Questions & Answers
225 answers across all subjects
The growth of trade union helped to put an end to the idea of Laissez faire. How?
The workers were working hard for their owners. But they were not given their due amount. Sense of annoyance prevailed among them. So the workers put up their demands before the factory owners. They just wanted to crush their movement. So, the workers got united and started a movement against their owners. In this situation, the government was forced to end Laissez faire. For the well-being of workers, laws were made. The Act of 1819, prohibited the children under nine from working in factories. Trade unions were declared lawful. On this basis, it can be said that the development of trade unions ended Laissez faire.
Industrial Revolution with its demand for raw material and markets made nations more dependent on one another. How?
So far the progress of industry is concerned two things are essential, i.e. raw material and market. In this situation, it is necessary to take the help of other nations who are self-sufficient in it. Raw Materials: For the supply of raw materials one country depends on another. Before independence, England was dependent on India for the raw materials of textile. Market: If any country produces its products, it searches its market to sell it. For this, it depends upon another country. Their trade relations become closer and they become economically viable.
Compare the effects of the coming of the railways in different countries of the world.
Effects of the coming of the railways in differents countries of the world: The expansion of railways helped the imperialist countries a lot. Railways became a means of transportation which was available in different parts of the world throughout the year. They also helped a lot in boosting the process of industrialization. They also helped in the transportation of heavy goods at cheaper rate. They joined the parts of different countries and helped in picking up the material easily. They provided a lot of employment opportunities and also accelerated trade and commerce. Thus, it can be said that the coming of railways connected different countries of the world.
How were the lives of different classes of British women affected by the Industrial Revolution?
Answer: Women of all classes began working in factories. It helped them in getting financial independence and self-esteem. But their wages for the same hour of work were low in comparison to those of men. Industrialization was a blessing in disguise. A number of food items became cheap and were available in abundance. It increased the social status of the women in particular. Women were supposed to observe strict discipline. They were also punished for violation of any discipline.
Indicate how the supply of raw materials affected the nature of British industrialization.
Since 17th century, Britain had been importing bales of cotton cloth from India at exorbitant price. But after the entry of East India Company into India, it began to import along with cloth, raw cotton, which could be spun and woven into cloth in England. Till the early 18th century, the process of spinning had been very slow. The spinners were occupied throughout the day, while weavers waited idly to receive yarn. A lot of technological inventions closed the gap between the speed in spinning raw cotton into yarn, and weaving the yarn into fabric. The production shifted from the homes of spinners and weavers to factories.
What were the interesting features of the inventions of this period?
The interesting features of the inventions of this period are as follows: At first, Abraham Darby brought about a revolution in the metallurgical industry. Henry Cort (1740-1823) designed the puddling furnace and rolling mill to roll purified iron into bars. In the 1770s, John Wilkinson made the first iron chairs, vats for breweries and iron pipes of all sizes. John Kay made the flying shuttle loom in 1733. It made possible to weave broader fabrics in less time. Edmund Cartwright invented power loom in 1787. Thomas Savery built a model steam engine called the Miner’s friend in 1698 to drain mines. James Watt developed a steam engine in 1769 that converted the steam engine from a pump into a ‘prime mover’.
What were the relative advantages of canal and railway transportation?
Advantages of Canal Transportation: It was the cheapest mode of transportation. It was made easier to transport heavier goods from mines to factories. When big cities and towns were linked to these canals, the city people were able to get various essential commodities such as coal and tool items at cheaper rate. Advantages of Rail Transportation: The use of railways helped in increasing the production of coal and iron industry. It also did a lot of help. Railways helped in carrying heavy goods through various regions of the country.
How did Britain’s involvement in wars from 1793 to 1815 affect British industries?
Both Britain and France were at war between 1793 to 1815. The industries of Britain were badly affected with this war. That is why Britain was unable to get capital formation and reinvestment during war period. It had to use borrowed capital to fight rather than reinvestment. Due to war, factories were shut down. Trade declined. The prices of essential commodities were very high. So, this war affected British industries in many ways.
Discuss the causes of the decline of the Shoguns.
