Chapter 5 – Europe in the twentieth century

Europe in the Twentieth Century is an important chapter in WBBSE Class 9 History. Here, you will find Europe in the Twentieth Century questions and answers arranged clearly to help you revise quickly and prepare better for your exams.

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Very short-type questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Analytical questions and answers
5. Explanatory questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. In which year did the Russian Revolution take place?
a) 1905
b) 1914
c) 1917
d) 1920

Ans: c) 1917

2. Which dynasty ruled Russia before the Revolution?
a) Tudor
b) Romanov
c) Bourbon
d) Habsburg

Ans: b) Romanov

3. Who was the leader of the Bolsheviks?
a) Stalin
b) Lenin
c) Trotsky
d) Kerensky

Ans: b) Lenin

4. Who led the Red Army?
a) Lenin
b) Stalin
c) Trotsky
d) Nicholas II

Ans: c) Trotsky

5. What was the Russian parliament called?
a) Senate
b) Assembly
c) Duma
d) Council

Ans: c) Duma

6. Which system was introduced by Lenin?
a) Fascism
b) Capitalism
c) Socialism
d) Imperialism

Ans: c) Socialism

7. Who established the Fascist Party in Italy?
a) Hitler
b) Mussolini
c) Lenin
d) Stalin

Ans: b) Mussolini

8. Which event ended Tsarist rule?
a) French Revolution
b) Russian Revolution
c) Industrial Revolution
d) American Revolution

Ans: b) Russian Revolution

9. Who was the leader of Nazi Germany?
a) Mussolini
b) Hitler
c) Lenin
d) Stalin

Ans: b) Hitler

10. Which treaty ended World War I?
a) Treaty of Vienna
b) Treaty of Versailles
c) Treaty of Paris
d) Treaty of Berlin

Ans: b) Treaty of Versailles

11. What was Hitler called?
a) Il Duce
b) Kaiser
c) Fuhrer
d) Tsar

Ans: c) Fuhrer

12. Which country was blamed for World War I?
a) France
b) Britain
c) Germany
d) Russia

Ans: c) Germany

13. Who unified Germany?
a) Mazzini
b) Cavour
c) Bismarck
d) Garibaldi

Ans: c) Bismarck

14. Who founded Young Italy?
a) Garibaldi
b) Cavour
c) Mazzini
d) Napoleon

Ans: c) Mazzini

15. Who unified Italy?
a) Lenin
b) Victor Emmanuel II
c) Hitler
d) Stalin

Ans: b) Victor Emmanuel II

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks [1 marks each]

1. Louis Philippe came to the throne of France in ____________. (1830)
2. The foundation of the Second French Republic was laid in ___________. (1848)
3. At the Congress of Vienna, Prussia was represented by _____________. (Prince Hardenberg)
4. The first stage in the unification of Germany was the creation of _____________. (Zollverein)
5. In ___________ the German nationalists convened a parliament called Frankfurt Parliament. (1848)
6. The Second French Empire was founded by _________. (Napoleon III)
7. The leader of the July Revolution was ____________. (Louis Philippe)
8. In accordance with the principle of legitimacy, the __________ dynasty was reestablished in France. (Bourbon)
9. ___________ was appointed by Charles X as his minister. (Prince Polignac)
10. The Second French Empire was founded in ____________. (1852)

2B. True or false [1 marks each]

1. Louis Kossuth was known as ‘Mazzini of Hungary’. (True)
2. The foundation of the Second French Republic was laid in 1840. (False)
3. The Vienna Congress dismantled the Napoleonic empire. (True)
4. The Vienna Congress marks the beginning of an era. (True)
5. The Battle of Sadowa was fought between Austria and Russia. (False)
6. According to the principle of reward and punishment Poland was punished. (True)
7. The Battle of Sadowa was fought in 1860. (False)
8. Cavour published a paper named ‘Risorgimento’. (True)

2C. Very short-type questions and answers [1 marks each]

1. Which country considered the Treaty of Versailles as a dictated peace?
Ans: Germany considered the Treaty of Versailles as a dictated peace because it was forced to accept it without discussion.

2. What was the period of the First World War?
Ans: The First World War was fought from 1914 to 1918.

3. Which treaty contained the seeds of the Second World War?
Ans: The Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of the Second World War.

4. What were the revolutions which broke out during the reign of Czar Alexander II?
Ans: The liberal and revolutionary movements broke out during the reign of Czar Alexander II.

5. Which country declared war on Serbia in 1914?
Ans: Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia in 1914.

6. Between whom was the Battle of Jutland fought?
Ans: The Battle of Jutland was fought between Britain and Germany in 1916.

7. When did the Paris Peace Conference meet?
Ans: The Paris Peace Conference met in 1919.

8. Which government of Russia was overthrown by the Bolshevik Military Committee?
Ans: The Bolshevik Military Committee overthrew the Provisional Government of Russia in November 1917.

9. Name the treaty that was concluded after the end of the First World War.
Ans: The Treaty of Versailles was concluded after the end of the First World War.

