GS-I: World Wars, Cold War and Other Major Events of 20th Century

300.00

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          This is a dynamic E-Book comprising the below UPSC Mains Model Questions as well as their answers written by GKToday team. The PDF E-Book can be instantly downloaded after payment. No Hadcopy is provided.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain's self-image as a world power?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. The process of political radicalization in Syria was initiated during the era of the French mandate, the legacy of which was almost a guarantee of Syria's political instability. Discuss
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        3. To what extent, the fear of communism was responsible for rise of Mussolini in Italy in 1922? Discuss
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. What do you understand by the so called "Détente" during 1970s and 1980s? Why it is said that Détente's was a one-way street that the Soviet Union used to pursue its aims?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        5. Explain why relations between the European states were so full of tensions in the early years of the twentieth century.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        6. How far would you agree that the arms race was one of many causes of the First World War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        7. To what extent, Germany was responsible for the outbreak of the First World War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        8. Assess the reasons why the First World War was not 'over by Christmas' 1914.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        9. Explain why the 1919 Peace Settlement provoked so much opposition among the Germans.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        10. To what extent was the Paris Peace Settlement shaped by the principle of self-determination?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        11. How successful was the League of Nations in resolving international disputes in the 1920s?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        12. Assess the reasons why there were no major international conflicts in the 1920s.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        13. How far can it can be said that the USA followed a policy of strict isolation in foreign affairs during the 1920s and early 1930s, and what effects did this policy have on international relations?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        14. How did the fact that Russia was a Communist state affect international relations between 1920 and 1939?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        15. 'Hitler alone caused the Second World War in 1939'. How far do you agree?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        16. 'Hitler's foreign policy successes between 1935 and 1939 were the result of his own tactical skills and his ability to exploit the weaknesses of his opponents.' How far would you agree with this view?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        17. Examine the evidence for and against the view that Hitler had no clear long-term plans for war.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        18. 'Hitler had one simple over-riding aim in foreign policy - expansion in the East. 'Explain why you agree or disagree with this statement.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        19. 'Retreats and defeats marked the first two years of the war for Britain. How far would you agree with this opinion?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        20. Explain why you agree or disagree with the view that the Allied victory in the Second World War was secured mainly because of the contribution of the USSR.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        21. In what ways did the Marshall Plan, the dividing of Berlin, the communist takeover of power in Czechoslovakia, and the formation of NATO contribute to the development of the Cold War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        22. How far was appeasement to blame for the outbreak of the Second World War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        23. Explain why Germany was successful in the Second World War up to the end of 1941, but suffered ultimate defeat in 1945.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        24. How accurate is it to talk about a 'thaw' in the Cold War in the years after 1953?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        25. What were the causes of the Cuban missiles crisis? How was the crisis resolved and what were its consequences?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        26. Assess the reasons why Berlin was a major source of tension in the Cold War from 1948 to 1961.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        27. How important was the Marshall Plan in bringing about the recovery of Western Europe between 1947 and 1951?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        28. (a) Explain why war broke out in Korea in June 1950 and why the USA became involved? (b) What were the outcomes and the effects of the war in Korea?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        29. Why was there a period of detente during the 1970s and 1980s and in what ways did detente manifest itself?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        30. Explain why the Cold War came to an end, and show how this affected international relations.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        31. 'There can be little doubt that the social, economic and humanitarian work of the UN has been far more successful and valuable than its peacekeeping role.' Assess the validity of this verdict on the work of the United Nations Organization.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        32. To what extent would it be true to say that the UN has been more successful in dealing with conflicts since 1990 than it was during the Cold War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        33. How similar were the causes and consequences of the Hungarian uprising of 1956 and the Prague Spring of 1968?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        34. Assess the evidence for and against the view that the European Economic Community became stronger after its enlargement in 1973.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        35. Why and in what ways did the states of Western Europe see closer relations with each other after the Second World War?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        36. In what ways and for what reasons did Britain's attitude to Europe change during the period 1945 to 1991?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        37. Assess the reasons why two German states emerged between 1945 and 1949.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        38. Why and with what results did the Arabs and Israelis fight the wars of 1967 and 1973?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        39. Terrorism and violence rather than peaceful diplomacy. How far would you agree with this view of the activities of the PLO in the Middle East in the period 1973 to 1995?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        40. How successful was President Nasser as leader of Egypt?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        41. 'The USA and the USSR intervened in the Middle East in the period 1956 to 1979 purely to preserve political and economic stability in the region.' How valid do you think this view is?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        42. Assess the reasons why the Six-Day War of 1967 was followed by the Yom Kippur War only three years later.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        43. Examine the evidence for and against the view that in the early twenty-first century, the world was witnessing a 'civilization struggle' between Islam and the West.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        44. Explain why the ending of the Cold War was not followed by a period of world peace and stability.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        45. Explain why Afghanistan has played such an important role in international relations since 1979.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        46. It was the fear of communism that was mainly responsible for Mussolini coming to power in Italy in 1922, and for staying there so long. Explain whether you agree or disagree with this view.