Balbharti Maharashtra State Board Class 12 History Important Questions Chapter 8 World Wars and India Important Questions and Answers.
Maharashtra State Board 12th History Important Questions Chapter 8 World Wars and India
1A. Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.
Question 1.
The Austrian prince __________ and his wife assassinated in Serbia.
(a) King George II
(b) Kaiser William II
(c) Prince William
(d) Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Answer:
(d) Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Question 2.
Austria and Hungary were trying to suppress __________
(a) England
(b) America
(c) Germany
(d) Serbia
Answer:
(d) Serbia
Question 3.
During the First World War __________ stood up with Belgium and called a war against Germany.
(a) Bulgaria
(b) England
(c) Serbia
(d) Austria
Answer:
(b) England
Question 4.
After the end of the First World War, the treaty of __________ was signed.
(a) Brazil
(b) Tokyo
(c) Versailles
(d) Holland
Answer:
(c) Versailles
Question 5.
An organisation known as __________ was established after World War I to maintain peace in the
world.
(a) World Health Organisation
(b) League of Nations
(c) United Nation Organisation
(d) North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
Answer:
(b) League of Nations
Question 6.
After the end of the First World War, the Nazis under the leadership of __________ grabbed the power
in Germany.
(a) Woodrow Wilson
(b) Hitler
(c) Benito Mussolini
(d) Linlithgow
Answer:
(b) Hitler
Question 7.
In 1938, Hitler won __________ province in Czechoslovakia.
(a) Sudeten
(b) Prague
(c) Bratislava
(d) Bohemia
Answer:
(a) Sudeten
Question 8.
During the Second World War, Prime Minister of England __________ resigned from the post.
(a) Ramsay MacDonald
(b) Woodrow Wilson
(c) David Lloyd George
(d) Neville Chamberlain
Answer:
(d) Neville Chamberlain
Question 9.
__________ was the leader of Azad Hind Sena.
(a) Pandit Nehru
(b) Lokmanya Tilak
(c) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer:
(c) Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose
Question 10.
__________ was appointed as the first Field Marshall of independent India.
(a) Sam Manekshaw
(b) Lord Mountbatten
(c) Pandit Nehru
(d) Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis
Answer:
(a) Sam Manekshaw
1B. Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’ and write the corrected one.
Question 1.
| Group ‘A’ | Group ‘B’ |
| (a) Russia | Communism |
| (b) Italy | Fascism |
| (c) Germany | Socialism |
| (d) England | Imperialism |
Answer:
Germany – Nazism
2A. Write the names of historical places/persons/events.
Question 1.
Germany’s attack on this country directly provoked Britain to go to war –
Answer:
Belgium
Question 2.
Governor-General of India during First World War –
Answer:
Lord Chelmsford
Question 3.
Secretary of State of India in 1917 –
Answer:
Edwin Samuel Montagu
Question 4.
The leader of Indian migrants on Kamagata Maru steamship –
Answer:
Baba Gurudit Singh
Question 5.
The port where 30 passengers of Kamagata Maru steamship died due to firing of British officers –
Answer:
Bajbaj
Question 6.
A place where a naval war was fought between Germany and England and England defeated the German navy –
Answer:
Jutland in the North Sea
Question 7.
The American President who took a lead for the establishment of the League of Nations –
Answer:
Woodrow Wilson
Question 8.
Prime Minister of England after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain during World War II –
Answer:
Winston Churchill
Question 9.
The Viceroy of India who announced India’s participation in World War II –
Answer:
Lord Linlithgow
Question 10.
Dictator of Russia during World War II –
Answer:
Stalin
Question 11.
Daughter of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru –
Answer:
Indira Gandhi
Question 12.
An international organization formed after World War II to maintain peace in the world –
Answer:
United Nations
Question 13.
The leader of the Soviet Russian army who defeated Germany during Second World War –
Answer:
Marshal Georgy Zhukov
2B. Choose the correct reason from those given below and complete the sentence.
Question 1.
The main responsibility of the United Nations __________
(a) to avoid war
(b) independence of colonies
(c) improving the economies of different countries
(d) disarmament
Answer:
(a) to avoid war
Question 2.
