After the success of quantum electrodynamics, Feynman turned to quantum gravity. By analogy with the photon, which has spin 1, he investigated the consequences of a free massless spin 2 field, and derived the Einstein field equation of general relativity, but little more. The computational device that Feynman discovered then for gravity, "ghosts", which are "particles" in the interior of his diagrams that have the "wrong" connection between spin and statistics, have proved invaluable in explaining the quantum particle behavior of the Yang–Mills theories, for example, QCD and the electro-weak theory.

Where did  Feynman find success before moving to quantum gravity

quantum electrodynamics

What did Feynman investigate while working on quantum gravity?

consequences of a free massless spin 2 field

What equation did Feyman derive?

Einstein field equation of general relativity

What did Feynman's discoveries help explain?

Yang–Mills theories

Which parts of the Yang-Mills theories did Feynman help explain?

QCD and the electro-weak theory

Where did Feynman find failure before moving to quantum gravity?

I'm not sure.

What did Feynman ignore while working on quantum gravity?

I'm not sure.

What equation did Feynman steal?

I'm not sure.

What did Feynman's discoveries hurt the explanation of?

I'm not sure.

Which parts of the Yang-Mills theories did Feynman dispel?

I'm not sure.


Feynman was elected a Foreign Member of the Royal Society (ForMemRS) in 1965. At this time in the early 1960s, Feynman exhausted himself by working on multiple major projects at the same time, including a request, while at Caltech, to "spruce up" the teaching of undergraduates. After three years devoted to the task, he produced a series of lectures that eventually became The Feynman Lectures on Physics. He wanted a picture of a drumhead sprinkled with powder to show the modes of vibration at the beginning of the book. Concerned over the connections to drugs and rock and roll that could be made from the image, the publishers changed the cover to plain red, though they included a picture of him playing drums in the foreword. The Feynman Lectures on Physics occupied two physicists, Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands, as part-time co-authors for several years. Even though the books were not adopted by most universities as textbooks, they continue to sell well because they provide a deep understanding of physics. Many of his lectures and miscellaneous talks were turned into other books, including The Character of Physical Law, QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, Statistical Mechanics, Lectures on Gravitation, and the Feynman Lectures on Computation.

Which society was Feynman elected to?

Royal Society

After 3 years at Caltech what lectures did Feynman produce?

The Feynman Lectures on Physics

Why did publisher change the cover picture on Feynman's book?

connections to drugs and rock and roll

In his book, Feynman was shown playing what instrument?

drums

What was the name of the book Feynman wrote over light and matter?

The Character of Physical Law, QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

Which society was Feynman kicked out of?

I'm not sure.

What lectures did Feynman lose credit for after 3 years at Caltech?

I'm not sure.

Why did the publisher remove the cover picture on Feynman's book?

I'm not sure.

What instrument was Feynman unable to play in his book?

I'm not sure.

What was the name of the book Feynman wrote about the dark and nothingness?

I'm not sure.


In 1974, Feynman delivered the Caltech commencement address on the topic of cargo cult science, which has the semblance of science, but is only pseudoscience due to a lack of "a kind of scientific integrity, a principle of scientific thought that corresponds to a kind of utter honesty" on the part of the scientist. He instructed the graduating class that "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool. So you have to be very careful about that. After you've not fooled yourself, it's easy not to fool other scientists. You just have to be honest in a conventional way after that."

In which year did Feynman orate the Caltech commencement speech?

Which topic did Feynman's commencement speech at Caltech center around?

cargo cult science

What is cargo cult science?

pseudoscience

What did Feyman tell the class that they must not do to themselves?

fool yourself

Which year did Feynman miss the Caltech commencement speech?

I'm not sure.

Which topic did Feynman's commencement speech at Caltech avoid?

I'm not sure.

What is the science Feynman understood best considered?

I'm not sure.

What did Feynman tell the class that they must do to themselves?

I'm not sure.


In the late 1980s, according to "Richard Feynman and the Connection Machine", Feynman played a crucial role in developing the first massively parallel computer, and in finding innovative uses for it in numerical computations, in building neural networks, as well as physical simulations using cellular automata (such as turbulent fluid flow), working with Stephen Wolfram at Caltech. His son Carl also played a role in the development of the original Connection Machine engineering; Feynman influencing the interconnects while his son worked on the software.

What did Feynman help develop in the 1980s?

parallel computer

Who did Feynman work with on computers at Caltech?

Stephen Wolfram

Who else worked with Feynman on developing computers?

