Lesson 1B.2.1

1B.2.1 Philip II's Spain and the 'Golden Age', 1556–1598 Quiz: AQA History, Unit 2

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

In partnership with Revision Ninja

Lesson 1B.2.1, Philip II's Spain and the 'Golden Age', 1556–1598: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA History (7042), Unit 2: 1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598, written with Revision Ninja.

Host it live on the board and students join with a game code on their own devices, or revise alone with Free Play. The answers are revealed in the game.

Host this setFree Play

The 20 questions

  1. Which monarch ruled Spain from 1556 until his death in 1598, and built the Escorial palace complex near Madrid?

    • Philip III
    • Ferdinand II
    • Philip II
    • Charles V

  2. Which battle of 1571, fought off western Greece, saw a Holy League fleet led by Don John of Austria defeat the Ottoman navy?

    • Malta
    • Lepanto
    • Preveza
    • Djerba

  3. Which year saw the Spanish Armada fail to invade England, the most famous setback of Philip II's reign?

    • 1588
    • 1580
    • 1571
    • 1598

  4. In which year did Philip II become King of Portugal through a succession dispute and military action?

    • 1568
    • 1580
    • 1591
    • 1556

  5. Which revolt began in the Netherlands in 1568, becoming a long-running conflict that Philip II struggled to end?

    • The Catalan revolt
    • The Morisco revolt
    • The Fronde
    • The Dutch Revolt

  6. Which commander was sent to the Netherlands in 1567 to establish the Council of Troubles?

    • Don John
    • Duke of Alba
    • Duke of Parma
    • Duke of Medina

  7. Which 1568 to 1570 revolt in Granada was fought by Moriscos against Philip II's policies?

    • Alpujarras Revolt
    • Comuneros Revolt
    • Dutch Revolt
    • Germanía Revolt

  8. What recurrent financial emergency severely weakened Philip II's crown finances throughout his reign?

    • Currency hyperinflation
    • Total trade blockades
    • State bankruptcies
    • Enclosure riots

  9. Which South American silver mine, discovered in 1545, provided immense wealth for the Spanish crown?

    • Zacatecas
    • Huancavelica
    • Guanajuato
    • Potosí

  10. Which 1559 treaty ended the Italian Wars between Habsburg Spain and Valois France?

    • Cateau-Cambrésis
    • Treaty of Tordesillas
    • Peace of Augsburg
    • Treaty of Vervins

  11. Which Spanish ruler's policy of curbing internal rebellion included the execution of Aragonese nobleman Antonio Perez in the 1590s?

    • Philip II
    • Charles I
    • Ferdinand II
    • Philip III

  12. How many years separated the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 and the Spanish Armada in 1588?

    • 17 years
    • 13 years
    • 27 years
    • 21 years

  13. How many years did Philip II's reign last from accession in 1556 to death in 1598?

    • 46 years
    • 38 years
    • 52 years
    • 42 years

  14. How many years passed between the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559 and Philip's annexation of Portugal in 1580?

    • 31 years
    • 25 years
    • 15 years
    • 21 years

  15. What main supply route allowed Spain to send troops and funds overland to the Netherlands?

    • The Atlantic Corridor
    • The Rhine Passage
    • The Grand Trunk
    • The Spanish Road

  16. What major strategic failure in 1588 severely damaged Philip II's military reputation across Europe?

    • Battle of Lepanto
    • Fall of Antwerp
    • Spanish Armada defeat
    • Siege of Haarlem

  17. Which religious body was used by Philip II to enforce Catholic orthodoxy and crush heresy?

    • Holy See
    • Jesuit Order
    • Spanish Inquisition
    • Council of Trent

  18. Which Spanish writer, author of Don Quixote, published the novel in 1605, during the period of Philip III's reign?

    • Miguel de Cervantes
    • Francisco de Quevedo
    • Luis de Gongora
    • Lope de Vega

  19. Which palace-monastery complex built by Philip II symbolised the Spanish Golden Age and Catholic power?

    • Royal Palace Madrid
    • El Escorial
    • Alcázar of Seville
    • The Alhambra

  20. What main factor dispersed and destroyed much of the Spanish Armada after battle in 1588?

    • Spanish army fire
    • Severe storms
    • French privateers
    • Portuguese mutiny

All AQA History quizzes