Quiz: How Much Do You Know About World History?
Studying world history is essential for the simple reason that history is bound to repeat itself. Even just knowing the basics not only makes you look intelligent but gives you a fundamental understanding of how the world works and the tendencies of human nature. You can learn something from every aspect of history regardless of the time, culture, or events occurring. So, if you think you’re a world history buff, take this quiz and test your knowledge!
The Battle of Hastings was fought in 1066 and in which country?
A. England
B. France
C. Spain
D. Russia
Answer: England
The Battle of Hastings was a defining battle in the war between the Saxons and Normans for control of England. William the Conqueror defeated King Herod of the Saxons in the battle.
The Magna Carta was signed by which king?
A. Edward VI
B. Henry VIII
C. Edward I
D. John
Answer: John
King of England between 1199 and 1216, King John has been made popular as the villain of the Robin Hood legends. After the baronial revolt at the end of his reign, he was forced to sign the Magna Carta to give up complete power as king.
The assassination of which political leader is regarded as the start of World War I?
A. Gavrilo Princip
B. Archduke Franz Ferdinand
C. King Albert I
D. Tsar Nicholas II
Answer: Archduke Franz Ferdinand
His assassination on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo by Garilvo Princip led Austria-Hungary to declare war against Serbia. This created a chain effect which resulted in the start of World War I.
Who is credited with creating the first successful printing press in Europe?
A. Johannes Gutenberg
B. Martin Luther
C. Leonardo da Vinci
D. Alfred Nobel
Answer: Johannes Gutenberg
In the 15 century, German goldsmith Johannes Gutenberg came out with his working-model printing press. Its introduction to society allowed the mass production of books and ideas, making knowledge accessible like it never was before.
What political scandal brought about President Richard Nixon’s resignment?
A. The XYZ Affair
B. Watergate
C. The Eaton Affair
D. Iran-Contra
Answer: Watergate
In June 1972, there was a break-in to the Democratic National Committee headquarters. It was later discovered that President Nixon had been involved which led to his resignation of the presidency.
Which Roman Emperor built a large wall across Northern Britain in the 12th century?
A. Augustus
B. Hadrian
C. Trajan
D. Titus
Answer: Hadrian
Known as Hadrian’s Wall, Emperor Hadrian established the wall stretching 73 miles coast-to-coast with the goal to guard the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire. Much of the wall is still standing today.
Which rifle is described as the “Gun that Won the West” in the United States?
A. Winchester Model 1873
B. Colt Peacemaker
C. Smith & Wesson 44 Russian
D. 1860 Henry Rifle
Answer: Winchester Model 1873
Developed from the 1860 Henry Rifle, the Winchester rifle is a lever-action repeating gun manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. The Model 1873 earned itself the title as “The Gun that Won the West.”
Which artifact helped historians translate Egyptian hieroglyphs?
A. The Rosetta Stone
B. King Tut’s tomb
C. Narmer Palette
D. Bust of Akhenaten
Answer: The Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone is a granodiorite stele that was founded in 1799. It was issued by King Ptolemy V Epiphanes in 196 BC and contains both Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and Ancient Greek. It was crucial in the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Who assassinated President John F. Kennedy?
A. James Earl Ray
B. Jack Ruby
C. Lee Harvey Oswald
D. John Wilkes Booth
Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald
On November 22, 1963, while riding in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald was the assassinated in turn before going to trial.
In 1918, the Bolshevik Revolution occurred in which country?
A. Russia
B. Austria
C. France
D. Germany
Answer: Russia
Between February and October 1917, Czar Nicholas II was removed, and the Soviets, lead by Vladimir Lenin continued to take over Russia. This threw Russia into numerous years of violent civil war.
Who was the wife of King Louis XVI during the French Revolution?
A. Marie Antoinette
B. Pauline Vardot
C. Olympe de Gouges
D. Marie de Medicis
Answer: Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France before the French Revolution. During the events of the French Revolution, she was convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of high treason and executed.
This disease killed a third of Europe’s population in the 14th century
A. Smallpox
B. The Great Plague of London
C. The Bubonic Plague
D. The Plague of Justinian
Answer: The Bubonic Plague
Between 1346 and 1353, the disease nicknamed the Black Death swept across Europe, killing over a third of the population. The disease is assumed to have come from the rats who were on ships coming back from Asia.
What President established the New Deal while in office?
A. Theodore Roosevelt
B. Ronald Reagan
C. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
D. Barack Obama
Answer: Franklin Delano Roosevelt
The New Deal was implemented by FDR as a series of programs and projects to help provide jobs and success to United States citizens. It aided in getting the United States out of the Great Depression.
Which country was not on the side of the Axis during WWII?
A. Italy
B. Soviet Union
C. Germany
D. Japan
Answer: Soviet Union
Although the United States and the Soviet Union became fierce enemies shortly after World War II, during the War, the Soviet Union fought on the side of the Allies for a time.
Who is the man responsible for writing the Ninety-Five Theses?
A. Martin Luther
B. Charlemagne
C. Joseph Smith
D. Confucius
Answer: Martin Luther
Written by Martin Luther in 1517, the Ninety-Five Theses were a list of things that he condemned the clergy for such as selling indulgences. These eventually led to the development of the Protestant religion.
Who was the King of England during the American Revolution?
A. King Louis II
B. King George III
C. King George II
D. King Edward VI
Answer: King George III
King George III was the King of England as well as Ireland from 1760 until the countries united in 1801. On top of losing the American Revolution, he also suffered from extreme mental illness in the latter part of his life.
The Inca Empire was located in what is now…
A. Mexico
B. Peru
C. Brazil
D. Guatemala
Answer: Peru
The Inca Empire was by far one of the largest empires in pre-Colombian America. The most advanced of all the empires, it was also the final civilization to be conquered by the Spanish.
The Battle of the Bulge took place in which war?
A. Vietnam
B. WWI
C. WWII
D. Korean
Answer: WWII
During WWII, the Battle of the Bulge was the German’s last offensive campaign on the Western Front which took place between December 18, 1944, to January 25, 1945. It was the bloodiest battle fought by the United States during the war.
What year was the Internet officially invented?
A. 1983
B. 1991
C. 1979
D. 1981
Answer: 1983
On January 1, 1983, a day now referred to as “flag day,” NCP on the ARPANET was replaced by TCP/IP protocols. It was this transition that marks the beginning of the modern Internet.
What year did the British defeat the Spanish Armada?
A. 1488
B. 1588
C. 1592
D. 1600
Answer: 1588
Before their defeat by the English, Spain and Portugal had been the leaders of a global empire. After their armada was destroyed it showed a shift in powers that would last for hundreds of years.