His son Carl

What specifically did his son work on?

software

What did Feyman do while his son worked on software?

influencing the interconnects

What did Feynman help find in the 1970s?

I'm not sure.

Who did Feynman work with on computers at Yale?

I'm not sure.

Who else worked with Feynman on developing planes?

I'm not sure.

What specifically did Feynman's daughter work on?

I'm not sure.

What was Feynman doing while his daughter worked on software?

I'm not sure.


Feynman diagrams are now fundamental for string theory and M-theory, and have even been extended topologically. The world-lines of the diagrams have developed to become tubes to allow better modeling of more complicated objects such as strings and membranes. Shortly before his death, Feynman criticized string theory in an interview: "I don't like that they're not calculating anything," he said. "I don't like that they don't check their ideas. I don't like that for anything that disagrees with an experiment, they cook up an explanation—a fix-up to say, 'Well, it still might be true.'" These words have since been much-quoted by opponents of the string-theoretic direction for particle physics.

What theories do Feynman diagrams help explain?

string theory and M-theory

The diagrams have been made from lines into what 3 dimensional shape?

tubes

What angst did Feynman have against string theorists?

they don't check their ideas

Which quote by Feynman is often used by string theory opponents?

'Well, it still might be true.'"

What theories do Feynman diagrams not explain?

I'm not sure.

What 4 dimensional shape have Feynman diagrams been made into?

I'm not sure.

What angst did Feynman have against churchgoers?

I'm not sure.

Which quote by Feynman is often used by religious opponents?

I'm not sure.

What kind of physics was Feynman least interested in?

I'm not sure.


Feynman devoted the latter half of his book What Do You Care What Other People Think? to his experience on the Rogers Commission, straying from his usual convention of brief, light-hearted anecdotes to deliver an extended and sober narrative. Feynman's account reveals a disconnect between NASA's engineers and executives that was far more striking than he expected. His interviews of NASA's high-ranking managers revealed startling misunderstandings of elementary concepts. For instance, NASA managers claimed that there was a 1 in 100,000 chance of a catastrophic failure aboard the shuttle, but Feynman discovered that NASA's own engineers estimated the chance of a catastrophe at closer to 1 in 200. He concluded that the space shuttle reliability estimate by NASA management was fantastically unrealistic, and he was particularly angered that NASA used these figures to recruit Christa McAuliffe into the Teacher-in-Space program. He warned in his appendix to the commission's report (which was included only after he threatened not to sign the report), "For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled."

Feyman's experience on the Rogers Commission was talked about is which of his books?

What Do You Care What Other People Think?

In which way did he write about his experience on the Rogers Commission?

sober narrative

His writings about the Rogers Commission showed that trouble was brewing between scientists and executives at which prolific institute?

NASA

While the higher-ups said a failure was unlikely, at 1 in 100,000 odds, the scientists felt the odd were what?

1 in 200

Who did NASA recruit by using flawed safety numbers?

Christa McAuliffe

What book ignored Feynman's experience on the Rogers Commission?

I'm not sure.

Which way did he avoid writing about his experience on the Rogers Commission?

I'm not sure.

What managers claimed there was a 1 in 10,000 chance of catastrophic failure aboard the shuttle?

I'm not sure.

Who did NASA recruit while using accurate safety numbers?

I'm not sure.

Who concluded that NASA management was fantastically realistic?

I'm not sure.


Although born to and raised by parents who were Ashkenazi, Feynman was not only an atheist, but declined to be labelled Jewish. He routinely refused to be included in lists or books that classified people by race. He asked to not be included in Tina Levitan's The Laureates: Jewish Winners of the Nobel Prize, writing, "To select, for approbation the peculiar elements that come from some supposedly Jewish heredity is to open the door to all kinds of nonsense on racial theory," and adding "... at thirteen I was not only converted to other religious views, but I also stopped believing that the Jewish people are in any way 'the chosen people'."

Which religious sect did Feynman refuse to be part of?

Jewish

Which book did Feynman decline to be listed in?

The Laureates: Jewish Winners of the Nobel Prize

What did Feynman believe that the Jewish people were not?

the chosen people

What religious affiliation did Feynman have?

atheist

Feynman did not like to be listed in anything that labeled people by what standard?

race

Which religious sect did Feynman agree to be part of?

I'm not sure.

Which book did Feynman demand to be listed in?

I'm not sure.

What did Feynman believe that the Jewish people were?

I'm not sure.

What religious affiliation did Feynman seek to eliminate?

I'm not sure.

What religion did Feynman's atheist parents follow?

I'm not sure.


