The Second World War

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Class 10 History Chapter 13
The Second World War
Important Questions

Here are some important class 10 The Second World War important questions and answers. These questions aim to aid students in practising and achieving high scores in their ICSE Class 10 History & Civics Examination 2024-25. Diverse question types will assist in clarifying doubts and effective exam preparation, enhancing problem-solving skills, and building confidence. Important questions for class 10 ICSE history will be helpful in preparing well for the exam.

Introduction

The Second World War, also known as World War II, was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations, including all of the great powers, eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, and it directly involved more than 100 million people from over 30 countries. The major participants threw their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities behind the war effort, erasing the distinction between civilian and military resources.These concepts are crucial when studying class 10 The Second World War important questions and answers.

What is The Second World War?

The Second World War, spanning from 1939 to 1945, was a global conflict involving major world powers across multiple continents. It was ignited by the aggression of Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, and its invasion of Poland in 1939, triggering responses from allied nations, including Britain and France. The war engulfed much of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, characterized by intense military campaigns, aerial bombings, and widespread devastation. Axis powers, including Germany, Italy, and Japan, clashed against the Allied forces, resulting in unprecedented human casualties, atrocities, and the Holocaust. The war culminated in 1945 with the defeat of the Axis powers, marked by the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States, leading to Japan’s surrender and the eventual end of the conflict. The Second World War significantly reshaped geopolitics, led to the establishment of international institutions like the United Nations, and laid the foundation for the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the Western powers.
important questions of history class 10 icse

Class 10 The Second World War Important Questions and Answers

Q 1. ‘Which of the following options is/are the consequence of world war II?
Options
(a) Defeat of Axis power
(b) Formation of the UN
(c) Cold War
(d) All of the above

Ans: (d) All of the above
Explanation
The league took no action against the offending countries when
- Poland seized a part of Lithuania in 1920.
- Japan captured Manchuria (China) in 1931.
- Italy annexed Ethiopia (Africa) in 1936. As a result, many small nations lost faith in the League, and they entered alliances with other countries to protect their interests.

Q 2. Japan had joined the _______ Axis to further expand its power in the region.
Options
(a) US- Britain - Russia
(b) Berlin–Rome–Tokyo
(c) Russia- Germany – Britain
(d) None of these

Ans. (b) Berlin–Rome–Tokyo

Explanation:
Japan had joined the Berlin–Rome–Tokyo Axis to further expand its power in the region. It also conquered the British and American territories in China.

Q 3. Give an account of acts of aggression and policy of appeasement on which the Second World War broke out.

Explanation:

When the acts of aggression began, the oppressed countries, the Soviet Union and many leaders in different countries of the world demanded collective action to defeat the aggressor. However, the Western Governments, instead of resisting the aggressions followed a policy of appeasement with the aggressive powers. Appeasement meant a policy of conciliating an aggressive power at the expense of some other country. But for the western countries’ policy of appeasement, Fascism could not have survived as long as it did and would not have been able to unleash the Second World War.

Q 4. Explain the consequences of the Second World War with reference to the formation of the United Nations.

Explanation:

Important leaders prioritised internal cooperation over war and sought to end the war. They were also determined to prevent another such war taking place in future. When the Second World War was still going on, political leaders of twenty six countries including Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill signed a declaration that discouraged entry into any other alliances and that once the war ceased, a formal peacekeeping organisation would be established. This organisation would be called the United Nations and will take measures to prevent hostilities between member countries.

Q 5. Explain the disasters caused by the Second World War.

Explanation:

Destruction caused by the Second World War : The Second World War was the most destructive war in history. The main consequences of Second World War are as follows:

(i) Jews were picked up and six million of them were exterminated by the Nazis. Millions of people were transferred to concentration camps and killed.

(ii) People were burnt in gas chambers. There were mass massacres. War prisoners were made to dig mass graves, were shot and then buried in those graves.

(iii) About 5,00,00,000 (fifty million) people perished in the Second World War. About 15,00,000 civilians were killed in air raids during the war. The two Atom Bombs dropped by U.S. aircrafts, killed about 3,20,000 Japanese men, women and children.

(iv) Besides the loss of human lives, the economy and material resources of several nations were badly damaged. Several ancient cities and towns were almost completely destroyed. The total cost of the Second World War has been estimated at a staggering figure of $ 1,384, 9,000,000,000.

(v) The use of Atom Bomb by the U.S. was considered by several people an abominable act, not only because of the number of people that the two atom bombs slaughtered but also because of the very use of the new weapons of mass destruction.

(vi) Anyhow, the prediction of the scientists that the use of the Atom Bomb would lead to a mad race for producing atomic weapons came true. It is not surprising that today there is a race among nations for producing Atom Bombs because of its superiority as a war weapon. The rich and developed nations spend more money in making these bombs today, than for producing or providing medical facilities to its people.

(vii) Political damages :

(a) Germany was divided into two parts—East Germany and West Germany. Russia occupied the eastern part and the Western Germany came under the control of Britain, America and France.

(b) Fascism met its end in Italy. Democracy was established. Militarism came to an end and African colonies were lost.

(c) Military power of Japan was ruined. Democratic Government was set-up.

(d) America and erstwhile U.S.S.R. became powerful nations. The world became divided into two blocks i.e., capitalist and socialist.

In the socialist camp two groups emerged :
(1) The Socialist Russia.
(2) The Communist China.

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ICSE Class 10 history and civics Chapter wise Important Questions

Conclusion

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ans: World War II began on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. It ended on September 2, 1945, with the official surrender of Japan.
Ans: World War II involved many countries around the world but the main combatants were divided into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The major Allied powers were the United Kingdom, the United States, the Soviet Union, and China. The major Axis powers included Germany, Italy, and Japan.
Ans: The causes of World War II were numerous, including the terms of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, economic hardships, nationalist tensions, the rise of fascism, and the aggressive expansionism of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.
Ans: The Holocaust was the systematic state-sponsored persecution and genocide of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Millions of others, including Romani people, Soviet prisoners of war, disabled individuals, Poles, communists, socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals, were also persecuted and killed.
Ans: The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces. It was significant because Britain’s resistance prevented Germany from achieving air superiority, which was a prerequisite for an invasion. The battle marked the first major defeat for Nazi Germany and a crucial turning point in the war.