America declared war against Japan in 1941 because __________
(a) Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and destroyed the American naval base
(b) Japan conquered the Maldives
(c) Japan violated the treaty of Brest-Litovsk
(d) Japan entered into the North Sea
Answer:
(a) Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and destroyed the American naval base
Question 3.
Japan surrendered on 15th August 1945 because __________
(a) Japan was against the war
(b) they lacked financial help
(c) Germany convinced Japan to surrender
(d) America launched aerial attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atom bombs
Answer:
(d) America launched aerial attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki with atom bombs
Question 4.
Imperialistic European nations began to search for newer lands __________
(a) for more raw material and more markets to sell their surplus products
(b) to help other nations financially
(c) to maintain peace in the world
(d) to enhance the industrial production of these nations
Answer:
(a) for more raw material and more markets to sell their surplus products
3. Complete the following concept map.
Question 1.
Answer:
Question 2.
| Points | First World War | Second World War |
| 1. Period | ………………………… | 1939 – 1945 |
| 2. Involved nations | Allied Nations: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, America Central Powers: ………………. |
Allied Nations: ……………… Axis powers: Germany, Japan, Italy |
Answer:
| Points | First World War | Second World War |
| 1. Period | 1914 – 1918 | 1939 – 1945 |
| 2. Involved nations | Allied Nations: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, America Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria |
Allied Nations: Britain, France, Soviet Union, America Axis powers: Germany, Japan, Italy |
4A. Write short notes.
Question 1.
Fascism
Answer:
- Fascism is derived from the Latin word ‘Fasces’ which suggests ‘strength through unity.
- An Italian leader and former Prime Minister of Italy Benito Mussolini built this movement.
- The major characteristics of Fascism are as follows:
- Opposition to democratic institutions-It is a political ideology that does not believe in democracy, liberalism, individual freedom, and equality.
- In Fascism, the greater focus is on the action, absolute political authority, centralization of political power, justification of war, and violence.
- Aggressive nationalism, Militarism, and Anti-Communism.
Question 2.
Nazism
Answer:
- Nazism is a set of political beliefs associated with the Nazi party of Germany.
- Nazism is in a way slightly diverse form of fascism. Nazism gave more importance to racism.
- It was an extremely aggressive and corrupt manifestation of fascism.
- The genocide (the murder of all the people of a particular race, religion, etc.) of European Jews in Germany by Hitler had its roots in racism.
Question 3.
The ‘Kamagata Maru’ incidence.
Answer:
- During the time of the Second World War Indian people began to migrate to Canada and America.
- The government of Canada was heavily under the influence of the British government.
- It rejected the entry of Indian migrants. It did not allow ‘Kamagata Maru’ a steamship with Indian migrants aboard under the leadership of Baba Gurudit Singh, to anchor in the Canadian port of Vancouver.
- People on this ship returned to India. On their return journey, Kamagata Maru reached the port of ‘Bajbaj’ near Kolkata. There the British officers ordered Indian passengers to return immediately to their own towns and villages.
- But the Indians did not follow the orders so the British officers began to shoot and 30 Indian passengers died in it.
- This incidence of cruelty on the part of British officers created public outcry throughout India.
Question 4.
Azad Hind Sena
Answer:
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a great freedom fighter. He officially took charge of the Azad Hind Sena also known as Indian National Army in 1943.
- During the Second World War when the Japanese army reached the eastern border of India several volunteers joined this army. They were the patriotic members of Azad Hind Sena.
- Netaji’s policy was to take advantage of the situation to move the Indians for the intense opposition to the British, while the Britishers were engaged in war.
- He felt that even the enemy of the British may be approached for help if the need be.
- Azad Hind Sena fought fiercely for attaining its goal of independence of India and contributed to India’s freedom struggle.
Question 5.
Congress and Defence Policy
Answer:
Indian National Congress had formed a number of policies related to the defense issues of the country. It included:
- There should be a defense academy in India.
- The British Government should share part of the defense expenditure meant for India’s protection from its treasury.
- The official expenditure on defense should be curbed.
- Indian citizens should be provided facilities of education and training to make themselves capable of self-defense and defense of the nation.
- Indian men should be recruited in the regional units of the army.
- Home Guards and a group of volunteers should be established.
- By the ‘Queen’s Proclamation’, Indian people should be appointed on the posts of higher grades.
