Detailed explanations in West Bengal Board Class 9 History Book Solutions Chapter 5 Europe in the Twentieth Century offer valuable context and analysis.
WBBSE Class 9 History Chapter 5 Question Answer – Europe in the Twentieth Century
Very Short Answer (VSA) Type Questions : (1 mark for each question)
Question 1.
What was the Russian Parliament called?
Answer:
The Russian Parliament was called Duma.
Question 2.
What is ‘Narodniya Volya’?
Answer:
‘Narodniya Volya’ was a secret society of Russia.
Question 3.
Why did the Narodnik movement fail?
Answer:
The Narodnik movement failed due to repressive measures of Czar Alexander III.
Question 4.
What were the revolutions which broke out during the reign of Czar Alexander II?
Answer:
The Revolution of 1905 and the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 broke out during the reign of Czar Alexander II.
Question 5.
Between whom was the Treaty of Portsmouth signed?
Answer:
The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed between Japan and Russia.
Question 6.
What were the two groups into which Russia’s ‘Social Democratic Party’ came to be divided?
Answer:
Russia’s ‘Social Democratic Party’ came to be divided into two groups-
- The Bolsheviks and
- The Mensheviks.
Question 7.
Which incident marked the end of the Romanov dynasty of Russia?
Answer:
The Romanov dynasty of Russia ended after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917
Question 8.
Who was Queen Alexandra?
Answer:
Alexandra was the queen of Czar Nicholas II.
Question 9.
Which incident led to the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)?
Answer:
The conquest of Manchuria and Korea by Russia led to the outbreak of Russo-Japanese War.
Question 10.
Which revolution is known as the ‘Socialist Revolution’?
Answer:
The November Revolution of 1917 in Russia is known as the Socialist Revolution.
Question 11.
What is ‘Pravda’?
Answer:
Pravda’ was the mouthpiece of the Bolshevik Party.
Question 12.
When did Czardom come to an end in Russia?
Answer:
Czardom came to an end in Russia on 13 March 1917.
Question 13.
Who was the Czar of Russia when the Bolshevik Revolution broke out?
Answer:
Nicholas II was the Czar of Russia when the Bolshevik Revolution broke out.
Question 14.
Who was Lenin?
Answer:
Lenin was the leader of Bolshevik Revolution and the first president of Soviet Union.
Question 15.
Who was Trotsky?
Answer:
Trotsky was a leader of the Bolshevik Revolution and the first foreign minister of Soviet Union.
Question 16.
What was the new name of Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution?
Answer:
The new name of Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution was Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.
Question 17
What is the full name of Lenin?
Answer:
Lenin’s full name is Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov.
Question 18.
In which year did the Bolshevik Revolution break out?
Answer:
The Bolshevik Revolution broke out in 1917.
Question 19.
Name the leader who led the procession of workers to the Winter Palace.
Answer:
The leader who led the procession of workers to the Winter Palace was Father Gapon.
Question 20.
Into how many classes the Russian society was divided in the 19th century and what are these?
Answer:
The Russian society was divided into two classes in the 19th century and these were
- The aristocrats and
- The peasants.
Question 21.
Who established the Bible Society and when?
Answer:
The Bible Society was established by the Russian Czar Alexander I in 1812.
Question 22.
Name two intellectuals of Russia who demanded abolition of serfdom.
Answer:
Two intellectuals of Russia who demanded abolition of serfdom were Tolstoy and Turgenev.
Question 23.
What is the most remarkable contribution of Czar Alexander II?
Answer:
The most remarkable contribution of Czar Alexander Il was the abolition of serfdom.
Question 24.
Who announced ‘New Economic Policy’ (NEP) in Russia?
Answer:
Lenin announced ‘New Economic Policy’ in Russia.
Question 25.
What does the Russian word ‘Narod’ mean?
Answer:
The Russian word ‘Narod’ means ‘the people’.
Question 26.
What does ‘NEP’ stand for?
Answer:
‘NEP’ stands for New Economic Policy.
Question 27.
What were the two factions of the Social Democrats of Russia?
Answer:
The two factions of the Social Democrats of Russia were:
- The Bolsheviks and
- The Mensheviks.
Question 28.
Name the reigning Czar of Russia when the Revolution of 1917 broke out.
Answer:
The reigning Czar of Russia during the outbreak of the Revolution of 1917 was Nicholas II.
Question 29.
Who was Rasputin?
Answer:
Alexandra, the queen of Czar Nicholas II, was enamoured by a fake priest named Rasputin who charmed the Queen to such a degree that his voice became the ultimate commanding force in the government.
Question 30.
What is the importance of 1917 in the history of Europe?
Answer:
The importance of 1917 in the history of Europe are:
- Fall of Czardom in Russia
- Under the leadership of Lenin Bolshevik Revolution broke out in Russia.
- Russia emerged as the first socialist state in the world.
Question 31.
Name one Russian philosopher who helped to create the climate for the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.
Answer:
The Russian philosopher Gorky contributed to prepare the climate for the outbreak of the Russian Revolution.
Question 32.
When and where was the ‘Social Democratic Party’ established? What were its two factions?
Answer:
The ‘Social Democratic Party’ was established in Russia in 1898. Its two factions were:
- The Bolsheviks and
- The Mensheviks.
Question 33.
Who announced the ‘April Thesis’?
Answer:
Lenin announced the ‘April Thesis’.
Question 34.
Mention any one of the principles of NEP (New Economic Policy).
Answer:
One principle of NEP introduced by Lenin was that henceforth peasants could sell their surplus produce freely in the open market according to market prices.
Question 35.
Who was ‘the Father of the Russian Revolution’?
Answer:
Lenin was the ‘Father of the Russian Revolution’.
Question 36.
When did the Bolsheviks capture the Winter Palace?
Answer:
The Bolsheviks captured the Winter Palace on 7 November 1917.
Question 37.
What do you mean by October Revolution in Russia?
Or
What do you mean by November Revolution in Russia?
Answer:
The Bolshevik Revolution of 7th November (common calender) took place on 25th October according to the old Russian calendar. That is why the Bolshevik Revolution of Russia is known as both ‘November’ and ‘October’ Revolution.
Question 38.
What was the name of the Bolshevik Party’s newspaper?
Answer:
The Bolshevik Party’s newspaper was Pravda.
Question 39.
Name the leader who led the procession of workers to the Winter Palace.
Answer:
The leader who led the procession of workers to Winter Palace was Father Gapon.
Question 40.
What is ‘Third Section’?
Answer:
The ‘Third Section’ or the secret police was a body created by Nicholas I, vested with unlimited power to arrest, imprison, exile and even execute people.
Question 41.
Name some thinkers of Russia who influenced the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Answer:
Some thinkers who influenced the Russian Revolution were Gorky, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, etc.
Question 42.
Which period is known as the period of armed peace?
Answer:
1871-1913 is the period of armed peace.
Question 43
Who was murdered in Sarajevo and when?
Answer:
Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne and his wife Sophia were murdered in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.
Question 44.
Who was responsible for the murder at Sarajevo?
Answer:
Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist organisation ‘Black Hand’ was responsible for the murder at Sarajevo.
Question 45.
What new weapons were manufactured during the First World War?
Answer:
During the First World War many new weapons were manufactured, such as machine guns and tanks, German-made submarines called U-boats, ‘poison gas’ was used for the first time as were chlorarsines, mustard gas and phosgene.
Question 46.
What was the period of the First World War?
Answer:
The period of the First World War was 19141918.
Question 47.
Which country declared war on Serbia in 1914 ?
Answer:
Austria declared war on Serbia in 1914.
Question 48.
What is ‘Polish Corridor’?
Answer:
According to the Treaty of Versailles (1919) a 27-mile-wide corridor through Germany was given to Poland for reaching the Baltic Sea which is known as ‘Polish Corridor’.
Question 49.
When did the Paris Peace Conference meet?
Answer:
The Paris Peace Conference met in 1919.
Question 50.
Name the treaty that was concluded after the end of the First World War.
Answer:
The treaty that was concluded after the First World War was the Treaty of Versailles.
Question 51.
Which treaty contained the seeds of the Second World War?
Answer:
The Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of the Second World War.
