European History : European History

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for European History

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Example Questions

Example Question #7 : Social And Economic History

Which of these statements accurately describes the state of income disparity in Vladimir Putin's time as the ruler of Russia (as both Prime Minister and President)?

Possible Answers:

The gap between the wealthy and the poor has increased slightly

The gap between the wealthy and poor has widened dramatically as the funding of basic social services has been slashed

The gap between the wealthy and poor has remained stable

The gap between the wealthy and poor has shrunk dramatically as the funding of basic social services has increased

Correct answer:

The gap between the wealthy and poor has widened dramatically as the funding of basic social services has been slashed

Explanation:

It was actually Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolsheviks and later the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, who mandated that schooling be carried out in whichever native language was familiar to the students in that part of the wide-ranging Soviet empire. During Putin’s reign the gap between the wealthy and the poor has widened dramatically. Putin has, infamously, enriched the oligarchs of Russia at the expense of the rest of society. Universal healthcare has been in place in the Russian Federation since 1996, three years before Putin took office.

Example Question #111 : European History

Which is the correct hierarchy (from lowest to highest) of the feudalist system from the Medieval Period?

Possible Answers:

Peasants, knights, barons, king

Knights, peasants, barons, king

Barons, peasants, knights, king

King, knights, barons, peasants

Peasants, barons, knights, king

Correct answer:

Peasants, knights, barons, king

Explanation:

In the medieval feudalist system, the king allowed barons to preside over parts of his land, with knights underneath them for protection. At the bottom of the hierarchy, peasants farmed the land, giving a percentage of their crops to the higher ranks in return for protection.

Example Question #112 : European History

Which of the following was the name of the ruling class in the Roman Republic?

Possible Answers:

Aristocracy

Patricians

The Third Estate

The Fourth Estate

Plebeians

Correct answer:

Patricians

Explanation:

The Patricians was the name of the ruling class in the Roman Republic, so that would be the correct answer. The Plebeians was the name of the citizen-commoners in the Republic, so that would not be the correct answer. Aristocracy was not a term that denoted a social class in the Republic, so that would not be the best answer here. The Fourth Estate is a moniker given to the free press, so that would also not be a good answer. Lastly, the Third Estate referred to the French working class before the French Revolution, so that too would not be the best answer here.

Example Question #112 : European History

Which of the following had the most impact on the growth of the middle class in Europe?

Possible Answers:

The rise of colonialism

The French Revolution

The Renaissance

The end of feudalism 

The revolutions of 1848

Correct answer:

The end of feudalism 

Explanation:

Under feudalism, the nobility owned the land, and the common people (serfs) were required to work their lords' land. The end of feudalism allowed the common people to own their own land and pursue trades, which led to the growth of a middle class.  

Example Question #1 : Industrialization

The Industrial Revolution brought all of the following advancements EXCEPT __________________.

Possible Answers:

the factory system

increased city sizes

textile manufacturing

steam-powered machines

the printing press

Correct answer:

the printing press

Explanation:

Although more efficient printing techniques were developed during the Industrial Revolution, the first printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-15th century. All of the other answers are advancements that did come from the period.

Example Question #113 : European History

Which of the given answer choices was NOT a short-term result of the Industrial Revolution in England?

Possible Answers:

All of these were short-term results of England's Industrial Revolution.

Growth of urban centers

Increased production of textiles

Increased life expectancy

Improved transportation methods

Correct answer:

Increased life expectancy

Explanation:

The Industrial Revolution was the rapid growth of industrial technology and manufacturing. Immediate results included improved transportation due to inventions such as the steam engine, growth of urban centers as many people moved to cities for factory jobs, and tremendous growth of manufacturing, largely in the textile industry. It did NOT immediately increase life expectancy, as factories were often hazardous to workers and cities were plagued with pollution and other unsanitary conditions that allowed diseases such as cholera to spread.

Example Question #3 : Industrialization

Who invented the printing press?

Possible Answers:

Konrad Celtis

Jean Bullant

Johannes Gutenberg

Leonardo Da Vinci

Donatello

Correct answer:

Johannes Gutenberg

Explanation:

Johannes Gutenberg, a German blacksmith, invented the printing press around 1440. He was the first European to create a method for mass printing. The method he used was based on agricultural screw presses that were common in farming. Before Gutenberg, all book making had to be done by hand. Monks or other literate people would copy books page by page, this was expensive and time consuming, which meant that books were rare and only for the wealthy. The invention of the printing press helped to spread enlightenment ideas throughout Europe much faster than would have otherwise been possible. 

Example Question #4 : Industrialization

The major energy source that supported the Industrial Revolution was __________________.

Possible Answers:

wood

coal

wind

petroleum

water

Correct answer:

coal

Explanation:

By the eighteenth century, most of Britain's wood was gone. Factories required a lot of energy, so the British began mining coal. The steam engines that became prominent during this period were fueled by coal. 

Example Question #115 : European History

Which of the following is an invention from the Renaissance period?

Possible Answers:

The piano

The serrated knife

Carbonated water

The flushing toilet

Gunpowder

Correct answer:

The flushing toilet

Explanation:

The flushing toilet was invented in 1596 by John Harington and was called the Ajax. John was a grandson of Queen Elizabeth I and spent a lot of time at court. He became known for his risqué writings and sense of humor. After inventing the flushing toilet, he wrote a book entitled, “A new Discourse on a Stale Subject, the Metamorphosis of Ajax. It was supposed to be a book describing how his invention worked, but his work was actually a satire that talked negatively about the Earl of Leicester, one of the queen’s friends, which angered the queen and got Harington banned from court.

Example Question #116 : European History

Which of the following did NOT contribute to healthier, more sanitary conditions in Europe in the late nineteenth century?

Possible Answers:

Better urban planning

New public health laws 

The discovery of germs

Installation of sewers 

Social Darwinism

Correct answer:

Social Darwinism

Explanation:

Social Darwinism applies Darwin's theory of natural selection to human affairs. The principle of "survival of the fittest" did not contribute to improvements in public health. Social Darwinism was, in fact, a doctrine supported by right-wing politicians who fought aggressively against the funding and establishment of social services. 

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