10. In which year was the Treaty of St. Germain signed?
Ans: The Treaty of St. Germain was signed in 1919.

11. Name one of the countries that did not join the League of Nations.
Ans: The United States of America did not join the League of Nations.

12. Between whom was the Treaty of Portsmouth signed?
Ans: The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed between Russia and Japan in 1905.

13. What was the Russian parliament called?
Ans: The Russian parliament was called the Duma.

14. What were the two groups into which Russia’s Social Democratic Party came to be divided?
Ans: The party was divided into the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks.

15. What is Narodniya Volya?
Ans: Narodniya Volya was a revolutionary organisation in Russia that believed in violent methods to overthrow the Tsar.

3. Short-type questions and answers [2 marks each]

1. What is Fascism?
Ans: Fascism is a political system in which all power is held by one dictator, and people have no freedom to oppose the government.

2. Mention one of the methods by which Mussolini wanted to achieve his goals.
Ans: Mussolini wanted to achieve his goals by establishing a dictatorship and suppressing opposition through force and strict control over the people.

3. Mention two important contributions of Czar Nicholas I.
Ans: He strengthened the autocratic rule and maintained strict law and order in Russia through strong administrative control.

4. What was the effect of the Great Depression of 1929 on the USA?
Ans: The Great Depression caused widespread unemployment, closure of industries, poverty, and suffering among millions of people in the USA.

5. What is Black Thursday?
Ans: Black Thursday refers to 24 October 1929, when the American share market suddenly crashed and thousands of people lost their money, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

6. Name the important movement which broke out during the rule of the Russian Czars.
Ans: The important movement which broke out during the rule of the Russian Czars was the Nihilist Movement.

7. What led the USA to join the World War II?
Ans: The USA joined the Second World War after Japan attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. This sudden attack forced the USA to enter the war against Japan and its allies.

8. How did the economic crisis begin in the USA?
Ans: The economic crisis began when people started selling their shares in large numbers due to fear of loss, which caused the share market to collapse and led to the Great Depression.

9. Why is the share market crash of 24 October known as the Wall Street Crash?
Ans: It is called the Wall Street Crash because the share market in Wall Street, New York, collapsed and caused a severe economic crisis.

10. Why is 24 October 1929 known as Black Thursday?
Ans: It is known as Black Thursday because on that day the share market crashed suddenly, and thousands of investors suffered heavy financial losses.

4. Analytical questions and answers [4 marks each]

1. How did Hitler capture power in Germany?
Ans: Hitler captured power in Germany due to economic crisis and political instability. After the Great Depression, unemployment and poverty increased, and people lost faith in the Weimar Republic. Hitler promised to restore Germany’s pride and improve economic conditions. His Nazi Party gained popularity and won many seats in elections. In 1933, President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor. Hitler then suppressed opposition, banned other political parties, and established a dictatorship. He became the absolute ruler of Germany.

2. What was the nature of the Tsarist rule in Russia?
Ans: The Tsarist rule in Russia was autocratic and absolute in nature. The Tsar had unlimited powers and was not responsible to the people. There was no constitution, and people had no political rights or freedom of speech. The Tsar controlled the army, administration, and judiciary. Political opponents were severely punished, and the secret police suppressed revolutionary activities. The common people, especially peasants and workers, suffered due to poverty, heavy taxation, and lack of reforms. This oppressive rule created dissatisfaction among the people and ultimately led to the Russian Revolution.

3. What was the implication of Mussolini’s March to Rome?
Ans: The March to Rome took place in October 1922, when Mussolini and his Fascist supporters marched towards Rome to seize power. The King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel III, did not resist and instead invited Mussolini to form the government. This led to the establishment of a Fascist dictatorship in Italy. Mussolini became the Prime Minister and later assumed complete control. Democracy was destroyed, and Mussolini ruled as a dictator. This event marked the beginning of Fascist rule in Italy.

4. What was the Narodnik movement of Russia?
Ans: The Narodnik movement was a revolutionary movement started by Russian intellectuals in the 19th century. The word Narodnik means “friend of the people.” The Narodniks believed that peasants were the main force of revolution. They went to villages to educate and inspire peasants against the Tsarist rule. However, peasants did not support them and even informed the police. The government suppressed the movement, and many Narodniks were arrested. The movement failed but helped spread revolutionary ideas in Russia.

5. How was Rammohan Roy influenced by the July Revolution?
Ans: Rammohan Roy was greatly influenced by the July Revolution of 1830 in France. The revolution promoted liberty, equality, and constitutional government. He supported the ideas of democracy and freedom. He believed that people should have rights and rulers should not have absolute power. The revolution strengthened his belief in reforms and modern ideas. It encouraged him to work for social and political reforms in India.

