ICSE Solutions and Questions Answers for Non-Aligned Movement Class 10 History
We are going to learn the ICSE Solutions of sixteen chapter of the History textbook of Class 10. The name of the chapter is Non-Aligned Movement. All types of questions including very short answer type, short answer type, structured questions and questions based on picture perception has been provided. This ICSE solutions for Non-Aligned Movement will help the students in learning the chapter outcome.
| Name of the chapter | Non-Aligned Movement |
| Subject | History and Civics |
| Topics covered |
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| Related Readings |
Very Short Questions
1. What is Panchsheel ?
Answer
In 1954, India and China signed an agreement containing five principles of peaceful co-existence. These principles are collectively known as `Panchsheel', which became guidelines to NAM.
2. When and where was the first Non-Aligned Summit held?
Answer
The first summit of the Non-Aligned nations was held in 1961 at Belgrade, Yugoslavia. It was attended by 25 Afro-Asian nations who adopted 27 Point Declaration.
3. What were Jawaharlal Nehru's views regarding Non-Alignment?
Answer
He said, "Non Alignment does not mean passivity of mind or action. It does not mean submission to what we consider evil. It is a positive and dynamic approach to such problems that confront us."
4. How many countries attended first summit of NAM at Belgrade?
Answer
25 countries attended this summit.
5. Mention two issues discussed at the first summit of NAM at Belgrade summit.
Answer
(i) Disarmament
(ii) Colonialism.
6. Who presided over the conference of the first summit of NAM?
Answer
The conference was presided over by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
7. State three basic objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Answer
(i) Maintenance of international peace.
(ii) Abolition of colonialism and imperialism.
(iii) Protection of environment.
8. What is the significance of the Bandung Conference?
Answer
The Bundung Conference paved the way for co-operation among the newly independent nations, which took the formal shape of the Non-Aligned movement.
9. Name the architects of NAM.
Answer
Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Marshal Josip Tito of erstwhile Yugoslavia, Abdel Nasser of Egypt and Sukarno of Indonesia.
10. Give two main features of the policy of non-alignment.
Answer
(i) It is opposed to military alliances.
(ii) It upholds the rights of all people for freedom and justice.
11. Name two architects of the NAM.
Answer
The two architects of the NAM were:
(i) Jawaharlal Nehru of India.
(ii) Joseph Broz Tito of Yugoslavia.
12. What is Panchsheel?
Answer
It is peace agreement of five principles signed between India and China in 1954.
13. State three basic objectives of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Answer
(i) Maintenance of international peace.
(ii) Abolition of colonialism and imperialism.
(iii) Protection of environment.
14. When was the first summit of NAM at Belgrade held?
Answer
The first summit was held at Belgrade in 1961.
15. How many countries attended first summit of NAM at Belgrade summit?
Answer
25 countries attended this summit.
16. Mention two issues discussed at the first summit of NAM at Belgrade summit.
Answer
(i) Disarmament
(ii) Colonialism.
17. Who presided over this conference?
Answer
The conference was presided over by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lai Nehru.
18. Non-Alignment does not mean 'isolation' or 'neutrality'. Why?
Answer
Non-Alignment does not mean 'isolation' or 'neutrality' because it is a positive and constructive policy leading to freedom, security, peace and co-operation.
Short Answer Type
1. On what background Non-Aligned Movement was staged?
Answer
The Super Powers, the USA and USSR tried to win over newly independent countries of Asia and Africa to their respective Blocs. But the third world countries abhorred the idea of submission to any of the rival camps. They wanted to pursue an independent foreign policy rather than falling in line with any Power Bloc. They adopted NAM which was the strategy that helped combat the tensions of the Cold War in a Bipolar world.
2. What is meant by Non-Alignment?
Answer
- Non-Alignment is the international policy of a sovereign state according to which it does not align itself with any of the power blocs and at the same time actively participates in the world affairs to promote international peace, harmony and cooperation.
