AP World History: Modern › World Wars I and II
Prior to World War I, Germany was able to create colonies in which regions outside of Europe?
Africa
China
Southeast Asia
The Middle East (or West Asia)
Central Asia
The unification of Germany occurred just as European powers were beginning to create colonies in Africa; thus, Germany was able to gain control of South West Africa (Namibia) and German East Africa (Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanzania). Southeast Asia was dominated by France, Central Asia was largely controlled by Russia (with some British outposts, e.g. in Afghanistan), and the Middle East/West Asia was part of the Ottoman Empire (although Egypt was largely controlled by Britain). China remained an independent state, although the central government was greatly weakened by European and American influences.
Which event is generally thought to have set off the events leading to World War 1?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The ascension of Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Prussian throne
The sinking of the Lusitania
The breakdown of diplomatic relations between Austria and Germany
Rising tensions over who controlled Alsace-Lorraine
In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by Serbian nationalists in Sarajevo. This prompted Austria to declare war on Serbia. In turn, Germany declared war on Serbia and soon all of Europe was embroiled in one of its goriest conflicts.
What was the Doolittle Raid?
American air bombing of Tokyo and other parts of Honshu Island in 1942 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor that demonstrated Japan was vulnerable to air attack.
American-led assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler in 1943 that was ultimately unsuccessful.
British surprise bombing on Berlin in 1941 that destroyed 20% of the city at the time.
Code name for the massive Allied offensive into Italy in 1943 that started in Sicily.
German submarine operation that patrolled the Atlantic in attempts to sink Allied supply shipments from the U.S.
The Doolittle Raid occurred on April 18, 1942 planned by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle. 16 B-25B's dropped bombs on Tokyo and Honshu. Although the raid was of little strategic importance and inflicted minimal damage to Tokyo, it was a huge most for American morale in the months after Pearl Harbor. Moreover, it demonstrated to the Japanese that their home island of Honshu was vulnerable to air attack.
What was the Second World War called in the Soviet Union?
The Great Patriotic War
The Soviet-German War
The Fascist War
The War of Fascist Agression
The War of the Motherland's Defense
Due to Stalin's use of nationalistic, Russosuperior propaganda during the war, though it ran in direct opposition to communist internationalism, was so effective in inspiring the USSR's populace and troops that the moniker "Great Patriotic War" has stuck ever since.
Which of the following countries did Nazi Germany first send troops to?
Spain
Italy
Czechoslovakia
Austria
The Soviet Union
The Third Reich, as part of an international proxy war between Communists and Anti-Communists, sent significant numbers of men, material, aircraft, and armored units to support fascist troops during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
Which of the following was not a technological advancement created by World War I or II?
X-ray imaging
Rocket technology
Jet aircraft
Penicillin
X-ray imaging was invented in the late 19th century. While it did see significant advances during the period of the World Wars, its advent predates both of them.
Which of the following was a direct result of the United States' entering in to World War I?
The creation of the Selective Service System, the modern conscription apparatus used by the United States in times of war
The temporary requisitioning of all privately held fully automatic weapons in the continental United States for the war effort, due to a lack of machine guns in the United States' arsenal
The playing of the Star-Spangled Banner was made mandatory at all public events "of sufficient size and caliber" in order to foment patriotism and nationalistic fervor in favor of the war
American women were allowed to enter the rank-and-file military for the first time due to shortages of able-bodied men to be on the front line
All media outlets had to consult with the government to make sure news stories wouldn't betray military or state secrets before publishing
Due to horrendous rates of voluntary enlistment for the war effort, President Woodrow Wilson established the Selective Service System and enacted the second nationwide draft in United States history, loosening the requirements to be enlisted and disallowing substitutions as had been common during the Civil War's draft.
What was the purpose of the Gallipoli Campaign (1915-1916)?
To attempt a drive on Istanbul/Constantinople, knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war and opening a supply route through the Black Sea to resupply increasingly desperate Russian troops on the Eastern Front
To grant Britain a foothold in the Middle East for post-war imperial expansion in anticipation of the Sykes-Picot agreement
To require the Germans to draw massive numbers of troops away from the areas of the Entente's main thrust in France and Belgium, allowing the Entente to break the multiyear stalemate
To show the world the skill and prowess of the newly formed Australia New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs), a group of colonial subjects who would later be renowned for fighting prowess, stubbornness in battle, and irreverence for authority
To gain access to gold reserves in Istanbul/Constantinople, dearly needed due to shortages of precious metals with which the Entente was required to pay for American shipments of armaments, food, and other supplies
The British coordinated, in conjunction with the French and ANZAC troops, an amphibious assault on Gallipoli at the opening of the Dardanelles straights in order to strengthen thin supply lines to the Russian Empire and to remove a stubborn belligerent, the Ottoman Empire, from the war.
Which of the following did NOT contribute to the conditions in Germany that led it to agree to the Armistice of November 1918?
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Germany and the Soviet Union, signed in March 1918
The introduction of American ground troops on the Western Front in the Spring of 1918
The long-term success of the British blockade against German ports
Socialist revolts and mutinies in various areas within Germany during the fall October and early November 1918
The surrender of German allies Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire during September and October 1918
The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Germany and the newly-created Soviet Union was a complete triumph for Germany, which gained extensive territory in the East as well as the withdrawal of Russian/Soviet troops from its Eastern Front. This allowed Germany to turn all of its efforts to defeating the Allied powers in the West. Unfortunately, soon after the treaty was signed, the US began sending fresh troops to the Western Front at a rate of about 10,000 per day. Compounding this was the situation in Germany itself, where the population faced severe food shortages after suffering through over four years of a highly effective British naval blockade. Inspired by the example of the Soviet revolution in Russia, and tired of the war and shortages, various socialist groups and even some military units began to revolt against the war and the German government in the Fall of 1918. Meanwhile, Germany's weaker allies found it increasingly impossible to continue fighting, and so withdrew from combat. All this led to Germany's acceptance of the Armistice that ended the fighting on November 11, 1918.
The military actions of Germany at the beginning of World War I in 1914 were determined by what strategic concern?
Defeating France quickly in the West before needing to defend against a Russian attack from the East
Ensuring that Great Britain did not enter the war as an ally of France
Avoiding an attack by Italy against Austria-Hungary
Defeating the Serbian uprising precipitated by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Not violating Belgian neutrality
Few prospects were as feared by German war planners more than the possibility of having to fight a two-front war against both France and Russia. This fear led to the creation of the Schlieffen Plan, by which Germany would invade France via Belgium with the hopes of defeating France quickly before turning to Russia. This invasion would constitute a violation of Belgian neutrality, which was guaranteed by Great Britain, so carrying out the Schlieffen Plan almost guaranteed that Britain would enter the war on the side of France (which it did). Italy did eventually enter the war against the Axis powers, specifically in order to gain territory from Austria-Hungary, but not until 1915. The campaign against the Serbs was fought by Austrian forces, and was not a major concern of Germany.