Posted: September 13th, 2017

The Great War

the Great War

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1. What was the Great War, a.k.a. World War I? Why did it occur? Why do we care?

The resource should be from Chapter 33 of the book Jerry H. Bentley & Herbert F. Ziegler, Traditions & Encounters, vol. 2: From 1500 to the Present (Fifth Edition) with ISBN 978-0-07736803-6, and from primary resource which is the article inside the book: Memorandum, General Syrian Congress, p. 7855

2.

Old IB History Exam Test Questions

Reminders:

1. You will not know every question you see here in this packet and that is to be expected. I gave you all of the questions so that you can see that you will feel comfortable with a certain amount.
2. We focused our studies really from Bismarck and German unification through Khrushchev. IB has teachers only focus on about 100 years…not all possible topics. Thus, you are better prepared to go into detail on particular questions and not just skim over your answers.
3. When you take the test, cell phones, pagers, etc. are not allowed in the examining room.
4. You must take black or blue ink pens for all written texts.
5. Take time to plan your answers. This planning will help your answers be stronger.
6. Remember that with Paper II, you answer TWO questions, each from a different section.
7. Remember that with Paper III, you answer THREE questions.

Paper II–2002

Topic I: Causes, Practices and Effects of War

1. To what extent has any twentieth century war changed the role of women?
2. How far do you agree with the view of some recent historians that Chamberlain’s appeasement of Hitler at Munich was NOT a mistake?
3. “The First and Second World Wars were European civil wars that required outside intervention to settle.” How far do you agree with this quotation?
4. Examine the extent to which guerilla warfare has been successful since 1945 in any two wars each chosen from a different region.
5. In what ways did Truman’s policy of “limited warfare” in Korea set the pattern of military conflict up to 1990?

Topic 3: The Rise and the rule of Single Party States

1. Analyze the conditions which led to the establishment of two single party states each chosen from a different region.
2. How and why have religious groups a) opposed, and b) supported single party regimes?
3. Assess the success and failure of two rulers of single party regimes, each chosen from a different region, in solving the social and economic problems of their countries.
4. To what extent was the success of Stalin in retaining power in the USSR between 1929 and 1953 due to the appeal of Communism?
5. Examine the impact outside their own countries of two of the following: Fidel Castro, Gamel Abdel Nasser, Julius Nyerere, Mao Zedong.

Topic 5:

The Cold War

1. Assess the significance for the development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1950 of three of the following:
a. The Yalta Conference, 1945
b. The Iron Curtain speech, 1946
c. The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, 1947
d. The expulsion of Yugoslavia from the Soviet block, 1948
e. The Berlin Blockade and Airlift, 1948-1949
f. The formation of NATO, 1949.

2. “A different kind of Cold War.” To what extent is this a valid statement about the Cold War after 1953?
3. Explain how East/West relations a) affected and b) how the were affected by one of the following areas: the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Africa.
4. Using specific examples, evaluate the successes and/or failures of “Détente”.
5. What role did economic issues play in ending the Cold War?

1999 Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. To what extent can it be said that the First World War was caused by the alliance system?
2. Evaluate the role of ideological differences in two civil wars each chosen from a different region.
3. In what ways and for what reasons have tactics changed in twentieth century warfare?
4. How valid is the claim that treaties are not necessary to end wars? Support your answer with evidence from at least two regions.
5. Explain with specific examples from their work, how artists have reacted to two of the following: Mexican Revolution, Spanish Civil War, Vietnam War.

Topic 3: The Rise and the rule of single party states

1. “Single party states use education as propaganda to obtain support rather than to instill (increase) knowledge.” How far do you agree with this judgment?
2. In what ways and for what reasons did China develop its own brand of Marxism/Communism under Mao Zedong?
3. To what extent was Spain under Franco (1939 to 1975) a Fascist state?
4. How far is it true to say that a successful foreign policy is the most important factor for a single party ruler to remain in power? Examples should be given from two countries each chosen from a different region.
5. “In the twentieth century right-wing single party states have often been the result of a conservative reaction to change whilst the left-wing single party states have achieved power as the outcome of a revolutionary process against tradition.” Using examples from at least two regions explain how far you agree with this quotation.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. “Ideological differences played only a minor role in the origin and development of the Cold War.” How far do you agree with this statement?
2. In what ways and for what reasons did the Cold War affect the Middle East?
3. Analyze the importance of spheres of interest for one of the superpowers in the Cold War.
4. Assess the importance in the development of the Cold War of two of the following: the Yalta Conference; Berlin; the arms race; non-alignment; South East Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
5. Examine the impact of the Cold War on the social life and culture of two countries each chosen from a different region.

