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Quizzes > History > Modern History

Modern History Trivia: Can You Master Early Europe?

Think you know Europe trivia? Dive into this history trivia quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of maps clocks and historical figures for modern history trivia quiz on dark blue background

This modern history trivia quiz helps you practice early European history - from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment - with quick questions on rulers, wars, and big ideas. Use a short warm‑up to get rolling, then check how you did with your score so you can spot gaps before a test or just learn a new fact.

Who invented the movable type printing press around 1440?
Peter Schoeffer
Aldus Manutius
William Caxton
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg is credited with inventing the movable type printing press in the 1440s, revolutionizing book production in Europe. His technology allowed mass production of texts, greatly increasing literacy and the spread of information. This innovation played a key role in the Renaissance and Reformation periods. .
In which year did Christopher Columbus first arrive in the Americas?
1492
1475
1488
1502
Christopher Columbus made his first voyage across the Atlantic in 1492 under the sponsorship of the Spanish crown. He landed in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, believing he had reached Asia. This voyage marked the beginning of sustained European exploration and colonization of the Americas. .
Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg Castle Church in which year?
1525
1501
1517
1534
Martin Luther is said to have posted his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517, challenging the Catholic Church's practices, especially indulgences. This act is widely considered the start of the Protestant Reformation. Luther's theses spread rapidly thanks in part to the printing press, igniting religious and political changes across Europe. .
The Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 ended which major conflict?
Thirty Years' War
Seven Years' War
Hundred Years' War
Wars of the Roses
The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, concluded the Thirty Years' War, a devastating series of conflicts in Central Europe. It marked the beginning of the modern state system by recognizing the sovereignty of over 300 German princes. The treaty also granted religious freedoms within the Holy Roman Empire. .
Which Florentine diplomat and philosopher wrote 'The Prince' in 1513?
Desiderius Erasmus
Thomas More
Niccolò Machiavelli
Baldassare Castiglione
Niccolò Machiavelli authored 'The Prince' in 1513 as a guide for rulers on statecraft and power. His work departed from medieval ideals by advising pragmatic, sometimes ruthless tactics. 'The Prince' became a foundational text in political theory and realism. .
Queen Elizabeth I of England was famously known by what nickname?
Virgin Queen
Good Queen Bess
Bloody Mary
Iron Lady
Elizabeth I was often called the 'Virgin Queen' because she never married and maintained her image as a maiden monarch. This status bolstered her political independence and mythic reputation. Her reign is remembered as the Elizabethan era, a time of cultural flourishing and strong national identity. .
The sale of what religious items by the Catholic Church sparked widespread criticism that led to the Reformation?
Indulgences
Charitable donations
Relics
Rosaries
Indulgences were grants by the Church that promised remission of sins for money, leading to corruption and abuse. Martin Luther's 95 Theses condemned this practice, sparking the Protestant Reformation. The sale of indulgences undermined the Church's moral authority in Europe. .
Which explorer sailed around the southern tip of Africa to reach India in 1498?
Ferdinand Magellan
Vasco da Gama
John Cabot
Bartolomeu Dias
Vasco da Gama reached India by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope in 1498, establishing a sea route between Europe and Asia. His voyages secured Portugal's dominance in the spice trade. This breakthrough changed global commerce and shifted power balances in early modern Europe. .
The Peace of Augsburg (1555) established what principle in the Holy Roman Empire?
Papal supremacy
Cuius regio, eius religio
Divine right of kings
Freedom of speech
The Peace of Augsburg recognized the principle 'Cuius regio, eius religio,' allowing each prince to choose either Lutheranism or Catholicism for their territory. It temporarily eased religious tensions in the Empire. This treaty influenced later agreements like the Peace of Westphalia. .
Who was the King of France at the start of the French Revolution in 1789?
Louis XV
Charles X
Louis XVI
Francis I
Louis XVI ascended to the throne in 1774 and faced financial crises and popular unrest, igniting the French Revolution in 1789. His hesitation to enact reforms and eventual flight to Varennes eroded his authority. He was executed in 1793. .
What event in 1688 is known for the relatively bloodless overthrow of King James II of England?
Glorious Revolution
English Civil War
Restoration
Industrial Revolution
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 replaced James II with William III and Mary II without large-scale violence. It established parliamentary supremacy and the Bill of Rights 1689. This event laid foundations for modern constitutional monarchy in Britain. .
Which English philosopher wrote 'Leviathan' in 1651, arguing for a strong central authority?
David Hume
John Locke
Thomas Hobbes
Adam Smith
