AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #791 : Political History

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

Possible Answers:

Tanzania

Angola

Uganda

Sierra Leone

Liberia

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 #792 : Political History

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

Possible Answers:

Great Britain, Russia, and Japan

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

France, Great Britain, and Austria-Hungary 

Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States

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.

Example Question #793 : Political History

What is not considered a cause of World War I?

Possible Answers:

Rapid Militarization in Germany 

The Rise of Nationalism in the Baltics

German Invasion of France

Internal Political Issues in Germany 

Correct answer:

German Invasion of France

Explanation:

Though it could be argued that Germany was "posed" for war, they did not mobilize troops or invade France before the war began in 1914. Therefore, the "German Invasion of France" is an incorrect answer. 

Each of the other options contributed to the eruption of war. Feelings of intense nationalism spread across the Baltic states. Slav nationalism was encouraged by Russia, but it scared Austria. The Austrian empire felt threatened by the Baltic region, after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), because of the large Slav populations in the South. This caused Austria to align with Germany and contributed to the escalation and cause of the first world war. The rapid militarization in Germany also contributed to the breakout of the first world war as it posed a threat for surrounding countries. This militarization was influenced by colonial/imperialism desires that ultimately caused a naval/arms race between Germany and Britain. There were immense internal political issues in Germany, including but not limited to: economic issues, decline of the Kaiser's regime, and rise of social movements. Ultimately, all of these contributed to the cause of World War I.

Example Question #794 : Political History

Who were the Axis Powers during World War II?

Possible Answers:

Italy, Germany, Romania, and Austria 

Germany, Japan, Russia, and Italy

Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria

Germany, Austria, and Italy

Correct answer:

Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria

Explanation:

The Axis Powers refers the group of countries that were united together during World War II against the Allies. 

The correct answer includes the full list of the Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Some might say that Austria would not count as one because it was considered a part of the Axis Powers because it was annexed by Germany in 1938. The other options are only partially correct, thus the full list is necessary to get this question right. 

 

Example Question #795 : Political History

What is not considered a cause of the 1917 Russian Revolution?

Possible Answers:

Mass disapproval of the Czar 

Massive issues facing the peasants, most prominently famine 

The Czar abdicated and needed a successor 

Succession of wars, including the Crimean War, Russo-Turkish War, and World War I

Rise of the working class who faced poor conditions

Correct answer:

The Czar abdicated and needed a successor 

Explanation:

The Russian Revolution in 1917 had many complex causes, some were deeply-rooted in society at the time whereas others were more immediate. Succession of wars, the rise of the working class, mass disapproval of the Czar, and issues facing peasants all contributed to the outbreak of the revolution; however, Czarism ended because of this revolution and wasn't a cause. The other answers are all direct causes to the growing discontentment of the Russian people that prompted a revolution.

Example Question #796 : Political History

When did the Cuban Missile Crisis happen?

Possible Answers:

September 1961

October 1962

October 1968

November 1967

Correct answer:

October 1962

Explanation:

The Cuban Missile crisis was a 13-day confrontation or stalemate between the Soviet Union and the United States. This happened once Soviet missiles were found just 90 miles away from the US show. The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis, was the closest point to escalating to full-scale nuclear war during the Cold War. It happened between October 14-28, 1962 during the Cold War. 

Example Question #797 : Political History

What was not a consequence of World War II?

Possible Answers:

Escalation of the arms race

Creation of the League of Nations 

An "iron curtain" dividing Europe

Loss of approximately 50-70 million civilian and military lives

Correct answer:

Creation of the League of Nations 

Explanation:

There were many results from the Second World War. Millions of lives were lost, but there were also immense political consequences. Europe was essentially divided across Germany (East versus West), and it was the "iron curtain." The East was under the influence of the Soviet Union whereas the West was influenced by the Allies. This created tension throughout the Cold War and enhanced other consequences from WWII especially for Germany.

The correct answer for this question is the "Creation of the League of Nations." The United Nations was created after the Second World War, whereas the League of Nations was a result of the First World War. 

 

Example Question #798 : Political History

What was the "trigger" for onset of World War I?

Possible Answers:

France breaking a treaty with Germany 

The assassination of the German Kaiser 

Germany invading France

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Correct answer:

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Explanation:

The correct answer is "the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand." The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 is classified as the "trigger" of the war as it led to the ultimatum and eventual declaration of war. There were, however, many underlying causes of war, but the assassination of the Archduke is considered the most relevant single event to the onset of the conflict.

"Germany invading France" is incorrect because it should not be considered a trigger for the war. Germany invaded France as part of the Schlieffen Plan, which was in reaction to Russia mobilizing their troops on the Eastern front. 

"France breaking a treaty with Germany" and the "assassination of the German Kaiser" are incorrect because they simply did not happen.

Example Question #799 : Political History

What was the official reason for the United States entering World War II?

Possible Answers:

Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 

German troops invading Poland 

German U-boats sinking Lusitania 

UK demand for aid after the Bombing of Britain 

Correct answer:

Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii 

Explanation:

The correct answer is the Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States had remained neutral, aiming to avoid entering another war, until Japan conducted these aerial strikes in 1941.

"German U-boats sinking Lusitania" is an incorrect answer because that event, though it did influence the United States' involvement, occurred during the First World War. 

The Bombing of Britain did influence some United States' decision to enter because of being close allies; however, the US remained neutral throughout these desperate times in the UK. 

Germany invaded Poland in 1939, but none of the Allies aided Poland in any military or aid way despite declaring war on Germany because of this action. 

Example Question #800 : Political History

Since World War II, the conflict with the highest casualty toll in the world occurred in which of the following countries?

Possible Answers:

Vietnam

Iran

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwanda

Iraq

Correct answer:

Democratic Republic of Congo

Explanation:

The Second Congo War occurred between 1998 and 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is estimated that 2.5 to 5.4 million people were killed in the conflict, making it more deadly than any conflict in the world since WWII. 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors