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Quizzes > History

20th Century History Trivia: Test Your Knowledge

Quick, free 20th century history quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Haley MairUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for 20th century trivia quiz featuring world wars, revolutions, and landmark events on dark blue background

This quiz helps you practice the big moments of 20th century history, from global conflicts to revolutions, with instant results. To dive deeper, try our ww2 trivia or explore 1920s trivia. For a broader sweep of topics, test yourself with a US history quiz.

When did World War I begin?
1918
1939
1914
1912
World War I started on July 28, 1914, after Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The conflict quickly involved many of the world's major powers due to existing alliances. It lasted until November 11, 1918. .
Who led the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917?
Leon Trotsky
Alexander Kerensky
Vladimir Lenin
Joseph Stalin
Vladimir Lenin was the leader of the Bolshevik faction and orchestrated the October Revolution of 1917, overthrowing the Provisional Government. His leadership established the foundations of the Soviet state. Lenin's ideas were based on Marxism and he served as head of the new government until his death. .
In which year did the Berlin Wall fall?
1991
1989
1987
1993
The Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin since 1961, effectively fell on November 9, 1989, when the East German government announced border openings. This event symbolized the end of the Cold War and led to German reunification. Crowds of East and West Berliners tore down the barrier in celebration. .
Who was the British Prime Minister at the start of World War II?
Winston Churchill
Neville Chamberlain
Stanley Baldwin
Clement Attlee
Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom when World War II began on September 1, 1939, following Germany's invasion of Poland. He is often remembered for his policy of appeasement toward Adolf Hitler. Winston Churchill succeeded him in May 1940 after the Norway campaign setbacks. .
What was the codename for the Allied invasion of Normandy?
Operation Overlord
Operation Torch
Operation Market Garden
Operation Neptune
Operation Overlord was the overall Allied codename for the Battle of Normandy, beginning on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Operation Neptune was the naval and amphibious assault phase under Overlord. The success of Overlord established a Western front against Nazi Germany. .
Which treaty formally ended World War I?
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of St. Germain
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, between Germany and the Allied Powers, officially ending World War I. It imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany, contributing to future geopolitical tensions. Other treaties, like Brest-Litovsk, ended hostilities on different fronts. .
What 20th-century conflict is often referred to as "The Forgotten War"?
Vietnam War
Falklands War
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Korean War
The Korean War (1950 - 1953) is commonly called "The Forgotten War" because it is overshadowed in public memory by World War II before it and the Vietnam War after. It began when North Korea invaded South Korea and resulted in a stalemate and armistice in 1953. .
Who became the leader of Cuba after the 1959 revolution?
Fulgencio Batista
Fidel Castro
Che Guevara
Camilo Cienfuegos
Fidel Castro emerged as the primary leader of Cuba following the successful revolution that ousted Fulgencio Batista in January 1959. Castro established a socialist state aligned with the Soviet Union. Che Guevara and others were key figures but not the head of state. .
Which event is considered the immediate spark that led to World War I?
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
German invasion of Belgium
Zimmermann Telegram
Sinking of the Lusitania
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary on June 28, 1914, by a Serbian nationalist in Sarajevo is widely recognized as the immediate trigger for World War I. This act set off a diplomatic crisis and mobilizations due to complex alliances. .
In which year did India gain independence from Britain?
1945
1950
1947
1952
India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, following decades of nationalist movements led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The partition of British India also created Pakistan on the same day. .
What was the primary purpose of the Marshall Plan introduced in 1948?
Establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Fund the Vietnam War
Promote decolonization in Africa
Provide economic aid to rebuild Europe
The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, was launched in 1948 to provide over $12 billion (then USD) in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European economies after World War II. It aimed to prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing these nations. .
Who is the only U.S. president to resign from office?
Gerald Ford
Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon resigned from the presidency on August 9, 1974, in the wake of the Watergate scandal, avoiding impeachment and removal from office. He remains the only U.S. president to have resigned. .
Which movement in the 1950s and 1960s sought to end racial segregation in the United States?
Civil Rights Movement
Temperance Movement
Black Panther Movement
Women's Suffrage Movement
The Civil Rights Movement was a mass popular movement in the United States aimed at ending legal racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, achieving landmark legislation in the 1960s. It included figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. .
What doctrine articulated in 1947 aimed to contain the spread of communism?
Eisenhower Doctrine
Kennedy Doctrine
Monroe Doctrine
Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine, announced in 1947 by President Harry S. Truman, pledged U.S. support for countries resisting communism. It marked the start of the U.S. policy of containment during the Cold War. .
What was the largest naval battle of World War II?
Battle of Midway
Battle of Jutland
Battle of Coral Sea
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, fought in October 1944 in the Philippines, is considered the largest naval battle in history by tonnage of ships engaged and area of operations. It effectively destroyed the Japanese Navy as a fighting force. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Major 20th Century Events -

