13 extra multiple-choice questions for Imperialism and its Onslaught (12th Standard History, Samacheer Kalvi), beyond the ones printed in the textbook — each with the correct option highlighted and a clear, worked explanation. Free to read in English and Tamil.
Q1
In 1876, through his International African Association, King Leopold II of Belgium seized a great rubber producing region now known as
- A. Belgian CongoCorrect
- B. Tunis
- C. Dahomey
- D. Togoland
Explanation. The box on the partition of Africa says Leopold II took the lead in 1876 and seized the rubber region now called Belgian Congo. France took Tunis and Dahomey; Germany took Togoland.
Q2
By the end of the nineteenth century, which of the following African countries remained un-annexed?
- A. Egypt
- B. LiberiaCorrect
- C. Madagascar
- D. Ivory Coast
Explanation. Only Liberia, Morocco and Abyssinia remained un-annexed. Britain secured control over Egypt in 1883, while France occupied the Ivory Coast in 1891 and Madagascar in 1895.
Q3
Which English economist defined imperialism as the endeavour of the great controllers of industry to broaden the channel for the flow of their surplus wealth by seeking foreign markets and foreign investments?
- A. Adam Smith
- B. Karl Marx
- C. John A. HobsonCorrect
- D. de Gournay
Explanation. The lesson quotes the English economist John A. Hobson's definition of imperialism. It follows the point that the alliance of industry and finance seeking profits was the essence of imperialism.
Q4
Arrange the following in chronological order:
1. Entente Cordiale between Britain and France
2. Triple Alliance with the inclusion of Italy
3. Anglo-Japanese Alliance
4. Secret military pact between France and Russia
- A. 2, 4, 3, 1Correct
- B. 4, 2, 1, 3
- C. 2, 3, 4, 1
- D. 4, 2, 3, 1
Explanation. The Triple Alliance took shape in 1882, the Franco-Russian military pact was signed in 1894, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1902 and the Entente Cordiale in 1904.
Q5
In 1911 the Germans sent their gunboat Panther to which Moroccan sea port, claiming German interests there?
- A. Fez
- B. AgadirCorrect
- C. Algiers
- D. Tripoli
Explanation. In the Agadir crisis of 1911 Germany sent the gunboat Panther to Agadir. Germany backed down after British threats, but France made concessions to Germany in West Africa.
Q6
The Battle of Cambrai (November-December 1917) was significant for
- A. the first use of tanks by the British on a large scaleCorrect
- B. the largest naval battle of the war
- C. the first use of U-boats by Germany
- D. the saving of Paris from German attack
Explanation. At Cambrai in France the British used tanks on a large scale for the first time; the Germans were taken by surprise when 340 tanks appeared. Jutland was the largest naval battle.
Q7
Consider the following statements:
1. The British liner Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine in May 1915 with the loss of 128 American lives.
2. President Woodrow Wilson declared war against Germany in April 1917.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 only
- C. Both 1 and 2Correct
- D. Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation. Both are stated in the lesson. The submarine campaign, including the sinking of the Lusitania, brought America into the war; Wilson declared war on Germany in April 1917.
Q8
At the 1903 congress of the Social Democratic Party in London, the followers of Lenin, who formed a small majority, came to be known as
- A. Mensheviks
- B. Nihilists
- C. BolsheviksCorrect
- D. Narodniks
Explanation. The congress split on organisation and strategy. Lenin's supporters, a small majority (bolshinstvo), were the Bolsheviks; his opponents, the minority (menshinstvo), were the Mensheviks.
Q9
The peaceful march of 23 January 1905 that was fired upon by police and soldiers, remembered as Bloody Sunday, was organised by
- A. Father GaponCorrect
- B. Leon Trotsky
- C. Kerensky
- D. Rasputin
Explanation. Father Gapon led the unarmed march demanding a national assembly and reforms. Hundreds were killed, and the riots that followed forced Nicholas II to grant a constitution and the Duma.
Q10
In the 1920 dispute between Sweden and Finland over the Aaland Islands, the League of Nations ruled that the islands should go to
- A. Sweden
- B. FinlandCorrect
- C. Russia
- D. Denmark
Explanation. This was one of the League's three successes between 1920 and 1925. It ruled for Finland, then settled the Upper Silesia frontier and the Greece-Bulgaria dispute of 1925.
Q11
The first huge stock market crash in the USA, which led to the Great Depression, occurred on
- A. 24 October 1929Correct
- B. 28 June 1919
- C. 11 November 1918
- D. 8 November 1917
Explanation. The first huge crash came on 24 October 1929. Mass selling of shares found no buyers, American banks failed and financiers recalled funds invested abroad, including loans to Germany.
Q12
By the Lateran Treaty of 1929, Mussolini won over the Roman Catholic Church by
- A. recognising the Vatican City as an independent stateCorrect
- B. abolishing Parliament
- C. invading Ethiopia
- D. banning strikes and lockouts
Explanation. Mussolini recognised the Vatican City as independent; in return the Church recognised the Kingdom of Italy, Catholicism became the state religion and religious teaching became compulsory in schools.
Q13
Match the following:
(A) Joseph Goebbels - 1. Gestapo
(B) Himmler - 2. Nazi propaganda
(C) Matteotti - 3. Leader of the Weimar government, 1919-1925
(D) Ebert - 4. Socialist leader murdered after the 1924 elections
- A. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3Correct
- B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
- C. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
- D. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
Explanation. Goebbels led Nazi propaganda and Himmler ran the Gestapo. Matteotti questioned the 1924 Italian elections and was murdered. Socialist Ebert led Germany's government from 1919 to 1925.
Frequently asked questions
How many MCQs are there in Imperialism and its Onslaught?
This chapter has 13 book-back multiple-choice questions, each with the correct answer and a step-by-step explanation.
Are these 12th Standard History MCQs free to practise online?
Yes. Every question, answer and explanation here is free, and you can also take them as a timed practice test.
Where can I find the Imperialism and its Onslaught book-back answers?
The correct option for each question is highlighted on this page with a worked explanation, plus a quick answer-key summary at the top.