- Non-Alignment is a policy which gives freedom to decide the course of action that a country wishes to adopt in relation to world politics.
3. Mention state the features of the policy of Non-Alignment.
Answer
(i) Non-Aligment does not mean 'isolation' or 'passivism' but stands for action. It does not remain aloof from international problems, but judges each issue on it's merit.
(ii) It does not support any power bloc. (Capitalist bloc/Communist bloc). It was against the Cold War, hence opposed to any military alliances like NATO, SEATO etc.
(iii) It upholds the rights of Third World countries to facilitate freedom and justice.
4. Mention any two factors responsible for the development of the policy of Non-Alignment.
Answer
(i) Global tension caused by Cold War: Most of the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa felt that by maintaining a distance from both Super Powers, they would put off the danger of another war or a nuclear holocaust.
(ii) Struggle against imperialism and neo-colonialism: The newly independent nations opted non-alignment because most of these countries wanted to enjoy their newly acquired freedom and the power that had come with it.
5. How did the Non-Alignment policy favour the countries of Third World?
Answer
(i) Right of independent judgement: The newly independent nations were able to keep their own identity by not aligning with any of the power blocs.
(ii) Economic development: Most of newly independent countries were facing the problems of poverty and underdevelopment. To come out of this, they needed financial and technical assistance from both the power blocs.
(iii) Moral Force: Afro-Asian countries believed that by their collective reason they could maintain and promote world peace.
6. What were the highlights of Delhi Conference held in 1949?
Answer
In 1949, a convention for Asian unity was held at New Delhi to discuss the Indonesian problem. This convention was attended by delegates from 19 countries and called upon the Dutch troops to withdraw from the areas under the control of Indonesia.
7. When and where did the Asian Relations Conference take place? What was its objectives?
Answer
Asian Relation Conference took place in New Delhi in March- April 1947. It was hosted by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The objectives of the conference were 'to bring together the leading men and women of Asia on a common platform to study the problem of common concern to the people of the continent'.
8. Who were the architects/founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement?
Answer
The architects/founding fathers of the Non-Aligned Movement were Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Sukarno of Indonesia and Joseph Broze Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdul Nasser of Egypt and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. Their action is known as 'The Initiative of Five'.
9. Except the founding fathers name the other founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Answer
Among the other founder members of the NAM were Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus, U No of Burma (Myanmar), Emperor Haile Sellasie of Ethiopia and king Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal.
10. State the principles enunciated in Panchsheel?
Answer
These five principles were:
(i) Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
(ii) Mutual non-aggression.
(iii) Equality and mutual benefit.
(iv) Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty
(v) Peaceful co-existence. These five principles or Panchsheel were given a practical shape at a conference held at Bandung (Indonesia) in April 1955.
11. The Bandung Conference paved the way for Non-Aligned Movement. Explain.
Answer
The Bandung Conference was presided over by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chinese Prime Minister Chou En Lai and Gamal Abdel Nasser, Prime Minister and later President of Egypt. The delegates at the conference condemned colonialism and emphasised the need for economic growth in the third world countries. The Bandung Conference, thus, paved the way for cooperation among newly independent nations, which later on blossomed into Non-Aligned Movement.
12. Which international issues were addressed by Nehru under the policy of Non-Alignment?
Answer
(i) During the Korean crisis of 1950, when North Korea attacked South Korea, India under the leadership of Nehru strongly condemned it.
(ii) Because of her non-aligned stand, she was offered the chairmanship of the International Control Commission sponsored by the UN in Indo-China.
(iii) In 1957, India condemned the Anglo-French attack on Egypt over the Suez Canal issue. Nehru made efforts to find solution to this problem.
(iv) Nehru had always condemned the aggressive policies of Israel. (v) Nehru was the champion of human rights and people's cause under the colonial rule.
13. Belgrade Conference, 1961 adopted a 27-Point declaration. Which principles included in the declaration were emphasised by Nehru?
Answer
Nehru laid emphasis on the following principles.
