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. Bandung Conference which was an important step toward the crystallization of the Non-Aligned Movement was organized by Asian and African states, most of which were newly independent. Which among the following participant of the Bandung Conference in 1955, was not an independent state at that time?
[A] Ceylon
[B] Cyprus
[C] Laos
[D] Liberia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Cyprus]
Notes:
Please note that Cyprus got independence in 1960, after an agreement in Zurich and London between the United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey
2. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue?
[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.
3. Which one of the following was the “immediate cause” or the “spark” for the start of World War I?
[A] Imperialistic tendencies and competition among the European countries.
[B] Militarism of Germany and Russia.
[C] Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
[D] Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.]
Notes:
The immediate cause of World War I was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. In June 1914, a Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke and his wife to take revenge against the occupation of Bosnia-Herzegovina by Austria-Hungary. immediately, after the assassination, Austria-Hungary declared the war over Serbia. This further leads to alliance nations declaring war between themselves, caused WW I.
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. Which city was the capital of “Free France” between 1940 and 1943?
[A] London
[B] Algiers
[C] Brazzaville
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Brazzaville]
Notes:
Brazzaville was the capital of “Free France” between 1940 and 1943 during the period of World War II when France was under the occupation of Germany, under Axis Powers. It was the decision of the Empire Defence Council to designate Brazzaville, the capital of French Equatorial Africa, as the administrative seat of Free France. It was ratified by the Barzaville Manifesto.
6. Who said “Egypt is the gift of Nile”?
[A] Herodotus
[B] Sallust
[C] Aristotle
[D] Arrian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Herodotus]
Notes:
Herodotus had said that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile.” The Egyptian Civilization began to flourish almost about 10,000 B.C. in the fertile valley of river Nile. The Egyptians worshiped Nile as God.
7. Which of the following was the world’s earliest form of paper that was invented by the Egyptians?
[A] Hieroglyphics
[B] Papyrus
[C] Cuneiform
[D] Bone Script
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hieroglyphics]
Notes:
Hieroglyphics was the world’s earliest form of paper that was invented by the Egyptians. All the sacred literatures of Egyptians were written in hieroglyphics which were in the form of some signs, each sign representing some expression.
8. The ‘ziggurats’ in Sumerian Civilization refers to which of the following?
[A] Prison
[B] Meeting hall
[C] Schools
[D] Temples
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Temples]
Notes:
The ‘ziggurats’ in Sumerian Civilization refers to temples. The temples were even storeyed and pyramidical in structure. The Sumerians knew the art of constructing the arch and the’ dome.
9. Which of the following was the first Roman emperor?
[A] Julian
[B] Augustus
[C] Tiberius
[D] Epicurus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Augustus]
Notes:
Augustus was the first Roman emperor. He was a Roman statesman and a military leader who became the first emperor of the Roman Empire. He reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14.
10. Which of the following was the foster mother of Prophet Muhammad?
[A] Hazrat Haleema
[B] Hazrat Summaya
[C] Hazrat Ruqya
[D] Hazrat Bushra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hazrat Haleema]
Notes:
Halimah al-Sa’diyah who is also called Hazrat Haleema was the foster-mother of the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam or Mohammedanism. Halimah and her husband were from the tribe of Sa’d b. Bakr, which was a subdivision of Hawazin.
