Test your basic knowledge |

Global History Basics

Subjects : literacy, history
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. This was an economic philosophy begun by Adam Smith in his book - Wealth of Nations - that stated that business and the economy would run best with no interference from the government. This economic system dominated most of the Industrial Revolution.






2. The process of altering life forms by manipulating their genetic structure.






3. A large temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis in Athens - Greece. It was built in the 5th century BCE - during the Athenian golden age.






4. A territory that was given to a European nation to administer by the League of Nations following the end of World War I.






5. A policy if the Truman presidency that called for supporting any nation resisting communism.






6. Islamic holy book.






7. (1931- ) - leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His policies of Perestroika and Glasnost - which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of communism.






8. Nationalist movement to end British control of India.






9. A device used to make thread by spinning fibers together through the use of a big wheel.






10. To exclude a Christian from receiving the Sacraments.






11. The red gateway entrance to a Shinto shrine.






12. (1806-72) President of Mexico from 1861 to 1863 and 1867 to 1872. He was responsible for many reforms including reducing the power of the Catholic Church.






13. A company that does business in more than one country - usually by setting up branch offices.






14. To tame an animal to live with - or close to humans.






15. Name of the Russia Parliament.






16. A catch all phrase for the trade occurring between Europe - Africa - and the Americas. Trade goods include raw materials from the Americas - manufactured goods from Europe - and slaves from Africa.






17. (1865-1936) British writer and poet. His poem The White Man's Burden became a popular justification for European imperialism.






18. A system of forced labor.






19. A famous Renaissance painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.






20. The raising of prices on consumer goods due to an increase in the money supply.






21. (1694-1778) French philosopher. He believed that freedom of speech was the best weapon against bad government. He also spoke out against the corruption of the French government - and the intolerance of the Catholic Church.






22. (1901-1973) Cuban president from 1940 to 1944 and 1952 to 1959. He was responsible for some reforms in the country before leaving office for the first time. Later - he overthrew the legitimate government and ruled as a dictator until He was forced fr






23. The suppression information considered offensive or a threat to security.






24. Japanese writing system adapted from Chinese - with the addition of phonetic symbols representing syllables.






25. (356 BCE-323 BCE) He conquered most of the ancient world from Asia Minor to Egypt and India - which began the Hellenistic culture which was a blending of Greek - Persian - Indian - and Egyptian influences.






26. (1712-1786) - King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. Enlightened despot who enlarged Prussia by gaining land from Austria when Maria Theresa became Empress.






27. Alliance of Great Britain - Soviet Union - United States - and France during World War II.






28. (1986) This accident release large amounts of radiation that not only affected the immediate area - (Ukraine -) but also was carried on strong winds across many countries in Europe. The effects of this accident have to date been an increase in cancer






29. The term given to process in which cultural diffusion occurred between China and Japan though Korean contact with both civilizations.






30. A social theory which states that the level a person rises to in society and wealth is determined by their genetic background.






31. Roman Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius Loyola in 1540 to setup schools and serve as missionaries - spreading church teachings.






32. Term given to describe the Enlightenment.






33. War between Israel and Egypt which resulted in Egypt losing control of the Sinai Peninsula.






34. The enforced spreading out of a group of people. In history - there has been both a Jewish Diaspora and an African Diaspora.






35. Godlike - or coming from - or having to do with a god.






36. Nations that are economically and technologically less developed than industrialized nations.






37. An area of land surrounded on three sides by water. Italy - Greece - and the southern part of India are all peninsulas.






38. (?-232 BCE) King of the Maurya dynasty. He ruled nearly the entire subcontinent of India. He also was instrumental in the spread of Buddhism after his conversion.






39. A wall built in 1961 dividing Soviet controlled East Berlin from the democratic West Berlin. It was destroyed when communism ended in 1990.






40. First Islamic religious shrine. It was built in 687 C.E. - and is located in present day Jerusalem - Israel.






41. (1527-1598) King of Spain from 1556 to 1598. Absolute monarch who helped lead the Counter Reformation by persecuting Protestants in his holdings. Also sent the Spanish Armada against England.






42. The re-conquest of Spain by the Christians after centuries of Islamic domination.






43. (563?-483?BCE) - Indian philosopher and the founder of Buddhism. Siddhartha was born into the Brahmin caste - and by all account led a luxurious lifestyle. However - He was troubled by the human misery that he saw around him everyday. Upon reflection






44. In the political sense - this usually means freedom.






45. A central location where goods are manufactured on a large scale.






46. (1937- ) President of Iraq since 1979. He has led his control into two devastating wars - one against Iran in 1980 to 1988 - and the Persian Gulf War in 1990 - 1991 which started as a result of his invading Kuwait.






47. The biological study of animals.






48. A war between groups of people in the same country - culture - or political system.






49. (?-286 BCE) First king of the Maurya dynasty in India.






50. Worship given to deceased relatives who are believed to be closer to the Gods - and therefore able to grant favors.