Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 10 “The First World War” which is part of ICSE Class 10 History (Total History). However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
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Summary
The chapter outlines the key causes, events, and outcomes of the First World War, which began in 1914 and involved nations from around the globe. It started due to several underlying causes, such as aggressive nationalism, imperialism, and the armament race. Nationalism, which originally signified unity among people with a common history, evolved into an aggressive form where countries believed in their superiority. This led to expansionist policies, where nations sought to increase their power by acquiring colonies. Imperialism further fueled tensions as European powers competed to expand their empires, leading to clashes of interests.
The armament race, which began after the Franco-Prussian War, saw major powers amassing weapons to protect their interests. This created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. Europe was divided into two hostile camps: the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain). The immediate cause of the war was the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary by a Serbian nationalist in 1914, leading Austria to declare war on Serbia.
The war was fought on various fronts, with the Western Front being one of the most notable, where trench warfare became a grim reality. The entry of the United States into the war in 1917 shifted the balance, and with Russia’s withdrawal after the Bolshevik Revolution, the Central Powers began to weaken. The war ended in 1918 with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations and territorial losses.
The war had profound consequences, leading to the collapse of empires and the formation of new nations. The League of Nations was established in an attempt to maintain peace, though it ultimately failed to prevent future conflicts, leading to the Second World War.
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Textbook (Total History) solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What refers to the sense of unity felt by people who share a common history and culture that came to the fore at the beginning of the 20th century?
A. Communism
B. Fascism
C. Nationalism
D. Imperialism
Answer: C. Nationalism
2. The Franco-Prussian war led to which of the following?
A. Race for armaments
B. Scramble for colonies
C. Rise of nationalism in Asia
D. Communist movement in Russia
Answer: A. Race for armaments
3. Which of the following was NOT a Nation-State?
A. France
B. Holland
C. Russia
D. Germany
Answer: C. Russia
4. Which of the following had vast colonies in Asia and Africa?
A. Germany
B. Italy
C. USA
D. Britain
Answer: D. Britain
5. Which of the following is incorrect?
A. Triple Entente: France, Russia, Japan
B. Allied Powers: Britain, France, Russia
C. Triple Alliance: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary
D. Central Powers: Germany, Austria, Italy
Answer: A. Triple Entente: France, Russia, Japan
6. Who left the ‘Triple Alliance’?
A. Germany
B. Russia
C. France
D. Italy
Answer: D. Italy
7. The First World War was fought on many ____.
A. Trenches
B. Fronts
C. Borders
D. Ports
Answer: B. Fronts
8. When and where did the First World War begin?
A. 1912; Europe
B. 1914; Asia
C. 1914; Europe
D. 1912; Africa
Answer: C. 1914; Europe
9. Which event led the United States to declare war on Germany?
A. The attack on Pearl Harbour
B. The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand
C. The sinking of Lusitania by U-boats
D. None of the above
Answer: C. The sinking of Lusitania by U-boats
10. I am a citizen of a country that issued a Decree on Peace to exit the War. Name my motherland.
A. Germany
B. France
C. Russia
D. Italy
Answer: C. Russia
11. The Treaty of Versailles was signed as a result of the discussions at the ____.
A. Paris conference
B. Moscow conference
C. London conference
D. New York conference
Answer: A. Paris conference
12. As per the Treaty of Versailles, Alsace-Lorraine and Danzig were respectively restored to ____.
A. Denmark and Belgium
B. France and Poland
C. Russia and Hungary
D. Germany and France
Answer: B. France and Poland
13. The Treaty of Versailles was based on ____.
A. Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen points
B. The French Charter
C. The Eleven demands of Serbia
D. The conditions of the October Revolution
Answer: A. Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen points
14. Which of the following was one of the aims of the League of Nations?
A. Prohibition of Secret Treaties and Alliances between members
B. Prohibition of maintenance of large armed forces by member-states
C. Promotion of local, cultural and economic cooperation
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Select the correct relationship
1. (A) The First World War began when Austria declared war on Serbia in July 1914.
(B) The war which began from Austria was fought entirely in Europe.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (c) (A) is true but (B) is false.
Explanation: The First World War did indeed begin when Austria declared war on Serbia in July 1914, which makes statement (A) true. However, the war was not fought entirely in Europe; it extended to other parts of the world including Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, which makes statement (B) false. Therefore, (A) is true, but (B) is false.
2. (A) British imperialism was based on the concept of maintaining and expanding trade by exploring the resources of its colonies in Asia and Africa.
