Table of contents
Subject: GS 1
Syllabus: World History
Questions
- Industrial revolution demanded integration of economies for smoother movement of raw materials and people. And the post-world war scenario demanded global peace. Discuss how both these events led to formation of various international organizations.
(150 words, 10 marks) - Evaluate the combination of long-term structural factors and immediate events that contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
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Model Structures
Q1. Industrial revolution demanded integration of economies for smoother movement of raw materials and people. And the post-world war scenario demanded global peace. Discuss how both these events led to formation of various international organizations.
(150 words, 10 marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- International organizations follow globally accepted rules and laws which aim at cooperation and coordination from political, socio-economic, and cultural perspective. Violation of various pacts and conventions which led to chaos in the international system from the 1910s to 1930s and the devastation it brought led to the rise of the international organizations.
Main Body
- The initiative was taken by major powers of those times like the USA and UK with cooperation of other countries like France, USSR, Germany etc. Chronological formation of these organizations can be understood by-
- The First World War and its aftermath saw huge public support for an international organization and thus the League of Nations was formed. Woodrow Wilson’s 14 points focused on world peace and the result was formation of the Refugee Organization and Mandates Commission by the League of Nations.
- But there were inherent weaknesses in the League like absence of enforceable rights and no military structure. Major powers like the USA, USSR and Germany did not join it and Japan quit it later resulting in World War II.
- World War II saw the formation of the United Nations with foundation laid by the Atlantic Charter and Bretton Woods conferences. A new multilateral order was sought to be created and it has been by and large successful in maintaining international peace, cooperation, resolving global issues etc.
- Another body is the World Health Organization which deals with global health issues and played a noticeable part in the recent covid pandemic.
- The Non-Proliferation Treaty to combat nuclear weapons institutionalized non-proliferation and de-legitimised ‘proliferation’ of nuclear weapons and fissile materials in 1970.
- For global trade and uniformity in rules, the World Trade Organization came into being which also owes its genesis to Bretton Woods Conference. It aims to lower trade barriers and fosters smooth trade based on principle of non-discrimination.
- Trade interests vary region wise so there are many region specific trade bodies like the European Union, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, OPEC etc.
- There are many Multilateral Export Control Regimes which are voluntary and non-binding and focus on preventing Weapons of Mass Destruction. They include Nuclear Suppliers Group, The Australia Group, Missile Technology Control Regime and The Wassenaar Arrangement.
Conclusion
- Thus, the world-wars gave the much-needed impetus to the formation of international organizations to promote global order and peace. At times, they have succeeded and have faced challenges in attaining the objectives they were created with.
Q2. Evaluate the combination of long-term structural factors and immediate events that contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Introduction
- The French Revolution was the watershed event in modern European history that brought about enlightenment principles and democracy, creating a rational and egalitarian society. It started in 1789 and ended in 1799. (Context-based introduction)
Main Body
Long-term structural factors that led to French Revolution
- Socioeconomic Inequality: Most of the population, including the peasantry and urban workers, faced severe economic hardships while the nobility and clergy enjoyed privileges and exemptions from taxation. The burden of taxation fell disproportionately on the lower classes, exacerbating social tensions.
- Financial Crisis: France faced a severe financial crisis due to its involvement in costly wars, extravagant court expenditures, and a regressive tax system.
- Absolutist Monarchy: France had an absolutist monarchy, where the king held ultimate power and authority.
- Intellectual – The 18th century was marked by a conscious refusal by French thinkers of the ‘Divine Rights Theory’. Philosophers like Rousseau rejected the paradigm of absolute monarchy and promulgated the doctrine of equality of man and sovereignty of people.
Immediate events that led to the outbreak of French Revolution
- Estates-General: In an attempt to resolve the financial crisis, King Louis XVI called for the convening of the Estates-General in 1789. However, the commoners, who represented most of the population, were frustrated by the privileged positions held by the first two estates, which had the power to block reforms.
- The economic hardship worsened due to poor harvests and rising food prices, leading to food shortages and increased suffering among the lower classes.
- Rumours of royal conspiracies, the dismissal of reform-minded ministers, and the deployment of troops in Paris further aggravated the public's frustration.
- The Storming of the Bastille: On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority and repression. This event, sparked by a combination of political and economic grievances, marked a turning point and led to a surge in popular uprising throughout the country.
Conclusion
- Therefore, the French Revolution that introduced the values of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’, resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of radical political factions, societal upheaval, and the eventual spread of revolutionary ideals across Europe was a culmination of long term structural factors as well as immediate events.