Question 52.
Between whom was the Battle of Jutland fought?
Answer:
The Battle of Jutland was fought between England and Germany.
Question 53.
In which year was the Treaty of St. Germain signed?
Answer:
The Treaty of St. Germain was signed in 1919.
Question 54.
Who received the ‘Polish Corridor’ according to the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer:
Poland received the ‘Polish Corridor’ according to the Treaty of Versailles.
Question 55.
What was the amount of reparation imposed on Germany?
Answer:
The amount of reparation imposed on Germany was 660 crore pound.
Question 56.
Who were the members of the Triple Alliance?
Answer:
Germany, Austria and Italy were the members of the Triple Alliance (1882).
Question 57.
Who were the members of Triple Entente?
Answer:
England, France and Russia were the members of the Triple Entente.
Question 58.
Who were the Axis powers in the First World War?
Answer:
The Axis powers in the First World War were Germany, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, etc.
Question 59.
Name the allied powers of the First World War.
Answer:
The allied powers of the First World War were England, France, Russia, China, Japan, etc
Question 60.
Who was the emperor of Germany when the First World War broke out?
Answer:
Kaiser William II was the emperor of Germany when First World War broke out
Question 61.
Which period is known as the period of armed peace?
Answer:
1871-1913 is the period of armed peace.
Question 62.
Who was murdered in Sarajevo and when?
Answer:
Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne and his wife Sophia were murdered in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.
Question 63.
Who was responsible for the murder at Sarajevo?
Answer:
Gavrilo Princip, a member of the terrorist organisation ‘Black Hand’ was responsible for the murder at Sarajevo.
Question 64.
What new weapons were manufactured during the First World War?
Answer:
During the First World War many new weapons were manufactured, such as machine guns and tanks, German-made submarines called U-boats, ‘poison gas’ was used for the first time as were chlorarsines, mustard gas and phosgene.
Question 65.
What was the period of the First World War?
Answer:
The period of the First World War was 19141918.
Question 66.
Which country declared war on Serbia in 1914 ?
Answer:
Austria declared war on Serbia in 1914.
Question 67.
What is ‘Polish Corridor’?
Answer:
According to the Treaty of Versailles (1919) a 27-mile-wide corridor through Germany was given to Poland for reaching the Baltic Sea which is known as ‘Polish Corridor’.
Question 68.
When did the Paris Peace Conference meet?
Answer:
The Paris Peace Conference met in 1919.
Question 69.
Name the treaty that was concluded after the end of the First World War.
Answer:
The treaty that was concluded after the First World War was the Treaty of Versailles.
Question 70.
Which treaty contained the seeds of the Second World War?
Answer:
The Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of the Second World War.
Question 71.
Between whom was the Battle of Jutland fought?
Answer:
The Battle of Jutland was fought between England and Germany.
Question 72.
In which year was the Treaty of St. Germain signed?
Answer:
The Treaty of St. Germain was signed in 1919.
Question 73.
Who received the ‘Polish Corridor’ according to the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer:
Poland received the ‘Polish Corridor’ according to the Treaty of Versailles.
Question 74.
What was the amount of reparation imposed on Germany?
Answer:
The amount of reparation imposed on Germany was 660 crore pound.
Question 75.
Who were the members of the Triple Alliance?
Answer:
Germany, Austria and Italy were the members of the Triple Alliance (1882).
Question 76.
Who were the members of Triple Entente?
Answer:
England, France and Russia were the members of the Triple Entente.
Question 77.
Who were the Axis powers in the First World War?
Answer:
The Axis powers in the First World War were Germany, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria, etc.
Question 78.
Name the allied powers of the First World War.
Answer:
The allied powers of the First World War were England, France, Russia, China, Japan, etc
Question 79.
Who was the emperor of Germany when the First World War broke out?
Answer:
Kaiser William II was the emperor of Germany when First World War broke out
Question 80.
When and between whom was the treaty of Brest Litovsk signed?
Answer:
The Treaty of Brest Litovsk was signed in 1918 between Germany and Russia.
Question 81.
In which year did Italy resign from the Triple Alliance?
Answer:
In 1915 Italy resigned from the Triple Alliance.
Question 82.
What was the year of the World Wide Economic Depression?
Answer:
The year of the World Wide Economic Depression was 1929.
Question 83.
Who was the President of Paris Peace Conference?
Answer:
Woodrow Wilson, the President of America, was the President of Paris Peace Conference.
Question 84.
Where and between whom was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
Answer:
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the city of Versailles in France between the Allied powers and Germany.
Question 85.
Which conference was called to fight the Great Economic Depression?
Answer:
The London Economic Conference was called in London to fight the Great Economic Depression.
Question 86.
Which country was held solely responsible for First World War?
Answer:
Germany was held solely responsible for First World War.
Question 87.
Which day is known as ‘Black Thursday’?
Answer:
24 October 1929 is known as Black Thursday.
Question 88.
Where is the US Stock Market located?
Answer:
US Stock Market is located in New York.
Question 90.
Which day in American history is remembered as Black Tuesday?
Answer:
29 October, 1929 is known as Black Tuesday in the history of America.
Question 91.
In which year did Hitler occupy Austria?
Answer:
Hitler occupied Austria in 1938.
Question 92.
Who set up a republican government after the fall of monarchy in Germany?
Answer:
Fredrick Ebert set up a republic government after the fall of monarchy in Germany.
Question 93.
In which year and by whom was the ‘Rome Berlin Tokyo Axis’ signed?
Or
Mention the names of the Axis powers.
Answer:
The Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis was signed in 1932 between Italy, Germany and Japan.
Question 94.
In which year was the Weimer Republic established?
Answer:
The Weimer Republic was established in 1919.
Question 95.
Who was Mussolini?
Answer:
Mussolini was the leader of the Fascist Party and the dictator of Italy.
Question 96.
Who established the Fascist Party and when?
Answer:
Mussolini established the Fascist Party in 1919.
Question 97.
What was the symbol of Fascist Party?
Answer:
‘Fasces’ were the symbol of Fascist Party which means a bundle of wooden stick, tied with a piece of rope.
Question 98.
Who established the Weimer Republic and when?
Answer:
The Weimer Republic was established by Friedrich Ebert in 1919.
Question 99.
Who was Friedrich Ebert?
Answer:
Friedrich Ebert was a socialist leader who established the Weimer Republic in Germany.
Question 100.
Who was Hitler?
Answer:
Hitler was the leader of the Nazi Party and the dictator of Germany.
Question 101.
When did Hitler capture power?
Answer:
Hitler captured power in 1933.
Question 102.
What is the full name of Nazi Party?
Answer:
The full name of Nazi Party was National Socialist German Workers’ Party.
Question 103.
When and between whom was the AntiCommintern Pact signed?
Answer:
The Anti-Commintern Pact was signed in 1936 between Germany and Japan.
Question 104.
What was German Parliament known as?
Answer:
German Parliament was known as Reichstag.
Question 105.
Who was known as II Duce in Italy?
Answer:
Benito Mussolini was known as II Duce in Italy.
Question 106.
Which part of Poland was demanded by Hitler?
Answer:
Danzig was demanded by Hitler.
Question 107.
Who was General Franco?
Answer:
General Franco was the leader of the Spanish Civil War.
Question 108.
Which war is known as the ‘Little World War’?
Answer:
The Spanish Civil War is known as the ‘Little World War’.
Question 109.
Who formed the Popular Front in Spain?
Answer:
In 1936 the Republicans, Socialists and Communists formed the Popular Front in Spain.
Question 110.
What is the Lower House of German Parliament known as?
Answer:
The Lower House of German Parliament is known as Reichstag.
Question 111.
What was the daily newspaper published by the Nazi Party?
Answer:
The daily newspaper published by the Nazi Party was ‘People’s Observer’.
Question 112.
What is Maginot Line?
Answer:
Maginot Line, named after the French Minister of War, Andre Maginot, is a line of defence built by France in 1930 s along France’s border to deter invasion by Germany.
Question 113.
What was the para-military group organised by Mussolini known as?
Answer:
The para-military group organised by Mussolini is known as ‘Black Shirts’.
Short Answer (SA) Type Questions : (2 marks for each question)
Question 1.
