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Austrian History Trivia

Austrian History Trivia Quizzes

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Austrian History
6 Austrian History quizzes and 80 Austrian History trivia questions.
1.
  Austrian History I   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
At its height, the Austrian Empire was the second largest country in Europe (after Russia). Some of its history is well known, but much of it is rather less well known. Test your knowledge, and have fun.
Average, 15 Qns, bloomsby, Sep 09 15
Average
bloomsby gold member
5503 plays
2.
  History of Vienna   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Vienna is one of Europe's oldest and culturally richest cities. How much do you know about its long, complicated history?
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Jun 24 16
Average
Joepetz gold member
408 plays
3.
  Austrian History II   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Test your knowledge of Imperial Austria in the period c.1815-1918.
Tough, 10 Qns, bloomsby, May 16 13
Tough
bloomsby gold member
926 plays
4.
  Mighty Monarchs VI (Austria)    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Mighty Monarchs VI covers the rulers of Austria from the creation of the Margraviate (976 AD) to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1918 AD). Related odds and ends included. Good Luck!
Tough, 10 Qns, hund, Aug 18 09
Tough
hund
983 plays
5.
  Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If the remnants of the walls of Vienna could talk, they would tell you about the 62 days long siege that ended on September 12, 1683.
Average, 10 Qns, drx3dan, Jul 19 19
Average
drx3dan
Jul 19 19
154 plays
6.
  The 1683 Turkish-Tatar invasion of Austria    
Multiple Choice
 25 Qns
In 1683, the Muslim Turks failed to conquer Vienna and had to give up their plans to march on Rome. This quiz introduces you to some of the events and people involved, including unsung heroes and humble victims.
Tough, 25 Qns, drx3dan, Jul 26 19
Tough
drx3dan
Jul 26 19
118 plays
Related Topics
  Austria [Geography] (14 quizzes)


Austrian History Trivia Questions

1. When the Ottoman Turks and their allies invaded Austria in 1683, a peace treaty between them and the Austrians was still in effect. When was this treaty going to expire?

From Quiz
Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege

Answer: 1684

The map of Europe was very different in those years. In 1664, the Austrians had defeated the Ottomans at Saint Gotthard (Szentgotthard in today's Hungary). The Austrian ruler Leopold I Habsburg was also the elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, an entity that covered most of the then-fragmented German lands of Europe. After the Battle of St. Gotthard (1664), Leopold agreed to peace terms that did not reflect the fact that the Austrians were the winners and the Turks were the losers. This infuriated particularly some of the Hungarian nobles, who were hoping to see their lands liberated from the Ottoman Turkish occupation. But Leopold wanted to appease the Ottoman Turks because he feared French pressure in the West. Indeed, King Louis XIV of France (the Sun King) wanted to push the French border to the Rhine! In the years that followed 1664, the Hungarian Protestants in the part of Hungary under Habsburg rule were subjected to appalling persecution by the Catholic authorities. The Hungarian Protestants were so desperate that they asked the Ottoman Turks to come to their help and invade Austria! The Turks hesitated for a while. The Sultan's mother was against it and so were the members of the Ulema (the assembly of the Muslim scholars). They thought it was dishonorable to break the peace but eventually Sultan Mehmed IV and the Grand Vizier Kara Mustafa convinced everybody that Turkey should go to war before the peace expired. Vani Mehmed Effendi, a charismatic holy man who was the preacher of the Turkish Army and a confidant of the Sultan and the Grand Vizier, sincerely believed that Allah punished the Arabs for ceasing to wage war against the Christians and that is why the Ottoman Turks conquered all the Arab lands, except Morocco. Vani also sincerely believed that if the Turks did not continue the Jihad against the Christians, Allah was going to punish them too! Very likely, the Sultan and the Grand Vizier shared Vani's views. Vani was completely wrong! Pursuing the Jihad, as recommended by him, the Turks were defeated at Vienna in 1683 and that defeat was the beginning of the end of the Ottoman Empire. Vani got fired after the defeat near Vienna. The Grand Vizier was executed on orders from Mehmed IV on Christmas Day the same year in Belgrade, then still part of the Ottoman Empire. Mehmed IV himself was deposed only four years later, after more defeats. So much for the guidance given by holy men.