1998 Test—Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. To what extent should Germany be held responsible for causing both the First and Second World Wars?
2. Why was there so much civil strife and civil war in China during the first half of the twentieth century?
3. Compare and contrast the outcome and effects of two revolutionary wars, each chosen from a different region.
4. How and why has guerilla warfare been used in the twentieth century? Examples should be given from at least two different regions.
5. Explain the impact of war on two of the following: women, the arts, the media.

Topic 3: The Rise and rule of single party states

1. Account for the rise to power of either Juan Peron or Francisco Franco, and assess the impact upon either Argentina or Spain of your chosen ruler.
2. To what extent is it true to say that a successful economic policy is the most important factor for a single party ruler to remain in power? Examples should be given from two countries each chosen from a different region.
3. Compare and contrast the foreign policies of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region.
4. To what extent was Hitler a) responsible for, and b) driven by ideological beliefs of Nazism?
5. How far would you agree that single party states have been more interested in controlling the minds of young people than in providing genuine education?

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. Examine the conflicting aims and policies of rival powers which caused the Cold War.
2. Assess the importance of two of the following in influencing the development of the Cold War: Marshall Aid, Warsaw Pact, arms control, détente.
3. Examine the impact of the Cold War on two countries (excluding the superpowers), each chosen from a different region.
4. “The build up of missiles in Cuba in 1962 was a deliberate, provocative and unjustified action.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?
5. What were the main social and cultural consequences of the Cold War?

2000 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. Assess the importance of nationalism and selfish ambition as causes of twentieth century wars. Reference must be made to at least two wars.
2. Examine critically two treaties and evaluate their success in resolving the armed conflicts which necessitated the treaties.
3. Compare and contrast the effects for the country concerned of two of the following: the Chinese Civil War, the Nigerian Civil War, the Spanish Civil War.
4. Assess the significance of either the Mexican Revolution (1910-1940) or the Vietnam War (1964-1975).
5. In what ways have wars a) causes suffering and hardship to women and b) helped promote women’s equality? Specific evidence must be given from at least two regions.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. In what ways and for what reasons did rulers of single party states play an important role in world affairs between 1917 and 1945?
2. Identify the main principles of Communism and assess how far these principles were put into practice by one Communist rule between 1900 and 1990.
3. Account for the rise to power and longevity of the rule of either Fidel Castro in Cuba or Julius Nyerere in Tanzania.
4. Assess the contributions of organizational and leadership qualities in maintaining power two single party rulers, each chosen from a different region.
5. Analyze the role and status of women in two of the following: Maoist China, Nazi Germany, Peronist Argentina.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. “Ideological differences played little part in the origin of the Cold War.” How far do you agree with this judgment?
2. To what extent was Germany the cause of East/West disagreements between 1943 and 1963?
3. Define “superpower rivalry” and assess its importance in international politics since 1945.
4. Analyze the role of either Cuba or Vietnam in the development of the Cold War.
5. Compare and contrast the economic and social impact of the Cold War on two countries, each chosen from a different region.

2001 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, Practices and Effects of War

1. Analyze the reasons for the outbreak of war either in Algeria in 1954, or in Korea in 1950.
2. In what ways and for what reasons did foreign intervention play an important role in two civil war, each chosen from a different region?
3. Evaluate the successes and failures of one twentieth century treaty in addressing the causes of conflict, and restoring peace and normality.
4. Assess the results of both the Arab-Israeli War of 1956 (Sinai Campaign) and the 1967 Six Day War.
5. Using specific examples explain the popularity of war themes in a) films and b) novels and/or plays.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. “Promises of improved social and economic conditions win more support for would-be single party rulers than ideological pronouncements.” How far do you agree with this claim?
2. Compare and contrast the organization of one Communist state with one Fascist state.
3. Analyze the methods by which either Castro or Stalin maintained his position as ruler of a single party state.
4. Assess the successes and failures of two of the following: Nasser’s rule of Egypt; Nyerere’s rule of Tanzania; Tito’s rule of Yugoslavia.
5. Evaluate the attempts of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region, to control and use the media.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. “The Cold War was caused by fear, not aggression.” To what extent does this view explain how the Cold War developed between 1945 and 1949?
2. Examine the impact of the Cold War on educational developments in two countries, each chosen from a different region.
3. Compare and contrast the aims and policies of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the Warsaw Pact up to 1970.
4. For what reasons, and with what results, up to 1963, did the United States adopt the policy known as “containment”?
5. Excluding the superpowers, assess the role of two countries in the development of the Cold War after 1950.

