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The War for Biafra Trivia Quiz

On May 30, 1967, the tiny area of Biafra proclaimed its independence. The war, disease, and famine that followed rank among the worst disasters of the 20th century. See how much you know about this terrible war.

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

Author
CellarDoor

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
19,456

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
1587

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. In 1967, the Eastern Region of what African nation declared its independence? Hint

South Africa

Ghana

Nigeria

Ethiopia

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Question 2 of 10

2. The new nation -- Biafra -- was led by what man, its former military governor? Hint

Yakubu 'Jack' Gowon

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Ukapi 'Tony' Asika

Howard Gage

3. The year before the Biafran Declaration of Independence, 1966, the government as a whole changed hands. As a result of the July 1966 military coup, what man was declared head of the new Federal Military Government? Hint

Ukapi 'Tony' Asika

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Yakubu 'Jack' Gowon

Phillip Effiong

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What ethnic group, comprising most of Biafra's population, suffered escalating violence after the military coup in July 1966? Hint

Xhosa

Yoruba

Igbo

Hutu

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. What country, by recognizing Biafra as an independent nation, undermined Biafra's status among other African nations and states? Hint

Tanzania

South Africa

Gabon

U.S.A.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Biafran resistance collapsed on January 6, 1970, when what city fell to federal forces? Hint

Dakar

Lagos

Owerri

Kinshasha

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Question 7 of 10

7. After the rebelling region's leader fled rather than surrender Biafra, what man took over his duties -- and promptly surrendered to the Federal Government? Hint

Yakubu 'Jack' Gowon

Ukapi 'Tony' Asika

Phillip Effiong

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The Federal Government, attempting to avert civil war, had met many of Biafra's demands. Which of the following WASN'T a measure they took to appease Biafra? Hint

abolished the four-regions system in favor of twelve states

withdrawing troops from the Western Region

making the regional system looser and less binding

offering a high federal position to Biafra's leader

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of these countries recognized Biafra as an independent nation? Hint

Soviet Union of Socialist Republics

Spain

Portugal

United States of America

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Question 10 of 10

10. During the 30 months of the Civil War, Biafrans had increasingly limited access to food and medicine. By the end of the war, how many Biafrans had died, from hostilities, disease, and starvation? Hint

500,000 - 800,000

10,000

6 million

1 - 3 million

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1967, the Eastern Region of what African nation declared its independence?

Answer: Nigeria

The Eastern Region was populated mainly by the Igbo people. In the Declaration of Independence, the Nigerian federal government was accused of condoning genocide by not taking sufficient measures to protect the Igbo.

2. The new nation -- Biafra -- was led by what man, its former military governor?

Answer: Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Ojukwu was a Lieutenant Colonel.

Answer: Yakubu 'Jack' Gowon

Gowon, a Christian from the Anga people of northern Nigeria, was also a Lieutenant Colonel.

4. What ethnic group, comprising most of Biafra's population, suffered escalating violence after the military coup in July 1966?

Answer: Igbo

The problem was worst in the North of Nigeria.

5. What country, by recognizing Biafra as an independent nation, undermined Biafra's status among other African nations and states?

Answer: South Africa

South Africa, still governed by the racial separatist apartheid policy, was not held in high regard by the rest of Africa -- or the world, for that matter.

6. Biafran resistance collapsed on January 6, 1970, when what city fell to federal forces?

Answer: Owerri

Surrender came only six days later.

7. After the rebelling region's leader fled rather than surrender Biafra, what man took over his duties -- and promptly surrendered to the Federal Government?

Answer: Phillip Effiong

Ojukwu had fled to the Ivory Coast.

8. The Federal Government, attempting to avert civil war, had met many of Biafra's demands. Which of the following WASN'T a measure they took to appease Biafra?

Answer: offering a high federal position to Biafra's leader

The Biafrans were anxious for autonomy because of atrocities committed in the Northern Region during 1966 and 1967. Some 8 -10 thousand Igbos were slaughtered (some estimates put the number as high as 30,000), and many more fled from the north into the east. The Igbos did not feel confident in their government's ability to protect them from their fellow citizens.

9. Which of these countries recognized Biafra as an independent nation?

Answer: Portugal

Many African states were uncertain about supporting a nation recognized by Southern Rhodesia or Portugal, in addition to their qualms about South Africa. Britain and the Soviet Union both supported the Federal Government of Nigeria; the United States provided no military assistance, but recognized the Federal Government.

Biafra was also recognized by Tanzania, the Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Gabon, but these credentials were not enough to secure its future.

Answer: 1 - 3 million

After the war, the Nigerian government was anxious not to be accused of genocide. Biafrans were welcomed back into the general population (except for Ojukwu) and were even able to serve in the armed forces after a few years. A team of international experts observed the surrender and re-integration processes and were pleased with what they saw. An Igbo, Ukapi 'Tony' Asika, was made administrator of the new East Central State, which contained the Igbo heartland.

Although many Igbo despised Asika as a traitor, under his 3-year governorship, industry was brought back to Biafra.

Source: Author CellarDoor

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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