Muammar Gaddafi (1942–2011)

Question 1

Who was Muammar Gaddafi?

Answer 1

A Libyan leader who ruled from 1969 to 2011 after leading a bloodless coup.

Question 2

When was Muammar Gaddafi born?

Answer 2

1942.

Question 3

How did Gaddafi come to power?

Answer 3

He led a bloodless coup that overthrew King Idris I in 1969.

Question 4

What major project did Gaddafi undertake to bring water to Libyan cities?

Answer 4

The Great Man-Made River Project.

Question 5

What political text did Gaddafi write outlining his political philosophy?

Answer 5

The Green Book.

Question 6

What was Gaddafi’s political philosophy called?

Answer 6

The Third International Theory.

Question 7

How did Gaddafi’s regime fund social programs in Libya?

Answer 7

By nationalizing Libya’s oil resources.

Question 8

What international organization did Gaddafi help form in 2002?

Answer 8

The African Union.

Question 9

What caused Gaddafi’s downfall in 2011?

Answer 9

The Arab Spring uprisings and NATO intervention.

Question 10

What was Gaddafi’s attitude towards Arab unity and Western influence?

Answer 10

He advocated for Arab unity and opposed Western influence in the region.

Question 11

How is Gaddafi remembered in Africa?

Answer 11

As a champion of African unity and anti-colonialism.

Question 12

What was one of the major controversies of Gaddafi’s regime?

Answer 12

The involvement in acts of terrorism, such as the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.

Question 13

How did Gaddafi control dissent within Libya?

Answer 13

By suppressing opposition movements and using secret police.

Question 14

What unique characteristic did Gaddafi’s bodyguards have?

Answer 14

They were an all-female unit known as the ‘Amazonian Guard.’

Question 15

Where did Gaddafi try to pitch his tent during a UN visit?

Answer 15

In Central Park, New York City.

Question 16

Why did Gaddafi insist on using a tent during diplomatic visits?

Answer 16

To honor his Bedouin roots.

Question 17

What were some of the social programs Gaddafi funded in Libya?

Answer 17

Education, healthcare, and housing programs.

Question 18

Which period of global tension shaped Gaddafi’s rise to power?

Answer 18

The Cold War and the decolonization of Africa.

Question 19

What major external challenge did Gaddafi face during the 1980s and 1990s?

Answer 19

International isolation and sanctions due to Libya’s involvement in terrorism.

Question 20

What global event sparked the civil war that led to Gaddafi’s capture and death?

Answer 20

The Arab Spring.

Question 21

How did Gaddafi use Libya’s oil wealth domestically?

Answer 21

He used it to modernize the country and improve living standards.

Question 22

Which country’s leader influenced Gaddafi’s political thinking?

Answer 22

Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The world’s largest irrigation system, built by Gaddafi, is called _______.

Answer 23

The Great Man-Made River.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Gaddafi’s political theory, combining socialism and direct democracy, is called _______.

Answer 24

The Third International Theory.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Gaddafi was known for his opposition to _______ influence in the Arab world.

Answer 25

Western.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: The group of countries Gaddafi aimed to unite in 2002 was called the _______.

Answer 26

African Union.

Question 27

Fill in the blank: Gaddafi faced international sanctions after being implicated in the _______ bombing in 1988.

Answer 27

Lockerbie.