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. During the World War -II which among the following was not a major Axis Power?
[A] Germany
[B] Japan
[C] Hungary
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [France]
Notes:
The Axis powers during the World War-II included Italy, Germany and Japan. They were also known collectively as “Rome–Berlin–Tokyo Axis”. These three nations fought the WW-II against the allies but without any strong coordination between three of them. The major Allied Powers were Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. Thus, France was an allied power and not axis power.
2. 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.
3. Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 started from which of the following countries?
[A] Myanmar
[B] Thailand
[C] Cambodia
[D] Malaysia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Thailand]
Notes:
The Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, also known as the “Asian Contagion,” began in Thailand. The crisis was sparked by a number of factors, including a sharp drop in global demand for the country’s exports, a high level of government and corporate debt, and speculative attacks on the Thai currency, the baht. As the crisis unfolded, it spread to other countries in the region, including Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia.
4. Which famous world leader was accused at the Rivonia Trial?
[A] Martin Luther King
[B] Subhas Chandra Bose
[C] Nelson Mandela
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nelson Mandela]
Notes:
The Rivonia Trial led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and the others among the accused who were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria.
5. Which one of the following was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War?
[A] Carbon monoxide
[B] Hydrogen cyanide
[C] Mustard gas
[D] Water gas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mustard gas]
Notes:
Although the Germans were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield, it became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons fatalities during World War I. Mustard gas, a potent blistering agent, was dubbed King of the Battle Gases.
6. 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.
7. The “Cultural genocide of Uyghurs” happened in which nation?
[A] Turkey
[B] Myanmar
[C] China
[D] Iraq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
China is associated with the Cultural genocide of Uyghurs. In 21st century, the Chinese Government adopted a policy of sinicization to propagate among the Xinjiang regions. This particular policy subjects Uyghurs to participate in state-sponsored re-education camps, suppression of Uyghur religious practices and forced sterilization and contraception of Uyghurs.
8. 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.
9. The upper part of Mesopotamia was known as __:
[A] Assyria
[B] Akkad
[C] Babylon
[D] Sumer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assyria]
Notes:
Some of the major Mesopotamian civilizations include the Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian, and Babylonian civilizations. The upper part of Mesopotamia was known as Assyria whereas the lower part was called Babylon which consisted of Sumer and Akkad. The Mesopotamian civilization flourished almost at the same time as the Egyptian civilization.
10. Which of the following society was divided into two segments- Patrician or the upper Class and Plebian or the poor commoners?
[A] Greek society
[B] Roman society
[C] Babylonian society
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greek society]
Notes:
The ancient Roman society was divided into two segments, i.e., the Patrician or the upper Class and Plebian or the poor commoners. The Roman republic was established in 509 B.C.