The End of Bipolarity Class 12 Political Science Chapter 1 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The Berlin Wall, built in 1961, became the most powerful symbol of division between the capitalist West and the communist East during the Cold War. 

Its fall in 1989 represented not only the unification of Germany but also the weakening and eventual end of communist regimes throughout Eastern Europe. Mass movements by ordinary people triggered the collapse of the communist bloc and led to an important shift in world politics.

The Soviet System The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was formed after the Russian Revolution in 1917, aiming for an equal society based on socialist ideas. Private property was abolished and most productive resources, such as land and factories, were owned and controlled by the state. 

The Communist Party was the only political party allowed, and citizens did not have the freedom to oppose it.

The Soviet government planned every aspect of the economy. After World War II, countries in Eastern Europe came under Soviet influence and joined the ‘Second World’ or socialist bloc. These were united through the Warsaw Pact, a military alliance meant to counter NATO.

Features and Problems of the Soviet System The Soviet system succeeded in creating a strong industrial and military power. Citizens were provided with guaranteed jobs, subsidised food and shelter, and a minimum standard of living. However, there were serious drawbacks:

• Bureaucratic and authoritarian leadership with no space for political opposition
• Lack of democracy and freedom of speech
• Unresponsiveness to the needs and aspirations of citizens in different republics

Leaders like Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Gorbachev, and Yeltsin played significant roles, with Gorbachev's reforms eventually contributing to the breakup of the USSR.

Gorbachev’s Reforms and the Collapse Mikhail Gorbachev, who became General Secretary in 1985, tried to improve the Soviet system with new reforms: perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). 

These allowed a degree of political openness and some market measures, but triggered protests in Soviet-controlled countries. As Gorbachev refused to use force, communist governments toppled across Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union began to split.

Nationalism surged in different Soviet republics. By December 1991, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared the end of the USSR and formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The Soviet Communist Party was banned, and the USSR formally dissolved.

Why Did the Soviet Union Break Up? The main reasons behind Soviet disintegration include:

• Long-term economic stagnation and shortage of consumer goods
• Excessive military spending and support for satellite states
• Rising awareness of better living standards in Western countries
• Corruption and lack of government accountability
• Increasing nationalistic feelings and demand for sovereignty among constituent republics

Gorbachev's reforms ended up dividing rather than uniting the people, leading to massive political change and ultimately the end of the union.

Timeline of Soviet Disintegration (1985–1991)

• 1985: Gorbachev becomes General Secretary and introduces reforms
• 1988: Independence movements in Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia start spreading
• 1989: Berlin Wall falls; Warsaw Pact members get more autonomy
• 1990: Lithuania declares independence; Russia declares sovereignty
• 1991: Yeltsin becomes President of Russia; failed hardliner coup; USSR dissolved; Gorbachev resigns

Consequences of Disintegration The breakup of the USSR had major worldwide effects:

• End of Cold War and arms race between the US and USSR
• The United States emerged as the sole superpower
• Formation of many new independent countries with fresh aspirations and challenges
• Increased influence of global financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank

Shock Therapy in Post-Communist Countries After communism collapsed, several ex-Soviet states shifted rapidly to capitalism through measures called 'shock therapy.' This included:

• Quick privatisation of state-owned industries
• Adopting free markets and trade without restrictions
• Ending old trade links in favour of Western ties
• Immediate currency convertibility

These reforms were encouraged by institutions like the IMF and World Bank, hoping they would boost economic growth and democracy.

Consequences of Shock Therapy The effects of shock therapy were both immediate and harsh:

• Industrial collapse and mass unemployment
• Rising poverty and a drop in life expectancy
• Social welfare systems dismantled
• Emergence of economic inequalities and even mafias
• Financial crises – half of Russia’s banks, including Inkombank, went bankrupt

New political structures appeared, usually giving more power to presidents rather than parliaments, and in some countries a slow economic recovery happened due to oil and gas exports.

Conflicts and Tensions in the Region Secessionist and ethnic conflicts rose in post-Soviet states. Russia faced armed rebellions in Chechnya and Dagestan. 

Civil wars struck Tajikistan and conflicts occurred over Nagorno-Karabakh (Azerbaijan), Georgia, and in the Balkans, where Yugoslavia broke up into separate states marked by violent ethnic wars and outside interventions. Competition for oil, gas and strategic routes made Central Asia a focus point for major world powers.

India’s Relations with Post-Communist Countries India maintained friendly ties with all former Soviet states, especially Russia. The relationship is built on trust, similar global views, and active cultural exchanges like the popularity of Indian films in Central Asia. Since 2001, over 80 agreements have been signed, enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, defense, and nuclear space technology.

• India depends on Russia for energy, strategic balancing (especially regarding China), and defense supplies
• Russia benefits from India as a leading arms market and joint technology programs

India and USSR: Past Connections The Soviet Union helped in building India’s public sector industries, provided political support on key issues like Kashmir and the 1971 war, supplied military technology and supported cultural exchanges, making a deep and lasting impact on India’s growth.

The end of bipolarity changed the international system and challenged every country, including India, to redefine its foreign relations and strategies for a rapidly evolving world.

Class 12 Political Science Contemporary World Politics Chapter 1 Notes – The End of Bipolarity (NCERT Revision)

These Class 12 Political Science Chapter 1 revision notes cover all crucial points about the fall of the USSR, its reasons, and the global consequences after bipolarity ended. Ideal for last-minute revision, they present main events, reforms, and international impact in a concise and simple format.

By using these chapter-wise notes for CBSE Contemporary World Politics, students can quickly recall important data, timelines, and textbook points. This will help you answer MCQs, short questions, and long answers confidently in board exams.