While pursuing his PhD at Princeton, Feynman married his high school sweetheart, Arline Greenbaum (often misspelled "Arlene"), despite the knowledge that she was seriously ill with tuberculosis—an incurable disease at the time. She died in 1945. In 1946, Feynman wrote a letter to her, expressing his deep love and heartbreak, that he kept for the rest of his life. ("Please excuse my not mailing this," the letter concluded, "but I don't know your new address.") This portion of Feynman's life was portrayed in the 1996 film Infinity, which featured Feynman's daughter, Michelle, in a cameo role.

Who was Feynman's wife?

Arline Greenbaum

Which disease did Arline succumb to?

tuberculosis

In which year did his wife die?

Who played a cameo in a film about Feynman?

Feynman's daughter, Michelle

What was the name of the film that showed Feynman's life?

Infinity

Who was Feynman's ex-wife?

I'm not sure.

Which disease did Arline overcome?

I'm not sure.

What year did Feynman's wife come back to life?

I'm not sure.

Who lost their role for a cameo in a film about Feynman?

I'm not sure.

What was the name of the TV show that showed Feynman's life?

I'm not sure.


Feynman had a great deal of success teaching Carl, using, for example, discussions about ants and Martians as a device for gaining perspective on problems and issues. He was surprised to learn that the same teaching devices were not useful with Michelle. Mathematics was a common interest for father and son; they both entered the computer field as consultants and were involved in advancing a new method of using multiple computers to solve complex problems—later known as parallel computing. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory retained Feynman as a computational consultant during critical missions. One co-worker characterized Feynman as akin to Don Quixote at his desk, rather than at a computer workstation, ready to do battle with the windmills.

What analogies did Feynman use to teach Carl?

ants and Martians

Which subject did Feynman and Carl both enjoy?

Mathematics

What type of computing did Feynman and his son help develop?

parallel computing

What Laboratory employed Feynman for critical missions?

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory

What fictional character was Feynman compared to by a colleague?

Don Quixote

What analogies did Feynman not utilize to teach Carl?

I'm not sure.

Which subject did Feynman and Carl both dislike?

I'm not sure.

What type of computing did Feynman and his dad help develop?

I'm not sure.

What Laboratory employed Feynman for unimportant missions?

I'm not sure.

What fictional character was Feynman compared to by his son?

I'm not sure.


Feynman traveled to Brazil, where he gave courses at the BCPF (Brazilian Center for Physics Research) and near the end of his life schemed to visit the Russian land of Tuva, a dream that, because of Cold War bureaucratic problems, never became reality. The day after he died, a letter arrived for him from the Soviet government, giving him authorization to travel to Tuva. Later Feynman's daughter Michelle would realize this journey. Out of his enthusiastic interest in reaching Tuva came the phrase "Tuva or Bust" (also the title of a book about his efforts to get there), which was tossed about frequently amongst his circle of friends in hope that they, one day, could see it firsthand. The documentary movie, Genghis Blues, mentions some of his attempts to communicate with Tuva and chronicles the successful journey there by his friends. Responding to Hubert Humphrey's congratulation for his Nobel Prize, Feynman admitted to a long admiration for the then vice president.

Where did Feynman work at in Brazil?

Brazilian Center for Physics Research

Which place in Russia could Feynman not visit, but wished to do so?

Tuva

When was Feynman allowed to go to Tuva?

The day after he died

Who went to Tuva in Feynman's stead?

Feynman's daughter Michelle

What is the name of the film that discusses Feynman's attempt to get to Tuva?

Genghis Blues

Where did Feynman work at in Japan?

I'm not sure.

Which place in Germany could Feynman not visit but wished to do so?

I'm not sure.

When was Feynman found visiting Tuva?

I'm not sure.

Who avoided Tuva in Feynman's stead?

I'm not sure.

What is the name of the film that discusses Feynman's attempt to escape from Tuva?

I'm not sure.


According to Genius, the James Gleick-authored biography, Feynman tried LSD during his professorship at Caltech. Somewhat embarrassed by his actions, he largely sidestepped the issue when dictating his anecdotes; he mentions it in passing in the "O Americano, Outra Vez" section, while the "Altered States" chapter in Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! describes only marijuana and ketamine experiences at John Lilly's famed sensory deprivation tanks, as a way of studying consciousness. Feynman gave up alcohol when he began to show vague, early signs of alcoholism, as he did not want to do anything that could damage his brain—the same reason given in "O Americano, Outra Vez" for his reluctance to experiment with LSD.

Which illicit drug did Feynman try at Caltech?

