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Czech History Trivia

Czech History Trivia Quizzes

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5 Czech History quizzes and 50 Czech History trivia questions.
1.
  The History of Prague    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Prague has long been one of Central Europe's most historically rich cities. From its early beginnings and until recently, Prague has historically been a city of violence. This quiz covers Prague's history from its founding to the modern day.
Average, 10 Qns, Joepetz, Sep 20 15
Average
Joepetz gold member
380 plays
2.
  Czechoslovakia 1918-93   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
In 1938 Neville Chamberlain described Czechoslovakia as 'a far away country about which we know little'. Test your own knowledge of the country and its history.
Average, 10 Qns, bloomsby, Nov 26 15
Average
bloomsby gold member
1598 plays
3.
  The Defenestrations of Prague    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An easy quiz about the Defenestrations of Prague.
Easier, 10 Qns, stageball, Jul 13 13
Easier
stageball
960 plays
4.
  Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Bohemia and Moravia - the present Czech Republic - have had a colorful history. If you know something of early Czech history or want to learn about it, this is the quiz for you.
Average, 10 Qns, spudhead, Dec 21 13
Average
spudhead
1345 plays
5.
  Bohemian Rhapsody    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A little Bohemian Rhapsody, gentlemen. Presented for you, a quiz all about one of the historical regions of Czech Republic (not exactly the magnum opus you might have been expecting).
Average, 10 Qns, geniusonwheels, Feb 05 10
Average
geniusonwheels
402 plays
trivia question Quick Question
After ruling for 400 years, which family became extinct when the last male was murdered in 1306?

From Quiz "Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620"




Related Topics
  Czech People: Famous & Historical [People] (2 quizzes)

  Czech Republic [Geography] (10 quizzes)


Czech History Trivia Questions

1. Like many European cities, the story behind Prague's founding is a mix of fact and legend. Prague was said to be the vision of 8th century Princess Libuse who foresaw a grand city centered around a castle on which river?

From Quiz
The History of Prague

Answer: Vltava

Princess Libuse (aka Libussa) was a Czech noblewoman who married a commoner named Premysl the Ploughman. She ruled from Bohemia when she had her grand vision of Prague, which was the name of a new castle she envisioned. Premysl began a dynasty that ruled Bohemia for over 400 years. While historians are skeptical of this founding legend, archeological evidence suggests it is possible as Libuse's original castle has been discovered and dating back to the 8th century.

2. The land known as Bohemia was originally named Boiohaemum, which comes from the Latin and means 'home of the Boii'. The Boii were the first ethnic group to arrive in the area. The Boii people would be best described as what?

From Quiz Bohemian Rhapsody

Answer: Celtic

The land of Bohemia was part of a territory that was crossed by Germanic and Slavic tribes in a period of time known as the Migration Period. Many of the Boii who had been living there started to move out with the migrating, many of which moved to a land in Germany and helped found the land known as 'Bavaria'.

3. In which country is Prague?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: Czech Republic

Prague is the capital of the Czech Republic and also of Bohemia. For several centuries prior to 1918, Bohemia (and neighboring Moravia) were under Habsburg rule.

4. Around 863, two missionaries brought the Christian faith to the lands known as Moravia and later moved on to Bohemia, too. Who were they?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: Cyril and Methodius

Cyril and Methodius were Greeks sent from Byzantium to convert the people of Moravia to Christianity. They translated the Bible and also church services into Old Church Slavonic and were later canonized. However, in both Moravia and more particularly Bohemia, rival missionaries from Western Europe and Byzantium were at that time trying to convert the Czechs to Christianity. By about AD 900 the Byzantine missionaries were expelled, and the Czech lands were soon fully within the orbit of the Western (that is, Catholic) Church.

5. In what region of Europe was Czechoslovakia situated?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: Central Europe

The Cold War, which divided Europe into East and West, tended to make many older sub-divisions of the continent obsolete. However, geographically and culturally, Czechoslovakia was (and its successor states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, are) part of Central Europe.

6. Which famous Duke of Bohemia was murdered by friends of his brother in the year 935? He is the patron saint of Prague and is immortalized in a Christmas carol.

From Quiz The History of Prague

Answer: Wenceslas

Prince Wenceslas was murdered by three conspirators who were friends of his brother Boleslav. Wenceslas was murdered on his way to church. There had long been tension between Wenceslas and Boleslav because Wenceslaus had been friendly toward the Saxons. After Wenceslas was murdered, Boleslav became the duke but eventually surrendered to the Saxon Otto I the Great.

7. The First Defenestration of Prague was a prelude to which war(s)?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: The Hussite Wars

The First Defenestration of Prague involved the killing of seven members of the hostile city council by a crowd of radical Czech Hussites on July 30, 1419. The prolonged Hussite Wars broke out shortly afterward, lasting until 1436. (The Hussites campaigned for reform in the Church and were in many respects "early Protestants").

8. In the tenth century, an enlightened ruler who was later killed by his brother, came to the throne. He would become the patron saint of Bohemia. Who was this king?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: Wenceslas

Wenceslas founded the Church of St. Vitus at Prague Castle where his ornate chapel can be visited today. A splendid square in Prague is named after him.

