Quality Improvement programme

Mains-2023
Lecture 6
World History
 Syllabus

• History of the World will include events from 18th century such as
Industrial Revolution,
• World wars,
• Redrawal of National Boundaries,
• Colonization,
• Decolonization,
• Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism, Socialism etc.— their
forms and effect on the society.
Q. Explain how foundations of modern world were laid
by the American and French Revolutions. (UPSC, 2019)
 Industrial, French, American and Russian revolutions

Causes/Background

Course Revolutions Political

Internal
Economic

Consequences
Socio-cultural

External International affairs

Impact on India
 Industrial revolution

What: transition to new manufacturing processes in Europe and the United States, in the period from between
1760 to 1820 and 1840.
Includes: Hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes,
the increasing use of steam power and waterpower, the development of machine tools and the rise of the
mechanized factory system.

Features:

(1) the use of new basic materials, chiefly iron and steel.
(2) the use of new energy sources, including both fuels and motive power, such as coal, the steam engine,
electricity, petroleum and the internal combustion engine.
(3) the invention of new machines, such as the spinning jenny and the power loom that permitted increased
production with a smaller expenditure of human energy.
(4) a new organization of work known as the factory system, which entailed increased division of labour and
specialization of function.
(5) important developments in transportation and communication, including the steam locomotive,
steamship, automobile, airplane, telegram and radio.
(6) the increasing application of science to industry.
Textile Revolution in England
Indian calico cloth made in Calicut , Dacca muslin in Dhaka
and Kashmir shawl from Kashmir were very popular in the
Transport revolution in England
English market.
Railways
macadamised roads
The series of inventions
water transport
1.Powerloom - Speed up spinning
canals
2.Cotton gin - Speed up cleaning of cotton
3.Steam engine - easy transportation of goods
4.Blast furnace - cheaper and easier way of producing steel.
 Agriculture Revolution

• Mechanization of agriculture

• Steel plough and harrow

• Cultivating cash crops and raw materials for

industries.

• Crop rotation became a popular technique to

achieve balance.

Land Consolidation movement was

the "Enclosure Movement". In this the big
landowners consolidated their land holdings and
evicted the small peasants. They also usurped
the common pastures and grazing grounds and
the small grazers and peasants had to move to
cities and towns. They did whatever work was
available at the wage offered. The industrialists
benefited from this as there was cheap and easily
available labor.
 Consequences

• Rise of materialistic lifestyle, going beyond subsistence.

• Growth in urbanisation and population explosion (rise of slums in Europe)

• Extensive exploitation of labour class (later rise of Marxism followed by Communism and socialism)

• Boost to mercantilism and capitalism.

• Promotion to laissez faire doctrine (Adam Smith and other economist)

• Thirst for raw material and consequently for new colonies in Asia and Africa (birth of Imperialism)

• England got the comparative advantage on the cost of production and could sustain the long-term revolution.

• It helped the European powers to tussle over the natural resources and mineral.

• England used extensive and abusive tariff policy on its imports of finished goods to discourage exports about
other nations.

• Spread of industrial revolution to other parts of the world such as USA, Japan.
 AMERICAN REVOLUTION

What: political revolution that separated England’s North American colonies from Great Britain and led to
the formation of the United States of America.
Means: American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), which was fought between England against America
and its allies (France, Spain, and the Dutch Republic).
Benefits: Enlightenment, personal liberty and freedom, human rights and democratic ideals.
 Causes behind American Revolution

Political causes of the American Revolution

• No Representatives of Colonies in the British Parliament –

• Resource draining– The seven years war (1756-63), though

ended in the British victory, had drained her resources. She
turned to colonies to offset the losses. (High taxes low
spendings)

• Taxation without representation – since the colonies were not

represented in the British parliament, many people asserted
that the British government had no rights to tax the colonies.

• Protests – Through protests like Boston Tea Party (1773),

where tea cartons carried by British ships were thrown at the
sea, Britain’s right to levy taxes was eroded over time.
 Economic causes of the American Revolution

•Laws were enacted that mandated them to use only British ships for international trade.

•Export limitations – products like tobacco, sugar and cotton could only be exported to
England.

•Heavy import duties for products from other colonies and outside England.

•Restrictions on Industrialisation – development of industries like iron, steel and textiles

were prohibited in the colonies.

•Goods from England were forced upon the colonies.

•Stamp duty – In 1765, the British Parliament enacted the Stamp act. It was made
mandatory to affix stamps on every legal document.

