Historical Terms (11th to 20th centuries) Quiz

Answer: Republic formed by Napoleon Bonaparte

The Cisalpine Republic (south of the Alps, derived from the Latin, 'cis-', meaning 'on this side of') was set up by Napoleon Bonaparte and was made up of the provinces that he had conquered in 1796-7, namely: Lombardy and all the old Venetian territories west of the river Adige and then south as far as Modena, Reggio Emilia, Ferrara and Bologna.

The Republic was dissolved after French defeats against the second coalition in August 1799 and occupied by Austrian forces until June 1800 after Napoleon's victory at Marengo.

The republic was restored at the Treaty of Luneville on February 9, 1801. In 1802 its name was changed to the Italian Republic and then, in 1804, it became known as the Kingdom of Italy. This kingdom lasted until 1814 and in 1815 most of it was transferred to Austrian Habsburg rule.

Answer: An system of ports for for the defence of the English coastline

The Cinque Ports were an system of defence brought into association by Edward the Confessor (1044-66) in return for certain privileges. They comprised of, Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover and Sandwich. Rye and Winchelsea were added to this group later.
Their privileges were abolished in 1835 by the Municiple Corporations Act. However, a drive along the south coast of England today will show these coastal towns still retaining their ancient title of Cinque Ports.

Answer: Money payed by the taxpayer for the upkeep of the Royal family

The Civil List (Consolidated Fund for the upkeep of the royal family) refers to monies paid by the British government for the upkeep of the royal family. The Civil List Act was passed in 1697. Initially it included 'government' expenses, which gave the monarch considerable powers of persuasion in government circles.

In 1761 George III relinquished the revenues from Crown lands to parliament in return for an annual payment on the 'civil list'. In 1831 the remaining government expenses were removed from the civil list, thus considerably curtailing royal influence over government matters. In 1990 a fixed 10 year Civil List arrangement was agreed for all the royal family.

But as the royal family grew, so did criticism from below. In 1992 the 'arrangement' was changed so that only the Queen, the Queen Mother and Prince Philip continued to receive money from the Civil List.

Answer: Adolf Hitler's attempt to seize power in Bavaria

The 'Beer Hall Putsch' refers to Adolf Hitler's abortive attempt on 9/10 November 1923 to gain power in Bavaria as a preliminary to overthrowing the Weimar Republic. The Nazis staged their coup from a Beer Hall in Munich, which they used as a temporary HQ whilst attempting to gain the cooperation of various political and military figures of importance.

When this failed, they attempted more robust methods and staged a march with their armed supporters. The coup collapsed when, after passing one cordon of defenders, the State forces at the next cordon opened fire killing 14. Hitler was sentenced to five years in prison.

He did not serve his full sentence, by any means. But whilst there he wrote 'Mein Kampf'.

Answer: Representatives of the main victorious Powers at the Paris Peace Conference after WW1

In 1919 representatives of the the four victorious powers of WW1 met at the Paris Peace Conference. They were: The British Prime Minister, Lloyd George (1863-1945); the US President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924); the French Prime Minister George Clemenceau (1841-1929); and the Italian prime Minister Vittorio Orlando (1860-1952). Orlando was at times excluded from discussions, which has led to some calling the group, rather confusingly, 'The Big Three', which, at times, it was.

Answer: 15th century French cavalry and mounted infantry

In 1445/6 Charles VII of France, and his constable, Artur de Pichemont, sought to regularize the bands of roaming mercenaries (routiers), both cavalry and mounted infantry, that were ravaging the French countryside in times of peace. The best of military commanders and their troops were given commands under permanent contract to the crown and placed in towns where they were maintained by a new system of taxation.

They, in fact, became a standing army with a duty to the crown and thus the problem of mercenaries roaming the countryside at will was solved.

The Compagnies d'Ordonnance contributed greatly to French success during the later stages of the Hundred Years' War and provided the solid core of the permanent French army.

Answer: Part of the Mongol Empire

The Golden Horde was the part of the Mongol empire established by Batu, grandson of Genghis Khan. It centered originally at old Saray on the lower Volga and later at new Saray. The kingdom was ruled by Batu's descendants from 1256 to 1502. Weakened by dynastic disputes, they were defeated by the Russians in 1380 and in 1419 breakaway of independent khanates were established in the Crimea. What remained of the Golden Horde, under attack by Lithuanians, Russians and Poles, was finaly eliminated in 1502.

Answer: A dispute between the followers of two elected Popes

In 1378 the election of Pope Urban VI, whose attitude towards French cardinals was less than friendly, was hotly disputed by the French party within the Catholic Church. So much so, that they elected a rival Pope in Clement VII. Clement VII took up residence at Avignon in France, and the Italian Urban VI resided in Rome. Thus the Great Schism was inaugurated with one Pope recognised by France and her allies, and the other by the rest of Europe.

The Schism saw the credit of the Papacy sink to its lowest depths and lasted until till the Council of Constance (1414-18) which was convened in order to terminate the scandal of two rival Popes.

Answer: South African Nationalists

The Grey Shirts Movement: The South African Nationalist Union was an anti- semitic group founded in October 1933 and led by Louis Thodor Weichardt. After being in existence for six months they became known as the South African National Party. It was this National Party which, after its election in 1948, instituted the apartheid system.

Answer: A confederation of German (and other) towns for mutual defence in commerce

The Hanseatic League was formed in c. 1241 primarily to ensure the mutual protection of north German towns pursuing international commerce. These people were the middle men of the middle ages, and as such they were an integral part of the medieval trading system.

The Hanseatic League acquired a monopoly of the Baltic trade and were dominant in the North Sea routes. By the mid 14th century the League had grown to encompass almost one hundred towns (headed by Luebeck). However, from 1380 onwards severe competition from the Low Countries and England led to its decline.

The League survived until the mid 17th century, its last meeting being held in 1669. Luebeck, Hamburg, Bremen, Wismar and Rostock still retain the courtesy title of 'Hanseatic Cities'.