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. 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.
3. Which nation’s army unit was the “Caravan of Death”?
[A] Iraq
[B] Libya
[C] Chile
[D] Cuba
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Chile]
Notes:
The Caravan of Death was the Chilean army death squad during the 1970s. It was largely in action following the Chilean Coup of 1973. This death squad targeted the country’s communist and opposition leaders. This death squad was sanctioned by the then ruler of Chile Augusto Pinochet.
4. Which of the following society was divided into two segments- Patrician or the upper Class and Plebian or the poor commoners?
[A] Greek society
[B] Roman society
[C] Babylonian society
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Greek society]
Notes:
The ancient Roman society was divided into two segments, i.e., the Patrician or the upper Class and Plebian or the poor commoners. The Roman republic was established in 509 B.C.
5. Which of the following were sent to preach Christianity to the world?
[A] Disciples
[B] Priests
[C] Bishops
[D] Apostles
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Apostles]
Notes:
In Christian theology, Apostles, particularly the Twelve Apostles which are also known as the Twelve Disciples were the primary disciples of Jesus according to the New Testament. After the death of Jesus, these Twelve Apostles helped to spread Christianity.
6. In 313 AD Constantine issued which of the following document to stop the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire?
[A] Christian Treaty
[B] The Document of Milan
[C] The new Testament
[D] The Edict Of Milan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The Edict Of Milan]
Notes:
The Edict of Milan was the February 313 A.D. agreement to treat Christians benevolently within the Roman Empire. It was a legal document issued by Emperor Constantine the Great, proclaiming religious tolerance and bringing an end to the persecution of Christians.
7. 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.
8. The western European societies were influenced most by which of the following during the early middle ages?
[A] The Byzantine empire
[B] Elected Parliaments
[C] The Roman Catholic Church
[D] National Monarchies
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [The Roman Catholic Church]
Notes:
The western European societies were influenced most the Roman Catholic Church during the early middle ages. Religious life assumed new forms or reformed established ones during that time. Missionaries expanded the geographic boundaries of the faith.
9. Which of the following was the central theme of most Renaissance art and literature?
[A] People
[B] God
[C] Jesus
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [People]
Notes:
The central theme of most Renaissance art and literature was the ‘Person’. The new Renaissance person was viewed as the maker of his own destiny rather than being a helpless plaything in the hands of supernatural forces.
10. Portugal took the lead in maritime exploration under the direction of which of the following?
[A] Prince Henry
[B] Captain William Hawkins
[C] Queen Elizabeth
[D] Seleucus Nicator
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Prince Henry]
Notes:
Prince Henry better known as ‘Henry, the Navigator’ was a central figure in the early days of the Portuguese Empire and in the 15th-century European maritime discoveries. Portugal took the lead in maritime exploration under the direction of Prince Henry .