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        47. In what ways and with what success did Mussolini try to introduce a totalitarian form of government in Italy?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        48. How successful were Mussolini's domestic policies up to 1940?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        49. Explain why Mussolini launched the 'Battle for Wheat' in 1925.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        50. Explain why you agree or disagree with the view that between 1925 and 1939 Mussolini's economic policies were very successful.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        51. Explain why Mussolini launched the 'Battle for Births' in 1927.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        52. Describe how the Wiemar government and constitution came into existence after the end of the First World War, and explain why the Republic was so unstable in the years 1919 to 1923.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        53. 'The political instability of the Weimar Republic in the years 1919 to 1923 was largely the result of flaws in the constitution.' Explain why you agree or disagree with this interpretation of events.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        54. How far would you agree that it was political intrigue rather than the economic situation that enabled Hitler to come to power in Germany in January 1933?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        55. How far was the popularity of Nazi ideology responsible for the success of the Nazi Party in the elections of 1930 to 1932? (a) Explain why Hitler introduced the Enabling Law in March 1933.(b) 'Hitler's dictatorship was complete by August 1934 and it was achieved entirely by legal means.' Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        56. To what extent did Hitler bring about a political, economic and social revolution in Nazi Germany in the years 1933 to 1939?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        57. (a) Explain why the Nazis encouraged membership of the Hitler Youth and the League of German Maidens.(b) 'In the years 1933 to 1939 there was support for the Nazis from all sections of German society.' Explain why you agree or disagree with this view.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        58. (a) Explain why the Nazis wanted control over the media.(b) How far would you agree or disagree with the view that the various forms of Nazi propaganda had very little impact on the German people by 1939?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        59. How far would you agree that the main reason for Hitler's persecution of the Jews was that he was committed to racial purity?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        60. How far would you agree that it was the world economic crisis which caused Japan to fall under military rule in the early 1930s?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        61. 'Japan's recovery after the Second World War was not without its associated problems.' How far do you agree with this view?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        62. Explain what changes and problems were experienced by Japan in the years after 1990.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        63. Assess the reasons for the outbreak of civil war in Spain in 1936.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        64. How far would you agree that it was mainly help from outside that made the Nationalist victory in the Spanish Civil War possible?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        65. How far was popular dissatisfaction with the Provisional Government responsible for its overthrow in October/November 1917?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        66. The USSR remained politically and socially stable in the years 1964 to 1982 despite the policies of the Brezhnev era.' How far would you agree with this view?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        67. How far did the Tsar Nicholas II fulfill the promises made in the 1905 October Manifesto by the outbreak of war in 1914?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        68. What were the most significant strategic advantages possessed by the Bolsheviks that allowed them to prevail in the Russian Civil War against the White Army opposition, despite facing initial setbacks? Discuss.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        69. Khrushchev believed that communism in the USSR could be reformed and modernized and made more efficient. How far had this been achieved by 1970?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        70. 'A total and unmitigated disaster.' How far would you agree with this comment on the policies of Mao Xedong and the Chinese Communist Party during the period 1949-60?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        71. The Cultural revolution of 1966-9 was an attempt by Mao Zedong to protect his own power and position rather than a genuine battle of ideas."To what extent do you think this is a fair verdict on Mao's Cultural Revolution?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        72. Explain how Korea came to be divided into two separate states during the period 1945-53?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        73. 'Half a century of disaster for the people of North Korea'. How far would you agree with this verdict on Kim ll-sung's period of rule in North Korea?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        74. What problems were faced the government of Vietnam in the years following its unification in 1976? How and with what success did the government' policies change after 1986?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        75. Assess the contribution of Prince Sihanouk to the development of Cambodia in the years 1954 to 1970. Explain why he was overthrown in March 1970?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        76. Consider the view that if Gorbachev had followed different policies, the USSR could have survived, in the same way that communism survived in China.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        77. Explain what impact the First World War and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia had on politics and society in the USA in the years 1914 to 1929.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        78. In what ways did African Americans campaign for civil rights in the years before the Great Depression? How did they respond to the activities of the Ku Klux Klan?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        79. Explain why the Palmer Raids took place in 1920. How did attitudes in the USA towards immigrants change during the years 1920 to 1929?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        80. How successful were Republican policies in helping the US economy in the years 1920 to 1932?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        81. Explain why unemployment was a major problem in the USA during the 1930s, and why the problem was reduced in the years 1939-43.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        82. Explain why there was opposition to President Roosevelt's New Deal. How successful do you think these critics were in the period 1933 to 1941?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        83. Explain why Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential election of 1932. How successful were the New Deal policies in relieving the depression in rural areas During the years 1933 to 1941?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        84. How accurate do you think it is to talk about the ' First' and 'Second' New Deals? How successful had Roosevelt's policies been in solving the economic problem of the USA by 1941?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        85. Without de Gaulle's masterly handling of the situation, the Algerian crisis would probably have plunged France into Civil war. How far would you agree with this verdict on President de Gaulle's contribution to the events leading to Algerian independence?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        86. Decolonization did not bring the benefits for the majority of the African people which they had hoped for. Explain why you agree or disagree with this assessment of decolonization in Africa.