World History MCQs
World History Multiple Choice Quiz Questions (MCQs) on Ancient World History, Medieval World History and Modern World History for various UPSC, PCS and other Competitive Examinations.
1. Which among the following date in world history is known as D-day, a date also known as of Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord ?
[A] 3 March 1943
[B] 6 March 1943
[C] 6 June 1944
[D] 6 June 1945
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6 June 1944]
Notes:
The correct answer is 6 June 1944. This date is known as D-Day, marking the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Operation Neptune was the naval component of the larger Operation Overlord, which aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. D-Day involved the largest amphibious assault in history, with over 156,000 troops landing on five beachheads in Normandy. The success of this operation was pivotal in turning the tide of the war in favor of the Allies.
2. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen are related to which of the following countries?
[A] Britain
[B] USA
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen de 1789) was set by France’s National Constituent Assembly in 1789. It is a human civil rights document from the French Revolution. The document explains a list of rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and separation of powers.
3. Which of the following country’s government is known to impose Policy of Apartheid between 1948 and 1994 which curtailed rights of the black inhabitants and maintained rights of whites?
[A] Australia
[B] New Zea Land
[C] South Africa
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Africa]
Notes:
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. The National Party governed South Africa from 1948 until 1994. During this time, South Africa was a partial democracy because non-white people were barred from voting after 1958.
The Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) was a British organization that opposed the South African apartheid system. The AAM supported South Africa’s non-white population who were persecuted by the policies of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was sworn in as President of South Africa in 1994. He was known for his internal resistance to apartheid.
4. Which of the following Prime Minister is known for his “Iron Curtain Speech”?
[A] Clement Attlee
[B] Neville Chamberlain
[C] Winston Churchill
[D] Herbert Morrison
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Winston Churchill]
Notes:
One of the most famous speeches of the Cold War period in which former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemns the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe is also called as Iron Curtain Speech.
5. The first major effort to evolve rules of the game for international trade (or multilateral trade) was in the post-World War II era which resulted in the establishment which of the following?
[A] World Trade Organization
[B] WEF
[C] IMF
[D] GATT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [GATT]
Notes:
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is a legal agreement between countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas. It is to evolve rules of game for international trade.
6. Why the Soviet Socialist Revolution on October is celebrated every year on November 7? (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] Lenin’s birthday falls on this date
[B] Russia’s victory over Germany coincides with this date
[C] The Provisional Government formed after the collapse of Czarist Government was overthrown on this day in 1917
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The Provisional Government formed after the collapse of Czarist Government was overthrown on this day in 1917]
Notes:
During October Revolution, urban workers began to organize into councils wherein revolutionaries criticized the provisional government and its actions. Bolshevik Red Guards forces under the Military Revolutionary Committee began the occupation of government buildings on 7 November 1917.
7. From which one of the following nations Barbados got its independence in 1966?
[A] United States of America
[B] United Kingdom
[C] Argentina
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United Kingdom]
Notes:
Barbados became a British colony in 1627. It was a wealthy sugar colony then. It became a British centre of African slave trade. Slave trade banned in 1817. Deep dissatisfaction against the British finally leads to the independence of Barbados from the United Kingdom in 1966.
8. The “Opium Wars” happened in which nation?
[A] Afghanistan
[B] Venezuela
[C] Cuba
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
China was associated with the Opium Wars. Opium Wars were the group of two wars between the Qing dynasty of China and the western powers. The First Opium War (1839-1842) was between the Qing dynasty and Great Britain. The Second Opium War (1856-1860) was between the Qing dynasty and western powers such as Great Britain and France. The Qing dynasty waged war against the opium trade of western powers in China. But these wars defeated the Qing dynasty and forced it to grant various favourable terms to western powers.
9. Which nation’s economic and social campaign was the “Great Leap Forward”?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] China
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign of China launched by Mao Zedong, the Chairman. It was developed by the Communist Party of China. This campaign was from 1958 to 1962. This campaign leads to the formation of people’s communes so as to develop a communist society and to transform China’s agrarian economy. But this campaign was a disaster and lead to Great Chinese Famine.
10. The “Cuban Thaw” was the normalisation and restoration of friendly relations between the governments of Cuba and which other nation?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] United States of America
[C] Russia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States of America]
Notes:
The “Cuban Thaw” was the term used to manifest the normalisation and restoration of friendly relations between the governments of Cuba and the United States of America. This peaceful gesture ended a 54-year stretch of hostility between two nations. This happened on 20 July 2015 and Barack Obama became the first USA president to visit Cuba since 1928. It was mediated by the Pope Francis of the Holy See and the Government of Canada. This restored the diplomatic relations between the two governments.