Maharashtra Board Class 9 Political Science Chapter 1 Post World War Political Developments PDF Download

Post World War Political Developments

Let's Revise!

In the Civics textbooks till now, we have studied local self-government institutions, India's Constitution and our political system or governmental structure. In this class, we are going to study India's relations with the world. You must have understood world geography through the study of geography. You must have become familiar with the global historical events through the study of history. Now through the study of political science, we are going to study India's relations with the world and some major global issues.

We are dependent on different persons, institutions and organisations in the society for different reasons and for different facilities. Our social life is interdependent and mutual cooperation has a very important place in it. Just as it is true about individuals and society, it applies to different nations as well. There are many independent nations in the world like India. Some exchange and interaction goes on between them constantly. These independent States also enter into treaties with each other. A system of all these independent, sovereign States comes up. We call it international system. Let us get to know some features of this international system.

Interdependence

All the countries of the world are dependent on each other for one reason or the other. However big, prosperous or developed a nation may be, it can never be self-sufficient about all its needs. Even big nations have to depend upon other big and small nations. Thus, interdependence is an important feature of the international system, i.e. today's global system.

Teacher's Note

Just like we need our friends and family to live happily, countries also need each other. India buys oil from other countries and sells clothes and computers to them.

Exam Trick

Remember: No country is 100% independent. All countries need each other like a family needs each member. Even America needs oil and things from other countries.

Points to Remember

All countries depend on each other for things they need.
Even big countries cannot make everything they need.
Countries trade with each other and help each other.
This is called interdependence.
It is an important part of world system.

I Wonder...

What is the difference between the interdependence between individuals and that between nations?

Is there such a division like rich countries and poor countries?

Just as a country is governed by a Constitution, is there some kind of a Constitution at the global level?

Who enjoys the supreme position in an international system?

International Relations Through Foreign Policy

Every nation has policies about its internal dealings, as also about its relations with other nations. Such a policy is called foreign policy. We are going to study India's foreign policy in detail in the next chapter.

Teacher's Note

Foreign policy is like the rules India follows when it talks to other countries. India says "we will not fight with anyone" as our foreign policy.

Exam Trick

Foreign Policy = How a country behaves with other countries. Like when your parent makes rules for how you should talk to neighbors, a country makes rules for talking to other countries.

Points to Remember

Every country has a foreign policy.
Foreign policy tells how a country will treat other countries.
It is about making treaties and trade agreements.
It helps countries live together peacefully.
India's foreign policy will be studied in the next chapter.

Let's Do This

Collect newspapers for a month and take cuttings of news about different foreign countries. Classify the news on the basis of the points given below and put up an exhibition.

The visits to our country of persons holding important positions in other nations.

Treaties signed between our country and other countries.

An international conference convened in our country.

Events with respect to our neighbouring countries.

Background

The world in which we live today has been shaped through many events and developments. Hence we need to go back to history in order to understand today's world. We know that two world wars were fought in the last century. These were the most important events in the world in that century. The world completely changed because of them. New currents of thought emerged. Let us understand what else happened due to these world wars.

First World War

The First World War was fought between 1914 and 1918. Major countries of Europe took part in it. Europe had a very central place in the international or global system at that time. The war caused a tremendous loss of life and property. The countries which joined the war suffered tremendous economic losses. Even the countries which did not join the war were impacted by the war. The economies of the victorious as well as the losing countries collapsed.

Countries Involved In The First World War

At the end of the First World War, all the nations felt that such a war should not happen again and some measures need to be taken to achieve that end. An international organisation called the League of Nations was established out of this thinking. It became an important platform to solve international disputes and carry out negotiations. The main responsibility of the League of Nations was understood to be to avoid war.

After the First World War, major changes came about in Europe and outside Europe. For example, earlier empires in Europe collapsed and new nations came into being.

Many European countries had their colonies in the continents of Africa and Asia. Movements for independence started in these colonies. These movements challenged the hegemony of the European nations.

League of Nations was established after the First World War to establish peace. But it did not succeed at preventing war. Autocratic regimes came up in Germany, Italy, Spain and other countries. All these developments culminated in the Second World War.

Teacher's Note

The First World War was very destructive and killed many people. The League of Nations was made to stop wars like this from happening again.

Exam Trick

First World War = 1914-1918. League of Nations was made after it. Remember: League = tried to stop wars but failed.

Points to Remember

First World War was from 1914 to 1918.
It happened mainly in Europe.
Many countries lost a lot of people and money.
League of Nations was made to stop wars.
But it could not stop the Second World War.

Think And Write

The autocratic dictatorial regime of Hitler came up in Germany. What would have happened had the democratic traditions been strong in Germany? What precautions should we take in order to prevent the rise of autocratic regimes?

The League of Nations was established to prevent war, but it failed to avoid war. What measures should the League have taken to prevent war?

Second World War

The Second World War was fought between 1939 and 1945. It proved to be far more destructive than the First World War. Not only was it more widespread compared to the First World War, but also more advanced technology was employed in this war. Countries which took part in the Second World War once again faced a situation of economic crisis.

Countries Involved In The Second World War

America played a major role in the Second World War. It had manufactured nuclear weapons. In order to end the war, it dropped two nuclear weapons on two cities of Japan – Hiroshima and Nagasaki – on 6th and 9th August 1945 respectively. The Second World War ended with the defeat of Germany in Europe and of Japan in Asia. Among the many events that took place in the world after the Second World War was the beginning of the Cold War. 1945 to 1991 is the long period of the Cold War. Let us take stock of a few changes in this period.

Teacher's Note

Second World War was very big and killed many more people than the first one. America used atomic bombs which were very dangerous weapons.

Exam Trick

Second World War = 1939-1945. Atomic bombs were used. Cold War started after it ended. Remember: Cold War = no shooting, but lots of anger.

Points to Remember

Second World War was from 1939 to 1945.
More countries joined this war than the first one.
Nuclear weapons were used for the first time.
Many countries lost lots of money and people.
Cold War started after this war ended.

Let's Write

The Second World War was fought between 1939 and 1945. What events were unfolding in India during this period?

What was the effect of the Second World War on India?

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