20th Century Britain: History Quizzes for Year 2 Primary School

Question 1

What was the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

A period of tension and rivalry between the USA and USSR

Answer

A time of peace between the USA and USSR

Answer

A war fought with nuclear weapons

Answer

A time of great economic growth for Britain

Question 2

The suffragettes were a group of women who wanted to change the laws in Britain. What was their primary goal?

Accepted Answer

To allow women to vote

Answer

To get women better jobs

Answer

To give women more education

Answer

To make it easier for women to get healthcare

Question 3

Why is it important for historians to study the 20th century in British history?

Accepted Answer

Because it was a time of great changes in technology, transport, and the way people lived.

Answer

Because it's the most recent century, so it's the easiest to learn about.

Answer

Because it's the century that we live in, so we don't need to study it.

Question 4

How did the Industrial Revolution make Britain a stronger country?

Accepted Answer

It led to new inventions and technologies.

Answer

It made Britain's population grow.

Answer

It made Britain rely more on other countries.

Question 5

In which two wars did Britain and Germany fight on opposing sides?

Accepted Answer

World War I and World War II

Answer

World War I and the Cold War

Answer

World War II and the Korean War

Answer

The Falklands War and the Gulf War

Question 6

How did new machines make life easier for people in the 1900s?

Accepted Answer

Machines helped people do tasks faster and with less effort.

Answer

Machines only helped people at work, not at home.

Answer

Machines made it harder for people to travel.

Answer

Machines had no impact on people's lives.

Question 7

During World War I, many young British men joined the army. This meant there were fewer workers in factories and other industries. How did this impact Britain's economy during and after the war?

Accepted Answer

It caused a drop in production and a rise in unemployment.

Answer

It caused a rise in production and a drop in unemployment.

Answer

It caused a rise in both production and unemployment.

Answer

It caused a drop in both production and unemployment.

Question 8

How did people in Britain feel during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

They felt worried and scared because they feared a nuclear war.

Answer

They felt safe because they thought their country was well-protected.

Answer

They felt hopeful and confident because they believed their country would win any war.

Question 9

Which country was the first to be invaded by Germany, marking the start of World War II in 1939?

Accepted Answer

Poland

Answer

France

Answer

United States

Answer

Russia

Question 10

What major change happened in Britain after World War II?

Accepted Answer

The government created a welfare system to support those in need.

Answer

Women gained the right to vote.

Answer

Britain became an independent nation.

Question 11

After World War 2, Britain faced several challenges. Which of these was NOT a challenge?

Accepted Answer

Fighting another war with Germany

Answer

Rebuilding damaged cities

Answer

Starting the National Health Service

Answer

Losing control of its empire

Question 12

Who led Britain during the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Tony Blair

Answer

David Cameron

Question 13

Who was the first female Prime Minister of Britain?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Theresa May

Answer

Liz Truss

Answer

Angela Rayner

Question 14

Which of these was NOT a reason why Britain entered the First World War?

Accepted Answer

The desire to expand the British Empire

Answer

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer

The invasion of Belgium

Answer

The sinking of the Lusitania

Question 15

What was the name of the alliance between the United States and its allies during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Answer

The Warsaw Pact

Answer

The United Nations

Answer

The European Union

Question 16

Who was the British Prime Minister during the biggest world war of the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

David Lloyd George

Question 17

What do we call the disagreement between the Soviet Union and the United States after that big world war?

Accepted Answer

The Cold War

Answer

The Korean War

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Suez Crisis

Question 18

Which new invention in the 20th century completely changed how British families spent their evenings?

Accepted Answer

Television

Answer

Radio

Answer

Telephone

Answer

Internet

Question 19

Which British queen had the longest reign?

Accepted Answer

Queen Elizabeth II

Answer

Queen Victoria

Answer

Queen Elizabeth I

Answer

Queen Mary I

Question 20

What was the NHS set up to do?

Accepted Answer

To make sure everyone could see a doctor for free

Answer

To help poor people get healthier

Answer

To make private doctors more popular

Answer

To stop the spread of diseases

Question 21

What big event is often seen as the end of the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

The Berlin Wall came down

Answer

The leaders of the USA and the Soviet Union signed a special agreement

Answer

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer

The Vietnam War ended

Question 22

Which of these events came first in time?

Accepted Answer

The start of the First World War

Answer

The end of the Cold War

Answer

The sinking of the Titanic

Answer

The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

Question 23

Who was Britain's Prime Minister during the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Clement Attlee

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Harold Wilson

Question 24

What was the name of the alliance that Britain joined during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

NATO

Answer

The Warsaw Pact

Answer

The United Nations

Answer

The European Union

Question 25

What was one of the reasons why World War I started?

Accepted Answer

The killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer

The rise of communism in Russia

Answer

The Treaty of Vienna

Answer

The Great Depression

Question 26

Who led Britain during World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

David Lloyd George

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Question 27

Which country was Britain's main friend during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

United States

Answer

Soviet Union

Answer

China

Answer

France

Question 28

Who was the first woman to be Prime Minister of Britain?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Theresa May

Answer

Liz Truss

Answer

None of these

Question 29

Who is the King or Queen of Britain now?

