History Quiz: Black Death and Empires

A devastating pandemic in the mid-1300s, primarily in Europe, caused by the bubonic plague, resulting in the death of approximately one-third of the population. It had significant social and economic consequences.

A major Chinese dynasty that rose to power after the Yuan dynasty, established by Han Chinese who revolted against Mongol rule. It was characterized by stability, success, and a strong emphasis on Confucianism.

A system used in the Ottoman Empire allowing different religious groups to govern themselves within their communities, granting them autonomy. It included groups like Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Armenians.

An elite Ottoman military force comprised of castrated Christian slaves. They held significant power and influence within the Ottoman Empire but were eventually disbanded due to concerns of them seizing control.

The first leader of an independent Russia, who rose to power by overthrowing the Mongols. He enforced the Orthodox Christian faith, used secret police to suppress dissent, and ultimately killed his only heir.

The idea that nations should strive to accumulate as much wealth as possible, particularly through gold and silver. This economic policy led to exploration, conquest, and the establishment of colonies.

A European economic and political system that involved establishing colonies in order to extract raw materials and create markets for manufactured goods from the mother country.

A Jesuit priest who played a significant role in establishing the first missionary settlement in Brazil. He brought Catholicism to the region but faced challenges due to the continuation of slavery.

A forced migration of millions of Africans across the Atlantic Ocean during the 16th to 19th centuries. It involved capturing, transporting, and selling Africans into slavery in the Americas, primarily for working on plantations.

A section of Islam that believes only descendants of Muhammad should be rulers. They do not recognize the authority of the Sunnah and are primarily found in Iran.

A historical event where the Eastern Orthodox Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1054 CE. Disagreements regarding the use of Latin in Mass, papal authority, priestly celibacy, and the use of leavened bread in communion led to this separation.

A period of religious reform within Christianity that began in the 16th century, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. It was sparked by various factors, including the commercialization of indulgences and the debate about the relationship between church and state.

A prominent Chinese admiral who led extensive expeditions throughout Asia and East Africa in the 15th century. His voyages were characterized by their peaceful nature, exploration, and the collection of detailed maps.

A famous female pirate who rose to power in the early 19th century. She led the Red Flag Fleet, the largest pirate fleet ever, in the South China Sea. She had her own pirate code, established a new social hierarchy for women, and negotiated with the Chinese government for her retirement.

A British privateer who turned to piracy in the early 18th century. He is known for his fearsome reputation and was a prominent pirate in the Caribbean, eventually meeting his end by gunshot.

Martin Luther, a German priest, monk, and professor, believed that salvation is achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, not through good deeds or sacraments. He challenged the Catholic Church's doctrine of indulgences, arguing that they were a form of bribery. Luther's ideas spread rapidly due to the invention of the printing press.

John Calvin, a French humanist lawyer, developed Calvinism, a branch of Protestantism that emphasized predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God. He argued that God has predetermined who will be saved, and that humans have no free will to choose their own destiny.

The Counter-Reformation was a period of Catholic revival and reform in response to the Protestant Reformation. The Council of Trent, a series of meetings held between 1545 and 1563, condemned Protestant teachings and standardized Catholic doctrine and practice.

The Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, was a Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. The Jesuits focused on education, missionary work, and intellectual pursuits, and played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation.

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a violent event that took place in Paris, France, in 1572. Catholic mobs killed thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) during a wedding celebration. This event marked a period of intense religious conflict in France.

King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) established the Church of England in order to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. He went on to have six wives in total. Henry VIII is also known for his role in strengthening England's navy.

Industrialization brought both benefits and drawbacks to society. Benefits included advancements in education, healthcare, and leisure activities. However, it also led to negative consequences such as low wages, pollution, alcohol abuse, and deforestation.

Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, articulated the principles of capitalism in his book, The Wealth of Nations. He argued that individuals acting in their own self-interest would ultimately benefit society through competition and the 'Invisible Hand' of the market. This concept refers to the self-regulation of the economy without excessive government intervention.