Thomas Hobbes published 'Leviathan' arguing that humans in a state of nature would live in 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short' conditions without a strong sovereign. He justified absolute monarchy to prevent disorder. His work influenced political philosophy and social contract theory. .
Who was the Prussian king known as Frederick the Great during the Seven Years' War?
Frederick III
Frederick I
Frederick II
Frederick William I
Frederick II of Prussia, called Frederick the Great, ruled from 1740 - 1786 and led Prussia through the Seven Years' War (1756 - 1763). His military tactics and administrative reforms strengthened Prussia's status as a European power. He is remembered for his enlightened absolutism. .
On which date did Parisians storm the Bastille, marking a key moment in the French Revolution?
July 14, 1789
July 4, 1776
May 5, 1789
August 10, 1792
The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, became a symbol of the revolution and the fight against royal tyranny. Bastille Day is now France's national holiday. The event inspired revolutionary fervor across Europe. .
The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 secured naval dominance for which country?
The Netherlands
Spain
France
England
In 1588, the English navy defeated the larger Spanish Armada, ending Spain's maritime dominance. This victory enhanced England's naval reputation and opened the way for its global exploration and colonization. It marked a turning point in European power dynamics. .
Which Enlightenment thinker wrote about the separation of powers in his work 'The Spirit of the Laws'?
Hobbes
Montesquieu
Voltaire
Rousseau
Baron de Montesquieu published 'The Spirit of the Laws' in 1748, advocating separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers. His ideas influenced the framing of constitutions in Europe and America. Separation of powers became a cornerstone of modern democracy. .
The War of the Spanish Succession began due to a dispute over the inheritance of which monarch's throne?
Charles II of Spain
Louis XIV of France
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Philip II of Spain
When Charles II of Spain died childless in 1700, European powers contested his heir, triggering the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714). The conflict reshaped alliances and colonial holdings. It ended with the Treaty of Utrecht. .
Which battle in 1815 marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte?
Leipzig
Waterloo
Trafalgar
Austerlitz
The Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, saw the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces defeat Napoleon. This battle ended Napoleon's rule and the Napoleonic Wars. He was subsequently exiled to Saint Helena. .
What was the main objective of the Congress of Vienna held from 1814 to 1815?
To establish the League of Nations
To unite Italy and Germany
To restore the balance of power in Europe
To start World War I
After Napoleon's defeat, the Congress of Vienna aimed to restore stability by balancing power among European states. It redrew borders and reinstated old dynasties to prevent future widespread wars. The system it created lasted until the mid-19th century. .
Maximilien Robespierre was a leading figure during which period of the French Revolution?
The Bourbon Restoration
The Reign of Terror
The Directory
The Consulate
Robespierre dominated the Committee of Public Safety and led the Reign of Terror (1793 - 1794), a period of mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution. His fall in July 1794 ended this phase. His rule remains controversial for its radicalism. .
The Holy Alliance of 1815 initially united Russia, Austria, and which other state?
Prussia
Spain
France
United Kingdom
The Holy Alliance, formed by Tsar Alexander I, Emperor Francis I of Austria, and King Frederick William III of Prussia, aimed to uphold Christian monarchies after Napoleon's defeat. It sought to suppress revolutionary movements. The pact influenced European diplomacy for decades. .
The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598, granted religious freedom to which group in France?
Muslims
Jews
Catholics
Huguenots
King Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes to end the French Wars of Religion by granting Huguenots (French Protestants) substantial rights. It promoted civil unity and religious tolerance. The edict was revoked in 1685, leading to renewed persecution. .
Which treaty ended the Seven Years' War in 1763?
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Amiens
Treaty of Utrecht
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Paris (1763) concluded the Seven Years' War, redistributing colonial territories among Britain, France, and Spain. Britain gained Canada and Florida, while France ceded Louisiana to Spain. This reshaped the global balance of power. .
Who was the primary editor of the French 'Encyclopédie' during the Enlightenment?
Denis Diderot
Voltaire
Claude Adrien Helvétius
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Denis Diderot served as chief editor of the 'Encyclopédie' from 1751 to 1772, compiling articles from leading Enlightenment thinkers. His work aimed to disseminate knowledge and challenge traditional authority. The project became a symbol of intellectual progress. .
Who served as Regent of France for the young King Louis XV from 1715 to 1723?
Louis XVIII
Philippe II, Duke of Orléans
Cardinal Mazarin
Cardinal Richelieu
After Louis XIV's death in 1715, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, governed France as Regent until Louis XV reached majority in 1723. His regency saw political intrigue, financial experiments, and early Enlightenment influences. This period shaped the later reign of Louis XV. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Major Renaissance Breakthroughs -

