Download Part II : International cooperation

Questions Bank of HKALE (HISTORY PAPER I)(1990—2005)
Part I : Nationalism and Liberalism in the 19th century
(1)France ( 1815-70)
90 How successful was Louis Napoleon in restoring the glory of France?
91 How did Louis-Philippe become the king of France in 1830 and why did he lose his throne in 1848?
92 Assess the effectiveness of Napoleon III's domestic policy.
*93 Can the causes of the 1848 Revolution in France be explained in terms of the Marxist theory of
class struggle? Justify your answer.
94
* 95 Discuss the importance of liberalism in the political development of France during the period
1815-48.
96 Assess the effectiveness of Napoleon III's foreign policy. How did his foreign policy affect the
political development of France up to 1871?
97
98 What obstacles did Napoleon III face in creating a strong centralized government in France? To
what extent did he succeed in overcoming those obstacles?
99
00 ‘The collapse of the Second French Empire was primarily due its failure to satisfy the demands of
the liberals and nationalists at home.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
01
02
03 Despite internal crises and external threats, the Third Republic in France was able to survive in the
period 1871—1914. Explain why.
04 To what extent was the year 1860 a turning in the history of the Second French Empire?
05
(2)Nationalism and Liberalism in Europe (1815-48)
90 Discuss the political, diplomatic, ideological and cultural significance of the Greek War of
Independence.
90 'By mid-1848 the tide of revolution had been turned back.' Comment on the validity of this
statement.
91 Analyse the causes of the Belgian revolt in 1830 and trace the major stages leading to the
achievement of Belgian independence in 1839.
92 What were the main obstacles to the development of liberalism in Europe during the period
1815-48? Give examples.
93 How successful was Metternich in maintaining social and political stability in Austria during the
period 1815-48?
*93 Can the causes of the 1848 Revolution in France be explained in terms of the Marxist theory of
class struggle? Justify your answer.
94 Assess the importance of nationalism relative to other factors in bringing about the independence of
the Greeks.
95
96
97
98 Assess the impact of the American War of Independence on intellectual and political developments
in Europe up to 1870.
*99 How effective was Austria in maintaining its dominating position in Europe in the period 1815- 70?
00 Explain how and why Austria was adversely affected by the development of nationalism in Europe
in the period 1848-71.
01 ‘Liberalism was more important than nationalism in shaping developments in Europe in the period
1815--48.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
02 Assess the relative importance of the factors stimulating the development of liberalism and
nationalism in Europe up to 1848.
03 Trace and explain the development of nationalism in the Balkans in the period 1815—1914.
04
05 ‘Liberalism and nationalism worked hand in hand in creating nation-states in Europe in the period
1815—71.’ Comment on the validity of this statement with reference to specific examples.
(3)The unification of Italy and Germany
90 'Various ideological, political and economic forces made the Italian unification movement in the
19th century possible.' To what extent is this statement valid?
90 How did events up to 1871 prove that the German Confederation as established at the Congress of
Vienna (1814-5), was an unstable arrangement?
91 Why did Italian nationalists achieve so little in the years 1815-48?
91 ' The success of German unification in 1871 was built upon the economic foundation of Prussia
since the formation of the Zollverein (1834).' Discuss the validity of this statement.
92 Examine the reasons for the 1848 Revolution in the German states, and discuss its significance for
the unification of Germany.
92 Assess the importance of foreign aid in the unification of Italy.
93 How important was Bismarck's diplomacy after 1862 in bringing about the formation of the
German Empire in 1871?
94
95 Compare the role of Cavour and Garibaldi in the Italian unification movement.
95 With reference to the period 1815-71, discuss whether the convening of the Frankfurt Assembly
was the turning-point in the German nationalist movement.
96 Evaluate the diplomatic skills of Bismarck in the process of German unification.
96 What were the major obstacles to the Italian unification movement in the period 1815-70? How
were these obstacles overcome?
97 The Cambridge economist, John M. Keynes, argued for the importance of the economic factor in
German unification, stating that 'the German Empire was created more by coal and iron than by
98
99 Do you agree with the view that ‘Cavour hindered the process of Italian unification’? Explain your
answer.
00
01 Assess the importance of Bismarck in Prussian and German history up to 1890.
02 Why did the German unification movement fail in 1848? Why did it succeed in 1871?
03 Who do you think was the most important historical figure in bringing about the unification of Italy?
Justify your answer.
