SAT II World History : World War I

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : World War I

Which action directly caused Britain to enter World War One? 

Possible Answers:

French invasion of Germany

German invasion of Poland

German invasion of Belgium

Russian invasion of Austria-Hungary

German annexation of Czechoslovakia

Correct answer:

German invasion of Belgium

Explanation:

Although signed into an alliance with France and Russia, Britain originally wanted to remain primarily neutral in the First World War. Certainly, Britain did not want to fully commit its forces to the conflict. However, Britain was sworn to defend Belgian sovereignty. Once Germany invaded Belgium, Britain was forced into the war on the side of France and Russia against the Germans. 

Example Question #3 : France And Britain In World War I

David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau were ________.

Possible Answers:

NONE of these answers

executed for treason and cowardice, respectively, during the First World War

two leaders of the Easter Rebellion in 1917 

political leaders in Britain and France at the end of the First World War 

convicted communists in the United States and France during the early years of the Cold War

Correct answer:

political leaders in Britain and France at the end of the First World War 

Explanation:

David Lloyd George was the Prime Minister of England from 1916-1922. Georges Clemenceau was Prime Minister of France from 1917 to 1920. Both men were influential in reordering Europe after World War One at the Paris Peace Conference. 

Example Question #4 : France And Britain In World War I

Britain entered World War One in response to German violation of which country's neutrality? 

Possible Answers:

Belgium

Holland

France

Switzerland

Spain

Correct answer:

Belgium

Explanation:

World War One began on the Western Front with a massive German troop movement through Belgium and into North-Eastern France. In response to German troops moving through Belgium and occupying the nation, Britain declared war (it had promised to protect Belgian neutrality and was allied with the French). The French and the British stalled the German offensive at the Battle of the Marne, and the mobile period of the First World War ended, to be was replaced with years of brutal trench warfare. 

Example Question #35 : 1900 C.E. To Present

For which of these countries was unrestricted submarine warfare an important part of World War I strategy?

Possible Answers:

Italy

France

Japan

Russia

Germany

Correct answer:

Germany

Explanation:

The German U-boat policy of unrestricted submarine warfare was an important strategy in the Atlantic theatre of the First World War. In an attempt to cut off the British isles from foreign trade, the German submarines would sink any merchant boat headed there. This caused the sinking of American ships and helped turn public opinion in America towards war against Germany.

Example Question #1 : Germany In World War I

Who was the leader of Germany during the First World War? 

Possible Answers:

Frederick the Great

King Leopold II

Adolf Hitler

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Prince Otto von Bismarck

Correct answer:

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Explanation:

The leader of Germany during the First World War was Kaiser Wilhelm II. He replaced Bismarck as ruler of Germany in 1890 and set the nation on a course for warfare from the very beginning. He was forced to abdicate power following the end of the war and German capitulation.

Example Question #12 : World War I

The Zimmerman Telegram was an attempt to __________.

Possible Answers:

trick the American people into voting for Woodrow Wilson

get Mexico to declare war on the United States during World War One

rid Germany of communist influences during the First World War

get China to declare war on Japan and Germany during World War One

create a Jewish state in the Palestinian territory

Correct answer:

get Mexico to declare war on the United States during World War One

Explanation:

The Zimmerman Telegram was sent to Mexico by the German government during World War One. It was designed to preempt American involvement in the war in Europe by ensuring that Mexico would keep America distracted at home. The telegram was made public knowledge and was an important motivating factor in America's final decision to enter the conflict.

Example Question #11 : World War I

Which of these major powers was most involved and invested in the Balkan region during the First World War? 

Possible Answers:

France

The United States

Russia

Italy

Germany

Correct answer:

Russia

Explanation:

For much of the nineteenth century, the Russians had shown a distinct interest in the Balkan region. Russia wanted a port city to directly access the Mediterranean, but the Russians also saw themselves as the same, or similar, nationality as the Serbian people living in the Balkan region. The Serbs at the time were under the dominion of the Austria-Hungary Empire, and Russia sought to help free the Serbs.

Example Question #1 : Russia In World War I

What name was given to the Russian legislature during the Tsarist regime?

Possible Answers:

Comintern

The Kremlin

The Reichstag

Glasnost

The Duma

Correct answer:

The Duma

Explanation:

The Russian legislature was called the Duma. It was created by the Tsar to give in to calls for democracy, but in reality, it had limited powers to effect legislation.

Example Question #12 : World War I

Rasputin was __________.

Possible Answers:

a religious mystic who held influence over the Russian royal family

a leader of the Mensheviks who tried to sieze power during the Russian Revolution

a traitor who sold Russian military secrets to the Germans

a supporter of Lenin's who undermined the Tsarist regime from the inside

killed during the siege of Leningrad

Correct answer:

a religious mystic who held influence over the Russian royal family

Explanation:

Rasputin was a religious mystic who held great influence over the Russian royal family. Much of his influence was derived from his ability to keep one of the royal children alive. (The boy was a hemophiliac.) When Nicholas II was away leading troops at the front, his wife ruled the government, and the fact that she was considered under the control of a mystic led to much public outcry. 

Example Question #1 : Russia In World War I

Which of the following is the name given to Lenin's faction of the Communist Party and the Russian Revolution?

Possible Answers:

The Mensheviks

The Bolsheviks

The Red Army

The Cominterns

The Duma

Correct answer:

The Bolsheviks

Explanation:

The Russian Revolution occurred in 1917 and saw Russia pulled out of the First World War. The monarchy was replaced by a communist government run by Lenin and the Bolsheviks. The Bolsheviks differed from the Mensheviks in that they favored an immediate and artificial revolution.

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