(B) By the end of the 19th century, England had built a huge colonial empire in Asia and Africa.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (A) is the reason for (B)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (A) is the reason for (B).
Explanation: British imperialism was indeed driven by the desire to expand trade and exploit the resources of its colonies, which directly led to the establishment of a vast colonial empire by the end of the 19th century. Hence, (A) explains why (B) is true. Therefore, (A) is the reason for (B).
3. (A) In the later half of the 19th century, every major power began stockpiling armaments in the name of self-defence and preservation of peace.
(B) The race for armaments increased hostilities between nations and became one of the reasons for the First World War.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A).
Explanation: The race for armaments, driven by the need for self-defense and the preservation of peace, indeed heightened tensions and hostilities between nations, contributing to the outbreak of the First World War. Therefore, (B) provides the rationale for (A), making (B) the reason for (A).
4. (A) The end of the First World War also led to the end of European supremacy in the world.
(B) The United States of America surpassed Europe both economically and militarily to emerge as a world power.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (A) is the reason for (B)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (A) is the reason for (B).
Explanation: The aftermath of the First World War saw the decline of European dominance on the global stage, which allowed the United States to rise as a leading economic and military power. This shift in power dynamics was a direct consequence of the war, making (A) the reason for (B).
5. (A) The League of Nations was established in 1920 for the preservation of peace and to prevent wars.
(B) The League of Nations failed to check the rise of dictatorships in Italy and Germany.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Explanation: While the League of Nations was established to maintain peace and prevent wars, its failure to stop the rise of dictatorships in Italy and Germany does not directly contradict its purpose or establishment. Instead, it highlights the League’s limitations. Therefore, (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Short Answer Questions
1. Define nationalism. State the difference between nationalism and aggressive nationalism.
Answer: Nationalism refers to the sense of unity felt by people who share a common history and culture. Nationalism is a feeling of pride, loyalty, and devotion to one’s nation. Aggressive nationalism, on the other hand, is an extreme form of nationalism that promotes the superiority of one’s own nation over others and often leads to conflicts and wars.
2. State two features of Imperialism.
Answer:
- Imperialism refers to the state policy or practice by which a powerful nation establishes its control over another country, either by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control.
- Colonies were governed and administered by the imperial nation through its representatives or a puppet government, and the resources of these colonies were exploited for the economic interest of the imperial nation.
3. What was the cause of Franco-German rivalry?
Answer: The cause of Franco-German rivalry was the desire of France to regain its provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, which had been annexed by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.
4. How did the Sarajevo Crisis in 1914 lead to the First World War?
Answer: The Sarajevo Crisis in 1914 led to the First World War when Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was assassinated at Sarajevo. This assassination, organized by a secret society called ‘Black Hand’ formed by extremist Serbian nationalists, led Austria to declare war on Serbia, setting off a chain reaction of alliances that drew multiple nations into the conflict.
5. Which country was blamed for the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand? Which country declared war on Serbia? Name two countries which supported Austria.
Answer:
- Serbia was blamed for the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand.
- Austria declared war on Serbia.
- Germany and Italy supported Austria.
6. Why did Britain declare war on Germany in 1914?
Answer: Britain declared war on Germany in 1914 because Germany violated Belgium’s neutrality by marching through it to invade France. Britain had pledged to defend Belgium’s neutrality and therefore entered the war to uphold this commitment.
7. Name the five major powers who got involved in the hostilities in 1914.
Answer: The five major powers who got involved in the hostilities in 1914 were:
- Germany
- Austria-Hungary
- Britain
- France
- Russia
8. Why is the war fought between 1914 and 1918 called the First World War?
Answer: The war fought between 1914 and 1918 is called the First World War because it was fought on a global scale, involving many countries from different continents. It was unprecedented in its scope, impact, and the extent of destruction it caused, affecting almost all the countries of the world.
9. Which country withdrew from the First World War and why?
Answer: Russia withdrew from the First World War because of the October Revolution in 1917.
10. Explain briefly the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, after the First World War. It declared Germany guilty of aggression, required Germany to pay reparations, and imposed various territorial losses and military restrictions on Germany. The treaty was based on American President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points.
11. Name the country which emerged as a world power after the War. What happened to the Austrian Empire after the First World War?
Answer: The United States of America emerged as a world power after the War. The Austrian Empire was dissolved, leading to the creation of independent states like Austria and Hungary.
12. What was the effect of the First World War on the colonial possessions of industrialised countries?
Answer: The colonial possessions of the defeated Central Powers, especially Germany, were taken over by the victorious Allied Powers, such as Britain, France, Belgium, and Japan.
