;

Loading space...

History

C2: World in the Twentieth Century

World in the Twentieth Century - Important questions

10th
2025-06-08

PART A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1 Mark Each)

1. The economic system in which production and distribution are controlled by capitalists is known as: a) Socialism b) Capitalism c) Imperialism d) Feudalism

ANS: The economic system in which production and distribution are controlled by capitalists with the aim of increasing profit is known as Capitalism.

2. Which treaty was signed with Germany after the First World War? a) Treaty of Paris b) Treaty of Versailles c) Munich Pact d) Oslo Pact

ANS: The Treaty of Versailles was an example of the vengeance against the defeated nations" was discussed in the topic 'Aftermath of war'. The treaty signed with Germany after the First World War was indeed the Treaty of Versailles.

3. The stock market crash in New York on October 24, 1929 is known as: a) Black Friday b) Black Thursday c) Great Depression d) Economic Crisis

ANS: "Black Thursday" refers to the stock market crash in New York Stock Exchange on October 24, 1929, which wiped out the entire economic growth till then.

4. Who was the leader of Fascist Italy? a) Adolf Hitler b) Benito Mussolini c) Francisco Franco d) Joseph Stalin

ANS: Benito Mussolini was the leader of Fascist Italy.

5. The secret police force of Nazi Germany was called: a) Brown Shirts b) Black Shirts c) Gestapo d) SS

ANS: A military force 'Brown Shirts' and a secret police troop 'Gestapo' were in charge of assaulting and massacring the Jews.

6. Which Japanese cities were attacked by atomic bombs in 1945? a) Tokyo and Osaka b) Hiroshima and Nagasaki c) Kyoto and Kobe d) Yokohama and Kawasaki

ANS: Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

These cities are mentioned as the locations where the two atom bombs were dropped: 'Little Boy' on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and 'Fat Man' on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.

7. The first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in: a) Bandung (1955) b) Belgrade (1961) c) Cairo (1964) d) New Delhi (1983)

ANS: Belgrade (1961)

According to the context, "The first conference of the non-aligned countries was held in Belgrade in 1961."

8. OPEC stands for: a) Oil Producing European Countries b) Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, c) Oil Price Regulating Committee d) Organization of Pacific Economic Countries

ANS: According to the context, OPEC stands for "Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries".

9. Glasnost and Perestroika were reforms introduced by: a) Lenin b) Stalin c) Khrushchev d) Mikhail Gorbachev

ANS: According to the context, Glasnost and Perestroika were reforms introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev, the President of the Soviet Union at that time.

10. The term 'Cold War' was popularized by: a) Bernard Baruch b) Walter Lippmann c) Arnold Toynbee d) Winston Churchill

ANS: Walter Lippmann

PART B: FILL IN THE BLANKS (1 Mark Each)

1. The distinctive phase of flow of finance capital to colonies is known as _______.

ANS: Imperialism.

2. The Triple Alliance consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary and _______.

ANS: Italy

3. The heir to the Austrian throne _______ was assassinated in Sarajevo.

ANS: Austria

4. The _______ was formed after the First World War to maintain world peace.

ANS: League of Nations

5. The Nazi party's military force was called _______.

ANS: Brown Shirts

6. The _______ Pact was signed between Germany and Soviet Union in 1939.

ANS: Non-Aggression

7. The Japanese word for atomic bomb survivors is _______.

ANS: Hibakusha

8. The _______ Declaration promised a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

ANS: Balfour

9. PLO stands for _______.

ANS: Palestine Liberation Organization

10. MNCs stands for _______.

ANS: Multinational Companies

PART C: VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2 Marks Each)

1. What is Capitalism?

ANS: Capitalism is an economic system where production and distribution are controlled by capitalists with the aim to increase profit.

2. Mention any two effects of the First World War.

ANS:

  1. Over 10 million people lost their lives or were injured in the war.
  2. Agriculture, industry, and communication systems were destroyed.