Mention two instruments through which Czar Nicholas 1 followed a policy of repression.
Answer:
Two instruments through which Czar Nicholas I followed a policy of repression were:
- The Board of Censorship kept a close watch on the people. The universities, the schools and the press were particularly controlled by it.
- The Third Section or the secret police was a body vested with unlimited powers to arrest, imprison, exile and even execute people.
Question 2.
Mention two important contributions of Czar Nicholas I.
Answer:
Two contributions of Czar Nicholas I were:
- His reign was marked by the emergence of industrial revolution in Russia. There was tremendous growth of light industry and particular progress in cotton textile and beet sugar industries.
- Study of literature was encouraged by him so that people might forget politics.
Question 3.
Give some examples of the withdrawal of repressive policy by Czar Alexander II.
Answer:
Czar Alexander II withdrew the repressive policies existing in Russia.
- He showed his liberalism by releasing the Dekabrists from the prison and calling back the others from exile, who had been punished by his father 30 years ago for revolting against him.
- He relaxed the censorship.
- The universities were free to follow their own philosophy of teaching.
- Restrictions on foreign travel were removed.
Question 4.
What was, the condition of the serfs during the rule of the Czars?
Answer:
During the rule of the Czars the condition of the serfs was miserable. They were like the personal possessions of the lords and had no freedom. They lived on small portions of land assigned to them and had to work four to five days per week in the lord’s manor without any wage.
The law did not acknowledge or protect their rights. Their masters treated them as animals. They could be auctioned and they were subjected to physical punishment.
Question 5.
What was the total number of serfs in Russia at the time of emancipation?
Answer:
At the time of emancipation there were about 45 million serfs in Russia comprising about 50% of the total population. Of the total number of serfs, 23 million belonged to the crown and the rest to the private lords.
Question 6.
What do you mean by ‘Policy of Russification’?
Answer:
‘Policy of Russification’ was implemented by the Russian government. It means the imposition of Russian culture on those who were of non-Russian nationality but lived within the Russian empire. It greatly affected the Ukranians, Poles and the Lithuanians. The aim of the policy was to bring non-Russians under more direct political control of the Russian government.
Question 7.
Name some important movements which broke out during the rule of the Russian Czars.
Answer:
The important movements which broke out during the rule of the Russian Czars were:
- Russian literary movement (1840’s);
- Nihilist movement (1860’s);
- Populist or Narodnik movement (1870’s);
- The Revolution of 1905;
- The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917.
Question 8.
Who is known as the ‘Father of modern Russia’ and why?
Answer:
Peter the Great is known as the ‘Father of modern Russia’. He introduced administrative reforms, established peace in the country, improved the economic condition of the country, introduced religious reforms. He reorganised and strengthened the Russian army. He designed the city of St. Petersburg after several modern European cities. He followed a successful foreign policy and Russia became a major European power during this time.
Question 9.
What a ‘Duma’ and ‘Zemstvo’?
Answer:
- The Parliamant of Russia is known as Duma. In 1905 Czar Nicholas II established the Duma and its first assembly was held in 1906.
- Zemstvo was an organ of rural self government in Russia. It was an elected local assembly established in 1864 by Czar Alexander II.
Question 10.
What in the meaning of ‘Menshevik’ and ‘Bolshevik’ in Russian?
Answer:
In Russian ‘Menshevik’ means ‘minority’ and Bolshevik means ‘majority’.
Question 11.
Why is the Russian Revolution of 1905 called a ‘dress rehearsal’ of the Revolution of 1917 ?
Answer:
The Russian Revolution of 1905 is called the ‘dress rehearsal’ of the Revolution of 1917. Czar Nicholas II ruthlessly and mercilessly suppressed the revolutionaries of 1905. Though the revolutionaries were defeated, the Revolution of 1905 inspired the people to launch a protest against the Czar and his policy. Thus they prepared the path for the Revolution of 1917.
Question 12.
What were the causes of the failure of Kerensky’s government?
Answer:
The provisional government under Kerensky set up in February 1917 to govern Russia collapsed in October due to the following reasons:
- Price rise and the economic distress of the people of Russia due to participation of Russia in the First World war caused discontent among the people.
- Kerensky’s government failed to check the advancement of the Germans into Russia.
- The soldiers, influenced by Bloshevism, refused to take part in the First World War.
Question 13.
Mention two consequences of the Russian Revolution.
Answer:
Two consequences of the Russian Revolution were:
- Russia became a socialist country ending Czarist autocracy and aristocratic privileges.
- In 1922 the formation of Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR) was formally declared. USSR became a federation of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics with its object of socialism which ran as: “from each according to his capacity to each according to his work.”
Question 14.
What is ‘October Manifesto’?
Answer:
After the violent incident on 9 January 1905 (Bloody Sunday) Czar Nicholas II of Russia bowed down to the storm and purchased peace by introducing certain liberal reforms published in a document known as October Manifesto. Through this Manifesto he granted:
- Freedom of speech
- Freedom of press
- Freedom of public meetings
- legislative powers to the Duma
- that a new legislative assembly would be elected on the basis of universal suffrage.
Question 15.
What do you understand by the term ‘War Communism’?
Answer:
During the civil war in Russia the Bolshevik government faced a major problem of production and supply of necessary articles due to the occupation of food-producing and industrial areas by the opponents or the ‘whites’. To tide over the situation, Lenin introduced ‘War Communism’ which meant total control of state over every aspect of economic activity.
Question 16.
Give two examples of insatiated nationalism before the outbreak of the First World War.
Answer:
Two examples of insatiated nationalism before the outbreak of the First World War were:
- Italians of Trieste, Trentino and Tyrol who were under the rule of the Dual Monarchy of Austria. Hungary wanted to join Italy.
- Ambition of Alsace and Lorraine which was under German occupation to join France.
Question 17.
What were the two rival contending parties in the First World War?
Answer:
In the First World War the two rival contending parties were:
- On one side was the Triple Entente of twenty-three countries including France, England and Russia. Later on Italy (which was a member of Triple Alliance), Romania, Japan, China, Portugal joined the Triple Entente. They were known as Allied Powers.
- On the other side were the members of Triple Alliance-Germany, Austria, Turkey, Bulgaria etc. They were called ‘Axis Powers’ or ‘Central Powers’.
Question 18.
What was the Bosnia-Herzegovina problem before the outbreak of the First World War?
Answer:
Before the First World War Bosnia and Herzegovina were annexed by Austria. This injured the nationalistic feelings of the people of these two places as they desired to unite with Serbia. The people supported by Serbia Government rose in revolt against Austria.
Question 19.
What is Moroccan Crisis?
Answer:
France had vital colonial interests in Morocco in north African region rich in mineral resources and dominated by the Muslims. Kaiser William II of Germany protested against the supremacy of France in Morocco and appeared in the port of Tangier in 1905.
He provoked the Sultan of Morocco against the French and declared that he would support Moroccon independence against France. This led to a war situation between France and Germany. This is known as Moroccan Crisis (1905).
Question 20.
What is Agadir Crisis?
Answer:
In 1911 in Morocco in North Africa some Europeans lost their lives during a tribal movement. Under this circumstance France occupied a part of Morocco. Germany protested against this and the German gunboat ‘Panther’ was sent to the port of Agadir in Morocco with the ulterior motive of establishing German claim in Morocco. England in support of France sent warships to Agadir. This led to a war situation which is known in history as the Agadir crisis.
Question 21.
Why did the United States of America join the First World War?
Answer:
The United States of America joined the First World War due to the aggressive policy of Germany. The USA suffered great losses when American ships were destroyed by Germany. America asked Germany not to attack vessels of neutral countries and the American ships in the open seas but Germany paid no heed to this. So the USA joined the First World War.
Question 22.
When did Russia withdraw herself from the First World War?
Answer:
Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in 1918. After signing the Treaty Russia withdrew herself from the First World War.
Question 23.
Who were the Big Four at the Paris Peace Conference (1919)?
Answer:
The ‘Big Four’ at the Paris Peace Conference were:
- Woodrow Wilson of America
- Lloyd George of England
- Clemenceau of France and
- Orlando of Italy.
Question 24.