- Negotiation for peace.
- Disarmament.
- Ending colonialism and imperialism in all its forms.
- Condemnation of racial discrimination being practiced in South Africa or elsewhere.
- Stress on social-economic developments of Afro-Asian nations on the basis of mutual benefit and equality.
14. State the objectives of NAM.
Answer
(i) Abolition of imperialism and colonialism.
(ii) International Peace.
(iii) End of Racism
(iv) Disarmament
(v) To strengthen the role of UN.
(vi) Creation of New International Economic Order (NIEO).
(vii) Protection of Environment.
(viii) Sovereign Equality to all nations.
(ix) Enforcement of Human Rights.
15. How would the Non Alignment Movement facilitate a new international economic order?
Answer
(i) Most of the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa were economically backward and had a low standard of living.
(ii) Since they needed both capital and technical know-how to boost their economic development, they considered it worthwhile to get both the things from wherever they could without any strings attached with them.
16. What was the role of Nehru as a spokesperson of Afro Asian unity?
Answer
(i) Nehru promoted the cause of freedom of many countries of Asia and Africa which were still under foreign domination.
(ii) Nehru, gradually led the countries of Asia and Africa towards the concept of non-alignment. He convinced these countries that they had great moral force and with their collective efforts could exert pressure on the issues of war and peace.
(iii) Nehru was acknowledged as the greatest spokesman for neutrality of Asian and African states in the Cold War era.
17. What was the Pandit Nehru stance on Cold War alliances?
Answer
(i) Nehru did not approve of the military or economic alliances like NATO, CENTO SEATO, etc., initiated by the USA to contain communism or the ones promoted by the Soviet Union like the Warsaw Pact, Cominform, Comecon, etc.
(ii) He opposed these alliances as he believed that they encouraged colonialism and imperialism and were likely to produce a race for armaments. Nehru was against the mad race for armaments and called for disarmament and abolition of stock piles of nuclear weapons.
18. State the ideas of Nehru which differed from the philosophy advocated by the super powers?
Answer
(i) Nehru was against the philosophy advocated by the two power blocs. He rejected communist state as "monolithic" and described Marxism as an outdated theory.
(ii) He did not favour capitalism either and was influenced by socialism. He therefore, strongly advocated the priniciples of democratic socialism.
19. When and why did the concept of Non-Alignment emerge?
Answer
The concept of non-alignment emerged during the Cold War. After the Second World War, the world was divided into two power blocs, one led by the USA and the other by the Soviet Union. The newly independent nations decided to remain non-aligned and not join either of the two power blocs.
20. What led to the formation of NAM?
Answer
The following reasons led to the formation of NAM:
(i) Freedom and reawakening of the nations of Asia and Africa.
(ii) Poverty of newly independent nations.
(iii) Newly independent countries wanted peace in the world.
21. Describe briefly what is meant by Non-Alignment?
Answer
Non-Alignment is an independent movement that enables each nation to follow its own policies by neither joining any super-power bloc nor coming under their influence.
22. What were Pt. Nehru's views about Non-Alignment?
Answer
Nehru wanted India to follow the non-aligned policy because he wanted India to keep away from power politics of the groups aligned against one another. He felt that the urgent need of the Afro-Asian countries was to use all their resources for the welfare of their own people and not be used by the super-powers to serve their own global interests.
23. Give two factors for the rise of the Non Aligned Movement.
Answer
Following are the two factors for the rise of NAM:
(a) Reaction against the system of military alliances: NAM was a reaction against military alliances and aligning with either of the power blocs during the cold war.
(b) Nationalism in African and Asian countries: Many Asian and African countries got freedom from imperialism after the Second World War. Intense nationalism in these countries led them to adopt a policy of keeping out of alliances in general and military pacts in particular.
