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  1. Give one major event that made 1917 the decisive year for the end of world war I                          (1mk)QUES 13,DIST 2
  2. Identify two mandated territories in Africa after world war I            (2mks)QUES 11,DIST 5
  3. Which event prompted U.S.A to join in the second world war?        (1mk)QUES 12,DIST 5
  4. Identify five factors that made the central powers to be defeated during the first

             world war (5mks)QUES 21a,DIST 5

  • Name two members of the Triple Entente alliance during the First World War.                                     (2 mks)QUES 12,DIST 6
  1. In what one main way did the weakness of the League of Nations contribute to the outbreak of the 2nd second world war.                                                                 (1mk)QUES 16,DIST 8
  2. Identify the immediate event that led to the outbreak First World War.                                                        (1mk)QUES 17,DIST 8
  3. State five reasons why the Axis powers were defeated during the second world war.        

        (5mks)QUES 24a,DIST 8

  • State two demands made by Austria to Serbia after the assassination at Sarajevo                          (2mks)QUES 11,DIST 9
  • a)         State three reasons why Adolf Hitler of Germany was interested in Russia at the

                       beginning of second world war.                          (3mks)

      b)         Explain the social effects of the Second World war 1939 – 1945     (12mks)QUES 23,DIST 9

    11.What event prompted the United States of America to join the first world war in    1917?                                                     (1mk)QUES 14,DIST 10

      12. a) Give three reasons why the United States of America (U.S.A.) did not  join the             first world war until 1917                (3mks)

      b) Explain six factors that enabled the allied power to win the Second World War                                                        (12mks)QUES 23,DIST 10

13. List two treaties that were signed under the Versailles Treaty between the Allies and the central powers after World War I                           (2mks)QUES 13,DIST 11

14. Identify the immediate cause of the first World War (1914 – 1918).      (1mk)QUES 14,DIST 12

15.Identify one Axis power in the World War II (1939 – 1945)                    (1mk)QUES 15,DIST 12

16 Give the reason why the United States of America joined the allied powers in the Second World War.                                     (1mk)QUES 11,DIST 14

17. Name the International organization formed after the First World War.  (1mk)QUES 13,DIST 14

18. Give two members of the triple alliance during the First World War.                                              (2 mks)QUES 13,DIST 15

19. (a) Mention 5 causes of world war two (1939 – 1945). (5 mks)

      (b) Discuss the results of the Second World War (1939 – 1945) (10 mks) QUES 23,DIST 15

20 .State the immediate cause of the 2nd world war.                          (1mk)QUES 14,DIST 16

21. (a) How did the British sea blockade of 1916 benefit the Allied powers in the first world war.                         (5mks)

     (b) Explain why the treaty of Versailles was a threat to peace.       (10mks)QUES 22,DIST 16

22. Which treaty marked the end of First World War (WW1)?         (1mk)QUES 13,DIST 17

23.State two ways through which World War Two (WW2) affected Africa.     (2mks) QUES 14,DIST 17

24. List two mandated territories in Africa after World War I                                  (2mks)QUES 9,DIST 18

25. Which policy was adopted by the Allied powers in order to avoid another World War?                         (1mk)QUES 13,DIST 18

 26. a) State three reasons why the United States of America (USA) was reluctant to join the

      First World War during the initial stages.      (3 marks)

     b)   Explain six results of the first world war        (12 marks)       QUES 21,DIST 19

27. Give five social effects of the second world war            (5mks)               QUES 21a,DIST 20

                                                       ANSWERS TO WORLD WARS

  1. Give one major event that made 1917 the decisive year for the end of world war I (1mrk)

-Russians withdrawal from war after the Russian revolution

– American war declaration against the central power.    Any1x1 = 1mk QUES 13,DIST 2

  • – Africans were given a right to vote.

      – Tanganyika

      – Cameroon

      – Togo

      – Namibia                                (any 2 x 1 = 2mks)   QUES 11,DIST 5

    3.- In 1941 Japan without warning attacked the American fleet at Pearl herbour in Hawaii

                                                         (1 x 1 = 1mk) QUES 12,DIST 5

    4. a) – Failure of the schlieffen plan on the part of Germany

                        – The allied powers were superior in the seas

                        – The entry of USA in the war on the side of the allies.

                        – The allied political leaders were more competent in their strategies eg Woodrow Wilson,

                        Signor Orlando & Lloyd George among others.