What were the five treaties concluded at the Paris Peace Conference?
Answer:
The five treaties concluded at the Paris Peace conference were:
- Treaty of Versailles
- Treaty of St. Germain
- Treaty of Neuilly
- Treaty of Trianon
- Treaty of Sevres.
Question 25.
Mention three territorial clauses of the Treaty of Versailles.
Answer:
Three territorial clauses of the Treaty of Versailles (1919) were:
- The provinces of Alsace and Lorraine were taken away from Germany and were given back to France.
- The Saar Valley on the western frontier of Germany was handed over to France for fifteen years after which the fate of the region was to be settled by a plebiscite.
- The port of Danzig was also snatched away from the possession of Germany and was declared a free port under the League of Nations.
Question 26.
Mention three military clauses of the Treaty of Versailles.
Answer:
Three military clauses of the Treaty of Versailles were:
- The German board of staff or generals of the army was dissolved.
- The universal compulsory military service was dissolved.
- Germany had to surrender her fleet to the Allies.
Question 27.
What were the economic implications of the Treaty of Versailles (1919)?
Answer:
In the First World War Germany was defeated and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) was imposed upon Germany. The heavy burden of compensation imposed upon Germany brought in a host of evils like unemployment, taxation and hyperinflation. The hyperinflation combined with the effects of the Great Depression undermined the stability of German economy and destabilized the Weimer Republic and paved the path for Hitler’s rise to power.
Question 28.
Why is the Treaty of Versailles known as a ‘dictated peace’?
Answer:
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) has been called a ‘dictated peace’ because the treaty was imposed upon defeated Germany by the victorious powers of World War I. The delegates of Germany were not invited to the conference of Paris and the treaty was not based on mutual negotiation. The German representative was forced to sign the treaty on threat of aerial bombardment of Germany.
Question 29.
How did economic crisis begin in USA?
Answer:
In USA economic crisis began with the crash of the Wall Street Exchange in 1929, when USA could not recover back loans. Fearing a fall in price, people made frantic efforts to sell their shares. On a single day, 13 million shares were sold. Factories were shut down, banks became bankrupt, exports fell, farmers were badly hit leading to unemployment.
Question 30.
Why 24 October 1929 known as the ‘Black Thursday’?
Answer:
October 1929 is known as the ‘Black Thursday’ because on this day the American share market crashed. As the share holders were traumatised millions of shares had been sold on this fateful day.
Question 31.
Why is the share market crash of 24 October 1929 known as the Wall Street Crash’?
Answer:
On 24 October 1929 the American share market crashed because on this day the panicked shareholders soid millions of shares. The crash is known as Wall Street Crash because Wall Street in New York, USA was the location of the principal share market.
Question 32.
What was the effect of the Great Depression of 1929 on USA?
Answer:
The Great Depression of 1929 had profound effect on USA. Over the next three years, between 1929 and 1932, the national income of the USA fell by half. The speculators withdrew their money from the market. Factories shut down, exports fell, farmers were badly hit and millions of
workers lost their jobs.
Question 33.
Why was the new republican government set up in Germany after the First World War known as the Weimer Republic?
Answer:
After the defeat of Germany in the First World War there were protests from the industrialists, intellectuals and the common people. As Berlin, the capital of Germany, was a hotbed of discontent the new republican government began to function from nearby Weimer. This is why the Republic was called Weimer Republic.
Question 34.
What was the main cause of the failure of the Weimer Republic?
Answer:
After the First World War there was an acute economic crisis in Germany. The main cause of the failure of the Weimer Republic was its inability to solve the economic crisis of the post-war period.
Question 35.
Before the Second World War what were the two anti-democratic ideals?
Answer:
Before the Second World War two antidemocratic ideals were:
- Fascism preached by Mussolini, the ruler of Italy.
- Nazism preached by Hitler, the ruler of Germany.
Question 36.
What is Fascism?
Answer:
Fascism means autocracy or dictatorship where all the powers of the state are vested in one person only and nobody can question, criticise and oppose that authority. It denies individualism, democracy and socialism.
Question 37.
What is the difference between Democracy and Fascism?
Answer:
The difference between Democracy and Fascism are as follows:
- Democracy means rule by the people. It is a form of government in which political control is exercised by the people through their elected representative. Fascism is a form of government where there is one party dictatorship ruled by an authoritarian leader.
- In a democracy opposition plays a very important role but in Fascist government there is no opposition party.
Question 38.
Why did the people of Germany support the Nazis?
Answer:
The Great Economic Depression of 1929 had a profound effect on the Germans. Faced with economic crisis, the Germans lost their faith in the Republican government. Within six years the working class and the middle class were ruined due to economic crash. The Nazis promised to nationalise the big business, provide employment for all workers and implement land reforms for peasants. Naturally, the people turned to Nazism for remedy.
Question 39.
What kind of racial segregation was practised by the Nazis?
Answer:
Once in power, the Nazis in Germany quickly began to implement their dream of creating an exclusive racial community of pure Germans by physically eliminating all those who were seen as ‘undesirable’ in the extended empire. The Nazis wanted a society of only ‘pure healthy Nordic Aryans’ who were considered ‘desirable’. This meant that even those Germans who were seen as impure or abnormal had no right to exist.
Question 40
What kind of political system did Mussolini set up in Italy?
Answer:
Mussolini established a totalitarian state with himself as ‘The leader’ or ‘Il Duce’. He controlled everything in the state, including the Fascist Party. Political liberty was abolished, censorship and espionage were introduced and all association were placed under the Fascist Party. Fascism was directed against individualism, democracy, socialism and international peace. As for the political system, majority rule was rejected in favour of dictatorial rule.
Question 41.
Who were the British and French Prime Ministers during the Spanish Civil War?
Answer:
During the Spanish Civil War the British Prime Ministers were Stanley Baldwin and Neville Chamberlain and the French Prime Minister was Leo Blum.
Question 42.
What were the four main organs of the League of Nations?
Answer:
The four main organs of the League of Nations were-
- The Assembly,
- The Council,
- The Secretariat,
- Permanent Court of International Justice.
Analytical Answer (AA) Type Questions (4 marks for each question)
Question 1.
When did the Nihilist movement break out in Russia? What did the Nihilists believe in?
Answer:
The Nihilist movement broke out in Russia during the reign of Czar Alexander II (1855-81). They believed in:
- Total destruction of the Old Order and to create a vacuum so that only then, a new civilisation could grow.
- Freedom of thought and action is the starting point of liberty.
- War against the Czardom, the orthodox church, the feudalism, the aristocracy, the existing values of society.
- New ethics, a new social code and a morality of revolution to break the Old Order and creating a happier and better world.
Question 2.
Name some repressive measures introduced by Czar Alexander II.
Answer:
Czar Alexander III of Russia introduced the following repressive measures:
- Russification of minorities.
- The administration of the Mirs or village communities were put under the control of the landed proprietors who were appointed by the Central Government.
- Censorship was imposed upon all kinds of publication. Even private correspondence could be interfered with.
- Restrictions were imposed on associations and meetings.
- The state tried to control the curriculum and teaching staff of the universities.
- Political offenders were liable to be exiled to Siberia or imprisoned in Russia.
Question 3.
Describe the social condition of Russia on the eve of the Russian Revolution of 1917.
Answer:
The social condition of Russia in 1917 on the eve of the Russian Revolution was the same as it was before the outbreak of the French Revolution. The society of Russia was divided into two divisions.
The Haves: The ‘Haves’ were those people who were very rich. They fully supported the autocratic Czar. All the administrative posts were occupied by them. They possessed whole land of the country.
The Have-nots: The ‘Have-nots’ were the farmers and labourers. Their economic condition was deplorable. They were badly treated by the rich. Though the slave system was abolished in Russia, it did not bring any basic change in the condition of the poor. The poor decided to make a thorough change in the social condition of the country.
Question 4.
What do you know about ‘Bloody Sunday’?
Or
Who was Father Gapon?
Answer:
In 1905, on 9 January Sunday about 6000 industrial workers under the leadership of Gapon assembled in front of the Winter Palace at St. Petersburg to present a petition to Czar Nicholas II. The demands of the workers were:
- Release of the political prisoners;
- summoning of a representative assembly;
- eight hours of work a day for the workers.
