Question 1

The sovereign nation-state system originated where?

Accepted Answer

The sovereign nation-state system originated in Europe with the Treaties of Westphalia in 1648, which established the principles of territorial sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

Question 2

The Reformation is best characterized as what kind of event?

Accepted Answer

The Reformation was primarily a movement within Christianity that resulted in the creation of new Protestant denominations and a split from the Roman Catholic Church. It was a challenge to the authority and practices of the Catholic Church, rather than a revolt by Catholics against Protestantism or a response to European exploration of new lands.

Question 3

What important principle was established by the Peace of Westphalia?

Accepted Answer

The Peace of Westphalia established the principle of state sovereignty, which gave a state the right to govern itself without interference from outside powers. This helped to bring an end to the long-standing conflict between Catholic and Protestant states in Europe and created the foundation for the modern system of nation-states.

Question 4

The Peace of Westphalia established that

Accepted Answer

The Peace of Westphalia established the principle of state sovereignty, meaning that each state is to be sovereign in its internal affairs, free from interference by outside powers. This principle has had a significant impact on the development of the modern state system.

Question 5

The principle of sovereignty recognized in the Peace of Westphalia represents an essential element in the creation of the modern nation-state because

Accepted Answer

The Peace of Westphalia recognized the principle of sovereignty, which established secular authority and positioned the state as the supreme political authority within its borders. This marked a shift away from the previous idea that political legitimacy must come from divine sanction or religious authority, and paved the way for the creation of modern nation-states.

Question 6

The international system during the eighteenth century is best characterized as

Accepted Answer

The international system during the eighteenth century was multipolar, with several powerful European states competing for dominance and influence in global affairs. This was characterized by shifting alliances, conflicts, and negotiations between various powers such as Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia. It was not until the late nineteenth century that the international system shifted towards a bipolar structure with the emergence of two superpowers, the United States and Soviet Union.

Question 7

Power projection refers to the ability of states to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Power projection refers to a state's ability to exert influence beyond its own borders, either through military, economic, or diplomatic means. It is often seen as a key component of a state's foreign policy and international relations.

Question 8

To be a great power, a state should have which of the following?

Accepted Answer

To be a great power, a state should have all three of the above - a relatively large territory to assert influence, a well-organized military to defend its interests, and a strong economy to support its political and military objectives.

Question 9

Which of the following statements best describes the nature of alliances in eighteenth-century Europe?

Accepted Answer

Alliances in eighteenth-century Europe were indeed characterized by their fluctuating and unpredictable nature, often shifting in response to changing political and military circumstances to maintain the balance of power among states.

Question 10

Which of the following was not one of the three major wars of the eighteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The Thirty Years' War occurred in the seventeenth century, not the eighteenth.

Question 11

When Frederick II of Prussia stated, "If we can gain something by being honest, we will be it, and if we have to deceive, we will be cheats," he was demonstrating what kind of view of international relations?

Accepted Answer

Frederick II's statement reflects the realist view of international relations, which sees the world as a competitive arena where states must prioritize their own interests and use whatever means necessary, including deception, to achieve them. Idealism emphasizes cooperation and ethical principles, isolationism favors non-intervention in foreign affairs, and fragmentation refers to the breaking up of larger political entities into smaller, often conflicting units.

Question 12

One of the things the European wars of the eighteenth century demonstrated was that

Accepted Answer

The European wars of the eighteenth century demonstrated that alliances could be changed rapidly. The major powers of Europe shifted their allegiances frequently and formed new alliances as per their interests during the wars. This made the outcome of the wars unpredictable and created an environment of political instability in Europe.

Question 13

Although the French may have helped to defeat the British in the American War of Independence, their own cause was hurt because

Accepted Answer

The war dramatically escalated the French government's debt, causing significant financial challenges for the country. This ultimately contributed to the economic crisis that helped spark the French Revolution. While the war did force the French monarch to make some domestic reforms, they were not significant enough to counterbalance the negative impact of the debt. The king did not lower taxes as a result of the war.

Question 14

The immediate cause of the French Revolution was

Accepted Answer

France's tremendous debt was the immediate cause of the French Revolution. The French government's financial problems were exacerbated by overspending on wars and a lavish lifestyle of the royal court, leading to a financial crisis and popular unrest. Free-trade policies and an open political system were not immediate causes of the revolution, but rather factors that contributed to the underlying social and economic tensions that led to it.

Question 15

The French Revolution was inspired by which ideology?

Accepted Answer

The French Revolution was primarily inspired by the ideology of nationalism, which promoted the idea that people with a common cultural or linguistic heritage should form their own sovereign nation-states. This sentiment was fueled by the growing sense of French identity and resentment towards the monarchy and aristocracy for their perceived foreign and out-of-touch status.

Question 16

Liberalism is the belief that

Accepted Answer

Liberalism is based on the idea that people should have the power to govern themselves. It values individual freedom and equality, and believes that government should be limited and accountable to the people. Choice B is incorrect because liberalism emphasizes personal responsibility and empowerment, rather than government control. Choice C is also incorrect because liberalism is not necessarily focused on nationalism, but rather on individual rights and freedoms.

Question 17

When waging war, Napoleon did which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Napoleon believed in the concept of total war and aimed for complete submission and occupation of the defeated country as it would ensure complete control and prevent any further uprisings. This was evident in his policies towards countries like Spain and Portugal.

Question 18

Napoleon's "Continental System" was designed to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Continental System was designed to weaken the British economy by forbidding European countries from trading with them, thereby expanding French economic control over Europe.

Question 19

All except which of the following factors contributed to the undermining of Napoleon's power?

Accepted Answer

The levee en masse, a mass conscription and mobilization of French citizens, actually helped strengthen Napoleon's power by providing him with a large army. France's allies turning against him, their inability to defeat Spain and Portugal, and the disastrous invasion of Russia all contributed to the weakening of Napoleon's power.

Question 20

The participants of the Vienna peace conference sought to restore normalcy, by which they meant

Accepted Answer

The participants of the Vienna peace conference sought to restore the traditional monarchical systems that had been in place before the French Revolution and Napoleon's conquests. This was seen as a way of bringing stability and order back to Europe after the upheaval of the revolutionary and Napoleonic eras. The restoration of the old monarchies was also seen as a way to prevent the spread of revolutionary and nationalist movements that threatened to upset the balance of power in Europe.

Quiz 3: World Politics and Economics: 1648 1945