Question 1

Question 6(A) Hitler believed in the doctrine of racial supremacy and Germans as the master race.(R) All anti-Nazi books and magazines were consigned to flames.(R) contradicts (A)(A) is the reason for (R)(A) is true but (R) is false(A) and (R) are independent of each other.

Accepted Answer

(A) is the reason for (R)Explanation — According to Hitler, the German race would rule all the inferior races. For this, he wanted Germany to cleanse itself from the contamination by Jews, Christians and Communists. The Nazis sought to suppress and eliminate any opposition or alternative viewpoints. This included the burning of books and magazines that were anti-Nazi.

Question 2

Question 1Study the pictures and answer the questions that follow:(a) Identify the two leaders in the picture. How did they establish a totalitarian states in their respective countries?(b) State three factors that led to the rise of leader (A).(c) State four similarities between the ideologies followed by these two people.

Accepted Answer

(a) The leader shown in the picture (A) is Adolf Hitler.Hitler established a totalitarian state in Germany by dismantling democratic institutions and concentrating all power in his hands.He rejected the parliamentary system and eliminated all opposition.The federal structure was replaced with a unitary government.Hitler became Governor of Prussia, Germany’s largest state.Provincial legislatures were dissolved in 1934, centralizing power.All political parties, except the Nazi Party, were banned.Press, public speeches, and publications were heavily censored.Even dissent within the Nazi Party was crushed.The Gestapo, a secret police force, monitored and suppressed opposition.Suspected enemies of the state were imprisoned or executed without trial.The leader shown in picture (B) is Benito Mussolini.After coming to power, Mussolini established a totalitarian state by concentrating all civil and military powers in his hands.All political parties, except the Fascists, were banned.Special courts replaced the jury system to try political cases, controlled by Fascist officials.Political freedom was curbed, and press censorship was imposed.Freedom of speech and public meetings was prohibited.Mussolini brutally suppressed all opposition.(b) Three factors that led to the rise of Hitler were —Humiliating Treaty of Versailles — The harsh terms of the treaty humiliated Germany. Hitler exploited this resentment, promising to defy the treaty and rebuild the empire of Germany by recapturing lost coloniesEconomic crisis — Post-war economic hardship, rising unemployment, and suffering farmers created widespread distress. Hitler gained support by promising debt relief to farmers and reassuring capitalists that industries would not be nationalised.Growing Fear of Communism — The rise of Communism after the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia alarmed many Germans, especially as Communists gained seats in the Reichstag. Hitler warned that they would serve Russian interests and positioned Nazism as a safeguard, winning support from the middle and upper classes.(c) Four similarities between the ideologies of Nazism and Fascism were-To have faith in the totalitarian rule.To despise democratic political systems.To uphold One-Party and one leader.To believe in aggressive nationalism and imperialism.

Question 3

Question 7What did Mussolini do to solve the problem of unemployment?

Accepted Answer

A number of measures were undertaken to reduce unemployment. All factories and mills were nationalised to improve the lot of workers. Various syndicates were established to improve relations between the capitalists and the workers. Mussolini started an impressive public works programme which included the building of roads, bridges, canals, railways, schools, hospitals, etc.

Question 4

Question 8Give any two positive results of Fascism in Italy.

Accepted Answer

Two positive results of Fascism in Italy were-A number of measures were undertaken to reduce unemployment.All efforts were made to eradicate illiteracy by making elaborate provisions for education.

Question 5

Question 9Why did Germans feel humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles?

Accepted Answer

Defeat in the First World War and the conditions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles made the Germans feel humiliated and helpless. Germany was forced to cede large chunks of her territory to France, Belgium, Poland and Denmark. Her overseas possessions were divided by the Allies in the War among themselves. Germany was forced to pay heavy reparations to the tune of 33 billion dollars and the total strength of the German army was fixed at one lakh.

Question 6

Question 10Why was the economic burden of Germany greater than that of other countries?

Accepted Answer

As a result of the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had to suffer in agricultural production, colonies, foreign investment, trade contracts, etc. The foreign countries raised tariffs against the German goods. The number of unemployed people increased. The condition of the farmers became miserable. By June 1931, debts on farmers had risen to $300 million.

