Unit I Spiral Exam – The Renaissance, Reformation, & Absolute Monarchs
(75 points total)
PLEASE DO NO WRITE ON THIS TEST
DIRECTIONS – Please answer the following multiple-choice questions with the best possible
answer. No answer will be used more than once. (45 questions @ 1 point each = 45 points)
1) Prior to the start of the Middle Ages, Europe was a very chaotic place. What form of
government, based on land and loyalty, came along to help bring law and order back to
Europe?
a. Totalitarianism
b. Feudalism
c. Democracy
d. Absolute monarchy
2) Martin Luther, the German monk and religious leader, was considered a major leader of
the Reformation. What action did he take that helped to set off the Reformation in the
first place?
a. He created a plan called the “Final Solution”
b. Wrote letters to influential European rulers about the abuses of the Church
c. Gave public addresses about the evils of Church “indulgences”
d. Wrote his grievances down and posted them as the 95 Theses
3) We have spent a lot of time talking about some of the dangers to be aware of when
studying culture. One of the major pitfalls of this is developing the belief that your
culture is racially superior to another. What is that danger called?
a. Segregation
b. Racism
c. Stereotyping
d. Ethnocentrism
4) When studying different areas of the world, it is important to have an idea of a
particular regions culture before continuing. But, how do we define “culture”?
a. A particular person’s lifestyle
b. A delicious desert from Oregon Dairy
c. All the elements that make up a society or civilization
d. A particular segment that has interesting values
5) Known as “________________ the Lawgiver”, this gifted Ottoman sultan created lasting
reforms within the Ottoman Empire while writing laws that are still on the books. Who
was he?
a. Suleiman
b. Muhammad
c. Louis
d. Peter
6) During the violence that followed the Reformation in Europe, what event in Spain and
England saw Catholic King Phillip II raise a massive fleet to attack Protestant England
that ended in failure?
a. The Spanish Armada
b. The Peace of Augsburg
c. The Mejia Revolt
d. The Peasants’ War
7) The Age of Monarchs saw the rise of all-powerful kings like Phillip II of Spain, Louis XIV
of France, and Peter the Great of Russia. What did these European monarchs use to
justify their God-given right to rule?
a. A written constitution
b. Divine right
c. The Mandate of Heaven
d. The consent of the people
8) Under the practices of Islam, Muslims are expected (if they are financially able) to visit
the holy city of Mecca once in their lifetime. What is this pilgrimage known as?
a. Ramadan
b. Aah’Rem
c. Hajj
d. Jihad
9) Children in medieval China were taught from a very early age to show complete love
and obedience to their parents and also show great respect for their family’s past. What
was the name given to this philosophy, another invention of the Chinese philosopher
and teacher Confucius?
a. Ancestor worship
b. Confucianism
c. Catholicism
d. Filial Piety
10) The Renaissance brought about a renewed interest in art and culture in Europe after the
horrors of the Middle Ages. What philosophy dominated this era, stressing the idea of
human potential and using your gifts for the betterment of all mankind?
a. Imperialism
b. Militarism
c. Nationalism
d. Humanism
11) Anthropology is one of the main areas that helps us to analyze and interpret different
cultures from around the world. But what is anthropology the study of?
a. Creationism
b. Government
c. Mankind
d. Culture
12) The Reformation was known throughout Europe as a ___________________ movement
geared towards the Catholic Church. What word best fits into this statement?
a. Religious
b. Wide-spread
c. Reform
d. Protest
13) For much of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church dominated the political, social,
and religious lives of Europeans. Which of the following was one of the major reasons
why the Catholic Church was so powerful?
a. It controlled vast amounts of scientific knowledge
b. It was the only source of education in the Medieval world
c. It was not under the control of any European king
d. All of the above
14) All anthropologists, when in the field, try to minimize mistakes and provided clear
evidence of a new discovery by using a series of steps known as what?