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        87. Indian independence was not a gift from the British: it was the hard-won fruit of struggle and sacrifice. Explain whether you think this is an accurate verdict on India's progress towards independence.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        88. Explain why it was thought necessary to divide India, creating the separate state of Pakistan.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        89. Assess the reasons for the growth of nationalism in the European colonies after the second world war. How important was nationalism in bringing about decolonization?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        90. Explain why the newly independent states in Africa suffered so many problems and assess to what extent the problems were of their own making.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        91. How accurate do you think it is to describe Angola as 'a victim of the Cold War' during the years 1975 to 2002?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        92. Explain why Robert Mugabe was regarded as a hero in Zimbabwe in the years 1980 to 1990, but had to face increasing opposition after 1990.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        93. Assess the reasons why J. J. Rawlings was more successful as president of Ghana than Kwame Nkrumah.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        94. How far would you agree that the Belgians should bear most of the responsibility for the outbreak of civil war in the Congo in 1960 and its continuation until 1965?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        95. Why was apartheid in South Africa brought to an end, and how successfully did the ANC govern the country up until 2009?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        96. What were the problems facing the countries of Latin America at the end of the Second World War? Explain why progress in solving these problems was so slow.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        97. In what ways and with what motives USA was involved in the affairs of Latin America during the Second Half of the twentieth century?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        98. Assess the reasons why global warming is seen as such a serious problem for the world's future. To what extent do you think it is the twenty-first century's major problem?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        99. Explain why there was a 'crisis of capitalism' in the decade leading up to 2012.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        100. The cold war was to have profound effects on the economic and political systems of Latin America. How far do you agree?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        101. The election of Hugo Chavez as president of Venezuela in 1998 was the beginning of a left-wing revolution that was to transform Latin America over the next decade. Explain what happened in this transformation. Do you think this statement is an accurate assessment of recent events in Latin America, or is it an exaggeration?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        102. What is meant by the term 'North-South divide? What attempts have been made since 1980 to close the gap between North and South, and how successful have they been?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        103. Explain the causes and consequences of the rapid growth in the world's population during the twentieth century.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        104. What methods were used to try to control population growth in the second half of the twentieth century, and why did some of them arouse criticism?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        105. Why was it that in the second half of the twentieth century the rate of population growth in Europe slowed down, while in America and other Third World areas it accelerated?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        106. How important were the divisions among his opponents in explaining Stalin's rise to supreme power during the 1920s?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        107. How accurate is it to talk about the 'Stalin Revolution' in economic and political affairs in the USSR during the period 1928 to 1941?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        108. To what extent did the lives of ordinary people in the USSR improve or worsen as a result of Stalin's policies during the period 1928 to 1941?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        109. How far would you agree that Stalinism was just a continuation of Leninism?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        110. Explain why the collapse of the USSR was followed by serious economic and political problems.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        111. The communist victory in 1949 was due as much to the shortcomings of the Kuomintang as it was to the leadership of Mao Zedong. How far would you agree with this assessment?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        112. The end of the cold war was a watershed moment in modern Indian history. Discuss the post-cold war foreign policy of India until dawn of new millennium
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        113. To what extent, the outbreak of Second World War in 1939 placed the whole question of India's political future into a new perspective? Discuss briefly highlighting the key events that immediately followed September, 1939.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        114. What makes a large number of film personalities in India to enter politics? Critically examine their contribution to India's democracy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        115. Discuss the geo-political, economic and social repercussions of World War-II on European countries.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        116. Elucidate the factors that made British colonization more effective amongst their other European counterparts like France, Spain and Portugal.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        117. "The League of Nations created in the aftermath of World War-I failed to stop the fascist aggression and thereby failing to stop the outbreak of World War-II in 1939."In this context, explain the reasons for the failure of the League of Nations.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        118. Discuss some of the important inventions and discoveries that took place during the 18th century. How these led to some of the major humanitarian reforms in the society?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        119. What problems of the Weimar Republic contributed to the rise of fascism in Germany? How did Hitler succeed in becoming führer of Germany? Describe the developments which took place in Germany as Hitler transformed it into a Nazi nation?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        120. Evaluate the performance of Summit meeting of the Arab League held in March 2001?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        121. The American economic recovery act, also known as Marshall Plan, helped in the recovery of European states aftermath of WW2, but it is also blamed for dividing Europe into east and west block. Discuss.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        122. Despite the fact that the Israel-Palestine conflict is rooted in history, it has been shaped in its modern form in the 20th century. Explain.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        123. What is the ‘Century of Humiliation’, often referred to in discussions about China? How has it shaped the foreign policy of China and its outlook towards the world?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        124. What was India’s role in the two World Wars? Why was India involved?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        125. Disclaimer: These questions have been written and answered by GKToday team over the period of time; and have included some previous years questions also. While every effort was made to ensure that these questions as well as their answers remain relevent and correct, it is possible, that some facts or context in some questions might have changed over time. GKToday does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by such change of facts or context in the questions and answers of this E-book.

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