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All questions of Decolonization & After for UPSC CSE Exam

What was the main cause of the civil war in Angola after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975?
  • a)
    Ethnic tensions between different tribes
  • b)
    Economic instability
  • c)
    Political corruption
  • d)
    External interference during the Cold War
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Meera Kapoor answered
The correct answer is Option D: External interference during the Cold War. After gaining independence, Angola was engulfed in a civil war mainly due to the involvement of different external powers during the Cold War. The United States backed the FNLA, while Cuba supported the MPLA. South Africa also supported different groups. This external interference intensified the conflict and made it more difficult to achieve peace in Angola.

What term is used to describe the policy of indirect control exerted by the United States and the Soviet Union during decolonization?
  • a)
    Imperialism
  • b)
    Colonialism
  • c)
    Neo-colonialism
  • d)
    Nationalism
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Gayatri Basak answered
Understanding Neo-colonialism
Neo-colonialism refers to a form of indirect control that emerged after the wave of decolonization, primarily during the Cold War era. Both the United States and the Soviet Union sought to expand their influence in newly independent nations without direct territorial control.
Key Characteristics of Neo-colonialism:
- Influence Over Sovereignty:
Newly independent countries often retained their formal sovereignty but were heavily influenced by external powers through economic, political, and cultural means.
- Economic Dependency:
Both superpowers used economic aid, loans, and trade agreements to create dependencies. This allowed them to exert influence without direct governance.
- Political Manipulation:
The U.S. and the Soviet Union supported specific political parties or leaders that aligned with their ideologies, effectively controlling political landscapes without overt intervention.
- Cultural Dominance:
Propaganda and cultural exchange programs were employed to promote values aligned with either capitalism (U.S.) or communism (Soviet Union), subtly shaping public opinion.
Impact on Decolonizing Nations:
- Limited Autonomy:
While these nations gained independence, their ability to make independent policy choices was often compromised by the influence of superpowers.
- Internal Conflicts:
The rivalries between the U.S. and Soviet Union led to proxy wars in various regions, further destabilizing the newly independent states.
- Global Division:
Neo-colonialism contributed to a world divided along ideological lines, impacting global politics and economics even after the end of the Cold War.
In summary, neo-colonialism effectively describes the indirect control exercised by the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the decolonization process, highlighting the complexities of sovereignty in a post-colonial context.

What was the primary export product that Ghana heavily relied upon, leading to economic vulnerability?
  • a)
    Oil
  • b)
    Gold
  • c)
    Cocoa
  • d)
    Bauxite
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Kavita Shah answered
Ghana heavily relied on cocoa exports as its primary export product, which made the country economically vulnerable, especially when the world price of cocoa fell.

What was the outcome of the Commonwealth's response to apartheid in South Africa?
  • a)
    South Africa was expelled from the Commonwealth
  • b)
    The Commonwealth imposed economic sanctions on South Africa
  • c)
    The Commonwealth supported apartheid
  • d)
    The Commonwealth offered financial aid to South Africa
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Priya Menon answered
The correct answer is Option A: South Africa was expelled from the Commonwealth. In response to the apartheid regime in South Africa, the Commonwealth took a strong stance by imposing economic sanctions and condemning the racial discrimination. However, the expulsion of South Africa from the Commonwealth was the most significant action taken. In 1961, when South Africa became a republic, it had to reapply for membership to the Commonwealth. The other Commonwealth members, except for Britain, rejected South Africa's application, leading to its expulsion from the organization. This was a significant diplomatic blow to the apartheid government and further isolated South Africa on the international stage.

What was the main reason for UNITA's refusal to accept the election results in Angola?
  • a)
    Allegations of fraud
  • b)
    Lack of UN observers
  • c)
    Intimidation by the MPLA
  • d)
    Lack of international support
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
The correct answer is Option A: Allegations of fraud. UNITA, the main opposition party in Angola, refused to accept the election results in 1992, claiming that there had been fraud. This was despite the presence of 400 UN observers who reported that the elections had been "generally free and fair." UNITA's refusal to accept defeat led to the resumption of the civil war and further bloodshed in Angola.

When did the civil war in Angola finally come to an end?
  • a)
    1988
  • b)
    1991
  • c)
    1992
  • d)
    1994
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
The correct answer is Option D: 1994. The civil war in Angola finally came to an end in 1994 when a ceasefire was negotiated, and a peace agreement was reached between the MPLA government and UNITA. This agreement was monitored by the UN, and UNITA accepted the results of the 1992 elections. The death of Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA, in 2002 further contributed to the prospects of peace and reconstruction in Angola.

What was the primary source of Tanzania's revenue when it became one of the world's largest gold producers?
  • a)
    Oil exports.
  • b)
    Tourism.
  • c)
    Coffee production.
  • d)
    Gold mining.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
When Tanzania became one of the world's largest gold producers, the primary source of revenue was gold mining. The text mentions Tanzania's transition into a significant gold-producing nation.

