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. Which of the following country was annexed into the Greater Germany by Nazi regime through Anschluss?
[A] Austria
[B] Poland
[C] Italy
[D] Liechtenstein
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Austria]
Notes:
Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany in 1938, an event known as the Anschluss. The annexation lasted until 1945, when the Allied Powers removed Austria from the Third German Reich. The provisional Austrian government, led by Karl Renner, declared the country’s independence after the fall of the Third Reich.
3. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1983)
[A] For reorganization of States between North India and South India
[B] For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South
[C] Between countries of North America and South America for economic cooperation
[D] Between U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. in the field of space research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South]
Notes:
The North-South Dialogue refers to the process through which the developing and newly independent nations of the “third world,” predominantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, engaged the industrialized countries of North America and Western Europe in negotiations over changes to the international economic system.
4. From which nation Algeria got its independence in 1962?
[A] Portugal
[B] Great Britain
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
France conquered Algeria in 1830. The modern borders of Algeria were established by the French during their colonization. The French in Algeria is known as Colons or Peds Noirs. From 1954 to 1962, Algeria was engaged in a bloody and long fight with France, which lead to its independence from France.
5. From which nation the Democratic Republic of Congo gained its independence in 1960?
[A] Portugal
[B] Spain
[C] Belgium
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Belgium]
Notes:
The Democratic Republic of Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960. Belgian expedition under Sir Henry Morton Stanley received patronage from King Leopold II of Belgium to explore and administer Congo from 1870s. Belgians forced the local population of Congo to produce rubber and unleashed abuses through exploitation and diseases. In 1908, Belgian parliament annexed Congo as Belgian colony from King Leopold II of Belgium. In 1960, Mouvement National Congolais under Patrice Lumumba started the nationalist movement and won Parliamentary election. And in June 1960, Congo achieved independence and established as a republic of Congo or Congo-Leopoldville.
6. Which war in the African continent is known as the “Great War of Africa”?
[A] Sudan-South Sudan Border War of 2012
[B] Uganda-Tanzania War
[C] Second Congo War
[D] Central African Republic Civil War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Second Congo War]
Notes:
Second Congo War which happened between 1998 and 2003 was known as the Great War of Africa or the Great African War. This war was started as a result of the expulsion of Rwandan and Ugandan army forces from the land of Congo. This war resulted in a military stalemate in which all Rwandan forces were asked to withdraw from the land of Congo through the Pretoria Accord.
7. The tomb of which of the following taught us much about Egyptian burial practices and beliefs, discovered in 1922?
[A] Ramses the Great
[B] Ahmose of Thebes
[C] Queen Hatshepsut
[D] King Tutankhamen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [King Tutankhamen]
Notes:
The tomb of which of King Tutankhamen taught us much about Egyptian burial practices and beliefs, discovered in 1922. Tutankhamun ascended the throne and became Pharaoh around the age of 9, taking the throne name Nebkheperure. He reigned for about 9 years.
8. At which of the following places, the Assyrians, who were group of Semites became powerful?
1) Assur
2) Nineveh
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 & 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:
Before the downfall of the Sumerian empire, the Assyrians who were the group of Semites became powerful in the areas of Assur and Nineveh. They occupied Babylone in 1100 B. C.
9. Who built the hanging gardens of Babylon?
[A] TiglathPilesar III
[B] Shalmaneser IV
[C] Assurbanipal
[D] Nebuchadnezzar
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Nebuchadnezzar]
Notes:
As a gift to his wife, Amytis, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II was said to have constructed the luxurious Hanging Gardens in the sixth century B.C. because she was homesick for the beautiful vegetation and mountains of her native Media.
10. Which of the following dynasty developed the concept of Mandate of Heaven?
[A] Xia Dynasty
[B] Shang Dynasty
[C] Qin Dynasty
[D] Zhou Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zhou Dynasty]
Notes:
The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious teaching that was used in ancient and imperial China to justify the rule of the King or Emperor of China. It was developed during the rule of the Zhou dynasty which ruled from 1046 to 256 BC.