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Question 1

Name the countries involved in the Boers Wars and what was the result? (2)
The Boers wars (1892-1902) were fought between the British and Dutch forces. The Dutch, who were settled in Cape Colony, were known as Boers, and their main occupation was farming. When the British took over Cape Colony, the Dutch settlers went north and set up two states-the Orange Free State and the Transvaal. Boers ruled in these two states till 1850. Transvaal was won by the British and is now named Rhodesia.

Question 2

How did Egypt become independent? (2)
Egypt was a province of Turkish Empire in the early 19th century. It was ruled by a representative of a Turkish Sultan called Pasha. France gained a concession from Pasha, the Governor of Egypt, to dig the Suez Canal. Pasha had financial troubles and so he sold the bonds of the Suez Canal to the British. In 1882, there was a revolt and the British armies conquered Egypt. In 1914, Egypt was announced a British protectorate. After the war, the leaders of Egypt pleaded its case in Paris Peace Conference. In 1922, the British were forced to recognize Egypt as an independent state though it retained rights over the Suez Canal.

Question 3

What were the two main concepts of the Pan-Slav movement? (2)
Pan Slav movement was encouraged by the Russians and was based on the theory that all the Slavs in Eastern Europe were one people. When the Ottoman Empire started collapsing, the Russians encouraged this movement both against the Ottoman Empire and Austria-Hungary. As Serbia was a major Balkan country, it led this movement for uniting the areas inhabited by the Slavs to expand its empire. Russia wanted to limit the Germans' influence on the Balkan nations.

Question 4

Mention two highlights of Germany's economic progress after its unification. (2)
After the unification, Germany made tremendous economic progress. By 1914, it had left Britain and France far behind in the production of iron and steel. It entered the shipping trade in a big way. It built the largest ship in the world in 1912,the Imperator. Germans were planning to construct a railway from Berlin to Baghdad to further control the economy of the declining Ottoman Empire.

Question 5

Which two wrong decisions of Czar Nicholas II finally ended autocracy in Russia?(2)
In October 1905, Czar announced his manifesto and granted freedom of speech, press and association and gave the power to make laws to Duma. However, he did not fulfil his promises. This led to the October revolution also referred as the Dress Rehearsal for the revolution of 1917.
Czar II decided to involve Russia in the First World War to expand the Russian Empire by conquering Constantinople and the Straits of Dardenelles. The heavy loss in the war caused large-scale discontent and led to open revolt by the people.

Question 6

Give three reasons why European power found it easy to conquer Asian and African countries. (3)
a) Weak government.
b) Outdated arms and weak and untrained military.
c) Regional loyalties
d) Lack of national consciousness
e) Lack of industrial growth
f) Illiteracy and ignorance about world affairs
g) Lack of central authority and unified kingdoms
h) Exploitation of personal greed
i) Strong nation states did not develop


Question 7

What were the main objectives of the League of Nations? (4)
It was intended as a world organization of all independent states. It aimed at preservation of peace and security and peaceful settlements of international conflicts and bound its members not to resort to war. Due to provisions of sanctions, she could take economic and military actions against any country that committed aggression. It bounded its members to improve labour and social conditions in their respective countries. Hence ILO (International Labour Organization) was set up. It gave a platform to all the countries to come together and solve their problems.

Question 8

What were the provisions of the treaty of Versailles? (4)

This treaty was signed between Germany and its allies. Germany signed the treaty under the threat of invasion. Britain, France and USA decided the terms of the treaty without negotiating with the Germans. This treaty was signed at Versailles and Paris between January and June 1919.
According to the treaty, Alsace-Lorrain was returned to France. The coalmines of Saar in Germany were ceded to France for 15 years, which was to be governed by the League of Nations. The area of Rhine Valley was to be demilitarized. Germany had to give away parts of the pre-war territory to Denmark, Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia. Her strength for army was to be limited to 1,00,000 soldiers. She was not to have any airforce or submarine. Germany was to pay 6.6 billion pounds as war indemnity. She had to dispossess all her colonies that were taken by the victors. Togo, Cameroon were shared by Britain and France. Her colonies in SW Africa and East Africa were given to Britain, Belgium, S. Africa and Portugal. Her colonies in Pacific and spheres of control in China were given to Japan. This treaty was a seed sown for the Second World War.


Question 9

How did US emerge as an imperial power in the late 19th century? (6)
The methods used by the US to expand its territory were

a) Buying the territory
b) Big Stick policy
c) Munroe doctrine
d) Dollar Diplomacy

a) The territories of Louisiana, Florida and Alaska were bought from Spain, France and Russia respectively.
b) US threatened the government and then sent its troops to bring the territory under its control. Cuba and Dominican republic were brought under control through this policy. After the war with Spain, US acquired Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam in the Pacific. US floated open door or "me too" policy in China and in 1853, Commodore Perry forced Japan to open its ports for trade. In West Asia, established oil companies in partnership with Britain and France.
c) In 1823, US warned the Western power not to extend their influence in the Western Hemisphere. It was modified in time to time in US interest.
d) US had made investments and later sent its troops to protect the economic investment. In Mexico, America deposed its leader Francisco Madera and installed a puppet government to protect its investment. It also sent troops to Nicaragua to protect the American mining companies. S. America was controlled easily through dollar diplomacy because of corrupt military leaders.
e) Control over Panama Canal: US gave 40 million dollars to French company to control Panama Canal without consulting Govt. of Columbia. It organized a revolt in Panama and sent its troops. Panama was recognized as an independent state but remained under US occupation.
f) US took Pearl Harbor as a naval base in the Pacific and the Hawaii in 1898. In 1899, Germany and US divided Solomon Islands.

Question 10

What were the international consequences of the Russian revolution? (6)
As a result of the first successive socialist revolution, socialism became one of the most accepted ideologies all over the world. The idea of Karl Marx in his book "Rights of People" was universally applied. An international organization called the Communist International was formed to encourage socialist revolutions all over the world.
The world democracy was redefined to include political, social and economic equality. The idea of economic planning by the state to improve the conditions of the people was accepted.
It introduced the concept of dignity of labour by introducing the idea "He that does not work, neither shall he eat". This helped reduce discrimination in society.
The Russian Revolution gave a call to end imperialism and gave up her colonies.
After the Russian Revolution, the colonized countries got Russian support and many countries adopted socialist form of government.

Question 11

On the given outline map of Europe, locate and name two nations that gained independence after World War I. (2)