2. Although Vienna is believed to have been founded under the Celtic name Vindobona, the first evidence of humans living there dates from ancient Roman times when the city was used as what?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Military base

Vindobona was a military camp conveniently located in the center of Europe and was geographically located near many rival tribes. It was primarily used by the Legio X Gemina or the Twins' Tenth Legion, one of the legions Julius Caesar used to invade Gaul. Some ancient ruins can still be seen on the streets of Vienna today, including some city walls. However, its location was also detrimental because it left Vindobona exposed to invaders from all sides.

3. In 1815 the German Confederation was established. Which state was officially the leading power within the Confederation and presided at its meetings?

From Quiz Austrian History II

Answer: Austria

The German Confederation was in some respects a modernized successor to the Holy Roman Empire and not suprisingly the Habsburg monarchy was the official 'top dog'. In the 19th century its role wasn't seriously challenged by Prussia till the 1860s.

4. In 976 AD the Margraviate of Austria was created by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, to secure his empire's eastern frontier. The title of Margrave was given to this man - founder of the Babenberg dynasty. Who was it?

From Quiz Mighty Monarchs VI (Austria)

Answer: Leopold I

Leopold I (r. 976-994 AD) would establish a dynasty that lasted till 1246 AD.

5. When was the *Austrian* Empire founded?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: 1804

The year 962 is that preferred by German and Austrian historians as the date of the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire. It was ruled by the Habsburg dynasty from 1438 till its dissolution in 1806. In fact, a specifically Austrian Empire was only proclaimed in 1804 when it became obvious that the Holy Roman Empire had no future.

6. Which 955 battle (the second with this name) saw Emperor Otto I defeat the Magyars, an event that would see Vienna pass into Babenberg rule twenty years later?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Battle of Lechfeld

The Battle of Lechfeld was fought near present-day Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany not in or near Vienna. However, the battle was important for Viennese history because for many years prior, the area that is now Austria was invaded constantly and control of the land kept changing between various groups of people. Otto's defeat of the Magyars stabilized the land (though not indefinitely) long enough for Austria to be given to the Babenberg Dynasty, who fostered Vienna's growth.

7. Which predominantly non-German-speaking area was included in the German Confederation?

From Quiz Austrian History II

Answer: Bohemia and Moravia

Hungary, which at that time included Slovakia, and Austrian Poland (Galicia and Bukovina) were outside the German Confederation. The predominatly Czech-speaking lands, however, were included in the Confederation. It wasn't intended to be a German nation-state.

8. In 1156 AD Frederick I Barbarossa, Holy Roman Emperor, elevated Austria to the status of a Duchy. His cousin had already performed the functions of margrave since 1141 AD and was delighted with his new titles. Which individual was it?

From Quiz Mighty Monarchs VI (Austria)

Answer: Henry II

Henry II (r. 1141-1177 AD) was married to Theodora Comnena, niece of the Byzantine emperor, Manuel I, in 1148 AD in Constantinople. It was meant to be a political alliance between Conrad III, Holy Roman Emperor (and Henry's half-brother), and Manuel against the Norman Kingdom of Sicily.

9. Which Habsburg emperor also ruled Spain and its new empire in the Americas, and also ruled the Netherlands?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: Charles V

The combination of so much power in the hands of one person was viewed with consternation at the time and resisted by many other European powers, including France. When Charles V abdicated in 1556, the Spanish and Central European empires went to separate monarchs.

10. Emperor Leopold I fled Vienna on July 7, 1683. Before that, he appointed a military governor of Vienna, who was expected to lead the defenders of the Vienna fortress during the siege. Who was this man?

