World History MCQs

Notes:
In March 1918, despite opposition by their political allies, the Bolsheviks made peace with Germany at Brest Litovsk. However, this peace treaty was very humiliating as Germany annexed almost one third of the total European territories of Soviet Russia in this treaty. Lenin agreed to this treaty so that the Bolshevik party could focus on internal consolidation and winning the civil war. So, statement 1 is correct. Soviet Russia soon became a one-party state as all the parties, other than the Bolshevik Party, were banned. Trade unions were kept under strict party control. The secret police (called the Cheka first, and later OGPU and NKVD) punished those who criticised the Bolsheviks. So, the statement 2 is 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:
Boxer Rebellionwas a violent anti-foreign, anti-colonial and anti-Christian uprising that took place in China in 1900. It attempted to drive all foreigners who had a privileged position in China. “Boxers” was a name that foreigners gave to a Chinese secret society known as the Yihequan (Righteous and Harmonious Fists) that practiced certain boxing and calisthenic rituals.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
England entered into an alliance with Japan in 1902. In 1904, they made alliance with France. In 1907 Russia joined this alliance. This had resulted in Triple Entente. Thus Europe was divided into two camps. The secret nature of these alliances brought about the war of 1914.

Notes:
The fall of the Tszar is known as the February Revolution because, according to the old Russian calendar, it occurred on 27 February 1917.

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:
Japan followed a policy of militarism and imperialism. Japan defeated China in 1894-95. Subsequently, it defeated the biggest European country Russia in 1904-05. During the First World War Japan captured the Chinese territory of Shantung which was leased to Germany. It also imposed the 21 Demands on China.

Notes:
After the war, Japan was placed under control of the Supreme Commander, Gen. Douglas MacArthur. The new constitution took effect on 3rd May 1947. The United States and 45 other Allied nations signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty in September 1951. Following the treaty, Japan was made an independent nation once again.

Notes:
Japanese forces occupied the Philippines from 1942 to 1945 during World War II, a time marked by significant challenges and resistance from the Filipino populace. Liberation by Allied forces in 1945 ended this occupation, contributing to the broader Allied victory in the Pacific.