Question 6.
First World War and TISCO.
Answer:
- There is a very close relationship between First World War and Tata Iron and Steel Company.
- During First World War England required good railway tracks in Europe and military logistics in the province of Iraq.
- The company took great efforts and manufactured 1500 miles long tracks.
- In 1919, after the end of the First World War, Viceroy Lord Chelmsford visited the TISCO factory. In his speech, he attributed their victory to the railway track supplied by India.
Question 7.
Field Marshall Sam Manekshaw.
Answer:
- During World War II Sam Manekshaw was sent under the 17th Infantry Division to prevent Japanese attacks in Burma.
- He was appointed as the acting Commander. The army attacked the Sittang Bridge under his leadership. The enemy attacked him.
- He was hit by nine bullets fired from the Japanese machine guns. Maj. Gen. David Cowan, a senior commanding officer witnessed Manekshaw’s unmatched valour and pinned his own Military Cross ribbon on Manekshaw.
- A Military Cross could be awarded only to a soldier who is alive. He was appointed as the first Field Marshall of independent India.
Question 8.
Second World War and India.
Answer:
- In the period of war, England required manpower and money. So, they enforced the recruitment of army personnel from India.
- Extra taxes levied on Indians and taxes on trade and industries increased to raise funds needed for war.
- Due to inflation, prices of essential items increased and Indians have also been affected by an increase in unemployment.
- England exploited India and its resources to achieve victory in this war. India was a British colony and they took it in their right to use it as a source of supplying industrial products, cloth, and other commodities of daily use to their allied nations.
- Due to exploitation by the Britishers, a large number of Indians, from various societies, workers, and farmers joined the national movement against the British.
- India was pulled forcibly into this war by the British Government. India did not gain anything from this war.
4B. Explain the following statements with reasons.
Question 1.
Japan surrendered in August 1945 and Second World War came to an end.
Answer:
- The Second World War was fought between Allied powers and Axis powers.
- Japan entered this war in support of Germany. In 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour and destroyed an American naval base. This resulted in America declared war against Japan.
- Later Japan went on capturing the regions of the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaya, Singapore and even marched up to Assam, Arakan, and Imphal.
- This drove the British to act against Japan’s aggression. America launched aerial attacks on two Japanese cities with atom bombs, first on Hiroshima and then on Nagasaki. So, finally, Japan surrendered on 15 August 1945. This put an end to the Second World War.
5. State your opinion.
Question 1.
World War II witnessed the rise of nationalism throughout the world but there is a difference between Indian nationalism and German nationalism.
Answer:
Nationalism means love, loyalty, and devotion to a nation. The differences between German nationalism and Indian nationalism were as follows:
- Germany is a country which, nourished nationalism. India was also greatly influenced by nationalism. But there is a difference between Indian nationalism and German nationalism.
- Germans were out to conquer other countries in order to make their country the most powerful and biggest in the world whereas the nationalism of the Indians was making them fight for regaining their independence.
- Indian nationalism was based on a broader perspective of the spread of Democracy all over the world including India.
- Germany was strongly influenced by racism. Hitler killed many European Jews. However, in India people of varied religions, races and castes were staying together for ages. These are the characteristics of Indian nationalism, which confirms its magnanimity.
6. Answer the following questions in detail.
Question 1.
Explain the impact of World War II on India.
Answer:
Lord Linlithgow’s announcement of India joining the war:
- The Second World War was started in September 1939. In the Second World War England and France fought against Italy and Germany.
- England declared war against Germany. At the same time, Viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow declared that India would also join the war in support of England.
Protest of Indian National Congress:
- Indian National Congress was against the aggressive dictatorship of Germany and Italy. Congress did not support colonialism so they protested against the viceroy’s announcement.
- England claimed that it was fighting for the protection of democracy in Europe. Indian National Congress now demanded the freedom of India from British domination.
The decision of the Indian National Congress:
- Indian National Congress gave assurance to England that India as an independent nation would support England in World War II. They also announced that Indians will not help the British if the British continued with their imperialist administration in India.
- Lord Linlithgow announced that British Government will not look upon any issues related to India till the end of the war, reacting to this Indian National Congress decided not to participate in the war.
