wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Unit 8: The World Wars

Total questions: 65

Worksheet time: 33mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

“Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy Form Triple Alliance”

“Serbian Nationalism Grows in Balkans”

“Archduke Franz Ferdinand Assassinated in Bosnia”

The events in these headlines contributed most directly to the

a)

beginning of World War I  

b)

development of communist rule in Europe   

c)

outbreak of the Cold War    

d)

strengthening of European monarchies

2.

What was the 'spark' that immediately led to the outbreak of World War I?

a)

start of the civil war in Russia

b)

sinking of the British liner, Lusitania

c)

assassination of the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

d)

attack on Poland by the German army

3.

“If I should die, think only this of me:

That there’s some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England’s, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home. . . .”

— Rupert Brooke, “The Soldier”

 

Which idea is expressed in this excerpt from Brooke’s poem?

a)

pacifism

b)

neutrality

c)

nationalism

d)

anarchy

4.

What role did alliances play in the outbreak of World War I?

a)

They prevented the spread of communism

b)

They encouraged economic cooperation between countries

c)

They created a complex web of obligations that pulled countries into war

d)

They helped maintain peace by creating a balance of power

5.

What is this political cartoon arguing?

a)

Zimmerman bombs were dangerous and unpredictable

b)

Germany's plan to recruit Mexico in the Zimmerman Note backfired on them

c)

the terms of the Treaty of Zimmerman were difficult for the German people to handle

d)

The German military was ill equipped for the war

6.

What was the Zimmermann Note?

a)

The German policy of attacking all ships entering or leaving Britain

b)

Wilson's speech concerning why the U.S should enter WWI

c)

A proposal by Germany that Mexico attack the US in return for territory

d)

a note left behind by a Serbian Nationalist in Austria-Hungary

7.
Payments for war damages were known as
a)
nationalism
b)
separatism.
c)
reparations.
d)
retaliations.
8.
Why did many Americans not want to sign the Treaty of Versailles?
a)
It forced us to join the League of Nations
b)
It forced us to ally with Germany
c)
It forced us to sell supplies to Russia
d)
It forced us to fight against John Cena in the Wrestlemania
9.

Which of the following is the best example of imperialism?

a)

France building a powerful navy

b)

England's alliance with France

c)

German schools teaching English

d)

England and Germany competing for colonies

10.

Which treaty ended World War I?

a)

The Treaty of Paris

b)

The Treaty of Versailles

c)

The Armistice of Versailles

d)

The Treaty of World Powers

11.

What style of fighting came to dominate the Western Front in World War I?

a)
Blitzkrieg
b)
Trench warfare
c)
Fast attacks with tanks
d)
Guerrilla warfare
12.
What was the "War Guilt Clause" in the treaty?
a)
Germany had to accept responsibility for starting the war
b)
German leaders would go to jail for their actions during the war
c)
Germany had to pay the United States and Russia
d)
France gave Germany money to reduce its military strength
13.
True or false?  Germany had to get rid of its air force, submarines, and large battleships due to the Treaty of Versailles.
a)
True
b)
False
14.
How did the German people react to the Treaty of Versailles?
a)
They were ok with it because they realized that they lost the war
b)
They loved it because it was so favorable to them
c)
They hated it because it treated them severely
d)
Most Germans didn't really care
15.
What nation had to drop out of the war because there was a communist revolution in their country?
a)
US
b)
France
c)
Britain
d)
Russia
16.
When a nation reduces its armed forces and are not allowed to acquire weapons
a)
reparations
b)
demilitarization
c)
self-determination
17.
What did Wilson think would prevent a future war?
a)
League of Justice
b)
League of Nations
c)
League of Extraordinary Countries
d)
League of People 
18.

What condition from the Treaty of Versailles is this map illustrating?

a)

The new country of Belgium being created

b)

Russian loss of land due to dropping out of the war

c)

German loss of territory

d)

Territories that were destroyed due to trench warfare

19.