13. How was Denmark affected by the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer: Denmark regained the territory of Schleswig, which had been lost to Germany earlier.
14. When and why was the League of Nations formed?
Answer: The League of Nations was formed in 1920 after the First World War to maintain peace and prevent future conflicts.
15. Name the two major countries which were not allowed to become the members of the League of Nations.
Answer: Germany and the Soviet Union were the two major countries not allowed to become members of the League of Nations initially.
Structured Questions
1. The First World War was unique in history. In this context, answer the following:
(a) Any three causes that led to the war.
Answer:
- Nationalism and Imperialism: Nationalism refers to the sense of unity felt by the people who share a common history, language, and culture. This feeling of unity turned into extreme pride, leading to aggressive nationalism in Europe, where each nation thought about its own national interests without caring for the interests of other nations. This led to the rise of imperialism, where powerful nations established control over other countries, exploiting their resources.
- Race for Armaments: The mad race for armaments began soon after the Franco-Prussian War (1870). Every major power started stockpiling armaments in the name of self-defence and preservation of peace. This race filled the atmosphere with fear, apprehension, and mutual hatred, ultimately leading to war.
- Division of Europe into Two Hostile Groups: Europe was divided into two hostile camps by the early 20th century. On one side was the Triple Alliance comprising Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, while on the other side was the Triple Entente comprising France, Russia, and Britain. This division created suspicion and tension among nations, eventually culminating in the First World War.
(b) The extent and methods used in this war.
Answer: The First World War was different from earlier wars due to its worldwide scale and the involvement of almost all the countries of the world. Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. New methods of defence and destruction were used, including trench warfare, machine guns, heavy artillery, poison gas, and tanks. The war marked a turning point in history because of its unprecedented spread, impact, and total nature, involving both military personnel and civilian populations.
(c) Economic consequences of this war.
Answer: The economic consequences of the First World War were severe. The war caused massive human and material losses, leading to the shattering of the economies of many countries. The global economic depression of 1929-30 is attributed to this war. The war led to serious social problems, with millions of people becoming invalids and many others suffering from air raids, epidemics, and famines. The expenditure on the Allied side was nearly forty-one thousand million pounds, while on the German side it was over fifteen thousand million pounds.
2. With reference to the First World War, answer the following questions:
(a) State any three consequences of the war.
Answer:
- The Treaty of Versailles (June 28, 1919): The victorious powers, known as the Allies, met at a conference in Versailles and Paris between January and June 1919. As a result of the discussions, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, which ended the war. The treaty was designed to prevent Germany from going to war again by imposing harsh penalties and restrictions.
- Territorial Rearrangements: The peace treaties signed after the war transformed the political map of the world, particularly of Europe. Three ruling dynasties were destroyed: the Romanov in Russia, the Hohenzollern in Germany, and the Hapsburg in Austria-Hungary. Several new independent states emerged, including Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Finland, among others.
- Formation of the League of Nations: One of the most significant consequences of the war was the creation of the League of Nations in 1920. The League was established to prevent future wars and promote international cooperation. However, it failed to check the rise of dictatorships in Italy and Germany, leading to its eventual collapse.
(b) Mention three points under the Treaty of Versailles, which affected Germany.
Answer:
- The Treaty declared Germany guilty of aggression and required it to pay for the loss and damages suffered by the Allies during the war. The amount of reparations was fixed at 33 billion dollars. Germany had to cede its merchant ships to the Allies as compensation and supply huge quantities of coal to France, Italy, and Belgium for ten years.
- The Treaty mandated the demilitarisation of the Rhine Valley, and the German territory west of the Rhine was to be occupied by the Allied Troops for 15 years. Germany lost Alsace Lorraine to France, Eupen-et-Malmedy to Belgium, and Schleswig to Denmark.
- The Treaty restricted the German Army to a force of 100,000 soldiers, limited the Navy to 15,000 men and 24 ships, and banned the Air Force and submarines. Germany also lost all its colonies to the victorious Allies, including its colonies in the Pacific and areas under its control in China, which were given to Japan.
(c) What were the objectives of the League of Nations? Name the organisation formed in October 1945 with objectives similar to those of the League of Nations.
Answer:
Objectives of the League of Nations:
- Prohibition of secret treaties and alliances between member states.
- The member states were not supposed to maintain huge armies, warships, and destructive armaments.
- All states were to respect each other’s independence and refer their mutual disputes to the League of Nations for peaceful settlement.
The organisation formed in October 1945 with objectives similar to those of the League of Nations is the United Nations (UN).
