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. Territorial claims and disputes over navigation rights of which of the following territories between Iran and Iraq was the main factor for the Iraq-Iran War?
[A] Abu Musa
[B] Zubarah
[C] Murair
[D] Shatt al-Arab
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shatt al-Arab]
Notes:
The Shatt al-Arab waterway was the main factor in the Iran-Iraq War. The Shatt al-Arab is formed by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The southern end of the river forms the border between Iran and Iraq. The Shatt al-Arab was an important channel for oil exports for both countries. The dispute over the Shatt al-Arab lasted from 1936 until 1975. Iran rejected the demarcation line established in the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of Constantinople of November 1913. Iran wanted the border to run along the thalweg, the deepest point of the navigable channel. The Iran-Iraq War lasted from September 1980 until August 1988. The war was also called the First Persian Gulf War or the Imposed War in Iran.
2. Who among the following was the President of United States of America, at the time of famous “Camp David Accords“?
[A] Gerald Ford
[B] Jimmy Carter
[C] Ronald Reagan
[D] Richard M Nixon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jimmy Carter]
Notes:
The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978. It was following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the country retreat of the President of the United States in Maryland under the President Jimmy Carter.
3. Why the Soviet Socialist Revolution on October is celebrated every year on November 7? (UPSC Prelims 1985)
[A] Lenin’s birthday falls on this date
[B] Russia’s victory over Germany coincides with this date
[C] The Provisional Government formed after the collapse of Czarist Government was overthrown on this day in 1917
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The Provisional Government formed after the collapse of Czarist Government was overthrown on this day in 1917]
Notes:
During October Revolution, urban workers began to organize into councils wherein revolutionaries criticized the provisional government and its actions. Bolshevik Red Guards forces under the Military Revolutionary Committee began the occupation of government buildings on 7 November 1917.
4. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[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.
5. Which one of the following time-periods is associated with the infamous “Armenian Genocide”?
[A] 1914-1923
[B] 1936-1943
[C] 1948-1951
[D] 1989-1991
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1914-1923]
Notes:
Armenian Genocide or Armenian Holocaust is the mass murder of 15 lakhs of ethnic Armenians carried out in Turkey by the then Ottoman Empire between 1914 and 1923. The genocide involved physical destruction, deportation and displacement of the civilian population.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. After the deaths of Ali and Husayn, Muslims split into which of the following branches:
- Umayyads
- Arabs
- Sunnis
- Shiites
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 3 & 4]
Notes:
The split between the two main branches within Islam, Sunni and Shiite, occurred around 1400 years ago, soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, but became more pronounced after the deaths of Ali and Husayn. The Umayyads are a dynasty, not a branch of Islam, and “Arabs” is a broad ethnic term that encompass Muslims of numerous sects.
9. Which of the following Hindu ruler welcomed Vasco da Gama?
[A] King of Junagarh
[B] Zomorin
[C] Jahangir
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zomorin]
Notes:
Zamorin, who was the Hindu king of Calicut cordially welcomed Vasco da Gama and the first European was granted permission to establish trade contacts in this southern country of India establishing the first factory at Calicut.
10. Which of the following was the root cause of all political unrest in France?
[A] Feudalism
[B] Raised prices
[C] Bourbon Monarchy
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bourbon Monarchy ]
Notes:
The Bourbon Monarchy was the root cause of all the political unrest in France. The Bourbon dynasty was ruling over France and Louis XIV who was the King of France reigned from 1661 to 1715.