Spanish History Quiz: From Conquests to Inquisitions, What Do You Know About Spanish History?

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"In Spain, the dead are more alive than the dead of any other country in the world." – Federico Garcia Lorca 

The lively culture of Spain began with the Phoenicians, was taken by the Visogoths, then later the Moors, before being recaptured and weeded out with the Spanish Inquisition. Through it all, the dead, like national heroes El Cid and Saint James, are very much alive through history.

What can you recall about European history? Take our Spanish History Quiz and inquire about the Inquisition.

Test your History Knowledge

"Like Spain, I am bound to the past.” – William S. Burroughs

Are you bound? Break free with this Spanish History Quiz. 

If you know your Spanish history then you'll be sure to ace this Spanish History Quiz. Just a refresher: Who is El Cid? What was the Spanish Inquisition? What wars did the Spanish fight along the way? The Spanish Civil War pitted what parties against each other? 

If you have the historical know-how to nail this trivia, then what are you waiting for? Learn more about the Moors and so much more with our Spanish History Quiz.


Jessica 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.

Spanish History Quiz Questions

25 Questions · 222 Plays · No comments

Question 1

Sponsored by Queen Isabella, which famous explorer set out for the New World in the late 15th century?

  • A
    Hernan Cortes
  • B
    Walter Raleigh
  • C
    Amerigo Vespucci
  • D
    Christopher Columbus

Question 2

In the 15th century, the Tribunal of the Holy Office was established by the Catholic Monarchs for what purpose?

  • A
    Spanish Inquisition
  • B
    Witch Trials
  • C
    Confessionals
  • D
    War Crimes

Question 3

The Visigoths took over Spain in 500 AD, followed by which group that named Spain "al-Andalus"?

  • A
    Occitans
  • B
    Egyptians
  • C
    Celts
  • D
    Moors

Question 4

Later ruled by Ferdinand II, what medieval kingdom formed in 1137?

  • A
    Biscay
  • B
    Aragon
  • C
    Northumbria
  • D
    Asturias

Question 5

After the war between Carthage and Rome, what was the Roman province of Spain called?

  • A
    España
  • B
    Portucale
  • C
    Spain
  • D
    Hispania

Question 6

Made up of some 150 ships and 18,000 men, Spain's "Invincible Armada" proved not-so-invincible when what country defeated it in 1588?

  • A
    America
  • B
    Portugal
  • C
    France
  • D
    England

Question 7

Ruling for 36 years, what nationalist leader called himself “El Caudillo” (The Leader) and became dictator in 1939?

  • A
    Adolf Hitler
  • B
    Francisco Franco
  • C
    Benito Mussolini
  • D
    Nicolae Ceausescu

Question 8

Establishing the city of Lima, what empire did Spanish explorer Francisco Pizarro conquer?

  • A
    Roman Empire
  • B
    Mayan Empire
  • C
    Mongol Empire
  • D
    Incan Empire

Question 9

Considered one of the best of its kind, what international event was held in Barcelona in 1992?

  • A
    Dancing with the Stars
  • B
    Olympics
  • C
    World Fair
  • D
    FIFA World Cup

Question 10

With rapid economic growth second only to Japan, what was the name given to the prosperity of the '60s in Spain?

  • A
    Spanish Shuttle
  • B
    Spanish Flu
  • C
    Spanish Miracle
  • D
    Spanish Supernova

Question 11

Calling themselves the "Mexica," which group did Hernán Cortés conquer in 1520?

  • A
    Mayans
  • B
    Incas
  • C
    Aztecs
  • D
    French

Question 12

What tragedy occurred in 2004 in Madrid, killing 193 people?

  • A
    Fire
  • B
    Tsunami
  • C
    Earthquake
  • D
    Terrorist attack

Question 13

Called "the Prudent," what king was the self-proclaimed "protector of the Holy Roman Empire"?

  • A
    John I
  • B
    George III
  • C
    Louis IV
  • D
    Philip II

Question 14

In 1479, a royal wedding brought which two kingdoms together to officially form the Kingdom of Spain?

  • A
    Wessex & Sussex
  • B
    Aragon & Castile
  • C
    Valencia & Catalonia
  • D
    Castile & Valencia

Question 15

During the Spanish-American War, which Spanish territory was NOT lost to the United States?

  • A
    Guam
  • B
    Puerto Rico
  • C
    Canary Islands
  • D
    Cuba

Question 16

Guided by King Juan Carlos, in what year did Spain become a democracy?

  • A
    1876
  • B
    2002
  • C
    1978
  • D
    1943

Question 17

The 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries saw Spain entered into multiple wars. What was NOT one of them?

  • A
    War of Spanish Succession
  • B
    Thirty Years' War
  • C
    Hundred Years' War
  • D
    Seven Years' War

Question 18

With the conquest of Granada in 1492, what warring between Christians and Muslims officially came to an end?

  • A
    War of the Roses
  • B
    Reconquista
  • C
    Spanish Civil War
  • D
    Thirty Years War

Question 19

Quoted as saying, "Change can be good if you combine audacity with safety," who is the prime minister of Spain of 2021?

  • A
    Pierre Trudeau
  • B
    Mariano Rajoy
  • C
    Adolfo Suárez
  • D
    Pedro Sánchez

Question 20

Specializing in pottery and metalwork, which industrious group introduced the iron and the potter's wheel to the region?

  • A
    Celts
  • B
    Vascones
  • C
    Romans
  • D
    Phoenicians

Question 21

Considered a Spanish national hero, El Cid retook what city from the Moors?

  • A
    Paris
  • B
    Valencia
  • C
    Segovia
  • D
    Granada

Question 22

Once the nation had taken a step away from fascism, what two international groups did Spain join in the 1980s?

  • A
    UN & NATO
  • B
    EU & UN
  • C
    NASA & FOREX
  • D
    NATO & EU

Question 23

Founded in 1800 BC, what was the first civilization to occupy Spain?

  • A
    Indus
  • B
    Mesopotamia
  • C
    El Argar
  • D
    Harappan

Question 24

Just before World War II kicked off, which two parties fought in the Spanish Civil War?

  • A
    Federalists and Marxists
  • B
    Republicans and Democrats
  • C
    Democrats and Nationalists
  • D
    Nationalists and Republicans

Question 25

While they were distracted with their failed campaign in Russia, from whose rule was Spain freed in the Peninsular War?

  • A
    Britain
  • B
    Germany
  • C
    Portugal
  • D
    France

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