What do the two maps show?

a)

Post-war decolonization

b)

New countries created following World War I

c)

NATO alliance

d)

The German empire under Hitler

20.

What was one major criticism of the Treaty of Versailles?

a)

It failed to address the issue of colonialism adequately

b)

It unfairly targeted Germany as the sole reason of the war

c)

It effectively prevented any future conflicts in Europe

d)

It provided compensation to all parties involved

21.

What term of the Treaty of Versailles does this political cartoon represent?

a)

German demilitarization

b)

German loss of territory

c)

Germany paying war reparations

d)

Germany accepting the War Guilt Clause

22.

Japan began an aggressive policy of imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because Japan

a)

needed raw materials for its factories

b)

hoped to spread Shinto

c)

sought Western technology

d)

wanted revenge for the Opium Wars

23.

"It took the Big Four just five hours and twenty five minutes here in Munich today to dispel the clouds of war and come to an agreement over the partition of Czechoslovakia. There is to be no European war, after all. There is to be peace, and the price of that peace is, roughly, the ceding by Czechoslovakia of the Sudeten territory to Herr Hitler's Germany. The German Führer gets what he wanted, only he has to wait a little longer for it. Not much longer though — only ten days. . . ."


The policy that France, Britain, and Italy chose to follow at this meeting is known as

a)

appeasement

b)

self-determination

c)

liberation

d)

pacification

24.

Which policy did the "nursemaids" use to keep the "baby" quiet?

a)

militarism

b)

isolationism

c)

imperialism

d)

appeasement

25.

"The National Socialist movement must strive to eliminate the disporportion between our population and our area." --Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf The above passage is most closely connected with which of Hitler's goals?

a)

anti-Semitism

b)

creation of a totalitarian state

c)

territorial expansion

d)

suprression of communism

26.

How did the conditions in Russia prior to the 20th century lead to support of a communist government?

a)

The Czar's oppressive autocratic rule gave no political freedom to the people

b)

A majority of the population lived a basic agricultural lifestyle in poverty

c)

Russia's society was divided between a small noble class and a large lower class

d)

All are correct

27.

What was the main goal of the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution?

a)

establish a constitutional monarchy

b)

create a capitalist society

c)

expand Russian imperialism across Europe

d)

overthrow the Provisional Government and establish a socialist state

28.

In 1922, after the Bolshevik Red Army won the Russian Civil War, what became the new name of Russia?

a)

Russian Republic

b)

Union of Russian Federation

c)

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

d)

Russian Democratic Republic

29.
Why did Japanese forces attack Manchuria?
a)
because their emperor ordered them to do so
b)
to keep Manchuria from attacking Japan
c)
to gain control of its rich natural resources
d)
to stop terrorist activity in the region
30.

Q. Which term indicated that Hitler wanted more "living space" in Europe?

a)

Anschluss

b)

Mare Nostrum

c)

Lebensraum

d)

Mein Kampf

31.

Q. What two countries declared war on Germany after the invasion of Poland?

a)

Britain and the Soviet Union

b)

Britain and France

c)

Britain and the United States

d)

Italy and the Soviet Union

32.

What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on Germany?

a)

it led to economic hardships and political instability

b)

it caused Germany to lose the First World War

c)

it destabilized the German monarchy, leading to the creation of the Weimar Republic

d)

it caused great anti-German sentiment, resulting in the war guilt clause

33.
The leaders in this 1936 cartoon are depicted as "spineless" because they
a)
they all signed the Treaty of Versailles.
b)
wanted to avoid global conflict at any cost and appeased Hitler
c)
depended on economic measures to stop aggression.
d)
recognized the communist government in the Soviet Union.
34.
Which aspect of the economy was emphasized in Joseph Stalin’s five-year plans?
a)
heavy industry
b)
consumer goods
c)
famine relief
d)
private land ownership
35.
What was one major reason given by Adolf Hitler to justify his demand for additional territory between 1936 and 1939?
a)
All ethnic Germans needed to be united into one German nation.
b)
Germany needed to reestablish its overseas empire.
c)
The German navy needed access to Mediterranean seaports.
d)
Germany needed a buffer zone to protect it from foreign invasion.
36.

