AP World History : AP World History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1501 : Ap World History

What action on behalf of the Germans pushed Britain into World War I?

Possible Answers:

The German invasion of France

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The Bolshevik Revolution

The German invasion of Belgium

Rebellion within its colonies

Correct answer:

The German invasion of Belgium

Explanation:

The British had a pact with the Belgians to protect them in the event of a major conflict. Once the Germans began blazing a path to France through the small country, Britain's hand was forced and their entrance into the first major global conflict became unavoidable. 

Example Question #1502 : Ap World History

Of what nationality was the young man who assassinated the Austro-Hungarian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, and his wife Sophie? 

Possible Answers:

German

Russian

French

Austrian

Serbian

Correct answer:

Serbian

Explanation:

The Serbian assassin, Gavrilo Princip, was merely 19 years old when he set the events of World War I into motion. Commonly referred to as an "accidental assassin," Princip only happened to cross paths with the Archduke's car as he was leaving a pub. Acting quickly, he shot both the Archduke and his wife, Sophie. He then attempted to commit suicide by taking a cyanide tablet; however, the tablet was ineffective and Princip would live to see the trickle-down effect of his actions.

Example Question #233 : War And Civil Conflict

How many countries were involved in World War I by the conclusion of the conflict?

Possible Answers:

100

90

125

50

75

Correct answer:

100

Explanation:

By Armistice Day in 1919, 100 countries had become embroiled in the conflict known as World War I. Not only did the 'Great War' result in millions of casualties for these nations, but it also brought the world into the modern era.

Example Question #1503 : Ap World History

What was the immediate cause of the Persian Gulf War?

Possible Answers:

The U.S. support of an Israeli invasion of Iraq

The development of Iraqi WMDs

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait

The massacre of Kurds by Saddam Hussein

The threats made by Iraq against other Middle Eastern countries

Correct answer:

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait

Explanation:

Though Iraq had a horrific human rights record and extreme tensions with its Middle Eastern neighbors, and had declared that it would use chemical weapons on Israel in case of military invasion, none of these was the immediate cause of the war. Instead, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 and subsequent control over its oil fields merited an international response. 

Example Question #1504 : Ap World History

What pretext did Japan use to invade Manchuria in 1931?

Possible Answers:

The Japanese bombing of the South Manchurian Railway

The need to guard against Chinese invasion

The Chinese accusations of Japanese aggression

The approval of the League of Nations

The Chinese bombing of Katagami

Correct answer:

The Japanese bombing of the South Manchurian Railway

Explanation:

Japanese troops blew up part of the South Manchurian Railway in September 1931, and accused China of orchestrating the incident. Japan used this incident as a pretext to invade Manchuria, which it had gained complete control over by 1932. 

Example Question #1505 : Ap World History

What was the Japanese response when the League of Nations condemned its 1931 invasion of Manchuria?

Possible Answers:

It wrote a letter to the League justifying its actions

It advanced farther into China

It brought up an ancient Japanese claim to Manchuria

It withdrew from Manchuria

It withdrew from the League

Correct answer:

It withdrew from the League

Explanation:

After the invasion, the Chinese turned to the international community for help, and the League of Nations attempted to bring Japan to the negotiation table. By 1932, Japan had ignored international entreaties, withdrawn from the League and established a puppet state of Manchuko. 

Example Question #1506 : Ap World History

Which of the following was NOT a general cause of the first Palestinian intifada from 1987-1993?

Possible Answers:

Israeli confiscation of Palestinian land

The growing Palestinian population

Israeli beatings, shootings, and killings of Palestinians

The instigation of neighboring Arab states. 

Harsh Israeli crackdowns on Palestinian demonstrations

Correct answer:

The instigation of neighboring Arab states. 

Explanation:

After the formation of the Israeli state by the United Nations from lands claimed by the Palestinians, there were decades of conflict. Israelis cracked down hard on Palestinian demonstrations, and also confiscated the land owned by Palestinians. A combination of Israeli land confiscations and the growing Palestinian population created bad conditions for Palestinians, including rising unemployment levels and poor living conditions.

Example Question #1507 : Ap World History

What triggered the second Palestinian intifada in 2000?

Possible Answers:

Palestinian attacks on Israeli soldiers

Israeli attacks on Palestinian settlements

Israeli invasion of Jordan

Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount

Instigation from neighboring Arab states

Correct answer:

Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount

Explanation:

After the Oslo Accords in 1995, Israel committed to withdrawal from some contested areas and to respect the Palestinian right to certain areas of land, but the bloodshed did not stop in subsequent years, and both sides were deeply disappointed with the process. In 2000, Israeli opposition leader Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount, which includes the very holy Al Aqsa mosque. This sparked Palestinian riots and quickly turned into widespread demonstrations and violence. 

Example Question #1508 : Ap World History

Which of these African countries did not experience large-scale civil war after independence?

Possible Answers:

Uganda

Sierra Leone

Liberia

Angola

Tanzania

Correct answer:

Tanzania

Explanation:

After independence in 1961, Tanzania has remained relatively peaceful with no instances of large-scale civil conflict. It was involved in the invasion of Uganda and overthrow of Idi Amin but that represents an instance of interstate conflict not civil war. All the other countries listed have experienced at least one civil war since independence.

Example Question #1509 : Ap World History

Who were the Allies (Allied Powers) during World War I?

Possible Answers:

France, Great Britain, the United States, and Austria-Hungary 

Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States

France, Great Britain, and Austria-Hungary 

Great Britain, Russia, and Japan

Correct answer:

Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States

Explanation:

The Allied Powers are Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. Italy could also be included despite having been pledged to Germany (through a treaty) initially. The other options are incorrect because Austria-Hungary (Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time) was part of the Central Powers, which were against the Allies. Japan is incorrect as well because Japan was not involved in World War I.

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