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.
21. Which of the following was the first Axis power to surrender in World War II?
[A] Germany
[B] Italy
[C] Japan
[D] None of the above
[B] Italy
[C] Japan
[D] None of the above
Correct Answer: B [Italy]
Notes:
Italy was the first Axis power which give up in World War II. It surrendered to the Allies on September 8, 1943, six weeks after leaders of the Italian Fascist Party deposed Benito Mussolini who was Fascist leader and Italian dictator.
Italy was the first Axis power which give up in World War II. It surrendered to the Allies on September 8, 1943, six weeks after leaders of the Italian Fascist Party deposed Benito Mussolini who was Fascist leader and Italian dictator.
22. The First Arab-Israeli War happened in which year?
[A] 1947
[B] 1948
[C] 1949
[D] 1950
[B] 1948
[C] 1949
[D] 1950
Correct Answer: B [1948]
Notes:
The “1948 (or First) Arab–Israeli War” was the second and final stage of the 1947–49 Palestine war. The Middle East region has probably suffered more rivalry and conflict than any other part of the world. The 1948 Arab-Israeli war was the first instance of a bloody and hostile battle, triggered by the declaration of Israel’s independence on 14 May 1948. The 1948 war was caused by a number of ‘international and intraregional factors’ intertwining to create a complex situation and catalyst for war. The war resulted in Israel’s victory, yet had significant consequences on not only regional politics of this area, but also international relations, which are still visible today. This war resulted in – Israeli victory, Jordanian partial victory, Palestinian Arab defeat, Egyptian defeat, Arab League strategic failure, 1949 Armistice Agreements; Israel keeps the area allotted to it by the Partition Plan and captures ~60% of the area allotted to Arab state; Jordanian rule of West Bank, Egyptian occupation of the Gaza Strip.
The “1948 (or First) Arab–Israeli War” was the second and final stage of the 1947–49 Palestine war. The Middle East region has probably suffered more rivalry and conflict than any other part of the world. The 1948 Arab-Israeli war was the first instance of a bloody and hostile battle, triggered by the declaration of Israel’s independence on 14 May 1948. The 1948 war was caused by a number of ‘international and intraregional factors’ intertwining to create a complex situation and catalyst for war. The war resulted in Israel’s victory, yet had significant consequences on not only regional politics of this area, but also international relations, which are still visible today. This war resulted in – Israeli victory, Jordanian partial victory, Palestinian Arab defeat, Egyptian defeat, Arab League strategic failure, 1949 Armistice Agreements; Israel keeps the area allotted to it by the Partition Plan and captures ~60% of the area allotted to Arab state; Jordanian rule of West Bank, Egyptian occupation of the Gaza Strip.
23. The “Yekatit 12 Massacre” happened in which country?
[A] Austria
[B] Uruguay
[C] Cambodia
[D] Ethiopia
[B] Uruguay
[C] Cambodia
[D] Ethiopia
Correct Answer: D [Ethiopia]
Notes:
The Yekatit 12 Massacre happened in Ethiopia from 19 February 1937 to 21 February 1937, sanctioned by the Italian rulers of Ethiopia in retaliation to the failed assassination attempt of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, the then Viceroy of Italian East Africa. Graziani has led the Italian forces to victory over the Ethiopians in the Second Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This event led to a massive scale of imprisonment and massacre of Ethiopians which amount from 19200 to 30000 civilians. This also involved the massacre of several members of “Black lions”, an anti-fascist resistance movement formed to fight against Italy during it’s the occupation of the Ethiopian Empire in the World War II. The “Yekatit 12 Monument” was unveiled in the city of Addis Ababa to commemorate the victims of the massacre.
The Yekatit 12 Massacre happened in Ethiopia from 19 February 1937 to 21 February 1937, sanctioned by the Italian rulers of Ethiopia in retaliation to the failed assassination attempt of Marshal Rodolfo Graziani, the then Viceroy of Italian East Africa. Graziani has led the Italian forces to victory over the Ethiopians in the Second Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This event led to a massive scale of imprisonment and massacre of Ethiopians which amount from 19200 to 30000 civilians. This also involved the massacre of several members of “Black lions”, an anti-fascist resistance movement formed to fight against Italy during it’s the occupation of the Ethiopian Empire in the World War II. The “Yekatit 12 Monument” was unveiled in the city of Addis Ababa to commemorate the victims of the massacre.
