Question 1

In England, a legislative district controlled by one man or one family was known as a

Accepted Answer

A pocket borough was a legislative district controlled by one man or one family, often through bribery and other corrupt methods.

Question 2

In the 1700s members of the British Parliament were

Accepted Answer

Members of the British Parliament were chosen in different ways in different districts. Some were elected, others were appointed by local landowners, and some were even able to buy their way into Parliament. It wasn't until the 1800s that a more standardized system of elections was put in place.

Question 3

The potato was first cultivated in Ireland.

Accepted Answer

The potato was first cultivated in South America, particularly in the region of modern-day Peru and Bolivia, thousands of years ago before it was introduced to Europe and then Ireland.

Question 4

Louis XV's most famous mistress was

Accepted Answer

Madame de Pompadour was Louis XV's most famous mistress and a highly influential figure in French politics and culture during the mid-18th century. Marie Antoinette did not become queen until several years after Louis XV's death, and the other options were not significant romantic interests or political figures in Louis XV's court.

Question 5

In the War of the Austrian Succession, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria managed to wrest Silesia away from Prussia.

Accepted Answer

Empress Maria Theresa of Austria was unable to regain Silesia; it remained under Prussian control after the war.

Question 6

By the eighteenth century, the Dutch Republic

Accepted Answer

By the eighteenth century, the Dutch Republic suffered a decline in economic prosperity due to numerous factors such as competition from other European powers, wars, and internal political struggles.

Question 7

In the eighteenth century, the British Parliament was dominated by the urban middle classes, particularly merchants and industrialists.

Accepted Answer

In the eighteenth century, the British Parliament was primarily dominated by the landed aristocracy and gentry, not the urban middle classes, merchants, or industrialists.

Question 8

Of the great powers, only Great Britain had no regular standing army, often relying upon German mercenaries to fight their battles.

Accepted Answer

Great Britain did not have a regular standing army and relied on German mercenaries to fight their battles.

Question 9

A continuing trend in eighteenth-century Prussia was

Accepted Answer

The social and military dominance of the Junker nobility was a continuing trend in eighteenth-century Prussia. The Junkers were the nobility and landowning class and held significant power in Prussian society, especially in the military. This trend continued through the reigns of Frederick William I and Frederick the Great.

Question 10

Politically, the period from 1715 to 1789 witnessed

Accepted Answer

The period from 1715 to 1789 saw the continuation of centralization in the development of nation-states, as monarchs sought to consolidate their power and establish centralized bureaucratic structures. This was particularly evident in countries such as France and Prussia, where monarchs pursued policies of enlightened absolutism and sought to use their power to promote the welfare of their subjects. While there were calls for greater popular participation in politics from figures such as the philosophes, this did not lead to a widespread rise of the masses in politics during this period. The power of monarchs also did not wane significantly, and there was not a decline in bureaucratic structures or a move towards laissez-faire government.

Question 11

France in the eighteenth century

Accepted Answer

France lost its North American empire and acquired a huge public debt during the eighteenth century. Louis XV and Louis XVI struggled with economic issues and social unrest, leading to the outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789. Civil wars were not a major factor during this period. The Estates General, while it had existed previously, was not brought back during the reign of Louis XV.

Question 12

Between the death of Louis XIV and the death of Cardinal Fleury, France pulled back from foreign war and promoted the growth of industry.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. After Louis XIV's death in 1715, France focused on rebuilding its economy and infrastructure rather than engaging in costly foreign wars. Cardinal Fleury, who served as chief minister from 1726 until his death in 1743, continued this policy of peace and economic development. Under their leadership, France saw significant growth in industry and commerce.

Question 13

The prime minister who furthered British imperial ambitions by acquiring Canada and India was

Accepted Answer

William Pitt the Elder, also known as Pitt the Elder or simply Lord Chatham, served as the British Prime Minister twice, from 1756 to 1761 and then again from 1766 to 1768. During his tenure, he was instrumental in expanding the British Empire by acquiring Canada and India through military conquest and diplomatic negotiations.

Question 14

Eighteenth-century enlightened rulers were not always "enlightened," but they were also hindered in instituting necessary reforms because of the power still held by the hereditary aristocracy.

Accepted Answer

While enlightened rulers like Catherine the Great of Russia and Joseph II of Austria pushed for reforms and modernization, they were still limited by the power held by the aristocracy. This hindered their ability to fully implement necessary changes.

Question 15

Poland was dismembered through a single partition of its land in 1772 by Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

Accepted Answer

Poland was dismembered through three partitions, occurring in 1772, 1793, and 1795, involving Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

Question 16

Frederick the Great had no use for the Enlightenment or its philosophes, immersed as he was in building his military.

Accepted Answer

Frederick the Great was actually a patron of the Enlightenment and corresponded with many prominent philosophers such as Voltaire. While he was indeed focused on building and maintaining a strong military, he also made efforts to promote cultural and intellectual development in his kingdom.

Question 17

Under the reign of Frederick William I, Prussia

Accepted Answer

Under the reign of Frederick William I, Prussia developed a civil service staffed by middle-class officials, who were educated and trained to run the government efficiently. This bureaucracy was modeled after the French system and helped to establish the centralized authority and power of the king. Frederick William I believed that a strong, efficient government was necessary to maintain order and protect the interests of the state.

Question 18

Although Enlightenment intellectuals attacked many elements of their society, they enthusiastically supported the divinely sanctioned division of society into traditional "estates" or "orders."

Accepted Answer

Enlightenment intellectuals rejected the traditional "estates" or "orders" system and advocated for the idea of social equality and individual rights instead.

Question 19

During the eighteenth century, the idea of divine right

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the eighteenth century, the idea of...

Question 20

As a result of the Seven Years' War, France consolidated its hold on Canada.

Accepted Answer

The Seven Years' War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which resulted in France ceding control of Canada to Britain.

Quiz 18: The Eighteenth Century: European States, International Wars, and Social Change