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Minor Powers of World War 1 Trivia Quiz

The two sides in the Great war were the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey) and the Entente Powers (Britain, France, Russia and later the USA). But whose side were these smaller countries on, if any?

A multiple-choice quiz by brickie. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
brickie

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
228,975

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1264

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Portugal is a small country facing the Atlantic - but on whose side (if any) did it fight in the Great War? Hint

Central Powers

Both (it switched sides)

Neutral

Entente Powers

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Bulgaria had been part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries before gaining independence in 1878. But whose side, if any, did they take in the Great War? Hint

Both (switched sides)

Entente Powers

Central Powers

Neutral

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Japan had shocked the world with her defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. Whose side did she take in the Great War - if any? Hint

Entente Powers

Neutral

Central Powers

both (switched sides)

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. The Netherlands were quickly overrun in 1940, and became the scene of "Operation Market Garden" in 1944. But what part did she play in the First World War? Hint

Neutral

Entente Powers

Central Powers

both (switched sides)

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Brazil was a former Portuguese colony - did they fight on the same side as their old masters, against them, or not at all? Hint

Entente Powers

Neutral

Central Powers

Both (switched sides)

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Serbia was one of the oldest independent powers in the Balkans. Did she become involved in the Great War, and if so, on whose side? Hint

Central Powers

Entente Powers

Neutral

Both (switched sides)

7. Romania is unusual in the Balkan region in having a Romance language (derived from Latin) rather than a Slavic one (related to Russian). But whose side did she take in the Great War, if anyone's? Hint

Entente Powers

Neutral

Central Powers

Both (switched sides)

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Italy had a long-standing rivalry with Austria-Hungary, but was her ally before the war, at least on paper. Did she take sides - and if so, which? Hint

Both (switched sides)

Neutral

Entente Powers

Central Powers

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. China had been steadily colonised by European powers in the late 19th century, which caused the Boxer Rebellion against Europeans in China. Did China take part in this "European War" and if so, on whose side? Hint

Entente Powers

Neutral

Central Powers

Both (switched sides)

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. On which side, if any, did Belgium fight in the Great War? Hint

Both (switched sides)

Central Powers

Entente Powers

Neutral

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Portugal is a small country facing the Atlantic - but on whose side (if any) did it fight in the Great War?

Answer: Entente Powers

Portugal, sometimes known as "Britain's oldest ally", joined the war in 1916 in response to German threats to her shipping and African colonies.

2. Bulgaria had been part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries before gaining independence in 1878. But whose side, if any, did they take in the Great War?

Answer: Central Powers

Bulgaria regarded the hostilities as a chance to gain some territory at the expense of her Balkan neighbours and especially to take Macedonia from Serbia.

3. Japan had shocked the world with her defeat of Russia in the Russo-Japanese war of 1905. Whose side did she take in the Great War - if any?

Answer: Entente Powers

Japan had an alliance with Britain since 1902. (It was Britain's first alliance after a long period of isolation). Japan helped mop up German colonies in the Pacific in exchange for rights to some of those colonies, especially in China.

4. The Netherlands were quickly overrun in 1940, and became the scene of "Operation Market Garden" in 1944. But what part did she play in the First World War?

Answer: Neutral

Unlike in 1940, the Dutch successfully maintained their independence and neutrality during the Great War. Many Belgian soldiers retreated across the border in 1914 and were interned rather than be captured by the Germans. In 1918 the Netherlands granted Kaiser Wilhelm II asylum after his abdication.

5. Brazil was a former Portuguese colony - did they fight on the same side as their old masters, against them, or not at all?

Answer: Entente Powers

Brazil was a major shipping nation in the Atlantic and joined the war in 1917 after a Brazilian merchant ship was sunk. She might have joined sooner and played a larger part, but for the large number of German emigr�s and their descendants in Brazil, including her foreign minister.

6. Serbia was one of the oldest independent powers in the Balkans. Did she become involved in the Great War, and if so, on whose side?

Answer: Entente Powers

It was the Austro-Hungarian invasion of Serbia that started the war in the first place. British and French forces landed in the Balkans to help but were unable to save Serbia from being overrun with devastating losses.

Answer: Entente Powers

Romania rushed into war in 1916 on the back of Russian successes on the Eastern Front, but was quickly defeated when German forces regrouped. She lost some territory to Bulgaria when she surrendered, but regained it at the Paris peace talks, where she also gained Transylvania and the Banat from Hungary.

8. Italy had a long-standing rivalry with Austria-Hungary, but was her ally before the war, at least on paper. Did she take sides - and if so, which?

Answer: Entente Powers

There was a significant Italian minority within the Austro-Hungarian Empire (mainly in the South Tyrol region) and Italy also coveted the port of Trieste. Allied promises of territory after the war persuaded Italy to remain neutral in 1914 - she was able to claim her alliance only covered defensive action - and then to join on the Allied side in 1915.

Italian arms proved not to be as strong as had been hoped, and British and French troops and aircraft were diverted to the Italian front. The South Tyrol and Trieste along with a few other small areas were added to Italy after the war.

Answer: Entente Powers

Chaotic and only nominally self-governing, China declared war on Germany largely as a means of curbing Japanese expansion on her territory, and also in order to obtain some remission in the reparations owed after the Boxer Rebellion. Chinese labourers served in France, but no combat troops were sent.

10. On which side, if any, did Belgium fight in the Great War?

Answer: Entente Powers

Belgium became involved in the First World War simply by being in the way. Germany's plan for invading France involved crossing Belgium. When the Belgian government refused to allow the German army to enter, the Germans invaded Belgium as well. The Belgians fought bravely and proved a thorn in the German right flank throughout the campaigns of 1914.

Source: Author brickie

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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