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 countries struggle for independence from the Soviet Union was the “Singing Revolution”?
[A] Albania, Macedonia and Serbia
[B] Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
[C] Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
[D] Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria
[B] Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan
[C] Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
[D] Romania, Moldova and Bulgaria
Correct Answer: C [Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania]
Notes:
In its early period, Estonia was under the colonial subjugation of Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians. In 19th and early 20th centuries, Estonia witnessed a movement promoting and propagating “Estonian National Awakening” in which Estonians started acknowledging themselves as a nation deserving the right to govern themselves. This lead to the Estonian War of Independence from 1918 to 1920 which lead to the Estonian victory and the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty, finally proclaiming the independence of Estonia from Russia. After independence, initially, Estonia followed a democratic political system which got culminated into an authoritarian rule post-Great Depression period from 1934 to 1940. This period was known as the Era of Silence. During World War II from 1939 to 1945, Estonia was under German and Soviet Union occupation, which finally ended with Soviet Union subjugation of Estonia through a puppet government, so as to continue the de jure status of Estonia. Annoyed with the subjugation of Soviet Rule, Estonians started “Singing Revolution” from 1987 to 1991 seeking the restoration of independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from Soviet Rule. This lead to the formal restoration of independence of Estonia from the Soviet Union in 1991.
In its early period, Estonia was under the colonial subjugation of Germans, Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians. In 19th and early 20th centuries, Estonia witnessed a movement promoting and propagating “Estonian National Awakening” in which Estonians started acknowledging themselves as a nation deserving the right to govern themselves. This lead to the Estonian War of Independence from 1918 to 1920 which lead to the Estonian victory and the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty, finally proclaiming the independence of Estonia from Russia. After independence, initially, Estonia followed a democratic political system which got culminated into an authoritarian rule post-Great Depression period from 1934 to 1940. This period was known as the Era of Silence. During World War II from 1939 to 1945, Estonia was under German and Soviet Union occupation, which finally ended with Soviet Union subjugation of Estonia through a puppet government, so as to continue the de jure status of Estonia. Annoyed with the subjugation of Soviet Rule, Estonians started “Singing Revolution” from 1987 to 1991 seeking the restoration of independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania from Soviet Rule. This lead to the formal restoration of independence of Estonia from the Soviet Union in 1991.
22. Which of the following is correct regarding the “Kingdom of Prussia”?
[A] It was a German kingdom
[B] It was an Italian kingdom
[C] It was a French kingdom
[D] It was a Russian kingdom
[B] It was an Italian kingdom
[C] It was a French kingdom
[D] It was a Russian kingdom
Correct Answer: A [It was a German kingdom]
Notes:
The “Kingdom of Prussia” was a German kingdom. The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom that constituted the state of Prussia between 1701 and 1918. It was the driving force behind the unification of Germany in 1871 and was the leading state of the German Empire until its dissolution in 1918. Although it took its name from the region called Prussia, it was based in the Margraviate of Brandenburg, where its capital was Berlin. Prussia is considered the legal predecessor of the unified German Reich (1871–1945) and as such a direct ancestor of today’s Federal Republic of Germany. The Kingdom left a significant cultural legacy, today notably promoted by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which has become one of the largest cultural organisations in the world.
The “Kingdom of Prussia” was a German kingdom. The Kingdom of Prussia was a German kingdom that constituted the state of Prussia between 1701 and 1918. It was the driving force behind the unification of Germany in 1871 and was the leading state of the German Empire until its dissolution in 1918. Although it took its name from the region called Prussia, it was based in the Margraviate of Brandenburg, where its capital was Berlin. Prussia is considered the legal predecessor of the unified German Reich (1871–1945) and as such a direct ancestor of today’s Federal Republic of Germany. The Kingdom left a significant cultural legacy, today notably promoted by the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, which has become one of the largest cultural organisations in the world.
23. Which two countries fought the “Battle of Sakarya of 1921”?
[A] Greece Vs. Turkey
[B] Greece Vs. Italy
[C] Greece Vs. Egypt
[D] Greece Vs. Germany
[B] Greece Vs. Italy
[C] Greece Vs. Egypt
[D] Greece Vs. Germany
Correct Answer: A [Greece Vs. Turkey]
Notes:
The Battle of Sakarya, also known as the Battle of the Sangarios, was an important engagement in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), the western front of the Turkish War of Independence. The battle went on for 21 days from August 23 to September 13, 1921, close to the banks of the Sakarya River, which is today in a district of the Ankara Province. It is also known as the Officers’ Battle in Turkey because of the unusually high casualty rate (70–80%) among the officers. The Battle of Sakarya is considered as the turning point of the Turkish War of Independence. This battle leads to the Turkish victory.