•Rent – The aristocrats from England bought most of the land in North America and
prohibited land ownership rights of the colonisers in the west. They wanted to keep the
colonisers as rentiers for perpetuity.

•The British attempts to levy taxes were resisted. Upon on objection, Britain was forced to
withdraw most taxes except that for the tea. This led to protests like Boston Tea Party.
 Ideological causes of the American Revolution

•The enlightenment philosophers like Locke, Harrington and

Milton caught popular imagination.

•They believed that all people had certain inalienable rights that
no government should be allowed to infringe. This was in direct
contrast with the oppressive British rule.

•Inequalities of British society was despised by many

philosophers like Thomas Paine (Pamphlet, Common Sense) and
Thomas Jefferson (endorsed the liberty, drafted the Declaration
of Independence)

•They asserted the right to rebellion and emphasised on the

absurdity of a continent being governed by an island.
 Course and result

Representatives of 13 colonies met at Philadelphia (1774) for the first continental congress. (their appeal
rejected). In 1775 with colonial militias clashing against British troops for the first time.

The congress met again in Second continental congress (1776) and declared independence on July 4.

The declaration, called for Bill of rights. FRs in Indian constitution took roots from here.This would pave way
for the first modern democratic state with a written constitution.

Americans were aided by the French, who were looking for an opportunity to strike at Britain.

War ended with English commander Lord Cornwallis surrendering to George Washington in 1781.

The treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 between England and USA which formally brought an end to the war.
 What to learn from American revolution?

• Establishment of a republic
• First written constitution in the world.
• Inspired people across the world to struggle for democratic and republican forms of government.
• Federal state with powers divided between the federal government and states.
• Separation of powers between various organs of the state.
• Bill of rights.
• Democracy was established, but it was far from perfect. Sections like Negroes and women were
denied voting rights. But the journey to democracy had begun.
• It led to many uprisings in Europe, with the French revolution being the biggest. Many generals
who participated in the war was instrumental in the French revolution.
• Thinkers like Thomas Paine also participated in the revolution. This led to a spread of modern ideas
in Europe

Limitations

The American Revolution did not produce a total upheaval of the previously existing social and
institutional structures.
It also did not replace the old powers of authority with a new social group or class.
 French Revolution
Social inequality was very prevalent in
French society of 18th
•The clergy and the nobility formed the
first two Estates and were the most
privileged classes (minority & Did not
paid taxes)
•The Third Estate consisting of peasants
and workers (majority, had to pay taxes
with no political and social rights.
Economic drain was falling heavy on the
shoulders of the working class increasing the
hostility:
• Louis XVI waged many wars
• France’s involvement in the American War
of Independence
• Faulty system of taxation.
• Extravagant lifestyle of the royals added to
the financial burden.
Unstable political situation:
refused the ‘Divine Rights Theory’:
• Bourbon king of France, Louis XVI
was an extremely autocratic and
weak-willed king who led a life of
excessive luxury.
• This caused anger among the
masses who were leading lives of
extreme poverty and widespread
hunger.
• Apathy of Aristocracy towards the
poor: Marie-Antoinette’s quote,
“Let them eat brioche.”
Conscious change in the French thinkers who
1. Rousseau rejected absolute monarchy
and promulgated the doctrine of equality
of man and sovereignty of people.
2. The American Revolution also triggered
the ideas of enlightenment and liberty
among the intellectuals of the French
society.
3. Montesquieu proposed a division of
power within the government between the
legislative, the executive and the
judiciary.
 Course of French revolution
1789: The meeting of the Estate Generals
• Louis XVI called Estates-General (assembly that represented the French nobility clergy and the middle class)
to discuss the new tax measures in May 1789.

• Third estate demanded equal political participation, judicial reforms and voting rights during this time.

• Demands were denied and talks failed.

• Tennis court oath: Third estate formed National Assembly and took an oath of office in June 1789 and vowed
not to disperse until reforms have been initiated.

• Louis XVI had to absorb the three assemblies into the new order (National assembly)

Era of fear and uncertainty

France became republic King Louis XVI and wife executed

Capturing Bastille fortress on July 14, 1789 (French Revolution begins)

National Convention Reign of terror under Robespierre

Peasants revolted, attacked the houses of nobles and tax
collectors, and the upper class was forced to flee for their lives

Group of insurgents
attacked the royal People
French constitution adopted National Assembly adopted the Rights
residence and were not
on September 3, 1791 of Man and of the Citizen in Aug 1789.
arrested Louis XVI, 1792 happy
 End of revolution and consequent reforms

• By the year of 1795 revolution came to an end.