Question 7

Question 11In what way was the failure of Weimar Republic responsible for the introduction of Nazism?

Accepted Answer

Germans looked down upon the Weimar Republic which had signed such a disgraceful treaty of Versailles. The Germans could not reconcile with the democratic parliamentary system prevailing in their country. They preferred prestige and glory to liberty and freedom. They felt that only a strong man could restore the past prestige of Germany and check the rising popularity of Communism. When Hitler promised them all glory, they welcomed him with open arms.

Question 8

Question 12How did the spread of Communism lead to the rise of Nazism in Germany?

Accepted Answer

After the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, the Communist influence in Germany increased considerably. The Communists organised themselves effectively and succeeded in capturing a number of seats in Reichstag. Hitler warned the people that Communists of Germany would become the servants of their Russian masters and would follow the dictates of Communists.He tried to persuade the people in Germany that Nazism alone could check the growing influence of Communists.

Question 9

Question 13Give any two aims of Nazism.

Accepted Answer

Two aims of Nazism were:To exalt nationalismTo extol war

Question 10

Question 14Name the book in which Hitler first expressed Nazi principles. Name the country where the Nazi party came to power in 1933.

Accepted Answer

The book in which Hitler first expressed Nazi principles is Mein Kampf.In 1933, the Nazi party came to power in Germany.

Question 11

Question 15Give one positive and one negative result of Nazism in Germany.

Accepted Answer

One positive result of Nazism in Germany was that special efforts were made to increase the military force of the country. Military training was made compulsory which again created more employment.One negative result of Nazism in Germany was that Hitler put an end to civil liberties.

Question 12

Question 16Do you think that the aims of the Fascists and Nazis could have brought lasting peace and prosperity to their countries? Do you agree with those aims? Why?

Accepted Answer

No, the aims of the Fascists and Nazis couldn't have brought lasting peace and prosperity to their countries.No, I don't agree with those aims because every human being has the right to live his life freely. Violence and oppression can never foster peace in a country.

Question 13

Question 2Due to Fascism, Italy made progress in different spheres of life and became a powerful nation. With reference to the results of Fascism in Italy, explain the following:(a) Reforms introduced in Italy to improve the economic condition of the people.(b) Aggressive foreign policy under Mussolini.(c) Negative impact of Fascism in Italy.

Accepted Answer

(a) Mussolini introduced various reforms to improve the economic condition of the people in Italy.He took measures to stall further devaluation of the Italian currency.A number of measures were undertaken to reduce unemployment.All factories and mills were nationalised to improve the lot of workers.Various syndicates were established to improve relations between the capitalists and the workers.Mussolini started an impressive public works programme which included the building of roads, bridges, canals, railways, schools, hospitals, etc.(b) Mussolini used to say, "Italy must expand or perish."He regained the Islands of Rhodes, Dodecanese as well as the city of Fiume.He turned Albania into a protectorate of Italy.He entered into commercial and diplomatic treaties with France and Russia.He captured Abyssinia in 1936 and when there was an objection in the League of Nations, Italy left the League of Nations.After that, Italy's relations with England and France deteriorated and she was drawn towards Germany.(c) Besides the positive impacts, there were many negative effects of Fascism in Italy.All efforts were made to curb political freedom.After gaining power, Mussolini became a dictator and took all the military and civil powers into his own hands.All political parties except the Fascists were banned.The system of Jury was abolished and special courts were set up where the Fascist civilian and military officers were empowered to decide political cases.Press was censored.The freedom of speech and organising meetings was also prohibited.Mussolini crushed his opponents brutally.

