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. (1894-1971) Leader of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964. Khrushchev was critical of Stalin's policies and attempted to reverse some of them. He is responsible for placing nuclear missiles in Cuba which resulted in the Cuban Missile Crisis.






2. A Portuguese ship that had a large cargo area and used two orthree masts.






3. Members of any of the ancient Scandinavian peoples. Vikings raided various parts of northwestern Europe from the 8th to 11th centuries CE. They were good sailors who invaded by sea in long ships - and often settled in the areas they invaded - as in G






4. An alliance that was made up of Germany - Austria-Hungary - and Italy during World War I.






5. A famine in 1845 when the main crop of Ireland - potatoes - was destroyed by disease. Irish farmers grew other food items - such as wheat and oats - but Great Britain required them to export those items to them - leaving nothing for the Irish to live






6. The cultural mixing of both ancient Greek and Roman traditions.






7. On November 9th - 1938 - Nazis in German looted - and burned Jewish stores and Synagogues - often beating Jews in the street. Over 90 Jews were killed during Kristallnacht. Also called Night of Broken Glass.






8. Power that is derived from a moving body of water - such as a river or waterfall.






9. Term given to the Internet due to the amount of information transferred.






10. The policy of pacifying an aggressive nation in the hopes of avoiding further conflict.






11. Line of latitude which divided North and South Korea.






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






13. A written number system created during the Gupta golden age in India - then adopted by the Islamic Empire before spreading further. Used throughout western civilization today.






14. Name of the Russia Parliament.






15. Judaism is the oldest known monotheistic religion still practiced in the world today. Its fundamental teachings have been influential and are the basis for more recently developed religions such as Christianity and Islam. Judaism teaches that there i






16. (1866-1925) Chinese nationalist leader who fought to end foreign domination. He formed the Kuomintang - or Nationalist Party - which overthrew the Manchu Dynasty and established a republican form of government in its place. Also known as Sun Yat-sen.






17. (1585-1642) French Cardinal and politician responsible for instituting absolutist practices in France.






18. (1931- ) President of Russia. He was elected before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. He served until 1999. Yeltsin was instrumental in keeping a cout d'etat from occurring which would have returned hard line communists to power in Russia.






19. Social and economic class usually composed of merchants - artisans - and business people. In some societies - the richest class - but without a title of nobility. The middle class is usually the backbone of society as they are generally more moderate






20. Large area that is a separate part of a continent. The area encompassing India - Pakistan - and Bangladesh are considered to be a subcontinent of Asia.






21. An unsuccessful invasion of Cuba in 1961 - which was sponsored by the United States. Its purpose was to overthrow Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.






22. The hatred of people of Jewish descent.






23. Hindu epic poem that was written in Sanskrit in the 5th century BCE. Its most important part is the Bhagavad-Gita.






24. 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.






25. The rebirth of a soul into another body.






26. A popular practice that tightly bound the feet of young girls - deforming them as they grew older. This was done to achieve the desired cultural practice of having dainty - lady-like feet.






27. (1859-1941) King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany whose political policies led his country into World War I. He was forced from power when Germany lost the war.






28. Pride in one's country or culture - often excessive in nature.






29. (1871-1948) American inventor. He is best know for his work with his brother Wilbur in the development of the airplane.






30. Military ruler of feudal Japan.






31. Trade route from China to the Middle East. Called the Silk Road due to China's most important export.






32. (1483-1546) Theologian and religious reformer who started the Reformation with his 95 Theses which protested church corruption - namely the sale of indulgences.






33. Term given to describe the Renaissance.






34. A multistoried building with the corners of the roof curved up that were used as a temple.






35. A paved road or path.






36. An association of merchants or craftspeople in medieval Europe - formed to make regulations and set standards for a particular trade or craft.






37. Term given to the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War to advance their space programs.






38. (1926?- ) Leader of the Cuban Revolution and communist dictator of Cuba. He is responsible for making Cuba a socialist country which has often been at odds with the United States. Notably - the bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.






39. The death of all members of a species.






40. A group of people moving from their homeland to a new area in large numbers.






41. A 200 hundred year period of relative peace throughout the Roman Empire. Occurs during the first two centuries C.E..






42. A joint stock company that controlled most of India during the period of imperialism. This company controlled the political - social - and economic life in India for more than 200 years.






43. (1918-1970) President of Egypt from 1956 to 1970. He was responsible for nationalizing the Suez Canal - and was an important leader to the Arab world. He was often at odds with the West and Israel.






44. (1451-1506) Italian explorer working for Spain who - in 1492 - crossed the Atlantic Ocean and discovered the Americas for Spain.






45. Term given to poor areas of town where Jews were sent during World War II.






46. The justification of monarchy through the word of God.






47. The killing of all the people from a ethnic group - religious group - or people from a specific nation.






48. (750 - 1258) Ruling family of the Islamic Empire during its golden age. This dynasty is responsible for many achievements






49. The average weather in a region.






50. A terrorist organization based in Ireland which seeks to remove the British government from the Six Northern Counties which they control.