Contemporary African History Quiz

Explanation
The Free Officer Movement played a major role in Egypt's independence. Led by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the movement aimed to overthrow the monarchy and establish a republic. In 1952, the movement successfully carried out a coup d'état, overthrowing King Farouk and paving the way for Egypt's independence from British colonial rule. The Free Officer Movement's actions were instrumental in shaping Egypt's modern history and establishing Nasser as a prominent leader in the region.

Explanation
Sudan gained its independence on January 1, 1956. This date marked the end of British colonial rule in Sudan and the establishment of the Republic of Sudan as an independent nation.

Explanation
The year 1960 is known as the "Year of Africa" because it marked a significant turning point in the history of Africa's decolonization. During this year, a large number of African countries gained their independence from European colonial powers. This wave of independence movements led to the establishment of numerous newly independent nations in Africa, symbolizing the continent's struggle for self-determination and sovereignty. Therefore, 1960 is widely recognized as the "Year of Africa."

Explanation
Tanganyika is the correct answer because it was the earlier name of Tanzania. Tanganyika was a sovereign state that existed from 1961 until 1964, when it merged with Zanzibar to form Tanzania. The name Tanganyika was derived from the words "Tanga" and "Nyika," which mean "sail" and "wilderness" respectively in the Swahili language.

Explanation
The Mau-Mau uprising refers to a violent rebellion that took place in Kenya from 1952 to 1960. The uprising was led by the Mau-Mau, a secret society composed mainly of members of the Kikuyu ethnic group, who were fighting against British colonial rule. The Mau-Mau uprising was a significant event in Kenya's struggle for independence, and it had a profound impact on the country's history and politics.

Explanation
Namibia is the correct answer because it gained its independence from South Africa on March 21, 1990, making it the last African country to gain independence from European colonial rule. Nigeria gained its independence from Britain in 1960, Ethiopia was never colonized by a European power, and Mali gained independence from France in 1960.

Explanation
The correct answer is 2002 because the African Union was officially launched on July 9, 2002, in Durban, South Africa. It was established to replace the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and aims to promote unity, peace, and development among African countries.

Explanation
The battle of Mogadishu refers to the military operation conducted by U.S. forces against Somalia militia fighters. This battle took place in 1993 in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The operation aimed to capture key members of the militia group and restore order in the country. However, the mission faced significant challenges, resulting in a prolonged firefight and the downing of two U.S. helicopters. The battle of Mogadishu was depicted in the book and subsequent movie "Black Hawk Down."

Explanation
South Sudan is the newest African country because it gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. After years of civil war and conflict, South Sudan voted for independence in a referendum held in 2011. This led to the establishment of South Sudan as a sovereign nation, making it the newest country in Africa.

Explanation
The correct answer is 1994 because it was in that year that South Africa held its first democratic elections. Prior to 1994, South Africa was under apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination. The elections in 1994 marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of democracy in the country. This was a significant milestone in South Africa's history as it allowed all citizens, regardless of race, to participate in the political process and have a say in the governance of the country.