In retrospect, it wasn't the smartest idea... Quiz

Answer: Soviet Union

Although the Germans had been cooperating with the Soviets for years before World War II began, Hitler had stated in his book, "Mein Kampf", that his ultimate goal was to expand German territory to the East. His attack on the Soviets on June 22, 1941, though wildly successful at first, spelled the end for Nazi Germany, as they did not have the resources to fight a war on two fronts.

Answer: Edsel

Ford founded the Edsel division, aimed at the medium-priced market segment, in 1956, and the division introduced seven models in 1958. While the vehicles had some innovative features, the design was unpopular with consumers, and that, combined with an economic slowdown, meant that the Edsel division folded just after the 1960 models were introduced.

Answer: Little Bighorn

During the Great Sioux War of 1876, several columns of U.S. troops, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, set out to engage the Native American Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes who were resisting white encroachment into their lands. The U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by Lt. Colonel Custer, attacked a force of these tribes without waiting for reinforcements and were overwhelmed at the Little Bighorn river on June 25, 1876, resulting in the loss of over 260 U.S. soldiers.

Answer: ME-262

First flown with a jet engine in July, 1942, the German ME-262 jet fighter's development was delayed for almost a year because Adolf Hitler wanted the aircraft re-designed as a bomber. By the time that the plane was introduced into service in April, 1944, shortages of materials, fuel, and trained pilots meant that the small numbers available did not significantly impact the air war, whereas the introduction of a jet fighter in 1943 might have turned the tide in Germany's favor.

Answer: The Coca-Cola company

Responding to data from blind taste tests, the Coca-Cola company introduced "New Coke" in April, 1985, discontinuing their 100-year old original formula. The new, sweeter version of the soft drink was unpopular, and the original formula was re-introduced as "Coca-Cola Classic" three months later. Though it was speculated that the whole affair was a ploy to drum up demand for the original product, Coca-Cola has denied this allegation.

Answer: Isandlwana

Days after the declaration of war between the British Empire and the Zulu Nation, a Zulu army attacked and destroyed a British column that had invaded their territory. The British commander, Lord Chelmsford, had very little regard for the fighting qualities of the Zulu army, even though he was heavily outnumbered. Chelmsford divided his army without adequate knowledge of the enemy's positions, and at Isandlwana on January 22, 1879, one of his columns was overwhelmed.

Answer: Telephone

Alexander Graham Bell offered the rights to the patent for the newly invented telephone to the Western Union company, at the time the largest telegraph company in the United States, for the sum of $100,000.00 in 1876. The company declined, declaring that the telephone would never be a viable communication device. Two years later, Western Union attempted to buy the patent for 25 million dollars, but were turned down.

Answer: Kennedy

Planned by the C.I.A. during the previous Eisenhower administration, the April 1961 landings at the Bay of Pigs in Cuba by a unit of Cuban exiles was a disaster for the United States. The attackers were outnumbered and outgunned by the Cuban military, there was no uprising against Castro's government, and President Kennedy would not commit the numbers of U.S. naval and air forces needed to give the invasion any chance of success.

Answer: Emperor Augustus

While marching to their winter camp near the Rhine River in what is now Northwestern Germany, three Roman legions, auxiliaries, and a large number of civilians, possibly 20,000 people or more, were ambushed by Germanic tribesmen and virtually annihilated.

The Germans were led by Arminius, a German chieftain who had served in the Roman army and had taken Roman citizenship. The defeat ensured that the Rhine river would be the border between Roman Gaul and the German tribes.

Answer: Napoleon

Trying to force Russia to adhere to the Continental System, a trade embargo against the British Empire, Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 with up to 600,000 men. He captured Moscow, but the logistics of supplying such a large army were too much for early 19th century technology.

A long retreat, during which his men were constantly attacked, cost Napoleon all but 100,000 men or so, and encouraged his German allies to take up arms against him, which led to his abdication and exile by 1814.