                        – The allies had a large population of military personnel .

                        – The series of heavy losses meted out to Germany put a strain on the central power

                        –  The allies had better industrial and financial resources both in Europe and the colonies.

                                                                                    (any 5 x 1 = 5mks)QUES21a,DIST 5

5. Name two members of the Triple Entente alliance during the First World War.                 (2 mks)

–  Germany, Italy and Austria.                                           QUES 12,DIST 6

6. Main way in which the weakness of League of Nations led to outbreak of 2nd world war

            -Failure to prevent the rearmament aggression of Germany Italy and Japan.              1X1(1mk)                                            QUES 16,DIST 8

7. Immediately event that led to First World War

            -Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinard of Austria             1×1(1mk)QUES 17,DIST 8. 8.Reasons why the Axis powers were defeated during the 2nd world war

            -The entry of USA into the war on the side of the allies in 1941

            -The allies had superior military strength e.g. Africa, naval superiority

            -Allies had more manpower .they had the backing of many countries

            -Allies had more resources e.g. industrial and financed resources.

            -The axis power were stretched out far beyond their basic capacity

            -Some of the German territories turned against her

-Germans were fighting on many fronts e.g. western, eastern and mediterrean areas .        5×1 =5mks

  b) Steps taken by the super power to ease the cold war

            -USSR leader who came after Josef Stalin exercised flexibility

            -Negotiation between the superpowers to reduce arms e.g. SALT

            -Liberal policies introduced by Gorbacher, in which he opened up to the west

-The fall of the communist rule in Eastern Europe and ushering of western democracies

            -Role played by Ronald Reagan of USA by encouraging peace talks with Russia

            -Russia’s support for the Gulf war in 1991

            -Unification of Germany in 1990

-Richard Nixon made a friendly move with USSR by visiting Beijing china and Moscow (USSR) in 1972

            -The dissolution of the Warsaw pact           5×2=10mks   QUES 24,DIST 8

9. State two demands made by Austria to Serbia after the assassination at Sarajevo.  (2mks)

i)          A pologies and reason for assanisation

            ii)         Serbia suppress all societies which were ant – Austria

            iii)        Serbia dismiss all official whom Austria objected

            iv)        Austrian police be allowed in Serbia to ensure the above are fulfilled.                                                                1 x 2 = 2mks QUES 11,DIST 9

10. a)   State three reasons why Adolf Hitler of Germany was interested in Russia at the

beginning of second world war.                                                                            (3mks)

i)          He wanted Russias rich natural resources such as oil coal, iron core.

            ii)         Russia provide a space for Germany expansion

            iii)        To  conquer Russia for prestige / aggrandisement

            iv)        Hitler had underated  Russaians  Red rmy and people

            v)         Hilter wanted Russians rich grains                             3 x 1 = 3mks

b)         Explain the social effects of the Second World war 1939 – 1945.            (12mks)

i)          Many people lost their lives- about  40 million people

            ii)         There occurred ill health and life shortened to many people because of under nourishment

            iii)        Psychological and emotional feelings at families,  nations and individuals ran high.

            iv)        About 21 million people were displaced – become refugees.

v)         It led to forced migration of above 10 million Germans speaking people from Hungary, Czechoslovakia Ruman to East German

            vi)        The war left bitter feelings and mistrust among the countries that had fought.

            vii)       The soldiers contracted diseases and spread them.

viii)      It led to development of surgery and treatment of mentally and physical disabilities

caused by war.

ix)        The atomic bomb dropped in Japan released radio active substance which affected many people.

x)         New kind of life developed – people lined in sub- ways to escape bombing e.g London.

xi)        New drugs were developed to treat infection.                        6 x 2 = 12mksQUES 23,DIST 9

History Paper 2 Topical Questions On  World Wars

11. What event prompted the United States of America to join the first world war in 1917?                                                                                                                       (1mk)

  1. Germany’s declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare and the subsequent sinking of the ‘Sussex’ – a British ship ferrying American passengers

                                                      1×1 = 1mark  QUES 14,DIST 10

12. a) Give three reasons why the United States of America (U.S.A.) did not  join the first world war until 1917                                                                            (3mks)