Causes of the decline of the Shoguns were the following: Shoguns followed the policy of favoritism. Only the members of the Tokugawa family were appointed to the post which spread the feelings of ill-will among other feudal lords, who resolved to bring an end to the Shogun’s rule. Japan’s economy received a severe blow due to the wrong economic policies of the Shoguns. The condition of the peasant was very miserable during their rule. Taxes were collected forcibly. A new class of merchant came into prominence. Feudal fraternity grew jealous of them. To put an end to their humiliation, the merchants wanted to do away with Shogun rule
Discuss the causes of the failure of nationalists against the communists.
Causes of the failure of nationalists: There was lack of unity among the members of Guomindang. They continued to quarrel among themselves and were corrupt too. On the contrary, the Communists were very disciplined. Chiang Kai-shek also failed to provide good leadership to the nationalists. The government set up by the nationalists failed to control the prices. Chiang Kai-shek followed the traditional method of rule. Therefore, his government could not gain popularity. Communists organised themselves into trained army. Therefore, they succeeded in defeating nationalists.
Discuss the features of the nationalist movement in China during the post-First World War.
There were two governments in China after the end of the First World War. One of the government was controlled by Guomindang, at its headquarter in Canton. The president of this government was Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The other government was led by a military general. It had its headquarter at Beijing. Paris Peace Conference’s decision to hand over Shantung to Japan led to an anti-imperialist upsurge in 1919. A great demonstration was held in China on 4th May, 1919. It spread into various parts of China. It took the form of a movement. It’s main aim was to save China through modem science, democracy and nationalism. They wanted to remove inequality and reduce poverty. Their aim was also to bring economic development. The Russian Revolution had also a great impact on the nationalist movement of China. Communist Party was formed in 1921. Dr. Sun Yat-sen could not gamer the support of western countries. Therefore, he took the help of Soviet Union. The Guomindang and the Chinese Communist Party came together in 1924. Military academy was also set up with the help of Soviet military and political advisers. The Chinese national revolutionary army launched its operations against the warlords.
Discuss the achievements of Deng Xiaoping.
After the death of Mao in China, the struggle for power broke out in which Deng Xiaoping emerged victorious. During the cultural revolution, he was dismissed from the office of the Secretary General of the party for having too liberal views. His achievements may be summed up in the following ways: All the changes made during the cultural revolution were reversed. The democratically elected parties took the place of revolutionary committees. Confiscated property was restored to the descendants of the actual owners. The people were granted religious freedom and intellectuals were free to express their views. In the economic sector, Deng and his follower Hu Yaobang took various steps to encourage investment by the western entrepreneurs for the modernization of industries, agriculture, science and technology in China. In 1980, China also became the member of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Many agricultural reforms were also introduced. The state owned collective forms were given more powers in the matters of administration and planning. The practice of giving bonus and dividend was encouraged. Taxes were reduced to encourage production. As a result of these reforms, there was a gradual increase in food production and the per capita income.
How did Japan re-emerge as an economic power of world after the defeat in Second World War?
After its defeat in Second World War, the Japanese efforts of making a colonial empire ended. The nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It resulted in huge destruction of masses. Many people thought that it was done just to shorten the war. Japan was totally demilitarised during American occupation. The new constitution also came into being. Agricultural reforms were also done. Re-organisation of trade unions were also done. Political parties were also revived and the first post-war elections held in 1946 where women voted for the first time. After the defeat of Japan in the Second World War, Japanese economy also revived. It grew at a fast pace. Constitution was also democratised. There was close relation between the government, bureaucracy and industry. American support to Japan strengthened its economy. Olympic Games were also held at Tokyo in 1964. It was the symbol of maturity of Japanese economy. Bullet trains were also started in 1964. It ran at the speed of200 miles per hour. The introduction of bullet train added a new feather in its cap. It also introduced better goods at cheaper rates in the market.
When was CCP founded? What was Russian influence in its formation? Discuss the role of Mao Zedong in it?
