CHAPTER 11: Paths to Modernisation NCERT SOLUTION CLASS 11TH HISTORY | EDUGROWN NOTES

Short Answer Type Question:

Q1.What were the major developments before the Meiji restoration that made it possible for Japan to modernise rapidly?

ANSWER:

Japan till early 16th century faced severe administrative crisis.  The real authority had passed into the hands of the Shogun. Daimyos or provincial lords lived in the capital of Edo, ignoring their responsibility of the domains. Moreover, there was increasing power of the Samurais, the elite warrior class. However, it was only in the 16th century, that few changes in the administrative structure were made.  These helped to lay the foundation of future developments for Japan. These changes have been drafted below:

1) To reduce the chances of rebellions and protests, the peasantry was disarmed and only the Samurai was allowed to carry swords.

2) For better administration of the domains, the Daimyos were ordered to live in their respective domain’s capitals.

3) To ensure a stable revenue base, proper land surveys were conductedThe above mentioned changes were able to bring forth several positive impacts for Japan. These in turn later facilitated the process of Japan’s modernisation in the following manner.

1) As the Daimyos took charge of their respective capitals, these grew and developed as the centres of commercial economy.

2) Efforts were made to reduce import by establishing silk industries.

3) With economic expansion, cultural changes also became distinct. Merchants patronised theatre and arts. Reading also became highly popular.

Q2.Discuss how daily life was transformed as Japan developed?

ANSWER:

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 proved to a boon for Japan, as it introduced a phase of progress and modernisation. It also transformed the daily life of the people in the following ways.

1) Large ancestral families with a patriarch at its head gave way to nuclear families with the husband as breadwinner, the wife as homemaker.

2) As families started building new households, demand for both houses and goods increased. Large ancestral homes were replaced by houses provided by builders. These were easily accessible at a down payment of 200 yens and 12 yens per month for 10 years. Domestic goods like rice-cookers flooded the market.

3) Gender equality and cosmopolitan culture came into play. ‘Moga’, an abbreviation started to be used for modern girls in Japan. It was representative of the coming together the ideas of cosmopolitan culture and gender equality. Women started taking up new jobs and enjoyed a new respect in the society. A brilliant example is Matsui Sumako, who became famous as a national star in Japan.

4) Several changes took place in the field of entertainment too. The first radio station in Japan opened in 1925. Movies began to be made in 1899 and soon several companies began making more than hundred films each with a motive of entertainment.

5) Public transports became a part of the daily Japanese life. Electric trams and other means of public transport began to expand from 1878. This expansion resulted in the building up of departmental stores at places which these trams connected.

Q3.How did the Qing dynasty try and meet the challenge posed by the Western powers?

ANSWER:

After the opium war(1839-42), the Qing dynasty under reformers like Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao initiated policies to reform the administrative system, army and the educational system. They saw a demand to transform China in order to protect it from colonisation. The following were the reforms initiated by the Qing dynasty

1. Educational Reforms : The education system and examination pattern was reformed by modernizing the existing traditional system. Provisions were also made to encourage women to appear for the different government level exams.

2. Political Reforms: The system of absolute monarchy existent in China was to be replaced by constitutional monarchy. Democracy was accepted as the new form of government.

3. Economic Reforms: The Chinese economy was strengthened by adopting capitalism as the form of the economy. This reform would encourage, China to rapidly industrialize.

4. Military Reforms: The strength and composition of the army was changed under these reforms.

Q4.What were Sun Yat-sen’s Three Principles?

ANSWER:

SunYat-sen(1866-1925) is regarded as the founder of Modern China.  In order to modernise China he started a programme which he called the Three Principles. In his book Fundamentals of National Reconstruction, SunYat-sen gives an account of the following principles:

1) Nationalism: The principle of Nationalism emphasised the independence of China and upholding the indigenous civilisation on the world stage.

