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. Great Purge, a series of campaigns of political repression and persecution is related to which of the following countries?
[A] China
[B] Russia
[C] USA
[D] UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Russia]
Notes:
It`s worth note that Abaninath Mukherji or Abani Mukherji, who was one of the cofounders of Communist Party of India was a victim of the Great Purge, orchestrated by Joseph Stalin in 1936-1938. It was a series of campaigns of political repression and persecution in the Soviet Union. Abani Mukherji died in Soviet Union in 1937 when he was executed and his death was acknowledged only after 1955
2. The term “two-state solution", sometimes seen in news, would settle dispute between:
[A] India and Pakistan
[B] Israel and Palestine
[C] China and Taiwan
[D] Ukraine and Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Israel and Palestine]
Notes:
The two-state solution refers to a solution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict which calls for “two states for two groups of people.” The two-state solution envisages independent State of Palestine as a single democratic country alongside the State of Israel.
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 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
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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. The “Velvet Revolution”, also known as the “Gentle Revolution”, happened in which nation/s?
[A] Italy
[B] Austria-Hungary
[C] Czech Republic-Slovakia
[D] Russia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Czech Republic-Slovakia]
Notes:
The Velvet Revolution was a series of peaceful protests and political changes that took place in Czechoslovakia in 1989. It began with a student demonstration in Prague on November 17th and quickly spread throughout the country, leading to the downfall of the communist government and the transition to a democratic, multiparty political system. The name “Velvet Revolution” comes from the non-violent nature of the protests, which were marked by a lack of bloodshed and violence. This peaceful transition of power is widely seen as one of the most successful examples of nonviolent resistance in history.
7. Egyptian Civilization flourished around which of the following rivers?
[A] Congo river
[B] Nile river
[C] Niger river
[D] Zambezi river
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nile river]
Notes:
The Egyptian Civilization began to flourish almost about 10,000 B.C. around the fertile valley of river Nile. The Nile river acted as the principal source of life and prosperity of the civilization.
8. The Qin dynasty ruled during which of the following period?
[A] 206 BCE-220 AD
[B] 386-589 AD
[C] 221-206 BC
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [221-206 BC]
Notes:
The Qin dynasty was the first dynasty of Imperial China which ruled China from 221 to 206 BC. It marked the beginning of the Chinese Empire. During the reign of this dynasty, China was greatly expanded to cover the Ye lands of Hunan and Guangdong.
9. Which of the following is responsible for building a city-sized mausoleum for himself?
[A] Qin Shi Huang
[B] King Zhuangxiang
[C] Qin Er Shi
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Qin Shi Huang]
Notes:
Qin Shi Huang became China’s first emperor when he was 38 after conquering all of the other Warring States and unified all of China in 221 BC. He was also responsible for building a city-sized mausoleum for himself, guarded by the life-sized Terracotta Army.
10. The Chinese made paper in which of the following year?
[A] 100 A.D.
[B] 105 A.D.
[C] 110 A.D.
[D] 115 A.D.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [105 A.D.]
Notes:
The invention of paper in ancient China was the greatest contribution to mankind. The Chinese made paper in 105 A.D. They used a brush that was made up of camel-hair for writing and painting.