Mexico Quiz: From the Ancient Mayans to Revolutions, Can You Answer This Mexican History Trivia?
Written by Jessica Holom
Last updated · 7 min play time
Pancho Villa and Montezuma challenge you to share what YOU know about Mexico. Show them what you're made of with this Mexican History Quiz!
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!" – Emiliano Zapata
From the Mayans to the Aztecs, Mexico's ancient civilizations left their mark on the country's culture. And its revolutionaries later left theirs. Breaking away from Spain, then breaking from dictatorship, the story of Mexico is one of fighting for freedom from tyranny.
What do you know about Mexican history? Take our Mexican History Quiz to journey from Tenochtitlán to Mexico City!
Test your History Knowledge
"Action must be taken at once, there is no time to be lost.” - Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
Take action NOW and ace this Mexican History Quiz. While Hidalgo was talking about Mexican independence, no time will be lost in learning about Mexico's history with our Mexican History Quiz.
Which group did Cortes defeat at Tenochtitlán? Who led the Mexicans to independence from Spain? What Mexican leader was called the "Man of Destiny"? When is Mexican independence day? Who was the Mexican republic's first president? Think you know your history? Then, show us what you've got with this Mexican History Quiz.
If you're a world historian, then you'll have no problem answering these history questions. So, get your thinking-sombrero on and ace this Mexican history quiz!
Try all of our History Quizzes
Our history quizzes are designed to test your deep and extensive knowledge of the past. Whether you consider yourself a historian or simply enjoyed the subject in high school, our history collection offers fun quizzes and fast facts about some of the most significant events in history.
Once you've aced this Mexican history quiz, travel up north to Canada with our Canadian History Quiz. Perhaps you'd like to know more about the U.S. government? Then put your knowledge to the test with this U.S. Government Quiz. Are you more interested in historical figures? Take this Historical Figures Quiz and remember the best of the best. This is only the beginning. Take all of our QuizGriz history quizzes, and you'll be a history buff in no time!
Quiz written by
Jessica HolomJessica Holom is a freelance writer and digital nomad with a background in literature, art, and writing. She believes curiosity never killed a single cat and enjoys learning, world-exploring, and writing about both.
Mexican History Quiz Questions
20 Questions · 167 Plays · No comments
Question 1
In a 13-day battle, Mexican forces took down the Texans in San Antonio, prompting this famous battle cry.
-
AThe British are coming
-
BRemember the Alamo
-
CGive me liberty or give me death
-
DThey may take our lives, but they'll never take...OUR FREEDOM
Remember the Alamo
Of course we "Remember the Alamo". The battle saw the volunteer Texan soldiers at the former Franciscan mission near San Antonio soundly defeated by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and his men. The Texans (who included Davy Crockett in their number) were wildly outnumbered. This fueled the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo," which to the Texans represented their resistance.
Question 2
Known for his speech, "The Cry of Dolores," this Roman Catholic priest rang in the Mexican War of Independence. Name that key figure.
-
APancho Villa
-
BMiguel Hidalgo y Costilla
-
CEmiliano Zapata
-
DJohn Paul II
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
"Action must be taken at once; there is no time to be lost. We shall yet see the oppressors' yoke broken and the fragments scattered on the ground." Roman Catholic Priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gathered an army of 90,000 poor farmers and led the way in fighting the Spanish. After the Battle of Calderón Bridge, Hidalgo was betrayed and executed.
Question 3
"¡Es mio!" What Spanish conquistador and explorer claimed Mexico for Spain?
-
AHernán Cortés
-
BAmerigo Vespucci
-
CChristopher Columbus
-
DSir Walter Raleigh
Hernán Cortés
"We Spaniards know a sickness of the heart that only gold can cure." The 15th-century Spanish conquistador, Hernán Cortés, followed his sickness of the heart all the way over to Mexico and claimed it for Spain. The New World was his.
Question 4
Peace, at last. After nearly two years of fighting, what treaty ended the Mexican-American War?
