AP World History : Political History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #74 : War And Civil Conflict 1900 To Present

In the buildup to World War II Italy invaded __________.

Possible Answers:

Egypt

Morocco

Poland

Austria

Ethiopia

Correct answer:

Ethiopia

Explanation:

Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935 and the military occupation of Ethiopia began in 1936. It may be understood in relation to two important topics. Firstly, it represented the culmination of Mussolini’s promise upon coming to power in Italy - that he would achieve conquest of foreign territory and the establishment of Italian colonies. Secondly, it represented the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations at preventing conflict between its member nations.

Example Question #1528 : Ap World History

Which of these best describes the final result of the Chinese Civil War?

Possible Answers:

The capitalists overthrew communism and opened China’s markets to the rest of the world

The Communists and the Nationalists united to fight off Japanese invasion during World War II

None of these answers accurately describe the final result of the Chinese Civil War

Communists took control of mainland China; the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan

The Nationalist government took control of mainland China; the Communists fled to Taiwan

Correct answer:

Communists took control of mainland China; the Nationalist government fled to Taiwan

Explanation:

The Chinese Civil War was fought from the late 1920s until 1950. It was fought between the communist forces of Mao Zedong and the nationalist forces of Chiang Kai-Shek. It ended with the communists in control of mainland China and the nationalist forces forced to flee and establish a government in Taiwan. This situation, of a divided China, persists to this day.

Example Question #811 : Political History

Which country allied with North Korea in their war against South Korea and the United States in the 1950s?

Possible Answers:

Vietnam

Pakistan

Japan

India

China

Correct answer:

China

Explanation:

China and the Soviet Union were both allied with North Korea in their war against South Korea and the United States of America. The Korean War was fought from 1950 to 1953 and ended in a virtual stalemate.

Example Question #812 : Political History

The Rape of Nanking occurred during __________.

Possible Answers:

the Boxer Rebellion

the Cultural Revolution

the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in the 1930s

the First Opium War

the Japanese invasion of mainland China during World War II

Correct answer:

the Japanese invasion of mainland China during World War II

Explanation:

The Rape of Nanking took place in 1937 when forces of the imperial Japanese army captured the Chinese capital Nanking. It featured the wholesale rape, slaughter, and massacre of the Chinese population by Japanese troops. The recriminations from this, and other war crimes committed by the Japanese in China and East Asia, continue to affect relations between these countries to this day.

Example Question #84 : War And Civil Conflict 1900 To Present

Why might the Russo-Japanese War be seen as a turning point in history?

Possible Answers:

It was the first time Japan tried to extend its territory on to mainland Asia, opening the door for Japanese hegemony

None of these answers is accurate; the Russo-Japanese War was only of minor regional importance

It was the first time a modern eastern power defeated a western power in open warfare

It was the first time the modern Japanese navy was defeated in conflict, representing a huge setback for the burgeoning imperial power

It was the first time Japan and China allied together to fight against a western power

Correct answer:

It was the first time a modern eastern power defeated a western power in open warfare

Explanation:

The Russo-Japanese War is often seen as a turning point in history because it was the first time a modern eastern power had defeated a western power in open warfare. The previous centuries had been marked by one victory after another for the west, but with victory in the Russo-Japanese War this trend was halted.

Example Question #813 : Political History

Which of these countries was the first to be targeted by the blitzkrieg tactics of Nazi Germany?

Possible Answers:

Poland

Czechoslovakia

Ukraine

Austria

Belgium

Correct answer:

Poland

Explanation:

The German military tactic of blitzkrieg was first employed in the German invasion of Poland in 1939. Blitzkrieg involves the rapid movement of an attacking force comprised of armored vehicles and mechanized infantry. It is designed to disorient the enemy and result in a quick and comprehensive victory.

Example Question #814 : Political History

Which of these countries was not occupied by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II?

Possible Answers:

Poland

Czechoslovakia

Austria

Romania

Hungary

Correct answer:

Austria

Explanation:

All of these countries were occupied by the Soviet Union at the end of World War II except Austria. Austria remained a part of Western Europe and a feature of the capitalist bloc of NATO, whilst Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Czechoslovakia all became part of the communist bloc of the Warsaw Pact.

Example Question #815 : Political History

Which of these conflicts was the first major war of the Cold War era?

Possible Answers:

The Vietnam War

The Korean War

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

The Gulf War

The Falklands War

Correct answer:

The Korean War

Explanation:

The foundations for the Korean War were laid at the end of the Second World War when the Soviet Union occupied Japanese controlled North Korea and the United States occupied Japanese controlled South Korea. By 1950 it became clear that two separate governments were competing in Korea, a communist north and a capitalist south. This led to open warfare when the North Korean army, backed by the Soviet Union and China, invaded South Korea. The United States of America provided for the defense of South Korea, along with a coalition of many other western capitalist nations.

Example Question #88 : War And Civil Conflict 1900 To Present

What was the final outcome of the Vietnam War?

Possible Answers:

The country was unified by Northern Vietnamese forces whilst the United States was still in the conflict

The country remained divided between North and South Vietnam for two decades after the United States withdrew from the conflict

The country was unified by Southern Vietnamese forces after the United States withdrew from the conflict

The country was unified by Northern Vietnamese forces after the United States withdrew from the conflict

The country was unified by Southern Vietnamese forces whilst the United States was still in the conflict

Correct answer:

The country was unified by Northern Vietnamese forces after the United States withdrew from the conflict

Explanation:

The United States was fighting against the Vietcong and the forces of the Northern Vietnamese communist government. The war ended with the United States withdrawing before it had achieved its goals, and the subsequent unification of the country under the control of the Northern Vietnamese communist government.

Example Question #816 : Political History

Who was the leader of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War?

Possible Answers:

Bao Dai 

Ho Chi Minh 

Le Duan 

Ngo Dinh Diem 

Mao Zedong 

Correct answer:

Ho Chi Minh 

Explanation:

Ho Chi Minh led the communist forces of North Vietnam during the Vietnam War (1955- 1975). He was instrumental in the foundation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and led the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. He first defeated the French at the battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and later the coalition forces, which were led by the United States. 

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