• National Convention composed of moderates approved the creation of a new

constitution that created France’s bicameral legislature.

• Directory, a five-member group was formed by the parliament, and an army was
groomed under General Napoleon Bonaparte.

• A coup was staged by Napoleon himself, toppling them from power.

• Napoleon appointed himself “first consul”. The French Revolution was over, and the
Napoleonic era was about the begin.
 Impact
•End of the social divide: Declared equality for all.

•Middle class acquired education to positions of responsibility.

•Declaration of rights of man: granted political liberty, like freedom of speech, press, association, worship, and ownership of
property.

•Revolutionary ideas: liberty, equality, and fraternity. Later spread to other areas like Italy, Germany, etc. promoting equality,
freedom and democracy, and good governance.

•End of Monarchy: The Bourbon monarch that had ruled France for over 400 years came to end

•Political Parties: rise of political clubs such as the Jacobins (Maximilian Robespierre), Cordeliers, etc. that competed for
power.

•Constitution and Rule of Law

•Land ownership: The working class was given equal rights to possess the land.

•National Guard: It was a revolutionary army whose role was to protect the achievements of the French revolution.

•Role of women: in print media, organising the campaigns, slogan, protest etc.

•French imperialism consolidated in Asia and Africa.

 Russian Revolution

Background:

Ø Previously Russia was one of the most economically backward and least industrialized nations in Europe with
a large population of peasants and a growing number of industrial workers.

Ø Serfdom (a system where landless peasants were forced to serve the land-owning nobility) was still practiced,
even though the practice had ended in most of Europe by the time of the Renaissance in the late 16th
century. It was abolished in Russia in 1861 only.

Ø Russia was being ruled by the imperial House of Romanovs from 1613 to 1917. The Tsar or czar was the head
of the monarchy along with his wife the Tsarina.

Causes:
Ø Anger over social inequalities and the ruthless treatment of peasants grew.
Ø The tsars’ unfair governing sparked many violent reactions like the Army officers revolted in 1825, and
hundreds of peasants rioted.
Ø Secret revolutionary groups formed who plotted to overthrow the government.
Ø Industrial revolution came to Russia with issues of urbanisation, population explosion, food shortage,
Ø Previous revolt of 1905.
 Russian revolt of 1905

• Russia was defeated in defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–05). This was an
embarrassment to Russia and blow to its economy.
• People were angered on the ruling elite about the poor economic conditions, and lodge a
protest on King’s Palace (Tsar Nicholas II).
• Troops killed hundreds and this came to known as Bloody Sunday massacre. Nation wide
strikes broke out.
• King decided to bring the reforms through October Manifesto.
• Autocracy became a constitutional monarchy, but the Tsar had the final decision-making
power which he misused. He repeatedly kept dismissing the Duma (Russian parliament) to
delay reforms.
 World War I and Russian revolution
Russia joined its Serbian, French, and British allies against the Central Powers of Austria, Germany, and
Ottoman Turkey in August 1914 during World War I.

Due to lack of modern army and professionals, Russia lost the largest manpower.

On the other hand, Queen Tsarina Alexandra took the entire responsibility of army in WWI.

She was greatly under the influence of the self-styled ‘holy man’ Grigori Rasputin (later killed by Nobels).
She dismissed elected officials on his advice and governance fell.

February Revolution
• Women textile workers in Petrograd led a citywide strike followed by riots over shortages of bread and fuel.
Soldiers sided with them and joined the rebellion.

• Tsar Nicholas II abdicate his throne. A year later revolutionaries executed Nicholas and his family.

• Duma established a temporary government

• Meanwhile, the Social revolutionaries, competing for power, formed soviets i.e. the local councils which
consisted of workers, peasants, and soldiers.
 October Revolution Previously:
In 1903, the revolutionaries
• Vladimir Lenin led the communist revolutionaries to launch a coup against (Russian Social-Democratic
Kerensky’s government. Workers' Party) got split into two
• New government under Lenin (Communist party) was composed of a council of groups- Mensheviks and
soldiers, peasants, and workers. Bolsheviks.
• Bolsheviks withdrew from the WWI. •Mensheviks wanted a broad
base of popular support for the
revolution.
Civil War (1918-20) •Bolsheviks (Vladimir Lenin)
wanted a small number of
• Opponents of the Bolsheviks formed the White army, and a civil war was waged committed revolutionaries who
between them and the Red Army of the Bolsheviks. could sacrifice everything for a
• Red Army of the Bolsheviks won and formed a stronger government, and a Radical change.
superstate called the Soviet Union.
 Reforms by Lenin

In March 1921, Lenin launched the New Economic Policy (NEP) in which he temporarily put aside his plan for a
state-controlled economy and resorted to a small-scale version of capitalism.
•The reforms under the NEP allowed peasants to sell their surplus crops instead of turning them over to the
government. Individuals could buy and sell goods for profit.
•The government kept control of major industries, banks, and means of communication, but it let some small
factories, businesses, and farms operate under private ownership.
•Lenin also tried to encourage foreign investment.

Russia was a mixture of many nationalities and this was seen as an obstacle to national unity by the
Communists. The Communist leaders also saw nationalism as a threat to unity and party loyalty.
•To check nationalism, Lenin organized Russia into several self-governing republics (Soviets) under the central
government.
•In 1922, Russia was named the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), in honour of the councils that
helped launch the Bolshevik Revolution.
•The new capital of the union was Moscow.
Q. Explain how foundations of modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions.
(UPSC, 2019)

The credit for making democracy popular in the world goes not
only to the great American war of interdependence, but also to
the French Revolution, which was equally a struggle of weapons
as well as of idea. The ideas of freedom, equality and fraternity
are the eternal contribution of the French Revolution in the
modern constitutional principles adopted around the world.
How the American Revolution laid the foundation of the modern world:

• American Revolution gave rise to ideas, such as constitutionalism, rule of law, individualism,
sovereignty, and separation of power which gained popularity in the modern world history.

• Inspired the emergence of the nationalist movement in European countries such as Spanish
and Portuguese colonies in Central and South America to rebel and gain their independence.

• It also inspired the nationalist movement in colonies like India during 19th and 20th century • It
also triggered a series of trans-Atlantic revolutions. Ex-French, Irish etc

• The idea of capitalism was also popularised by the success of American Revolution.

• Thinkers like Thomas Paine also participated in the revolution. This led to a spread of modern
ideas in Europe.

• Certain inalienable rights were given to the people – this limited the government against the
authority of people and reduced government interference in their lives.
How the French revolution laid the foundation of the modern world:

• It gave the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity to the modern world. It brought about a
political awakening in Europe. People began to rise in revolt to demand their rights.
• It also popularized the concept of democracy. Absolute monarchy was replaced by
constitutional monarchy in many countries.
• It separated religion from politics and stood for secularism which condemned religious
fanaticism.
• The revolution aroused the spirit of political, social and economic equality like women
claimed equal rights with men.
• The revolution also gave pathway to the rise of intellectual ideas and spread of freedom of
press across the world.
American and French Revolution gave inspiration to many
movements like India’s Struggle for Freedom 1857-1947 to rise
against tyranny and misrule. A new era began in the new world
and paved the way for the new epoch for the old world.
Russian Revolution was a series of revolutions in early 20th century. Elaborate on the
prime causes that led to Revolution and long-term consequences that followed the
revolution. (250 words)

• Introduction: Introduce Russian revolution.

• Body: Explain Causes and consequences of Russian

revolution.

• Conclusion: Mention how an alternative political

and economic ideology emerged as result of
Russian Revolution.
Russian Revolution, as a series of revolutions, led to eventual
overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II and establishment of a new communist
government, in the following manner:

• 1905 Revolution alienated the Tsar from his people.

• 1917 February Revolution overthrew the imperial government.

• 1917 October Revolution placed the Bolsheviks in power.

Causes

• Weakened political system - Governmental corruption and inefficiency were rampant.

• Tsarist autocracy and reactionary policies - including the occasional dissolution of

the Duma, or Russian parliament, had spread dissatisfaction.

• Defeat by a small country like Japan - During Russo-Japanese war of 1904 increased
unrest in Russia.

• Lack of representation - Ethnic minorities grew increasingly restive under Russian

domination.

• Peasant poverty - Serfdom had been abolished in 1861 but it did not improve the
conditions of the peasants.

• Government Repression - Secret police employed by government eliminated

revolutionaries.

• Immediate cause - ill-equipped and poorly led, Russian armies suffered catastrophic losses
against German armies during World War I. The war made revolution inevitable by:

o Hopelessly disrupting the Russian economy.

o Openly displayed Russia’s military weakness.

