Here are a few history trivia questions I made for a school event. Answers below.

1. This woman succeeded her brother Henry IV as ruler of her kingdom after a power struggle with Joanna la Beltraneja. During her reign, she cracked down on crime within her country, which was rampant at the time of her succession. One of her most notable achievements was culminated in a victory over Muhammad XII of the Nasrid dynasty, who previously controlled land in the southern part of her country. This ruler signed the Treaty of Tordesillas along with King John II of a neighboring country. Name this woman who was recognized in 1974 by the Catholic Church as a servant of God.

2. Since 1959, this man has lived in Dharamshala, India, in exile from his home land as a result of an invasion by a neighboring country. The holder of this position is selected through a process that since 1793, has involved the usage of a Golden Urn. The current holder of this position has stated that his successor will not be born under foreign rule. This leader is an incarnation of Avalokiteśvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion, and used to be enthroned at the Potala palace in Lhasa. Name this title currently held by Tenzin Gyatso.

3. This man was arrested in 1962 and tried during the Rivonia Trial where he famously declared “I am prepared to die”. It was later revealed that the CIA was involved in his capture. Following almost three decades in prison, including time at Robben Island, this man was released in 1990 by president F.W. de Klerk. He later published his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom and served as the first black head of state of his country. Though he is sometimes criticized for his violent actions, this leader won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Name this man who served as president of the African National Congress.

4. This family originated in Aragon and rose to power during the 15th century. One member of this family, Lucrezia, is rumored to have frequently poisoned her enemies’ drinks using a poison-containing ring. Two members of this family became Pope Calixtus III and Pope Alexander VI, the latter of whom is known for holding sinful parties in the Vatican palace. Cesare, another member of this family, was killed during a siege in Navarre and was an inspiration for Machiavelli’s The Prince. Name this powerful family during the Italian Renaissance who were rivals of the Medicis and Sforzas.

5. This politician served as Secretary of Defense for President George H.W. Bush, after which he held a position as Chairman and CEO of Halliburton during the Clinton administration. Earlier in his life, he represented the state of Wyoming in the U.S. House of Representatives and opposed the creation of the U.S. Department of Education. Despite many of his conservative viewpoints, this man opposed a constitutional amendment outlawing gay marriage in 2004. Osama bin Laden led a failed assassination attempt against this man at Bagram Airfield in 2007. Name this man whose autobiography In My Time, was written with the help of his daughter.

6. The current ruling house of Monaco first came to power in this city in 1160, two and a half centuries before this city battled its rival in the War of Chioggia. At the 1538 Battle of Preveza, the Ottoman Empire defeated a fleet of the Holy League, led by an admiral from this city. During the 15th century, the Bank of Saint George was founded as one of the most important financial institutions in this city. When the Bubonic Plague entered Europe, it did so through the port city of Caffa, a colony controlled by this city. Name this Italian city which once controlled the island of Corsica before selling it to France.

7. Prior to the American Civil War, the US military trained a brigade of soldiers to use these animals, although the project was ended due to Jefferson Davis’ support of the initiative. These animals are mentioned in the Bible, but several historians do not consider such references to be historically accurate. The frightening smell of these animals was instrumental to one side’s victory at the Battle of Thymbra. Name this type of animal that the Border Security Force of India’s military band rides on

8. The March of Dimes charity was founded to help create this. Basil O’Connor worked with the President to support the creation of this thing through a radio campaign. Oveta Culp Hobby, the first US Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, was forced to resign from her position after an incident with the distribution of a contaminated version of this by Cutter Laboratories that resulted in several deaths. Name this thing whose creator refused to patent it. (Be specific – your answer should be more than one word).

9. This country, one of the first to be largely converted to Islam, was the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization. The King Fahd Causeway connects this country to its neighbor. This country was a Portuguese colony until 1602, and was again made a colony by the British during the 19th century. This nation, which is known for its pearl fisheries, had a large number of protestors gather at Pearl Roundabout in its capital city during the Arab Spring. Name this country currently ruled by the House of Khalifa.

10. The first battle of this conflict occurred at Jintian, and it went on to become the second bloodiest civil war in history, causing more than 20 million deaths. It began with persecutions of the God Worshiping Society and was led by Hong Xiuquan who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ. General Tso, the namesake of the popular dish, rose to prominence as a general during this conflict. Charles Gordon and Frederick Townsend Ward were also both military leaders during this conflict. Name this 14-year conflict in China that occurred during the 19th century.

1.Isabella of Castille — 2. Dalai Lama — 3. Nelson Mandela — 4. Borgia Family — 5. Dick Cheney — 6. Genoa — 7. camels — 8. Polio vaccine — 9. Bahrain — 10. Taiping Rebellion