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. The Bermuda Conference which was held on April 19, 1943 was an international conference between which of the following ?
[A] United Kingdom and the United States
[B] United Kingdom and Germany
[C] Soviet Union and the United States
[D] India & UK
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United Kingdom and the United States]
Notes:
The Bermuda Conference, also known as the Bermuda Conference on the Problems of War and Peace, was a conference held in 1943 in Bermuda to discuss issues related to the ongoing World War II. The conference was attended by high-level officials from the United States and the United Kingdom, and focused on a range of issues related to the war, including the fate of Jewish refugees and the possibility of negotiating a peace settlement with the Axis powers. The conference ultimately failed to produce any significant agreements or resolutions.
2. Which of the following battles foiled Napoleon’s scheme of invading England in 1805?
[A] Battle of Trafalgar
[B] Battle of Leipzing
[C] Battle of Waterloo
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Battle of Trafalgar]
Notes:
The Battle of Trafalgar was a naval battle fought on October 21, 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars. It was fought between a British fleet under the command of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson and a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain, near the Cape of Trafalgar. The British fleet emerged victorious, despite being outnumbered by the combined French and Spanish forces. The battle was a significant victory for the British, as it effectively ended the threat of a French invasion of Britain and cemented British naval dominance for the remainder of the Napoleonic Wars. The battle was also notable for the death of Nelson, who was killed during the fighting.
3. The Treaty of Portsmouth brought an end to a war in 1905 fought between?
[A] Russia & Japan
[B] Romania & Bulgaria
[C] Russia & Turkey
[D] Russia & USA
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Russia & Japan]
Notes:
Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese War in 1905. The treaty was signed on September 5, 1905 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The treaty was signed by Japanese and Russian diplomats after negotiations from August 6 to August 30. The treaty ended the war that began in 1904. The war was caused by Russian and Japanese expansionism in the Far East. The war contributed to domestic unrest in both countries, which led to the Russian revolution of 1905. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in the negotiations and won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
4. Which among the following accord is known to led the formation of Palestinian Authority?
[A] Oslo Accords
[B] Camp David Accord
[C] Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum
[D] London Agreement
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Oslo Accords]
Notes:
Oslo Accords or Oslo Process refers to two agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization. First is the Oslo I Accord, signed in Washington in 1993 and second is Oslo II Accord, signed in Taba, Egypt in 1995. It resulted in recognition of Israel by the PLO and the recognition by Israel of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people and as a partner in bilateral negotiations.
5. In context with the Vietnam War, the following statements holds correct?
[A] The US backed North Vietnam side and USSR was neutral
[B] The US backed South Vietnam side and USSR was neutral
[C] The US backed South Vietnam side and USSR backed North Vietnam side
[D] The US backed North Vietnam side and USSR backed South Vietnam side
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The US backed South Vietnam side and USSR backed North Vietnam side]
Notes:
The correct answer is: “The US backed South Vietnam side and USSR backed North Vietnam side.” During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the United States supported the anti-communist government of South Vietnam, while the Soviet Union provided military and economic support to the communist North Vietnam. This conflict was a important aspect of the Cold War, illustrating the global struggle between capitalism (led by the US) and communism (led by the USSR). The war resulted in millions of casualties and important geopolitical changes in Southeast Asia.
6. Which of the following country’s government is known to impose Policy of Apartheid between 1948 and 1994 which curtailed rights of the black inhabitants and maintained rights of whites?
[A] Australia
[B] New Zea Land
[C] South Africa
[D] United States
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [South Africa]
Notes:
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. The National Party governed South Africa from 1948 until 1994. During this time, South Africa was a partial democracy because non-white people were barred from voting after 1958.
The Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM) was a British organization that opposed the South African apartheid system. The AAM supported South Africa’s non-white population who were persecuted by the policies of apartheid.
Nelson Mandela was sworn in as President of South Africa in 1994. He was known for his internal resistance to apartheid.
7. The term Rose Revolution refers to the change of power in which among the following countries?
[A] Croatia
[B] Syria
[C] Georgia
[D] Kyrgyzstan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Georgia]
Notes:
The Revolution of Roses, also known as the Rose Revolution was a pro-Western peaceful change of power in Georgia in November 2003.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. The upper part of Mesopotamia was known as __:
[A] Assyria
[B] Akkad
[C] Babylon
[D] Sumer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Assyria]
Notes:
Some of the major Mesopotamian civilizations include the Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian, and Babylonian civilizations. The upper part of Mesopotamia was known as Assyria whereas the lower part was called Babylon which consisted of Sumer and Akkad. The Mesopotamian civilization flourished almost at the same time as the Egyptian civilization.