The First World War Questions and Answers

I. Short Answer Questions

1. State two features of Imperialism.

Ans: 

• Imperialism is a policy under which a powerful country establishes political and economic control over another country or territory.
• The imperial power exploits the resources, markets, and raw materials of the colonies for its own benefit.

2. What was the cause of Franco-German rivalry?

Ans: The main cause of the Franco-German rivalry was that France wanted to recover the provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, which had been taken by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War (1870–71).

3. What was the cause of Anglo-German rivalry?

Ans: The main cause of the Anglo-German rivalry was Germany's rapid naval expansion and colonial ambitions, which threatened Britain's position as the leading naval and imperial power. Germany built a powerful navy to challenge Britain and sought colonies in Asia and Africa, leading to tension between the two countries.

4. Name the signatory countries of the Triple Alliance. State the rival bloc that was formed and the signatory countries of that bloc.

Ans: Signatory countries of the Triple Alliance (1882):

• Germany
• Austria-Hungary
• Italy

Rival Bloc: Triple Entente (1907)
Signatory countries of the Triple Entente:

• Britain
• France
• Russia

5. How did the Sarajevo Crisis in 1914 lead to the First World War?

Ans: 

• On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated at Sarajevo by a Serbian nationalist.
• Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible and declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914.
• Due to the system of alliances, Russia supported Serbia, while Germany supported Austria-Hungary.
• Soon, France and Britain were drawn into the conflict, turning a local dispute into the First World War.

6. Which country was blamed for the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand? Which country declared war on Serbia? Name two countries which supported Austria.

Ans: Serbia was blamed for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914.

Two countries that supported Austria were:

• Germany
• Italy (as a member of the Triple Alliance at the outbreak of the war)

7. Why did Britain declare war on Germany in 1914?

Ans: 

• Germany invaded Belgium in August 1914 to attack France.
• Britain had guaranteed the neutrality and independence of Belgium under the Treaty of London (1839).
• Therefore, when Germany violated Belgian neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914.

8. Name the five major powers who got involved in the hostilities in 1914.

Ans: The five major powers that became involved in the war in 1914 were:

1. Austria-Hungary
2. Serbia
3. Germany
4. Russia
5. France

9. Why is the war fought between 1914 and 1918 called the First World War?

Ans: 

• The war involved the major powers of Europe and gradually spread to many countries across the world.
• Nations from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and other regions participated in it directly or indirectly.
• Since it was fought on a global scale, it came to be known as the First World War.

10. Which country withdrew from the First World War and why?

Ans: Russia withdrew from the First World War. It withdrew because the Russian Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Tsarist government, and the new Bolshevik government wanted to end Russia's involvement in the war. Consequently, Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany in March 1918 and withdrew from the war.

11. Explain the Treaty of Versailles briefly.

Ans:

• The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919 between Germany and the Allied Powers after the First World War.
• Germany was held responsible for the war and was forced to pay heavy war reparations.
• Germany lost several territories and all its colonies.
• Severe restrictions were imposed on the German army, navy, and air force.
• The treaty also provided for the establishment of the League of Nations to maintain world peace.

12. Name the country which emerged as a world power after the War. What happened to the Austrian Empire after the First World War?

Ans: The United States of America (USA) emerged as a world power after the First World War. The Austrian Empire was broken up after the war. Several new states emerged from it, including Austria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia, while some territories were transferred to neighbouring countries.

13. Mention any two important consequences of the First World War.

Ans: 

• The USA emerged as a world power, while the political and economic dominance of Europe declined.
• The League of Nations was established in 1920 to maintain international peace and prevent future wars.
• Several old empires, such as the German, Austrian, and Russian Empires, collapsed.
• New countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia were created.

14. What was the effect of the First World War on the colonial possessions of industrialised countries?

Ans: 

• The First World War led to an increase in the colonial possessions of the victorious Allied Powers.
• Germany lost all its colonies, which were taken over and distributed among the victorious nations under the League of Nations Mandate System.
• Thus, the colonial empires of countries like Britain and France expanded after the war.

15. How was Denmark affected by the Treaty of Versailles?

Ans: Under the Treaty of Versailles, North Schleswig was returned to Denmark after a plebiscite (vote of the people). Thus, Denmark gained territory that had previously been under German control.