04 ‘The international situation in the period 1815—71 became more and more favorable to the Italian
and German unification movements.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
05
(4)Russian History (1800-1917)
*90 Why did the Russo-Turkish War (1877) occur, and how did it affect the relations between Russia
and Germany up to 1890?
90 Do you agree that the fall of Czardom should be attributed to the failure of reforms undertaken in
Nicholas II's regime (1894-1917) ? Explain your view.
91 Give reasons for the weaknesses of anarchism and populism in the Russian revolutionary movement
during the last three decades of the 19th century.
92 Evaluate Lenin's achievements as a Marxist revolutionary leader.
93 ' The chief objective of the reforms undertaken by Czar Alexander II after 1857 was to prevent the
growth of social discontent in Russia.' Discuss the validity of this statement.
94 'The Russian Revolution (1917) was rooted in the emancipation of serfs.' Comment on the validity of
this statement.
95 The failure to establish a constitutional government in Russia under the rule of Nicholas II was
largely due to the lack of political awareness among the Russian people.' Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.
96 Lenin has been remembered by many of his countrymen as a great nationalist. Do you think that
Lenin should be regarded more as a nationalist than as a socialist? Justify your view.
97 To what extent were the reforms carried out in Russia in the period 1905-17 successful?
98 ‘The October Revolution of 1917 is unique in the history of revolution in Europe.’ Comment on the
validity of this statement with reference to the period 1800-1917.
99 Was Czar Nicholas II successful in solving the problems he faced during his reign(1894-1914)?
Justify your answer.
00 Compare the reform measures of Czars Alexander II and Nicholas II with respect to their contents
and effects.
01 Which social group in Russia benefited most from reforms during the reign of Nicholas II
(1894—1917)? Justify your answer.
02 Did the Czarist government learn any lessons from the 1905 Revolution? Justify your answer with
reference to its domestic and foreign policies in the period 1905—17.
03 To what extent was the collapse of Czarist rule in Russia brought about by the revolutionaries?
04 ‘The reforms of Czar Alexander II sowed the seeds of modern Russia on the one hand, and of the
decline of Czardom on the other.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
05 Was Russia’s participation in the First World War the most important reason for the downfall of
Czardom? Justify your view.
(5) Imperialism
90 Discuss the relative importance of the various factors which led to the intensification of European
oversea expansion the last three decades of the 19th century.
91
92
93
94 Compare the reasons for French and German expansion in Africa in the late 19th century.
95
96
97 Account for the involvement of France in the Moroccan Crisis of 1905 and 1911. Assess the
influence of these two crises on international relations up to 1914.
98
99 DBQ (Germany on Africa in 1890)
99 Was nationalism the most important driving force behind the overseas expansion of European
countries in the period 1870-1914? Justify your answer.
00
00 Compare the motives behind French and British colonial expansion in the period 1870—1914.
01
02
03
04
05 Assess the importance of economic interests relative to other factors in intensifying imperialistic
expansion in the period 1870—1914.
06
Part II : International cooperation
(1)Congress System
*90 how did events up to 1871 prove that the German Confederation, as established at the Congress of
Vienna (1814-5) was an unstable arrangement?
91 How effective was the Concert of Europe in peace keeping during the period 1815-54?
92
93 How was the balance of power in Europe established in 1815, and to what extent was it upset by
1871?
94
Discuss the major problems which the delegates intended to solve at the Congress of Vienna
(1814-5). To what extent had these problems been solved by 1848?
94 To what extent did the Crimean War (1854-6) mark the end of the Congress System?
95 ' The breakdown of the Concert of Europe in 1823 was mainly caused by disagreements among the
Powers over the issue of intervention.' Discuss the validity of this statement.
96
What is meant by the 'Concert of Europe'? To what extent was it upset in the period up to 1870?
97 Does Europe in the period 1815-48 merit the title 'The Age of Metternich'? Explain your answer.
98 ‘The breakdown of the Concert of Europe was largely due to the increasing differences among the
powers over the issue of how peace could be maintained.’ Elaborate on this statement.
99 How effective was Austria in maintaining its dominating position in Europe in the period 1815-70?
00
The Vienna Settlement(1815) was an outcome of compromises among the European powers,
and was effective in maintaining peace in Europe up to 1854.’ Do you agree with this view?
Justify your answer.
01
Explain the emergence and breakdown of the Concert of Europe in the period of 1815—1854.