The peaceful assembly was headed by Father Gapon, a priest who was in reality a secret police agent. Nicholas II ordered his troops to open fire on the workers. The firing caused the death of about one thousand workers and more than 2000 were injured. This incident is known in history as the ‘Bloody Sunday’ as January 9 (1905) was a Sunday.
Question 5.
What was the impact of Bolshevik Revolution on Europe and the world?
Answer:
The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 was primarily aimed at the reconstruction of the Russian government and society according to the ideals of socialism. It was both a political and an economic revolution. In fact the motive behind the revolution was the establishment of proletarian rule all over the world.
The Bolshevik attempts to bring about a global socialist revolution through the Third International formed in 1919 ended in failure. But as years went by the ideal of socialist government became popular. As a result, several states in North, Central and Eastern Europe like Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania and East Germany set up communist governments. Outside Europe the most successful country with a communist regime is provided by the People’s Republic of China. Cuba in South America is another country that is a communist state.
Question 6.
What were the causes of victory of the Allied Powers in the First World War?
Answer:
The First World War ended in 1918 with the victory of the Allied Powers and defeat of the Central Powers. The causes of victory of the Allied Powers are discussed below:
- The Allied Powers had greater manpower and resources than Germany.
- The entry of USA in the war turned the tide in favour of the Allied Powers.
- The Alied Powers had greater manpower than Germany.
- The democratic countries like England, France got the support of the people than an autocratic country like Germany.
- The Allies by opening two fronts in the war forced Germany to meet the challenge from two sides.
- Germany could not continue the war because Germany had neither the war equipment nor financial resource to continue the war for long on two frontiers.
- One important reason for the victory of the Allied Powers was their superiority in naval strength compared to Germany and her associates.
Question 7.
Was the Treaty of Versailles (1919) based on Wilson’s ‘Fourteen Points’?
Answer:
With the surrender of Germany in 1918, the First World War came to an end. As an answer to all European problems, the President of the United States of America, Woodrow Wilson came up with a peace proposal known as the Fourteen Points. The Fourteen Points of Wilson did not receive much importance at the Paris Peace Conference.
The Treaty of Versailles made between the victorious powers and Germany was not purely based on Fourteen Points. Throughout the Paris Peace Conference there was a conflict between Wilson’s idealism and nationalist realism. In fact, the Fourteen Points of Wilson was given only lip service.
Wilson had to make a compromise between Clemenceau’s practicalism and Lloyd George’s opportunism. The Fourteen Points did not provide for any partition of German territory. But the Versailles Treaty partitioned Germany.
Question 8.
What were the economic clauses of the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer:
In the First World War (1914-1918) Germany was defeated and the Treaty of Versailles was imposed upon Germany in 1919. The economic clauses of the Treaty were:
- Germany was guilty of war and had to pay 6600 million in reparations partly in cash, partly in kind and in services.
- Germany had to surrender Alsace and Lorraine to France for fifteen years after which the fate of the region was to be settled by a plebisite.
- Germany lost all her colonies in Africa and Pacific.
- Rivers of Germany-Elba, Rhine, Danube, etc. will remain under international control.
- It became obligatory for Germany to supply a special quality of coal, timber, rubber, iron ore and other minerals to Italy, France, Belgium and Luxemburg.
Question 9.
Justify the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
Answer:
The Treaty of Versailles (1919) imposed on Germany by the victorious Allied Powers has been justified on the following grounds:
1. According to the principles laid down by President Wilson the League of Nations was established with the avowed aim to establish permanent peace and order in the world.
2. When the frontier areas of Germany were partitioned the principal and integral part of Germany was kept united under a sovereign government.
3. The colonies of Germany were divided among the Allies on the basis of the Mandate system.
4. Germany was not asked to pay the whole expenses of war. She was asked to pay only the damages suffered by the civilian population of the Allied countries due to the German aggression.
5. According to the principle of nationalism and self-determination, many new states were created, viz., Poland, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Lithuania etc. It was for the first time, when the principle of nationalism was enforced on a large scale. As a result of this, only three percent people of the total population of Europe remained under the yoke of the foreigners.
Question 10.
With what aims was the League of Nations founded?
Answer:
After the First World War (1914-18), an international organisation known as the League of Nations was established in 1920 with the following aims in view :
- To prevent armed conflict and to promote international peace and cooperation;
- To establish honourable and just relation among different nations;
- To implement the provisions of the treaties registered at the Paris Peace Conference;
- To promote international disarmament in order to reduce tension and to find out ways and means for peaceful settlement of international disputes;
- To protect the weaker section of humanity specially women and children;
- To promote just treatment to working class and
- To promote the health of mankind.
Question 11.
Briefly describe the causes of the failure of the League of Nations.
Answer:
After the First World War (1914-18) an international organisation, known as the League of Nations, which was formed to promote international cooperation and peace failed due to various reasons :
1. The League was never able to make itself truly ‘representative of the entire world’. Countries like USA, Russia, Germany, Japan and Italy were not members of the League at different stages and no international organisation can be really successful if some of the Great Powers remain outside its orbit.
2. Mere protests could not check the aggressive policy of the members of the League. Effective economic and military sanctions were necessary but military sanctions were left to the discretion of the members. Without military punishment the aggressor could not be checked.
3. The League had no army, navy or airforce of its own nor was it in a position to apply economic sanctions without the cooperation of the great powers. But the great powers looked after their own interests instead of fulfilling their obligations to the League.
4. The rise of dictatorship in different countries in the third decade of the 20th century frustrated the peace-making efforts of the League.
Question 12.
Describe the problems faced by the Weimer Republic.
Answer:
The problems faced by Weimer Republic were the following:
- The infant Weimer Republic was forced to pay for the sins of the old empire. The republic carried the burden of war guilt and was financially crippled by being forced to pay compensation.
- There was economic crisis of 1923. Prices of goods soared high.
- There was revolutionary uprising of the Spartacist League on the pattern of Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.
- The infant Weimer Republic was fragile. System of proportionate representation and Article 48 gave President the powers to impose emergency, suspend civil rights and rule by decree. The Weimer Republic saw twenty different cabinets lasting on an average of 239 days and a liberal use of Article 48.
Question 13.
What was the effect of the Great Depression of 1929 on Germany?
Answer:
The Great Depression of 1929 had profound effect on Germany. The German economy was the worst hit by the Great Depression. By 1932, industrial production was reduced to 40% of the 1929 level. Workers lost their jobs or were paid reduced wages.
The number of unemployed people touched an unprecedented 6 million. On the roads of Germany men could be seen with placards around their necks saying, Willing to do any work’. Unemployed young man played cards or simply sat at street corners or desperately queued up at the local employment exchange. As the young men had no jobs, they took to criminal activities.
Question 14.
How was the Great Depression of 1929 responsible for the rise of Nazism?
Answer:
The Great Depression of 1929 was to a large extent responsible for the rise of Nazism. The German government faced economic problems like mass unemployment and inflation. The American investors recalled their short term loans from Germany. One of Germany’s joint stocks bank collapsed in 1931. When America withdrew her loans from Germany her export trade and production declined considerably. The number of unemployed people rose. In Germany the jobless numbered 6 million.
Faced with economic crises the Germans lost their faith in the Republican Government.Within six years the working class and the middle class were ruined due to economic crash. The Nazis promised to nationalize the big businesses, provide employment for all workers and implement land reform for peasants. It is not surprising that the people turned to Nazism for remedy.
Question 15.
Briefly describe the reasons for the rise of the Nazis to power.
Answer:
The reasons for the rise of the Nazis were as follows:
1. In the First World War (1914-18) Germany was defeated and the humiliating Treaty of Versailles was imposed upon Germany in 1919 and the rise of Nazis is traced to the severity of the terms imposed upon Germany by this shameful Treaty of Versailles.
2. The heavy burden of compensation imposed upon Germany brought in a host of evils like unemployment, price rise and taxation.
3. Democracy in Germany remained as weak as it could be and the suffering of the people knew no bounds. Hitler cleverly exploited the discontent of his countrymen and his theory of the superiority of the German race restored confidence in the people.
