1 Intro Flashcards
Who was Europa in Greek mythology?
A) A goddess of the sea
B) A princess from Phoenicia
C) Queen of Crete by birth
D) A Greek artist who painted vases
B) A princess from Phoenicia
How did Zeus attract the attention of Europa?
A) By disguising himself as a handsome young man
B) By giving her a gift of gold
C) By disguising himself as a white bull
D) By ordering her to become his queen
C) By disguising himself as a white bull
According to the legend, what explains the name “Europe”?
A) It was named after the goddess of wisdom
B) It was named after the princess Europa
C) It was named by Zeus himself
D) It was the ancient word for the Balkan Peninsula
B) It was named after the princess Europa
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a historical influence on Europe?
A) Technology
B) Ideas
C) North American trade
D) Beliefs from the ancient Near East
C) North American trade
What physical feature currently marks the eastern boundary of Europe with Asia?
A) The Mediterranean Sea
B) The Ural Mountains
C) The Atlantic Ocean
D) The Caspian Sea
B) The Ural Mountains
Which statement best describes Europe’s cultural identity over time?
A) It has always been a distinct cultural zone separate from Asia and Africa
B) It was historically defined more by local identities than a unified European identity
C) Europe has always been known as a Christian continent
D) Europe was considered culturally similar to Asia until the 1800s
B) It was historically defined more by local identities than a unified European identity
Why did European empires start distinguishing Europeans from other groups in the 1800s?
A) To promote religious diversity in Europe
B) To identify new territories for conquest
C) To differentiate Europeans culturally, ethnically, and biologically from non-Europeans
D) To promote peace and unity with neighboring regions
C) To differentiate Europeans culturally, ethnically, and biologically from non-Europeans
What does the “kernel of truth” in the legend of Europa refer to?
A) The fact that Europe and Asia were connected culturally and technologically
B) The idea that Europe and Africa were part of the same kingdom
C) The belief that Greece was isolated from the ancient Near East
D) The notion that Zeus was the true king of the ancient world
A) The fact that Europe and Asia were connected culturally and technologically
Why have some European Union member states been reluctant to accept Turkey as a member?
A) They believe Turkey is too geographically distant
B) They consider Turkey not “European enough”
C) They feel Turkey has too strong an influence on European culture
D) They think Turkey would dominate the EU economy
B) They consider Turkey not “European enough”
How did ancient Greeks typically view Europe in relation to other regions?
A) As the land opposite Asia and Africa
B) As the birthplace of Christianity
C) As an isolated, distinct continent
D) As a region with no cultural influence
A) As the land opposite Asia and Africa
What does the word “history” originate from?
A) An ancient Greek word meaning “investigation”
B) An ancient Roman word meaning “past events”
C) A Latin word meaning “storytelling”
D) A French word meaning “memory”
A) An ancient Greek word meaning “investigation”
Why can’t historians study past events directly?
A) Written records of the past are unavailable
B) The events no longer exist, and there is no way to observe them
C) Only archaeologists have access to the evidence
D) Events from the past are too complex to study
B) The events no longer exist, and there is no way to observe them
What is the main difference between historians and archaeologists?
A) Historians study material evidence, while archaeologists study written evidence
B) Historians examine physical remains, while archaeologists work with literary texts
C) Historians use written evidence, while archaeologists use material evidence
D) Historians focus on human causes, while archaeologists focus on natural causes
C) Historians use written evidence, while archaeologists use material evidence
What did Herodotus believe influenced human events?
A) Supernatural forces
B) Political structures only
C) Technology alone
D) Geography, economy, religion, and culture
D) Geography, economy, religion, and culture
Why might historians’ interpretations of the past change?
A) The past itself is changing constantly
B) Old evidence is often unreliable
C) New evidence, methods, or questions lead to different interpretations
D) Historians work with an ever-expanding set of theories
C) New evidence, methods, or questions lead to different interpretations
Why do many people study European history?
