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. Who among the following was the President of United States of America, at the time of famous “Camp David Accords“?
[A] Gerald Ford
[B] Jimmy Carter
[C] Ronald Reagan
[D] Richard M Nixon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Jimmy Carter]
Notes:
The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on 17 September 1978. It was following twelve days of secret negotiations at Camp David, the country retreat of the President of the United States in Maryland under the President Jimmy Carter.
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. Which famous world leader was accused at the Rivonia Trial?
[A] Martin Luther King
[B] Subhas Chandra Bose
[C] Nelson Mandela
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nelson Mandela]
Notes:
The Rivonia Trial led to the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and the others among the accused who were convicted of sabotage and sentenced to life at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria.
4. 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.
5. From which nation Benin got its independence in 1960?
[A] United Kingdom
[B] France
[C] Portugal
[D] Spain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [France]
Notes:
From the mid-17th century to the mid-19th century Portuguese Empire had a colonial presence in Benin. The Portuguese empire was engaged in the massive slave trade with Benin. This continued till the abolition of slavery through the Slave Trade Act, 1807 which weakened Benin’s (previously Dahomey) status. This lead to the emergence of French power in Benin’s soil during the mid-19th century. And finally, due to the anti-colonial stand of Beninese during the later years, France was forced to independence to Benin in 1960.
6. Which city was the capital of “Free France” between 1940 and 1943?
[A] London
[B] Algiers
[C] Brazzaville
[D] Paris
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Brazzaville]
Notes:
Brazzaville was the capital of “Free France” between 1940 and 1943 during the period of World War II when France was under the occupation of Germany, under Axis Powers. It was the decision of the Empire Defence Council to designate Brazzaville, the capital of French Equatorial Africa, as the administrative seat of Free France. It was ratified by the Barzaville Manifesto.
7. Which of the following had invented a type of water-clock to measure time?
[A] Sumerians
[B] Assyrian
[C] Akkadian
[D] Babylonian
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Sumerians]
Notes:
The Sumerians invented a type of water-clock which was used to measure time. They counted their twelve months of the year by observing the decrease and increase in the shadow of the moon.
8. Which of the following reasons helped the victory of the Assyrians over Babylon?
1) Their weapons were made of iron.
2) They used horses and chariots in the war.
3) They were superior warriors, more skilled in warfare.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 1 & 2
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Assyrians owed their success to three primary factors:
1) Their weapons were made of iron.
2) They used horses and chariots in the war.
3) They were superior warriors, more skilled in warfare.
9. Which of the following dynasty developed the concept of Mandate of Heaven?
[A] Xia Dynasty
[B] Shang Dynasty
[C] Qin Dynasty
[D] Zhou Dynasty
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Zhou Dynasty]
Notes:
The Mandate of Heaven is a Chinese political and religious teaching that was used in ancient and imperial China to justify the rule of the King or Emperor of China. It was developed during the rule of the Zhou dynasty which ruled from 1046 to 256 BC.
10. 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.