02
Identify the principles underlying the Vienna Settlement (1815). To what extent were they
reflected in the decisions made at the Paris Peace Conference (1919—20)?
03
‘Metternich’s policies resulted in international conflicts rather than cooperation.’ Comment on
the validity of this statement with reference to the period 1815—48.
04
‘The Vienna Settlement (1815) was more effective than the Paris peace treaties (1919—20) in
maintaining European peace and stability.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
05
Was the concert of Europe reflected in the relations among European powers in the period
1815—1914? Justify your view.
(2)Eastern Question
90 Analyse Austro-Russian relations from 1815 to 1870.
91
92 Why did the decline of the Ottoman Empire became an increasing concern among the European
powers during the period 1830-70?
93
94 How far do you agree that the Eastern Question became more complicated as a result of the Congress
of Berlin(1878)?
95
96
97
98 ‘The congress of Berlin (1878) provided the best answer to the Eastern Question.’ Explain whether
you agree with this statement.
99
00 Assess the importance of nationalistic aspirations in Europe as a causes of the decline of the
Ottoman Empire in the period 1820-78.
01 How did Austria-Hungary’s foreign policy affect relations among European states up to the end of
the 19th century? **
02 ‘The Eastern Question in the period 1815—1914 was a result of rivalries between Britain and
Russia.’ Comment on the validity of this statement.
03
04
05
(3)The Alliance System (1870-1914)
90 Why did the Turkish War(1877) occur, and how did it affect the relations between Russia and
Germany up to 1890?
90 Account for the formation of two opposing armed camps in Europe before the outbreak of the First
World War.
91 Evaluate the role played by Britain in European diplomacy during the period 1901-14.
92 How far did Germany succeed in keeping France islocated in the two decades after the
Franco-Prussian War?
93 Should Germany and its allies be held solely responsible for the outbreak of the First World War?
Elaborate your answer.
94 ** Data-based Questions (Balkan Crisis ---> alliance system)
95 How effective was Bismarck in maintaining friendly relations with Russia without offending Austria
during the period 1871-90?
95 ** DBQ (Alliance and Entente)
96 How did the statesmen of Europe try to achieve a 'balance of power' in Europe in the late 19th and
early 20th century? How far were they successful?
97 Examine the main features of French policies towards Germany and Russia in the period 1870-1914.
Did these policies succeed in protecting the interests of France? Explain your answer.
98 Assess the importance of the Alliance System relative to other factors in bringing about the First
World War.
99
‘How did the Powers strive for harmony in Europe in the 19 th century?
00 Trace and explain the relations between Germany and Russia in the period 1871-1914.
00 Assess the influence of Britain’s foreign policy on relations among the European powers in the
period 1821-1907.
01 How did Austria-Hungary’s foreign policy affect relations among European states up to the end of
the 19th century? **
02 With reference to the period 1890—1914, examine Germany’s foreign policy and discuss how
other European powers reacted.
03 Discuss the impact of Britain’s foreign policy on the relations among European powers in the
period 1870—1914.
04
Trace and explain the relations between France and Russia in the second half of the 19th
century.
05 To what extent did Germany contribute to maintaining peace in Europe in the period 1871—1914?
Part III : Major threats in the 20th century
(1) The First World War
91 Analyse the causes and estimate the significance of the Balkan Wars(1912-3).
92 Why did the armaments race became a major problem in Europe after 1890 and what attempts had
been made to settle this problem up to 1914?
93 How did the conflict of interests among the major European powers affect their policies in the
Balkans during the period 1870-1914?
96 Evaluate the importance of the 'Sarajevo Incident' relative to the other causes of the First World War.
97 The Moroccan Crisis.
98 Why was North Africa of such strategic and economic importance for the colonial powers of Europe
in the period 1890—1914|?
99 Why has the Balkans been described as the ‘powder barrel of Europe’? Explain your answer with
reference to the period 1870—1914.
00 Analysis the causes of Austro-Serbian conflicts which occurred in the period 1908—14.
01 How important was the armament race in affecting relations among the European powers in the
period 1870—1914?
02 ‘During the few weeks after the Sarajevo Assassination, the powers missed a number of
opportunities to avoid a general war.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer.
03 Examine the importance of colonial rivalries in affecting the relations among the European powers
in the period 1870—1914.
04 How important were territorial conflicts in the Balkans in affecting the relationships among
European powers in the period 1878—1914?
05 Explain why it was the Sarajevo Crisis rather than other pre-war crises that led to the outbreak of the
First World War.