Malta: British Rule and Independence MCQs

1. When did Malta officially become a British colony?
a) 1500
b) 1600
c) 1700
d) 1800
Answer: d) 1800

2. During the British rule, which major event occurred in Malta in 1919, signaling a demand for self-determination?
a) Great Siege of Malta
b) Sette Giugno Uprising
c) Maltese Rebellion
d) Independence Day
Answer: b) Sette Giugno Uprising

3. What role did Malta play during World War II?
a) Axis power
b) Neutral
c) Allied power
d) Colonial Rebellion
Answer: c) Allied power

4. The Malta Independence Act was enacted by the British Parliament in which year, leading to Malta’s independence?
a) 1950
b) 1964
c) 1979
d) 1987
Answer: b) 1964

5. Who was the first Prime Minister of independent Malta?
a) Dom Mintoff
b) Eddie Fenech Adami
c) Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici
d) George Borg Olivier
Answer: d) George Borg Olivier

6. Which political party in Malta led the country to independence and dominated its early politics?
a) Nationalist Party
b) Labour Party
c) Democratic Party
d) Progressive Party
Answer: a) Nationalist Party

7. The Maltese language, alongside English, became an official language of Malta after independence. What is the other official language?
a) Italian
b) French
c) Spanish
d) German
Answer: a) Italian

8. The currency used in Malta before the adoption of the Euro was:
a) Maltese Pound
b) British Pound
c) Lira
d) Florin
Answer: a) Maltese Pound

9. Which British monarch visited Malta in 1954, marking a historic event during the colonial period?
a) Queen Victoria
b) King George VI
c) Queen Elizabeth II
d) King Edward VII
Answer: c) Queen Elizabeth II

10. The “Malta Summit” between the U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev took place in 1989. What was its significance?
a) Signing of the Malta Declaration
b) End of the Cold War
c) Establishment of NATO
d) Malta’s entry into the European Union
Answer: b) End of the Cold War

11. What was the main reason for the British establishing a naval base in Malta during the 18th century?
a) Economic trade
b) Strategic location
c) Cultural exchange
d) Scientific research
Answer: b) Strategic location

12. Which significant naval engagement took place in Malta in 1800 during the Napoleonic Wars?
a) Battle of Trafalgar
b) Battle of Lepanto
c) Battle of Malta
d) Battle of Navarino
Answer: a) Battle of Trafalgar

13. In 1942, Malta was awarded the George Cross for its bravery during:
a) World War I
b) World War II
c) The Napoleonic Wars
d) The War of the Spanish Succession
Answer: b) World War II

14. The Maltese constitution was amended in 1974, declaring Malta a:
a) Republic
b) Kingdom
c) Commonwealth
d) Dominion
Answer: a) Republic

15. What was the primary industry that flourished in Malta under British rule?
a) Agriculture
b) Fishing
c) Tourism
d) Manufacturing
Answer: c) Tourism

16. The transfer of power from British rule to self-governance in Malta was facilitated through the granting of a:
a) Mandate
b) Protectorate
c) Dominion status
d) Colonial mandate
Answer: c) Dominion status

17. What was the significance of the “Freedom Day” celebrated in Malta on March 31, 1979?
a) Independence from British rule
b) Joining the European Union
c) Establishment of the Maltese Republic
d) End of World War II in Malta
Answer: a) Independence from British rule

18. The Treaty of Paris in 1814 officially recognized Malta as a British:
a) Colony
b) Dominion
c) Protectorate
d) Commonwealth
Answer: a) Colony

19. In 1971, Malta declared itself a:
a) Republic
b) Dominion
c) Protectorate
d) Commonwealth realm
Answer: a) Republic

20. The Maltese Parliament, established under British rule, is known as the:
a) House of Commons
b) House of Lords
c) House of Representatives
d) House of Assembly
Answer: c) House of Representatives

21. The British naval base in Malta played a crucial role in securing control over which sea route?
a) Silk Road
b) Spice Route
c) Suez Canal
d) Strait of Gibraltar
Answer: c) Suez Canal

22. Malta’s strategic location in the Mediterranean made it a key outpost for the British in maintaining control over:
a) North Africa
b) Western Europe
c) Eastern Europe
d) Middle East
Answer: a) North Africa

