20th century transitions away from Feudalism
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AP World History: Modern › 20th century transitions away from Feudalism
Who was the first leader of the USSR?
Vladimir Lenin
Josef Stalin
Mikhail Gorbachev
None of these
Explanation
Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks that ushered in the Russian revolution and subsequently formed the USSR in 1922. Stalin led the state from 1924-1953, and Gorbachev from 1985-1991. The USSR was disbanded the day after Gorbachev left office.
Which of the following did NOT lead to the decline of Shogunate feudalism in Japan in the 19th and 20th centuries?
A revolution spurred on by highly-educated aristocrats
Trade routes with Europe, leading to cultural exchange
A Pacific tour by the U.S. Navy in the mid-19th century
Widespread civil unrest, especially among Japan's poorest
The decline of Neo-Confucian belief
Explanation
The feudal state in Japan, known as the Shogunate, placed warriors and religious leaders at the top of the social order, farmers in the middle, and merchants at the bottom. Like nobles in feudal Europe, warriors (or Shoguns) maintained power by hoarding wealth and employing peasants. Later on, however, the Shogunate failed to address external pressures from Europe and America, who regularly used larger military power to bully Japan into trade deals while exporting western notions of government to Japan's people. The Shogunate quickly lost the support of workers and the ruling class alike, causing the feudal system to deteriorate beginning in the 19th century.
Who was the last Tsar of Russia?
Nicholas II
Nicholas III
Rasputin
Peter the Great
Explanation
Tsar Nicholas II of Russia ruled in the two decades preceding World War I. During World War I, the increasingly worsening state of the country created a revolution, resulting in his overthrow and eventual execution by the Bolsheviks.
Which technological advancement is credited with mobilizing lower classes as a political force in the early 20th century?
Expansions in mass communication technology like newspaper and radio allowed for mobilization
Advancements in agricultural technology made it easier for poor families to sustain a large number of children per household
Aeronautical inventions like the airplane are credited as capturing the public imagination
Antibiotics made workers less likely to die from injuries sustained on the job, granting broader political leverage
None of these
Explanation
Mass media was used to spread Marxist and nationalist revolutions in the 20th century, both of which relied heavily on mobilization of the working class. This was made possible in part by the fact that, by 1900, more people were literate across the globe than ever before. Because of mass media phenomena like journalistic muckrakers, public outrage led to better working conditions in low-paying jobs and, in some nations, full political revolutions.