From Quiz Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege

Answer: Count Ernst Rüdiger von Starhemberg

Count von Starhemberg was a very competent, tenacious and courageous artillery general born in Graz, Austria. Eugen of Savoy was only at the beginning of his stellar career under the Habsburgs. He was with the Imperial Austrian army and not in Vienna. Also, he was not a prince yet. Duke Charles of Lorraine did not remain in Vienna during the siege. The units of the Imperial Army commanded by him retreated to the northern shore of Danube. General Jacob Leslie, a Scot in the service of the Habsburgs, was not in Vienna either during the siege.

11. Vienna has been the capital of Austria or Austrian territory continuously since 1145 when which Austrian ruler moved there?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Henry II

Henry II was the Duke of Austria from 1140-1156. Prior to this move, the capital of Austria was the small town of Klosterneuburg. When Vienna became the capital, its population and area increased dramatically. Many of Vienna's most famous churches were built soon after the move, including St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Schottenstift monastery.

12. In the period from c. 1820-60 Austria exercised a major direct influence on the affairs of a country outside Central Europe. Which?

From Quiz Austrian History II

Answer: The Italian states

In 1821 and again in 1848 Austria intervened in Italy to suppress liberal uprisings and reimpose reactionary monarchs and régimes. It had been Metternich's ambition to keep Austria as the leading power in both Germany and Italy.

13. On January 21, 1683 the horse tails of Sultan Mehmed IV 'The Hunter' were placed at the Gate of Felicity in the Topkapi Palace. What was the meaning of that?

From Quiz The 1683 Turkish-Tatar invasion of Austria

Answer: It meant the Ottoman Empire was going to war.

Ambassador Kunitz informed Vienna about this event, which was a traditional move that the Ottomans made to indicate they were going to war. In fact, the ambassador also reported that many military units had already arrived near Istanbul.

14. On July 14, 1683 the Ottomans surrounded Vienna. Before starting the siege, they sent a letter of formal notice to the defenders, asking them to surrender. What did Count von Starhemberg do about this letter?

From Quiz Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege

Answer: He chose not to reply and continued the preparations for the siege.

The letter of formal notice, written in Ottoman Turkish, listed Sultan Mehmed IV's many titles, including 'Emperor of Rome'. The Ottoman Turkish Sultans used that title after they conquered Constantinople, the city founded by Emperor Constantine the Great. The letter promised the people inside the fortress that if they converted to Islam, they were not going to be harmed. It promised them that they were not going to be harmed even if they did not convert to Islam but surrender peacefully, and the like. But it threatened them with death, confiscation of possessions and enslavement if they did not surrender.

15. In the 12th century, Vienna was able to build new city walls and a mint, all of which were funded by what?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: A ransom for King Richard the Lionheart

In 1192, Duke Leopold V the Virtuous got wind that King Richard the Lionheart was in the nearby Austrian city of Erdberg during the Third Crusade. The king was captured and ransomed for 50,000 marks, which was paid. The capture of Richard the Lionheart was controversial. Duke Leopold was later excommunicated from the Catholic Church because Richard was on a religious crusade and thus should have been off limits, according to the Pope.

16. Upon the death of Duke Frederick II, the Fighter, in 1246 AD, the Babenberg dynasty ended and direct imperial control over the Duchy was imposed by this Holy Roman Emperor. Who was it?

From Quiz Mighty Monarchs VI (Austria)

Answer: Frederick II

Duke Frederick II (r. 1230-1246 AD). The emperor held Austria until 1248 AD when it was given to Herman of Baden (r. 1248-1250 AD). Between 1250-1253 AD was the Interregnum which only ended when Ottokar II, King of Bohemia, seized the duchy.

17. Which German state successfully challenged the leading position of the Habsburgs in Central Europe in 1740-63?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: Prussia

The rise of Prussia to the status of a first-class European power during the reign of Frederick II (the Great) was sudden and unexpected.