Consequences

• Led to withdrawal of Russia from World War I - This weakened the

western alliances (had USA not entered the war, Germany would have
been victorious).

• Overthrew - Autocracy, destructed aristocracy and power of the

church.

• Gave way to USSR - which played an important role in WWII.

• Gave boost to right to self-determination and blow to monarchy

and imperialism – As Russia’s unilateral abolished rights over its
colonies.

• Created world’s first Communist state - Sowed seed of socialism.

Thereby, providing an alternative model of
development to capitalism, Russian revolution was a
cause behind polarization of the world during the cold
war.
Why did the Industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people
there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present? (UPSC, 2015)

What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated
the anti-colonial struggle in India? (UPSC, 2014)

American revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate (UPSC, 2014)
 Political philosophies like Communism, Capitalism,
Socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

Philosophies Forms Effect on society

Political Philosophies to focus upon

• Authoritarianism
• Anarchism
• Communism
• Democracy
• Nazism and Fascism
• Liberalism
• Nationalism
• Socialism
Imperialism has a more extended history than Colonialism. While colonialism dates to the 15th century,
Imperialism has its roots dating back to the Romans.
Colonialism had its origins when Europeans started to look outside their country, pursuing trade with other
nations.
 NEO-COLONIALISM
MEANING: it means the control of less-developed countries by developed countries through indirect
means which could be debt trap, multinational corporation control of resources, etc.

RISE OF NEO-COLONIALISM: It enables capitalist powers (both nations and corporations) to dominate
subject nations through the operations of international capitalism rather than by means of direct rule.
First used after World War II to refer to the continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign
countries.
Neo-colonialism came to be seen more generally as involving a coordinated effort by former colonial
powers and other developed countries to block growth in developing countries and retain them as
sources of cheap raw materials and cheap labour.
Truman Doctrine: Under that policy the U.S. government offered large amounts of money to any
government prepared to accept U.S. protection from communism.

Indian and Chinese efforts to capture more presence in Africa is now being termed as Eastern version
of Neo-colonialism.
 NEO-IMPERIALISM
MEANING: New Imperialism is a period of intensified imperialistic expansion from the latter half of the
19th century until the outbreak of World War I in 1914. New Imperialism began from the 1870’s after the
expansion and deepening of Industrial Revolution.
CAUSES: rapid growth under free trade policy regimes, an international financial crisis hit much of the
industrialized world in 1873. In response to the economic and social fallout of the crisis, states began
taking a more proactive approach in managing their economic affairs.
FEATURES
• New and small empires were established in Africa and Asia.
• Technological improvements were, use of railroads, steamboats for faster and easier transportation of
men and materials; for faster and easier communication, telegraphs were used, machine guns were
used for military purpose, vaccines were developed for treatment of diseases.
• Rise in racial segregation.
• New Imperialist nations wanted precious metals, cotton, vegetable oils, dyes etc.
• Colonies acted both as producers and markets for goods, for example the cotton textiles where cotton
was procured from African and Asian nations and final cotton textiles were sold off in these nations.
End of New Imperialism: Reasons for the end of New Imperialism were Word Wars, Native Uprisings.
NEO-IMPERIALISM
 Capitalism

Features:
Under capitalism
1. Means of production are owned by private individuals and the production is carried out for making
profit.
2. Workers only work for a wage.
3. The capitalist wealth is re-invested to grow business.
4. Goods are produced for sale in the market with a view to making profit.

• By 16th century, Capitalism was firmly rooted in European economy.

• Because wages usually tended to rise more slowly than prices, manufacturers could earn profits. The
price revolution helped to fix the capitalist system on western and central Europe.
 FORMS OF CAPITALISM
State capitalism:
State undertakes business and commercial (i.e., for-profit) activity and where the means of production are nationalized.
E.g., Ownership of Bharat Petroleum
Mercantile capitalism
Earning profit from outside one’s own territory through trade was the major objective. Local market was not considered for
intensive profit maximisation as it was under the state control. E.g., joint stock company (EIC)
Monopoly capitalism
Aka Classical Capitalism. Between 19th century to Great depression of early 20th century. Laissez Faire of Adam Smith
(Wealth of Nations). Excluding state from interfering in the market functioning.
Crony Capitalism
Where success of the business depends on the nexus between a political class and business class rather a free market and
the rule of law. Here incentives are provided by the government to the capitalists. These incentives include; fostering rent-
seeking activities, limiting competition, creating barriers to entry, and obtaining subsidies.
Social capitalism
State is equally important to bring equitable development and distribution. Under this capitalist form, good urban systems,
strong social mechanism, better social-cultural outcomes and adaptive governance becomes the area of focus.
 Capitalism effect on society

Positive Negative
Incentivized to be rich. Rise of monopoly led to the rise in
Rise of middle class which had latent economic inequality.
talent. Poor becomes poorer.

