World History

11. Which of the following was/were the essence of the peace-building effo

Which of the following was/were the essence of the peace-building efforts of the United Nations from 1980s onwards?

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  • 1. To resolve underlying disputes between the belligerents
  • 2. To monitor arms control agreements
  • 3. Providing development assistance to maintain peace

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1 only
2 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The correct option is D, suggesting that monitoring arms control agreements and providing development assistance were the essence of UN peace-building efforts from the 1980s onwards.
UN peace-building efforts evolved from traditional peacekeeping to more comprehensive approaches aimed at preventing the recurrence of conflict. Key elements include addressing root causes, strengthening institutions, promoting reconciliation, and supporting economic recovery. The period “from 1980s onwards” marks a shift towards these multi-dimensional approaches.
Statement 1: “To resolve underlying disputes between the belligerents”. While creating an environment for dispute resolution is part of peacebuilding, direct ‘resolution’ is often the goal of conflict resolution or peacemaking, which precedes or runs parallel to peacebuilding. Peacebuilding focuses more on transforming relationships and strengthening capacities to *manage* future disputes peacefully by addressing root causes. This statement might be considered a goal supported by peacebuilding rather than its direct essence.
Statement 2: “To monitor arms control agreements”. This can be a component, especially in the context of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs, which are integral to post-conflict peacebuilding. It contributes to creating a secure environment.
Statement 3: “Providing development assistance to maintain peace”. This is a crucial aspect of peacebuilding, as economic revitalisation, poverty reduction, and equitable development are seen as essential for addressing root causes of conflict and building a sustainable peace.
Considering the options, and acknowledging the complexities of the term “essence”, Option D which includes development assistance (a widely accepted core element) and arms control monitoring (relevant, especially in the form of DDR-related monitoring), is presented as the correct answer in some contexts. The exclusion of “resolving underlying disputes” (Statement 1) from options combined with 3 is problematic, as addressing root causes/disputes is fundamental. However, if forced to choose based on typical interpretations in exams like UPSC, Statement 3 is definitely key, and Statement 2 (interpreted broadly to include post-conflict security arrangements like DDR monitoring) could be deemed more central than Statement 1 (interpreted as direct dispute resolution).

12. The World Conference on Human Rights that affirmed the universality of

The World Conference on Human Rights that affirmed the universality of rights and launched an ambitious plan of action was held in

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Vienna (1993)
Geneva (1996)
New York (2000)
Berlin (2002)
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UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The World Conference on Human Rights, which took place in Vienna in 1993, is a landmark event that unequivocally reaffirmed the universality of human rights and adopted the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA). This document launched an ambitious plan for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was a consensus document adopted by 171 States, emphasizing that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated.
The conference also led to the establishment of the position of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The VDPA reviewed the progress made since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and identified continuing challenges.

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13. Directions : The following five (05) items consist of two statements,

Directions : The following five (05) items consist of two statements, statement I and statement II. You are to examine these two statements carefully and select the answers to these items using the code given below :

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Code :
(a) Both the statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I
(b) Both the statements are individually true but statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I
(c) Statement I is true but statement II is false
(d) Statement I is false but statement II is true

1. Statement I : The US Army built the historic Stilwell Road in 1943 running from Ledo in Assam to the China-Burma Road.
Statement II : The objective was to form a link with the Bengal-Assam Railway and carry support for the US and the UK warfare against Japan.

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Both the statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I
Both the statements are individually true but statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I
Statement I is true but statement II is false
Statement I is false but statement II is true
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UPSC CAPF – 2011
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Both Statement I and Statement II are individually true, and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.
The Stilwell Road was a strategic military supply route built by the Allies during WWII.
Statement I is true; the Stilwell Road (initially Ledo Road) was indeed built starting in 1943 by US Army engineers with Allied (Chinese and Indian) labor, running from Ledo in Assam, India, through northern Burma to link up with the existing Burma Road into China. Statement II is true; the primary objective was to re-establish a vital supply route to China, which had been cut off by Japanese occupation of Burma, in order to support the US, UK, and Chinese war efforts against Japan. The Bengal-Assam Railway was the logistical backbone for bringing supplies to the Indian railhead at Ledo for transport via the road. Thus, the objective described in Statement II directly explains the building of the road mentioned in Statement I.

