WHII Q1 World History Test: Key Figures, Ideas & Events

Asoka

Sent Buddhist missionaries to China and other parts of Asia.

Bach, Johann Sebastian

Baroque composer.

Calvin, John (1509—1564)

French theologian in the Protestant Reformation. Created new branch of Protestantism that focused on predestination.

Cartier, Jacques (1491—1557)

French explorer in Canada.

Cervantes, Miguel de

Spanish Novelist who created the character Don Quixote.

Charles V (1500—1558)

Hapsburg Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain as Charles I.

Columbus, Christopher (1451—1506)

Italian explorer who led first Spanish expedition to the New World in 1492.

Copernicus, Nicolaus (1473—1543)

Developed the heliocentric theory [that planets orbited the sun (instead of vice versa)].

Cortez, Hernando (1485—1547)

Spanish conquistador. Conquered Aztec Empire in Mexico.

Da Gama, Vasco (1469?—1524)

Portuguese explorer who sailed around southern Africa (Cape of Good Hope) to India. Established Portuguese trading power in the Indian Ocean.

Da Vinci, Leonardo (1452—1519)

Italian artist and scientist. Famous as painter of the Mona Lisa.

Drake, Francis

First Englishman to sail around the world.

Elizabeth I (1533—1603)

Queen of England. Brought peace and economic stability. Promoted culture. Head of the Anglican Church but had tolerance for dissenters.

Erasmus, Desiderius (1466?—1536)

Humanist and church reformer. Translated New Testament from Greek to Latin.

Galileo, Galilei (1564—1642)

Italian who used a telescope to support Copernicus' heliocentric theory.

Gautama, Siddhartha (563?—483? B.C.)

Founder of Buddhism.

Gutenburg, Johann

Invented the movable type printing press.

Hapsburg Family

The authority of the Holy Roman Empire who continued to support the Roman Catholic Church.

Harvey, William

Discovered circulation of blood.

Henry VIII (1491—1547)

King of England. Broke away from Rome and created Church of England with himself as head. Had a total of six wives during his lifetime.

Henry the Navigator (1394—1460)

Portuguese prince who sponsored exploration and expansion. He established a school.

Hobbes, Thomas (1588—1679)

English philosopher who believed absolute rule is necessary to curb humanity's warring passions. Wrote Leviathan.

Huss, Jan

Criticized the Roman Catholic Church prior to Martin Luther. Roman Catholic Church leaders labeled him a heretic. He was martyred by his fellow Christians by being burned at the stake.

Jefferson, Thomas (1743—1826)

American statesman, diplomat, and author. Drafted Declaration of Independence which incorporated enlightenment ideas. Was third U.S. President.

Jesus (circa 4 B.C.E.—29 C.E.)

Jewish religious teacher. Believed by Christians to be the Son of God and Savior of Mankind. Crucified on the cross.

Kepler, Johannes

Discovered planetary motion.

Locke, John (1632—1704)

English Enlightenment philosopher who believed the people are sovereign and consent to the government for protection of natural rights to life, liberty and property. Wrote Two Treatises on Government.

Louis XIV (1638—1715)

King of France known as the Sun King. Absolute ruler; built Palace at Versailles (which was a symbol of his royal power).

Luther, Martin (1483—1546)

German Protestant and leader of Reformation. Protested against papal abuses in Ninety-five Theses.

Magellan, Ferdinand

Explorer whose crew sailed around the world.

Michelangelo (1475—1564)

Italian sculptor, architect, and painter. Best known for painting the ceiling of Rome's Sistine Chapel.

Mohammed (570?—632)

A religious leader who founded Islam. Teachings recorded in the Quran.

Montesquieu, Charles (1689—1755)

French political philosopher; put forward the doctrine of the Separation of Powers. Wrote Spirit of the Laws.

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Classical composer.

Newton, Sir Isaac (1642—1727)

English mathematician. Best known for theories of gravitation and optics and his development of calculus.

Peter the Great

Tsar who westernized Russia. He was an absolute ruler.

Pizarro, Francisco (1474?—1541)

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Inca empire.

Cardinal Richelieu

Changed the focus of the Thirty Years' War from a religious to a political conflict.

Rousseau, Jean Jacques (1712—1778)

French philosopher. Major figure of the Enlightenment. Wrote The Social Contract.

Shakespeare, William (1564—1616)

English playwright and poet. Author of 36 plays, 152 sonnets, and several longer poems.

Voltaire (Francois-Marie Arouet) (1694—1778)

French philosopher; major figure of the Enlightenment. Believed that religious toleration should triumph over religious fanaticism and the separation of church and state.

Wycliffe, John

Lived prior to Martin Luther. Englishman who stated that the Bible and not leaders of the church should be the authority for Christians. He translated the Bible into English.