  1. She did not want to get involved in European affairs as demanded by the monroe doctrine
  2. American feared that the war would be fought in America because of the presence of the German population and other European nationalities
  3. America interest had not been interfered with / had commercial relations with both opposing camps
  4. She feared revolt by her citizens of Germany origin

                                                                                                            Any 3×1 = 3marks

b) Explain six factors that enabled the allied power to win the Second World War                                                                                                                                      (12mks)

  1. Germany’s inability to effectively control her expansive territories and some turned against her and fought alongside Allies
  2. The USA entry into the war on the side of the Allies after the Japanese attack of Pearl harbour base
  3. Allied powers had better arms than the Axis powers e.g. the atomic bomb
  4. The German forces were overstretched by fighting war on many fronts
  5. The Allies had more supporters than the Axis powers who remained with just few supporters
  6. The U.S.S.R recovered from her losses, re armed and attacked Germany when it was least expected
  7. The Allied forces controlled the North sea and blocked the German forces

                                                      Any 6×2 = 12marks QUES 23,DIST 10

13. i) Treaty of St. German with Australia

     ii) Treaty of Neully with Bulgaria

    iii) Treaty of Trianon with Hungary

    iv) Treaty of Sevres with Turkey

      v) Treaty of Lausanne with Turkey.                      (Any 2×1 =2mks)QUES 13,DIST 11

14. – Assassination of Archdoke Frunz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife at Sarajevo.                                        1×1=1mk   QUES 14,DIST 12

15.   _  Italy

  • Germany
  • Japan                                                     QUES 15,DIST 12                      

16. Give the reason why the United States of America joined the allied powers in the Second World War.                                                                                                                        (1mk)

  • Japan attacked an American vessel at pearl harbour in Hawaii.

1 x 1 = 1mk QUES 11,DIST 14

17. Name the International organization formed after the First World War.                         (1mk)

  • League of nations.                                                                QUES 13,DIST 14

18. Give two members of the triple alliance (2 mks)

  • Germany
  • Austria – Hungary
  • Italy                                                                                       QUES 13,DIST 15

19. (a) Mention 5 causes of world war two (1939 – 1945). (5 mks)

  • Hitler ambition to restore German dominance in Europe.
    • Treaty of the Versailles which humiliated Germany.
    • Weakness of the league of nations – failed to prevent German and other states e.g. Italy
    • Great depression/economic problems.
    • Dictatorship in Russia, Italy, Germany, Spain and Yugoslavia.
    • Rise in nationalism
    • Systems of alliances e.g. Berlin – Tokyo – Rome – Axis
    • The policy of appeasement

(b) Discuss the results of the Second World War (1939 – 1945) (10 mks)

  • many people were killed
    • Property was destroyed
    • Emergence of USA & USSR as major world powers.
    • Led to emergence of cold war.
    • Increase arms race.
    • Many people were displaced.
    • Intensified nationalism as people demanded for independence.
    • Division of Germany into west and East Germany.
    • The economies of many countries were destroyed leading to USA being involved through Marshall Plan.

                                                                                                QUES 23,DIST 15

20. The immediate cause of the 2nd World War

  • Hitler’s ambitions – invaded Poland violating the agreement.           1 x 1 = 1 QUES 14,DIST 16

21. a) How the British sea blockage of 1916 benefit the Allied powers in the first World War

  • Blocked the central powers hence couldn’t get the raw materials and food from other parts.
  • Allied powers captured the colonies of the central powers.
  • Allied powers maintained uninterrupted communication with other allied powers.
  • Safeguarded the British and the allies food and material supplies from other parts.
  • Frustrated Germany and the Central powers. (Weakened).   5 x 1 = 5

b) Why the Treaty of Versailles was a threat to peace

  • Its aim was to bring lasting peace but did not achieve e.g. Germany’s interests were ignored.
  • Colonial peoples interests were ignored e.g. African interests in the former colonies of Germany and Turkey e.g. Tanganyika, Togo.
  • The interests of the minorities were ignored in Europe e.g. the new Republic of Austria was forbidden from merging with Germany against their wish.
  • Italy’s interests were ignored. They were given a raw deal. They only got Stria that was curved from Austria.
  • USA president Woodrow Wilson proposed the formation of the league but the State wasn’t committed to it.
  • Powers agreed on disarmament but this was in theory for they came up with weapons of mass destruction.                                         (5×2 = 10 mks) QUES 22,DIST 16