Supply and demand is a fundamental economic principle that describes the relationship between the availability of goods or services (supply) and the desire for them (demand). Increased supply with constant demand leads to lower prices. Conversely, increased demand with constant supply leads to higher prices.

Competition between companies leads to innovation and lower prices. When multiple businesses produce similar goods or services, they are motivated to offer better or cheaper products to attract customers. This benefits consumers by providing them with more options and better deals. It also fosters economic growth by encouraging companies to improve their products and services. However, monopolies, where one company dominates a market, can create problems like higher prices and poor quality.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, critiqued capitalism despite believing in industrialism. They believed capitalism would inevitably collapse and be replaced by communism. Marx's book, Das Kapital, analyzed the economic system and argued that economics could be studied scientifically.

The bourgeoisie represents the wealthy class in capitalist societies, often engaging in non-manual labor such as banking and entrepreneurship. The working class, also known as the proletariat, consists of manual laborers, often employed in physically demanding jobs like farming or mining.

Agrarian socialism emphasizes a return to traditional, agricultural-based communities and rejects the industrialization of society. Charles Fourier, a French politician, advocated for anarchic communism and a disdain for poverty and elites. La Reunion, a commune founded by Victor Prosper Considerant based on agrarian socialist principles, quickly fell apart, demonstrating challenges with creating self-sufficient rural communities.

A republic is a form of government where leaders are elected by the people. Democracy refers to a system where citizens have the power to control the state through elections. In contrast, an autocracy is a system where citizens have little to no power, and the leader holds absolute control.

The French Revolution was a period of upheaval in French history, sparked by social inequality, economic hardship, and discontent with the monarchy. It led to significant changes in the political landscape of France, like the abolishment of monarchy and the rise of democracy. Key events included the Tennis Court Oath, the storming of the Bastille, and the Reign of Terror.

The Mongol-led dynasty in China that replaced the Song dynasty. The Yuan dynasty was known for its tolerance towards different religions and its promotion of trade and cultural exchange.

A powerful empire that rose to prominence in India. It was founded by a Turkic-Mongol dynasty and was known for its vast territory, rich culture, and significant contributions to the arts, architecture, and trade.

An empire that stretched across the Mediterranean, covering Turkey and most of the region. It was founded by the Ottoman Turks and known for its military strength, its blending of Persian culture, and its complex religious system.

A Russian empress who became a pivotal figure in Russian history, remembered for her expansion of Russia's territories, her patronage of the arts and sciences, and her role in the Enlightenment.

A belief that faith in Jesus Christ, not good deeds or sacraments, is the only way to achieve salvation. This view challenged the Catholic Church's doctrine of indulgences.

A branch of Protestantism that emphasizes predestination and the absolute sovereignty of God. Calvinists believe that God has predetermined who will be saved, and humans have no free will to choose their own destiny.

A period of Catholic revival and reform in response to the Protestant Reformation. The Council of Trent standardized Catholic doctrine and condemned Protestant teachings.

A Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540. They focused on education, missionary work, and intellectual pursuits, and played a significant role in the Counter-Reformation.

A violent event that took place in Paris, France, in 1572, where Catholic mobs killed thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) during a wedding celebration. This event marked a period of intense religious conflict in France.

King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) established the Church of England in order to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. He went on to have six wives in total. Henry VIII is also known for his role in strengthening England's navy.

Industrialization brought both benefits and drawbacks to society. Benefits included advancements in education, healthcare, and leisure activities. However, it also led to negative consequences such as low wages, pollution, alcohol abuse, and deforestation.

Adam Smith, a Scottish economist, articulated the principles of capitalism in his book, The Wealth of Nations. He argued that individuals acting in their own self-interest would ultimately benefit society through competition and the 'Invisible Hand' of the market. This concept refers to the self-regulation of the economy without excessive government intervention.

