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. 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.
3. Which among the following organization was formed before commencement of the World War II?
[A] World Health Organization
[B] Food and Agriculture Organization
[C] International Atomic Energy Agency
[D] Bank for International Settlements
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Bank for International Settlements]
Notes:
The BIS was formed in 1930. The main actors in its establishment were the then-Governor of The Bank of England, Montagu Norman, and his German counterpart Hjalmar Schacht, later Adolf Hitler’s finance minister. The Bank was originally intended to facilitate reparation payments imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War. The need for the bank was suggested in 1929 by the Young Committee, and was agreed to in August of that year at a conference at the Hague. A charter for the bank was drafted at the International Bankers Conference at Baden Baden in November. The charter was adopted at a second Hague Conference on January 20, 1930
4. Which one of the following is the underground army of the African National Congress? (UPSC Prelims 1993)
[A] Unkhonto
[B] Kwazulu
[C] Xhosa
[D] Ulundi
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Unkhonto]
Notes:
Umkhonto meaning “Spear of the Nation” was the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), co-founded by Nelson Mandela in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre.
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 military confrontation was known as the “October Crisis of 1962”?
[A] Iran Hostage Crisis
[B] Cuban Missile Crisis
[C] Berlin Blockade
[D] Damansky Island Crisis
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cuban Missile Crisis]
Notes:
The October Crisis of 1962 was a military confrontation also known as the Cuban Missile Crisis or the Caribbean Crisis or the Missile Scare. It occurred from October 16 to 28 in 1962. It was between the United States America and the Soviet Union following the deployment of ballistic missiles in Cuba by the Soviet Union. This confrontation almost leads to the Cold War- full-scale Nuclear War. This crisis was amicably settled after several days of tense negotiations.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Which of the following were the first inventors of the Mariner’s compass?
[A] Spainish
[B] Greek
[C] Chinese
[D] Persian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chinese]
Notes:
The Chinese were the first inventors of the Mariner’s compass. It was invented in China during the rule of the Han Dynasty between the 2nd century BC and 1st century AD.
10. Which of the following civilizations invented Tea?
[A] Greek
[B] Chinese
[C] English
[D] French
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Chinese]
Notes:
According to Chinese legend, the history of tea began in 2737 B.C.E. The Emperor Shen Nong accidentally discovered Tea when a leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree drifted into his pot of boiling water.