Question 1

Which of the following statements about Dutch art in the 1600s is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Dutch art in the 1600s was primarily created for a market that reflected a broadening world. Dutch artists were known for creating art that depicted scenes from daily life, landscapes, and still lifes, as well as portraits of middle-class merchants and traders. The art was often created for private collections and reflected the growing wealth and prosperity of the country. While religious art was still produced, it was no longer the primary focus for Dutch artists.

Question 2

The religious movement known as the Reformation spawned alternatives to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Reformation was a movement that aimed to reform the Catholic Church in the 16th century, which led to the formation of different Christian denominations such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism. Therefore, A - Catholicism is the correct answer as it was the main religion that the Reformation aimed to reform and spawned alternatives to.

Question 3

What did the 1648 Treaty of Westphalia accomplish?

Accepted Answer

The Treaty of Westphalia was a series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years War, a conflict primarily fought between Protestants and Catholics in Europe. The treaties established the principle of state sovereignty and recognized the authority of individual states to govern their own territories without interference from other states or external powers, effectively ending the era of religious wars in Europe. However, it did not officially end doctrinal disputes between Catholics and Protestants or establish Catholicism as the official religion of France, England, and Germany.

Question 4

Which of the following date ranges best captures the era of the Renaissance?

Accepted Answer

The Renaissance is generally considered to have started in Italy in the 14th century, with artists and thinkers studying the classical works of Greece and Rome. The end of the Renaissance is often marked by the beginning of the Baroque period, which started in the early 17th century. Therefore, option A (1350-1615) best captures the era of the Renaissance. Option B (1517-1615) does not include the earlier years of the Renaissance, and option C (1600-1750) includes the Baroque period, which is a distinct artistic and cultural movement from the Renaissance.

Question 5

What did the 1598 Edict of Nantes proclaim?

Accepted Answer

The 1598 Edict of Nantes proclaimed that Catholicism was recognized as the official state religion of France, but granted Huguenots (French Protestants) religious freedom. It also granted them the right to establish their own churches and fortify their cities for protection. This was a significant step towards religious tolerance and ended the French Wars of Religion that had torn France apart for decades.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes France during the reign of King Louis XIV?

Accepted Answer

France during the reign of King Louis XIV was an absolute monarchy, with the king holding complete power and control over the government and people. Louis XIV famously declared "L'État, c'est moi" ("I am the state"), which demonstrated his belief in his absolute authority.

Question 7

Who controlled the Papal States of central Italy during the sixteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The Papal States were controlled by the Vatican, which was the governing entity of the Catholic Church. The Hapsburg family had influence in parts of Italy during this time, but they did not directly control the Papal States. The Ottoman Empire had no control over the Papal States.

Question 8

Humanist Niccolò Machiavelli wrote the widely influential political treatise titled The Prince , which focused on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli's treatise focuses on the idea that a ruler should prioritize maintaining power and control over their subjects, even if it means acting immorally or engaging in deceptive tactics. He argues that a ruler's ultimate goal should be maintaining their authority and stability in a world fraught with conflict and competition.

Question 9

Who replaced Queen Elizabeth I of England, which led to the English Civil War?

Accepted Answer

The Stuarts replaced Queen Elizabeth I after her death in 1603. The reigns of James I, Charles I and Charles II led to political and religious tensions that eventually sparked the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell was a military leader during the Civil War and later became Lord Protectorate of England after the execution of Charles I. Martin Luther was an important figure in the Protestant Reformation, but his actions did not directly lead to the English Civil War.

Question 10

Which of the following European powers established the first global empire based on its overseas conquests?

Accepted Answer

Portugal established the first global empire based on its overseas conquests, which included territories in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Pacific. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to establish direct trade with Africa and Asia, and their explorers discovered sea routes to India, Brazil, and other parts of the world. This gave Portugal a significant advantage in global trade and helped to establish it as a major world power during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Question 11

John Calvin, among others, advanced the doctrine that God had already determined an individual's salvation or damnation at birth, a belief known as what?

Accepted Answer

The belief that God has predetermined an individual's salvation or damnation at birth is known as predestination. John Calvin was a major advocate of this doctrine. The term Presbyterianism refers to a form of church governance characterized by the use of presbyters (elders) in the decision-making process.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the role that other cultures played in influencing the Renaissance?

Accepted Answer

The Renaissance was a period of cultural and intellectual rebirth in Europe, but it was not isolated from other regions of the world. Islamic, Asian, and African traditions had significant influence on European ideas and works, as Europeans engaged in trade, travel, and cultural exchange with these regions. For example, the translation of Arabic texts into Latin introduced Europeans to new knowledge in fields such as astronomy, medicine, and mathematics. Trade with Asia and Africa also brought new materials, such as spices, fabrics, and ceramics, which inspired artistic styles and decorative motifs. The influence of other cultures on the Renaissance is apparent in the art, literature, science, and philosophy of the period.

Question 13

Nicolaus Copernicus established a "heliocentric" theory of the universe in the early sixteenth century, which advanced the then-revolutionary notion of what?

Accepted Answer

Copernicus proposed that the sun, rather than the earth, was the center of the solar system and that the planets, including the earth, revolved around it in circular orbits. This was a major departure from the previously accepted geocentric theory, which held that the earth was at the center of the universe.

Question 14

Established in 930, which state maintains the world's oldest longest-running legislative body?

Accepted Answer

Iceland's Althing, established in 930, is the world's oldest continuously running parliamentary institution.

Question 15

Ivan the Terrible and Peter I the Great of Russia established governments that could be described as what?

Accepted Answer

Ivan the Terrible and Peter I the Great of Russia were known for their use of tyrannical and despotic methods to establish their governments. They both exerted strong control over their subjects and were not concerned with democratic principles or inclusivity.

Question 16

Which of the following generally describes the relationship between European powers during the age of exploration?

Accepted Answer

European powers during the age of exploration were mainly motivated by competition to amass the most possessions for their respective countries. This competition often led to conflicts and wars between European powers.

Question 17

Which of the following subjects did Dutch painters of the 1600s not particularly focus on?

Accepted Answer

Dutch painters of the 1600s did not particularly focus on religion, but rather on domestic scenes, landscapes, still life, and portraiture.

Question 18

The Reformation gave rise to new Christian sects under the broad designation of what?

Accepted Answer

Protestantism is the most accurate and comprehensive term to describe the various new Christian sects that emerged during the Reformation, including Lutheranism and Calvinism. While both of these denominations were key players in the Reformation movement, using either term alone would not encompass the full range of religious groups that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church during this period. Protestantism, by contrast, serves as a broad umbrella term that encompasses a diverse array of religious movements sharing a common commitment to reforming Christianity.

Question 19

How did the Catholic Church respond to the Reformation?

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church responded to the Reformation by launching the Counter Reformation, which was aimed at punishing dissidents (such as through the Spanish Inquisition) and reengaging with wayward Catholics (such as through renewed missionary efforts and the establishment of new religious orders like the Jesuits). The Church also sought to address some of the corruption and abuses that had prompted the Protestant revolt, such as through the Council of Trent.

Question 20

Why did so many states participate in the War of Spanish Succession?

Accepted Answer

The War of Spanish Succession was fought because of the issue of who would inherit the Spanish throne and how its empire might be partitioned. Many states participated in the war because they had a stake in the outcome of this issue.

Quiz 15: Global Connections and the Remaking of Europe, 1450-1750