a. Question and Answer Methods
b. Scientific Questioning
c. The Scientific Method
d. The Anthropological Method
15) This Reformation-inspired group, known for their conservative views of technology and
their slow simple life, rallied around their leader Jacob Ammen and eventually
immigrated to the New World, searching for religious freedom. Who were they?
a. The Mennonites
b. The Anabaptists
c. The Amish
d. The Lutherans
16) This Chinese philosophy was developed by the absolute monarchs of China as a way to
justify their rule and develop a “father-figure”-like image with the Chinese people. What
was it called?
a. Filial Piety
b. Mandate of Heaven
c. Ancestor Worship
d. Christianity
17) A superior force on the battlefield, what technological innovation did the Ottomans
borrow from the Chinese in order to make them unstoppable conquerors?
a. Better armor
b. Firearms
c. Superior arrows
d. Better tactics
18) The Ottomans were one of the most successful civilizations in history at bringing quick
peace and security to the new areas of the world that they conquered. Besides their
advanced military tactics and support, what made the Ottomans so successful when
dealing with conquered peoples?
a. Their ability to convert people quickly to Islam and make them life-long converts
b. Their sultans were able to inspire confidence and dedication with their
leadership both on and off the battlefield
c. Conquered people were generally afraid of what might happen if they tried to
revolt against Ottoman rule
d. They were extremely tolerant of other ethnic groups religious and cultural
practices, as long as they paid taxes to the Ottoman sultan
19) The Vatican estimates that between three thousand and five thousand people were
executed at the hands of the Church’s own private court, the Inquisition, though this
was not its main function. Contemporary historians put that number much higher.
What was the main purpose of this medieval religious court?
a. The seek out and punish critics of the Church
b. To investigate charges of corruption or unacceptable behavior among clergy
c. To hear and decide upon new interpretations of religious doctrine
d. To re-write the Bible in the language of the common person so all could
understand its teachings
20) This segment of European medieval society was the foundation on which the selfsufficient manors were built. By their long hours of labor, heavy taxes, and isolated
social class, the lords who controlled the manors were able to turn a profit. What was
this segment of society called?
a. The lower class
b. The workers
c. The peasants
d. The serfs
21) Powerful absolute monarchs known as the “czars” once ruled Russia. What famous
Russian czar helped to establish Russia as a major world power following the turmoil of
the Middle Ages with the help of European technology and know-how?
a. Nicholas II
b. Ivan the Terrible
c. Peter the Great
d. Catherine the Great
22) Social mobility was limited in medieval European society so few people of the lower
classes could realistically expect to become a knight, whose main function was to
protect and enforce the laws of the manor. What was the name of the code of conduct
that all knights were required to follow in their dealings with one another and people of
different classes?
a. The Code of Conduct
b. The Ethical Mandate
c. The Code of Chivalry
d. The Expectations of Knights
23) This Jews carpenter-turned-religious leader started preaching to the people of Judea at
age 30 and was viewed by many as someone who would lead the Jews to their freedom
against Roman rule. He eventually would be executed. Who was he?
a. Ivan
b. Peter
c. Paul
d. Jesus
24) Often a misconception, Islamic tradition also borrows heavily from what other
religion(s)?
a. Buddhism
b. Christianity
c. Judaism
d. Both b & c
25) What was the weapon most often associated with the Japanese samurai class, not just
as a tool of war, but also as a work of art?
a. Their dagger
b. Their sword
c. Their armor
d. Their noble steads
26) In feudal Japan, the shoguns enforced their rule and protected their individual kingdoms
with the help of the samurai warrior class. Much like the knights of Europe, these
honorable wars were governed by an ethical code that preached ritual suicide if
dishonored. What was their ritual suicide called?
a. Bushido
b. Kamikaze
c. Seppuku
d. Kung Pao
27) When the Spanish Men’s and Women’s Olympic basketball team posed for the cameras
doing the “slit-eyed” gesture, what was this an example of that we have to be cautious
of when studying other cultures?
