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. During the World War -II which among the following was not a major Axis Power?
[A] Germany
[B] Japan
[C] Hungary
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [France]
Notes:
The Axis powers during the World War-II included Italy, Germany and Japan. They were also known collectively as “Rome–Berlin–Tokyo Axis”. These three nations fought the WW-II against the allies but without any strong coordination between three of them. The major Allied Powers were Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. Thus, France was an allied power and not axis power.
2. Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen are related to which of the following countries?
[A] Britain
[B] USA
[C] France
[D] Italy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [France]
Notes:
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen de 1789) was set by France’s National Constituent Assembly in 1789. It is a human civil rights document from the French Revolution. The document explains a list of rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and separation of powers.
3. Which of the following is related to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1982)
[A] Developed and Developing countries
[B] Developing and Under-developed countries
[C] North and South countries of the world
[D] North and South America
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Developed and Developing countries]
Notes:
The North-South Dialogue refers to the process through which the developing and newly independent nations of the “third world,” engaged the industrialized countries of North America and Western Europe in negotiations over changes to the international economic system.
4. Which among the following nations is mainly associated with the “Dirty War”?
[A] Uruguay
[B] Israel
[C] Iran
[D] Argentina
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Argentina]
Notes:
Dirty War was the term used by the then military dictatorship of Argentina to denote US-backed state-terrorism for the period from 1976-1983. Under Operation Condor, military and security forces and right-wing death squads in the form of Argentine Anti Communist Alliance destroyed any political dissidents associated with socialism and left-wing Peronism.
5. 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.
6. Ancient Mesopotamia was located in which of the following present day counties?
[A] Turkey
[B] Israel
[C] Iraq
[D] Iran
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Iraq]
Notes:
Mesopotamian civilizations formed on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the modern day Iraq and Kuwait. Some of the major Mesopotamian civilizations are: Sumerian, Assyrian, Akkadian, and Babylonian civilizations.
7. Which of the following succeeded Abu Bakr?
[A] Ali
[B] Husayn
[C] Omar
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Omar]
Notes:
The Caliph Omar succeeded Abu Bakr in 634 A.D. He was Mohammed’s brother-in-law and with his efforts, he conquered Syria, Egypt, Persia and spread Islam there. He also occupied Jerusalem.
8. Which of the following provided hope of opening trade with the Indies by rounding the Cape of Good Hope?
[A] Bartholomew Diaz
[B] Abdul Majid
[C] Seleucus Nicator
[D] Vasco da Gama
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Bartholomew Diaz ]
Notes:
Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer. He sailed around the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, the first European to do so, setting up the route from Europe to Asia and provided hope of opening trade with the Indies.
9. Which of the following Hindu ruler welcomed Vasco da Gama?
[A] King of Junagarh
[B] Zomorin
[C] Jahangir
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Zomorin]
Notes:
Zamorin, who was the Hindu king of Calicut cordially welcomed Vasco da Gama and the first European was granted permission to establish trade contacts in this southern country of India establishing the first factory at Calicut.
10. The 18th century French society was divided into which of the following?
[A] Castes
[B] Two states
[C] Three states
[D] Four states
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Three states]
Notes:
The 18th century French society was divided into three groups. These groups were referred to as estates. The three types of groups were – First estate, Second estate and Third estate.