16. When and why was the League of Nations formed?

Ans: The League of Nations was formed in 1920. It was established to maintain international peace and security after the First World War. Its aim was to prevent future wars by promoting international cooperation, peaceful settlement of disputes, and collective security.

17. State any two aims of the League of Nations.

Ans: 

• To maintain international peace and security and prevent future wars.
• To promote international cooperation among nations.
• To encourage the peaceful settlement of international disputes.
• To work for the reduction of armaments.

18. Name the two major countries which were not allowed to become the members of the League of Nations.

Ans: The two major countries that were initially not allowed to become members of the League of Nations were:

• Germany
• Soviet Russia (USSR)

II. Structured Questions

1. The First World War was unique in history. In this context, answer the following:

(a) Any three causes that led to the war.

Ans: 1. Aggressive Nationalism

• European nations developed intense nationalist feelings.
• France wanted to recover Alsace and Lorraine from Germany, while Serbia wanted to unite all Slavs.

2. Imperialism

• European powers competed for colonies in Asia and Africa.
• This rivalry created tension and conflicts among the major powers.

3. Militarism (Race for Armaments)

• Countries increased their armies and navies to strengthen themselves.
• Germany's naval expansion created fear and suspicion, especially in Britain.

4. Formation of Rival Alliances

• Europe was divided into the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, creating two hostile camps.

(b) The extent and methods used in this war.

Ans: Extent of the War:

• The war involved the major powers of Europe and gradually spread to many countries across the world.
• Nations from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America participated, making it a truly worldwide conflict.

Methods used in the War:

• New and destructive weapons such as machine guns, tanks, submarines, aircraft, and poison gas were used.
• Trench warfare became a common method of fighting, especially on the Western Front.

(c) Economic consequences of this war.

Ans: 

• The war caused enormous destruction of life and property, leading to severe economic losses.
• European countries were burdened with huge war debts and heavy expenditure.
• Industries, agriculture, and trade were badly affected, resulting in economic instability.
• The United States emerged as the leading economic power, while the economic dominance of Europe declined.

2. The First World War was precipitated by the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Francis Ferdinand. In this context, describe the following:

(a) Sarajevo Crisis.

Ans: 

• On 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife were assassinated at Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia.
• The assassin was Gavrilo Princip, a member of the Serbian nationalist organisation Black Hand (Union of Death).
• Austria-Hungary held Serbia responsible for the assassination and sent an ultimatum containing harsh demands.
• When Serbia did not accept all the demands, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914.
• Due to the alliance system, other European powers were drawn into the conflict, leading to the outbreak of the First World War.

(b) Why did the USA join the First World War?

Ans: 

• Germany adopted a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare and sank many ships carrying passengers and goods.
• In 1915, the British passenger ship Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, causing the death of many civilians, including Americans.
• The USA had also given large loans and financial support to the Allied Powers, so it wanted an Allied victory.
• Consequently, the USA entered the First World War on 6 April 1917 on the side of the Allies.

(c) What was the impact of the War on Austria-Hungary?

Ans: 

• The Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed as a result of the First World War.
• It was broken up into several independent states.
• New countries such as Austria, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia emerged, while some territories were transferred to neighbouring countries.
• The powerful Hapsburg Empire thus came to an end.

3. With reference to the First World War, answer the following questions:

(a) State any three consequences of the war.

Ans:

• The United States emerged as the leading political and economic power after the war.
• The German, Austro-Hungarian, Russian and Turkish Empires collapsed.
• New countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia were formed.
• The League of Nations was established in 1920 to maintain world peace.

(b) Mention three points under the Treaty of Versailles which affected Germany.

Ans: 

• Germany was held solely responsible for causing the First World War. 
• Germany was forced to pay huge war compensation (reparations) to the Allied Powers. 
• Germany lost important territories such as Alsace and Lorraine to France and all its overseas colonies. 
• The German army was reduced, conscription was abolished, and Germany was not allowed to maintain an air force.

(c) What were the objectives of the League of Nations? Name the organisation formed in October 1945 with objectives similar to those of the League of Nations.

Ans: Objectives of the League of Nations:

• To maintain international peace and security.
• To promote international cooperation among nations.
• To settle international disputes through peaceful means.
• To encourage disarmament and prevent future wars.

Organisation formed in October 1945:

• The United Nations Organisation (UNO) was established in October 1945 with objectives similar to those of the League of Nations.