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 conflicts was put to an end by Dayton Agreement?
[A] Algerian War
[B] Vietnam War
[C] Bosnian War
[D] Chinese Civil War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Bosnian War]
Notes:
Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) ended the Bosnian War, which was part of the Yugoslav Wars. The DPA was signed on December 1995 after months of negotiations. The war lasted three and a half years and was known for its violence and atrocities. The war resulted in about 100,000 deaths and displaced two million people. The DPA also outlined a constitutional framework for peace in Bosnia. The DPA was reached by the presidents of Bosnia, Croatia, and Serbia. The agreement was brokered by American diplomat Richard Holbrooke. The negotiations began in the Balkans and ended in Dayton, Ohio.
2. The first major effort to evolve rules of the game for international trade (or multilateral trade) was in the post-World War II era which resulted in the establishment which of the following?
[A] World Trade Organization
[B] WEF
[C] IMF
[D] GATT
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [GATT]
Notes:
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is a legal agreement between countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas. It is to evolve rules of game for international trade.
3. 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.
4. Which one of the following was used as a chemical weapon in the First World War? (UPSC Prelims 1997)
[A] Carbon monoxide
[B] Hydrogen cyanide
[C] Mustard gas
[D] Water gas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Mustard gas]
Notes:
Although the Germans were the first to use phosgene on the battlefield, it became the primary chemical weapon of the Allies. Phosgene was responsible for 85% of chemical-weapons fatalities during World War I. Mustard gas, a potent blistering agent, was dubbed King of the Battle Gases.
5. Falkland Islands Sovereignty Dispute is a territorial dispute between two nations. Which among the following are those two nations?
[A] Argentina and Chile
[B] Argentina and United Kingdom
[C] Argentina and United States of America
[D] Argentina and France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Argentina and United Kingdom]
Notes:
Both Argentina and United Kingdom raise their claim of sovereign rights over the Falkland Islands. Since 1833, the UK is exercising control over the islands in practical terms. The dispute escalated in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. This lead to a war when the UK retaliated which lead to its victory. Present-day Falkland Islanders prefer to identify themselves as British.
6. 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.
7. Which of the following empire stretched from Egypt and Cyprus in the west to the borders of Persia—modern-day Iran—in the east?
[A] Akkadian Empire
[B] Assyrian Empire
[C] Sumerian
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Assyrian Empire]
Notes:
The Assyrian Empire of the Mesopotamia stretched from Egypt and Cyprus in the west to the borders of Persia—modern-day Iran—in the east. Assyria is named for its original capital, the ancient city of Asur.
8. Which of the following was main occupation of ancient Greeks?
[A] Agriculture
[B] Sea Trade
[C] Mining
[D] Animal Rearing
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Sea Trade ]
Notes:
The Greek civilization was quite prosperous and the people of this Aegean civilization used the Cuneiform and pictorial writings of the Sumerians and Egyptians. Sea-trade was their main occupation.
9. In what country was Christopher Columbus born?
[A] Spain
[B] Portugal
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Italy]
Notes:
Christopher Columbus who was born in 1451 was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. He opened the way for European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
10. Which of the following factors were responsible for the growth of Mercantilism in Europe?
1) Increased food supply again made possible further population increase.
2) With the increase of population, the scale of operations also increased.
3) The Fall of Feudalism was another cause for the rise of Mercantilism.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Mercantilism grew due to several reasons. some of the reasons are:
1) Increased food supply again made possible further population increase.
2) With the increase of population, the scale of operations also increased.
3) The Fall of Feudalism was another cause for the rise of Mercantilism.
