In the first blank, the word <em>that </em>is used to introduce a restrictive relative clause, which references the noun (Political systems) to the modified noun phrase that follows it.
In the second blank, the word <em>whereas</em> (or <em>while</em>) is used to compare and indicate contrast between the first clause, which before the comma, and the clause that follows it.
It means that you never know how much mental strength and perseverance a woman really has until problems or troubles arise in her life. In relation to a tea bag, the longer you let a tea bag set in hot water, the stronger the flavor of the tea will become.
