World History MCQs

Notes:
Russian revolution took place in two stages. The first stage occurred in the month of February in 1917. Hence, it is called the ‘February Revolution’. During this stage, the Czar was overthrown and a provisional government was formed under the leadership of middle class leaders like Kerensky. During the 2nd stage, called the October Revolution, Bolsheviks took over and Russia officially became Soviet Russia after this point. So, statement 1 is correct. Lenin was in exile in Switzerland at the time of February Revolution. Under his leadership, the Bolshevik Party took over the command of communist movement and overthrew the provisional government in a planned coup. So, statement 2 is also correct.

Notes:
The peace treaty signed with the Germany after the WWI was known as the Treaty of Versailles. According to the provisions of the treaty, Alsace-Lorraine, which Germany had seized from France in 1871, was returned to France. The newly created State of Poland was provided with the access to the sea by giving it about 65 km of corridor which separated East Prussia from the rest of Germany. Danzig was made a free city under the political control of the League of Nations and economic control of Poland. Belgium, Denmark and Lithuania gained territories from Germany. The Saar- a strategically important coal mining area- was brought under the control of the League of Nations for fifteen years while the mines in the area were transferred to France as compensation. Germany was debarred from uniting with Austria. The Rhineland was to be permanently demilitarized and occupied by the allied troops for fifteen years. German military strength was severely curtailed.

Notes:
In June 1940, France surrendered in the WWII. While the northern France was occupied by the German troops, a French government was allowed to retain control over about half of France. This government moved to Vichy, hence it was called the Vichy government and the area under its control was called the ‘Vichy France’. The Vichy France collaborated with the Nazi Germany and in turn, it was allowed to maintain control over its colonies. So, statement 1 is correct. Charles de Gaulle, who had been a colonel in the French army at the time of the German invasion of France, had escaped to Britain after the surrender by the French government. Under the leadership of de Gaulle, now General de Gaulle, the Free France movement was started and a French army was organised in Britain to fight against the Nazi Germany. Charles de Gaulle later went on to become the President of France. So, statement 2 is correct.

Notes:
The Kuomintang of China (KMT), also known as the Nationalist Party of China, was founded by Song Jiaoren and Sun Yat-sen shortly after the Xinhai Revolution of 1911.It played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty during the years leading up to the Xinhai Revolution. Its guiding ideology was “Three Principles of the People” of Sun Yat Sen.

Notes:
The Bangladesh Liberation War was a revolution and armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Bengali nationalist and self-determination movement in what was then East Pakistan in 1971. The war ended on 16 December 1971 after West Pakistan surrendered. It resulted in the inde-pendence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

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The Industrial Revolution was the transition to new manufacturing processes in the period from about 1760 to sometime between 1820 and 1840. It began in Great Britain and then spread to Western Europe and the United States.

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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.

Notes:
On becoming Germany’s Chancellor in 1933, Hitler undertook a rearmament programme. His aggressive foreign policy led to the Second World War. Similarly, Mussolini organized the Fascist movement in Italy. He believed in dictatorship, aggressive foreign policy and colonial policy. Thus, he emerged as the Il Duce or supreme commander. The emergence of dictatorship in Europe paved the way for Second World War.

Notes:
After the 1970s, the friction between the Soviet Union and Communist China led to Sino-Soviet rift. The People’s Republic of China was admitted into the UN. President Nixon of U.S.A. visited Moscow in May 1972 and concluded the SALT -I Treaty (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty). In June 1973, Brezhnev paid a nine-day visit to the United States and further progress was made in the direction of strategic arms limitation. This reduction of tension between the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. is known as era of détente.

Notes:
In 1989, Poland conducted its first partially free elections, marking a pivotal moment in its history. This event led to the collapse of communist rule and paved the way for the establishment of a democratic government, signifying a major shift in Poland’s political landscape and its approach to governance.