries including Poland, East Germany, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia to challenge NATO.
(v) The Cuba Crisis occurred in which year? H.S. ’19
Ans: 1962.
(w) Write the full form of SEATO. H.S. ’16
Ans: The full form of SEATO is South East Asia Treaty Organization.
2. Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 2)
(a) Where and when was the first Non-Aligned Summit held?
Ans: The first Non-Aligned Summit was held in Belgrade from 1st to16th September 1961.
(b) Name three countries of the communist bloc.
Ans: Soviet Russia, Hungary, and Poland.
(c) Which countries joined the Soviet bloc?
Ans: Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, Albania, andCzechoslovakia.
(d) When was the first session of the Non-Aligned Movement held?
Ans: In 1961.
(e) What were the names of the two atomic bombs dropped onHiroshima and Nagasaki?
Ans: The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima was named “Little Boy”and the bomb dropped on Nagasaki was named “Fat Man.”
(f) How did the Second World War come to an end?
Ans: In 1945, after the United States dropped atomic bombs on the citiesof Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, Japan was forced to surrender. Withthis, the Second World War ended.
(g) Why did the two superpowers need smaller allies? H.S. ’17, ’18, ’20
Ans: The main reasons why the two superpowers, the United States andSoviet Russia, needed smaller allied countries were:
First, to establish friendly relations and deploy military forces in thosecountries.
Second, to obtain natural resources such as crude oil and minerals.
Third, to establish military alliances and facilitate espionage against rival states.
Fourth, to establish military bases for war.
(h) What is meant by Western allied powers and Eastern alliedpowers?
Ans: Since the countries of Western Europe joined the American bloc, they were called the Western allied powers, and the bloc of Eastern countriesled by Soviet Russia was called the Eastern allied powers.
(i) Name the two arms control treaties signed by the two superpowers during the Cold War. H.S. ’16
Ans: The two arms control treaties signed by the United States and Soviet Russia were:
1. Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
2. Limited Test Ban Treaty.
(j) What was the declaration of the NATO countries?
Ans: The member states of NATO declared that if any member state wasattacked by another country, they would collectively resist that attack.
(k) What is meant by the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers of theSecond World War?
Ans: The Allied Powers of the Second World War refer to the bloc ofcountries such as America, Britain, France, and Soviet Russia.
On the other hand, the Axis Powers refer to Japan, Italy, and Germany.
(l) Name the two military alliances formed by the United Statesand Soviet Russia with their friendly countries during the Cold War.
Ans: NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
(m) Write two principles of the New International Economic Order.
Ans: The two principles are:
1. To remove inequalities existing in the international economy.
2. To establish an international economic system based on peace andjustice.
3. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
(a) Mention four causes for the origin of the Cold War.
Ans: The four causes of the Cold War were:
1. The rise of communist activities in America.
2. Differences between America and Russia regarding peace treaties.
3. Competition in the development of nuclear weapons.
4. The desire to expand influence in world politics.
(b) Why did the Cold War remain a cold war and not turn into ahot war?
Ans: After the Second World War, America and Soviet Russia emerged astwo superpowers. Both countries were rich in nuclear power and wanted toexert influence in world politics. Although they were rivals in military andnuclear strength, they did not want to engage in direct war because theyrealized that a war between them would cause massive destruction to bothsides. Therefore, they avoided armed conflict and the war remained cold, neverturning into a direct military confrontation.
(c) What is meant by the Cuba Missile Crisis?
Ans: In 1961, Soviet Russia feared that the capitalist state America might attack Cuba, which was its ally and a socialist country. Therefore, to strengthenCuba’s defense, Russia installed nuclear missiles there in 1962. In response, the American President Kennedy warned the Russian President Khrushchevto remove the missiles from Cuba and ordered American warships to blockships heading towards Cuba. As a result, a confrontation seemed inevitable. This incident is known as the Cuba Missile Crisis.
(d) Write the names of four architects of the Non-AlignedMovement.
Ans: The four architects of the Non-Aligned Movement were Jawaharlal Nehru, Kwame Nkrumah, Josip Broz Tito, Abdel Nasser, and Sukarno.
4. Descriptive Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 6)(a) Discuss the causes of the decline of the Cold War.
Ans: After the Second World War, the Cold War emerged between therival blocs led by America and Russia. Although it became intense at different times, it eventually ended. The causes of its decline were:
First, both blocs adopted flexible foreign policies, which reduced tensions.
Second, both sides realized the destructive consequences of nuclearweapons and avoided direct confrontation.
Third, differences among communist countries contributed to its decline.
Fourth, mutual understanding and self-realization between the two blocshelped end the conflict.
Fifth, the rise of the Non-Aligned Movement gradually reduced Cold Wartensions.
Sixth, the growth of global public opinion against war also contributed toits decline.
(b) Describe India’s role as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movementduring the Cold War.
Or
What was India’s position during the Cold War? H.S. ’18
Ans: During the Cold War, India played an important role as a leader ofthe Non-Aligned Movement. India preferred to stay away from the two rival superpowers. For the sake of national security, India adopted an active policyand emphasized the peaceful resolution of international disputes. It refrainedfrom joining any military alliance. As an initiator of the Non-AlignedMovement, India was able to strengthen its position among other Third Worldcountries. Thus, India played a significant role as a leader of the Non-AlignedMovement during the Cold War.
(c) Write a note on the New International Economic Order. H.S. ’18, ’19
Ans: Most of the countries participating in the Non-Aligned Movement were described as underdeveloped countries. Their main challenge waseconomic development. Economic progress was essential for newlyindependent countries. From this realization emerged the concept of the NewInternational Economic Order. In 1972, at a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, a report titled “Towards a New Trade Policy forDevelopment” was prepared. This report proposed reforms in the world trade system through which:
1. The natural resources exploited by developed Western countries wouldbe brought under the control of underdeveloped countries.
2. Underdeveloped countries would be able to sell their manufacturedgoods in Western markets.
3. The cost of imported technology from Western countries would bereduced.
4. The importance of underdeveloped countries in international economicinstitutions would increase.
Thus, gradually the nature of non-alignment shifted and more importancewas given to economic issues.
(d) Briefly discuss the consequences of the disintegration of the SovietUnion. H.S. ’20
Ans: In 1991, the Soviet Union disintegrated. Its consequences were:
1. The Cold War came to an end and ideological conflict between the UnitedStates and Soviet Russia ended, creating conditions for peace.
2. Many new independent states were formed.
3. The world was freed from the fear of a Third World War.
4. China and India began to gain importance in global politics.
(e) Discuss the success of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Or
Discuss the role of the Non-Aligned Movement. H.S. ’15, ’16
Ans: After the Second World War, a few peace-loving countries, especiallyunder the leadership of India, formed the Non-Aligned Movement. It contributed to creating an atmosphere of peace in the world in the followingways:
First, it helped reduce Cold War tensions between the two superpowers.
Second, it helped maintain the balance of power.
Third, it made a commendable contribution to disarmament.
Fourth, it actively opposed neo-colonialism in the newly emerging worldorder.
