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. In 1839, the action of Commissioner Lin Tse hsu led to:
[A] First Trade War
[B] Second Opium War
[C] First Opium War
[D] Second Trade War
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [First Opium War]
Notes:
China imported large quantities of opium. Opium-eating became a national vice. Therefore, the Chinese government imposed rules to prohibit opium trade. The action of Commissioner Lin Tse hsu led to First Opium War (1839-1842) in which England defeated China. The war came to an end with the Treaty of Nanking.
42. Which treaty was signed at the end of Second Opium War?
[A] Treaty of Changuhin
[B] Treaty of Nanking
[C] Treaty of Zensinki
[D] Treaty of Tientsin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Treaty of Tientsin ]
Notes:
In 1856 the Second Opium War took place. This time Britain, France, USA and Russia fought against China. The war ended with the Treaty of Tientsin in 1860.
43. When North Korea attacked South Korea, who did UNO sent as the army head?
[A] General Jacob Polishke
[B] General William Heinstein
[C] General Douglas MacArthur
[D] General Paul McCaughey
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [General Douglas MacArthur]
Notes:
Before the beginning of the Second World War, the whole of Korea was under the control of Japan. After the Second World War, Russia and America decided to divide Korea on the 38th parallel line. On 24th June 1950 the army of the North Korea made a fierce attack over South Korea. The matter was again brought before the U.N.O. Hence, the Security Council decided to take some strong steps against North Korea. UNO sent its army under the command of an American, General Douglas MacArthur. A treaty was signed on July 27, 1953 by which the U.N.O. withdrew its military action.
44. 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.
45. Truman Doctrine was announced in 1948 by whom?
[A] Russia
[B] USA
[C] Germany
[D] UNO
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [USA ]
Notes:
On 12th March 1948, Truman Doctrine [Truman was the President of USA] was announced and accordingly the U.S.A. provided economic and the military aid to Greece and Turkey to the tune of 400 million dollars in order to stop the Soviet influence in those countries.
46. NATO was formed against:
[A] Soviet Union
[B] USA
[C] Germany
[D] Great Britain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Soviet Union]
Notes:
The U.S.A., Canada, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg, Portugal, Denmark, Italy and Norway became NATO’s members. They had agreed to mutually extend military help in case of an attack on any one of them. It was formed against the Soviet Union.
47. Mikhail Gorbachev established which political reform?
[A] Union Council
[B] Glasnost
[C] Pedrerark
[D] Lustavia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Glasnost]
Notes:
Mikhail Gorbachev became the President of the Soviet Union in March 1985. He instituted a number of political reforms under the name of “glasnost”.
48. Who among the following were the first Europeans to engage in slave trade?
[A] Portuguese
[B] British
[C] French
[D] Dutch
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Portuguese ]
Notes:
The Portuguese were the first Europeans in the slave trade, completing their initial transatlantic voyage to Brazil in 1526. They primarily sourced slaves for labor on plantations in Atlantic Africa, Brazil, and the Caribbean, with a smaller number sent to Europe. The transatlantic slave trade, active from the 16th to 19th centuries, involved trading slaves among Europe, Africa, and the Americas, forming a triangular trade system.
49. Which event marked the Philippines as the first country in Southeast Asia to gain independence from colonial rule?
[A] Declaration of Martial Law
[B] People Power Revolution
[C] Treaty of Paris
[D] Proclamation of Philippine Independence
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Proclamation of Philippine Independence]
Notes:
The Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, signified the Philippines’ emergence as the first country in Southeast Asia to break free from colonial domination. This historic achievement marked a key milestone in the regional struggle for self-determination and national identity.
50. During World War II, Poland experienced significant casualties. Approximately how many Polish citizens were killed?
[A] 2 million
[B] 4 million
[C] 6 million
[D] 8 million
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [6 million]
Notes:
World War II was devastating for Poland, resulting in the death of around 6 million Polish citizens. This tragic loss included both military and civilian lives, with half of the casualties being Polish Jews who perished in the Holocaust. The country’s population and infrastructure suffered immensely due to the war.