Special Sub-Topic: A Look at World History Click Here To Play: A Look at World History

The ruling Rana family of which Asian state entered an agreement with the British after 1860 to ensure the state's autonomy?

Nepal. The British conquest of India in the 18th and 19th centuries posed a serious threat to Nepal which expected to be another victim and left the country with no real alternative but to seek an accommodation with the British to preserve independence. This was accomplished by the Rana family after 1860 on terms that were mutually acceptable.

Which leader was the President of North Korea from 1972 until his death in 1994?

Kim Il Sung. Originally called Kim Song Ju, the Communist was leader of North Korea from 1948 until his death in 1994. He was the nation's premier from 1948 to 1972, chairman of its dominant Korean Workers' Party from 1949, and president and head of state from 1972.

Which king of Afghanistan was deposed in a bloodless coup in 1973?

Zahir Shah. The last king of Afghanistan from 1933 to 1973, Zahir Khan provided an era of stable government to his country. In a bloodless coup on July 17th 1973, Zahir Shah was deposed. The leader of the coup, General Mohammed Daud Khan, proclaimed Afghanistan a republic with himself as its president. Zahir Shah formally abdicated on August 24th 1973.

What was the nickname of members of the Chinese political élite, convicted for implementing the policies of the Cultural Revolution?

The Gang of Four. These most powerful members of a radical political élite were convicted for implementing the harsh policies directed by Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s and early 1970s. The group included Mao's third wife, Jiang Qing, and Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wen-yuan.

Which Egyptian president was assassinated by extremists while he was reviewing a military parade in 1981?

Anwar el-Sadat. The Egyptian army officer and politican was president of Egypt from 1970 until his death. He was assassinated by extremists while reviewing a military parade commemorating the Arab-Israeli war of October 1973.

Who was the Korean naval officer who built the Korean fleet called 'kobukson' ("turtle ship") against the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592?

Yi Sun-shin. The Korean admiral and national hero's naval victories were instrumental in repelling the Japanese invasions of Korea in the 1590s. The Kobukson is thought to have been the first ironclad warship in history.

Which was Nazi Germany's largest concentration and extermination camp?

Auschwitz. Located near the industrial town of Oswieecim in southern Poland, the Auschwitz group of camps, I, II and III was one of the main sites used by the Nazis to carry out their 'final solution', the annihilation of european Jews. Auschwitz was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

Which country did Japan attack in 1904?

Russia. In 1904 Japanese ships attacked the Russian fleet at Port Arthur without warning. In the Russo- Japanese War (1904-05)that followed, Japanese arms were everywhere succesful, the most spectacular victory occured in the Tsushima Strait, where the ships of Admiral Togo Heihachiro destroyed the Russian Baltic fleet. But the war was extremly costly in Japanese lives and treasure, and Japan was relieved when US President Theodore Roosevelt offered to mediate a peace settlement.

Who was the first president of Botswana after it gained independence from Great Britain?

Seretse Khama. The first president of Botswana (1966-80), after the former Bechuanaland protectorate gained independence from Great Britain, Khama promoted his ideal of a multiracial democracy. He achieved free universal education in Botswana and sought to diversify and strength the country's economy. He was re elected to successive terms and served as president of Botswana until his death.

Which of these monarchs had a speech defect?

Charles I. Charles was shy and physically deformed. He had a speech defect that made his pronouncements painful for him and his audiences like. Charles had not been raised to rule. His childhood had been spent in the shadow of his brother, Prince Henry, who had died in 1612, and Charles had little practical experience of government. He was introverted and clung tenaciously to a few intimates.