AP World History : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, and Globalization 1900 to Present

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP World History

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Example Questions

Example Question #211 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, And Decolonization

Which African country was not colonized?

Possible Answers:

Ethiopia

Mali

Somalia

Madagascar

Senegal

Correct answer:

Ethiopia

Explanation:

While it was briefly occupied by Italy in the 1930's, Ethiopia was not colonized by any European power and successfully maintained its independence in the modern era.

Example Question #21 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Equatorial Guinea was a colony of which European country?

Possible Answers:

Spain

Italy

Germany

France

Britain

Correct answer:

Spain

Explanation:

Equatorial Guinea was a colony of Spain. It was Spain's only colony on the African continent.

Example Question #21 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Which organization was established in 1963 to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of independent African states?

Possible Answers:

African Democratic Rally

Pan-African Parliament

African Union

Organization of African Unity

African Unification Front

Correct answer:

Organization of African Unity

Explanation:

In 1963 the Organisation of African Unity was created to protect African sovereignty. It was succeeded in 2002 by the African Union.

Example Question #22 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Which of these nations were created following the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I?

I. Poland

II. Yugoslavia

III. Serbia

IV. Denmark

V. Belgium

 

Possible Answers:

II, III, IV, and V

III and V

I and II

IV and V

I and III

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was part of the Central Powers (which included Germany) in the First World War. They were defeated and their empire was promptly broken up. Poland and Yugoslavia both gained their independence as a result. Modern-day Serbia remained a part of the newly-independent Yugoslavia.

Example Question #23 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Why was it important to build the Panama Canal?

Possible Answers:

To avoid the treacherous sea route around the tip of South America

To honor the U.S. obligations from a treaty with the French

To mitigate the threat of invasion from the South

To give meaning to the promises of its dollar diplomacy

To assert control over Central America

Correct answer:

To avoid the treacherous sea route around the tip of South America

Explanation:

Talk of a canal across the Panamanian isthmus dates back to 1500s, when the Spanish wanted to find a quicker route from Spain to its holdings on the western side of South America. The trip around the southern tip of South America was extremely long and treacherous. Transit across the canal proved important not just for trade but to provide a link between the Atlantic and Pacific naval fleets.

Example Question #24 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Which of the following was generally true of direct colonial rule?

Possible Answers:

Stressed non-interference

None of these

 Ruled mainly through relationships with local chiefs 

Was favored by Britain for rule in its colonies.

 Sought to weaken indigenous systems

Correct answer:

 Sought to weaken indigenous systems

Explanation:

The correct answer is that direct colonial rule sought to weaken indigenous systems. Direct rule imposed a centralized colonial administration rather than relying on relationships with local intermediaries like tribal chiefs. Direct rule was also mostly favored by the French, while the British favored indirect rule in most of its colonies.   

Example Question #25 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

The collapse of the British Empire began following what major global event?

Possible Answers:

The Crimean Conflict

World War II

The Revolutionary War

World War I

The Boer War

Correct answer:

World War I

Explanation:

Following World War I, anti-British sentiment began to grow in the colonies. Desire for self-rule and the frustration of having served a country while incurring massive casualties without thanks led colonies to rally for independence.

Example Question #26 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

What significant impacts came as a result of the Indian Independence Act of 1947?

Possible Answers:

It abolished the country of Pakistan

It granted India sovereignty

None of these

The act divided the former Mogul Empire into the two independent states of India and Pakistan

It divided the former Ottoman Empire into the sovereign states of India and Burma

Correct answer:

The act divided the former Mogul Empire into the two independent states of India and Pakistan

Explanation:

The Indian Independence Act of 1947 granted one of Britain's largest territories its sovereignty. In doing so, the plan also required the division of Pakistan and India based on religious customs. Violence came as a result of the division and the disagreement over boundaries. The Act also stripped the British of the title "Emperor of India."

Example Question #401 : Political History

These two wars, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, reflected the emergence of Japan as an imperial power?

Possible Answers:

The Crimean War and the Boxer Rebellion

The Franco-Japanese War and the Anglo-Japanese War

The Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War

The Crimean War and the Sino-Japanese War

The Russo-Japanese War and the Boxer Rebellion

Correct answer:

The Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War

Explanation:

The Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) led to the emergence of Japan as an imperial power. But, it was Japan’s victory over Russia in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) that announced to the world Japan’s status as a growing imperial power. For one thing it was the first time an Asian military had defeated a European power in war since the age of European colonialism had begun a few centuries earlier.

Example Question #27 : Empires, Colonialism, Imperialism, Decolonization, And Globalization 1900 To Present

Which of the following statements most accurately describes the modern official national boundaries of African countries?

Possible Answers:

Similar to colonial era boundaries with some changes due to secession

Different from colonial era boundaries and reshaped after independence

Dramatically affected by conflicts between African countries

None of these

Different from colonial era boundaries due to state collapse

Correct answer:

Similar to colonial era boundaries with some changes due to secession

Explanation:

The correct answer is that current national boundaries of countries on the African continent are largely the same as they were during the colonial era. A few boundaries have been redrawn when long secessionist conflicts were resolved with independent statehood (notably in South Sudan and Eritrea). Despite the collapse of some governments, as in Somalia, the officially recognized national boundaries have not changed a great deal since the colonial era.

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