History SQ (3 Marks)

Yes, it is true because:

1. Colonies were begun to considered sources of raw material. At last acquiring more colonies led to wars among different nationals.
2. It led to the rapid exploitation of natural resources.

With the increase in population, cities became bigger. Edo (now known as modern Tokyo) became the most populated city in the world. Osaka and Kyoto also emerged as larger cities. There were six costly towns whose population was more than 50,000.
Its significance may be enumerated in the following ways:

1. With the emergence of big cities commercial economy grew. It created financial system.
2. Vibrant culture bloomed in cities.
3. Theatre and arts were patronised.
4. People were interested in reading and writing.

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution of 1965 was the result of the conflict between the Maoists and those who objected his ideology. Students and the army started a campaign against old culture and customs. Students and professionals were sent to distant areas to learn from the common people. It was more important to be a communist. With cultural revolution, there was a complete turmoil in the country. Economic and educational system were disrupted.

Undoubtedly, Deng raised the Chinese people's expectations. The people of Beijing and other cities organized demonstrations on a wide scale in the November of 1978. These prompted the government to ban marches. To counter this, the people built 'Democracy Walls' all over China. On the walls, people pasted anonymous posters and thus demanding a wide range of human rights.
Deng did not approve of this. He said “Without the party China will retrogress into division and confusion”. Its leaders were treated as dissidents. Main leaders were arrested and put behind the bar.

The essential features before the Meiji restoration that made it possible for Japan to modernise rapidly are as follows:

1. The Meiji government made a new administrative structure by altering old villages and domain boundaries.
2. The administrative unit had to have revenue adequate to maintain the local schools and health facilities, as well as serve as a recruitment centre for the military.
3. It was mandatory for the age group above twenty to do the military service. Modern military force was developed.
4. The military and the bureaucracy were also put under the direct control of the emperor.
5. A legal system was also regulated. In all these measures, the government had to face stiff opposition.

The rebuilding of the Japanese economy after its defeat was considered to be a post-war ‘miracle' due to the following reasons:

1. The Japanese had a historic tradition of popular struggles and intellectual engagement how to broaden political participation.
2. The social cohesion of the previous years was strengthened. It allowed for a close working of the government, bureaucracy and industry.
3. US support, as well as the demand created by the Korean and the Vietnamese wars also helped the Japanese economy.

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.

The reasons for the failure of Mao's Great Leap Forward were as follows:

1. To enhance the production of crops new agricultural techniques were adopted. The technique was quite faulty. Seeds were sown into the soil beyond their capacity.
2. Wheat and maize were grown on the same field. This approach proved futile. • The officials installed irrigation projects at the wrong places which caused massive erosion.
3. The cultivation of other essential crops and vegetables was nil.

With the rapid industrialisation, a number of industries were set up. The size of factories also began to increase. Numerous workers were employed in the factories. In 1909, only 1000 workers were employed in the factories. By 1930s, it increased upto 4000. There were numerous factories that employed less than 5 people. With the increase in number of factories the demand for natural resources like timber grew. It led to environmental destruction. Tanaka Shozo launched the first agitation against industrial pollution in 1897 with 800 villagers in a mass protest forcing the government to take action.

1960s saw the growth of civil society movements as industrialisation 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 1960s and problems caused by air pollution in the early 1970s. 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.

The United Stated of America adopted the open door policy in China. European powers made preparations for the partition of China in the 1890s. The USA felt that it would be left out. So the US proposed the “Open Door Policy” or “Me too policy”. It meant that no country should be discriminated against China by other countries. All countries would have equal trade rights in China. Britain also supported “Open Door Policy”.

The struggle for power broke out in China after the death of Mao Tse-tung. In this struggle, Deng Xioping emerged victorious. His liberal policies were fully opposed by the hardliners in the Communist Party. They were always putting pressure upon Deng to follow the rigid Communist policies. In 1988-89, Deng's economic reforms proved a failure. The prices of the things went up. In May 1989, the students of Beijing assembled peacefully at the famous Tiananmen Square. They demanded more political reforms and democratic institutions to curb corruption in the party. They organised demonstrations to get their demands accepted. The students organised demonstrations on a large scale. But the government took it as a challenge and crushed the movement ruthlessly. Approximately, 3000 students were gunned down. This massacre was condemned all over the world, but the Communist Government in China did not pay attention to it.