-
AThe Peace of Westphalia
-
BTreaty of Tordesillas
-
CTreaty of Versailles
-
DTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The United States and the Mexican Republic came to an agreement that would end the Mexican-American War. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (with its official title: the "Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement") was signed on February 2, 1848.
Question 5
Known for their temples, pyramids, and urban planning, what civilization formed in 1000 B.C. and is believed to have collapsed due to massive drought?
-
AEgyptians
-
BAztecs
-
CIncas
-
DMayans
Mayans
The Mayan civilization established their agricultural villages and began to flourish in the Yucatán Peninsula. They are also known for their calendar systems, their hieroglyphics, their love of astronomy, and their incredible architecture. Oh, and of course, their chocolate.
Question 6
"I, Pancho Villa, was a loyal man that destiny brought the world to fight for the good of the poor and that I will never betray nor forget my duty," What happened to the revolutionary leader, Pancho Villa?
-
AHe became president
-
BHe was killed in a duel
-
CHe was assassinated
-
DHe produced a platinum album
He was assassinated
The Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa, fought tirelessly against the Mexican government. After several victories came several defeats and, in 1920, Villa was pardoned and sent off to a ranch in Chihuahua in exchange for his political retirement. He didn't live long. Three years later, he was assassinated while driving home. According to some sources, his last words were, "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
Question 7
Happy Mexico Day! When did Mexico gain independence from Spain?
-
AJune 12, 1824
-
BMay 5, 1776
-
CSeptember 16, 1810
-
DJanuary 10, 1876
September 16, 1810
"So many soldiers to guard a poor woman, but with my blood, I will form a heritage for my children." – Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez. Mexico sought independence from Spain in September of 1810. The country celebrates this anniversary on September 16.
Question 8
With a change of rule comes a new name. What was Mexico called under Spanish rule?
-
ANew Spain
-
BNew Mexico
-
CNew Delhi
-
DNew Madrid
New Spain
Once Spain conquered Tenochtitlán, they put their stamp of approval on it. Deeming the land "the Viceroyalty of New Spain", this was but one of four viceroyalties Spain established in the New World. This viceroyalty included all land north of the Isthmus of Panama all the way up to what is now the central and southwestern United States.
Question 9
The "Age of" this dictator led to the deaths of many indigenous peoples and, eventually, to the leader's exile in Cuba. Name that "Man of Destiny".
-
ASanta Anna
-
BMark Zuckerberg
-
CFelipe Calderón
-
DCarlos Salinas de Gortari
Santa Anna
In blew the Santa Ana winds with the "Age of Santa Anna," as Mexico's "destiny has become intertwined with his," according to the politician and writer, Lucas Alamán. Post-independent Mexico was shaped by Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón for better or for worse. Deemed "the uncrowned monarch" and "the Man of Destiny," Santa Anna was what one might call a flip-flopper, arguing against Mexican independence, but then fighting for it, backing the First Mexican Empire monarchy, then fighting against it...you get the idea.
Question 10
Establishing social welfare, public service, and the government, when was the Mexican constitution adopted?
-
A1917
-
B1919
-
C1953
-
D1929
1917
On February 5th, 1917, the Mexican Constitution was approved by Congress. Drafted by a constituent convention in Santiago de Querétaro, it replaced the Constitution of 1857.
Question 11
Emiliano Zapata said, "It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." When did the Mexican Revolution begin?
-
A1920
-
B1940
-
C1910
-
D1930
1910
In 1910, Mexico had had enough of Dictator Porfirio Díaz Mori, who had been president for longer than anyone in Mexico's history. His policies benefited his wealthy friends and foreign investors. After failing yet again to allow democracy to take its course, a call to arms to overthrow him set off the Mexican Revolution.
Question 12
Straight outta the Mexican War of Independence, who was the first emperor of Mexico?