18. The Ottoman Turks concentrated their attacks on a certain area of the star-shaped Vienna fortress. Which was this area?

From Quiz Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege

Answer: The zone between the Löwel Bastion and the Burg Bastion.

The Ottomans believed that a western section of the wall including the Löwel and the Burg Bastions was more vulnerable, so that is where they began digging their trenches. Today you will be in that area if you walk on the famous Vienna Ring between Burgtheater and Burggarten, not far from the Kunsthistorische Museum. There is also a street called Löwelstrasse, close to where the Löwel Bastion was. This bastion, badly damaged towards the end of the siege, saw furious attacks by the Janissaries and heroic resistance of the defenders. The Viennese defenders, about 11,000 at the beginning of the siege, faced an army of circa 150,000 soldiers. The Viennese defenders killed 47,000 Ottomans before the relief Christian army crushed the besiegers on September 12, 1683.

19. The University of Vienna was founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolf IV of Austria, who was a member of the which famous Austrian Dynasty?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Habsburg

The Habsburgs ruled Austrian lands from 1278-1780. During that time, especially in the first few centuries, the Habsburgs helped Vienna establish institutions of education and culture, including the University of Vienna. Locally, the Habsburgs helped Vienna stand out from nearby Prague, which was the dominant city in the area. However, during the beginning of the 15th century, Vienna fell into a period of economic decline when disputes over who were the rightful heirs to various thrones and titles led to revolts among the wealthy and working classes.

20. Only one woman has ever ruled Austria. Who was it?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: Maria Theresa

Legally, women were barred from inheriting office in Central Europe, but Maria Theresa succeeded under a special arrangement to ensure the continuity of the House of Habsburg. This arrangement was called the Pragmatic Sanction: it was a practical solution to a practical problem.

21. The amount of money in the Imperial Treasury of Leopold was far short of meeting the requirements of the war preparations. Fortunately, important sums were donated by various governments and private individuals. Which was the most generous donor?

From Quiz The 1683 Turkish-Tatar invasion of Austria

Answer: Pope Innocent XI.

The King of England made no donations. For those curious, important sums arrived from Portugal, the Spanish clergy, Duchy of Savoy, Duke of Castiglione, Grand Duke Cosimo of Tuscany. Credits came from Genoa and Lucca. Pope Innocent XI sent 400,000 guilders to Vienna, half a million guilders to Warsaw and 300,000 guilders to Elector Max Emanuel of Bavaria. The Pope further undertook to finance one unit of Cossacks that should join the Polish army. Generous donations came from the Italian cardinals. Some have allegedly melted their tableware to provide for the war with the Turks. Max Gandolf von Kuenburg, Bishop of Salzburg, sent 800 armed soldiers as well as cash.

22. One of Vienna's most visited attractions was built in 1642 on the orders of Eleonora Gonzaga, wife of Ferdinand II. Which site, famous for its hedge maze, is it?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace may be the most recognized place in Vienna and all of Austria. The first structure to be built there was a summer home in 1642. The palace and the famous gardens were built later on in 1696. Many historic events have occurred at the Schonbrunn Palace including a concert by Mozart when he was six, the abdication of Emperor Charles I and the end of the monarchy.

23. In 1866 Prussia went to war against Austria and most other states in the German Confederation. In English this is called the "Seven Weeks' War". How do the Austrians and Germans refer to this war?

From Quiz Austrian History II

Answer: The German War

The rapid and decisive Prussian victory owed much to the careful "war games" undertaken by the Prussian General Staff beforehand. The German Confederation was dissolved and Austria was in effect expelled from Germany. The arguments about a "Lesser Germany" (without Austrian territory) and a "Greater Germany" (including substantial sections of the Habsburg territories) was decided, by force, in favour of the former. This remained the position till 1938 and the establishment, also by force, of a Greater Germany. Germany, perhaps more than any other major European country, was consciously defined - arguably artifically. At the same time, Italy also fought against Austria and gained the province of Venezia.