4. His oratory, uniform (Brown Shirt of the Nazi members), the swastika flag, use of violenceall together appealed to many classes of the German people.
5. The Nazis provided an outlet for the military leanings of the German youths. The German minds reacted favourably to dictatorial movements. ‘Throughout their history the Germans have been wont to submit to the authority of one individual.’
6. Moreover, due to the fear of a communist revolution, the opponents of communism supported the Nazis and it was under these circumstances that Nazism gained ground in German soil.
Question 16.
What were the main features of Nazi thinking?
Answer:
The main features of Nazi thinking were as follows:
- It wanted to restore the dignity of Germany.
- It was opposed to both democracy and communism.
- It aimed at expansion of the German empire under the slogan, one person, one empire and one leader.
- It was in favour of superiority of Aryan race.
- The state is above all.
- Depriving nonAryans from rights of citizenship and professions were important features of Nazi thinking.
Question 17.
What agencies did Hitler use to suppress all opponents and create total Nazi domination?
Answer:
Hitler used different agencies to suppress all opponents and create total Nazi domination.
1. Hitler formed a para-military force with unemployed youths known as ‘Storm Troopers’ who manhandled opposition leaders and disturbed the meetings convened by the opposition parties.
2. He also organised ‘Youth Brigade’ and ‘Girl Brigade’ who constantly shouted ‘Heil Hitler’ and silenced all criticism against him.
3. A secret police force named ‘Gestapo’ was organised the main function of which was to arrest those persons whose activities were found doubtful and against the principles of Nazism.
4. He imposed several restrictions upon the press, speech and parliamentary discussions.
Question 18.
Why did Fascism rise in Italy?
Answer:
From the First World War (1914-18) Italy emerged with very little gains and there was a general feeling among the Italians that they had not been fairly treated in the Paris Peace Conference (1919). The situation in Italy became very serious when, after the war, price rose high and poverty and insufficiency stalked the land. Socialist propaganda naturally found eager ears in the Italians. Peasant revolts, strikes and labour unrest threatened the government of the day.
The parliamentary system in Italy was weak and the ministers found themselves unable to control the situation. In this situation a section of the Italian middle class formed into a party called the Fascist party under the leadership of Mussolini.
They organised themselves in the fashion of an army and adopted a black uniform. In 1922 Mussolini with his followers the ‘Blackshirts’ marched upon Rome, seized the government and established a Fascist government under his personal control.
Question 19.
The democratic system of administration was rooted out by Mussolini-Explain.
Answer:
Mussolini had no faith in democracy. He hated democracy and according to him, the democratic government was always formed by the fools. Under Fascism, the people were expected to obey the orders of their leader. The local self-government bodies were abolished by Mussolini.
Severe restrictions were imposed upon press. The democratic electoral system was overhauled. Spies were appointed all over the country to supply information. Thus dictatorship of Mussolini was established in Italy and the democratic system of administration was rooted out.
Question 20.
What were the measures adopted by Mussolini to crush his opponents?
Answer:
Mussolini adopted some measures to crush his opponents. He took the following steps:
- All political parties were banned. The cabinet system was also put to an end.
- The local administrative bodies were suspended.
- The police department was given unlimited powers to arrest the opponents. Members of the opposition parties were arrested and put to jail.
- Education was imparted to the students on Fascism principles.
- The army was reorganised on new principles.
- Severe restrictions were imposed on press. The publication of many magazines and newspapers was prohibited.
Explanatory Answer (EA) Type Questions (8 marks for each question)
Question 1.
What was the Narodinik Movement? What was the aim of the movement? Was the movement a failure?
Answer:
The most important movement in Russia in the 605 of the 19th century was the Narodnik movement. The Russian word ‘Narod’ means the ‘people’. One who sought to help the people (peasants i.e. narod) take the path of revolutionary struggle for a just life was known as Narodnik. The aim of the Narodnik movement was
- overthrow the rule of the autocratic Czars in Russia
- destruction of the prevalent social structure
- agrarian socialist society to be established.
The Narodniks failed to motivate the peasants with their ideology. Their movement, though a failure, made the doctrine of socialism known to the people. People were trained for future revolution.
Question 2.
What were the causes of Russian Revolution?
Answer:
The Russian Revolution of 1917 is a very important event in world history. It brought an end to Czarist autocracy and established socialist Russia. The causes of the Russian Revolution are as follows:
1. The Czars were corrupt. There was absolutely no progress in any aspect of life of the common Russians. Though the life of the people was miserable, no effort was made to remove their grievances. Naturally the Russians desired the fall of Czarist rule.
2. The intellectual ground for the outbreak of the revolution was prepared by writers like Gorky, Turgenev, Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy and others.
3. The Russian army was inefficient. Russia was defeated in the Crimean War (185466) and the Russo-Japanese War (1905). This exposed the weakness of the Czarist rule.
4. Russian society was divided into the ‘Haves’ and the ‘Have-nots’. The ‘Haves’ were those who were very rich. The ‘Have nots’ were poor farmers and labourers. This created a feeling of class struggle among the people.
5. The Industrial Revolution was another factor contributing to the outbreak of the Russian Revolution. Owing to the use of machines the labourers were thrown out of employment and were forced to live in miserable conditions.
6. The bureaucracy of Russia was also responsible for the outbreak of the Russian revolution. Most of the high officers belonged to rich families. They had no sympathy for the common people and always exploited them. The people of Russia were thus firmly determined to bring about a thorough change in the system of administration. Thus the Russian Revolution broke out.
Question 3.
What was Lenin’s ‘April Thesis’?
Answer:
l Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik party in Russia, was the pioneer of the October Revolution. The Menshevik thesis was rejected by Lenin. The people were attracted to the Bolshevik when they promised bread to the workers, peace to the army and land to the peasants.
Yet the people could not decide their future plan. In early April 1917 Lenin returned from his exile in Switzerland and announced his famous ‘April thesis’ titled ‘What is to be done”. In his these is he said:
- History has given a very opportune time to the Bolsheviks.
- The provisional republic is yet out of roots. Once it wins a general election it will be impossible for the Bolsheviks to overthrow it. So Lenin put forward his idea of ‘Now or Never’.
- Since the Bolsheviks were the architects of the 1917 revolution they have every right to
hold a government lawfully.
- The bourgeoise and the proletarian revolution-both will happen simultaneously and the proletarian will overthrow the bourgeoise system.
- The Russian workers, peasants and soldiers will offer their allegiance to the Soviet only and those who will not do so will be punished.
- In the villages and towns workers’ Soviets will capture power and they will defy the provisional republican government.
- The war with Germany launched by the Provisional Government was an imperialist war-the Russian people had no sympathy for it.
Question 4.
Discuss Lenin’s New Economic Policy.
Answer:
The Civil War in Russia that had begun in 1918 and continued till 1921 was a crucial time of the newly founded Bolshevik government. During this time, the Bolshevik government faced financial crisis. The situation in Russia was saved by Lenin, the Bolshevik leader who introduced ‘New Economic Policy’ (NEP). The chief features of the NEP were:
- The farmers were allowed to sell their produce in the open market;
- Private enterprise was allowed on a small scale;
- Nationalisation was applied only to big industries;
- The workers were allowed to enjoy suitable wages;
- Heavy industries like iron, coal, railways were kept under state control;
- There was acute scarcity of capital in Russia. So, profit sharing concessions were allowed to foreign capitalists for large scale agricultural and engineering projects
- Power was allocated between the central and constituent republics.
The New Economic Policy of Lenin stimulated production and thus the condition of agriculture and industries was immensely improved. Though the introduction of NEP led to the re-establishment of capitalism to a great extent, the Russian government still maintained its control over some important aspects of economic life of the country such as foreign trade, railways and big industries.
Question 5.
Describe the major events of the First World War.
Answer:
The First World War broke out in 1914 and ended in 1918. The war was waged between the Allied powers (comprising Britain, France, Russia and Serbia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria, Hungary and Turkey).
1. On 28 June 1914 Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, was assassinated at Sarajevo. Austria held Serbia responsible for the murder. England declared war on Serbia. Russia joined hands with Serbia. It declared war on France and Russia invaded Belgium to reach
France. France was helped by Britain.