Question 14

Question 3In the post World War I scenario, Italy and Germany experienced the rise of dictatorships. In this context, explain:(a) Any three circumstances that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy.(b) Any three domestic policies of Hitler.(c) How were the foreign policies of Hitler responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

(a) Three circumstances that led to the rise of Fascism in Italy were as follows-Discontentment after the Treaty of Versailles — Italy joined the Allies in the First World War to gain territories of Turkey and Germany. But she could get no part of the German and Turkish colonial empire.Economic Crisis — Italy suffered heavy losses in terms of life and property in the First World War. After the War, many soldiers became unemployed. Trade and commerce were ruined leading to large-scale unemployment. There was a shortage of food grains.Political Instability — Democracy was introduced in Italy for the first time in 1919. Elections failed to give a clear majority to a single party. As a result, there was instability in the country and between 1919 and 1922 six coalition governments were formed in Italy. The various political parties had different policies and programmes and there was no continuity in their policies. They were unable to deal effectively with the problems of unemployment, strikes and riots which took place during 1921-22. This situation was fully exploited by the Fascists under the leadership of Mussolini, who promised the people a strong national government.(b) Three domestic policies of Hitler were as follows-Hitler launched the first Five-year plan to have greater production. The economic life of the country was organised with the objectives of removing unemployment and making the nation self-sufficient.Special efforts were made to increase the military force of the country. Military training was made compulsory which again created more employment.Strict censor was imposed on books, the press and the cinema. All anti-Nazi books and magazines were consigned to fire.(c) Hitler resorted to the policy of territorial expansion and fortification of Germany.He tried to acquire more territories for the surplus German population.He tried to expand in South and East of Europe because that region was economically useful for Germany as it possessed huge potential for wheat, oil and coal.To attain this objective, Hitler made use of force and rejected all compromises.He entered into a non-aggression treaty with Poland for a period of ten years in 1934 for the safety of his eastern frontiers.He reclaimed the territory of Saar and Rhineland from France.In 1938, he annexed Austria by force. He concluded a non-aggression pact with Russia.

Question 15

Question 4Look at the newspaper clipping given below and answer the question that follow:(a) Who is referred to as 'Black Shirt Leader' in the newspaper clipping shown above? Why did he enter Rome?(b) Who was the 'King’ with whom the 'Black Shirt Leader’ was to confer? What did the King do?(c) State any three consequences of the incident.

Accepted Answer

(a) Benito Mussolini is referred to as the 'Black Shirt Leader' in the given newspaper clipping. He had formed a group called 'Fascios' who wore black uniform and were known as Black-Shirts. Mussolini was their leader.Mussolini put forward few demands after a conference of the Fascist Party at Naples in October 1922. These demands were turned down by the Emperor of Italy. Therefore, Mussolini marched towards Rome and entered Rome to attack but he faced no resistance and was invited to form government.(b) The 'King’ with whom the 'Black Shirt Leader’ was to confer was Victor Emmanuel III. The King invited Mussolini to form a new government.(c) The three consequences of the incident were:He undertook measures to strengthen economy of Italy and to reduce unemployment. All efforts were made to eradicate illiteracy by making elaborate provisions for education.He followed an aggressive foreign policy to revive the past glories of the Roman Empire.Mussolini fostered a cult of personality, projecting himself as an omnipotent and indispensable leader. His government expelled all opposition, including Socialist members, and arrested all Communist members of Parliament.

Question 16

Question 5In your opinion what can the international community do to ensure predominance of democratic machinery in different parts of the world?

Accepted Answer

Following are several strategies that the international community can employ to support the predominance of democratic systems around the world:Promoting Democratic Values: This can be done through diplomacy, cultural exchange programs, and international media. The goal is to foster an understanding and appreciation of democratic principles such as human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law.Providing Technical Assistance: Many countries need help in building the institutions necessary for a functioning democracy. They can be provided assistance in drafting constitutions, setting up electoral systems, training judges and law enforcement officers, and strengthening civil society organizations.Economic Incentives: Economic aid and trade benefits can be used to encourage countries to adopt democratic reforms.Sanctions: In some cases, the international community may impose sanctions on countries that violate democratic norms.Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution: In many parts of the world, conflict and instability are major obstacles to democracy. The international community can play a role in mediating conflicts and supporting peace processes, which can create the conditions necessary for democracy to take root.Education: Promoting education and literacy is fundamental to the development of democratic societies.

Rise of Dictatorships

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