AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #151 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Which of the following is not a reason that Africa was chosen to be colonized by Europe?

Possible Answers:

New markets for manufactured goods

Cheap labor supply

Weak military

Natural resources

Correct answer:

Weak military

Explanation:

Europe did not take the military strength of the Africans into account when dividing up the continent. This is mainly for two reasons. First, Europe had the best military forces in the world at the time, and did not fear confronting any other nation. Second, they knew basically nothing about Africa outside of the coastline. Europeans had never ventured very far inland, and therefore had no knowledge of how advanced or otherwise the people were in any respect.

Example Question #152 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

What major infrastructure project was built in Egypt after its colonization?

Possible Answers:

Egyptian roadway network

City of Cairo

Pyramids of Giza

Suez Canal

Correct answer:

Suez Canal

Explanation:

The Suez Canal was built in Egypt in 1869. This canal was built to greatly reduce the trip between Europe and Asia. Even if you did not directly know the answer to this question, you could guess this question with knowledge of the Suez Canal's function, which entirely served European interests, as opposed to the actual people of Egypt.

Example Question #153 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

What nation built the Suez Canal?

Possible Answers:

Britain

Egypt

France

United States

Correct answer:

France

Explanation:

Ferdinand de Lesseps was a Frenchman whose company built the Suez Canal. At the time it was thought to be an impossible feat. This was due to the fact that the distance between the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea was over 100 miles of desert. It was thought that it would be too difficult to dig the canal; however, de Lesseps and his men were able to complete the project over a fifteen-year period, with the extensive and inhumane use of forced labor.

Example Question #154 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

What was the main cause and facilitating factor for European Imperialism?

Possible Answers:

Loss of trade partners

Need for expansion

The Industrial Revolution

The loss of colonies to independence (e.g. the United States)

Correct answer:

The Industrial Revolution

Explanation:

The Industrial Revolution was the main cause of Imperialism. This is because the European nations now had all these goods they could make, but not enough people to sell them to. This meant they needed to create captive markets to sell their goods to, such as nations in Africa and Asia. They were also in need of the raw materials in order to keep making these goods, which they did not have in Europe.

Example Question #153 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

The resolution of what conflict made Japan the dominant power in East Asia?

Possible Answers:

World War I

The First Sino-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese War

The Boxer Rebellion

The Second Sino-Japanese War

Correct answer:

The Russo-Japanese War

Explanation:

The Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 saw Japan defeat Russia to become the dominant power in East Asia. The First Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 saw Japan defeat China and emerge as one of the major powers in the region, but not the dominant one. World War I was fought after Japan had emerged as a major world power. The Boxer Rebellion of 1899-1901 was simply an internal conflict in China in which foreign nations, including Japan, intervened, and did not have any direct major effect on Japan's status. The Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945 was fought long after Japan emerged as a major world power, and in fact became part of the larger conflict of World War II, in which Japan was totally defeated. 

Example Question #155 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

What was the outcome of the First Boer War?

Possible Answers:

British Victory

Stalemate 

Boer Victory

None of these answers is accurate.

Correct answer:

Boer Victory

Explanation:

The Boer won a decisive victory against the British. The casualty rate was 10 British for every one Boer. The Boer were just as well equipped as the British with the same level of technology. The Boer also had a vast advantage when it came to the terrain and using it to their advantage. The British were soundly defeated and they retreated back the the South African Colony.

Example Question #156 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Which of the following is a successful non-Christian empire that has existed in the years since 1500?

Possible Answers:

The United Arab Emirates

The Moroccan Empire

The Saudi Arabian Empire

The Spanish Empire

The Ottoman Empire

Correct answer:

The Ottoman Empire

Explanation:

The Ottoman Empire, which lasted from 1500 until the end of World War I, grew from a small state west of modern day Turkey into a major player in global politics. At its height the Ottomans controlled the Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of what are now Southern Russia and the Ukraine. Upon its dissolution after World War I in 1923 the Ottoman Empire was replaced by the Republic of Turkey. 

Example Question #157 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Had Africa experienced the Industrial Revolution before European colonization?

Possible Answers:

Africa was completely industrialized by the time European colonization began

Africa went from being fully tribal to completely industrialized within five years of European colonization

Not in any way

Inland Africa had not experienced the Industrial Revolution prior to colonization, but certain cities (mainly ports) had begun prior to colonization

Correct answer:

Inland Africa had not experienced the Industrial Revolution prior to colonization, but certain cities (mainly ports) had begun prior to colonization

Explanation:

Most of Africa had not experienced the Industrial Revolution before the Berlin Conference divided the continent. Parts of it that were more linked with the outside world (trading ports) had already begun to experience the Industrial Revolution. 

Example Question #151 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

_______________ is the practice of controlling a foreign land through political or military force for the purpose of improved security or wealth extraction.

Possible Answers:

Empireism

Foreign Rule

Fiefdom

Colonialism

Imperialism

Correct answer:

Imperialism

Explanation:

Imperialism is the extension of an empire into foreign lands. It is using political and/or military power to dictate policy and governing decisions emanating from the home empire. Imperialism can be achieved through means such as colonialism or economic manipulation.

Example Question #151 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

________________ is the practice of settling people from one’s own country in a foreign land to manage the political and economic aspects of the new land.

Possible Answers:

Empireism

Colonialism

Settlement

Fiefdom

Occupation

Correct answer:

Colonialism

Explanation:

Colonialism is the practice of settling one's own people in a foreign land. The word "colony" refers to an extension of the home empire, thus implying the empire has power to govern the colonized land. By placing citizens on the ground in foreign lands, the home empire has a greater ability to manage economic and political affairs.

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