25. What is meant by Non-Aligned movement?
Answer
The Non-Alignment movement refers to an independent policy adopted by a country while keeping away from the power blocs. It is distinct from neutrality which means keeping aloof from international politics. Thus, Non-Alignment is a positive concept. Non-Aligned Movement refers to the organised efforts of those states which follow the policy of Non-Alignment. Most of the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are the members of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
26. Why did Nehru advise all the newly independent Afro-Asian Nations to keep themselves away from the influence of the super-powers?
Answer
Nehru advised all the newly independent nations of Asia and Africa to keep themselves away form the influence of the super powers because most of these countries were poor and underdeveloped. They had been through so much strife during their national struggle that they really needed peace. Nehru was worried that these countries might lose their complete independence if they joined any power bloc.
27. State the issues discussed at Bandung Conference.
Answer
(i) The five principles of Panchsheel were given a practical shape at the Bandung Conference of 1955.
(ii) The delegates condemned colonialism.
(iii) The need for economic growth in the third world countries was emphasised on.
29. Mention the five principles which form the core of 'Panchsheel'.
Answer
The five basic principles, known as Panchsheel, adopted at the Bandung Conference of 1955 are:
- Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Mutual non-aggression.
- Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
- Equality for mutual benefit.
- Peaceful co-existence.
Long Answer Type
1. What are the main functions of the UNICEF with regards to:
(a) Child welfare
(b) Prevention of diseases
(c) Technical assistance and services
Answer
Major functions of the UNICEF:
(a) Child welfare: (i) UNICEF works for the protection of children in respect of their survival, health, and well-being. This is done in cooperation with individuals, civic groups, governments and the private sector.
(ii) It provides help to children and mothers in emergencies arising from natural calamities, civil strikes and epidemics. It helps in providing protective food like, milk, meat, fish and fats to the children and pregnant women.
(iii) UNICEF performs various other functions. As the sole agency for children, it speaks on behalf of children and upholds the Convention on the Rights of the Child and works for its implementation.
(b) Prevention of diseases : (i) Universal Child Immunisation against preventable diseases s was one of the leading goals of UNICEF.
(ii) It makes effort to prevent diseases like tuberculosis (T.B.), malaria, eye diseases, skin diseases, etc.
(c) Technical assistance and services:
(i) It provides technical supplies, equipment and other aids, ranging from paper for textbooks, to equipment and medicines to health clinics, to pipes and pumps for bringing clean water to villages.
(ii) It assists governments to plan, develop and extend community-based services in the fields of maternal and child health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation. It provides funds for training personnel, including health and sanitation workers, teachers and nutritionists.
2. Name the organisation associated with the above emblem. Mention the following functions of the organization named by you.
(a) Medical Care
(b) Disease eradication
(c) Health awareness
(d) Provision of facilities
The organisation associated with the emblem is W.H.O.
Answer
Major functions of the W.H.O.:
(a) Medical Care:
- It gives important drugs needed for medical care. The WHO launched a programme to immunise children against six major diseases-Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Polio and Whooping Cough.
- It defines standards for the strength and purity of medicines including biological products.
(b) Disease eradication:
- It promotes research to cure and prevent diseases. For example, it arranged for the investigation of cancer and heart diseases in laboratories is many countries to identify disease-causing organisms, to improve vaccines and to train research workers.
- It aims at fighting diseases and preventing them from spreading. Malaria eradication programme continues to be the world's biggest health programme.
- It makes special efforts in combating diarrhoeal including biological products.
(c) Health awareness:
- It organises conferences, seminars and training for health care personnel from different countries.
- It publishes health journals like the 'Bulletin of the World Health Organisation' to create health consciousness among people.
(d) Provision of facilities:
- It helps countries to improve their health system by building up infrastructure especially manpower, institutions and services for the individual and community.
- It works towards providing safe drinking water and adequate waste disposal. The decade 1981-1990 was declared as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade.
3. What are the major functions of UNICEF?
Answer
Major functions of UNICEF are:
- It provides services in primary health, nutrition, family and child welfare, basic education, vocational training for the benefit of children, sanitation and women's development programmes are undertaken in developing countries.