A) Europe is the only continent with historical influence
B) Europe’s past is considered universally superior
C) Only European history includes cultural achievements
D) European actions in the 1800s and 1900s shaped global history
D) European actions in the 1800s and 1900s shaped global history
What type of account do historians typically write for a general audience?
A) A detailed analysis with extensive scholarly references
B) A technical report filled with academic jargon
C) A simplified narrative that omits some evidence
D) A fictional story based loosely on past events
C) A simplified narrative that omits some evidence
How does the study of history affect our understanding of the present?
A) It shows that present circumstances have no relation to past events
B) It reveals that current events are random and unpredictable
C) It helps us see how past events and decisions shaped our current circumstances
D) It suggests that human actions today have no lasting impact
C) It helps us see how past events and decisions shaped our current circumstances
How does history demonstrate human agency?
A) By showing that individuals had no choices in the past
B) By highlighting only large-scale natural events
C) By focusing only on the results of wars and conquests
D) By exploring how people’s actions and choices affected events
D) By exploring how people’s actions and choices affected events
How can the study of history challenge the status quo?
A) By proving that change is unnecessary and undesirable
B) By showing that conditions in the past were identical to today
C) By demonstrating that things were not always as they are now
D) By revealing that social structures have never changed
C) By demonstrating that things were not always as they are now
What time period does this course cover in European history?
A) From the 1800s to present day
B) From the prehistoric Stone Age to the late 1700s
C) From 1500 to 1800
D) From the beginning of civilization to the rise of digital technology
B) From the prehistoric Stone Age to the late 1700s
Where did the concept of “civilization” as city-based living originate?
A) Ancient Greece and Rome
B) The prehistoric Stone Age
C) The ancient Near East (Iraq and Egypt)
D) Northern Europe and Scandinavia
C) The ancient Near East (Iraq and Egypt)
What did the “Western Civilization” course in North American universities aim to teach students in the early 20th century?
A) The history of all world civilizations equally
B) The evolution of democratic values shared by Americans and Western Europeans
C) European culture exclusively from the Renaissance period
D) Global history with an emphasis on colonialism
B) The evolution of democratic values shared by Americans and Western Europeans
What challenge did professors face when teaching the “Western Civilization” survey course?
A) They struggled to find enough material to cover the subject
B) They were required to follow a mandated storyline
C) They disagreed on the necessity of teaching European history
D) They found it easy to summarize centuries of history
B) They were required to follow a mandated storyline
What social changes in the 1960s impacted the teaching of European history?
A) A new interest in medieval studies
B) Greater representation of women and minorities in universities
C) A complete shift to non-European historical topics
D) The removal of history courses from general education programs
B) Greater representation of women and minorities in universities
What criticism do some people on the political right have about modern European history courses?
A) They believe these courses glorify European culture excessively
B) They feel society is declining because students are not learning enough about “Western Civilization”
C) They argue that these courses are not relevant to American students
D) They want European history courses to include more critical perspectives
B) They feel society is declining because students are not learning enough about “Western Civilization”
How do some people on the political left view the study of European history?
A) They believe European achievements are universally celebrated
B) They think European history should only be taught to advanced students
C) They see European history as entirely tainted and unworthy of study
D) They want to expand European history to include non-European influences
C) They see European history as entirely tainted and unworthy of study
Why might some see irony in the left-wing criticism of “Western Civilization”?
A) It is firmly rooted in European traditions of criticizing and reforming society
B) The critics do not have any background in history
C) It is primarily led by historians from non-European backgrounds
D) The criticism lacks any real evidence of European wrongdoing
A) It is firmly rooted in European traditions of criticizing and reforming society
What does this course aim to do regarding “Western Civilization”?
A) Glorify the achievements of Western Civilization
B) Reject any positive view of European history
C) Provide a balanced survey of European history without bias
D) Focus only on colonial and imperialist aspects of European history
C) Provide a balanced survey of European history without bias
What will students be asked to do at the end of this course?
A) Memorize all major dates and events in European history
B) Defend a particular viewpoint on European history
C) Share their own thoughts on the interpretation of European history
D) Write a detailed report on modern European political issues
C) Share their own thoughts on the interpretation of European history
