Interregnums in History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Egypt and Syria

Gamal Abdel Nasser tried to establish a Pan Arab union, in part to avenge the humiliation of the earlier Arab-Israel War in 1947. He was at the height of his power and popularity after his success in the Suez crisis in 1956. Although Egypt and Syria had been more rivals than allies historically, the UAR was formed in 1958 under his leadership.

It eventually ended after a later coup in Syria.

Answer: United Kingdom

The flag of Spain flew over Texas between 1519-1684. As a result of the third treaty of San Ildefonso, it became a French possession between 1684 and 1690.
After Napoleon's defeat, it reverted to Spain's control before becoming part of newly independent Mexico between 1821 and 1835.
Mexican rule was overthrown by American settlers and the Republic of Texas was formed between 1836 and 1845.
Texas was then admitted to the United States in 1845, but later joined the Confederacy.

So flags of Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, United States , and Confederacy are the six flags of Texas.

Answer: Between 5 and 15 years

In 1649 Charles I was executed and the monarchy ended. In 1653 Oliver Cromwell gained full control and established the Protectorate. For much of his rule, he fought dissidents in Scotland and Ireland. When he died in 1658, his son Richard succeeded him; but Richard lacked the support of the people and Parliament. He was overthrown in 1659 and the monarchy was re-established.

The interregnum lasted between 1649 and 1660, and the Protectorate was between 1653 and 1660.

Answer: Avignon

A Frenchman, Pope Clement V, was elected pope in 1309 and refused to move to Rome. The next six popes were also French and remained in Avignon. Finally Pope Gregory XI moved the papal court back to Rome. When he died, his successor Pope Urban VI remained in Rome, but a second contender (antipope) was elected by dissidents.

This so-called Great Schism was not resolved until the Council of Constance when both sides agreed on a single pope, Martin V.

Answer: Poland

Danzig was an important member of the Hanseatic League in medieval times. It had long been part of German states, and the population was still primarily German speaking at the end of World War I. At the end of World War I Poland was re-established as an independent nation, and it desired a deep water port. As a compromise, the treaty made Danzig and some surrounding areas a free city under control of the League of Nations and Poland was allowed access to the port.

Today Danzig is known as Gdansk and the workers' strike in that city in 1980 began the momentous events that ultimately ended Communist control of eastern Europe.

Answer: Brazil

The royal court of Portugal under Dom Joao VI fled to Brazil in 1808 under threats by Napoleon. He later returned to Portugal, but left his son Dom Pedro I as King of Brazil. In 1822 Dom Pedro I declared the independence of Brazil from Portugal and established the Empire of Brazil. His son Dom Pedro II ruled for 58 years before being overthrown in a coup that established the Republic of Brazil.

Mexico was an independent country under Benito Juarez when France invaded and installed Maximilian I as emperor. Maximilian ruled for about three years before Mexico regained its independence.

Answer: Congress +8 different presidents under Articles of Confederation

The battle of Yorktown did not end the presence of English troops in the US. Troops finally left New York, Charleston, and Savannah two years later in 1783. The U.S. Constitution wasn't ratified until 1788 and Washington didn't take office until 1789. This provided only weak central authority and the states were often working to cross purposes

In those years the Continental Congress (war time government) still provided central government and elected a president. If you want to be obnoxious, claim these men are the first 8 presidents of the US: John Hanson, Elias Boudinot, Thomas Mifflin, Richard Henry Lee, John Hancock, Nathan Gorman, Arthur St Clair, and Cyrus Griffin - all elected by the Congress operating under the Articles of Confederation before George Washington was elected under the US Constitution.

Answer: Austria

France, with the support of Spain and Britain, had invaded Mexico, which had become an independent country under Benito Juarez. The French requested Maximilian, the younger brother of Austrian emperor Franz Joseph, to lead a new monarchy in Mexico. Maximilian had had a successful career in the Austrian navy and was a charismatic figure.

He was relatively progressive and left some of the reforms of Juarez in place. However, with the American Civil War over the US applied pressure on France and supplied Mexican rebels with arms. Loss of external support doomed Maximilian, and he bravely went to his death.

His widow Charlotte of Belgium (Carlotta) had returned home and was considered insane from the grief of his death.

Answer: Philippe Petain

Petain was an aged WWI French war hero who led the Vichy Government and its atrocities.

Foch was also a WWI military hero, who had died in 1926.

Reynaud was French Prime minister at the star of the war and resisted the idea of surrendering to the Nazis.

Bonvin was one of the many French colonial administrators who refused to surrender French overseas territories to the Germans and joined the Free French forces.

Answer: Reconstruction

The Reconstruction was the period between about 1865 and 1877 when Northern forces occupied the Confederate states. The Southern states were required to approve amendments to their constitutions granting equal rights to former slaves and (somewhat ironically) petition to rejoin the Union. Carpetbaggers were Northerners who helped enforce the Reconstruction and scalawags were native Southerners who supported the effort. The pejorative nature of these terms arose from the lucrative benefits some them received.

The presence of troops propped up some of the more liberal governments. When they were withdrawn in 1877, a dark period ensued with many restrictive laws against the newly freed.