British History MCQs - 2024

The British founded Singapore in 1819 as a strategic trading post along the Strait of Malacca—a key maritime route that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, vital for trade between Europe and Asia.

The Scramble for Africa occurred mainly in the late 19th century and continued into the early 20th century, where European powers rapidly divided and colonized almost the entire African continent.

In the British peerage system, Duke is the highest rank below the monarch, followed by Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

King George III reigned from 1760 to 1820 and was the monarch during the American War of Independence (1775–1783).

The Battle of Waterloo took place on 18 June 1815 and marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte by the Duke of Wellington and allied forces.

Queen Elizabeth II was coronated on 2 June 1953, more than a year after she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King George VI.

The Bank of England, founded in 1694, was nationalized by the post-war Labour government in 1946 under Prime Minister Clement Attlee.

The Crimean War (1853–1856) was one of the key military conflicts during Queen Victoria's early reign, part of Britain's geopolitical rivalry with Russia, known as the “Great Game.”

This treaty officially ended World War I. It was signed exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which had sparked the war.

Margaret Thatcher resigned in 1990. She was succeeded by John Major, who served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997.

While apartheid was formally implemented by the South African government in 1948, it evolved from earlier segregationist policies during British colonial rule.

The correct answer is Queen Victoria (reigned 1837–1901), who belonged to the House of Hanover and reigned for 63 years. None of the Edwards listed were Hanoverians.

The League of Augsburg was an alliance formed in 1689 to counter the expansion of Louis XIV of France. It later became the Grand Alliance during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Robert Walpole is widely regarded as the first de facto Prime Minister of Great Britain. He served from 1721 to 1742, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in British history with over 20 years in office.

Spain was a colonial empire itself and was never colonized or ruled by Britain. In contrast, Kenya and Australia were British colonies.

Edward VIII abdicated on 11 December 1936 to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson, an act that caused a constitutional crisis.

Tony Blair, the Labour Prime Minister, aligned with U.S. President George W. Bush and sent British troops to Iraq in 2003, initiating the Iraq War.

During World War I (1914–1918), the UK had two Prime Ministers: H. H. Asquith (1908–1916) and David Lloyd George (1916–1922).

The Acts of Union 1707 unified the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The term "Swinging London" described the vibrant and youthful culture of the 1960s in London, particularly in fashion, music, and art.