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Unit 9 - Superpowers and empires Flashcards

1
Q

What is militarism?

A

Policy of building up a strong military to prepare for war, military used as a tool for diplomacy.

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2
Q

Define alliances in the context of World War I.

A

Agreements between nations to provide aid and protect one another.

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3
Q

What does nationalism refer to?

A

Extreme pride in one’s country, national interests should be placed above international affairs.

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4
Q

What is imperialism?

A

When one country takes over another country economically and politically.

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5
Q

What event triggered the start of World War I?

A

Assassination of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand.

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6
Q

List the long-term causes of World War I.

A
  • Alliances
  • Anglo-German Rivalry
  • Increase in military spending
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7
Q

List the short-term causes of World War I.

A
  • Moroccan Crises (1905, 1911)
  • Agadir Conference (1911)
  • Problems in the Balkans
  • Bosnian Crisis (1908)
  • Balkan Wars (1912, 1913)
  • Assassination at Sarajevo
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8
Q

When did World War I begin?

A

1914

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9
Q

What happened on June 28, 1914?

A

Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Gavrilo Princip.

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10
Q

What was the U.S. stance at the beginning of World War I?

A

The U.S. announced it would remain neutral - Isolation Policy.

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11
Q

What significant event occurred on May 7, 1915?

A

The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat.

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12
Q

What was the Zimmerman Telegram?

A

A secret message sent by Germany to entice Mexico to join the war, intercepted by the British.

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13
Q

What were Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points?

A

A proposal for peace including open diplomacy, free trade, disarmament, and self-determination.

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14
Q

What was the primary goal of the League of Nations?

A

To ensure world peace by preventing future wars and resolving disputes diplomatically.

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15
Q

List reasons for forming the League of Nations.

A
  • Preventing future wars
  • Promoting disarmament
  • Encouraging cooperation
  • Establishing collective security
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16
Q

What was a significant shortcoming of the League of Nations?

A

Lacked a standing military force to enforce decisions.

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17
Q

True or False: The United States joined the League of Nations.

A

False

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18
Q

What was one of the League’s contributions in public health?

A

Laid groundwork for the World Health Organization (WHO).

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19
Q

What was the immediate cause of World War II?

A

Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.

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20
Q

What were the harsh penalties imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Severe reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions.

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21
Q

What is blitzkrieg?

A

A military tactic used by Germany meaning ‘lightning war’.

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22
Q

What event marked the turning point on the Eastern Front during World War II?

A

Battle of Stalingrad (1942–1943).

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23
Q

What was the outcome of the Battle of Midway?

A

The U.S. halted Japanese expansion in the Pacific.

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24
Q

What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

A

To provide economic aid to rebuild Europe and contain communism.

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25
Q

When was the United Nations founded?

A

October 24, 1945.

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26
Q

What are the main purposes of the United Nations?

A
  • Maintain international peace and security
  • Promote human rights
  • Deliver humanitarian aid
  • Support sustainable development
  • Uphold international law
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27
Q

What are the principal organs of the United Nations?

A
  • General Assembly (GA)
  • Security Council (UNSC)
  • Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ)
  • Trusteeship Council
  • Secretariat
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28
Q

Fill in the blank: The League of Nations was established as part of the _______.

A

[Treaty of Versailles]

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29
Q

What was the significance of the ‘war guilt’ clause in the Treaty of Versailles?

A

It forced Germany to accept responsibility for the war.

30
Q

What was the policy of appeasement?

A

Britain and France’s strategy to allow Hitler to make territorial gains to avoid conflict.

31
Q

What did the League of Nations fail to do that contributed to its decline?

A

Failed to manage the aggression of Axis powers.

32
Q

What is the role of UN Specialized Agencies?

A

UN Specialized Agencies operate independently but are affiliated with the UN through ECOSOC.

Key agencies include WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, ILO, IMF, World Bank, and FAO.

33
Q

What is the primary purpose of UN Peacekeeping Operations?

A

To maintain peace and protect civilians in conflict zones.

Blue Helmets are deployed in regions such as the Middle East, Africa, and the Balkans.

34
Q

What factors contributed to the USA becoming a superpower post-WWII?

A

Economic Dominance, Technological Superiority, Global Military Presence, Financial System Leadership, Political Stability, Cultural Influence, Human Capital, Natural Resource Abundance, Leadership in International Organizations, Rapid entrepreneurial movement.

Each factor played a crucial role in establishing the USA’s global influence.

35
Q

Fill in the blank: The USA’s development of atomic weapons was part of the _______.

A

[Manhattan Project]

36
Q

What was the significance of the Bretton Woods Agreement for the USA?

A

It established the U.S. dollar as the global reserve currency, ensuring economic leverage.

This agreement shaped international financial policies and institutions.

37
Q

What was the role of the Warsaw Pact?

A

It was formed as a counterbalance to NATO, consolidating military alliances with Eastern Bloc nations.

Established in 1955, it solidified Soviet control in Eastern Europe.