- These programmes include providing balanced food and protective food like milk, meat, fish etc.
- Training and orientation of national personnel including health and sanitation workers, teachers, nutritionists and child welfare specialists.
- Technical supplies, equipment and other aids ranging from paper for text books and equipments and medicines for health to pipes and pumps for bringing dean water to villages are delivered.
- Basic social services are provided for children in developing countries like campaigns against endemic diseases and preventable diseases and malnutrition have been carried on. Emergency help is provided to victims of floods, earthquakes drought or other diseases.
- Interests of women and facilities for pregnant women are provided. Conventions for suppression of traffic in women and children, crime prevention etc. are supported.
4. What are the major achievements of the UNICEF?
Answer
Major achievements of UNICEF:
The four point programme against preventable diseases:
- Immunization,
- Oral dehydration,
- Advocating breast feeding,
- Monitoring growth.
This has reduced diseases considerably. UNICEF celebrated 1979 as the International Year of the Child for focusing people's attention on the rights of children. It has supported AIDS education and helps families of its victims. Health centers and maternity homes have been established. Poverty stricken, disabled, demented and victims of other emergencies are provided special protection. With UNICEF's efforts a world summit for children was held at UN headquarters attended by representatives of 150 countries. Thus, along with other UN agencies UNICEF has achieved considerable success in achieving its goals, but there is still a lot more to be done.
5. What does the WHO do to achieve its objective of ensuring 'Health for All'?
Answer
'Health for All by 2000' was a target set by WHO's members in the year 1977. The programme included:
Education about prevailing health problems and their prevention. Promotion of food supplies, proper nutrition, adequate safe water and basic sanitation. Family planning, care of child and mother. Universal immunization against infectious diseases. Prevention and control of endemic diseases. Provision for essential drugs and prevention and control of common diseases.
6. What are the main functions of WHO.
Answer
The main functions of WHO are :
- To promote in co-operation with other specialized agencies, the improvement of nutrition like drinking water and sanitation, housing, economic and working conditions, environmental hygiene, and maternal and child health, including family planning.
- To help countries to reinforce their health systems by building up infrastructure, particularly health, manpower including services, health institutions and the provision of essential drugs and other supplies and equipment.
- To prevent the spread of disease and epidemics internationally and to help the nations to stamp out diseases at the source, to prevent them from spreading to other countries.
- To promote improved standards of teaching and training in health, medical and related fields.
7. With reference to the policy of Non-Alignment adopted by several Afro-Asian nations, answer the following questions:
(a) Explain what is meant by Non-Alignment.
(b) State the objectives of NAM.
(c) Explain with examples how India under Nehru's leadership took a bold stand on some of the international crises.
Answer
(a) Non-Alignment is the international policy of a sovereign state according to which it does not align itself with any of the power blocs and at the same time actively participates in the world affairs to promote international peace, harmony and cooperation. Nehru said, "Non Alignment does not mean passivity of mind or action. It does not mean submission to what we consider evil. It is a positive and dynamic approach to such problems that confront us when freedom is menaced, justice is threatened or when aggression takes place, we cannot be and shall not be neutral."
(b) The main objective of NAM at the beginning was to keep away the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa from the super power rivalry and to protect and preserve their newly acquired independence.
The other important objectives of the NAM are the following:
- To eliminate all those causes which could lead to war.
- To protect the nascent freedom of the new-born independent countries of Asia and Africa from colonial domination.
- To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
- To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
- To encourage friendly relations among countries.
- To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.
- To oppose the use of force and the use of nuclear weapons.
- To strengthen the United Nations as an organ of world peace.
- To protect human rights and to protect the environment.
- To build a New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on enquiry, equality and justice.
(c)
- During the Korean Crisis of 1950, when North Korea attacked South Korea, India under the leadership of Nehru strongly condemned it.
- In 1957, India condemned the Anglo-French attack on Egypt over the Suez Canal Issue.