9. What was the capital of Czechoslovakia?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: Prague & Praha

Prague is also the capital of the province (formerly Kingdom) of Bohemia. It is now the capital of the Czech Republic. In Slav mythology Princess Libusa (or Libussa) prophesied: 'There shall arise a city in Bohemia, whose beauty and glory will reach to the heavens. It will be called "Praha" '. Prague survived WWII relatively unscathed and is arguably the most beautiful major city in Central Europe. A great range of architectural styles from Gothic to Early Modern are well represented there.

10. What term is giving to the ornament that represents a seal used by Byzantine emperors, which is in the name of two important decrees in Bohemian history, one issued in 1212, the other in 1348?

From Quiz Bohemian Rhapsody

Answer: Golden Bull

The Golden Bull of Sicily was a decree issued in 1212 that made Bohemia a kingdom, and named Otakar I King of Bohemia. The Golden Bull of 1348 allowed the construction of Charles University in Prague, one of the oldest universities in the world and the oldest in Central Europe. This Golden Bull also established the seven electors of the Holy Roman Empire and it largely removed the Pope and the papacy from the affairs of the Holy Roman Empire.

11. The Second Defenestration of Prague occured when a few royal officials were thrown out of something. What were they thrown out of?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: A window

On May 23, 1618, in Prague, a few royal (Habsburg) officials were thrown out a window of Hradcany Castle by a group of Bohemian noblemen who were not willing to elect a Habsburg as King of Bohemia.

12. After ruling for 400 years, which family became extinct when the last male was murdered in 1306?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: Premyslids

The Premyslid dynasty claimed to originate from a ploughman who married the seer, Libussa. This man was Premysl, whose stronghold was Praha, the site of Prague Castle.

13. Who is generally regarded as the 'founding father' of Czechoslovakia?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: Tomas Masaryk

Masaryk also served as president of Czechoslovakia from 1918-35. Smetana (1824-84) is a well known Czech composer. President Wilson supported the establishment of Czechoslovakia, but that doesn't make him the 'founding father'.

14. What is the name of Prague's oldest university that was founded in 1348? It also the oldest in Central Europe and has the same name Prague's most famous bridge?

From Quiz The History of Prague

Answer: Charles University

Charles University and Charles Bridge are named after Emperor Charles IV who greatly expanded Prague's influence economically and culturally. He was the first of Bohemia's rulers from the Luxembourg Dynasty. Some of his other accomplishments were renovating Prague Castle and building the New Town district of Prague. On the wider European stage he is famous for establishing the procedure for the election of the Holy Roman Emperor.

15. Although the country today doesn't even border Czech Republic, what house led a Bohemian dynasty from the years 1310 to 1437, and had Charles IV lead many projects in Prague?

From Quiz Bohemian Rhapsody

Answer: Luxembourg

John I from the House of Luxembourg accepted an invitation to the throne and became king in 1310. Charles IV, who also went on to become the Holy Roman Emperor, oversaw many projects including Charles University, Charles Bridge, Charles Square, Prague Castle, and the Saint Vitus' Cathedral. (There is also a much earlier St. Vitus Church within the precincts of Prague Castle).

16. In the Second Defenestration of Prague, the royal officials who were thrown out, survived because they landed on something. What was it?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: A cart full of manure

The Second Defenestration of Prague that occured in 1618 resulted not in death, but in the soiling of official royal garments, and the 30 Years War. This is not to be confused with the earlier (or First) Defenestration of Prague in 1419, which resulted in seven deaths as a result of the defenestraters having neglected to place the cart of manure in the appropriate place, or indeed any cart at all. By 1618 defenestration had been perfected in Prague.

17. During Charles IV's reign (1346-1378), Prague became a key center of the Holy Roman Empire. This period was known as _______?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: The Golden Age

Charles IV was a talented ruler whose architect, Petr Parler, shaped the Cathedral of St. Vitus, built many churches and constructed the Charles Bridge.

18. The Czech author, Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923), wrote a novel satirizing Austrian rule, especially during WWI. He created a character which has achieved wide currency. The English title of the book is 'The Good Soldier ...'?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: Svejk & Svejk & Schweik & Schwejk

Jaroslav Hasek succeeded in creating a new archetype - the now surly, now cheerful 'awkward guy', passive resister and clown, too.

19. During the First Defenestration of Prague on July 30, 1419, who threw whom out the window?

From Quiz The History of Prague

Answer: Supporters of Jan Zelivsky threw members of the city council

The First Defenestration of Prague came about when Jan Zelivsky and supports led a protest arguing for reform of the Catholic Church, which they saw as corrupt. During the march, someone threw a rock at Zelivsky and that led to his supporters to storm the town hall and throw about a dozen city council members and others out of the window. Most of them died as a result.

20. The first half of the 15th century in Bohemia focuses on Jan Hus. He taught philosophy in Prague University. What position was Hus appointed to that led to his burning at the stake and would lead to the Hussite Wars?