3. What were the main characteristics of Fascism?

ANS:

  1. Antagonism to democracy
  2. Glorifying the nation
  3. Justifying war
  4. Deifying the past
  5. Opposition to socialism
  6. Adoring the purity of race
  7. Diffusion of aggressive nationalism
  8. Indoctrination of ideologies through arts, literature and education
  9. Military dictatorship
  10. Destruction of political rivals

4. Why did Italy support Fascism?

ANS: Italy supported Fascism because it was a way to restore ancient Roman power and authority, as stated by Benito Mussolini's aim of "restoring ancient Roman Empire". Additionally, industrialists were prompted to support fascism due to fear that Italy would move towards socialism. This suggests that economic interests played a role in the rise of Fascism in Italy.

5. What is Holocaust?

ANS:

6. Name the Axis Powers and Allied Powers.

ANS:

The Axis Powers were:

  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Japan

The Allied Powers were:

  • England
  • France
  • China

7. What is Policy of Appeasement?

ANS: According to the context, the Policy of Appeasement refers to a policy where a country gives in to the demands of an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict, often by allowing them to gain control over a territory or resource they claim. This was exemplified by the Munich Pact between Britain, France, Germany, and Italy in 1938, where the Allied powers approved Germany's claim to the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia without consulting Czechoslovakia.

8. What led to the formation of United Nations?

ANS: According to the context, the formation of the United Nations (UN) was a response to the failure of the League of Nations after World War I. After the Second World War, efforts were taken to establish an organization that could preserve global peace. On October 24, 1945, the United Nations Organization was established, marking the beginning of the UN's existence.

9. Define Cold War.

ANS:

According to the context, "Cold War" refers to the state of tension and conflict between two superpowers, the USA and the USSR, after World War II, characterized by ideological differences and diplomatic confrontations rather than direct military action.

10. What is Zionism?

ANS:  Zionism is an international movement with the objective of establishing a homeland for the Jews. It was first mooted by Theodor Herzl in his book 'The Jewish State'.

11. What is Neo-imperialism?

ANS: According to the context, Neo-imperialism refers to a new kind of imperialism that emerged in the post-war period. It involves multinational companies registered in one country operating in many countries, interfering in the economic, social, and cultural sectors of third-world countries to serve the interests of capitalist countries.

12. Define globalisation.

ANS: "Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world's economies, societies, and cultures through the transfer of goods, services, information technology, and investment across national borders." 

PART D: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (4 Marks Each)

1. Explain how the Industrial Revolution led to Imperialism.

Industrial Revolution led to Imperialism as European nations sought new markets for their over-produced goods and exploited the resources of other countries.

The need for raw materials and labour drove the competition among imperialist powers, leading to conflicts and wars. Additionally, the economic system of capitalism created a system where profit was prioritized over people and the environment, resulting in the exploitation of colonies and the imposition of European dominance.

2."The Treaty of Versailles was an example of vengeance against the defeated nations." Discuss.

The statement "The Treaty of Versailles was an example of vengeance against the defeated nations" can be discussed as follows:

  • The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed harsh penalties on Germany after World War I. The treaty forced Germany to pay a huge amount as war indemnity, occupied its rich mines, and imposed war guilt on the country. This was seen as a form of revenge against Germany for its role in the war.
  • The treaty's focus on punishing Germany rather than promoting reconciliation or reconstruction led to widespread resentment among the German people, creating an environment conducive to the rise of extremist ideologies like Nazism.
  • This harsh treatment by the Allied Powers can be considered a form of vengeance, as it was driven by a desire for revenge and punishment rather than a genuine attempt to rebuild and restore Germany.

3. Analyse the factors that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy.

  1. Post-WWI economic instability: Italy was devastated by the war, leading to unemployment, inflation, and industrial destruction.
  2. Fear of socialism: Industrialists feared Italy's shift towards socialism, prompting them to support Fascist ideologies.
  3. Desire for conquest and empire restoration: Mussolini aimed to restore ancient Roman power and expand Italian territory through military conquests.

These factors created a fertile ground for the rise of Fascism in Italy, allowing Mussolini to capitalize on popular discontent and secure his hold on power.