After WWI, Japan attempted to solve some of its economic problems by

a)

establishing extensive trade with the Soviet Union

b)

expanding its influence in Asia

c)

practicing the principles of Marxism

d)

refusing to rely on Western technology

37.
After World War I, the rise of Benito Mussolini in Italy and the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany are most closely associated with
a)
the development of fascism
b)
the desire for containment
c)
an emphasis on democratic traditions
d)
a return to conservative religious practices
38.
Censorship, mass arrests, and a secret police force are most characteristic of
a)
parliamentary democracies
b)
republics
c)
totalitarian regimes
d)
constitutional monarchies
39.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s, the rise of totalitarian  governments in Germany, Italy, and Spain was largely the result of
a)
the success of the Communists in establishing a command economy in the Soviet Union
b)
severe economic and social problems that arose in Europe after WWI
c)
the active support of the United States
d)
movements demanding the return of the old monarchies
40.
A major goal of Joseph Stalin’s five-year plans was to
a)
encourage communist revolutions in the colonies of the European powers
b)
transform the Soviet Union into an industrial power
c)
expand the Soviet Union’s borders to include warm-water ports
d)
reduce the amount of foreign aid coming from the Western Hemisphere
41.

Which statement regarding the impact of geography on Japan is most accurate?

a)

Large plains served as invasion routes for conquerors.

b)

Arid deserts and mountains caused isolation from Asia.

c)

Lack of natural resources led to a policy of imperialism.

d)

Close proximity to Africa encouraged extensive trade with Egypt.

42.

The image depicts which event in Germany?

a)

Children joining the Hitler Youth after the rise of Nazism

b)

The severe economic depression that caused widespread inflation and unemployment under the Weimar Republic

c)

Rise of nationalism prior to World War I

d)

Invasion of Poland

43.

What allowed for the rise of totalitarianism in Post-World War I society?

a)

Increased calls for capitalism

b)

Demands for more freedoms such as women's suffrage

c)

Feelings of bitterness/betray from the Treaty of Versailles along with the economic conditions

d)

Desire for a revival in mercantilist policies

44.

The term appeasement is best defined as

a)

an attempt to avoid conflict by meeting the demands of an aggressor

b)

a period of peace and prosperity, resulting in cultural achievement

c)

a declaration of war between two or more nations

d)

an agreement removing economic barriers between nations

45.

 

“Mussolini Attacks Ethiopia”(1935)

“Germany Takes the Rhineland Back”(1936)

“Germany and Russia Divide Poland”(1939)

These headlines might be used to illustrate the weakness of the

a)

United Nations

b)

Congress of Vienna

c)

Warsaw Pact

d)

League of Nations

46.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor caused

a)

Germany to enter the war

b)

The United States to enter the war

c)

Southeast Asia to fall to the Japanese

d)

The European theater of war to become more important than fighting in the Pacific

47.

Harry S. Truman authorized dropping the atomic bomb on Japan because

a)

he wanted to see if it would work

b)

he thought an invasion would kill too many U.S. troops

c)

he was concerned that Japan also had an atomic bomb

d)

he was afraid Spain would get to Japan first.

48.

What does the term “blitzkrieg” mean?

a)

lightning war

b)

lightning fast

c)

lightning speed

d)

lightning bolt

49.

In what way did the ending of World War II contribute to rising global tensions?

a)

A. An armistice agreement was never reached due to the death of Franklin Roosevelt.

b)

B. The German government refused to relinquish control to the victorious allied forces.

c)

C. The use of the atomic bomb earned the United States a reputation as an aggressor.

d)

D. A new struggle emerged between democratic and communist nations across the world. 

50.