    Recognize key innovations in art, science, and literature that shaped the Renaissance, as featured in this early modern history quiz.

  2. Analyze Enlightenment Ideas -

    Evaluate principles of thinkers like Locke and Voltaire and their influence on societal change in European history.

  3. Contextualize Early Modern Conflicts -

    Place significant wars, such as the Thirty Years' War, within the broader political and cultural shifts explored in our modern history trivia.

  4. Compare Pivotal European Figures -

    Distinguish the roles and contributions of monarchs, philosophers, and explorers highlighted in this Europe trivia challenge.

  5. Sequence Key Historical Events -

    Arrange major milestones in the correct chronological order to deepen your understanding of early modern Europe.

  6. Apply Critical Thinking to History Trivia -

    Use analytical skills to approach questions in our history trivia quiz confidently and accurately.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Printing Press & Renaissance Humanism -

    The invention of Gutenberg's movable type around 1450 revolutionized literacy and the spread of humanist ideas, according to Cambridge University research. Use the mnemonic "HIPP" (Humanism, Individual potential, Printing press, Patronage) to recall key Renaissance pillars. This fact often pops up in modern history trivia as the spark of Europe's cultural rebirth.

  2. Martin Luther's 95 Theses & Reformation -

    In 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to Wittenberg's church door, challenging indulgences and igniting the Protestant Reformation, notes the British Library. Remember "95 = Diet of Worms" to link the theses with Luther's famous trial in 1521. This milestone is a staple Europe trivia question about faith and politics in early modern history.

  3. Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) -

    Spain and Portugal divided the newly discovered lands along a meridian 370 leagues west of Cape Verde, per UNESCO documents. A handy phrase is "Portugal East, Spain Rest" to lock in which empire controlled which hemisphere. You'll often see this treaty in an early modern history quiz as it shaped colonial maps for centuries.

  4. Locke's Natural Rights: Life, Liberty, Property -

    John Locke's triad of natural rights became the philosophical backbone of many European revolutions, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Use the simple acronym "LLP" (Life, Liberty, Property) to anchor your memory. This trio shows up regularly in history trivia quiz rounds on Enlightenment thought.

  5. Peace of Westphalia & State Sovereignty -

    The 1648 treaties ending the Thirty Years' War introduced the concept of legal equality among states, a milestone highlighted by Oxford University studies. Recall "Westphalia: 48 ends the fight" to tie the year to the war's conclusion. This event is a classic question in every Europe trivia set on diplomatic innovation.

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