The CCP was founded in 1921 scon after the Russian Revolution. The Russian success exercised a powerful influence around the world and leaders such as Lenin and Trotsky went on to establish the Comintern or the Third International in March 1918. It was done to bring about a world government that would end exploitation. The Comintern and the Soviet Union supported Communist parties around the world. They worked within the traditional Marxist understanding that revolution would be brought about by the working class in cities. Its initial appeal across national boundaries was immense. It soon became a tool for Soviet interests and was dissolved in 1943. Mao Zedong (1893-1976), emerged as a major CCP leader. He took a different path by basing his revolutionary programme on the peasantry. His success made the CCP, a powerful political force that ultimately won against the Guomindang. Mao Zedong’s radical approach can be seen in Jiangxi, in the mountains, where they camped from 1928 to 1934, secure from Guomindang attacks. A strong Peasants Council (Soviet) was organised, united through confiscation and redistribution of land. Mao, unlike other leaders, stressed the need for an independent government and army. He was quite aware of women’s problems and supported the emergence of rural women’s associations. He also promulgated a new marriage law that forbade arranged marriage, stopped purchase or sale of marriage contracts and simplified divorce.
Japan’s transformation into a modem society can also be seen in the changes in everyday life. Comment.
Japan’s transformation into a modem society can also be seen as the changes in everyday life. Patriarchal system was in practice. The patriarchal household system comprised many generations living together under the control of the head of the house. More people became affluent. New ideas of the family spread. The new home (Homu as the Japanese say) was that of the nuclear family, where husband and wife lived as breadwinner and homemaker. This new concept of domesticity in turn generated demands for new types of domestic goods, new types of family entertainments, and new forms of housing. In the 1920’s, construction companies made cheap housing available for a down payment of200 yen and a monthly installment of 12 yen for ten years. It was at that time when the salary of a bank employee (a person with higher education) was 40 yen per month.
Discuss the important part of Meiji reform of the economy.
The important part of the Meiji reform was the modernisation of the economy. Following steps were taken for this: Japan’s first railway line, between Tokyo and the Port of Yokohama was built in 1870-72. Funds were raised by levying an agricultural tax. Textile machinery was imported from Europe and foreign technicians were also employed to train workers and also to teach in universities and schools. Japanese students were also sent to abroad. In 1872, modem banking institutions were also launched. Companies like Mitsubishi and Sumitomo were also helped through subsidies and tax benefits to become major shipbuilders so that Japanese trade was carried through Japanese ships. The number of industrial labourer in Japan was 700,000 in 1870 CE which reached upto four million in 1913. Most of the labourers worked in units having less than 5 people. By 1925, 21 per cent of the population lived in cities. By 1935, this figure had gone upto 32 per cent.
What was ‘One Hundred Flowers Movement.’? Why did it fail ?
An important development in China was the ‘One Hundred Flowers Movement’. It started with a slogan of Mao, “Let a hundred flowers bloom”, as he wanted to be seen as a leader who was open to new ideas. Some people were unhappy with the ways of communist dictatorship though it being a genuine attempt at dialogue or reconciliation. When they started criticizing Mao did not tolerate this. Thus, the high sounding movement failed.
What was the importance of Chinese Revolution of 1911?
The Chinese Revolution of 1911 brought the end of Manchu empire and establishment of Republic. The important thing about this revolution was that it was without any bloodshed. After this Chinese people got a constitution and declaration of sovereignty of people was made. This revolution also spread a sense of nationalism among the masses. The revolutionaries accepted Chiang Kai-shek as the president of Republic of China. So, we can say that the Chinese Revolution of 1911 was important in many ways.
What were the achievements of People’s Republic of China?
In 1949, the govt, of People’s Republic of China was established. It was based on the principles of New Democracy which was an alliance of all social classes. The govt, had complete control over the economy. Land holdings were also removed. Private industries were also removed. In the meanwhile, the Great Leap Forward movement was launched in 1958. It was launched to make industrialization in the country at a fast pace. People were encouraged to set up steel furnaces at the backyard of their homes. In the rural areas of China, People’s communes were established which included people with land holdings.
Today, as a developed country, Japan faces the challenge of using its political and technological capabilities to maintain its position as a leading world power. Elaborate this statement.
1960’s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialization had been pushed with utter disregard to its effect on health and the environment. Cadmium poisoning, which led to a painful disease, was an early indicator. It was followed by mercury poisoning in Minamata in the 1960’s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970’s. Grassroots pressure groups began to demand recognition of these problems as well as compensation for the victims. Government action and new legal regulations helped to improve conditions. From the mid 1980s there had been an increasing decline in environmental issues as Japan enacted some of the strictest environmental controls in the world.