4.How did the economic depression of 1929 affect the world economy?

The economic depression of 1929 had a devastating impact on the world economy, leading to:

  • Uncontrollable inflation
  • Acute unemployment and poverty
  • Collapse of world trade
  • Massive price decline in stock market (Black Thursday)
  • Widespread economic crisis affecting America and European nations

This event marked the beginning of The Great Depression.

5 . Explain the circumstances that led Hitler to power in Germany.

Hitler came to power in Germany due to the following circumstances:

1. The Treaty of Versailles imposed by the victorious allies on Germany after World War I.

2. Economic destruction and inflation.

3. Failure of the German government and resultant political uncertainty.

Hitler's oratory skills and organisational abilities helped him gain popular support, and he eventually dismissed the government and captured power.

6. What were the major effects of the Second World War?

The major effects of the Second World War include:

1. Over 10 million people died

2. Economic system of European countries was destroyed

3. European dominance in world diminished

4. Freedom movements in Asia and Africa intensified

5. America and Soviet Union emerged as global powers

6. In a bid to preserve and maintain world peace, the United Nations Organization (UNO) was formed.

These effects highlight the devastating consequences of the war on human lives, economies, and global politics.

7. How did the Cold War lead to the formation of military pacts?

During the Cold War, the USA and its allies formed military alliances to counter the spread of communism and protect their interests. These alliances included:

  • North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) - America and its European allies
  • South East Asia Treaty Organisation (SEATO) - America and its Asian allies
  • Central Treaty Organisation (CENTO) - America and its Middle Eastern allies

These military pacts were formed to counter the Soviet Union's influence and provide a collective defense mechanism for the Western bloc.

8. Examine the role of Non-Aligned Movement in international politics.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) played a significant role in international politics during the Cold War era by providing an alternative to bipolar blocs. Formed in 1955, NAM consisted of countries that did not align with either the capitalist or socialist blocs, seeking to maintain independence and sovereignty. The movement's objective was to promote economic and social development without being drawn into the ideological conflicts of the Cold War, thereby accelerating economic and social growth through cooperation among nations.

9. Analyse the factors that led to the Palestinian issue.

The factors that led to the Palestinian issue include:

1. The Balfour Declaration, which declared the establishment of a Jewish nation in Palestine.

2. Zionist movements aiming to establish a homeland for Jews.

3. Post-World War II events and Hitler's persecution intensifying the demand for a separate Jewish state.

4. Israel's seizure of Palestine, leading to the expulsion of Palestinians.

10. Explain how American dominance was established after the disintegration of Soviet Union.

According to the given context, American dominance was established after the disintegration of the Soviet Union through several strategies:

1. Utilizing international agencies, America provided financial and military aids to countries of the world.

2. Extended military alliances

3. Media were used to promote America's vested interests.

These strategies helped establish America as a global power and centre of world politics, marking the beginning of a unipolar world order under American leadership.

11. How does neo-imperialism affect developing countries?

Neo-imperialism affects developing countries in the following ways:

  • Multinational companies promote consumerism in third world countries to sell their products.
  • The economy of many countries starts to collapse due to the pressure from multinational products and marketing strategies.
  • Developing nations are considered as markets for multinational companies, leading to the adoption of liberal regulations and taxation systems that favor the interests of multinational companies.

This indicates that neo-imperialism leads to the exploitation of developing countries' economies and markets by multinational companies, ultimately harming their economic development.

12. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of globalisation.

Globalisation has had both positive and negative impacts on our everyday life.

Positive impacts:

  • Globalisation opened up many opportunities and possibilities around the world, leading to the transfer of goods, products, and services beyond boundaries.
  • The dissemination of information technology shaped the concept of a "Global Village".

Negative impacts:

  • Globalisation posed challenges to developing countries as multinational companies interfered in their economic, social, and cultural sectors for serving the interests of capitalist countries.
  • This led to the destruction of indigenous culture, price fluctuations in agricultural products, and the looting of natural resources.