Promotion to innovation and Erosion of traditional methods of society

entrepreneurship. and over-powered by the effects of
Fall in poverty ratios. globalization.

Rise in freedom of consumers to buy It lays foundation to crony capitalism

goods of their choice.

Reduced the extensive state control on Promotes blind exploitation of public

economic freedom of the society. resources.
 Socialism

MEANING
It is a socio-economic system characterised by the social ownership
and democratic control of means of production, as well as political
theories and movements associated with them.
It is a form of society which resulted from the evils of the capitalist
system. No society can be socialist before having gone through the
stage of capitalism.
Social ownership may be in terms of public ownership, collective or
cooperative ownership, or citizen ownership.
In India it implies social and economic equality. Social equality in
this context means the absence of discrimination on the grounds
only of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion, or language.
 Capitalism and Socialism comparison

Attribute Capitalism Socialism

Means of production owned by private
Ownership of Assets
individuals.
Income Equality Income determined by free market forces.
Consumer Prices Prices determined by supply and demand.
Free market competition encourages
Efficiency and Innovation
efficiency and innovation.
Healthcare Healthcare provided by private sector.
Taxation Limited taxes based on individual income.
In capitalism, more emphasis is on liberties
Liberty vs equality
and freedoms.
Means of production owned by
government or cooperatives.
Income equally distributed according
to need.
Prices set by the government.
Government-owned businesses have
less incentive for efficiency and
innovation.
Healthcare provided free or
subsidized by the government.
High taxes necessary to pay for
public services.
In socialism, more emphasis on
equality.
 FORMS OF SOCIALISM
Utopian socialism
Perfect egalitarian and communist society that does not accommodate any revolutionary practices (such as industrial
revolution or social revolution).
Collective peace and prosperity and on similar basis tries to achieve the collective good and long-term happiness.
Utopian socialism is the most idealist social condition, which is not feasible anywhere.
State socialism or collectivism
It believed in the supremacy of the State. State was considered to be a positive good which is necessary for bringing the
people out of exploitation.
State activities should be increased so that State becomes a welfare State and undertakes maximum welfare activities.
Opposed to the capitalist system.
Marxist Communism
Classless, stateless social organisation based upon common ownership of means of production. It calls for elimination
of all forms of leadership and govern with a commune where people themselves contribute in the social welfare and
take all collective decisions.
 Socialism effect on society

Positive Negative
In theory, based on public benefits, socialism has Increased the economic suffering and political
the greatest goal of commonwealth (individual tyranny.
benefits).

Equitable distribution: Since the government More easily substituted with democratic capitalism.
controls almost all of society’s functions, it can
make better use of resources, labours and lands.

Socialism reduces disparity in wealth, not only in
different areas, but also in all societal ranks and
classes.
Excess or insufficient production can be avoided
(discard social luxuries)
Involvement of state in the production process has
raised the inefficiency in the society and economy.
Too much dependence on cooperative pooling
against the social wishes.

Socialism can tackle unemployment to a great

extent with special focus to women in the society.
The II-World War has impacted the nationalist movements in several colonies.
Comment. (250 words)
 First and second world wars

Beginning Course Ending

Causes
India’s role
and impact Stages

Individuals
Long-Term
Groups World Wars
Participations Impact
Nations
Short-Term

Ideologies
 First World War

• World’s great powers assembled in two opposing alliances:

• Allies (British Empire, France and the Russian Empire) versus the
• Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary).
• WWI lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918.

