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The Cape Colony: Early Days Trivia Quiz

This covers the early exploration of the Cape of Good Hope and the Dutch settlement thereof.

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

Author
LordHaag

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
246,247

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
917

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who led the first expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope? Hint

Vasco Da Gama

Ferdinand Magellan

Prince Henry the Navigator

Bartolomeu Dias

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Question 2 of 10

2. In which year did the Dutch first build a permanent settlement at the Cape of Good Hope? Hint

1652

1645

1642

1673

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Question 3 of 10

3. With how many ships did Jan van Riebeeck originally set sail from Texel in the Netherlands? Hint

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following was NOT one of the ships in Jan van Riebeeck's flotilla? Hint

Drommedaris

Oranje

De Goede Hoop

Reijger

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Question 5 of 10

5. Who was the Khoisan leader who led a short war against the Dutch settlers seven years after their arrival? Hint

Khoisan X

Autshumao

Adam Kok

Doman

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Question 6 of 10

6. When did the first slaves arrive at the Cape? Hint

1663

1658

1672

1674

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Question 7 of 10

7. Was Van Riebeeck authorised to use indigenous peoples as slaves? Hint

He had no instructions in this regard

Yes

Only those caught stealing cattle

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Question 8 of 10

8. Where did most of the colony's slaves come from? Hint

Zanzibar

India

Angola

Indonesia

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Question 9 of 10

9. How many points does the Capetown Castle have? Hint

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Question 10 of 10

10. One of the better known governors of the Cape was Simon van der Stel. What was the name of his wine estate? Hint

Groot Drakenstein

Tafelberg

Stellenbosch

Constantia

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who led the first expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope?

Answer: Bartolomeu Dias

Dias was attempting to find a route to India but only got as far as Algoa Bay, near today's Port Elizabeth before he faced a near mutiny and had to turn back.

2. In which year did the Dutch first build a permanent settlement at the Cape of Good Hope?

Answer: 1652

Van Riebeeck sailed from the Netherlands in early 1652 and they sighted Table Mountain on 5 April.

3. With how many ships did Jan van Riebeeck originally set sail from Texel in the Netherlands?

Answer: 5

Two of the original flotilla, the Olifant and Walvis were overloaded and were left behind only to arrive in the Cape a month late.

4. Which of the following was NOT one of the ships in Jan van Riebeeck's flotilla?

Answer: Oranje

Oranje was the Royal House of the Netherlands but not the name of any of the ships.

5. Who was the Khoisan leader who led a short war against the Dutch settlers seven years after their arrival?

Answer: Doman

Khosan X was a name adopted by Alan Boesak in the late 20th century,
Adam Kok was a Griqua leader in the 19th century and Autshumao also known as Harry was leader of the Strandlopers, a nomadic Khoisan tribe who collaborated with the Dutch.

6. When did the first slaves arrive at the Cape?

Answer: 1658

The ship Amersfoort arrived in early in 1658 with 170 slaves who had been taken off a Portuguese vessel off Angola. They were sold to the local "Burghers".

7. Was Van Riebeeck authorised to use indigenous peoples as slaves?

Answer: No

Van Riebeeck was under strict instructions NOT to enslave any of the Khoisan peoples.

8. Where did most of the colony's slaves come from?

Answer: Indonesia

With the Netherlands having extensive holdings in the East Indies most of the slaves came from Bali, Macassar, Batavia and Timor, all now part of Indonesia.

9. How many points does the Capetown Castle have?

Answer: 5

The Castle was built in the shape of a pentagon. The points were named, Leerdam, Buren, Katzenellenbogen, Nassau and Oranje. It is still used by the South African Military today.

10. One of the better known governors of the Cape was Simon van der Stel. What was the name of his wine estate?

Answer: Constantia

Groot Constantia estate is where the roots of the South African wine industry lie, and it is the oldest wine producing farm in South Africa.

Source: Author LordHaag

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