What was the name for the secret project to build an atomic bomb?

a)

Manhattan Project

b)

Tuskegee Airben

c)

Secret Boom

d)

Normandy

51.

What is the name of the Allied military strategy in the Pacific Ocean?

a)

firebomb

b)

island hopping

c)

kamikaze

d)

blitzkrieg

52.

The purpose of the Nuremberg Trials was to

a)

test the newly developed atomic bomb.

b)

determine how the holocaust happened.

c)

punish German leaders for war crimes.

d)

remove the emperor of Japan from power.

53.

The military conflicts of World War II ended in August 1945 when

a)

the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki prompted Japan’s unconditional surrender

b)

Allied armies captured Berlin and divided Germany

c)

Germany and Japan negotiated a settlement for “peace without victory

d)

the International Military Tribunal for the Far East began hearing testimony in Tokyo

54.

What was the significance of the D-Day Invasion (Operation Overlord)?

a)

Germany invaded Russia trying to take land for lebensraum

b)

Created a western front forcing Germany to fight a two-front war

c)

Caused the turning point in the Pacific so Allied forces could begin regaining islands

d)

Led to atrocities committed by the Japanese troops against Chinese citizens

55.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

a)

The largest land & sea invasion in history that allowed for the Western front to open

b)

Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union which ultimately failed

c)

Germany's annexation of Austria

d)

Germany's last counter-offensive of the war in Belgium

56.

What is the name of the international organization established after WW2 to promote cooperation among nations & prevent another world war?

a)

League of Nations

b)

United Nations

c)

World Health Organization

d)

Federal Bureau of Investigation

57.

What is the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?

a)

Resulted in a German victory and the Nazis kept pushing through the Soviet Union

b)

Created a Western Front by the Allies

c)

Turning point on the Eastern Front and the Soviets began pushing toward Germany

d)

Demonstrated the failure of the Schlieffen Plan

58.

What was the significance of the Battle of Britain?

a)

It marked the first time Germany invaded British soil.

b)

It convinced Hitler to abandon his plans for invading Britain.

c)

It resulted in significant losses for the British Navy.

d)

It led to the immediate surrender of Britain to Germany.

59.

Why did the Big Three meet at the Yalta Conference?

a)

Discuss post-war plans for Europe

b)

Discuss post-war plans for Asia

c)

Decide to invade through Italy

d)

Create a plan to open a western front

60.

a statement signed by President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill pledging that both the United States and Great Britain would work for a world free of aggression.

a)

Fascism

b)

Atlantic Charter

c)

Executive Order 9066

d)

Lend-Lease Act

61.

Which of the following is a major reason the Holocaust is considered a unique event in modern history?

a)

Hitler concealed his anti-Jewish feelings throughout the war

b)

Civilians were rarely killed during the air raids on Great Britain

c)

The genocide was planned in great detail and required the cooperation of many people

d)

Jews have seldom been victims of persecution

62.
Which of the following best describes the “final solution?” 
a)
The implementation of the Balfour Declaration.
b)
The Nazi desire for complete destruction of the Jews.
c)
The conscription of German males into the military.
d)
The Jewish desire for a homeland within Germany.
63.

What does this political cartoon represent?

a)

Operation Barbarossa

b)

Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact

c)

Creation of the Axis Powers

d)

Lend-Lease Act

64.

World War I had four MAIN causes known as

a)

machine guns, artillery, investigations, nationalism

b)

militarism, assassinations, imperialism, negotiations

c)

mustard gas, assault rifles, intelligence reports, new technology

d)

militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism

65.

What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?

a)

Turning point of the Pacific War in the favor of an American victory

b)

Destroyed the entire Japanese fleet in the Pacific

c)

Proved the Japanese military was superior to the Allied Powers

d)

Marked the end of the war for the Japanese