Causes
• Conflict between Imperialist countries (New and Old) and Ambition of Germany
• Ultra Nationalism: Pan Slav movement – Russian, Polish, Czech, Serb, Bulgaria and Greek or Pan German
movement.
• Military Alliance: Triple Alliance (1882) – Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary or Triple Entente (1907) – Britain,
France, Russia.
• Secret agreement between Britain and France allowing Britain to control Egypt and France to take over Morocco.
Germany opposed this.
• Balkan Wars: Many Balkan nations (Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece and Montenegro) were under the control of
Turkey. They defeated Turkey in the First Balkan War. The subsequent war was between the Balkan countries
themselves – E.g: Serbia vs Bulgaria. Defeated countries like Turkey and Bulgaria sought German help.
• Alsace-Loraine: During German unification, Germany got Alsace-Loraine from France. France wanted to capture
Alsace-Loraine back from Germany.
• Immediate Cause: assassination of Francis Ferdinand (Austrian Archduke) by a Serbian native (in Bosnia). Austria
declared war on Serbia on 28th July, 1914.
•USA entered in 1917.
•Russia withdrew in 1917 after October Revolution

Treaty of Versailles, Paris

•Germany signed a treaty with Allies
(Triple Entente) on 28th June 1919. It
was signed at Versailles, near Paris.
(14 points)
•Leaders: Clemenceau – France,
Lloyd George – Britain, Woodrow
Wilson – USA, Orlando – Italy.

Treaties after World War I

•Treaty of Paris – with Germany.
•Treaty of St. Germaine – with Austria.
•Treaty of Trianon- with Hungary.
•Treaty of Neuilly – with Bulgaria.
•Treaty of Severes – with Turkey.
 Consequences of First World War
• Rule of King ended in Germany: Germany
became a republic on November 1918. The
German Emperor Kaiser William II fled to
Holland.
• Around 1 crore people were killed.
• Unemployment and famine.
• Epidemics.
• The fall of Russian empire after October
revolution (1917) which resulted in the
formation of USSR (1922)
• Emergence of USA as a super power.
• Beginning of the end of European supremacy.
• Japan became a powerful country in Asia.
• Poland, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia
became new independent states.
• Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuanian –
became independent.
• Rule of Ottomans came to an end in Turkey.
• New boundary lines were drawn for Austria, Germany
and Turkey.
• Strengthened independence movements in Asia and
Africa.
• League of Nations came into being.
• Germany had to return Alsace-Loraine to France.
• German colonies were shared.
• Germany gave up Saar coal field.
• Germany gave up Polish corridor, and made city of
Danzig independent.
• Monarchy was abolished in Germany, Austria, Hungary,
Turkey and Russia.
• The harsh clauses of the Treaty of Versailles finally
resulted in the second world war.
 Second World War
Causes

• Humiliation by the Treaty of Versailles: War indemnity, The provision for disarming Germany, Saar coal mine to
France for 15 years, Polish corridor was given to Poland, City of Danzing was made free.
• Growth of Fascism and Nazism: Mussolini (Italy) and Hitler (Germany) strongly glorified war and violence. While
West was fighting communism, Germany and Italy started massive militarization.
• Rise of Japan: Imperialism, Rome-Berlin-Tokyo axis (1936).
• Neglect of minority interests: New countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria were formed after the First
World War. While drawing boundaries the interests of minority groups in each of these countries were neglected.
• Military Alliance: Allies – Britain, France, USA, USSR and China vs Axis Powers – Germany, Italy and Japan. Leaders
– Churchill (Britain), Roosevelt (USA), Stalin (USSR).
• Germany’s attack on Czechoslovakia: In-spite of the Munich Pact between Germany and Britain (1938), Germany
re-attacked and sized Czechoslovakia.
• Immediate Cause : Germany’s invasion of Poland (1st September 1939), Germany annexed Polished corridor and
Danzig city. The sudden attack on Poland is known as Blitzkrieg (lightning war).

Consequently:
Britain and France declared war on Germany.
 Course of war
• World War II officially began on September 1, 1939.
• Germany conquered – Poland, Norway, Denmark,
Belgium, Holland and France.
• Battle of Britain – Germany vs Britain (air battle;
German Air force =Luftwaffe).
• Battle of Stalingrad – Germany vs USSR. (Operation
of Barbarossa (1941 = Attack on Yugoslavia and
Greece; Russia countered attack on Moscow with
Scorched Earth Policy).
• Atlantic Charter (August 1941) – Between Churchill
(UK) and Roosevelt (USA).
• Pearl Harbour Attack (7th December 1941) – Japan
on USA.
• Italy vs UK in Africa (1942) – Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan,
British Somaliland, Eritrea.
• France was conquered by Germany in 1940, but
British and American troops liberated France in
1944.
• Atom bomb – Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Consequences of Second World War
o End of colonialism and imperialism.
o End of dictatorship in Germany and Italy.
o Germany was divided into West Germany and East
Germany. West Germany was controlled by Britain,
France and USA. East Germany by USSR. (Read more
about the re-union of Germany in 1989 when you
check our post about the fall of Berlin wall).
o Strengthening of nationalist movements in Africa
and Asia. (From Britain – India, Myanmar, Egypt, Sri
Lanka; From America – Philippines; From France –
Indo-China; From Dutch – Indonesia)
o 5 crore deaths (2.2 crore soldiers and 2.8 crore
civilians)
o Economics problems – Unemployment, low growth
etc.
o Emergence of two power blocks – USA and USSR.
This resulted in cold war.
o Emergence of third world Countries.
o UNO was set up in 1945.
 World Wars and impact on India