The Battle of Sakarya, also known as the Battle of the Sangarios, was an important engagement in the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922), the western front of the Turkish War of Independence. The battle went on for 21 days from August 23 to September 13, 1921, close to the banks of the Sakarya River, which is today in a district of the Ankara Province. It is also known as the Officers’ Battle in Turkey because of the unusually high casualty rate (70–80%) among the officers. The Battle of Sakarya is considered as the turning point of the Turkish War of Independence. This battle leads to the Turkish victory.
24. Which country’s military junta was known as the “Regime of the Colonels”?
[A] Italy
[B] Austria
[C] Greece
[D] Spain
[B] Austria
[C] Greece
[D] Spain
Correct Answer: C [Greece]
Notes:
The Greek junta or Regime of the Colonels was a series of far-right military juntas that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. On 21 April 1967, a group of colonels overthrew the caretaker government a month before scheduled elections which Georgios Papandreou’s Center Union was favoured to win. The dictatorship was characterised by right-wing cultural policies, restrictions on civil liberties, and the imprisonment, torture, and exile of political opponents. An attempt to renew its support in a 1973 referendum on the monarchy and gradual democratisation was ended by another coup by hardliner Dimitrios Ioannidis. The junta’s rule ended on 24 July 1974 under the pressure of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leading to the Metapolitefsi (“regime change”) to democracy and the establishment of the Third Hellenic Republic.
The Greek junta or Regime of the Colonels was a series of far-right military juntas that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974. On 21 April 1967, a group of colonels overthrew the caretaker government a month before scheduled elections which Georgios Papandreou’s Center Union was favoured to win. The dictatorship was characterised by right-wing cultural policies, restrictions on civil liberties, and the imprisonment, torture, and exile of political opponents. An attempt to renew its support in a 1973 referendum on the monarchy and gradual democratisation was ended by another coup by hardliner Dimitrios Ioannidis. The junta’s rule ended on 24 July 1974 under the pressure of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, leading to the Metapolitefsi (“regime change”) to democracy and the establishment of the Third Hellenic Republic.
25. What was “Amilcar Cabral” famous for?
[A] As a nationalist from Guinea-Bissau
[B] As a nationalist from Ethiopia
[C] As a nationalist from Kenya
[D] As a nationalist from Angola
[B] As a nationalist from Ethiopia
[C] As a nationalist from Kenya
[D] As a nationalist from Angola
Correct Answer: A [As a nationalist from Guinea-Bissau]
Notes:
Amilcar Cabral was a Bissau-Guinean and Cape Verdean agricultural engineer, pan-Africanist, intellectual, poet, theoretician, revolutionary, political organizer, nationalist and diplomat. He was one of Africa’s foremost anti-colonial leaders. Also known by the name Abel Djassi, Cabral led the nationalist movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde Islands and the ensuing war of independence in Guinea-Bissau. He was assassinated on 20 January 1973, about eight months before Guinea-Bissau’s unilateral declaration of independence. He was deeply influenced by Marxism and became an inspiration to revolutionary socialists and national independence movements worldwide.
Amilcar Cabral was a Bissau-Guinean and Cape Verdean agricultural engineer, pan-Africanist, intellectual, poet, theoretician, revolutionary, political organizer, nationalist and diplomat. He was one of Africa’s foremost anti-colonial leaders. Also known by the name Abel Djassi, Cabral led the nationalist movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde Islands and the ensuing war of independence in Guinea-Bissau. He was assassinated on 20 January 1973, about eight months before Guinea-Bissau’s unilateral declaration of independence. He was deeply influenced by Marxism and became an inspiration to revolutionary socialists and national independence movements worldwide.
26. Which of the following was the period of the event “United States occupation of Haiti”?
[A] 1915-1934
[B] 1915-1935
[C] 1915-1936
[D] 1915-1937
[B] 1915-1935
[C] 1915-1936
[D] 1915-1937
Correct Answer: A [1915-1934]
Notes:
1915-1934 was the period of the event “United States occupation of Haiti”. The United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915, when 330 US Marines landed at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on the authority of US President Woodrow Wilson. The July intervention took place following the murder of dictator President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam by insurgents angered by his political murders of elite opposition. The occupation ended on August 1, 1934, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt reaffirmed an August 1933 disengagement agreement. The last contingent of US Marines departed on August 15, 1934, after a formal transfer of authority to the Garde d’Haiti.