Supply and demand is a fundamental economic principle that describes the relationship between the availability of goods or services (supply) and the desire for them (demand). Increased supply with constant demand leads to lower prices. Conversely, increased demand with constant supply leads to higher prices.

Competition between companies leads to innovation and lower prices. When multiple businesses produce similar goods or services, they are motivated to offer better or cheaper products to attract customers. This benefits consumers by providing them with more options and better deals. It also fosters economic growth by encouraging companies to improve their products and services. However, monopolies, where one company dominates a market, can create problems like higher prices and poor quality.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, critiqued capitalism despite believing in industrialism. They believed capitalism would inevitably collapse and be replaced by communism. Marx's book, Das Kapital, analyzed the economic system and argued that economics could be studied scientifically.

The bourgeoisie represents the wealthy class in capitalist societies, often engaging in non-manual labor such as banking and entrepreneurship. The working class, also known as the proletariat, consists of manual laborers, often employed in physically demanding jobs like farming or mining.

Agrarian socialism emphasizes a return to traditional, agricultural-based communities and rejects the industrialization of society. Charles Fourier, a French politician, advocated for anarchic communism and a disdain for poverty and elites. La Reunion, a commune founded by Victor Prosper Considerant based on agrarian socialist principles, quickly fell apart, demonstrating challenges with creating self-sufficient rural communities.

A republic is a form of government where leaders are elected by the people. Democracy refers to a system where citizens have the power to control the state through elections. In contrast, an autocracy is a system where citizens have little to no power, and the leader holds absolute control.

A devastating pandemic in the mid-1300s, primarily in Europe, caused by the bubonic plague, resulting in the death of approximately one-third of the population. It had significant social and economic consequences.

A system used in the Ottoman Empire allowing different religious groups to govern themselves within their communities, granting them autonomy. It included groups like Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Armenians.

An elite Ottoman military force comprised of castrated Christian slaves. They held significant power and influence within the Ottoman Empire but were eventually disbanded due to concerns of them seizing control.

The first leader of an independent Russia, who rose to power by overthrowing the Mongols. He enforced the Orthodox Christian faith, used secret police to suppress dissent, and ultimately killed his only heir.

The idea that nations should strive to accumulate as much wealth as possible, particularly through gold and silver. This economic policy led to exploration, conquest, and the establishment of colonies.

A forced migration of millions of Africans across the Atlantic Ocean during the 16th to 19th centuries. It involved capturing, transporting, and selling Africans into slavery in the Americas, primarily for working on plantations.

The first missionary settlement in Brazil, founded by Jesuit priest Manuel de Nobrega. It marked the start of Catholic influence in the region.

A section of Islam that believes only descendants of Muhammad should be rulers. They do not recognize the authority of the Sunnah and are primarily found in Iran.

A historical event where the Eastern Orthodox Church split from the Roman Catholic Church in 1054 CE. Disagreements regarding the use of Latin in Mass, papal authority, priestly celibacy, and the use of leavened bread in communion led to this separation.

A period of religious reform within Christianity that began in the 16th century, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. It was sparked by various factors, including the commercialization of indulgences and the debate about the relationship between church and state.

A prominent Chinese admiral who led extensive expeditions throughout Asia and East Africa in the 15th century. His voyages were characterized by their peaceful nature, exploration, and the collection of detailed maps.

A famous female pirate who rose to power in the early 19th century. She led the Red Flag Fleet, the largest pirate fleet ever, in the South China Sea. She had her own pirate code, established a new social hierarchy for women, and negotiated with the Chinese government for her retirement.

A British privateer who turned to piracy in the early 18th century. He is known for his fearsome reputation and was a prominent pirate in the Caribbean, eventually meeting his end by gunshot.

A powerful empire that rose to prominence in India. It was founded by a Turkic-Mongol dynasty and was known for its vast territory, rich culture, and significant contributions to the arts, architecture, and trade.

An empire that stretched across the Mediterranean, covering Turkey and most of the region. It was founded by the Ottoman Turks and known for its military strength, its blending of Persian culture, and its complex religious system.