Question 1

The concept of the "rise of the West" includes all of the following except

Accepted Answer

The concept of the "rise of the West" does not include the idea that Western hegemony has existed since the era of the ancient Greeks; rather, it refers to the period starting from the sixteenth century when European powers began to exert significant influence globally.

Question 2

Afrikaner was the Dutch term for the original inhabitants of South Africa.

Accepted Answer

Afrikaner refers to a South African ethnic group descended from predominantly Dutch settlers, not the original inhabitants. The original inhabitants were indigenous groups like the Khoisan and Bantu peoples.

Question 3

After World War I, more Africans served in the colonial governments than in the late nineteenth century, although relatively few were given positions of significant responsibility.

Accepted Answer

After World War I, colonial powers began to incorporate more Africans into administrative roles, but these positions were often limited in scope and authority, reflecting the continued dominance of European control.

Question 4

In general and with exceptions, it can be said that Britain ruled its colonies through direct rule, while the French ruled their empire by indirect rule.

Accepted Answer

Britain often used indirect rule, especially in Africa, while France typically employed direct rule, integrating colonies into a centralized system.

Question 5

The author and book which claimed that the motives for Western imperialism were mainly economic was

Accepted Answer

John A. Hobson, in his book "Imperialism: A Study," argued that the primary motives for Western imperialism were economic, focusing on the need for new markets and investment opportunities.

Question 6

For many millennia the most sophisticated and technologically advanced civilization was found in

Accepted Answer

China was historically one of the most advanced civilizations, particularly during periods such as the Tang and Song dynasties, known for their innovations in technology, culture, and governance.

Question 7

In Southeast Asia, despite the growth of an urban economy, as in Rangoon, Batavia, and Saigon, the vast majority of the colonial peoples farmed the land.

Accepted Answer

During the colonial period in Southeast Asia, the majority of the population was engaged in agriculture despite urban economic growth in cities like Rangoon, Batavia, and Saigon.

Question 8

The so-called "Spice Islands" are located in modern

Accepted Answer

The Spice Islands, also known as the Maluku Islands, are a group of islands in eastern Indonesia. They are known for their production of spices, such as cloves, nutmeg, and mace.

Question 9

The Berlin Conference of 1884 was convened to reduce tensions among European powers competing for the spoils of Southeast Asia.

Accepted Answer

The Berlin Conference of 1884 was convened to regulate European colonization and trade in Africa, not Southeast Asia.

Question 10

During the Boer War, the British made use of concentration camps in their campaign against the Afrikaners.

Accepted Answer

The British established concentration camps during the Second Boer War (1899-1902) to detain Boer civilians, which led to high mortality rates due to poor conditions.

Question 11

In the early nineteenth century, the British and Dutch agreed that the British would abandon their claim to territory in the East Indies for a free hand in the Malay Peninsula.

Accepted Answer

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 was an agreement between the British and the Dutch, where the British agreed to abandon their claims in the East Indies in exchange for control over the Malay Peninsula.

Question 12

The first of the major Asian civilizations to fall victim to European ambitions was China.

Accepted Answer

European powers first established control in parts of India and Southeast Asia before China faced significant European intervention and colonization.

Question 13

Unlike in earlier centuries when "Christians and spices" were the motives for acquiring colonies, by the nineteenth century the primary function of colonies was to provide raw materials and purchase European manufactured products.

Accepted Answer

In the nineteenth century, the focus of colonialism shifted towards economic exploitation, with colonies serving as sources of raw materials for European industries and markets for their manufactured goods.

Question 14

As the saying went, the "sun never sets", on which empire

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the sun never sets on the British Empire" was used to describe the vastness of the British Empire, which spanned multiple time zones and continents, ensuring that the sun was always shining on at least one part of its territories.

Question 15

The last pre-British rulers of the Indian subcontinent were the

Accepted Answer

The Mughals were the last major rulers of the Indian subcontinent before the British colonial rule began.

Question 16

The so-called "scramble" for Africa occurred

Accepted Answer

The "scramble for Africa" refers to the period of rapid colonization of the African continent by European powers, which primarily took place between the 1880s and 1900.

Question 17

The Sahara remained an insurmountable to communication with Southern Africa until the late nineteenth century.

Accepted Answer

The Sahara was crossed by trans-Saharan trade routes long before the late nineteenth century, facilitating communication and trade between North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Question 18

Before the nineteenth century, Western imperialism could be summarized in the phrase

Accepted Answer

Before the nineteenth century, Western imperialism was largely driven by the desire to spread Christianity and acquire valuable spices, which were highly sought after in Europe.

Question 19

Which of the following African states remained free from Western imperialism in the nineteenth century:

Accepted Answer

Ethiopia successfully resisted European colonization during the nineteenth century, notably defeating Italy at the Battle of Adwa in 1896, maintaining its sovereignty.

Question 20

With the discovery of quinine to treat malaria, life expectancy for Europeans in Africa improved by the end of the nineteenth century.

Accepted Answer

The discovery of quinine as a treatment for malaria allowed Europeans to better manage the disease, which was a major health threat in Africa, thus improving their life expectancy by the end of the nineteenth century.

Quiz 2: The High Tide of Imperialism Africa and Asia in an Era of Western Dominance