1915-1934 was the period of the event “United States occupation of Haiti”. The United States occupation of Haiti began on July 28, 1915, when 330 US Marines landed at Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on the authority of US President Woodrow Wilson. The July intervention took place following the murder of dictator President Vilbrun Guillaume Sam by insurgents angered by his political murders of elite opposition. The occupation ended on August 1, 1934, after President Franklin D. Roosevelt reaffirmed an August 1933 disengagement agreement. The last contingent of US Marines departed on August 15, 1934, after a formal transfer of authority to the Garde d’Haiti.
27. What was “Jean-Pierre Boyer” famous for?
[A] As one of the leaders of the Dominican Revolution
[B] As one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution
[C] As one of the leaders of the Bahamian Revolution
[D] As one of the leaders of the Jamaican Revolution
[B] As one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution
[C] As one of the leaders of the Bahamian Revolution
[D] As one of the leaders of the Jamaican Revolution
Correct Answer: B [As one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution]
Notes:
Jean-Pierre Boyer was one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution and President of Haiti from 1818 to 1843. He reunited the north and south of the country into the Republic of Haiti in 1820 and also annexed the newly independent Spanish Haiti (Santo Domingo), which brought all of Hispaniola under one Haitian government by 1822. Boyer managed to rule for the longest period of time of any of the revolutionary leaders of his generation.
Jean-Pierre Boyer was one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution and President of Haiti from 1818 to 1843. He reunited the north and south of the country into the Republic of Haiti in 1820 and also annexed the newly independent Spanish Haiti (Santo Domingo), which brought all of Hispaniola under one Haitian government by 1822. Boyer managed to rule for the longest period of time of any of the revolutionary leaders of his generation.
28. The “Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive, 1943” was a joint effort of Hungary and Italy, as part of World War II, against which country?
[A] Germany
[B] Soviet Union
[C] France
[D] United Kingdom
[B] Soviet Union
[C] France
[D] United Kingdom
Correct Answer: B [Soviet Union]
Notes:
The “Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive, 1943” was a joint effort of Hungary and Italy, as part of World War II, against the Soviet Union. The Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive was an offensive of the Voronezh Front on the Eastern Front of World War II against the Hungarian 2nd Army and partially Italian 8th Army as part of the Voronezh–Kharkov Offensive. The offensive is better known as part of Operation Little Saturn.
The “Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive, 1943” was a joint effort of Hungary and Italy, as part of World War II, against the Soviet Union. The Ostrogozhsk–Rossosh Offensive was an offensive of the Voronezh Front on the Eastern Front of World War II against the Hungarian 2nd Army and partially Italian 8th Army as part of the Voronezh–Kharkov Offensive. The offensive is better known as part of Operation Little Saturn.
29. Which country was the location of the event “Transition to the New Order”?
[A] Vietnam
[B] Philippines
[C] Indonesia
[D] Cambodia
[B] Philippines
[C] Indonesia
[D] Cambodia
Correct Answer: C [Indonesia]
Notes:
Indonesia was the location of the event “Transition to the New Order”. Indonesia’s transition to the New Order in the mid-1960s, ousted the country’s first president, Sukarno, after 22 years in the position. One of the most tumultuous periods in the country’s modern history was the commencement of Suharto’s 31-year presidency.
Indonesia was the location of the event “Transition to the New Order”. Indonesia’s transition to the New Order in the mid-1960s, ousted the country’s first president, Sukarno, after 22 years in the position. One of the most tumultuous periods in the country’s modern history was the commencement of Suharto’s 31-year presidency.
30. What was “Mohammad Reza Pahlavi” famous for?
[A] As the last Shah of Iraq
[B] As the last Shah of Afghanistan
[C] As the last Shah of Iran
[D] As the last Shah of Turkey
[B] As the last Shah of Afghanistan
[C] As the last Shah of Iran
[D] As the last Shah of Turkey
Correct Answer: C [As the last Shah of Iran]
Notes:
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, also known as Mohammad Reza Shah, was the last Shah (King) of Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow in the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979. Due to his status as the last Shah of Iran, he is often known as simply the Shah.
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, also known as Mohammad Reza Shah, was the last Shah (King) of Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow in the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979. Due to his status as the last Shah of Iran, he is often known as simply the Shah.