14. Who is the author of the memoir, first published in 1995 when the auth

Who is the author of the memoir, first published in 1995 when the author was elected the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review, that tells the story of the author’s life up to his entry in the Harvard Law Review, and who formed an image of his absent father from the stories told by his mother and her parents?

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Nelson Mandela
Martin Luther King
Benjamin Banneker
Barak Hussain Obama
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The description matches Barack Hussain Obama and his memoir “Dreams from My Father”.
– The memoir “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” was first published by Barack Obama in 1995.
– At the time of its publication, Obama had been recently elected as the first African-American President of the Harvard Law Review, as mentioned in the question.
– The book details his early life, his search for identity, and his relationship with his absent Kenyan father, largely based on stories told by his mother and grandparents.
– Barack Obama later became the 44th President of the United States.
– Nelson Mandela was an anti-apartheid revolutionary and President of South Africa, known for his autobiography “Long Walk to Freedom”.
– Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement.
– Benjamin Banneker was an African-American almanac author, surveyor, and naturalist.
– None of the other options fit the specific biographical details provided in the question, especially the connection to Harvard Law Review and the memoir’s theme.

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15. Which of the following statements is/are not correct about the histori

Which of the following statements is/are not correct about the historic Stilwell road?

1. It connects India and Myanmar through Arunachal Pradesh.
2. It was built by the Japanese during the World War II.
3. The road lies in the lands of three different countries—China, Myanmar and India.

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1 and 2
2 only
1 and 3
2 and 3
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UPSC CAPF – 2009
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Statement 2 is not correct. The question asks for the *not* correct statements.
– Statement 1 is correct: The Stilwell Road, originally known as the Ledo Road, connects India and Myanmar. It starts in Ledo, Assam (India), passes through Arunachal Pradesh (India), and goes into Myanmar.
– Statement 2 is not correct: The road was built during World War II by the Allied forces, primarily by the United States Army engineers, with significant labour contributions from China and India. It was built to supply Allied forces in China via Burma after the Japanese blocked the Burma Road. It was named after General Joseph Stilwell.
– Statement 3 is correct: The road originates in India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh), traverses through Myanmar (Burma), and terminates in Kunming, China. Thus, it lies in the lands of three different countries.
– The Stilwell Road was a major logistical achievement during World War II, enabling supplies to reach China to support the war effort against Japan.
– Despite its strategic importance during the war, the road fell into disrepair after the conflict and has not been a major transportation artery for decades, although efforts have been made to revive parts of it.

16. Which one of the following statements about the Industrial Revolution

Which one of the following statements about the Industrial Revolution is correct ?

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Thomas Savery invented astrolabe
Thomas Newcomen invented chemical dyes
James Watt's invention converted the steam engine from being a mere pump into one which would provide energy to power machines in factories
Mathew Boulton discovered the technique of refining gold of impurities
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The correct answer is C) James Watt’s invention converted the steam engine from being a mere pump into one which would provide energy to power machines in factories.
James Watt’s key improvements to the steam engine, particularly the invention of the separate condenser, significantly increased its efficiency and versatility. This made the steam engine capable of producing rotary motion and thus suitable for powering a wide range of machinery in factories, which was a crucial development during the Industrial Revolution.
A) Thomas Savery invented an early steam pump, not an astrolabe, which is an ancient astronomical instrument.
B) Thomas Newcomen also invented an early atmospheric steam engine, primarily used for pumping water out of mines. Chemical dyes were developed much later, notably by figures like William Perkin in the mid-19th century.
D) Mathew Boulton was James Watt’s business partner and a key figure in manufacturing and the application of steam power, but he is not credited with discovering gold refining techniques, which predate him by centuries.
Statement C accurately describes the transformative impact of James Watt’s work on the steam engine’s role in industrial production.

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17. Which of the following statements about the technological innovations

Which of the following statements about the technological innovations during the Industrial Revolutions are correct ?

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  • 1. Mule was the nickname for a machine invented in 1779, that allowed the spinning of strong and fine yarn.
  • 2. Water Frame, invented in 1769 by Richard Arkwright, made it possible to weave pure cotton clothes.
  • 3. Power loom, invented by Edmund Cartwright in 1787, could be used to weave any kind of materials.