- Nehru had always condemned the aggressive policies of Israel (a U. S. Satellite), and insisted upon vacation of Arab territories occupied by Israel.
- Likewise, when Soviet Russian forces and tanks appeared in the streets of Budapest (Hungary) in 1956, India condemned the Soviet action in equivocal terms inspite of its friendly relations with Soviet Union.
- Similarly in the Cuban Crisis of 1962, India supported the popular leader Fiedel Castro to set up people's government there.
- In Indo-China, Crisis of 1956, India under Nehru and due to her faith in NAM stood by the Democratic Republic of Ho-Chi-Minh, who was the popular mass leader. Vietnam was finally merged into one country in 1975.
8. Discuss the factors that led to the formation of NAM.
Answer
Factors that led to the formation of NAM:
- Global tensions caused by the cold war: Most of the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa realised that the division of the world into two power blocs was not in their larger interest and this might endanger world peace. These nations felt that by distancing themselves from the power blocs they would put off the danger of another world war.
- Struggle against imperialism and new-colonialism: The newly independent nations had become free after long and bitter struggles. They wanted to enjoy their newly acquired freedom and the power that had come with it.
- Right of independent judgement: These nations were able to keep their own identity by not aligning with the power blocs. They wanted to solve their problems themselves without any outside interference.
- Use of moderation in relation to all big powers: They wanted to promote goodwill and co-operation among the nations of Asia and Africa and to explore and advance their mutual interests by establishing friendly relations with all the nations.
- Restructuring the international economic order: Most of these nations were economically backward. Since they needed both capital and technical sources to boost their economic development, they considered it worth while to get both the things from whoever they could, without any strings attached.
- Formation of a collective force: They realised that they had great moral force and with their collective reason they could maintain or promote world peace.
9. What were the objectives of NAM?
Answer
Objectives of NAM are:
(i) To eliminate all those causes which would lead to war.
(ii) To protect the nascent freedom of the newly born independent countries of Asia and Africa from colonial domination.
(iii) To oppose colonialism, imperialism and racial discrimination.
(iv) To advocate sovereign equality of all states.
(v) To encourage friendly relations among countries.
(vi) To advocate peaceful settlement of international disputes.
(vii) To oppose the use of force and the use of nuclear weapons.
(viii) To strengthen the United Nations as an organ of world peace.
(ix) To protect human rights and to protect the environment.
(x) To build a new international economic order based on equity, equality and justice.
10. What is India's role in NAM?
Answer
India's role in NAM:
(i) Jawahar Lal Nehru played a leading role in the evolution of NAM. It was Jawahar Lal Nehru who elaborated, refined and popularised the concept of non-alignment. Nehru along with Nasser of Egypt and Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia played the leading role in the evolution, establishment and consolidation of Non-Aligned movement.
(ii) Nehru, before independence convened the Asian Relations Conference in New Delhi in March 1947, which was instrumental in forging unity among Asian nations.
(iii) He enunciated the five principles of peaceful co-existence named them Panchsheel. These principles are also the core principles of the NAM.
(iv) A policy of friendship, cooperation and world peace was pursued under him. He pleaded for disarmament as the only means of preserving peace in the world.
11. Describe the role of Non-Aligned Movement in world affairs.
Answer
A number of summits were held by NAM countries to discuss world problems.
(i) The non-aligned nations discussed world affairs at Belgrade in 1961 and Cairo in 1964, in order to bring peace in the world.
(ii) Economic resolutions were adopted at Algiers in 1973.
(iii) The New Delhi Summit in 1983 discussed about disarment and the Iran-Iraq conflict, the Palestinian disarmament and apartheid in South Africa.
(iv) At the Harare summit in 1986 apartheid and racial discrimination were condemned.
(v) When Nelson Mandela was freed in October 1989, he worked actively against apartheid with the full support of NAM.
(vi) The Jakarta Summit of 1992 formulated proposals for democratising the United Nations and emphasised globalization of world economy.
