World History MCQs

Notes:
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the practice of enclosure was denounced by the Church, and legislation was drawn up against it. However, the mechanization of agriculture during the 18th century required large, enclosed fields. This led to a series of government acts, culminating finally in the General Enclosure Act of 1801. By the end of the 19th century the process of enclosure was largely complete.

Notes:
The Lusitania ship was drowned by a German submarine and consequently many Americans lost their lives. This resulted in the declaration of war against Germany by the U.S.A. In spite of best efforts, Germany could not stand and ultimately she surrendered in November 1919.

Notes:
The Tsars believed in the divine right theory of kingship. Tsar Nicholas II was autocratic in his administration. The people had many grievances. Meantime, the working class of St. Petersburg went on strike. The striking workers went on a procession to Tsar’s place to present a petition to redress their grievances. They were led by father Gapon. When the workers reached Tsar’s palace the guards fired on the unarmed crowed. This event is known as “Bloody Sunday” as it took place on a Sunday, 22nd January 1905. This is also known as 1905 Revolution. This event was indeed a prelude to the October Revolution of 1917.

Notes:
Mussolini, who was a staunch opponent of Bolshevism, decided to start a new party to fight Communism. In march 1919 the Fascist Party was established under his leadership. The members wore black shirts and were equipped with arms. The party had its own flag. The members were well disciplined and Mussolini was their chief commander.

Notes:
In the first party convention of Milan, Mussolini announced the programmes and Charter of demands of the party. They were:

• Nationalisation of factories
• Confiscation of surplus money from the capitalists
• Universal Franchise
• Forfeiture of the Church property
• Eight hours work in factories
• Framing of a new constitution.

These demands of the Fascist Party soon achieved popularity in Italy.

Notes:
The financial crisis in Germany forced the Weimar Republic to make an appeal to the allies for the reduction of the amount of reparation. As a result a committee consisting of ten members was formed under the chairmanship of Dawes, an eminent finance specialist of U.S.A. The committee made some amendments to the provision of the Treaty of Versailles. This known as Dawes Plan. The financial burden of Germany was reduced to certain level.

Notes:
In April 1940, Germany captured Denmark and Norway. In May 1940, Holland and Belgium were conquered. Germany attacked France and captured it in June 1940. Italy fought against the British forces in North Africa. Mussolini attacked Greece and captured it with German support. Yugoslavia and Crete were occupied by the Germans.

Notes:
The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was announced on June 5, 1947 by the then-Secretary of State, George Marshall. The initiative was designed to aid Europe, where economies had been devastated after World War II. The Marshall Plan provided over $13 billion in aid to European countries that had been destroyed during the war.

Notes:
The U.S.A., Canada, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg, Portugal, Denmark, Italy and Norway became NATO’s members. They had agreed to mutually extend military help in case of an attack on any one of them. It was formed against the Soviet Union.

Notes:
Mikhail Gorbachev became the President of the Soviet Union in March 1985. He instituted a number of political reforms under the name of “glasnost”.