    After completing the 20th century trivia quiz, you will be able to remember key world events from the early 1900s to the millennium, enhancing your grasp of global turning points.

  2. Analyze World War Causes and Impacts -

    You will analyze the complex causes and far-reaching consequences of world wars, improving your critical understanding of modern history quiz themes.

  3. Identify Landmark Cultural and Technological Revolutions -

    This 20th century events quiz helps you identify major inventions and social movements that shaped contemporary society.

  4. Evaluate Historical Timelines -

    You will evaluate the chronological order and significance of pivotal 20th century history trivia, honing your ability to sequence events accurately.

  5. Apply Knowledge in Quiz Scenarios -

    Engage with interactive questions to apply your understanding of 20th century world history quiz topics in real-time challenges.

  6. Strengthen Retention Through Challenge -

    By revisiting landmark events in our 20th century trivia challenges, you will solidify your memory and boost confidence in historical knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Alliances and the MAIN Causes of World War I -

    Review how Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism and Nationalism ("MAIN") intertwined in 1914 to spark WWI, pitting the Triple Entente against the Triple Alliance (source: Encyclopaedia Britannica). This mnemonic helps you recall each pillar that fueled one of the deadliest conflicts in 20th century history trivia. Recognizing these root causes is essential for acing any modern history quiz.

  2. Russian Revolution's "Peace, Land, Bread" Slogan -

    Understand how Lenin's simple rallying cry "Peace, Land, Bread" captured the post-WWI turmoil and propelled the Bolsheviks to power in 1917 (source: Oxford University Press). Linking slogans to outcomes makes this fact stick in your mind - try the mnemonic "PLB" when facing 20th century events quiz questions. This key revolution reshaped global politics throughout the century.

  3. Einstein's E=mc² and the Nuclear Age -

    Master the mass - energy equivalence formula E=mc², first published in 1905, which underpins both nuclear power and atomic weaponry (source: American Institute of Physics). Knowing this equation inside out is a common question in 20th century trivia, as it connects theoretical physics to the Manhattan Project. A handy tip: think "Energy equals mass times the speed of light squared" to lock it into memory.

  4. Decolonization and the Cold War Balance -

    Trace how post-1945 decolonization movements in Asia and Africa intersected with US - Soviet rivalry, leading to proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam (source: United Nations archives). Remembering key dates - 1947 for India's independence or 1954 for Vietnam's Geneva Accords - boosts your performance on any 20th century world history quiz. Contextualizing these events shows how newly independent states shaped Cold War dynamics.

  5. The Rise of Digital Networks and ARPANET -

    Explore how the launch of ARPANET in 1969 laid the groundwork for today's Internet, marking a milestone in the Information Age (source: Smithsonian Institution). In a modern history quiz, linking ARPANET to email's first transmission in 1971 helps illustrate early digital communication breakthroughs. Use the phrase "ARPANET → Internet" as a quick recall cue during trivia challenges.

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