History Guild General History Quiz 98
See how your history knowledge stacks up!
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The stories behind the questions
1. Which of these regions did the English conquer and colonise first?
Ireland- 1536
Australia – 1770
South Africa – 1806
India – 1612
2. Where was Friedrich Nietzsche born?
Germany – Born in Saxony, Germany in 1844 Nietzsche became one of the leading philosophers of the 19th century. Perhaps best known for his quote “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”. He was not the best example of his own philosophy, having a mental breakdown at age 44. He didn’t produce any further works and died 10 years later.
3. In which year was Queen Elizabeth II crowned?
1952 – Read about her history here.
4. Which American ships were sunk at Pearl Harbour on December 7th 1941?
5 Battleships – The Japanese attack was intending to sink the US Aircraft Carriers, with the Battleships as secondary targets. Luckily for the US Navy the Aircraft Carriers were all out at sea on the day of the attack.
5. Who said “Amateurs discuss tactics; the professionals discuss logistics”?
Napoleon Bonaparte – Napoleon was considered a skilled military logistician, ensuring his armies were well supplied in most of his campaigns.
Elizabeth I – Elizabeth was best known for her extensive and effective espionage network.
Otto von Bismarck – Bismarck was a master of diplomacy, weaving alliances to create the country of Germany and dominate Europe.
Winston Churchill – Churchill was an inspirational leader who rallied the British to the cause of defeating Germany in WW2.
6. Which colonial country ruled the Philippines from 1565 to 1898?
Spain – Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in the Philippines from Mexico in 1565. Spain conquered the islands, maintaining control until their defeat in the Spanish American War of 1898.
7. Who was the architect that rebuilt London after the Great Fire of 1666?
Christopher Wren – Wren rebuilt 52 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including what is regarded as his masterpiece, St Paul’s Cathedral. He also constructed the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and the south front of Hampton Court Palace.
8. These tanks are part of the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939. What type are they?
BT-7 – The Soviet BT tanks were lightly armoured but very fast, they could outpace any tank in the world at the time. They took part in the Soviet defeat of the Japanese in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in 1939.
9. The Carthaginian Empire had it’s capital, Carthage, in which modern country?
Tunisia – Read more about the Carthaginian Empire and it’s trade with Northern Europe.
10. In what year did Japan occupy and colonise Taiwan (Formosa)?
1895 – After the Japanese victory in the First Sino-Japanese War, Taiwan, its associated islands, and the Penghu archipelago were ceded to the Empire of Japan. Japan supressed local resistance to their rule and sent hundreds of thousands of settlers to live and farm in Taiwan. After the Japanese defeat in 1945 the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek took control of Taiwan.