22. –     Paris peace treaty/Versailles treaty.               (1 x 1=1mk) QUES 13,DIST 17

23.       –           Lead to the death of the myth of European superiority/ promoted nationalism

–           Many Africans died in the war

–           There was change of sex roles

–           Africans fought against each other during the war.                                                                 (Any 2 x 1=2mks)QUES 14,DIST 17

24. i) Tanganyika

         ii)      Cameroon

  1. Togo
  2. Namibia                 (2×1=2mks)   QUES 9,DIST 18

25. Appeasement                                                        (1×1=1mk) QUES 13,DIST 18

26 a)    State three reasons why the United State of America (USA) was reluctant to join the WW1

      during the initial stages.                                                                              

  1. Desire to abide by the term of the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 which forbid USA from interfering with European affairs.
    1. Fear of revolt by her citizens of Germany origin.
    1. Fear of outbreak of civil war been American of German decent and those of other European nationalists.
    1. The war had not interfered with the USA’s interest until 1916.                                3 x 1 x= 3mrks

      b)   Explain six results of the First World War.

  1. Many people were killed and many others wounded.
  2. Outbreak of disease e.g. the Spanish influenza caused tens of thousands of deaths.
  3. A lot of money was spent on the war. Nations spend a lot to buy guns, food, ammunitions and other war materials.
  4. International trade came to a standstill and this brought economic disaster especially to Europe.
  5. The world experienced vandalism and wanton destructions of property e,g means of transport and communications were destroyed.
  6. Africans became politically aware. The Africans soldiers who participated in the war overcame the myth of European superiority.
  7. German was made to pay for the damages as it was declared solely responsible.
  8. German lost Alsace and Lorraine to France.
  9. Led to the creation of new nations in Europe e.g. Hungary and Yugoslavia.
  10. USA emerged as the leading world power.
  11. Germany lost all her overseers territories.
  12. Germany lost all her overseas territories (colonies) which were declared mandated territories placed under the supervision of League of Nations.  
  13. Led to the formation of n international organization the League of Nations in 1919 to check any other outbreak of war in future.
  14. It laid the foundation for the WW2. German felt that they were falsely accused of being solely responsible.
  15. Led to the rise of dictators like Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany.

      (Any 6pts x 2= 12mrks)   QUES 21,DIST 19

27. (a)     Give five social effects of the second world war (5mks)

  • The fighters were separated from their families and over 21million people were rendered homeless and some became refugees.
  • There was loss of  human lives e.g. soldiers and those caught in cross fire
  • Destruction of property, farmland, infrastructure leading to poverty and famine
  • Led to Human suffering and Nazi established concentration camps and horror gas chambers
  • Atomic bombs dropped at Nagasaki released radio active substances which affected the lives of many long after the war
  • War led to the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and syphilis
  • Created bitter feelings and mistrust among the countries which were involved in the fighting
  • Doctors made great advances in surgery and treatment as the treated the victims. Drugs such as penicillin and DDT were used.
  • It shattered the myth popularized by Europeans that they were superior to Africans and all other races

      1 x 5= 5mks

  (b)      Explain five factors that led to the decline of the cold war(10mks)

  • Death of Stalin in 1953 and the taking over of Nikita Kruschev.  He was more flexible and ready for a relaxation on both cold war and authoritarianism at home
  • The successor of Truman, David Dwight Eisen. However was able to reach a compromise with the Soviet on a number of issues.  They signed a number of confidence-building agreements.
  • Arms race made them see how war would be futile if lethal weapons such as hydrogen bombs were used.  They therefore started to agree on disarmament for example signing of SALT Agreement.
  • Milkhal Gorbachev the leader of the Soviet Union adopted policies and changed views about U.S.A which led to signing of disarmament talks.
  • Communist rule collapsed in Eastern part of Europe, countries such as Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Poland accepted western democracy.  This led to new friendship and easing of tension between U.S.A and Russia
  • With the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1990 East and West Germany were reunited and end of the cold war was evident
  • U.S.A. President Ronald Reagan longed for peace and asked Russians leaders to consider easing tension between their states
  • During the gulf war of 1991 U.S.S.R supported America against Iraq. These was an indication that U.S.S.R was ready to co-operate with western European countries
  • Warsaw pact was dissolved in 1991 and her satelite state declared their independence

                 Points should be explained   5 x 2 = 10 mks  QUES 21,DIST 20

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