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1 and 2 only
1, 2 and 3
2 and 3 only
3 only
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All three statements are correct. Statement 1 is correct: The Spinning Mule, invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779, combined features of earlier machines and was capable of spinning fine and strong yarn, nicknamed ‘mule’ because it was a hybrid. Statement 2 is correct: The Water Frame, invented by Richard Arkwright in 1769, produced stronger yarn suitable for warps, enabling the weaving of pure cotton cloth (before this, cotton textiles often used linen warps). Statement 3 is correct: The Power Loom, invented by Edmund Cartwright in 1787, mechanized the weaving process. While initial versions had limitations, the technology rapidly improved and was adapted to weave various materials, revolutionizing textile production across different fibers.
Key inventions like the Spinning Mule, Water Frame, and Power Loom significantly mechanized the textile industry during the Industrial Revolution, increasing productivity and changing manufacturing processes.
These inventions were crucial in shifting textile production from cottage industries to factories. The increased efficiency of spinning and weaving lowered the cost of textiles, making them more accessible. The demand for cotton grew, impacting agriculture (especially in the Americas) and trade networks.

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18. In which one of the following ways did the First World War Not impact

In which one of the following ways did the First World War Not impact Europe ?

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From a continent of creditors it turned into a continent of debtors
Soldiers came to be placed higher in social status than civilians
Popular support decreased for conservative dictatorship which had come into being recently
National honour occupied centre stage in the public sphere
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The First World War led to significant political and economic instability across Europe. While it did weaken liberal democracies in some regions, it did not generally decrease popular support for conservative dictatorships that emerged *after* the war. In fact, the post-war environment, characterized by economic hardship, political polarization, and a rise in nationalism, contributed to the rise of authoritarian and fascist regimes in countries like Italy and later Germany, which often garnered significant popular support based on promises of stability, national revival, and order. Options A, B, and D correctly describe consequences of WWI.
The political instability and economic problems following World War I in Europe often fostered environments conducive to the rise of authoritarian regimes, which sometimes enjoyed popular support, rather than decreasing it.
Other major impacts of WWI included vast human casualties, widespread destruction, the collapse of empires (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Russian, German), significant geopolitical realignments, and the foundation of the League of Nations.

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19. The ‘Reign of Terror’ in revolutionary France referred to

The ‘Reign of Terror’ in revolutionary France referred to

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Bands of revolutionaries moving around to terrorise people who did not participate in the revolution
The royal forces punishing people who participated in the revolution
Trial and beheading persons considered enemies of the republic by the revolutionary tribunal
The general atmosphere of insecurity perceived by people after the beheading of the king
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The ‘Reign of Terror’ (roughly 1793-1794) during the French Revolution was a period characterized by intense violence orchestrated by the Committee of Public Safety and the revolutionary government. Its primary purpose was to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution, including royalists, Girondins, and anyone suspected of counter-revolutionary activities. These individuals were subjected to swift trials, often with minimal legal protections, by the Revolutionary Tribunal and were frequently executed, most famously by guillotine.
The Reign of Terror was a phase of the French Revolution marked by systematic repression and execution of those considered enemies of the new republic by the revolutionary authorities.
Key figures associated with the Reign of Terror include Maximilien Robespierre, who dominated the Committee of Public Safety. The period ended with the Thermidorian Reaction in July 1794, which led to Robespierre’s own arrest and execution.

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20. Who among the following invented the flying shuttle?

Who among the following invented the flying shuttle?

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James Hargreaves
John Kay
Richard Arkwright
Humphry Davy
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The flying shuttle was a key invention during the early Industrial Revolution that significantly sped up the process of weaving. It was invented by John Kay in 1733.
John Kay invented the flying shuttle, a pivotal tool in the mechanization of weaving.
James Hargreaves is known for inventing the Spinning Jenny. Richard Arkwright invented the Water Frame. Humphry Davy is known for inventing the Davy lamp (miner’s safety lamp) and isolating several chemical elements. These inventions were all significant contributions to the Industrial Revolution in Britain, particularly in the textile industry.

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