The End Of An Era Trivia Game | History

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which individual was the last President of South Vietnam before the North Vietnamese took control of the entire country?

Answer: Nguyen Van Thieu

In 1954, the Geneva Conference "temporarily" divided Vietnam into North Vietnam and South Vietnam with the expectation of future free elections being held. The elections, of course, were never held, and the Vietnam War began almost immediately. (The USA considers November 1, 1955 as the beginning.) Nguyen Van Thieu became Chief of State in South Vietnam in 1965 and was elected President in 1967.

He served until he resigned on April 21, 1975. The North took over the country, unifying it, on April 30, 1975, ending the era in which it was divided.

Born on April 5, 1923, he died in Boston, MA on September 29, 2001.

2. This monarch became Queen when she was 18. When she died, she had ruled for over 63 years. Historians refer to her rule as an "Era" or "Age." Who was this long-serving queen?

Answer: Victoria

During Queen Victoria's reign, the British Empire was at the height of its power and influence. The Empire included one-quarter of the world's population (some 450 million) and about one-quarter of the earth's landmass (an Empire on which "the sun never set"). Her death at 81 marked both the end of the Victorian Era and the beginning of the decline of the British Empire.

3. The death of this individual ended an unprecedented era for time served as the United States president. Which president was elected four times?

Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt

During his time in office, FDR had to deal with two of the greatest crises ever to face America: the Great Depression and World War II. Telling the people that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself", he offered a "New Deal" to fight the Depression, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps,and many of his programs (Social Security, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for instance) have lasted into the 21st century.

He also rallied the country after Pearl Harbor ("a date that shall live in infamy"), and built a military machine that placed the USA at the top of the free world.

4. The Napoleonic Era in Europe began in 1799. In which year did it finally end?

Answer: 1815

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) was First Consul of the French Republic (1799-1804), Emperor (May 18, 1804-April 11, 1814), and Emperor a second time (March 20, 1815-June 22, 1815). He was exiled to St Helena in December 1815 and died there in May 1821. Apart from his military genius, he is noted for developing the Napoleonic Code (a basis for later civil laws), the Concordat (a long-lasting agreement with the Papacy), and for selling the Louisiana Territory to the United States.

5. The apartheid era in South Africa ended when in 1993 when President F.W. de Klerk and this man reached an agreement. Who was he?

Answer: Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), who fought apartheid for decades, served 27 years in prison. Released in 1990, he was elected President of the African National Congress in 1991. In 1993, he and de Klerk were able to reach a cordial agreement to end minority white rule in South Africa.

They jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. On April 27, 1994, Mandela voted for the first time in his life. He served as President of South Africa from 1994-1999.

6. The Russian Empire is generally considered to have begun 1721 with Peter the Great (1682-1725) as the first Tsar. Which Tsar was the last one?

Answer: Nicholas II

Because of the Communist Revolution in Russia, Nicholas II was forced to abdicate in 1917, and was assassinated in 1918 along with all of his family. His death ended both the Russian Empire and the Romanov line. And it began the era of Communist rule in Russia, and later, the Soviet Union.

7. This person ruled from 336 BCE until 323 BCE. During that short period, he took control of nearly all of the known world. Son of Philip II of Macedon and tutored by Aristotle, who was this military genius?

Answer: Alexander the Great

Alexander (356 BCE-323 BCE) called himself a son of Zeus who was of the same blood as Achilles and Heracles. He conquered the Persian Empire, much of northern Africa including Egypt, and also Syria and Phoenicia. And he made inroads into India. At age 32, he died in Babylon after several days of a high fever (the cause of which is still debated). When he died, so did his era.

8. The Inca Empire began around 1438 CE when Pachacuti began conquering areas around Cuzco. The Incan era and empire ended in 1532 when the Spanish conquered them. Who was the last Inca of the Inca Empire?

Answer: Atahualpa

Atahualpa (c. 1502-1533) seized the crown in 1532 following a rebellion. Francisco Pizarro, with 169 men and 69 horses landed in 1531 to conquer the Inca Empire. Because Atahualpa had about 80,000 troops, he decided that the Spaniards did not represent a threat.

When he visited the Spaniards, he was caught in a trap and captured. He was imprisoned and executed in 1533. The Inca Era was at an end.

9. When which English monarch died did both an Era and a dynasty end?

Answer: Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth was a long shot to ever become Queen. A daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, she was declared illegitimate. And she had her brother Edward (Edward VI) and her sister Mary (Mary I) ahead of her in the succession. After many tribulations, including imprisonment, she became Queen on November 17, 1558.

The Elizabethan Era lasted until her death on March 24, 1603. Because she had never married and had no children, the Tudor Dynasty, begun when Henry VII defeated Richard III at Bosworth Field on August 22, 1485, also died with her.

10. In 1991, the USSR Era ended. Which person was the last to head that political entity?

Answer: Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Communist Soviet Union, which existed from 1917 until 1991. As President, he served from 1990 to 1991. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War and championing peace in international relations.

Source: Author lowtechmaster

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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The End Of An Era Trivia Quiz

In human history, an individual has often marked the end and/or beginning of an era. Constantine XI, for example, was the last Byzantine Emperor, concluding that historical period. How many of these ten individuals who defined an era can you identify?

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