6. Why was there a conflict between monarchical and nationalist ideals after 1815?
Ans: After 1815, European rulers wanted to restore monarchy and suppress democratic ideas. However, nationalist ideals spread among people who wanted freedom and self-government. Nationalists demanded constitutional government and national unity. Monarchs feared losing their power and opposed these movements. This led to conflicts between rulers and people. Revolutionary movements broke out in many countries like France, Italy, and Germany. Thus, there was continuous struggle between monarchy and nationalism.

7. Which period is known as the ‘Age of Conferences’?
Ans: The period between 1815 and 1822 is known as the Age of Conferences. During this period, European powers held meetings to maintain peace and suppress revolutions. Important conferences included the Congress of Vienna, Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, Congress of Troppau, and Congress of Verona. These meetings aimed to maintain balance of power and protect monarchy. This system was known as the Concert of Europe.

5. Explanatory questions and answers [8 marks each]

1. How did the USA become the power-centre of the world?
Ans: The USA became the power-centre of the world mainly after the First and Second World Wars. During the First World War, European countries suffered heavy losses in terms of life, property, and economy. However, the USA did not suffer destruction on its own soil and became economically stronger. The USA provided loans and financial assistance to European countries for reconstruction. Many European countries became dependent on American loans. The USA also developed its industries rapidly and became the world’s leading industrial nation. The USA became the largest producer of goods such as steel, machinery, and consumer products. Its exports increased, and it gained control over international trade. Its economic strength made it the leading financial power. After the Second World War, the USA emerged as a superpower. It had a strong military and atomic weapons. It also played a major role in forming international organisations like the United Nations. Thus, due to its economic strength, industrial development, military power, and financial influence, the USA became the power-centre of the world.

2. Write about the influence of the Russian Revolution.
Ans: The Russian Revolution of 1917 had great influence on Russia and the world. It ended the autocratic rule of the Tsars and established the first socialist government. Private property was abolished, and land was given to peasants. Industries were taken over by the government. The revolution inspired people in other countries to fight against oppression and demand equality and rights. Socialist and communist movements became popular in many countries. It also led to the formation of the Soviet Union. The revolution changed the political and economic system of Russia. It introduced the idea of equality and workers’ rights. It also influenced many national liberation movements. Thus, the Russian Revolution had a lasting impact on world history.

3. What is Ems Telegram?
Ans: The Ems Telegram was an important event that led to the Franco-Prussian War and helped in the unification of Germany. In 1870, the French government demanded that King William I of Prussia should promise never to support a German prince for the Spanish throne. King William I refused this demand politely and sent a telegram to Otto von Bismarck describing his meeting with the French ambassador at Ems. Bismarck edited the telegram and made it sound insulting to France. He then published it in newspapers. This insult angered the French government and people. France declared war on Prussia in 1870. This war united the German states against France. Prussia defeated France in the war, and German states united under Prussia. In 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed, and King William I became the Emperor. Thus, the Ems Telegram played an important role in provoking the war and completing the unification of Germany.

4. How did Bismarck unify Germany?
Ans: Otto von Bismarck was the chief architect of German unification. He believed in the policy of “Blood and Iron,” which meant achieving unity through war and military power. He first fought the war against Denmark in 1864 and gained territories. Then he fought against Austria in 1866 and defeated it in the Battle of Sadowa. This removed Austria’s influence over German states. Finally, he fought the Franco-Prussian War in 1870. France was defeated, and southern German states joined Prussia. These victories united all German states under Prussia. In 1871, Germany became a unified nation, and King William I became the Emperor. Thus, Bismarck unified Germany through wars, diplomacy, and strong leadership.

5. How was Italy unified?
Ans: Italy was divided into many small states and was under foreign control, especially Austria. The unification of Italy was achieved through the efforts of Mazzini, Cavour, and Garibaldi. Mazzini spread nationalist ideas and inspired people to fight for unity. He formed the organisation called Young Italy. Cavour, the Prime Minister of Sardinia, strengthened Sardinia economically and militarily. He gained the support of France and defeated Austria, gaining northern Italian territories. Garibaldi led his army called the Red Shirts and captured southern Italy, including Sicily and Naples. He handed over these territories to King Victor Emmanuel II. In 1870, Rome was added, and Italy became a unified nation. Thus, Italy was unified through the combined efforts of leaders, wars, and diplomacy.

6. Write about the revolutionary tradition in Russia.
Ans: Russia had a long revolutionary tradition due to the oppressive rule of the Tsars. The Tsars were autocratic rulers who denied political rights and freedoms to the people. The peasants were poor and suffered greatly even after the abolition of serfdom in 1861. Workers in industries also faced poor working and living conditions. Many revolutionary groups emerged in Russia. The Nihilists and Narodniks spread revolutionary ideas among the people. Later, socialist groups like the Social Democratic Party were formed. This party was divided into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, believed in violent revolution to overthrow the Tsar. Several revolutions and protests took place, such as the Revolution of 1905 and the Revolution of 1917. These movements finally led to the overthrow of the Tsarist rule and establishment of a socialist government. Thus, Russia had a strong revolutionary tradition due to oppression, poverty, and spread of socialist ideas.