History Exam Semester 2 Possible Essay Questions

Question 1

2 Reasons Germany lost WW1

Answer 1

1. They were too offensive in 1918
2. The USA joined the war

Question 2

How the Paris Peace Conference could have led to WW2

Answer 2

It severely punished Germany which could have made them mad

Question 3

For each category: Territory, Money, Military, and “War Guilt” Clause; describe how Germany was affected by the Treaty of Versailles

Answer 3

Territory: They lost territory in Africa
Money: They had to pay reparations for damages
Military: Their military was limited to 100,000 men
“War Guilt” Clause: They were blamed for the war

Question 4

Do you think Germany was treated justly after WW1? Use specific examples from the Bible to support your answer

Answer 4

I think they were punished too severely. It also wasn’t only Germany’s fault. In the New Testament, Jesus shows mercy to a woman who committed adultery. In the same way, they should’ve been more merciful to Germany.

Question 5

List 3 general characteristics shared by totalitarian states

Answer 5

1. They rule with force
2. They don’t allow free speech
3. They use lots of propaganda

Question 6

List 3 factors that assisted Hitler’s rise to power in Germany

Answer 6

1. The Germans were upset about losing World War 1 and they blamed the Jews
2. The economy was bad
3. He was charismatic and promised a better economy

Question 7

Give 2 differences between fascism and communism

Answer 7

1. Fascism is entirely nationalistic, communism isn’t
2. Communism is classless, fascism isn’t

Question 8

Defend or refute the following statement: “The dropping of the atomic bombs saved many lives and was justified”

Answer 8

It saved many lives because it ended the war quickly without the use of a costly and deadly land invasion of Japan, which might”ve been the only alternative

Question 9

Why did the Axis powers have an advantage at the beginning of the war

Answer 9

Their blitzkrieg strategy was overwelming so it gave them the upper hand

Question 10

Explain how each of the following events hurt the axis and helped the allies: The Battle of Britain, the invasion of the USSR, and the attack on Pearl Harbor

Answer 10

The Battle of Britain: The British destroyed lots of German aircraft
The invasion of the USSR: The USSR joined the allies
The attack on Pearl Harbor: It brought the US into the war

Question 11

Respond to the statement “If a loving and all-powerful God existed, he would have prevented the Holocaust

Answer 11

God gives everyone free will and it’s not his fault that some people decided to use that for evil

Question 12

List 1 negative and 1 positive consequence of the Vietnam War

Answer 12

A negative is that Vietnam became communist. A positive is that SEATO was formed to prevent communist expansion

Question 13

Current instability in the world’s hotspots – from the Korean peninsula to Afghanistan – cannot be understood without turning to the Cold War in search for the roots and causes of today’s dilemmas. Give a specific example of where you see a connection between recent global conflicts and the Cold War

Answer 13

The current war between Russia and Ukraine can be connected back to the Cold War:
1. Ukraine used to be part of the USSR but when the USSR collapsed due to the Cold War, Ukraine became independent and Russia wants Ukraine back
2. Russia invaded because they wanted to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO, which was formed during the Cold War to unite against Soviet expansion