a. Segregation
b. Racism
c. Stereotyping
d. Ethnocentrism
28) These Christian-turned-Ottoman soldiers made up the heart of the Ottoman army and
served as the sultan’s personal bodyguard. Later, they would enjoy high positions within
the Ottoman government. Who were they?
a. The Janissaries
b. The Knights
c. The Samurai
d. The Oprichnina
29) This Chinese teacher and philosopher developed the principles of filial piety because he
believed that in order for a society to survive, it needed to look to its elders for wisdom
and experience. Who was he?
a. Confucius
b. Aristotle
c. Meng-zi
d. Lucretius
30) Just like the knights of Medieval Europe, the samurai of ancient Japan believed in a very
strict code of ethics that governed their behavior in everyday life. What was the name of
this code of conduct that was later adopted by the Japanese military in World War II?
a. Seppuku
b. Kamikaze
c. Bushido
d. Toyota
31) What event in the life of Czar Ivan turned him from a “just and noble” leader to a
bloodthirsty tyrant known as “Ivan the Terrible”?
a. The murder of his son and heir
b. An invasion from Poland
c. An outbreak of the Black Death
d. The death of his wife
32) This group developed in Germany and Switzerland following the Reformation and broke
away from the Anabaptists under the leadership of a former Catholic minister named
Menno Simons. Who was this group?
a. The Amish
b. The Mennonites
c. The Baptists
d. The Catholics
33) What was the name of the secret police force that Czar Ivan created to hunt down and
execute political opponents? (Hint: Known for their black robes, they were mistaken for
priests before it was too late…)
a. The Janissaries
b. The Knights
c. The Samurai
d. The Oprichnina
34) In 313 AD, the Roman emperor Constantine issues an order that made Christianity the
official religion of the Roman Empire. What was the name of this proclamation?
a. The Twelve Tables
b. The Edict of Mize
c. The Edict of Milan
d. The Emancipation Proclamation
35) What was the name of group of Christian church elders who formalized a final set of
practices and rules that turned the “Christian” Church into the Roman Catholic Church in
the year 382 AD?
a. The Council of Milan
b. The Council of Mica
c. The Council of Rome
d. The Council of the Vatican
36) As one of the largest and fastest going religions in the world, Islam is a major force when
it comes to our world today. Like any religion there are certain rules and guidelines that
Muslims must follow in order to show their obedience to Allah or God. What is this set
of rules called for Muslims?
a. The Four Noble Truths
b. The Eightfold Path
c. The Caste System
d. The Five Pillars
37) What was the name given to the male servants of the Ottoman sultan who also looked
after his wives? (Hint: The lacked their manhood…)
a. Concubines
b. Eunuchs
c. Serfs
d. Janissaries
38) This Reformation-inspired group agreed with many of the criticisms of the Catholic
Church brought up by Martin Luther, but also had issues of their own – like the idea of
baptism when you are an adult. What was this group called?
a. The Amish
b. The Anabaptists
c. The Brethren
d. The Drunkards
39) In order to focus their minds on their religion and also to pay respect to Allah, which
direction do Muslims pray five (5) times a day?
a. East
b. West
c. The direction of the prophet prayed
d. Towards the city of Mecca
40) Despite the negative stereotypes often associated with the taking of many wives by the
Ottoman sultans, what benefit did these women provide (other than producing a heir to
the throne)?
a. Entertainment
b. Extra manpower during times of war
c. Wives for Janissaries lost in battle
d. Truthful advice
41) In European feudal society, what was the name given to the day-to-day managers of the
manor, who directed workers and made sure that the orders of the lords were carried
out?
a. The daimyos
b. The samurai
c. The Janissaries
d. The vassals
42) During the violence that followed the Reformation in Europe, what event in Germany
saw Protestant peasants / serfs rising up against their Catholic lords, resulting in the
massacre of thousands of people?
