Smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to _____.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → All of the above.
The superpowers needed allies even though their own nuclear weapons and armies made them far stronger than the smaller states put together. The smaller states helped them in gaining access to:
vital resources, such as oil and minerals (Option 1);
territory from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops (Option 2);
locations from where they could spy on each other; and
economic support, as many small allies together could help pay for military expenses (Option 3).
All three options are among these gains.
Note: This question is taken from the chapter ‘The Cold War Era’ which was there in the pre-rationalised NCERT and has been deleted from subsequent editions of NCERT, including the NCERT book (2026-27).
NCERT (Pre-rationalised): “The Emergence of Two Power Blocs … You may ask why the superpowers needed any allies at all. After all, with their nuclear weapons and regular armies, they were so powerful that the combined power of most of the smaller states in Asia and Africa, and even in Europe, was no match to that of the superpowers. Yet, the smaller states were helpful for the superpowers in gaining access to (i) vital resources, such as oil and minerals, (ii) territory, from where the superpowers could launch their weapons and troops, (iii) locations from where they could spy on each other, and (iv) economic support, in that many small allies together could help pay for military expenses.…” |