24. Which country’s constitution was the “Weimar Constitution”?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
[B] Germany
[C] Russia
[D] Canada
Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:
The Constitution of the German Reich, usually known as the Weimar Constitution, was the constitution that governed Germany during the Weimar Republic era (1919–1933). The constitution declared Germany to be a democratic parliamentary republic with a legislature elected under proportional representation. Universal suffrage was established, with a minimum voting age of 20. The constitution technically remained in effect throughout the Nazi era from 1933 to 1945, though practically it went unenforced. The constitution’s title was the same as the Constitution of the German Empire that preceded it.
The Constitution of the German Reich, usually known as the Weimar Constitution, was the constitution that governed Germany during the Weimar Republic era (1919–1933). The constitution declared Germany to be a democratic parliamentary republic with a legislature elected under proportional representation. Universal suffrage was established, with a minimum voting age of 20. The constitution technically remained in effect throughout the Nazi era from 1933 to 1945, though practically it went unenforced. The constitution’s title was the same as the Constitution of the German Empire that preceded it.
25. Which country’s private army was “Freikorps”?
[A] France
[B] Germany
[C] Russia
[D] Italy
[B] Germany
[C] Russia
[D] Italy
Correct Answer: B [Germany]
Notes:
Germany’s private army was “Freikorps”. Freikorps were irregular German and other European military volunteer units, or paramilitary, that existed from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. They effectively fought as mercenary or private armies, regardless of their own nationality. In German-speaking countries, the first so-called Freikorps were formed in the 18th century from native volunteers, enemy renegades, and deserters. In the aftermath of World War I and during the German Revolution of 1918–19, Freikorps consisting largely of World War I veterans were raised as right-wing paramilitary militias. They were ostensibly mustered to fight on behalf of the government against the Soviet-backed German Communists attempting to overthrow the Weimar Republic. But, the Freikorps largely despised the Republic and were involved in assassinations of its supporters.
Germany’s private army was “Freikorps”. Freikorps were irregular German and other European military volunteer units, or paramilitary, that existed from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. They effectively fought as mercenary or private armies, regardless of their own nationality. In German-speaking countries, the first so-called Freikorps were formed in the 18th century from native volunteers, enemy renegades, and deserters. In the aftermath of World War I and during the German Revolution of 1918–19, Freikorps consisting largely of World War I veterans were raised as right-wing paramilitary militias. They were ostensibly mustered to fight on behalf of the government against the Soviet-backed German Communists attempting to overthrow the Weimar Republic. But, the Freikorps largely despised the Republic and were involved in assassinations of its supporters.
26. Which country was the location of the “Beer Hall Putsch”?
[A] France
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] Russia
[B] Italy
[C] Germany
[D] Russia
Correct Answer: C [Germany]
Notes:
Germany was the location of the “Beer Hall Putsch”. The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch or the Hitlerputsch or the Hitler–Ludendorff-Putsch, was a failed coup d’etat by the Nazi Party (NSDAP) leader Adolf Hitler to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, which took place on 8–9 November 1923. Approximately two thousand Nazis were marching to the Feldherrnhalle, in the city centre, when they were confronted by a police cordon, which resulted in the deaths of 16 Nazi party members and four police officers. Hitler, who was wounded during the clash, escaped immediate arrest. After two days, he was arrested and charged with treason. The putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the German nation and generated front-page headlines in newspapers around the world. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which was widely publicised and gave him a platform to express his nationalist sentiments to the nation. Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, where he dictated Mein Kampf to his fellow prisoners Emil Maurice and Rudolf Hess. On 20 December 1924, having served only nine months, Hitler was released. Once released, Hitler redirected his focus towards obtaining power through legal means rather than revolution or force, and accordingly changed his tactics, further developing Nazi propaganda.
Germany was the location of the “Beer Hall Putsch”. The Beer Hall Putsch, also known as the Munich Putsch or the Hitlerputsch or the Hitler–Ludendorff-Putsch, was a failed coup d’etat by the Nazi Party (NSDAP) leader Adolf Hitler to seize power in Munich, Bavaria, which took place on 8–9 November 1923. Approximately two thousand Nazis were marching to the Feldherrnhalle, in the city centre, when they were confronted by a police cordon, which resulted in the deaths of 16 Nazi party members and four police officers. Hitler, who was wounded during the clash, escaped immediate arrest. After two days, he was arrested and charged with treason. The putsch brought Hitler to the attention of the German nation and generated front-page headlines in newspapers around the world. His arrest was followed by a 24-day trial, which was widely publicised and gave him a platform to express his nationalist sentiments to the nation. Hitler was found guilty of treason and sentenced to five years in Landsberg Prison, where he dictated Mein Kampf to his fellow prisoners Emil Maurice and Rudolf Hess. On 20 December 1924, having served only nine months, Hitler was released. Once released, Hitler redirected his focus towards obtaining power through legal means rather than revolution or force, and accordingly changed his tactics, further developing Nazi propaganda.