From Quiz Bohemian Rhapsody

Answer: Head of the Bethlehem Chapel in Prague

The Bethlehem Chapel was established 10 years before Hus was appointed. The chapel was associated with a new approach to Christianity, which many said was very radical. Sermons were in the native Czech language, which was understood by ordinary people. The preachers of the church wanted a much simpler religion, without the worldly grandeur of the Catholic Church and the papacy. For his actions, the Catholic Church burned Hussat at the stake as a heretic. The Church also led a series of crusades against Bohemia, which naturally had to defend itself. These crusades are known as the Hussite Wars, in which Bohemia was trying to achieve for religious freedom in the face of fierce opposition from Church.

21. Charles IV, a great builder and urban planner, transformed Prague into a magnificent city of 50,000 inhabitants which included:

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: the first university in Central Europe

Although Prague University started as a theological school, it branched out into other areas of learning and became a voice of oppositon to the Catholic church in the 15th century.

22. In 1938, Czechoslovakia was forced to hand over a substantial part of its territory to Nazi Germany. What was the territory called?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: The Sudetenland

The Sudentenland bordered Germany and Austria, and the population was predominantly German-speaking. The Nazis' claim that the German-speaking population was persecuted by the government of Czechoslovakia was untrue.

23. According to popular legends, how did the three men who were defenestrated during the Second Defenestration of Prague on May 23, 1618 survive the fall?

From Quiz The History of Prague

Answer: Either by angels or by falling in a pile of dung

Jaroslav Borzita and Vilem Slavata were both Catholic regents in Prague and were accused of violating the rights of Protestants within Prague. They were sentenced to death by Jindrich Matyas Thurn, a Protestant leader. The two men and their secretary were thrown from a third floor window nearly 70 feet high, but they all survived. Word spread amongst the Catholics that angels had intervened with the execution. Protestants countered and said the men only survived because they landed in a pile of manure. How they survived exactly is unknown but historians give some credit to the manure theory. The Second Defenestration of Prague was one of the main events that caused the Thirty Years' War that saw the attempt by the Habsburg monarchy to reassert its power in the Holy Roman Empire fail and also its attempt to restore Roman Catholicism.

24. What does "defenestration" mean?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: Throwing out of a window

Defenestration is the act of throwing someone or something out of a window. It's hardly ever used except in the phrase "defenestration(s) of Prague".

25. The Golden Bull of 1356 gave Bohemia a special status. What was it?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: It was named as an electorate of the Holy Roman Empire

Bohemia had become a kingdom much earlier - already in 1198, and the title of king had sometimes been used earlier by the dukes of Bohemia. The other electorates of the Holy Roman Empire named in the Golden Bull were: Brandenburg, Saxony, the Palatinate and the archbishoprics of Cologne, Mainz and Trier.

26. Which Habsburg empress, who ruled over Prague and Bohemia from 1743-1780, was infamous for her antisemitism at least in the first twenty years of her reign and expelled the Jews from Prague in 1745?

From Quiz The History of Prague

Answer: Maria Theresa

The Jews had flourished in Prague during the 17th century and into the 18th. However, the Maria Theresa was staunchly Catholic and instituted several policies against the Jews and Protestants. Some of these policies included exorbitant taxes and forced conversions. She expelled the Jews from Prague in 1745 against the advice of her advisors. Three years later, the Jewish people were given permission to return. In the later years of her reign, she instituted policies that were more favorable to the Jews, although it is said she still hated them. Much of this may have had to do with her son, the future Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, who abhorred his mother's policies, especially when she tried to expel Protestants in 1777. Maria Theresa was also the mother of Marie Antoinette.

27. In the Second Defenestration of Prague the defenestration was carried out by members of Bohemian aristocracy. Why did they do it?

From Quiz The Defenestrations of Prague

Answer: They were rebelling

The Bohemian aristocracy was effectively in revolt following the election of Ferdinand, Duke of Styria and a Catholic zealot, to rule the Holy Roman Empire, which included Bohemia. They wanted to elect their own king.

28. In 1414, a national movement, inspired by a popular teacher and preacher who was burned at the stake for his views, began over two hundred years of civil wars and unrest in the country. Who was this man?

From Quiz Bohemia and Moravia, 800-1620

Answer: Jan Hus

Jan Hus went to discuss his views on reform at the Council of Constance (1415). Though he had been given safe conduct - that is a guarantee of personal safety, he was arrested, tried as a heretic and burnt at the stake.

29. In May 1942, the Free Czechoslovak Army killed the only prominent Nazi to be assassinated in World War II. Who was it?

From Quiz Czechoslovakia 1918-93

Answer: Heydrich&Reinhard Heydrich

Heydrich was the 'Protector' (= Governor) of Bohemia and Moravia, an SS-general and was in charge of the 'Final Solution.' (He was also Head of the 'Reichssicherheitshauptamt' (RSHA) - the Reich Main Security Office - which co-ordinated the activities of the SS from late September 1939 till the end of WWII). After his assassination he was officially revered by the Nazi régime as if he were some kind of Germanic 'saint'.

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