24. In 1276 AD Rudolf I, Holy Roman Emperor, took over possession of the Duchy of Austria. It would remain in his dynasty's possession til 1918 AD. Which dynasty was it?

From Quiz Mighty Monarchs VI (Austria)

Answer: Habsburg

Rudolf I was the first Habsburg to be emperor (1273-1291 AD) and the first to be duke (1276-1282 AD) -- sometimes also spelled Hapsburg. He would turn over control of the duchy to his son Albert I (r. 1282-1308 AD). Austria would be the Habsburg powerbase. The imperial title would become hereditary (1438 AD) and by marriage alliances and military might they would eventually control the largest family "empire" in Europe.

25. In the Napoleonic Wars a combined Austrian and Russian army suffered a particularly devastating defeat at the hands of Napoleon. What was the battle called?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: Austerlitz & Battle of Austerlitz

Austerlitz is often regarded as Napoleon's greatest victory.

26. Duke Charles of Lorraine, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Austrian Army, realized fully only on a certain date that the target of the invaders was Vienna. What was that date?

From Quiz The 1683 Turkish-Tatar invasion of Austria

Answer: July 7, 1683.

Only on July 7 it became clear to the Duke of Lorraine that the Muslims were marching on Vienna. On that date, a large Tatar detachment attacked the Imperial Army convoy near Regelsbrunn. Eventually they were repelled but the news of the clash reached Vienna at around 2 pm and caused panic. Leopold asked his advisers what to do and they all insisted he should leave Vienna. The departure of the Imperial train was inglorious and the populace hurled insults at the fleeing imperials. But Leopold's escape made sense. Not only that he risked being paraded in a cage in case of capture, but if he was cooped up inside the fortress during the siege, he was not going to be able to engage in the diplomacy required to finish building a military alliance capable to challenge the Turks and Tatars. The Duke of Lorraine was also aware that the enemy massively outnumbered his forces so he decided to avoid any further large scale engagement with the Turks or the Tatars.

27. The Spanish Riding School that opened in Vienna in 1735 was riding school for which horses?

From Quiz History of Vienna

Answer: Lipizzaner

The Lipizzaner breed of horse was bred for the Habsburgs. The Spanish Riding School trains the Lipizzaners in classical dressage and the school is considered the best of its kind in the world. Although women were never officially banned from attending, it was not until 2008 when the first women were accepted. It is called the Spanish Riding School because of the Spanish horses that were used to breed the first Lipizzaners.

28. When did the Austrian government remove the fortifications round the old city in Vienna?

From Quiz Austrian History II

Answer: 1850s

This allowed for the construction of the "Ring" from 1860 onwards and for the transformation of Vienna into a showy, grandiose capital, somewhat along the lines of Paris and St. Petersburg. The massive fortifications had become a serious obstacle separating the old city from the suburbs.

29. After the Napoleonic Wars the name of one Austrian politician (Foreign Minister, 1809-48 and also Chancellor, 1822-48) became a byword for political repression. Who was it?

From Quiz Austrian History I

Answer: Metternich

More than anyone else, Metternich was the architect of the Central European police state of the period 1815-48. (Obviously, it was *not* a modern, totalitarian police state, but rather a 'surveillance state', that also had pre-publication censorship and witch-hunts for subversives, imaginary and real).

30. Initially, Count von Starhemberg had circa 11,000 men under his command. At the end of the siege, he only had circa 5,000 men capable of fighting. What was the main cause of his loses?

From Quiz Vienna 1683: a forgotten siege

Answer: The red flux.

The red flux was a form of severe dysentery that could be lethal in many cases. The victims were sent to Passauerhof, which was located somewhere in the area of the Maria am Gestade church. Can you imagine the stench caused by the hundreds of patients?

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