27. Which of the following was the subject-matter/agenda of “Potsdam Conference”?
[A] Administration of Italy, post World War II
[B] Administration of Germany, post World War II
[C] Administration of France, post World War II
[D] Administration of Poland, post World War II
[B] Administration of Germany, post World War II
[C] Administration of France, post World War II
[D] Administration of Poland, post World War II
Correct Answer: B [Administration of Germany, post World War II]
Notes:
Administration of Germany, post World War II, was the subject-matter/agenda of “Potsdam Conference”. The Potsdam Conference was held in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945. The participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, represented respectively by Premier Joseph Stalin, Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, and President Harry S. Truman. They gathered to decide how to administer Germany, which had agreed to unconditional surrender nine weeks earlier on the 8th of May (Victory in Europe Day). The goals of the conference also included the establishment of the postwar order, peace treaty issues, and countering the effects of the war.
Administration of Germany, post World War II, was the subject-matter/agenda of “Potsdam Conference”. The Potsdam Conference was held in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945. The participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States, represented respectively by Premier Joseph Stalin, Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, and President Harry S. Truman. They gathered to decide how to administer Germany, which had agreed to unconditional surrender nine weeks earlier on the 8th of May (Victory in Europe Day). The goals of the conference also included the establishment of the postwar order, peace treaty issues, and countering the effects of the war.
28. The “Ottoman–Egyptian Invasion of Mani” has happened against the backdrop of which event?
[A] Spanish War of Independence
[B] French War of Independence
[C] Austrian War of Independence
[D] Greek War of Independence
[B] French War of Independence
[C] Austrian War of Independence
[D] Greek War of Independence
Correct Answer: D [Greek War of Independence ]
Notes:
The Ottoman–Egyptian Invasion of Mani was a campaign during the Greek War of Independence that consisted of three battles. The Maniots fought against a combined Egyptian and Ottoman army under the command of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. This leads to the Greek victory.
The Ottoman–Egyptian Invasion of Mani was a campaign during the Greek War of Independence that consisted of three battles. The Maniots fought against a combined Egyptian and Ottoman army under the command of Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt. This leads to the Greek victory.
29. Which country was the location of the event “Viannos massacres”?
[A] Austria
[B] Italy
[C] Russia
[D] Greece
[B] Italy
[C] Russia
[D] Greece
Correct Answer: D [Greece]
Notes:
The Viannos massacres were a mass extermination campaign launched by Nazi forces against the civilian residents of around 20 villages located in the areas of east Viannos and west Ierapetra provinces on the Greek island of Crete during World War II.
The Viannos massacres were a mass extermination campaign launched by Nazi forces against the civilian residents of around 20 villages located in the areas of east Viannos and west Ierapetra provinces on the Greek island of Crete during World War II.
30. What was “Toussaint Louverture” famous for?
[A] As the most prominent leader of the Guinean Revolution.
[B] As the most prominent leader of the Jamaican Revolution.
[C] As the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution.
[D] As the most prominent leader of the Bahamian Revolution.
[B] As the most prominent leader of the Jamaican Revolution.
[C] As the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution.
[D] As the most prominent leader of the Bahamian Revolution.
Correct Answer: C [As the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution.]
Notes:
Toussaint Louverture was a Haitian general and the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution. During his life, Louverture first fought against the French, then for them, and then finally against France again for the cause of Haitian independence. As a revolutionary leader, Louverture’s military and political acumen helped transform the fledgeling slave rebellion into a revolutionary movement. Louverture is now known as the “Father of Haiti”.
Toussaint Louverture was a Haitian general and the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution. During his life, Louverture first fought against the French, then for them, and then finally against France again for the cause of Haitian independence. As a revolutionary leader, Louverture’s military and political acumen helped transform the fledgeling slave rebellion into a revolutionary movement. Louverture is now known as the “Father of Haiti”.