World History MCQs

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Spain planned to reach the east by sailing westwards. On August 10, 1519, Ferdinand Magellan had sailed with five Spanish ships – namely, Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria, and Santiago- from the port of Sevilla.

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The war started in 1775, when the first battle was fought between the British soldiers and the colonial militia at Lexington in Massachusetts. Soon, George Washington assume the command of the army of the American colonies.

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In 1776 the British forces led by Sir William Howe defeated Washington in the battle of Long Island. However, the army of American colonies commanded by General Gates defeated British troops at Saratoga in October, 1777. The victory at Saratoga marked a turning point in the war. The French troops under Lafayette came to the help of the American colonies.

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The American War of Independence was also called the American Revolution because it inspired the French Revolution. It was not only a war against England but against aristocracy and reactionary elements. It was also a fight against colonial domination.

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The French Revolution opened a new chapter in the history of Europe. It marked a turning point in the history of humankind. The French Revolution put an end to the age old absolute monarchy, feudal laws and social inequality. It introduced for the first time the idea of republicanism based on “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity”. These ideas had influenced the entire continent of Europe and also the world.

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Rousseau was the author of the famous book, Social Contract, which was considered the Bible of the French Revolution. He said that the real sovereignty rests with the people. His famous statement, “Man is born free and is everywhere in chains” kindled the revolutionary spirit of the masses.

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Lenin, who was in exile in Switzerland at the time of the February Revolution, returned to Russia in April. Lenin gave his “April Theses”. This promised people what they wanted.

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By the middle of 1918, banks and insurance companies, large industries, mines, water transport and railways were nationalised. Foreign debts were refused and foreign investments were confiscated. A Declaration of the Rights of Peoples was issued conferring the right of self-determination upon all nationalities. A new government, called the Council of People’s Commissars, headed by Lenin was founded. These first acts of the new government began the era of socialism.

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At the end of the First World War Japan emerged as a superior military power. Hence, in order to control Japan’s Navy the Washington Naval Conference was held in 1921-22. But this was only a temporary measure.

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World War II was devastating for Poland, resulting in the death of around 6 million Polish citizens. This tragic loss included both military and civilian lives, with half of the casualties being Polish Jews who perished in the Holocaust. The country’s population and infrastructure suffered immensely due to the war.