a. The Spanish Armada
b. The Peace of Augsburg
c. The Mejia Revolt
d. The Peasants’ War
43) Which practice in the religion of Islam does the casual follower or the world media as a
whole often overlook?
a. Prayer five times a day
b. The practice of charity
c. The practice of fasting
d. The idea of pilgrimage
44) Besieged by the Ottoman for months, the city of Vienna was able to stand up and turn
back an attack that would have swallowed up all of Europe if successful. What victory
“snack” did the people of Vienna create to celebrate their victory?
a. The crape
b. The croissant
c. The bagel
d. The donut
45) His Renaissance writer was best known for his “how-to” manual on being an effective
ruler. What was the name of this influential political thinker?
a. William Shakespeare
b. Amerigo Vespucci
c. Martin Luther
d. Nicole Machiavelli
Map Section
Strait of Gibraltar
Sweden
London
Switzerland
Athens
Portugal
Ural Mountains
Baltic Sea
English Channel
Vienna
Greece
United Kingdom
Albania
Pyrenees Mountains
Romania
Aegean Sea
Italy
Berlin
Czech Republic
Iceland
Finland
Ireland
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Spain
DIRECTIONS – Use the word bank and process of elimination to locate the following items on
the attached map. Each item will only be used once. (15 questions @ 1 point each = 15 points)
1) Ireland
11) Pyrenees Mountains
2) Luxembourg
12) Baltic Sea
3) Finland
13) Czech Republic
4) Athens
14) Portugal
5) Spain
15) Lithuania
6) Berlin
7) Romania
8) London
9) English Channel
10) Greece
Essay Questions
DIRECTIONS – Please select ONE (1) of the following essay topics to complete your exam on a
separate piece of paper, making sure the questions are answered fully and in complete
sentences. (1 question @ 15 points = 15 points)
1. The Black Death was one of the most horrible epidemics in the history of the world. To
complete this essay prompt, consider the following points:
 What is an epidemic? (Define it)
 How was the Black Death spread from person to person?
 What were some methods (give at least two [2]) that Europeans used to combat
the Black Death and were they successful?
 How did the Black Death influence the course of World History on the continent
of Europe? (Give two [2] examples to support your conclusion)
2. Consider the following source below of an eyewitness to the Ottoman capture of the
former Christian city of Constantinople:
“After [the siege] the Sultan entered the city [of Constantinople] and looked about to see its
great size, its situation, its grandeur and beauty, its teeming population, its loveliness…When
he saw what a large number had been killed and the ruins of the buildings, and the
wholesale…destruction of the city, he was filled with compassion…tears fell from his eyes as
he groaned deeply and passionately: “What a city we have given over to plunder and
destruction…”
To complete this essay prompt, consider the following points:
 Why was Constantinople significant to the Ottoman Empire and what is the
history behind the siege of this city? Explain.
 What is the source telling you about the siege itself and how the Ottoman sultan
reaction at the end of it? Explain.
 What does the source tell you about the Ottoman’s philosophy towards
conquered territories and how they successful ran their empire for so long?
Explain.
3. Consider the following source below written by Renaissance writer Niccole Machiavelli:
“A prince must also show himself a lover of merit [excellence], give preferment [promotion] to
the able, and honor those who excel in every art. Moreover, he must encourage his citizens to
follow their callings…whether it be in commerce, or agriculture, or any other trade that men
follow…[The price] should offer rewards to whoever does these things, and to whoever seeks
in any way to improve his city or state…”
To complete this essay prompt, consider the following points:
 In your own words, what is the lesson to government leaders that Machiavelli is
trying to get across? Explain why your interpretation is the way it is using
supports from the document.
 Based on your knowledge from this unit, how does this source showcase the
broader theme or philosophy of the Renaissance and its effect on world history?
Explain your answer using support from the document.