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Quiz about History of Rio de Janeiro
Quiz about History of Rio de Janeiro

History of Rio de Janeiro Trivia Quiz


Rio de Janeiro is one of Brazil's most beautiful cities. However, its history is littered with problems, struggles and, most importantly, hope.

A multiple-choice quiz by Joepetz. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Joepetz
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
381,348
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
262
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: jacktoll (7/10), PurpleComet (7/10), Dreessen (5/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Although the Portuguese had been given the rights to all of Brazil in the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, which nation occupied an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro until 1567? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In colonial Rio de Janeiro times, what were sesmarias? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which historic building in Rio de Janeiro began construction in 1738 and served as the headquarters for the colonial governors of Brazil and later as a royal palace for the Portuguese royal family? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Brazil's economy slumped at the end of the 18th century, even as Rio de Janeiro was expanding and modernizing. The reason for the decline was that the Spanish territories in the New World were producing more sugar faster than Rio de Janeiro could. However, the economy jumped after the turn of the century when many of Rio's sugar plantations started growing what crop? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The famous journalist Joaquim Goncalves Ledo was a crucial figure in the struggle for Brazilian independence, which was achieved in 1822. For what form of government did Ledo advocate for? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Thirty people died during the Vaccine Revolt of 1904. The Vaccine Revolt was a response to the government's actions forcing mandatory vaccinations against which disease? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Heitor da Silva Costa was a famous Brazilian engineer from Rio de Janeiro who designed which famous monument, completed in 1931? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. When Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the FIFA World Cup in 1950, the famous Maracana Stadium was built. In that year's championship game, Brazil faced Uruguay. What was the outcome? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Rio's high crime rate was on display internationally in the 1990s. On July 23, 1993, on of the most famous instances of violence in the city occurred when eight males, seven of whom were teenagers, were brutally murdered outside of which building? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. In 2009, Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Which of the following plagued the city since its choice as venue for the Games? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Feb 28 2024 : jacktoll: 7/10
Feb 22 2024 : PurpleComet: 7/10
Feb 15 2024 : Dreessen: 5/10
Feb 10 2024 : Guest 91: 2/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Although the Portuguese had been given the rights to all of Brazil in the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, which nation occupied an island off the coast of Rio de Janeiro until 1567?

Answer: France

The French had occupied a tiny island off the Brazilian coast called Villegagnon Island. The French wanted to establish a colony in the southern hemisphere but the Treaty of Tordesillas split South America between Spain and Portugal. The Portuguese, led by Estacio de Sa, defeated the French.

However, Estacio de Sa was killed in battle. Rio de Janeiro was then founded around 1567. The original land that made up Rio de Janeiro was inland and surrounded by mountains for protection.
2. In colonial Rio de Janeiro times, what were sesmarias?

Answer: Plots of fertile land

Sesmarias were plots of extremely fertile land perfect for growing sugarcane. Brazil was home to large amounts of fertile farmland used to finance the colony. Sugarcane was the most important and profitable but its cultivation required large amounts of slaves. By the late 1600s, well over half of Rio de Janeiro's population were slaves.
3. Which historic building in Rio de Janeiro began construction in 1738 and served as the headquarters for the colonial governors of Brazil and later as a royal palace for the Portuguese royal family?

Answer: Paco Imperial

The Paco Imperial was just one of the crown residences in Brazil. When it was completed in 1743 it was called Casas dos Governadores or the Governor's House. It was renamed Paco dos Vice-Reis when the capital was moved to Rio in 1763. In 1808, it was renamed again to Paco Real when Prince John VI fled Portugal.

It took the name Paco Imperial when Brazil became independent in 1822 as the Empire of Brazil. Paco Imperial was the center of politics in Rio de Janeiro and in all of Brazil until 1889, when Brazil became a republic.
4. Brazil's economy slumped at the end of the 18th century, even as Rio de Janeiro was expanding and modernizing. The reason for the decline was that the Spanish territories in the New World were producing more sugar faster than Rio de Janeiro could. However, the economy jumped after the turn of the century when many of Rio's sugar plantations started growing what crop?

Answer: Coffee

Coffee remains one of Brazil's most important crops today: in fact it is the world's largest producer of coffee. With this newfound cash crop, Rio de Janeiro was able to expand even more and attract wealthy people from Europe outside of Portugal. The city's ports were in full operation again and this increase in coffee trade also allowed Rio to trade more of other crops including cotton and rubber.
5. The famous journalist Joaquim Goncalves Ledo was a crucial figure in the struggle for Brazilian independence, which was achieved in 1822. For what form of government did Ledo advocate for?