2. Japan attacked Germany in order to get control of her colonies in the Far East. Turkey and Bulgaria sided with Germany.
3. Italy joined France and England. The German army marched towards Paris but were stopped near the river Marne. The German army was defeated in the Battles of Marne and Somme.
4. The United States of America joined the war in 1917 when the British ship Lusitania carrying American passengers was sunk by a German U-Boat. At first the Germans were winning. They used U-boats to sink enemy ships as well as ships of neutral countries going to Britain.
5. In 1917 the new communist government under the leadership of Lenin was established. In 1918 Russia signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany and withdrew from the war.
6. Germany mounted violent attacks on France and Belgium.
7. America entered the war and the Germans started losing. The allies started counter attacks forcing the Germans back. Germany was devastated and emperor William II fled.
8. The Central Powers surrendered and accepted an armistice in 1918. Shortly thereafter, the 1919 Treaty of Versailles ended World War I.
Question 6.
What were the effects of the First World War?
Answer:
The outbreak of the First World War on July 28, 1914 is the most outstanding event of the early 19th century. The effects of the First World War are as follows:
1. About one crore thirty lakh soldiers died during the First World War. The death rate of the civilians was much more. About 28 thousand crore dollars were spent during the war. After the war there was acute financial crisis.
2. Severe economic difficulties created by the war and the demand for reparation caused despair and hardship which ensured an uncertain future for Germany.
3. The Great War sounded the death knell for monarchies in Germany and Russia which became republics.
4. The Ottoman empire and Austria-Hungary completely collapsed.
5. The USA emerged from the war clearly as the greatest power as well as the creditor nation of the world.
6. In Russia the war led to the Russian Revolution and a civil war broke out in Russia which continued for three years beyond World War I.
7. World War I was also the cause for a rise in nationalistic tendencies leading to the demand for independence in many British colonies outside Europe.
8. On most countries after the Great War, monarchy came to an end and democratic governments were established.
9. After the Great War the prices of articles went up.
10. Almost all the countries were so heavily burdened that for years together their path of progress remained impeded.
11. With men having joined the war, the women of most countries took over business and establishment.
12. One distinct positive outcome of the World War I was the boost received by research and technology. Rail and automobile transport, radio and wireless communications, research and development of weapons and arms including nuclear research boomed.
13. To curb the wars and maintain global peace the League of Nations was established in 1919 due to the persistent efforts of Woodrow Wilson.
Question 7.
What were Wilson’s ‘Fourteen Points’?
Answer:
With the surrender of Germany in 1918, the First World War came to an end. As an answer to all European problems the President of America Woodrow Wilson came up with peace proposals known as the ‘Fourteen Points’. It said that:
1. There would be no secret treaties among different countries. All terms will be openly discussed and agreed upon.
2. The seas should be free in peace and in war to ships of all nations.
3. The American Doctrine of ‘Open Door’ in China i.e. right of all nations to enjoy equal rights of trade in China will be implemented.
4. Colonial questions to be settled peacefully.
5. Russia should be allowed to choose whatever form of government it wanted.
6. Germany shall restore genuine French territories to France.
7. The barriers to trade between countries such as customs duties should be removed (free trade).
8. The Habsburg and the Turkish Empires would be reorganised and reconstructed according to the doctrine of ‘one nation one state’.
9. All countries should reduce their armed forces to the lowest possible levels.
10. Poland should be constituted as an independent sovereign and united country.
11. The national groups in Europe should, wherever possible, be given their independence.
12. Russian territories may be restored to Russia.
13. Readjustments of the frontiers of italy to be made.
14. The League of Nation would be formed for prevention of war and for peaceful settlement of international dispute.
Question 8.
What were the treaties signed in the Paris Peace Conference (1919)?
Answer:
The First World War came to an end in 1918 with the surrender of Germany. In the Paris Peace Conference (1919) the following peace treaties were concluded:
1. The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty of Versailles was concluded in 1919 between the victorious allies (comprising Britain, France, Russia, Serbia) and the defeated Germany after World War I.
- Germany lost Alsace-Lorraine to France, Upen, Malmedy, Moresnet to Belgium, Memel to the Allies, west Prussia and most of Posen to Poland. She handed over the province of Schleswig to Denmark.
- Danzig was made a free port.
- The Saar Valley was put under an international commission for 15 years.
- Germany was required to surrender her colonies, navy and coal mines.
- Germany had to pay heavy war reparations.
2. The Treaty of Saint Germain: This treaty was signed between victorious Allies and defeated Austria in 1919. By this treaty
- The old House of Hapsburg was abolished.
- Austria had to accept the true existence of Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia.
3. The Treaty of Neuilly: This treaty was signed between the victorious allies and Bulgaria in 1919. According to this treaty
- Four provinces of Western Bulgaria were given to Yugoslavia;
- The strength of Bulgarian army was reduced to ten thousand.
4. The Treaty of Trianon: The Allied powers concluded this treaty with Hungary in 1920. By this treaty
- large portion of territory was taken away from Hungary;
- The strength of the Hungarian army was reduced.
5. The Treaty of Sevres: The victorious Allies concluded this treaty with Turkey in 1920. By this treaty.
- The Turkish empire was abolished
- Turkey had to give up her rights over Egypt, Cyprus, Morocco, Palestine, Arabia and Mesopotamia. Turkey’s army was also reduced.
Question 9.
Criticise the treaty of Versailles.
Or
The Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of the Second World War-Discuss.
Answer:
1. The Treaty of Versailles has been called ‘a dictated treaty’ which was imposed upon by the defeated Germany by the Allied powers. The delegates of Germany were not invited to the Paris Peace Conference (1919) and the treaty was a vengeful treaty.
2. The Treaty did not adhere to the principle of self-determination. The right of self-determination was not applied for Sudetenland which was transferred to Czechoslovakia. It led to a loss of balance of power in Europe.
3. While England and France increased their colonies, German colonies were confiscated in the name of good government.
4. Germany was saddled with a huge reparation amount by the Treaty which was impossible for her to pay.
5. According to Wilson’s Fourteen Points, it was decided that all the states would reduce their war armaments. But this clause was only applied to Germany. Humiliated Germany was looking forward to another war as an opportunity to avenge his defeat. It is thus said that the Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of the Second World War.
Question 10.
How was the League of Nations founded? Or, What was the role of Woodrow Wilson in the foundation of the League of Nations?
Answer:
The terrible effects of the First World War (1914-18) had stunning effects on the minds of the people. It made the people cry for peace. At Paris in 1919 a peace conference was convened in order to solve the problems of the countries to conclude a treaty with the vanquished. The meeting was called to find out a way to maintain peace and order in the world in future on a permanent basis.
Wilson had also come to attend the conference. He put before the Allies his ‘Fourteen Points’ for consideration. The Allies agreed to work according to these points. The last point of Wilson was directly related to the formation of the League of Nations. The Allies agreed that this organisation should be formed and its constitution should be prepared separately.
Wilson suggested that the constitution of the League of Nations should be included in the Treaty of Paris. Ultimately the Allies accepted the demand of Wilson. A document called Covenant was drafted at the Paris Peace Conference which led to the foundation of the League of Nations.
Question 11.
What do you mean by Great Economic Depression? What were the causes of economic depression of 1929?
Answer:
The Great Economic Depression was a severe worldwide economic crisis in the decade preceding World War II that affected most of the developed world except Soviet Union throughout 1930. The causes of the Great Depression in America or world economic crisis were as follows:
1. After the First World War there was over production of industrial goods in America. The surplus goods could not be sold in the domestic market or across the Atlantic.
2. After the First World War different European countries increased their industrial production. As a result demand for American goods dropped leading to economic crisis.
3. During the First World War farmers produced far more food than the population consumed. Farmers expanded their production to aid the war effort. After the war as demand dropped with increasing supply the prices of products fell and farmers suffered. They fall into debt.
4. On 24 October 1929 the American share market crashed. As the shareholders were panicked millions of shares had been sold on this fateful day.
5. America imposed high rate of tariff on goods imported from different European countries. The European countries also adopted the same policy. As surplus goods could not be sold in the market America’s foreign trade suffered. Many industries were closed and the people became jobless.