Which international organizations were unable to mediate during the Nigerian Civil War?
  • a)
    The United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth.
  • b)
    The Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations (UN).
  • c)
    The Commonwealth and the European Union (EU).
  • d)
    The Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the European Union (EU).
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
The text mentions that neither the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth, nor the Organization of African Unity (OAU) were able to mediate during the Nigerian Civil War. This implies that these international organizations were ineffective in resolving the conflict.

What was the primary focus of John Kufuor's policies during his presidency in Ghana?
  • a)
    Maintaining a one-party state
  • b)
    Diversifying the economy and modernization
  • c)
    Encouraging tribal divisions
  • d)
    Promoting authoritarian rule
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanjay Rana answered
The primary focus of John Kufuor's policies during his presidency in Ghana was diversifying the economy, modernization, and encouraging private involvement. His policies aimed to improve economic stability and development in Ghana.

What was the main reason for the introduction of apartheid in South Africa?
  • a)
    Fear of communism
  • b)
    Economic instability
  • c)
    Ethnic tensions
  • d)
    Desire for racial equality
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Vikram Verma answered
The correct answer is Option A: Fear of communism. The introduction of apartheid in South Africa was primarily driven by the fear of communism. The Nationalist Party, led by Dr Malan, believed that white supremacy was necessary to protect South Africa from the spread of communism in Africa. They viewed non-white races, especially black Africans, as inferior and believed in the preservation of white domination. The Dutch Reformed Church supported this view, using religious justifications to promote racial segregation.

What was one of the key challenges faced by Tanzania's education system in the early 2000s?
  • a)
    Lack of qualified teachers.
  • b)
    Excessive government control over education.
  • c)
    Inadequate funding for schools.
  • d)
    High enrollment rates.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Deepa Iyer answered
One of the key challenges faced by Tanzania's education system in the early 2000s, as mentioned in the text, was inadequate funding for schools. This resulted in a decline in the quality of education and decreased enrollment rates.

Which African country became the last bastion of white rule on the continent after 1980?
  • a)
    Ghana
  • b)
    Nigeria
  • c)
    South Africa
  • d)
    Zimbabwe
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
South Africa became the last bastion of white rule on the African continent after 1980. It was characterized by apartheid policies that enforced racial segregation and discrimination.

What was the main motivation behind P. W. Botha's reforms in South Africa?
  • a)
    Desire to maintain white supremacy
  • b)
    Pressure from international sanctions
  • c)
    Economic instability
  • d)
    Recognition of the need for change
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Priya Menon answered
The correct answer is Option D: Recognition of the need for change. P. W. Botha, the prime minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984, realized that apartheid was unsustainable and needed to be reformed. He acknowledged the growing pressure from both domestic and international sources for change. Botha understood that South Africa needed to adapt to avoid further conflict and upheaval. While his reforms fell short of meeting the demands of racial equality, they represented an acknowledgement of the need for some concessions to address the grievances of the black population.

What was one of the key factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967?
  • a)
    Economic prosperity and stable governance.
  • b)
    Religious unity among the regions.
  • c)
    Tribal differences and concerns about regional domination.
  • d)
    Strong support from the international community.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
The outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967 was primarily caused by tribal differences and concerns about regional domination. The text mentions that Nigeria had significant tribal differences, with the northern region dominated by the Muslim Hausa and Fulani tribes, while the western and eastern regions, primarily the Yorubas and Ibos, expressed concerns about northern domination. These tribal tensions and regional disparities played a crucial role in the conflict.

What was the main problem surrounding Namibia that complicated the situation in Angola?
  • a)
    Namibia's struggle for independence
  • b)
    The presence of Cuban troops in Namibia
  • c)
    South Africa's occupation of Namibia
  • d)
    The conflict between Namibian tribes
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Anita Desai answered
The correct answer is Option C: South Africa's occupation of Namibia. Namibia, which lies between Angola and South Africa, was under South African control and occupied illegally. The South African government delayed granting independence to Namibia, which angered the African nations and further complicated the situation in Angola. The MPLA government allowed SWAPO, a Namibian liberation movement, to have bases in southern Angola, which intensified South Africa's hostility towards the MPLA.

What was the main goal of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa?
  • a)
    Preservation of apartheid
  • b)
    Establishment of a communist regime
  • c)
    Promotion of racial equality
  • d)
    Economic development for whites
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Vikram Verma answered
The correct answer is Option C: Promotion of racial equality. The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa was founded in 1912 with the aim of promoting racial equality and fighting against racial discrimination and apartheid. It sought to achieve political and social rights for all South Africans, regardless of their race or ethnicity. The ANC played a crucial role in the struggle against apartheid and eventually led to the establishment of a democratic and non-racial South Africa.

What were some of the consequences of the civil war in Angola?
  • a)
    Economic prosperity and development
  • b)
    Political stability and unity
  • c)
    High inflation and poverty
  • d)
    Improved healthcare and education
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Vikram Verma answered
The correct answer is Option C: High inflation and poverty. The civil war in Angola had devastating consequences for the country. It resulted in high inflation, with inflation rates reaching as high as 240 percent. The war was also ruinously expensive, leading to economic instability and widespread poverty. The majority of the population lived in poverty, and thousands were on the verge of starvation. The conflict also had a significant impact on the healthcare and education systems, hindering their development.

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