Answer: Constitutional monarchy

Ledo's choice to advocate for a monarchy was unusual as other New World countries feared tyrannical monarchs from their colonial days. Indeed, many Latin American nations were pushing toward a government like the U.S. However, Ledo quickly realized that any government not headed by a strong monarch would be overrun with the few but powerful wealthy plantation owners who were advocating against a monarchy.

Ledo spread his views through Rio de Janeiro by printing a newspaper called Reverbero Constitucional Fluminense with fellow printer Januário da Cunha Barbosa. Because of this, Rio was the center of the movement for Brazilian independence.
6. Thirty people died during the Vaccine Revolt of 1904. The Vaccine Revolt was a response to the government's actions forcing mandatory vaccinations against which disease?

Answer: Smallpox

Rio de Janeiro's infrastructure was suffering greatly by the early 20th century. The city's population was growing exponentially and the crowded city piled up with garbage. That combined with the poor sewage system led to numerous epidemics that ranged from typhus to leprosy and even bubonic plague. The Director General of Public Health Dr. Oswaldo Cruz founded the Brigadas Mata Mosquitos, a group of sanitation workers to clean up the city. He was also essential in the passage of the Mandatory Vaccination Law, which allowed the Brigadas Mata Mosquitos to forcibly enter people's homes and vaccinate them against smallpox that was threatening the city.

The law, which was unpopular and confusing, led to riots and looting in the streets. Even the military turned against the government briefly. Ultimately, thirty people were killed and over a hundred injured. Smallpox was eradicated from the city but only after the riots calmed down.
7. Heitor da Silva Costa was a famous Brazilian engineer from Rio de Janeiro who designed which famous monument, completed in 1931?

Answer: Christ the Redeemer Statue

Heitor da Silva Costa designed the statue, although it was built by Paul Landowski, a Polish-French artist. The idea for a statue of Christ in Rio was first proposed in the 1850s and a statue was indeed built but never displayed. It was proposed again in the 1920s and was approved.

The statue needs near constant restoration because its location on Corcovado Mountain exposes it to frequent high winds and lightning strikes. The original stone used to create the statue is increasingly rare and as a result, the statue is gradually becoming darker over time as new stone is used.
8. When Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the FIFA World Cup in 1950, the famous Maracana Stadium was built. In that year's championship game, Brazil faced Uruguay. What was the outcome?

Answer: Uruguay won 2-1

Brazil was the heavy favorite not only because they were the home team but also because they only needed a tie score to win. Brazil was actually leading the game at one point but Uruguay pulled ahead 2-1. The term Maracanazo was coined at this match.

It refers to a situation in which a narrow loss leaves a devastating impact on the loser. It usually applies to sports but can apply to anything.
9. Rio's high crime rate was on display internationally in the 1990s. On July 23, 1993, on of the most famous instances of violence in the city occurred when eight males, seven of whom were teenagers, were brutally murdered outside of which building?

Answer: Candelaria Church

The story goes that the eight victims, who ranged in age from 11-20, threw rocks at police cars but were given a warning. However, later that night police opened fire on a group of dozens of children. The children were street kids who frequently slept outside the Candelaria Church. Several of shooters were tried but only two were convicted.

The incident is called the Candelaria Massacre and is one of the most notable cases of police brutality in history.
10. In 2009, Rio de Janeiro was selected to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Which of the following plagued the city since its choice as venue for the Games?

Answer: All of these

The main concern in the international community was the spread of the Zika virus. The virus can cause birth defects if contracted by pregnant women. Brazil and Rio de Janeiro had a reputation for having shoddy infrastructure and the international community was concerned the city was not doing enough to combat the virus.

In May 2016, Dilma Rousseff, the president, was impeached and suspended from office. As a result, she was banned from attending the games. Rio de Janeiro itself typically experiences political corruption daily but the impeachment of the president was particularly notable.

As a result of the above issues, ticket sales for the many events were slow moving. International tourists, and even some athletes, passed on the opportunity to attend to for fear that the city was not safe from both disease and crime. Another issue that plagued Rio was the collapse of the Tim Maia bike path in April 2016. The bike path was called the most beautiful in the world and was to be a showpiece for international visitors. However, it easily collapsed when a wave hit it and left many wondering if the city's infrastructure was up to par.
Source: Author Joepetz

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