2003 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. What were the most frequent causes of twentieth century wars? Specific evidence from at least three wars should be used.
2. In what ways, and to what extent, was the Second World War “total war”?
3. How and why did technological developments play an important part in twentieth century wars?
4. Analyze the causes and the results of one of the following: Chinese Civil War (1945-1949); Mexican Revolution (1910-1940); Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).
5. War causes more suffering to women than to men.”
“War liberates women.”
Using evidence from at least two wars explain which statement you consider is more appropriate.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. “In order to achieve and retain power a leader of a single-party state needed to be ruthless, blind to human suffering, and yet charismatic.” To what extent do you agree with this assertion?
2. Account for the rise to power of one of the following: Castro; Mussolini; Nasser.
3. Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of Mao and Stalin.
4. In what ways, and for what reasons, did the aims and policies of two or more right wing rulers of single party states differ?
5. Examine the role of education and/or the arts in two single party states, each chosen from a different region.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. How, and to what extent, did the conferences at Yalta and Potsdam (1945) contributed to the origin of the Cold War?
2. “Although it began in Europe the spread of the Cold War to other regions was a much more dangerous development.” To what extent do you agree with this judgment?
3. How and why did the policies of either the USA or the USSR affect superpower rivalry between 1950 and 1970?
4. In what ways were gender and social issues affected by the Cold War?
5. Assess the importance of détente and internal opposition to Communist rule in Communist countries, in ending the Cold War.

2004 Test: Paper II

Topic 1: Causes, practices and effects of war

1. In what ways did the causes of the Second World War differ from the causes of the First World War?
2. Evaluate the importance of naval warfare in twentieth century wars. Specific examples must be given from at least two wars.
3. Why were there so many Arab-Israeli wars between 1948 and 1978?
4. Analyze the results of two wars, each chosen from a different region.
5. Assess the social and economic effects of one war on two of the countries involved, in the ten years following the end of the war.

Topic 3: The rise and rule of single party states

1. Analyze the methods used by one single party state ruler in his successful bid for power.
2. Evaluate the importance of ideology in the policies of two of the following rulers of single party states: Castro; Hitler; Lenin; Nyerere.
3. Compare and contrast the foreign policies of two rulers of single party states, each chosen from a different region.
4. In what ways, and to what extent, did either Nasser or Peron improve social and economic conditions?
5. Examine the global impact of one ruler of a single party state.

Topic 5: The Cold War

1. To what extent did events in the final year of the Second World War turn wartime allies into Cold War enemies?
2. Compare and contrast the policies of the USA and the USSR towards Korea between 1945 and 1955.
3. Assess the impact of the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan on the development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1961.
4. In what ways, and to what extent, did the Cold War become less confrontational after 1970?
5. Assess the importance of social and economic issues in causing opposition to communist regimes.

Specimen Test: Paper III

1. Why, and with what results for the French monarchy did Louis XVI summon the States General in 1789?
2. How far is it true to say that Napoleon I was an enlightened despot?
3. In what ways was the Congress System important for Europe?
4. Account for the outbreak of revolution in any two European countries in 1848.
5. “Cavour was the most important and the most successful of the exponents [promoters] of Italian unification.” How far do you agree with this assertion?
6. Compare and contrast the foreign and colonial policies (excluding Ireland) of Disraeli and Gladstone.
7. Assess the relative importance of the Zollverein and Bismarck’s policies in bringing about the unification of Germany.
8. Define the Eastern Question and assess its importance for Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century.
9. Why was Alexander II called the Tsar Liberator?
10. Examine the effects of the spread of railways in nineteenth century Europe.
11. Assess the effects of two of the following on any one nineteenth century European country: the extension of the franchise; scientific discoveries; urbanization.
12. In what ways did France benefit from the rule of Napoleon III?
13. Examine the impact on both countries of the union of Norway and Sweden between 1814 and 1905.
14. Why were there two revolutions in Russia in 1917?
15. How and why did the First World War bring about social and economic changes in any one European country?
16. What were the main criticisms of the League of Nations and to what extent were they justified?
17. How far is it true to say that the Weimar Republic was a complete failure?
18. Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Hitler and Mussolini up to 1939.
19. What were the main causes and results of the Spanish Civil War?
20. What do you understand by the term appeasement? How far was appeasement responsible for the outbreak of war in 1939?
21. Evaluate the domestic and foreign policies of Khrushchev.
22. Examine the impact of the Cold War on Western Europe between 1945 and 1965.
23. Compare and contrast the policies and importance to their countries of Adenauer and De Gaulle.
24. Analyze the main developments in education in any one European country in the twentieth century.
25. What were the main economic problems faced by the Soviet bloc (excluding the USSR) between 1950 and 1990?

1998 Test: Paper III

1. Account for the financial weakness of the French Monarchy in the second half of the eighteenth century and show how far this weakness was responsible for the outbreak of revolution in France in 1789.
2. In what ways did Napoleon I’s domestic policies benefit France in the period 1799-1815?
3. How far did the Congress of Vienna solve the problems faced by its delegates?
4. Evaluate the achievements of Robert Peel as Home Secretary and as Prime Minister of Britain.
5. Compare and contrast the contributions of Mazzini and Garibaldi to Italian unification.
6. What were the causes and results of the 1848 revolutions in the Austrian Empire?
7. In 1867, Bismarck said: “Anyone who has looked into the eyes of a soldier dying on the battlefield will think hard before starting a war.” Analyze Bismarck’s foreign policy in light of these words.
8. What was the Eastern Question and why did it cause problems for Europe in the second half of the nineteenth century?
9. Assess the importance of the development in any one European country in the second half of the nineteenth century, of two of the following: railways; social legislation; agricultural changes.
10. In what ways did educational reform affect any one European country between 1850 and 1900?
11. How far would you agree that Napoleon III was more successful in his domestic than his foreign policy?
12. Why, in spite of his efforts to reform Russian institutions, was Alexander II assassinated?
13. What were the main problems faced by the Third French Republic between 1870 and 1900?
14. Evaluate the relative importance of imperialism, the arms race and the failure of diplomacy in causing the First World War.
15. Compare and contrast the roles of Lenin and Trotsky in establishing the USSR up to 1924.
16. How far is it true to say that the Weimar Republic was doomed from its foundation?
17. “Its frown will soon be more dreaded than a nation’s arms.” Why did this comment on the League of Nations, made in 1929 prove to be incorrect?
18. Compare and contrast the foreign policies up to the outbreak of the Second World War of Mussolini and Hitler.
19. Analyze the causes and results of the Spanish Civil War.
20. Assess the impact of Hitler, and the Second World War on one Scandinavian country.
21. How and why did the Second World War bring about the social and economic changes in one European country excluding Scandinavia?
22. Why and with what results for Europe did the USSR become involved in the Cold War up to the death of Stalin?
23. Explain whom you consider was more successful in his own country, Adenauer or de Gaulle?
24. Analyze the internal history of one East European country, excluding the USSR, from 1953 to 1990.
25. How has twentieth century Europe been affected by two of the following: increased leisure opportunities; pressure groups; peace movements?

1999 Test: Paper III

1. To what extent was the weakness of the French Monarchy responsible for the outbreak and course of the French Revolution between 1789 and January 1793?
2. “He restored order and brought back prosperity.” How far do you agree with this judgment of the domestic policies of Napoleon I during the period 1799 to 1815?
3. Evaluate the economic and political causes of the 1848 Revolutions in the Austrian Empire and German Confederation.
4. Analyze the events of 1848 which deposed Louis Philippe and explain why his reign ended in revolution.
5. In what ways was the unification of Italy hindered between 1848 and 1870 by both the Papacy and the division of Italy into separate spheres?
6. Why had Prussia replaced Austria as the leading Germanic power by 1866?
7. Napoleon III said, “Some people say the Empire means war; personally I say the Empire means peace.” How far do you agree with Napoleon III’s statement?
8. Explain the domestic policies of Gladstone and Disraeli in Britain between 1868 and 1880 and assess their importance for Britain.
9. Examine the role of Russia in the Eastern Question between 1850 and 1878 and assess the success of Russia’s policies in this area during this period.
10. Analyze the aims, successes, and failures of Bismarck’s domestic policies 1871 to 1890.
11. Explain the nature and assess the importance of the development of either industry or transport in one nineteenth century European country.
12. In what ways, and for what reasons, was there an increase of either education or the franchise [right to vote] in one or more European countries during the nineteenth century?
13. Why was the Dual Monarchy of Austria/Hungary important in European history between 1867 and 1918?
14. Assess the political developments in one Scandinavian country in either the nineteenth or the twentieth century.
15. Analyze the part played by the failure of Tsardom in causing the February/March Revolution in Russia in 1917.
16. “In 1914 Europe arrived at a point when every country was afraid of the present and Germany was afraid of the future.” What do you understand by this comment and how far do you agree with it?
17. Compare and contrast the economic aims and policies of Lenin (1917 to 1924) and Stalin (1928 to 1941).
18. How and why was Hitler able to become dictator of Germany?
19. Why was the League of Nations ignored in the pre-war crises of 1938 to 1939?
20. With what justification can the term “total war” be applied to the Second World War?
21. Compare and contrast political and economic developments under Adenauer in Germany and de Gaulle in France.
22. How, why, and with what success, did Tito follow independent policies in Yugoslavia between 1945 and 1980?
23. “Politically Khrushchev brought new hope to the USSR and to Europe, economically he was a disaster.” How justified is this comment of Khrushchev as leader of the Soviet Union 1953 to 1964?
24. Explain in what ways and to what extent either Spain or Portugal moved away from dictatorship in the 1970s.
25. Assess the importance of the changes in either the media or working conditions and patterns, in twentieth century Europe.