Miscellaneous Wars Trivia Quiz

Answer: World War II

World War II had most of the world participating (except for many of the Latin American countries). It ended with a resounding victory for the Allies over the Axis powers. In Europe, the war was characterized by Hitler's desire for boundless expansion.

In Asia and the Pacific, too, the ambitions of Japan also knew no limits. In the course of the war in Europe the Nazis committed what is now known as the Holocaust, involving the murder of about 6 million Jews and millions of other people. The war ended in 1945 in Europe, Asia and the Pacific, having ended in Africa earlier.

Answer: Civil War

The Civil War was the bloodiest war on American soil. The war was caused mainly over the issue of states' rights and slavery. The North was led by Abraham Lincoln and the south by Jefferson Davis. The war ended in 1865, and shortly afterwards President Lincoln was assassinated.

Answer: The Crusades

The crusades were the biggest 'holy war' in history. It was a prolonged struggle between the Christians and Muslims over the Muslim-held Jerusalem and the area around it. Ultimately, the Muslims won and threw out the crusaders.

Answer: Greco-Persian War

The Greco-Persian War was fought in the ancient times. The Greeks had banded together to go against the mighty Persians. The Greeks won against overwhelming odds. The movie I was referring to is "300" about the last stand of the Spartans.

Answer: Napoleonic Wars

These wars were campaigns to take over all of Europe by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He led his French army (supplemented by many armies of other nationalities) against most of Europe and took over many lands until his final battle at Waterloo against Duke of Wellington and Blücher. Napoleon was initially defeated in 1814 and was sent into exile on Elba.

He escaped and tried to regain his former position. After his defeat at Waterloo he was sent to St. Helena in the South Atlantic. He was a man known for his big ego.

Answer: Opium Wars

Britain was selling opium on a huge scale in China, while the Qing dynasty did not want the opium trade because of the increasing addiction of the Chinese people. The dispute led to war, and China lost. Britain gained part of Hong Kong and extensive trading privileges in China.

Answer: England against France

In 1337 Edward III of England disputed the claim of the House of Valois to the throne of France. For much of the war the French were divided and were easy targets. (At various times many other states were involved, including Navarre and Genoa, for example). The war lasted for 116 years with some breaks of peace. France won, driving the English out of France, except for Calais.

Answer: India and Pakistan

India and Pakistan have had many conflicts over the divided northern area of Kashmir. It started when India was separated into a Muslim country and a Hindu country on gaining independence in 1947. The leader of Kashmir was a Hindu so he wanted to join India, but the majority of people in Kashmir were Muslims, so they wanted to join Pakistan.

The people were supposed to get a vote (plebiscite) on the issue, but it never happened.

Answer: Egypt, Syria, and Jordan against Israel

This war was a struggle for control of the Sinai peninsula, the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and Jerusalem. Egypt, Jordan, and Syria were aided from many other Middle Eastern countries. Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and their allies had a much bigger army, but they still lost. The war lasted for a mere six days in June of 1967.

Answer: South Vietnam against the Vietcong & North Vietnam

The Vietminh began as a guerrilla resistance movement against the Japanese. When the prewar colonial power, France, returned to rule Vietnam in 1946, the Vietminh (later Vietcong) fought on and beat the French. Vietnam was partioned in 1954 into a Communist North and a pro-Western South.

The struggle continued. President Kennedy, fearing a Communist domino effect, committed the USA to supporting the South. In the end, North Vietnam and the Vietcong won the war and took over.