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.
41. What is known as the immediate cause of World War I?
[A] Narrow Nationalism
[B] The power hunger of William II
[C] Militariarism
[D] The assassination of Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [The assassination of Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand]
Notes:
The immediate cause was the assassination of Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand who was heir to the Austrian throne. Arch Duke Francis Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Serbians in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo when they paid a visit to this city on 28th June 1914. The news of this murder shocked many countries. Austria-Hungary was already sick of Serbia and she decided to take advantage of the new situation to crush her. The murder of their crown prince and his wife resulted in an ultimatum being sent to Serbia for immediate compliance of certain terms. Serbia’s reply did not pacify Austria-Hungary. Hence, Austria-Hungary backed by Germany declared war on Serbia. Russia mobilised her forces in favour of Serbia.
42. Which of these was the first battle of Russia in World War I?
[A] Battle of Tanintore
[B] Battle of Tahsenberg
[C] Battle of Tannenberg
[D] Battle of Tamblyn
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Battle of Tannenberg]
Notes:
Russia’s first major battle in the Great War was a disaster. In the 1914 Battle of Tannenberg, over 120,000 Russian troops were killed, wounded, or captured, while Germany suffered only 20,000 casualties. Whatever nationalistic or patriotic support the Russian government had gained in the early stages of the war had been lost.
43. Who led the first revolt in March 1920?
[A] Ludendorff
[B] Mark Schulze
[C] Dr. Kapp
[D] Paire Joanaskov
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dr. Kapp]
Notes:
In March 1920, the royalists under the leadership of Dr. Kapp revolted. But he failed and surrendered before the republican government. The second such revolt was led by Ludendorff. He was assisted by Hitler.
44. Who emerged as the Il Duce or supreme commander?
[A] Mussolini
[B] Hitler
[C] Putin
[D] William II
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Mussolini ]
Notes:
On becoming Germany’s Chancellor in 1933, Hitler undertook a rearmament programme. His aggressive foreign policy led to the Second World War. Similarly, Mussolini organized the Fascist movement in Italy. He believed in dictatorship, aggressive foreign policy and colonial policy. Thus, he emerged as the Il Duce or supreme commander. The emergence of dictatorship in Europe paved the way for Second World War.
45. Which was the following country Hitler captured just before WWII started?
[A] Portugal
[B] Brazil
[C] Czechoslovakia
[D] Moscow
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Czechoslovakia]
Notes:
The inter-war period witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe. The inter-war period is otherwise called the period of dictators. Germany, Italy, Spain and Japan witnessed the rise of dictators. In Germany, the Weimar Republic was weak. Hitler, the leader of the Nazi Party took full advantage of the weakness of the Republican Government and brought the government under his control. He started aggression. He captured Austria and Czechoslovakia. At last he attacked Poland and World War II started.
46. Who led Taiping Rebellion in 1851?
[A] Hung Hsiu-chüan
[B] Hung Kun-Shu
[C] Hung Shimi Ki Ho
[D] Hung Konchu Hon
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Hung Hsiu-chüan]
Notes:
Thus, the western countries established their supremacy in China. China was partitioned into many economic zones controlled by western powers. This is known as “the cutting of the Chinese Melon” (ie., cutting China into many pieces). The failure of Manchu dynasty led to the Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864) in China. It was led by Hung Hsiu-chüan.
47. What is Berlin Blockade?
[A] Russia capturing Berlin and preventing USA troops to enter Germany
[B] Russia blocking all the perimeter of Berlin with their soldiers
[C] Russia locking down entire Berlin and slowly capturing the rest of Germany
[D] Russia blocking all roads to the west-occupied zones in Berlin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Russia blocking all roads to the west-occupied zones in Berlin]
Notes:
Even before the end of the Second World War the Soviet Union had imposed Communist regimes in the East European countries of Poland, Bulgaria, Rumania, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Immediately after the War the Soviet Union brought East Germany under her influence. West Germany came under the influence of the U.S.A. The Soviet Union blocked all roads to the west-occupied zones in Berlin. This is known as Berlin Blockade. Thus, a tense situation developed between the two blocs of the Cold War groups.
48. On which day was the Marshall Plan announced by the United States?
[A] June 5, 1947
[B] August 15, 1945
[C] January 1, 1946
[D] December 25, 1946
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [June 5, 1947]
Notes:
The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, was announced on June 5, 1947 by the then-Secretary of State, George Marshall. The initiative was designed to aid Europe, where economies had been devastated after World War II. The Marshall Plan provided over $13 billion in aid to European countries that had been destroyed during the war.
49. The Brussels Treaty in March 1948 was signed by which of these following countries?
[A] Italy
[B] China
[C] Russia
[D] Belgium
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Belgium ]
Notes:
The U.S.A. had created a military alliance to prevent further spread of communism into Western Europe. A beginning in this direction was made by the signing of the Brussels Treaty in March 1948. Britain, France, Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg signed this treaty promising military collaboration in case of war.
50. On 1991, the plead of replacing Soviet Union with _____ was declared:
[A] Individual Provinces
[B] Commonwealth of Independent States
[C] Independent States and Provinces
[D] Commonwealth Nation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Commonwealth of Independent States]
Notes:
All these reforms led to revolutionary changes in the U.S.S.R. On 8th December 1991, the leaders of the Russian, Ukrainian, and Byelorussian republics issued a declaration that the Soviet Union was dissolved and replaced by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).