History Challenge

Here’s a little History based challenge to keep you busy this week!

Email your answers to hstoutjesdyk@taylor.n-lanark.sch.uk

Using the clues below, identify the famous/infamous historical character.  

  1) Born in Vienna, I was promoted to the position of SS-Hauptsturmführer and was Commandant of Plaszow concentration camp during WWII. Here, I carried out Hitler’s orders to exterminate the Jews. I was
portrayed by Ralph Fiennes in the 1993 film Schindler’s List, directed by Stephen Spielberg.

2) I am believed to be the reincarnated Buddha, once leader of Tibet that has been exiled from my country since the Chinese Communists invaded. My given name is Tenzin Gyatso.

3) I was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, known as the “Virgin Queen” during the Golden Age of England. I ordered the execution of my wee cousin, Mary Queen of Scots in 1587.

4) I was the man credited for ending the policy of Apartheid (segregation of blacks and whites). I was the first President of the Free State of South Africa. Prior to this, I spent 27 years in prison, split between Robben Island, Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison.

5) Born in Florence in 1469, I wrote “The Prince” as a guide to leaders during the 15th century. Critics claimed my book was dangerous because it taught “evil recommendations to tyrants to help them maintain their power”. However, I simply put forth the simple rule “it is better to be feared than loved” for leaders.

6) I was an artist in Mexico, supported communist and the revolution, depicting the hard life of the working class in my artwork. Married to Diego Rivera.

7) I was Prime Minister of Japan during WWII, responsible for the bombing of Pearl Harbour in December 1941. I was sentenced to death and hanged in 1948.

8) I was known as a “Renaissance Man” because of my many talents as an engineer, painter, mathematician, and inventor. My artistic works include the Last Supper & the Mona Lisa. One of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is named after me!

9) I was a military nationalist that came to power during the Spanish Civil War, known for stabilising the economy and being the longest ruling dictator in European history. I restored the monarchy in my country in 1978.

10) I was revolutionary leader who worked with Che Guevara to successfully make Cuba a Communist state.

11) Born in 1412, I was nicknamed the “Maid of Orleans” and canonised as a Roman Catholic saint for my role in the Hundred Years War. I died in 1431, aged only 19.

12) I was (the last) Tsar of Russia during the Russian Revolution of 1917, later executed by the Communist regime led by Vladimir Lenin.

13) I am a Scottish footballer with the record number of appearances for my national team with an incredible 203 caps.

14) Born in 356 BC I succeeded my father Phillip II to the throne at the age of 20. I spent most of my ruling years on an unprecedented military campaign through Asia and Northeast Africa. By the age of thirty, I had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world stretching from Greece to northwest India.

15) Born in Aberdeen in 1848, I have appeared on a £10 Scottish bank note and spent the majority of my working life as a missionary in Africa.

16) Born in Florence Tuscany in 1820 – I am famous for my role as a nurse in the Crimean War. The recently established hospital built to deal with Covid-19 in London is named after me.

17) Killed at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513, I remain the last monarch from the British Isles to die in battle.

18) Known for my role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, I am one of the most famous African-Americans of the 20th century. I was close friends with Martin Luther King.

19)A founding member of The Beatles, I was shot dead by Mark Chapman in New York City in 1980.

20) Killed by Robert Bruce at the altar of Greyfriars Kirk in 1306, I was an important Scottish noble and married the cousin of King Edward I of England.  

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