38
Q

What was the primary ideological influence of the USSR post-WWII?

A

Communist Expansion.

The USSR supported and installed communist regimes in Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.

39
Q

What does ‘spheres of influence’ refer to in the context of superpowers?

A

A region or country where a superpower exerts significant political, economic, and military control.

This often occurs without direct governance.

40
Q

True or False: The Soviet Union had the largest land army in Europe by the end of WWII.

41
Q

What were proxy wars?

A

Conflicts where superpowers supported opposing sides without engaging in direct conflict.

Examples include the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Afghan War.

42
Q

What was a significant outcome of the Mauryan Empire’s formation?

A

The unification of vast territories under a centralized system.

This was primarily driven by the ambitions of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya.

43
Q

Fill in the blank: The Mauryan Empire was established in _______.

44
Q

What was the impact of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism on the Mauryan Empire?

A

It led to policies grounded in non-violence and welfare reforms.

Ashoka’s reign was marked by the spread of Buddhist values throughout Asia.

45
Q

What characterized the administrative structure of the Mauryan Empire?

A

A highly centralized system with an emperor at its core supported by a complex bureaucracy.

Provinces were governed by officials representing the emperor.

46
Q

What led to the decline of the Mauryan Empire after Ashoka’s reign?

A

Successive rulers struggled to maintain centralized control, leading to internal instability.

Local governors began asserting independence.

47
Q

What was the outcome of Chandragupta’s campaigns against Alexander’s satraps?

A

He secured and unified territories under Mauryan rule.

This was crucial for establishing the empire’s foundation.

48
Q

What economic strategies did the Mauryan Empire employ?

A

Taxing traders and leveraging wealth from resources like gold and gems.

This supported a strong treasury essential for the empire’s stability.

49
Q

What was the role of dharma mahamatras in the Mauryan Empire?

A

Officials responsible for promoting moral welfare and unity under the principles of dharma.

Their role helped unify the population across regions.

50
Q

What was the significance of the battle of Kalinga in Ashoka’s reign?

A

It impacted Ashoka deeply, leading him to adopt policies of non-violence and Buddhism.

The battle’s brutality changed his approach to governance.

51
Q

Fill in the blank: The last Mauryan ruler, Brihadratha, was assassinated by his general _______.

A

[Pushyamitra Shunga]

52
Q

What legacy did the Mauryan Empire leave behind?

A

A legacy of administration, trade, and cultural influence.

It marked India’s first major imperial rule.

53
Q

Who was responsible for promoting moral welfare and unity under the principles of dharma in the Mauryan Empire?

A

Dharma mahamatras

Officials appointed by Ashoka to ensure moral governance.

54
Q

What challenges did successive rulers face after Ashoka’s reign?

A

Increasing challenges in controlling distant provinces

Local governors began asserting more independence.

55
Q

What event marked the end of the Mauryan Empire?

A

Assassination of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga

56
Q

What was the role of the Mauryan military in the empire?

A

Formation, expansion, and stability of the empire

Enabled conquest of rival kingdoms and resistance against foreign influences.

57
Q

What significant military achievement did Chandragupta Maurya accomplish?

A

Established control over northern India and secured a peace treaty with Seleucus I

58
Q

What were the main components of the Mauryan military?

A
  • Infantry
  • Cavalry
  • Chariots
  • War elephants
59
Q

What system did the Mauryan Empire establish for gathering intelligence?

A

Espionage system using spies

Spies were known as gudhapurushas.

60
Q

What was the impact of the Kalinga War on Ashoka?

A

Led Ashoka to embrace non-violence and Buddhism

61
Q

What was a notable technological advancement of the Mauryan Empire?

A

The Mauryan road network

62
Q

What architectural feature is associated with Ashoka?

A

Ashokan Pillars

Carved with inscriptions promoting dharma and adorned with animal motifs.

63
Q

What role did war elephants play in the Mauryan military?

A

Powerful units capable of breaking enemy lines

64
Q

What advancements were made in veterinary science during the Mauryan Empire?

A

Dedicated veterinary centres for war elephants and horses

65
Q

How did the Mauryan Empire’s economy primarily derive its wealth?

A

From agriculture, particularly along the Ganges River

66
Q

What facilitated trade in the Mauryan Empire?

A

Improved infrastructure such as roads and ports

67
Q

What climatic conditions were beneficial for the Mauryan Empire?

A

Tropical and subtropical climate supporting abundant agricultural production

68
Q

What challenges did the unpredictable monsoon rains pose to the Mauryan Empire?

A

Potential for droughts or flooding disrupting food production

69
Q

What was a key conclusion about the formation of the Mauryan Empire?

A

Driven by a deliberate pursuit of power and resources, not a natural progression

70
Q

What strategies did Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya use to establish the Mauryan Empire?

A
  • Military conquests
  • Political alliances
  • Resource management
71
Q

What legacy did the Mauryan Empire leave in Indian history?

A

Emphasis on centralized authority, economic sustainability, and military strength

IH (11 decks)

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