World Wars and India
Short Questions
1. What was the main cause of the First World War?
Answer: Competition and imperialistic ambitions among European countries.
2. Who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand?
Answer: A Serbian maniac in Serbia.
3. What was the Treaty of Versailles?
Answer: A peace treaty signed in 1918 to end the First World War.
4. What was the purpose of the League of Nations?
Answer: To prevent future wars and promote peace among nations.
5. Who led the Nazis in Germany during the Second World War?
Answer: Adolf Hitler.
6. Which cities were attacked by atom bombs in 1945?
Answer: Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.
7. How many Indian soldiers were sent to France during the First World War?
Answer: 1,38,608 soldiers.
8. Who was the leader of Azad Hind Sena during the Second World War?
Answer: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
9. What was the role of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis during the Second World War?
Answer: He treated injured Chinese soldiers in China.
10. What was the impact of the First World War on India’s industries?
Answer: It boosted industrial growth, especially in iron, steel, and coal industries.
Long Questions
1. What were the causes of the First World War?
Answer: European countries competed for more land and resources due to industrial growth. They formed rival groups, increased military power, and built destructive weapons. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian triggered the war, leading to conflicts between Austria, Serbia, and their allies.
2. How did the Second World War start?
Answer: Hitler’s Germany ignored the Treaty of Versailles, built a strong military, and attacked Poland in 1939. England and France declared war to stop Germany’s aggression. Germany’s conquests in Europe and Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbour expanded the war globally.
3. What was the role of India in the First World War?
Answer: India, a British colony, was forced to join the war. Over 10 lakh Indian soldiers fought in places like France and Mesopotamia. India supplied war materials like weapons, food, and railway tracks, and contributed Rs.150 crores to war expenses.
4. How did the Second World War affect India economically?
Answer: The British raised taxes and recruited soldiers forcibly, causing economic strain. Prices of essential goods increased, and unemployment rose due to industrial recession. These hardships pushed more Indians to join the national movement against British rule.
5. Why was the League of Nations formed?
Answer: After the First World War, nations wanted to avoid future wars. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proposed an organization to solve conflicts peacefully. The League of Nations was created to promote global peace, but it was dominated by England and France.
6. What was the significance of TISCO during the First World War?
Answer: TISCO produced 1500 miles of railway tracks for the British army’s use in Europe and Iraq. This helped the Allies win battles in Egypt and Palestine. Viceroy Lord Chelmsford praised TISCO, proving India’s industrial capability.
7. How did Indian National Congress react to India’s involvement in the Second World War?
Answer: The Congress opposed the British decision to involve India without consent. They demanded immediate freedom, promising support for the war if granted. When the British refused, Congress boycotted war-related tasks, strengthening the freedom movement.
8. What was the contribution of Azad Hind Sena in the Second World War?
Answer: Led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Azad Hind Sena fought fiercely against the British to achieve India’s independence. They joined Japanese forces and reached India’s eastern borders, inspiring Indians to intensify their freedom struggle.
9. How did the World Wars weaken British rule in India?
Answer: The wars drained Britain’s economy and manpower, making it hard to control India. Indian soldiers and people became more rebellious, and the British realized India was no longer a profitable colony, leading to their decision to leave.
10. What was the impact of Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis’s work during the Second World War?
Answer: Dr. Kotnis treated injured Chinese soldiers during Japan’s attack on China, building a strong bond between India and China. His selfless service, until his death in 1942, was honored in a film, immortalizing his contribution to humanity.
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