Question Answers Class 12 Chapter 8 History Maharashtra Board

World Wars and India

Exercise

Q.1 (A) Choose the correct alternative and rewrite the statement.

1. When Austria declared war against Serbia, it was Russia, who helped Serbia.
Rewritten Statement: When Austria declared war against Serbia, it was Russia who helped Serbia.

2. The first atom bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima during the aerial attack of America on Japan.
Rewritten Statement: The first atom bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima during the aerial attack of America on Japan.

(B) Find the incorrect pair from group ‘B’, and write the corrected one.

Answer:
Incorrect Pair: Italy – Linlithgow
Corrected Pair: Italy – Mussolini
Explanation: Linlithgow was the Viceroy of India during the Second World War, not associated with Italy. Mussolini was the fascist leader of Italy during the same period.

Q.2 Write the names of historical places/persons/events.

1. The name of the group of nations including England, France, Russia, Italy, and America in the First World War:
Allied Nations

2. The name of the group of nations including Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria in the First World War:
Central Powers

Q.3 Write short notes.

1. League of Nations
The League of Nations was an international organization established after the First World War in 1919, based on the initiative of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Its primary objective was to promote peace and prevent future global conflicts by facilitating dialogue and peaceful resolutions among nations. The League aimed to address issues like disarmament, collective security, and international disputes. However, it faced challenges due to the exclusion of defeated nations like Germany and Austria, and the non-participation of the U.S. Dominated by England and France, the League lacked the authority to enforce its decisions and ultimately failed to prevent the Second World War.

2. Dr. Kotnis
Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis was an Indian doctor born on October 10, 1910, in Solapur. During the Second World War, when Japan attacked China in 1937, he led a team of Indian doctors sent by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to aid injured Chinese soldiers. Dr. Kotnis worked tirelessly to treat the wounded, earning respect for his selfless service. Tragically, he died in China on December 9, 1942, during a plague epidemic. His contributions strengthened India-China relations, and his life was immortalized in the film Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani by V. Shantaram. His residence in Solapur is now a memorial and museum.

Q.4 Explain the following statements with reason.

1. ‘The Treaty of Versailles’ had the seeds of the Second World War.
Reason: The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1918 to end the First World War, imposed harsh conditions on Germany, including territorial losses, heavy reparations, and military restrictions. These terms humiliated Germany and created economic instability, fostering resentment among its people. The treaty’s punitive nature fueled nationalist sentiments, which Adolf Hitler exploited to rise to power, promising to overturn the treaty’s conditions. His aggressive policies, such as rearming Germany and annexing territories, directly contributed to the outbreak of the Second World War. Thus, the treaty’s harsh terms sowed the seeds for future conflict.

2. The British Government in India decided to return home.
Reason: After the Second World War, Britain emerged victorious but was severely weakened economically and militarily. The war drained its resources, making it difficult to maintain control over colonies like India. Additionally, the Indian freedom struggle, intensified by leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Sena, along with widespread participation in the national movement, demonstrated India’s growing resistance to British rule. The British realized that ruling India was no longer sustainable, as Indians were no longer submissive and the colony was not as profitable. These factors prompted the British to grant India independence and return home.

Q.5 Answer the following questions in detail.

1. Give the causes of the Second World War.
The Second World War (1939–1945) was triggered by a combination of long-term and immediate causes, as outlined below:
Failure of the League of Nations: The League, established to prevent conflicts, was ineffective due to the absence of key nations like the U.S. and the exclusion of defeated nations like Germany. It failed to stop aggressive actions by Germany, Italy, and Japan.

• Harsh Terms of the Treaty of Versailles: The treaty imposed severe penalties on Germany, including territorial losses, economic reparations, and military restrictions. This created resentment, enabling Hitler to gain support by promising to reverse these terms.
• Rise of Fascism and Nazism: In Germany, Hitler’s Nazi regime and in Italy, Mussolini’s fascist government promoted aggressive nationalism, militarization, and territorial expansion. Hitler’s racist ideology and ambition to dominate Europe fueled conflict.
• Appeasement Policy: Britain and France ignored Germany’s initial aggressions, such as the annexation of Sudetenland in 1938, hoping to avoid war and believing Germany would counter Soviet Russia’s growing power. This emboldened Hitler to pursue further conquests.
• Germany’s Aggressive Expansion: Hitler’s invasion of Poland in 1939, despite its neutral status, was the immediate trigger. This followed his earlier conquests of Austria and Czechoslovakia, prompting Britain and France to declare war.
• Global Ambitions of Axis Powers: Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and its conquests in Asia, along with Italy’s expansionist policies, escalated the conflict into a global war. These factors collectively destabilized international relations, leading to the outbreak of the Second World War.

2. Why did Indian people participate in the national movement in great numbers?
The Indian people participated in the national movement in large numbers due to several socio-economic and political factors, particularly intensified by the impact of the World Wars:

• Economic Exploitation by the British: During both World Wars, the British imposed heavy taxes on Indians, raised trade and industry taxes, and forcibly recruited soldiers. This led to inflation, rising prices of essential goods, and unemployment due to industrial recession, causing widespread discontent.
• Forced Involvement in Wars: India was dragged into both World Wars without consultation, despite having no direct stake. The British used Indian resources, manpower, and finances extensively, which angered Indians. For instance, 11 lakh Indian soldiers fought in the First World War, and India contributed Rs. 150 crores to war expenses, deepening resentment.
• Growing Nationalist Sentiments: The wars exposed Indians to global ideas of democracy and self-determination, which contrasted with British colonial oppression. Leaders like Lokmanya Tilak and Jawaharlal Nehru articulated India’s lack of agency, inspiring people to demand freedom.
• Congress’s Opposition to British Policies: The Indian National Congress protested Britain’s unilateral decisions, such as Viceroy Linlithgow’s announcement of India’s involvement in the Second World War. The Congress demanded immediate independence in exchange for war support, galvanizing public support when Britain refused.
• Inspiration from Revolutionary Movements: The efforts of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Sena, which fought fiercely against the British during the Second World War, inspired millions to join the freedom struggle. Events like the Kamagata Maru incident, where British cruelty led to deaths, further fueled public outrage.
• Unity Across Social Strata: Workers, farmers, and the middle class, affected by economic hardships and exploitation, united in their opposition to British rule. The shared experience of suffering during the wars strengthened collective resolve.These factors, combined with the weakening of British power post-World War II, motivated Indians from all walks of life to participate actively in the national movement, ultimately contributing to India’s independence.