Embargoing, Going, Gone! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Blockade

An embargo is defined as one country (or group) prohibiting trade with another country or region whereas a blockade involves military power being used to restrict all of a country's incoming/outgoing trade. Throughout history blockades have been utilized at sea, on land, and in the air.

Answer: Impressment

At the time of the Embargo Act of 1807 Britain and France were involved in a large conflict and both sides wanted to block each other from receiving goods from the U.S. The United States did not ally with either Britain or France and felt its neutrality was not being honored when ships were seized.

The embargo had a drastically negative impact on the economy of many port cities in New England.

Answer: South Africa

Although there were 130 countries supporting the voluntary embargo, four countries voted against it (Germany, France, United Kingdom, United States), and 12 countries abstained. The next year a resolution for a mandatory oil embargo on South Africa was put forth but it was blocked in the Security Council by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mali

The coup that brought about the separation of the northern territory of Mali was condemned by ECOWAS and Azawad was not recognized internationally. The goal of the embargo against Mali was to encourage the national government to retake full control of the country. ECOWAS was founded in 1975 to help promote economic growth and political cooperation in West Africa. Additionally, the West African Monetary Zone is seeking to implement a common currency across its member nations.

Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte

The embargo was enforced until 1814 when Napoleon lost power for the first time. The embargo was enacted after Britain placed a blockade on coastal cities of France and French territories. The policy backfired on Napoleon as many of his allies suffered economically by not being able to trade with Britain.

Answer: Japan

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake hit the coast of Japan. The earthquake caused a powerful tsunami with waves over 130 feet tall. The tsunami set free much of the country's livestock and many of the animals unknowingly roamed into contaminated areas.

Answer: India

The United States government placed several embargoes on countries that operated under a communist government. Other reasons for placing an embargo included human rights abuses such as happened in Sudan in the 1990s and 2000s while other embargoes were limited to certain items such as weapons and financial resources.

Answer: Russia

The embargo was announced by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and it included staple foods like meats, fruits and vegetables, and dairy products. The embargo caused a steep rise in prices of groceries in Russia. The Russian government also threatened to impose travel restrictions on citizens of the United States and European Union attempting travel to/from Russia.

Answer: Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus was internationally recognized only by the nation of Turkey and its official name was the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus prompted a division across the island culturally, linguistically, and religiously.

As is the case with many embargoes, economic development was likely stunted in the region as many of the island's northern ports were underutilized.

Answer: Oil refineries

The American-owned oil refineries were nationalized without any corresponding compensation. Many industries in Cuba became government owned after Fulgencio Batista was deposed in the Cuban Revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power in 1959. The embargo has been condemned by several organizations and in 1992 the United Nations declared the embargo to be a violation of international law.

The Obama administration attempted to reduce some of the embargo restrictions placed on Cuba as a way to promote more economic and political cooperation.