3. Look at the newspaper clipping given on the right and answer the questions that follow:
(a) What was the immediate impact of the incident mentioned in the newspaper above? Who organised the assassination? What was the objective behind the assassination?
Answer: The immediate impact of the incident mentioned in the newspaper, which refers to the assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, was the outbreak of the First World War. The assassination was organised by a secret society called ‘Black Hand’ or ‘Union of Death,’ formed by extremist Serbian nationalists. The objective behind the assassination was to unite all Serbians into a single Serbian state.
(b) Besides the incident mentioned in the newspaper, state three other reasons that led to a turning point in the history of the world.
Answer:
- Nationalism and Imperialism: The aggressive nationalism that developed in Europe, where each nation prioritised its own interests and sought to expand its territory, led to international tensions and conflicts. The rise of imperialism, where powerful nations established control over weaker countries, further exacerbated these tensions.
- Race for Armaments: The mad race for armaments, where every major power began stockpiling weapons in the name of self-defence, filled the atmosphere with fear, apprehension, and mutual hatred, leading to the war.
- Division of Europe into Two Hostile Groups: Europe was divided into two hostile camps, the Triple Alliance and the Triple Entente, creating suspicion and tension among nations. This division ultimately led to the outbreak of the First World War.
(c) Name the treaty that was designed to prevent Germany from going to war again. State any three clauses of this treaty.
Answer: The treaty that was designed to prevent Germany from going to war again is the Treaty of Versailles.
Three clauses of this treaty are:
- Germany was declared guilty of aggression and required to pay reparations amounting to 33 billion dollars for the loss and damages suffered by the Allies during the war.
- The Rhine Valley was to be demilitarised, and the German territory west of the Rhine was to be occupied by the Allied Troops for 15 years.
- The German Army was restricted to a force of 100,000 soldiers, the Navy was limited to 15,000 men and 24 ships, and the Air Force and submarines were banned.
Thinking Skills
1. More money and resources than national pride, it was the greed to acquire colonies and thereby, more that led to the First World War. Explain.
Answer: The First World War was largely driven by the greed of powerful nations to acquire more colonies, resources, and wealth rather than purely national pride. The aggressive nationalism and imperialism of the time led countries to compete for colonies, which provided raw materials, cheap labor, and new markets. The desire to expand territories and control more resources fueled rivalries and conflicts among European powers, creating tensions that eventually culminated in the outbreak of the First World War. The race for armaments, driven by the need to protect these colonial interests, further exacerbated the situation, making war inevitable.
2. Do you think that the First World War could have been avoided? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: The First World War might have been avoided if the nations involved had focused on diplomacy and peaceful resolution of conflicts instead of resorting to militarism and aggressive policies. The alliances formed between countries created a situation where a conflict between two nations quickly escalated into a full-scale war involving multiple countries. If these alliances had been based on mutual understanding and cooperation rather than military pacts, the war might have been prevented. Additionally, addressing the root causes of tension, such as the race for colonies and the armament race, through international dialogue and agreements could have reduced the likelihood of war.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. When did the First World War begin?
A. 1912
B. 1914
C. 1916
D. 1918
Answer: B. 1914
31. How many countries were represented at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919?
A. 15
B. 22
C. 27
D. 30
Answer: C. 27
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. When did the First World War begin?
Answer: 1914.
36. Describe the terms imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles.
Answer: The Treaty of Versailles imposed several harsh terms on Germany:
- Guilt Clause: Germany was declared guilty of aggression, which justified the reparations and penalties imposed on the country.
- Reparations: Germany was required to pay for the loss and damages suffered by the Allies during the war. The reparations amount was fixed at 33 billion dollars. Additionally, Germany had to cede its merchant ships to the Allies as compensation and supply large quantities of coal to France, Italy, and Belgium for ten years.
- Military Restrictions: The treaty severely limited the German military, restricting the army to 100,000 soldiers and the navy to 15,000 men and 24 ships. The air force and submarines were banned.
- Territorial Losses: Germany lost significant territories, including Alsace-Lorraine to France, Eupen-et-Malmedy to Belgium, and Schleswig to Denmark. Danzig became a Free Port within Polish territory. Germany also ceded parts of its pre-war territory to Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and France.
- Colonial Losses: Germany lost all its colonies, which were divided among the victorious Allies, including Britain, Belgium, South Africa, Portugal, and Japan.
- Demilitarization of the Rhine Valley: The area of the Rhine Valley was demilitarized, and German territory west of the Rhine was occupied by Allied troops for 15 years.
- League of Nations: The Covenant of the League of Nations was added to the Treaty of Versailles, further limiting Germany’s sovereignty.
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