Accepted Answer

Charles III

Answer

Elizabeth II

Answer

William, Prince of Wales

Answer

None of these

Question 30

Who was the leader of Britain during the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Answer

Clement Attlee

Answer

David Lloyd George

Question 31

Which of these battles was NOT fought during World War I?

Accepted Answer

Battle of Stalingrad

Answer

Battle of the Somme

Answer

Battle of Ypres

Answer

Battle of Verdun

Question 32

What period of time was known for economic growth and prosperity in Britain after World War II?

Accepted Answer

The Swinging Sixties

Answer

The Victorian Era

Answer

The Edwardian Era

Answer

The Industrial Revolution

Question 33

When did the Cold War end?

Accepted Answer

1991

Answer

1945

Answer

1962

Answer

1989

Question 34

Which event directly led to the start of World War II?

Accepted Answer

The invasion of Poland by Germany

Answer

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer

The Battle of Dunkirk

Answer

The D-Day landings

Question 35

Which of the following was a member of the Allied Powers during World War II?

Accepted Answer

Great Britain

Answer

Germany

Answer

Japan

Answer

Italy

Question 36

Who was the first female Prime Minister of Britain?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Theresa May

Answer

Liz Truss

Answer

Helen Clark

Question 37

Which British Prime Minister guided the country to victory in World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

David Lloyd George

Answer

Clement Attlee

Answer

Stanley Baldwin

Question 38

When did the Second World War begin?

Accepted Answer

1939

Answer

1941

Answer

1943

Answer

1945

Question 39

What was the conflict fought between 1950-1953 on the Korean Peninsula?

Accepted Answer

The Korean War

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Gulf War

Answer

The Cold War

Question 40

Who was the leader of Britain during World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Clement Attlee

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Question 41

Why did Britain declare war on Germany in 1939?

Accepted Answer

Germany invaded Poland

Answer

Germany bombed London

Answer

Germany refused to sign the Treaty of Versailles

Question 42

Which of the following was NOT a challenge faced by Britain in the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

Climate change

Answer

Social unrest

Question 43

Who became Prime Minister of Britain in 1979?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Elizabeth I

Question 44

Who was the leader of Britain during World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Anthony Eden

Answer

Clement Attlee

Question 45

What was the name of the war fought between the Allies and the Axis powers from 1939 to 1945?

Accepted Answer

Second World War

Answer

First World War

Answer

Cold War

Answer

Falklands War

Question 46

Who was Britain's ally during the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

United States

Answer

Soviet Union

Answer

China

Answer

Germany

Question 47

What was the name of the war that happened from 1939 to 1945?

Accepted Answer

The Second World War

Answer

The First World War

Answer

The Cold War

Answer

The Vietnam War

Question 48

What was the name of the disagreement between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II?

Accepted Answer

The Cold War

Answer

The Korean War

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Gulf War

Question 49

Who led Britain during the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

David Lloyd George

Answer

Ramsay MacDonald

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Question 50

During World War II, who led Britain as Prime Minister?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Tony Blair

Answer

David Cameron

Question 51

Which event marked the start of World War II?

Accepted Answer

Invasion of Poland

Answer

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Answer

Battle of the Somme

Answer

D-Day Landings

Question 52

After World War II, what was the name of the tense relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union?

Accepted Answer

The Cold War

Answer

The Great War

Answer

The Space Race

Answer

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Question 53

Who was the first female Prime Minister of Britain?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Theresa May

Answer

Elizabeth I

Answer

Victoria

Question 54

Which of these was Britain's largest colony?

Accepted Answer

India

Answer

Canada

Answer

Australia

Answer

South Africa

Question 55

Which of these was NOT a major change in Britain during the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

The end of the monarchy

Answer

The right to vote for everyone

Answer

The growth of government support for citizens

Answer

Increased use of technology

Question 56

What was the conflict between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands known as?

Accepted Answer

The Falklands War

Answer

The Boer War

Answer

The Crimean War

Answer

The Suez Crisis

Question 57

Who was the Prime Minister of Britain during the First World War?

Accepted Answer

David Lloyd George

Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Stanley Baldwin

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Question 58

Which of the following events marked the beginning of the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

The invasion of Poland

Answer

The Battle of Britain

Answer

The D-Day landings

Answer

The bombing of Pearl Harbor

Question 59

What system was used in Britain to control the distribution of food during the Second World War?

Accepted Answer

The Food Ration

Answer

The Black Market

Answer

The Bread Ration

Answer

The Clothes Ration

Question 60

Who was the first woman to become Prime Minister of Britain?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Theresa May

Answer

Elizabeth I

Answer

Victoria

Question 61

Which event is widely considered to have ended the Cold War?

Accepted Answer

The fall of the Berlin Wall

Answer

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer

The Vietnam War

Answer

The Korean War

Question 62

What was the name of the British Empire's last remaining colony to gain independence in the 20th century?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong

Answer

India

Answer

Pakistan

Answer

Ghana

Question 63

Who was the leader of Britain during most of World War II?

Accepted Answer

Winston Churchill

Answer

Neville Chamberlain

Answer

Margaret Thatcher

Answer

Clement Attlee

Question 64

What was the name of the war fought from 1939 to 1945?

Accepted Answer

World War II

Answer

World War I

Answer

Cold War

Answer

Korean War