Japan was considered rich because of the following:

1. Japan imported luxury goods like silk from China and textiles from India.
2. Imports of gold and silver strained the economy. It led Tokugawa to impose restrictions on the export of precious metals.
3. Japanese also took steps to develop the silk industry in Nishijin in Kyoto. It was done to reduce imports. The silk of Nishijin is considered to be the best in the world.
4. Increased use of money and the creation of a stock market show that the economy was developing at fast pace.

Comintern stands for Communist International. Its main aim was to carry out socialist revolution and to end exploitation.

Major developments were:

1. Peasants were not allowed to carry arms, only samurai could carry swords now.
2. Disarmament of the peasants helped in establishes peace and prosperity.
3. Growth of population led to the growth of commercial economy.
4. The growth of precious metals restricted.
5. Theater and arts were patronized in towns.
6. People developed reading habits.
7. Land surveys were made.

The Guomindang Party of China was established in 1912 by a nationalist leader, Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
It had three objectives:

1. To liberate China from the foreign domination.
2. To establish modern democratic institutions in China.
3. To liberate the peasants from the clutches of the feudal lords by introducing reforms. Guomindang became popular under Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The objectives of this party had almost the same to that of Communist Party established in 1921. But soon there emerged differences between the two parties. Sun Yat-sen died in 1925 and the leadership of the Guomindang Party passed into the hands of Chiang-Kai-shek. He committed atrocities on the Communists. The Communist leader Mao Tse-tung was compelled to undertake his 6000 miles Long March to increase his influence in North China. In October 1949, he drove away Chiang-Kai-shek to the Island of Formasa (Taiwan) and established Communist rule in 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 industrialisation 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.

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.

The transformation of Japan into a modern society is reflected with changes in day to-day life. Previously, the patriarchy system was prevalent. It comprised many generations living together under the same roof and under the control of the head of the family. But as the people became more affluent the new ideas of family also spread. In nuclear families the husband and wife lived together. They earned their livelihood and made home. The new concept of domesticity came into being. The demand for new types of domestic goods, family entertainments and new forms of housing also grew. The construction companies provided homes at cheap rates to the people.

The Manchu empire was overthrown. Republic was established under Sun Yat-sen in 1911. Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) is unanimously regarded as the founder of modern China. He belonged to a very poor family and studied in missionary schools. He was introduced to democracy and Christianity. He studied medicine. But he was greatly concerned about the fate of China. His programme was called the Three Principles (San min chui).
These were:

1. Nationalism. It meant overthrowing the Manchu who were seen as a foreign dynasty, as well as other foreign imperialists.
2. Democracy: It meant the establishment of democratic government.
3. Socialism: It meant regulating capital and equalising landhodings.

The Manchu empire was overthrown and a republic established in 1911 under Sun Yat-Sen (1866-1925) who is unanimously regarded as the founder of modern China. His programme was called the Three Principles (San-min Chui).
These were:

1. Nationalism: this meant overthrowing the Manchu who were seen as a foreign dynasty, as well as other foreign imperialists.
2. Democracy or establishing a democratic government.
3. Socialism regulating capital and equalizing landholdings.

A few features of the new constitution of Japan of 1889 are as follows:

1. The emperor occupied an important place in Japan. He was considered to be the representative of God. All the ministers were appointed by him and they were accountable to the emperor.
2. The Parliament of Japan was known as Diet. It had limited powers. Military had immense power. In due course of time, Diet came under the influence of military.
3. Police had enough power. They had the power to control press, to put ban on public meetings and demonstrations.
4. Only 3% people had the right to use their franchise.

To meet the challenge posed by the Western powers, Qing reformers initiated policies to build a modern administrative system, a new army and an educational system.

1. They set up local assemblies to establish constitutional government.
2. To teach the masses about destructive consequences of the western domination, they highlighted negative examples of colonized countries such as the partition of Poland, and participation of Indians in the British army that fought wars against China.
3. They felt that traditional ways of thinking influenced by Confucianism was a major barrier to new ideas and institutions.
4. To train people in modern subjects, students were sent to study in Japan, Britain and France; they brought back many innovative ideas.
5. Chinese thinkers borrowed Japanese translations of European political ideas such as justice, rights and revolution.