23. Which political leader played a significant role in negotiating Malta’s independence with the British government?
a) Dom Mintoff
b) Eddie Fenech Adami
c) Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici
d) George Borg Olivier
Answer: a) Dom Mintoff

24. Malta’s accession to the European Union took place in the year:
a) 1990
b) 2004
c) 2010
d) 2018
Answer: b) 2004

25. The Maltese flag, adopted after independence, features the George Cross in recognition of Malta’s bravery during:
a) World War I
b) World War II
c) The Great Siege
d) The Norman Conquest
Answer: b) World War II

26. The Mintoff-Davies Agreement in 1972 paved the way for the eventual withdrawal of British military forces from:
a) Gozo
b) Mdina
c) Valletta
d) Hal Far
Answer: c) Valletta

**27. Malta’s status as a British colony became crucial during the 19th century due to its role as a:
a) Penal colony
b) Naval base
c) Trade center
d) Agricultural hub
Answer: b) Naval base

28. The Maltese archipelago consists of how many islands?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: b) 3

29. The Maltese language, known as Maltese (Malti), evolved from a blend of Semitic languages. What alphabet is used to write Maltese?
a) Latin
b) Cyrillic
c) Greek
d) Arabic
Answer: a) Latin

30. Which prominent fortification was built by the Order of St. John in Malta and served as a key defensive structure during British rule?
a) Fort Manoel
b) Fort Ricasoli
c) Fort Saint Elmo
d) Fort Saint Angelo
Answer: b) Fort Ricasoli

31. The Maltese Parliament consists of two chambers. What are they called?
a) House of Lords and House of Commons
b) Senate and House of Representatives
c) National Assembly and Legislative Assembly
d) People’s Council and Revolutionary Council
Answer: b) Senate and House of Representatives

32. The Maltese Carnival, celebrated before Lent, has a tradition dating back to the:
a) Phoenician era
b) Roman period
c) Arab influence
d) Medieval times
Answer: b) Roman period

33. The British naval presence in Malta was especially significant during the 19th century due to its role in securing trade routes to:
a) India
b) Australia
c) Canada
d) South America
Answer: a) India

34. The capital city of Malta, Valletta, is named after:
a) A saint
b) A queen
c) A king
d) A military commander
Answer: c) A king

35. The construction of the Suez Canal in the 19th century further increased Malta’s strategic importance in relation to:
a) Asia
b) Africa
c) Europe
d) North America
Answer: b) Africa

36. The Maltese currency before adopting the Euro was pegged to the:
a) British Pound
b) U.S. Dollar
c) French Franc
d) Italian Lira
Answer: a) British Pound

37. The British military withdrawal from Malta in 1979 was marked by the closure of:
a) Fort Saint Elmo
b) Fort Manoel
c) RAF Luqa
d) Marsa Shipyard
Answer: c) RAF Luqa

38. The city of Mdina served as Malta’s capital during the period of:
a) Phoenician rule
b) Roman rule
c) Arab rule
d) British rule
Answer: b) Roman rule

39. What was the primary crop grown in Malta during British rule that played a crucial role in the economy?
a) Wheat
b) Cotton
c) Barley
d) Tobacco
Answer: b) Cotton

40. The Maltese Constitution, enacted in 1964, declared Malta a:
a) Republic
b) Kingdom
c) Dominion
d) Protectorate
Answer: c) Dominion

41. The British influence on Malta’s education system is evident in the use of:
a) English as the primary language of instruction
b) Latin as the primary language of instruction
c) Arabic as the primary language of instruction
d) Maltese as the primary language of instruction
Answer: a) English as the primary language of instruction

42. The Fort Saint Angelo in Birgu played a crucial role in the defense of Malta during:
a) The Great Siege
b) World War I
c) World War II
d) The Norman Conquest
Answer: a) The Great Siege

43. What was the main economic activity in Malta during British rule?
a) Agriculture
b) Fishing
c) Trade and commerce
d) Tourism
Answer: c) Trade and commerce

44. The British Governor’s Palace, now the official residence of the President of Malta, is located in:
a) Valletta
b) Mdina
c) Birgu
d) Sliema
Answer: a) Valletta

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