Cumulative PM-based History Quiz

Status
Not open for further replies.
Only 1 reply so far from Serutan - 3 1/2 points, plus one where he has given an alternative that I need to check out

Any more?
 
OK, so we have four results in, many thanks for those:

XIII - 2
Serutan - 4 1/2
Augurey - 6
Private Hudson - 6

Suggest Augurey goes next, since PH was up before me......

Answers below:
1. What last-minute change in arrangements caused the Von Stauffenburg plot to fail?
Key was the switch from an exclosed, underground room to one with windows and doors - the bomb was sized on the basis of the much greater damage that is caused to huma bodies by an explosion in a sealed environment.

2. The death of which 'paragon of a prince' at the age of eighteen threw England into mourning and arguably led to the English Civil War?
Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales - fervently Protestant, exceptionally popular and gifted, died at the age of 18, his younger brother Charles becoming heir and going on to fall out with Parliament and lose his life on the scaffold.

3. Which European country first colonised Mauritius?
Portugal - their colony was later abandoned before the French arrived.

4. Name the Chinese admiral who commanded the 1420 imperial treasure fleet.
Zheng He

5. Whose death saved western Europe from the Mongol hordes?
Ogedei Khan, the leaders of the hordes returning to Mongolia to contend for the Khanate

6. Poland celebrates the year of its founding as 966. What did who do in this year that qualifies it to mark the founding of a nation?
King Mieszko 1 converted to Christianity and introduced written records

7. Which noble's fight with local citizens at Dover led to the exile of Earl Godwin? For a bonus, what fundamental legal difference made the quarrel unresolvable?
Eustace of Boulogne - the problem being that under French feudal customs ordinary citizens had no right or expectation of redress against any lord, whereas under English common law of the time Godwin was duty bound to protect his people and had no right of summary punishment - as Eustace demanded - even had he wanted to.

8. Which war began on 3 October 1935?
Italian invasion of Ethiopia

9. What military 'first' occured in August 1914 at Liege, Belgium?
First bombs dropped from the air (by German Zeppelin airships in support of the the asault by the German army)

10. The largest man-made explosion prior to Hiroshima occurred where, when and why?
Halifax, Nova Scotia - 6 December 1917 when a munitions ship carrying 2,500 tons of raw explosive plus a deck cargo of light oil collided with another ship entering the harbour, caught fire and exploded.

I've also awarded a markl for anyone mentioning Port Chicago, 1944 - here there was an explosion of 5,025 tons of completed munitions, roughly the same weight of explosive. The extent of damage is roughly similar althoug the loss of life was far less. It is not easy to find any source that gives a comparison of relative exposiove power, so I decided to take either.

Thanks to all who joined in - next up Augurey...
 
So a History major is good for more than just going on Jeopardy :D

Okay, the questions:

1. In the European theatre of WWII, what were the last two warring countries to sign a peace treaty? edit: I just checked my book and multiple treaties were signed on the same day, so there's no "last". I'll accept any of the countries that were at war who signed on said day.

2. For what occasion was MacBeth written? Why did Shakespeare choose this story? An extra point for detail.

3. What did the Egyptians use as a contraceptive?

4. Who controlled the Isle of Man before Scotland? When did Scotland gain the Isle back?

5. What city besides Rome once housed the Papacy?

6. A follow up on #5: The Western Schism occurred when the Papacy moved back to Rome. What was the Western Schism?

7. During the mini-renaissance of the Twelfth Century, what four Universities were founded and where?

8. When did Germany finally become a state?

9. What was the furthest western settlement by the Vikings: Who made it? What was its name?

10. How much did Alaska cost?
 
There are multiple parts to some questions, so there has been fractions awarded.

So far:

Serutran: 6¼
shortguy: 4½
 
Any other takers?


Serutran: 6¼
Redtooth: 6
shortguy: 4½
 
Agreed, time for answers.
 
Clito over took you, I'm afraid, with 6¾ points. 'twas close. He had quite a bit of detail for the MacBeth question

1. In the European theatre of WWII, what were the last two warring countries to sign a peace treaty?

Treaty of Paris on 2/10/1947: United States, United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union / Italy, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Finland

2. For what occasion was MacBeth written? Why did Shakespeare choose this story? An extra point for detail.

MacBeth was written for James I. James had been King of Scotland before ascending to the English throne. The story of MacBeth, a story from Scottish legend/history was chosen to honour both Scotland, and James' lineage which dates back to Banquo, a character in the play.

3. What did the Egyptians use as a contraceptive?

crocodile dung

4. Who controlled the Isle of Man before Scotland? When did Scotland gain the Isle back?

Norway (Vikings/Norse was acceptable) / 1263

5. What city besides Rome once housed the Papacy?

Avignon

6. A follow up on #5: The Western Schism occurred when the Papacy moved back to Rome. What was the Western Schism?

Two Popes were elected, one in Avignon and one in Rome. Europian countries split in which Pope they chose to recognize.

7. During the mini-renaissance of the Twelfth Century, what four Universities were founded and where?

Paris, Cambridge, Oxford and Bologna. ¼ each

8. When did Germany finally become a state?

1871

9. What was the furthest western settlement by the Vikings: Who made it? What was its name?

Lief Erikson founded Vinland in what is now Newfoundland

10. How much did Alaska cost?

~7,200,000 7,000,000 was also acceptable.
 
Question 1

Who was the man that led the overthrow of Tarquinus Superbus as king of Rome to found the republic? I'm looking for the two names he was known as.

Question 2

The common Irish name "Patrick" derives itself from which latin word? What does this word mean?

Question 3

Who designed the Volkswagen Beetle?

Question 4

The first English invasion force to Ireland landed in what year? Who were the two notable men leading the invasion force?

Question 5

Who designed the first map of the London Underground that is still used to this day?

Question 6

Who designed Tower Bridge? Who commissioned the construction and in what year?

Question 7

In 1185, Christendom announced the Third Crusade. Who called it and from where exactly?

Question 8

Where was the first Motorway built in England?

Question 9

Who began the London Stock Exchange? Where was it first situated? What year did it all begin?

Question 10

Tough question!

What was the first building in Ireland to be built from bricks? (stone or stone blocks don't count, it has to be bricks!)
 
XIII said:
Wait awhile; we normally set 3 days to run each quiz...

Do you want to have a go??

Please! This is my first one and I'm mad excited about how it's gonna work out!!!!! :)
 
Not me; I don't even know a single answer - the questions are too British Isles-centric.

But I'm sure many would know... Now, stop spamming the thread...
 
Results so far for the latest set of questions found at post #512

Dragonlord ----------- 2/10
Serutan ----------- 1
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom