Unit 16: Paper 2 — Causes and Effects of 20th-Century Wars
Topic 16.1: Causes of war Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB History Topic 16.1. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q11
In the framework studied, which type of war is defined by a state mobilising its entire society — economy, industry and civilians — and targeting the enemy's whole population?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q12
The memory aid E-I-P-T-R lists the five categories of cause. Which category does the letter 'T' stand for?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q14
Which conflict is used in the framework as the example of a limited war fought for restricted aims to avoid a wider nuclear clash?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q15
According to the framework, what is the key difference between a long-term cause and a catalyst?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q14
According to the Schlieffen Plan, through which neutral country did Germany plan to attack France?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q11
On which date did Germany invade Poland, the event usually seen as the trigger of the Second World War in Europe?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q13
At the Munich Agreement of September 1938, which territory did Britain and France allow Hitler to take?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q11
In the MAIN shorthand for the long-term causes of the First World War, what does the letter 'A' stand for?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q12
What was the main aim behind Hitler's concept of Lebensraum?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q13
Germany's invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 is best described in the framework as which of the following?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q13
On what date was Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in Sarajevo?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q15
Why was the Nazi–Soviet Pact of August 1939 so important for Hitler's decision to invade Poland?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q15
What is meant by the 'blank cheque' during the July Crisis of 1914?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q14
Which event first showed the League of Nations to be powerless against aggression in the Far East?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.3 - Q1
To what extent was Adolf Hitler responsible for the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939?
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q2
Evaluate the role of nationalism in causing the First World War.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q4
Examine the reasons why one 20th-century war can be described as a total war.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q5
Compare and contrast the roles of Germany and Austria-Hungary in bringing about the First World War.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.1 - Q1
Compare and contrast the causes of two 20th-century wars, each chosen from a different region.
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2026• Aimnova original vault - 16.1.2 - Q12
Which three countries made up the Triple Entente?
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