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 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.
2. From which of the following nations, Angola got its independence in 1975?
[A] Portugal
[B] Great Britain
[C] France
[D] Netherlands
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Portugal]
Notes:
Angola was under Portuguese colonization until 1975. Portuguese explorer Diogo Cao reached the Angolan area in 1484. The Angolan War of Independence from 1961-1974 lead to overthrow of Portuguese from Angola.
3. Which nation’s economic and social campaign was the “Great Leap Forward”?
[A] India
[B] Japan
[C] China
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [China]
Notes:
Great Leap Forward was an economic and social campaign of China launched by Mao Zedong, the Chairman. It was developed by the Communist Party of China. This campaign was from 1958 to 1962. This campaign leads to the formation of people’s communes so as to develop a communist society and to transform China’s agrarian economy. But this campaign was a disaster and lead to Great Chinese Famine.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Which of the following reasons helped the victory of the Assyrians over Babylon?
1) Their weapons were made of iron.
2) They used horses and chariots in the war.
3) They were superior warriors, more skilled in warfare.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Assyrians owed their success to three primary factors:
1) Their weapons were made of iron.
2) They used horses and chariots in the war.
3) They were superior warriors, more skilled in warfare.
8. The Han dynasty ruled during which of the following period?
[A] 221-206 AD
[B] 221-206 BC
[C] 386-589 AD
[D] 206 BCE-220 AD
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [206 BCE-220 AD]
Notes:
The Han dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty. They ruled China from 206 BCE to 220 AD. The Han dynasty was known as a golden age in Chinese history.
9. Which of the following is NOT a Greek deity?
[A] Zeus
[B] Apollo
[C] Athena
[D] Olympus
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Olympus]
Notes:
The Greeks worshipped a number of deities like Zeus, Apollo, Athena etc. Their religion was a sort of contact between the man and the God. In Greek mythology, Mount Olympus is the home of the Greek gods.
10. Which of the following were the two main cities of ancient Greece?
[A] Rome and Alexandira
[B] Sparta and Athens
[C] Cornith and Olympia
[D] Thebes and Argos
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sparta and Athens]
Notes:
Athens was the pioneer city-state of the Greek civilization that contributed much to the culture of ancient Greece. Sparta was another city-state of Greece located in the province of Laconia.