Contribution of Azad Hind Sena:
- When the Japanese army reached the eastern border of India several volunteers of Azad Hind Sena joined this army under the leadership of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose against the British.
- Netaji thought that even the enemy of the British may be approached for help if needed. Azad Hind Sena fought bravely to attain its goal of freedom of India and in this way contributed a lot to India’s Freedom Struggle.
Question 2.
Explain the impact of the First World War on India.
Answer:
(i) The British Government of India compelled India, one of their colonies, to participate in the World War.
(ii) India became the source of procuring help in the form of money, food, clothing, and other war supplies. During 1919-20, the British Government in India provided help to England worth Rs.19 billion. India also contributed one hundred and fifty crores of rupees to the war expenses.
(iii) Seventeen of the Indian soldiers were honoured and decorated with ‘Victoria Cross’, a medal, given for gallantry.
(iv) War left a significant impact on various fields including production of war supplies, civil industries, trade, economic policies, farming and agricultural production, etc. This war boosted India’s industrial growth, especially in the Iron and steel industry. Considerable growth was also seen in motor transportation and motor vehicles.
(v) During the wartime and post-war period there was a decrease in export. The prices of agricultural products reduced but the prices of industrial products increased. Indian food grains were exported to allied nations. It caused a shortage of food and increasing prices of food grains for the Indians.
(vi) Due to war experience Indians realized that India could be considered backward in the matters of aircraft, mechanized war instruments, medical facilities. In 1917, Montagu- Chelmsford administrative reforms were introduced in India. India became extremely poor due to war.
7. Answer the following question with the help of the given points.
Question 1.
Explain the causes of the First World War.
(i) Increase in production
(ii) Imperialism
(iii) Division of Europe into two hostile groups
(iv) Immediate cause
Answer:
The First World War was fought between allied nations and central powers. The First World War
began in 1914 C.E. The causes of the war were:
(i) Increase in production: Due to the industrial revolution machines came into use for the various production processes. It also led to increasing in production because of mechanization.
(ii) Imperialism: The European countries needed more raw material to match the quantitative increase in production and more markets to sell their surplus products. Imperialistic European nations began to search for newer lands to meet these needs.
(iii) Growing Militarisation: The search for newer lands and colonies would often create warlike situations among them. Keeping this in view more powerful nations in Europe felt the need to continuously increase their military power and armory.
(iv) Division of Europe into two hostile groups: Germany, England, Russia, France, Austria, Hungary where the nations of primary importance. Among them, rival groups were formed. Because of the rivalry, every nation began to enhance its military and naval strength, There was a competition to produce more and more destructive weapons.
(v) Immediate cause: The Austrian Prince Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian maniac. In Austria, people believed that this whole act was maneuvered by the Serbian Kingdom. Hence, Austria called a war against Serbia. Russia came to help Serbia. Two distinct groups were formed, one group supporting Austria (Germany, Turkey, Bulgaria) known as central powers and another supporting Serbia (England, France, Russia) known as allied nations.
Question 3.
Explain the impacts of the World Wars on India.
(i) Awareness against the exploitative rule of the British and participation of masses in the Indian freedom struggle
(ii) Protest of Indian National Congress
(iii) Contribution of Azad Hind Sena
(iv) India got independence
Answer:
India was forced into both the World Wars started by the British Imperial rule. The impacts of wars on India were as follows:
(i) Awareness against the exploitative rule of the British and participation of masses in the Indian freedom struggle: During wartime, the British Government started recruiting army personnel from India. Extra taxes were levied on Indians for raising funds. The prices of essential commodities went up. Indians suffered from the problems of inflation, unemployment. Indians from all strata of society, workers, farmers, middle class, and women joined in the Indian national movement against British rule.
(ii) Protest of Indian National Congress: The Indian National Congress protested against the Viceroy’s announcement of India’s participation in the war. The Congress demanded India’s freedom in return to India’s help to England in war. However, Lord Linlithgow turned the demand of the Congress so Congress decided not to participate in World War II.
(iii) Contribution of Azad Hind Sena: Azad Hind Sena under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose joined Japanese forces against the British and fought fiercely for attaining independence of India.
(iv) India got independence: After the end of the Second World War British realized that India was not going to be the perennial source of profit for them as it used to be. They decided to return home and India got Independence.