The History of Geneva Trivia Quiz

Answer: Helvetii

The Helvetii are believed to have settled around Geneva in 300 BC. Geneva itself was not known to be occupied by the Helvetii as it was part of Allobroges in Gaul until the Romans took Geneva and blockaded it against the Helvetii. The Helvetii gave their name to Helvetica, the Latin name for Switzerland and Helvetia a female figure of Swiss culture.

Answer: St. Isaac

Throughout Geneva's history, there was much confusion about just who was the city's first bishop. Originally, it was believed to be St. Lazarus according to a translated letter. However, it was later discovered that the letter originally said St. Lazarus was Bishop of Genoa, then spelled Genua, not Geneva.

It was determined that St. Isaac was the city's first bishop as is mentioned by St. Eucherius to his son who was also a Bishop of Geneva.

Answer: Collapse of a lake bed

At the time, Gregory of Tours reported that the tsunami was caused by a landslide. But a University of Geneva study conducted in 2012 concluded that a turbidite fan, a large wave deposit of sediment, had caused a lake bed to collapse, which set in motion the tsunami.

The exact amount of casualties and damage done is unknown. The tsunami is referred to as the Tauredunum event because Tauredunum is the location the tsunami swept through where Lake Geneva meets the Rhone River.

Answer: Savoy

Savoy consisted of mostly Swiss territory that was the successor to the Kingdom of Arles, of which Switzerland and Geneva had previously belonged to. The city's bishops had control of the city, but on paper only as the Savoy counts constantly battled the bishops for power.

In 1457, the Grand Council was formed and was elected to represent the people. At first, the Grand Council was made up of mostly family and friends of the counts, but as time went on, the people began electing their own representatives who were not related to the Counts of Savoy.

Answer: Charles III

Charles III allegedly had the support of Pope Symmachus in his act to appoint John of Savoy as bishop. The move angered the Grand Council, not only because of the clear nepotism and power grab but also because John of Savoy lived in Italy and rarely made appearances in Geneva. John of Savoy died soon after his appointment and the Grand Council successfully appealed to the pope and got him to appoint his own bishop to Geneva.

When it became apparent to Charles III that he was losing power, he struck a deal with the Grand Council on power sharing.

However, Charles III soon reneged and the pro-independence movement in Geneva formed the Swiss Federation on February 20, 1526 with Bern and several Swiss cantons.

Answer: Geneva was a popular center for Protestantism

Many French reformers went to Geneva to spread Protestantism because of the city's close ties with France (Geneva is the largest city in Switzerland where French is spoken primarily.) John Calvin, the found of Calvinism, was a major player in spreading Protestantism in Geneva, where he moved to at a young age and used as a headquarters of sorts. Geneva was open to the idea of new religions and theological doctrines, as was Bern.

However, other Swiss cities and cantons were not and Fribourg, a predominately Catholic city, ended its alliance with Geneva.

Answer: Charles III supporters stormed Geneva city walls on ladders

The Grand Council voted to make Geneva a Lutheran city, much to the dismay of the Catholic Charles III. The Pope excommunicated the entire city of Geneva and the bishop and Charles III fled. Charles III vowed to return with his supporters, who were called the Order of the Spoon.

They attempted to invade Geneva by climbing ladders over the city walls. Ultimately, tension between Protestants and Catholics escalated further until Protestants gained dominance in the 1530s.

Answer: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Rousseau saw the radicals as good for Geneva, as he believed the radicals fought for and could achieve a democracy in Geneva free from elite French influence. The radicals were able to gain control of the Great Council (formerly the Grand Council) but the French and their allies were able to regain power and many radicals fled and later participated in the French Revolution.

Answer: Separation of church and state

The decision was not popular with either religious faction, but was with the people. Both Protestants and Catholics had primarily fought over government aid, but with the separation of church and state, neither church would receive anymore.

Answer: Amnesty International

Amnesty International, the anti-terror, human rights organization is based in London. Geneva is selected by many international organizations as a headquarter city because Switzerland has diplomatic relations with many countries and has a neutrality policy in regards to international conflict. Geneva is considered one of the most scenic cities in Switzerland and is general warmer than others, making it the perfect city for such organizations.