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 of the following is the foundation for many of the international treaties and organizations that currently shape the world after World War II?
[A] Breton Woods Agreement
[B] Atlantic Charter
[C] Bermuda Conference
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Atlantic Charter]
Notes:
The correct answer is the Atlantic Charter. Established in 1941 by Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, it outlined principles for post-war peace, including self-determination and economic cooperation. This charter laid the groundwork for the United Nations and influenced many international treaties, promoting a new world order based on collective security and human rights.
2. Which one of the following was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[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.
3. From which nation Benin got its independence in 1960?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] France
[C] Portugal
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
From the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century Portuguese Empire had a colonial presence in Benin. The Portuguese empire was engaged in the massive slave trade with Benin. This continued till the abolition of slavery through the Slave Trade Act, 1807 which weakened Benin’s (previously Dahomey) status. This lead to the emergence of French power in Benin’s soil during the mid-19th century. And finally, due to the anti-colonial stand of Beninese during the later years, France was forced to independence to Benin in 1960.
4. Which nation is associated with the “Quiet Revolution” of the 1960s?
[A] Germany
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Canada]
Notes:
Quiet Revolution of the 1960s is a series of socio-political and socio-cultural change and movements in Canada. It involves the secularization of the government, the creation of state-run welfare state, more importance to federalist and sovereignty of Canada. This all leads to the election of a pro-sovereignty government in 1976.
5. The “Kuomintang’s” were the political group of which nation?
[A] People’s Republic of China
[B] Socialist Republic of Vietnam
[C] Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
[D] Republic of Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [People’s Republic of China]
Notes:
Kuomintang’s were in political power in mainland China from 1912 to 1949. Sun Yat-Sen was its founder President. Kuomintang’s lost to the Communist Party of China in the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949. Kuomintang’s lost the control of mainland China and they retreated themselves to Taiwan and formed “Republic of China”. Communist Party of China instead took control of mainland China and proclaimed the establishment of the People ‘s Republic of China in 1949.
6. Which two nations were involved in “Ping-pong Diplomacy”?
[A] China and North Korea
[B] North Korea and United States of America
[C] China and United States of America
[D] Japan and United States of America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China and United States of America]
Notes:
The diplomatic relations between China and the United States of America of the early 1970s were known as “Ping-pong Diplomacy”. Ping-pong is the Chinese word of Table Tennis. It involves the exchange of table tennis players between the United States of America and China in the early 1970s. This particular gesture boosted the Sino-American Relations with the visit of President Richard Nixon to Beijing in 1972.
7. The Chinese made paper in which of the following year?
[A] 100 A.D.
[B] 105 A.D.
[C] 110 A.D.
[D] 115 A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [105 A.D.]
Notes:
The invention of paper in ancient China was the greatest contribution to mankind. The Chinese made paper in 105 A.D. They used a brush that was made up of camel-hair for writing and painting.
8. Which of the following was main occupation of ancient Greeks?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Sea Trade
[C] Mining
[D] Animal Rearing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea Trade ]
Notes:
The Greek civilization was quite prosperous and the people of this Aegean civilization used the Cuneiform and pictorial writings of the Sumerians and Egyptians. Sea-trade was their main occupation.
9. 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.
10. Which of the following was the name of the river on which Rome was founded?
[A] Rubicon
[B] Forum
[C] Romulus
[D] Tiber
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tiber]
Notes:
Tiber was the name of the river on which Rome was founded. Tiber is the third-longest river in Italy and the longest river in Central Italy.