Economic:
• Government raised taxes on individual salaries and company profits to cover a massive increase in defence
spending.
• Increased military spending and demand for war supplies resulted in a dramatic increase in costs and Inflation.
• War increased demand for industrial goods such as jute bags, fabric, and rail, and reduced imports into India
from other countries.
• Indian factories grew, and Indian business groups began to demand more growth opportunities.
War brought massive profits to business organization.

Freedom struggle:
• It fuelled nationalist agenda towards the independence.
• Change in approach of Gandhi and INC after WW II (adoption of extremist approach)
• Constitutional reforms one after the other.
The II-World War has impacted the nationalist movements in several colonies.
Comment. (250 words)

• Introduction: Briefly explain the link between rise

of nationalism and Second World War.

• Body: Factors behind the nationalistic movement

rise following WWII

• Conclusion: Post-WWII, colonial exploitation was

challenged by powerful nationalist movements.
The Second World War (1939-45) on one hand
weakened the might of the colonial powers like Britain,
France, Spain etc and on the other hand this gave an
immense boost the nationalistic freedom struggles in
colonies across Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Reasons for rise of nationalist movements

• U.S Pressure on the Allies to Decolonise: One of the provisions of Atlantic Charter
was the autonomy of Imperial colonies after World War II.

• The victory came at a great cost and this lead to developments of cracks in their
colonial possessions across the world.

• Wave of Self-rule in colonies:-Even before the world war, some of the colonies like
India, Indonesia had demanded self-determination.

• U.S.S.R Support to National Movements:-The Soviet Union supported the principle of

nationalistic self-determination.

• Decolonization of Africa followed World War II as colonized peoples agitated for

independence and colonial powers withdrew their administrators from Africa.
• On the eve of the Japanese surrender, the Indonesian nationalists, encouraged
by the Japanese, proclaimed the independence from Dutch and established
Indonesian Republic on August 17, 1945.

• At the outbreak of the Second World War, Aung San seized the opportunity to
bring about Burmese independence.

• The Indian Independence movement reached its climax stage with the launch
of Quit India Movement 1942 which was followed by RIN mutiny. The
nationalistic fervor reached new heights with the calls for “Do or Die”. India
achieved freedom from the British rule in 1947.
Hence, the World War-II served as a sort of death
warrant for the colonial empires as after it,
decolonization process started across the world.
"There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World
Wars". Evaluate the statement. (2021)
 Decolonisation

• Regional • Definitions
differences • Nations
• Global • Forms
differences

What and
Differences
Where

When and
Features
How

• Unique ideas • Duration

• Role played by • Process
different sections
of society
Decolonisation began in 20th century when erstwhile colonial
powers began declaring their colonies as independent. This led
to the rise of new nation states, majority being in the Asia and
Africa.
Second world war was the major reason behind sudden wave of
decolonisation across the globe.
World’s first case of decolonisation was American war of
Independence (1776).
Two stages:
First one was the granting of constitutional independence by
departing colonial power.
Second was the establishment of fully independent states free
from economic and cultural dependence on the formal cultural
powers.
 REASONS BEHIND DECOLONISATION
1. Nationalist movement against the colonial powers: reasons included rise of westernization, western
education, social revivalism, cultural revivalism, rise of intelligentsia and economic expansion.
2. Effects of second world war: economic loss to colonial powers, weaking of defence powers, rise of cold war
and polarization of new nations, political awakening of colonized states.
3. Pan Africanism: collective thinking of being united through African race and culture.
4. External pressure: world powers like USA urged its close allies like England to push hard for early
decolonization process. India was also part of this. Role of United nations was also important in this regards.

International efforts
• League of Nations was the first international body that took a collective effort towards decolonisation.
• United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24), is a committee of the United
Nations General Assembly that was established in 1961 and is exclusively devoted to the issue
of decolonization (India is its member).
Thank You