Question 12.
Write a note on Hoover’s Moratorium.
Answer:
Herbert Hoover became the President of the USA in 1929. He said, “We in America are nearer to the final triumph over poverty than ever before in the history of any land”. But very soon came the economic crash of 1929. Total industrial production fell by 48 percent, the result being a rapid growth of unemployment. The business houses faced a great deal of losses. In order to speed up economic revival, Hoover proposed an international moratorium from mid 1931 to mid 1932.
To meet rising unemployment, the government allotted large sums for the construction of public buildings and highways. The threatened insolvency of many banks and many railways forced the government to underwrite the credit structure.
A Reconstruction Finance Corporation was created which was authorised to lend money for three years for financing commerce, industry and agriculture and for exportation of agricultural and other products. All these measures to solve the economic depression of the country failed. By 1932 over five thousand banks collapsed and the number of unemployed people rose to over 12 million. The Americans turned with hope to the new leadership of Franklin Roosevelt.
Question 13.
What is ‘New Deal’ of Roosevelt?
Answer:
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt became the President of USA in 1933 the country was on the verge of complete collapse. He prophesied that USA would ‘revive and prosper’ and he promised a New Deal for the American people. The New Deal was a series of domestic programme enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1938 and a few that came later.
They included both laws passed by Congress as well as presidential executive orders during the first term (1933-37) of President Roosevelt. The programme were in response to the Great Depression and focussed on what historians call the 3Rs-Relief, Recovery, Reform’, that is Relief for the unemployed and poor, Recovery of the economy to normal level and Reform of the finances.
In the realm of ‘Relief’ the government gave federal loans to rich business. It inaugurated a programme of public works in order to stimulate business and provide employment. It set up elaborate system of conservation of nature resource. The New Deal reopened banks under strict supervision of the government. It controlled the selling of stocks and bonds and other securities. The New Deal paid particular attention to agriculture, labour and social security.
Question 14.
What were the reasons that led to the substitution of Europe by the USA as the power centre of the world?
Answer:
In the beginning of the 20th century the centre of power of the world was shifted from Europe to USA due to the following reasons:
1. With the entry of USA into the First World War in 1917 a new chapter opened in world history. Her participation changed the course of the war and enabled Britain and France to win the war.
2. At the Paris Peace Conference (1919) President Wilson was one of the Big Four who laid the foundation of the world peace organisation, the League of Nations USA’s prestige was raised and she became a prominent power in the world.
3. USA’s emergence as a world power was also caused by her economic prosperity. The economic depression of 1929-33 affected not only USA but also other countries of the world. President Roosevelt of USA helped other countries to tide over this economic crises and USA’s prestige was raised as a first class world power.
4. USA rendered military and material help to the allies and totally changed the course of the war. USA forced Japan to surrender in 1945 and played a leading role in the Second World War. She made her the arbiter of international politics.
5. USA’s advancement in science and technology especially in weapons of mass destruction raised her status. She was the first to invent atom bomb and the successful dropping of it in Japan made her the most prominent power in the world.
6. USA took the lead to counteract Russia’s influence. She took the initiative of extending economic assistance to Europe especially through the Marshall Plan. USA helped to restore all economies and modernise the armed forces of western Europe and became the centre of world politics.
7. The Second World War (1939-45) weakened Britain and France. Britain’s economic crisis after the war was relieved to some extent by loan from the USA which heightened the prestige of USA.
Question 15.
What was the programme of Hitler and the Nazi Party?
Answer:
At the end of the First World War (191418) Germany was left in a state of confusion and anarchy. People were not satisfied with the republican government in Germany. There were some political groups in Germany who were opposed to the policy of the government. Among those parties was the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler.
The Programme of Hitler and his Nazi Party were as follows:
1. To support one man’s rule: Hitler was a bitter opponent of the Weimer Republic and was a strong supporter of one man’s rule.
Formation of Greater Germany: Hitler’s aim was to form the Greater Germany which meant that the provinces of other European countries in which the German language was spoken should be merged in Germany.
2. To oppose the Jews: Hitler’s aim was to organise the Greater Germany on the basis of pure blood and expel the Jews whom he considered as the enemies of Aryan race.
3. Responsibility of the First World War: Hitler was never ready to accept that Germany was responsible for the beginning of the First World War and wanted that the blame should be removed at any cost.
4. To oppose the Treaty of Versailles: Hitler never accepted the harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles and included the opposition of the Treaty as an important element in his programme.
5. To oppose the payment of warindemnity: According to Hitler it was an act of great humiliation to Germany to pay the war indemnity and therefore Germany should not pay the reparation.
6. To oppose the policy of disarmament: The allies compelled Germany to disarm herself. Hitler opposed this decision and wanted to increase the military power of his nation.
7. Acquisition of old German colonies: Hitler’s programme also included the acquisition of old German colonies which had been snatched away by the allies according to the Treaty of Versailles.
8. To take revenge in France: Hitler considered France as the greatest enemy of Germany and planned to avenge the defeat of Germany in the First World War.
Question 16.
What were the fundamental principles of Fascism?
Answer:
Fascism had been established in Italy after the First World War. The founder of Fascism was Benito Mussolini. The basic and fundamental principles of Fascism were as follows:
1. Opposition to individualism: The concept of Fascism was against individualism. Mussolini believed in the supremacy of the state and gave no importance to the interests of the people.
2. Establishment of totalitarian state: Mussolini believed in one party and one leader for the welfare of the nation. He believed that the state was supreme to all and opposition has no importance.
3. Opposition to democracy: Fascism is opposed to democracy. Mussolini had no faith in the majority and the public opinion. The order of the leader was the supreme law of Fascism.
4. Opposition to communism: Communism believed that economic factor moulds the history of human development. On the contrary Fascism believed that political history moulds the history of mankind. So Fascism had no similarity with the principles of communism.
5. Opposition to peace: Fascism was opposed to the policy of peace and supported war. Mussolini criticised the League of Nations and told that war was the only means to bring human power to success. It is clear from the above that Fascism had some original principles which did good to the nation to a considerable extent.
Question 17.
Write a note on Spanish Civil War.
Answer:
After the First World War the political, social and economic condition of Spain was not stable. In 1931 general elections were held in Spain in which the monarchists were defeated. Democratic Republican government was established in Spain. But the newly established republican government could not work successfully. General Franco attacked the republican government and overthrew it. Thus a civil war broke out in Spain.
In this civil war Italy and Germany helped General Franco. The attitude of India was different. In the Faizpur session of the Indian National Congress (1936) Jawaharlal Nehru, a leader of the Indian freedom movement, in his presidential address said that the civil war in Spain was not simply a war between Franco and the republican government or a war between Fascism and democracy. He called it a war between reactionary and progressive forces. He remarked, “The struggle today is fiercest and clearest in Spain and on the outcome of that depends war or peace in the world in the near future.”
An association was established in London by the Indians in support of the republican government in Spain. This association also raised a fund to support the republican government in Spain in 1937. During the Spanish civil war Jawaharlal Nehru visited Spain in June 1938. In this year on 13 October Mahatma Gandhi sent a message to the Prime Minister of Spain telling him that his full sympathy was with them.
Question 17.
How was dictatorship established in Spain by General Franco?
Answer:
Dictatorship was established in Spain through different stages by General Franco.
1. After the First World War the political, social and economic condition of Spain was not stable. In 1931 General Elections were held in Spain in which the monarchists were defeated. Democratic Republican government was established in Spain.
2. But the newly established republican government could not work successfully. Political disturbances in many provinces, attempts by the monarchists to capture power, poor economic condition of the country, rise of socialism and the deficit budget were some of the problems which threatened the republican government.
3. The opponents of the republican government took full advantage of the discontent in Spain. The banner of revolt was raised by the army of Spain in Morocco in 1936 under the leadership of General Francisco Franco. He attacked the Republican Government with his army and overthrew it. Thus a civil war broke out in Spain.
4. In this civil war ltaly and Germany helped General Franco, while Russia helped the Republicans. The Republicans were defeated in the civil war. In 1939 Barcelona fell into the hands of General Franco. Franco established his dictatorship in Spain.