(vii) The Kuala Lampur summit in 2003, demanded that the benefits of globalization and the advances in science and technology be shared by the rich and powerful countries with the developing countries.
(viii) At the Havana summit in 2006 the NAM member countries condemned Israel's attack on Lebanon, supported Iran's nuclear energy plans and criticised USA's foreign policy. NAM still has relevance as with the changing world the member countries have changed their emphasis. NAM is now stressing on human rights, democracy and economic development.
12. Illustrate the role of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the Non-Aligned Movement with the help of following points.
(a) Pioneer of Afro Asian unity in the Cold War Era
(b) Opposer of Cold War Alliances
(c) Believer of democratic socialism
Answer
(a) Pioneer of Afro Asian unity in the Cold War era:
- Nehru promoted the cause of freedom of many countries of Asia and Africa which were still under foreign domination.
- He advocated mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. It was Nehru, who gradually led the countries of Asia and Africa towards the concept of non-alignment.
- He convinced these countries that they had great moral force and with their collective reason could exert pressure on the issues of war and peace.
- Nehru was acknowledged as the greatest spokesman for neutrality of Asian and African States in the Cold War era.
(b) Opposer of Cold War Alliances:
- Though Nehru was committed to western concept of liberalism and democracy, he did not approve of the military or economic alliances like NATO, CENTO, SEATO, etc., initiated by the USA to contain communism or the ones promoted by the Soviet Union like the Warsaw Pact, Cominform, Comecon, etc.
- He opposed these alliances as he believed that they encouraged colonialism and imperialism and were likely to produce a race for armaments.
(c) Believer of democratic socialism:
- Nehru was against the philosophy advocated by the two power blocs. He rejected the communist state as "monolithic" and described Marxism as an outdated theory.
- He did not favour capitalism either and was influenced by socialism. He therefore, strongly advocated the priniciples of democratic socialism.
Picture/Skill Based Questions
Answer the following:
(i) Identify the persons in the picture given below.
(ii)With which movement they were associated?
(iii) Factors that led to the formation of NAM.
(iv) Mention the major achievements of the organisation.
Answer
(i) The persons in the picture are (From left) Nasser, Tito and Nehru.
(ii)They were associated with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
(iii) Factors that led to the formation of NAM:
- Global tension caused by Cold War: Most of the newly independent countries of Asia and Africa realised that the division of the world into two power blocs was not in their larger interest and this might endanger world peace. These nations felt that by maintaining distance from both the Super Powers they would put off the danger of another war.
- Struggle against imperialism: The newly independent nations opted for non-alignment because most of these countries remained under big powers for a long period of time. They wanted to enjoy their newly acquired freedom and the power that had come with it.
- Right of independent judgement: The newly independent nations were able to keep their own identity by not aligning with any of the power blocs. They wanted to solve their problems themselves without any outside interference or influence.
- Use of moderation in relations to all big powers: The newly independent nations wanted to promote goodwill and co-operation among the nations of Asia and Africa and to explore and advance their mutual interests by establishing friendly relations with all the nations.
- Economic development: Most of the newly independent countries were facing problem of poverty and underdevelopment. To come out of this they needed financial and technical assistance from both the power blocs.
(iv) Major achievements of the organisation:
- NAM played a significant role in easing of tension between the two power blocs and ultimately in bringing about the end of the Cold War.
- NAM has supported the cause of international peace, justice and freedom. It has vehemently stood against any injustice, be it the Suez crisis in 1956, aggressive policies of Israel or the unilateral attack by the USA against Iraq.
- NAM has advocated New International Economic Order (NIEO) based on greater economic cooperation and justice. In fact, the first UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in 1964 was largely the outcome of the efforts made by the non-aligned countries.
- NAM has made the developed countries realise that the continued deprivation of the third world would affect the economy of the world and their own prosperity.
- A universal appeal of disarmament was a basic goal set by NAM.