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Rhodesiana Trivia Quiz

Rhodesia is a part of history - and was in many ways fascinating.

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

Author
faintinggoat

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
238,664

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1013

Question 1 of 10

1. What chartered company ran what was to become Rhodesia? Hint

De Beers

British South Africa Company

Africa Trading Company

VOC

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Question 2 of 10

2. Rhodesia was named after Rhodes. What were his first names? Hint

Christopher John

Cecil James

Charles James

Cecil John

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1923 a referendum was held in Southern Rhodesia. The voters decided to: Hint

Become self governing

Become a Dominion

Join the Union of South Africa

Become a Republic

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Question 4 of 10

4. The British government combined three colonies into a federation in the 1950s and 1960s. This was known as the Federation of Rhodesia and _____? Hint

Malawi

Nyasaland

Zambia

Mozambique

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Question 5 of 10

5. On 11 November 1965, Southern Rhodesia declared its independence from the United Kingdom. Who was Prime Minister at the time? Hint

Roy Welensky

Ian Smith

Hastings Banda

Colin Fields

6. During the civil war that followed the Declaration of Independence, two civilian airliners of Air Rhodesia were shot down by insurgents, and the passengers massacred. What type of aircraft was involved? Hint

Boeing 720 - 200

De Havilland Comet

Douglas DC 6B

Vickers Viscount

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Rhodesian Security Forces became world famous for their success in counter-insurgency operations. One unit specialised in "pseudo" operations, pretending to be insurgents and infiltrating enemy ranks. What was this unit? Hint

Grey Scouts

BSAP Police Anti-errorist Unit

Rhodesia Regiment

Selous Scouts

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Rhodesian Prime Minister during UDI had made his name in the RAF during World War 2. What aircraft did he fly? Hint

Lancasters

Spitfire

Tempest

Mustang

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Question 9 of 10

9. As the war situation deteriorated, the Rhodesian forces adopted an aggressive policy to defeat the insurgents. What was this policy (or 'doctrine') called? Hint

Instant Retaliation

Hot Pursuit

Communal Guilt

Fire Bases

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who became Prime Minister of Rhodesia after Ian Smith? Hint

Abel Muzorewa

Joshua Nkomo

Robert Mugabe

Chief Jeremiah Chimurenga

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What chartered company ran what was to become Rhodesia?

Answer: British South Africa Company

The BSA ran Rhodesia as a private fiefdom, under a royal charter.

2. Rhodesia was named after Rhodes. What were his first names?

Answer: Cecil John

Rhodes was the only Briton ever to have a country named after him. He went on to become Prime Minister of the Cape Colony and to found the Rhodes Scholarships, which are held in high regard. Money donated by him was also used to establish Rhodes House, Oxford, and its library.

3. In 1923 a referendum was held in Southern Rhodesia. The voters decided to:

Answer: Become self governing

The Union of South Africa was keen on Southern Rhodesia becoming 'the fifth province', but the Rhodesians would have none of it

4. The British government combined three colonies into a federation in the 1950s and 1960s. This was known as the Federation of Rhodesia and _____?

Answer: Nyasaland

The Federation was an idealistic British plan to forge a prosperous multi-racial state in central Africa. Unfortunately, no one living there wanted it.

5. On 11 November 1965, Southern Rhodesia declared its independence from the United Kingdom. Who was Prime Minister at the time?

Answer: Ian Smith

Ian Smith came to power in Southern Rhodesia as leader of the Rhodesian Front, a right-wing white supremacist party.

Answer: Vickers Viscount

Both aircraft were brought down by SA 7 Grail missiles. Interestingly, evidence exists that the Commander-in-Chief of the Rhodesian forces was scheduled to fly on one of them, which would have made it a legitimate target.

Answer: Selous Scouts

The Selous Scouts were extremely tough troops, and scored higher kill ratios than any other unit in Rhodesia, and far higher than US troops in Vietnam.

8. The Rhodesian Prime Minister during UDI had made his name in the RAF during World War 2. What aircraft did he fly?

Answer: Spitfire

Ian Smith was shot down in Italy, joined the partisans and eventually returned to his unit. The crash caused his lisp.

9. As the war situation deteriorated, the Rhodesian forces adopted an aggressive policy to defeat the insurgents. What was this policy (or 'doctrine') called?

Answer: Hot Pursuit

The Rhodesians ranged all over Southern Africa, hitting targets in Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Tanzania. They could not however overcome their numerical inferiority and were forced to the negotiating table.

10. Who became Prime Minister of Rhodesia after Ian Smith?

Answer: Abel Muzorewa

After an internal settlement, Muzorewa was elected Prime minister in a one man one vote election, and renamed the country Zimbabwe Rhodesia. This result was rejected by the African Bloc, and the war weary Muzorewa government was browbeaten into a new settlement brokered by the UK.

Source: Author faintinggoat

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