Grade 9 History Questions and Answers for Term 1: Revision

Grade 9 History Questions and Answers for Term 1: Revision:

Grade 9 History Questions and Answers for Term 1: Revision

World War I and South Africa Questions: 

Battle of Delville Wood (1916): The Battle of Delville Wood was fought from July 14 to 20, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme in France. It was a major engagement between the British Army and the German Army, and it involved heavy fighting in the woods around the village of Longueval. The South African Brigade was assigned to capture and hold the wood, which they did for several days despite suffering heavy casualties. In the end, the South African Brigade was relieved by British troops, and the battle was considered a strategic victory for the Allied forces.

Sinking of Mendi (1917): The SS Mendi was a troopship carrying members of the South African Native Labour Corps (SANLC) from South Africa to France during World War I. On February 21, 1917, the ship was struck by another vessel, the SS Darro, in the English Channel and sank within 20 minutes. Over 600 members of the SANLC, most of them black South Africans, died in the disaster. The sinking of the Mendi is considered one of the worst maritime disasters in South African history, and it is commemorated annually as a national day of remembrance.

World War I and South Africa Questions and Answers : 

  1. Which country was South Africa fighting against during World War I? A) Germany B) France C) Italy D) Russia

Answer: A) Germany. South Africa fought against Germany during World War I as part of the British Empire.

  1. When did the Battle of Delville Wood take place? A) 1914 B) 1915 C) 1916 D) 1917

Answer: C) 1916. The Battle of Delville Wood took place from 15 July to 3 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.

  1. Which South African unit was involved in the Battle of Delville Wood? A) South African Infantry Brigade B) South African Horse C) Cape Corps D) South African Medical Corps

Answer: A) South African Infantry Brigade. The South African Infantry Brigade was part of the 9th Scottish Division and was sent to capture Delville Wood in July 1916.

  1. What was the outcome of the Battle of Delville Wood? A) South African victory B) German victory C) Draw D) Both sides suffered heavy losses

Answer: D) Both sides suffered heavy losses. The South African Infantry Brigade suffered over 80% casualties, but managed to hold the wood for several days before being relieved by British troops.

  1. When did the sinking of the Mendi take place? A) 1914 B) 1916 C) 1917 D) 1918

Answer: C) 1917. The sinking of the Mendi took place on 21 February 1917 off the coast of Isle of Wight, England.

  1. What was the Mendi carrying when it sank? A) Military personnel B) Civilians C) Cargo D) Food supplies

Answer: A) Military personnel. The Mendi was carrying over 800 South African troops, most of whom were members of the South African Native Labour Corps, to France when it was struck by another ship and sank.

  1. How many South Africans died in the sinking of the Mendi? A) None B) Less than 100 C) Over 200 D) Over 600

Answer: D) Over 600. Over 600 South African soldiers, most of whom were black, died in the sinking of the Mendi. It is considered one of the worst maritime disasters in South African history.

Explanation: These questions test knowledge about South Africa’s involvement in World War I, specifically the Battle of Delville Wood and the sinking of the Mendi. The answers provide information about the events, including dates, units involved, outcomes, and casualties.

End of World War I; Weimar Republic; Treaty of Versailles 1919 and a brief summary of German punishments 

Questions and Answers

  1. When did World War I end?
    • a) 1916
    • b) 1917
    • c) 1918 d) 1919
      • Answer: c) 1918

Explanation: World War I ended on November 11, 1918, when an armistice was signed between the Allied powers and Germany.

  1. What was the Weimar Republic?
    • a) The government of Nazi Germany
    • b) The government of Imperial Germany
    • c) The democratic government of Germany after World War I
    • d) The government of East Germany during the Cold War
      • Answer: c) The democratic government of Germany after World War I

Explanation: The Weimar Republic was the democratic government of Germany that was established after World War I and lasted from 1919 to 1933.

  1. What was the Treaty of Versailles?
    • a) A treaty between Germany and Russia
    • b) A treaty between Germany and France
    • c) A treaty between Germany and Great Britain
    • d) A treaty between Germany and the Allied powers
      • Answer: d) A treaty between Germany and the Allied powers

Explanation: The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed between Germany and the Allied powers in 1919, ending World War I.

  1. What were some of the punishments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
    • a) Germany had to pay war reparations
    • b) Germany had to give up territory
    • c) Germany had to accept blame for starting World War I
    • d) All of the above
      • Answer: d) All of the above

Explanation: The Treaty of Versailles imposed several punishments on Germany, including war reparations, loss of territory, and acceptance of blame for starting World War I.

  1. How did the punishments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party? a) The economic hardships caused by the war reparations created a sense of resentment among the German people b) The loss of territory and national pride contributed to a desire for revenge and a return to greatness c) The humiliation of being blamed for starting World War I created a sense of victimhood and a desire for revenge d) All of the above Answer: d) All of the above
    • The punishments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles contributed to the economic hardships, loss of territory, and national humiliation that fueled the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. These factors created a sense of resentment, victimhood, and a desire for revenge among the German people, which Hitler was able to exploit to gain support for his aggressive policies.


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