-
AErnesto Zedillo
-
BAgustín de Iturbide
-
CAdolfo Lopez Mateos
-
DVicente Fox
Agustín de Iturbide
In 1822, Agustín de Iturbide led the conservative side of the Mexican independence movement. Later, he became the emperor of Mexico for a short time, as Agustín I, before he was exiled to Europe and then later executed. He also designed the Mexican flag.
Question 13
The Spanish had their work cut out for them. Who did they defeat upon arrival to Tenochtitlán?
-
AMayans
-
BIncas
-
CFrench
-
DAztecs
Aztecs
Cortés made nice with the Aztecs when arriving in Tenochtitlán. He was received kindly by Aztec ruler, Montezuma, but he had no intention of returning that kindness. For 93 days, the Spanish army, alongside some local tribes, laid siege to the Aztec capital and, due to the smallpox they brought with them and to better arms, they conquered Tenochtitlán.
Question 14
Did you know the French invaded Mexico for a time? Oui, oui. Who did they install as emperor?
-
AFranz Ferdinand of Austria
-
BHerbert Spencer of Britain
-
CMaximilian of Austria
-
DAuguste Comte of France
Maximilian of Austria
The French Emperor Napoleon III (no, not <i>that</i> Napoleon) set out to Mexico to found a French client state in 1862. He installed the Archduke of Austria, Maximilian, as Mexico's new emperor. He remained in power a little over three years.
Question 15
With the Battle of Palo Alto led by Mexican General Mariano Arista, what war began in 1846?
-
AMexican-American War
-
BMexican Revolutionary War
-
CWorld War II
-
DSpanish-American War
Mexican-American War
The first official battle of the Mexican-American War was the Battle of Palo Alto in 1846. The Mexican army crossed the Rio Grande and opened fire at Fort Texas. General Zachary Taylor (who would later become president) defeated the troops. Three days later, the United States, under President James Polk, declared war on Mexico.
Question 16
A-maize-ing! Which group first cultivated corn?
-
AOlmecs
-
BMayans
-
CAztecs
-
DIncas
Olmecs
Around 1500 B.C., the Olmecs developed early villages in southern Mexico, becoming the first major Mesoamerican civilization. They started growing everything from corn to chile peppers to beans to cotton while developing a unique culture, art, and language.
Question 17
Dictator Porfirio Diaz was overthrown by the revolution. Viewed today as the Father of the Mexican Revolution, who replaced him as president and tried to close the gap between the rich and the poor?
-
AMark Twain
-
BBenito Juarez
-
CFrancisco Madero
-
DAndrés Manuel López Obrador
Francisco Madero
The Mexican revolutionary, Francisco Ignacio Madero González, replaced Diaz. Supporting democracy and social justice, Madero, unfortunately, made enemies with people who wanted him gone. He was killed in a military coup two short years after he was elected.
Question 18
With Guadalupe Victoria elected as the first president, when did Mexico become a republic?
-
A1843
-
B1901
-
C1836
-
D1824
1824
"When the people jump their barriers, almost no effort is powerful enough to stop it." Guadalupe Victoria was the first president of the Republic and the only one to complete his full term for three decades after Mexican independence.
Question 19
Founded in the early 14th century at what is now Mexico City, what Aztec group established the city of Tenochtitlán?
-
AMayans
-
BMexica
-
CSpanish
-
DToltec Indians
Mexica
Tenochtitlán was founded by an Aztec group called the Mexica in 1325. According to legend, the god of war, the sun, and human sacrifice, Huitzilopochtli, ordered the Mexica to settle on the island. Best to listen to him...
Question 20
Although the Institutional Revolutionary Party won every presidential election for more than half a century (through fraudulent elections), there are four political parties that dominate modern Mexican politics. Which is NOT one of them?
-
ADemocratic Revolution Party
-
BNational Regeneration Movement
-
CNational Action Party
-
DConstitutional Republican Party
Constitutional Republican Party
Four political parties divide Mexican politics. These are the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the Democratic Revolution Party (PRD), the National Action Party (PAN), and the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA).
Comments (0)
We want to hear your feedback! Share your scores and discuss the quiz, but keep it civil.