2) Democracy: The principle of Democracy can be understood from what Sun Yat-sen writes in his book, “ All through my revolutionary career I have held the view that China must be made a republic…If a republican government is adopted, there will be no contention. A constitution must be adopted to ensure good government.”

3) Socialism: SunYat-sen writes that socialism is the only way to end all economic disparities prevalent in the Chinese society. Equalising landholding and capital will be important instruments to achieve a society based on equal distribution of wealth.

Q5.Did Japan’s policy of rapid industrialisation lead to wars with its neighbours and destruction of the environment?

ANSWER:

Rapid industrialization of Japan infused ideas of creating a modern nation which would also be able to protect itself from the European colonists. Along with it came their age old craving to create a colonial empire of their own. This intention led to wars with neighbouring countries. Japan, even though a smaller country, went in war with countries like China and Russia. Not only that, Japan emerged victorious in both cases. Japan’s modern army was unmatched in war. Japan took war further and attacked the Anglo-American army during World War 2. They attacked America at Pearl Harbour, in retaliation America dropped nuclear bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This lead to utter destruction of human lives and even the environment was harmed. Even after this horrendous attack, Japan pulled a post-war “miracle” and advanced in industrial and economic growth like no other nation. The 1964 Olympics hosted in Tokyo, and the bullet train was an example of Japans ability to produce better quality products at cheaper rates. But this industrial advancement came with a cost to the environment. Cased of cadmium poisoning, mercury poisoning, deforestation and environmental pollution emerged as there was no regard for environmental preservation. With efforts of the grass-roots pressure groups the government was made to reform its ideas and look towards making policies for environmental preservation.

Q6.Do you think that Mao Zedong and the Communist Party of China were successful in liberating China and laying the basis for its current success?

ANSWER:

The Communist Party of China was founded in 1921. By this time the Russian revolution had ended and China was being moulded under the Marxist ideas and ideologies. Mao Zedong at this time emerged as a major CCP leader and transformed China to what it is today.  To understand how he made it possible, we need to understand Mao’s policies. These have been discussed below.

1) Mao Zedong’s ideas were radical in nature. His revolutionary ideas were based on the peasantry. People’s communes were established where cultivation was done in commonly owned land.

2) In 1953 the government declared the launch of the Great Leap forward movement. This aimed at rapid industrialisation in China. Under the Great Leap Forward movement people both in the rural as well as the urban areas were allowed to set up furnaces in their houses and farm production was increased.

3) Mao was aware of the plight of women and made reforms to improve their conditions. . Also with time new laws of marriage were made and divorce was simplified in order to develop the women in China.

4) Mao’s aim was to create a “Socialist Man” who would love the fatherland, people, labour, science and public property. He created mass organizations for, farmers, women and students.

5) A new government was established in China in the year 1949 which was based on the principle of New Democracy. It was an alliance of all the social classes existent in  China. This government abolished all private ownership of land and private enterprises.His ideas have been successful in removing inequality, spreading education and rising consciousness. With time, they have been able to reform the market and raise the country’s economy. Hence, we can safely assert the fact that the ideals of Mao Zedong and CCP are responsible for the current success of the country.

Long Answer Type Question:

Q1.Discuss the important part of Meiji reform of the economy.
ANSWER:
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.

Q2.Japan’s transformation into a modem society can also be seen in the changes in everyday life. Comment.
ANSWER:
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.

Q3.When was CCP founded? What was Russian influence in its formation? Discuss the role of Mao Zedong in it?
ANSWER:
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.

Q4.How did Japan re-emerge as an economic power of world after the defeat in Second World War?
ANSWER:
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.

Q5.Discuss the achievements of Deng Xiaoping.
ANSWER:
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.

Q6.Discuss the features of the nationalist movement in China during the post-First World War.
ANSWER:
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.

Q7.Discuss the causes of the failure of nationalists against the communists.
ANSWER:
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.

Q8.Discuss the causes of the decline of the Shoguns.
ANSWER:
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.