History Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on useful history terms: empire, revolution, dynasty, treaty and civilization. B1–B2 level.
History Vocabulary — FAQ
A kingdom is a state ruled by a king or queen, usually with a single people or nation. An empire is larger, made up of many territories or peoples brought under the rule of a single supreme authority, often an emperor. Empires typically expand through conquest and govern diverse populations.
A revolution is a fundamental and often sudden change in political power or social order, frequently involving the overthrow of an existing government. Examples include the French Revolution and the American Revolution. Revolutions can be violent or relatively peaceful, but they bring deep change.
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers who come from the same family and pass power down through generations. Dynasties were common in monarchies and empires, such as the Tudor dynasty in England or the Ming dynasty in China.
A treaty is a formal, written agreement between two or more states or rulers, often used to end a war, form an alliance or settle borders. Treaties are binding under international law once they are signed and ratified by the parties involved.
A civilization is a complex human society characterised by features such as cities, organised government, writing, division of labour and cultural achievements. Early civilizations arose in regions like Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley and China.
The Renaissance was a period of cultural, artistic and intellectual revival in Europe from roughly the 14th to the 17th century. It saw renewed interest in the art and learning of ancient Greece and Rome and produced figures such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Feudalism was a social and economic system in medieval Europe in which land was granted by lords to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. Peasants worked the land and gave a share of produce or labour in return for protection.
The Middle Ages, also called the medieval period, refers to European history from roughly the 5th to the 15th century, between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Renaissance. It is sometimes divided into the Early, High and Late Middle Ages.
The Industrial Revolution was the period from the late 18th century when economies shifted from hand production to machines, factories and mass production, beginning in Britain. It transformed manufacturing, transport, society and the way people lived and worked.
A colony is a territory that is settled and controlled by a more powerful country, often far away. The controlling country, called the mother country or colonial power, governs the colony and frequently exploits its resources and labour.