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 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.
2. Kemal Ataturk is known as founder and builder of Modern_______?
[A] Turkey
[B] Georgia
[C] Syria
[D] Kuwait
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Turkey]
Notes:
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk also known as Mustafa Kemal Pasha (died 1938) was a Turkish leader and founder of Republic of Turkey. He is known for numerous progressive reforms that modernized Turkey into a secular, industrializing nation.
3. 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.
4. Which of the following refers to the North-South dialogue? (UPSC Prelims 1996)
[A] For reorganization of States between North India and South India
[B] For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South
[C] Between countries of North America and South America for economic cooperation
[D] Between U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. in the field of space research
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [For sharing economic resources between rich countries of the North and poor countries of the South]
Notes:
The North-South Dialogue refers to the process through which the developing and newly independent nations of the “third world,” predominantly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, engaged the industrialized countries of North America and Western Europe in negotiations over changes to the international economic system.
5. Which one of the following time-periods is associated with the infamous “Armenian Genocide”?
[A] 1914-1923
[B] 1936-1943
[C] 1948-1951
[D] 1989-1991
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1914-1923]
Notes:
Armenian Genocide or Armenian Holocaust is the mass murder of 15 lakhs of ethnic Armenians carried out in Turkey by the then Ottoman Empire between 1914 and 1923. The genocide involved physical destruction, deportation and displacement of the civilian population.
6. From which nation Cape Verde got its independence in 1975?
[A] Spain
[B] France
[C] Portugal
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Portugal]
Notes:
Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975. Portuguese explorers discovered and colonized the islands of Cape Verde during the 16th century. The economy of Cape Verde flourished with Atlantic Slave Trade, which eventually declined with the abolishment of the slave trade in the 19th century. Among all of these, islanders continued to campaign for independence which found success in 1975.
7. Which nation is associated with the “Quiet Revolution” of the 1960s?
[A] Germany
[B] France
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Canada]
Notes:
Quiet Revolution of the 1960s is a series of socio-political and socio-cultural change and movements in Canada. It involves the secularization of the government, the creation of state-run welfare state, more importance to federalist and sovereignty of Canada. This all leads to the election of a pro-sovereignty government in 1976.
8. The “1911 Revolution” happened in which nation?
[A] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] South Korea
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
The 1911 Revolution is also known as the Chinese Revolution or the Xinhai Revolution. This revolution overthrew China’s last imperial dynasty, the Qing dynasty. This revolution leads to the abdication of Puyi, the last imperial ruler of China; end of imperial China; establishment of the Republic of China. This revolution happened from 10 October 1911 to 12 February 1912.
9. The “1989 Tiananmen Square Protests” happened in which nation?
[A] Japan
[B] North Korea
[C] South Korea
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [China]
Notes:
The “1989 Tiananmen Square Protests” happened in China. It is also known as the June Fourth Incident. This protests happened in Tiananmen Square of Beijing. The protest’s major goals were to end the corruption of the Communist Party of China; to bring democratic reforms such as freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association and to bring economic-free market reforms in China. But, these protests were brutally suppressed by the Chinese Government which lead to the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
10. The “Cuban Thaw” was the normalisation and restoration of friendly relations between the governments of Cuba and which other nation?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] United States of America
[C] Russia
[D] Germany
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [United States of America]
Notes:
The “Cuban Thaw” was the term used to manifest the normalisation and restoration of friendly relations between the governments of Cuba and the United States of America. This peaceful gesture ended a 54-year stretch of hostility between two nations. This happened on 20 July 2015 and Barack Obama became the first USA president to visit Cuba since 1928. It was mediated by the Pope Francis of the Holy See and the Government of Canada. This restored the diplomatic relations between the two governments.