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 the Third Estate ?” pamphlet associated with the French Revolution, was written by:
[A] Marquis-Lafayette
[B] Edmund Burke
[C] Joseph Foulon
[D] Abbe Sieyes
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Abbe Sieyes]
Notes:
‘What Is the Third Estate?’ is a political pamphlet written by French thinker and clergyman Abbe Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes in January 1789, shortly before the outbreak of the French Revolution. In the pamphlet, Sieyes argued that the Third Estate – the common people of France – constituted a complete nation.
42. Cold War refers to:
[A] tension between East and West
[B] ideological rivalry between Capitalist and Communist world
[C] tension between Superpowers
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [tension between East and West]
Notes:
The Cold War, often dated from 1947 to 1991, was a sustained state of political and military tension between powers in the Western Bloc, dominated by the United States with NATO among its allies and powers in the Eastern Block, dominated by the Soviet Union along with Warsaw Pact.
43. Which of the following is correct with respect to ‘Marshall Plan’?
[A] A treaty to denuclearise Libya by NATO
[B] Europe reconstruction plan after the ravage of the 2nd World War.
[C] A US policy to rapidly increase its nuclear arsenal
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Europe reconstruction plan after the ravage of the 2nd World War.]
Notes:
The Marshall Plan was an American initiative passed in 1948 to aid Western Europe, in which the United States gave over $12 billion in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European economies after the end of World War II. Thus, b is the correct answer.
44. In 1497, John Cabot discovered:
[A] West Virginia
[B] Cambodia
[C] Antarctica
[D] Newfoundland
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Newfoundland]
Notes:
In 1497, John Cabot was sent by Henry VII of England to explore the seas. He discovered the Newfoundland. In his next expedition, he reached North America and explored it.
45. 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.
46. Mussolini was the editor of which socialist journal?
[A] Avanti!
[B] Swastik
[C] Faces of Fascism
[D] All of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Avanti!]
Notes:
In 1912 Benito Mussolini started the editing of Avanti!, a socialist journal. He was a bitter opponent of the Church.
47. 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.
48. The Washington Naval Conference was held in:
[A] 1922-23
[B] 1920-21
[C] 1919-20
[D] 1921-22
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1921-22]
Notes:
At the end of the First World War Japan emerged as a superior military power. Hence, in order to control Japan’s Navy the Washington Naval Conference was held in 1921-22. But this was only a temporary measure.
49. Who used the term ‘Cold War’ for the first time?
[A] Thomas Hobbney
[B] Bernard Baruch
[C] Liam Frederick
[D] Michele Salathmouse
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bernard Baruch]
Notes:
The end of the Second World War saw the rise of the U.S.A. and U.S.S.R. as Super Powers. The strained relationship between these two countries till the collapse of the U.S.S.R is known as the Cold War. The term ‘Cold War’ was used for the first time by Bernard Baruch. Thereafter this term gained popularity through the journalist Walter Lippman.
50. When did the Philippines gain independence from American colonial rule?
[A] 1898
[B] 1912
[C] 1946
[D] 1965
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1946]
Notes:
The Philippines attained full sovereignty from American colonial oversight on July 4, 1946, through the Treaty of Manila. This transition ended a period of American rule that began in 1898, ushering in a new era of independence for the Philippines.