LSD

What substance did Feynman give up later in life?

alcohol

Why did Feynman give up alcohol?

he did not want to do anything that could damage his brain

In what book did he talk about his LSD use?

O Americano, Outra Vez

Which illicit drug was Feynman caught with at Caltech?

I'm not sure.

What substance did Feynman die from later in life?

I'm not sure.

Why did Feynman enjoy alcohol?

I'm not sure.

What book did Feynman talk about his DMT use?

I'm not sure.

When did Feynman try heroin?

I'm not sure.


In Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!, he gives advice on the best way to pick up a girl in a hostess bar. At Caltech, he used a nude or topless bar as an office away from his usual office, making sketches or writing physics equations on paper placemats. When the county officials tried to close the place, all visitors except Feynman refused to testify in favor of the bar, fearing that their families or patrons would learn about their visits. Only Feynman accepted, and in court, he affirmed that the bar was a public need, stating that craftsmen, technicians, engineers, common workers, "and a physics professor" frequented the establishment. While the bar lost the court case, it was allowed to remain open as a similar case was pending appeal.

Which book does Feynman detail was to pick up girls?

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman

Where was his second office at Caltech?

topless bar

Who was the only person to testify that the topless bar should remain open?

Feynman

Where did Feynman write down his equations at the topless bar?

paper placemats

Who tried to shut the topless bar down?

county officials

Which book does Feynman detail was to help reject girls?

I'm not sure.

Where was his tenth office at Caltech?

I'm not sure.

Who was the only person to testify that the topless bar should close?

I'm not sure.

Where did Feynman lose his equations at the topless bar?

I'm not sure.

Who helped the bar win their court case?

I'm not sure.


In a 1992 New York Times article on Feynman and his legacy, James Gleick recounts the story of how Murray Gell-Mann described what has become known as "The Feynman Algorithm" or "The Feynman Problem-Solving Algorithm" to a student: "The student asks Gell-Mann about Feynman's notes. Gell-Mann says no, Dick's methods are not the same as the methods used here. The student asks, well, what are Feynman's methods? Gell-Mann leans coyly against the blackboard and says: Dick's method is this. You write down the problem. You think very hard. (He shuts his eyes and presses his knuckles parodically to his forehead.) Then you write down the answer."

Which paper published a story about Feynman in 1992?

New York Times

Who helped tell the 1992 New York Times story about Feynman?

James Gleick

Gleick told a story about a specific algorithim that Gell-Mann described to a student, what was this algorithim called?

The Feynman Problem-Solving Algorithm

Feynman's algorithim included writing the problem, thinking, and then what?

write down the answer

Which paper published a story about Feynman in 1982?

I'm not sure.

Who helped tell the 1922 New York Times story about Feynman?

I'm not sure.

What newspaper was Feynman never featured in?

I'm not sure.

Who failed to describe what has become known as "The Feynman Algorithm"?

I'm not sure.


The Feynman Lectures on Physics is perhaps his most accessible work for anyone with an interest in physics, compiled from lectures to Caltech undergraduates in 1961–64. As news of the lectures' lucidity grew, professional physicists and graduate students began to drop in to listen. Co-authors Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands, colleagues of Feynman, edited and illustrated them into book form. The work has endured and is useful to this day. They were edited and supplemented in 2005 with "Feynman's Tips on Physics: A Problem-Solving Supplement to the Feynman Lectures on Physics" by Michael Gottlieb and Ralph Leighton (Robert Leighton's son), with support from Kip Thorne and other physicists.

Where do the Feynman Lectures on Physics pull information from?

compiled from lectures to Caltech undergraduates in 1961–64

Once the popularity on the lectures grew, who began to attend?

professional physicists and graduate students

Which two of Feynman's colleagues helped put the lectures into book format?

Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands

Which addendum was added to the Lectures book in 2005?

"Feynman's Tips on Physics: A Problem-Solving Supplement to the Feynman Lectures on Physics

Who wrote the supplemental material added to the Lectures book in 2005?

Michael Gottlieb and Ralph Leighton

Where did the Feynman Lectures on Biology pull information from?

I'm not sure.

Who never attended lectures as popularity grew?

I'm not sure.

Which one of Feynman's colleagues helped put the lectures into book format?

I'm not sure.

Which addendum was removed from the Lectures book in 2005?

I'm not sure.

Who wrote the supplemental material added to the Lectures book in 2003?

I'm not sure.


Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi (Arabic: معمر محمد أبو منيار القذافي Arabic pronunciation: [muʕamar al.qaðaːfiː]; /ˈmoʊ.əmɑːr ɡəˈdɑːfi/;  audio (help·info); c. 1942 – 20 October 2011), commonly known as Colonel Gaddafi,[b] was a Libyan revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He governed Libya as Revolutionary Chairman of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then as the "Brotherly Leader" of the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011. Initially ideologically committed to Arab nationalism and Arab socialism, he came to rule according to his own Third International Theory before embracing Pan-Africanism and serving as Chairperson of the African Union from 2009 to 2010.

When was Gaddafi born, and when did he die?

1942 – 20 October 2011

What was Gaddifi's original political viewpoint?

Initially ideologically committed to Arab nationalism and Arab socialism

What political philosophy did Gaddifi create?

his own Third International Theory

What political philosophy did  Gaddafi adhere to when he was the Chairperson of the African Union?

Pan-Africanism

What was Gaddafi's position when he was considered the "Brotherly Leader"?

the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011

When did Gaddafi rule as the "Brotherly Leader"?

from 1977 to 2011

What ideology did Gaddafi adopt when he was the Chairperson of the African Union?

Pan-Africanism

List Gaddafi's lifespan.

1942 – 20 October 2011

When did he first gain power in Libya?

What political ideology did Gaddafi create?

Third International Theory

By what name was Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi typically known?

Colonel Gaddafi

What was Gaddafi's nationality?

Libyan

What was the official name of Libya between 1969 and 1977?

Libyan Arab Republic

From 1977 to 2011, what was Gaddafi's title?

Brotherly Leader

What was Colonel Gaddafi's date of death?

20 October 2011


The son of an impoverished Bedouin goat herder, Gaddafi became involved in politics while at school in Sabha, subsequently enrolling in the Royal Military Academy, Benghazi. Founding a revolutionary cell within the military, in 1969 they seized power from the absolute monarchy of King Idris in a bloodless coup. Becoming Chairman of the governing Revolutionary Command Council (RCC), Gaddafi abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic. Ruling by decree, he implemented measures to remove what he viewed as foreign imperialist influence from Libya, and strengthened ties to Arab nationalist governments. Intent on pushing Libya towards "Islamic socialism", he introduced sharia as the basis for the legal system and nationalized the oil industry, using the increased revenues to bolster the military, implement social programs and fund revolutionary militants across the world. In 1973 he initiated a "Popular Revolution" with the formation of General People's Committees (GPCs), purported to be a system of direct democracy, but retained personal control over major decisions. He outlined his Third International Theory that year, publishing these ideas in The Green Book.

What book did Gaddafi publish that detailed his Third Internal Theory?

The Green Book

What was Gaddafi's first position in government?

Chairman of the governing Revolutionary Command Council

As Chairman of the RCC, list the first two things that Gaddafi accomplished.

abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic

How did Gaddafi change the legal system?

he introduced sharia as the basis for the legal system

How did Gaddafi use all the money that resulted from nationalizing the oil industry?

to bolster the military, implement social programs and fund revolutionary militants across the world.

Describe the Popular Revolution.

formation of General People's Committees (GPCs), purported to be a system of direct democracy, but retained personal control over major decisions

When Gaddafi established his power in the government, what were his first actions?

abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic

What political ideology did Gaddafi want to push his country to?

Islamic socialism

What was the profession of Gaddafi's father?

goat herder

What was Gaddafi's ethnicity?

Bedouin

In what city was the Royal Military Academy located?

Benghazi

From what monarch did Gaddafi's movement take over Libya?

Idris

What was the name of the governing body headed by Gaddafi after the revolution?

Revolutionary Command Council


In 1977, Gaddafi dissolved the Republic and created a new socialist state, the Jamahiriya ("state of the masses"). Officially adopting a symbolic role in governance, he retained power as military commander-in-chief and head of the Revolutionary Committees responsible for policing and suppressing opponents. Overseeing unsuccessful border conflicts with Egypt and Chad, Gaddafi's support for foreign militants and alleged responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing led to Libya's label of "international pariah". A particularly hostile relationship developed with the United States and United Kingdom, resulting in the 1986 U.S. bombing of Libya and United Nations-imposed economic sanctions. Rejecting his earlier ideological commitments, from 1999 Gaddafi encouraged economic privatization and sought rapprochement with Western nations, also embracing Pan-Africanism and helping to establish the African Union. Amid the Arab Spring, in 2011 an anti-Gaddafist uprising led by the National Transitional Council (NTC) broke out, resulting in the Libyan Civil War. NATO intervened militarily on the side of the NTC, bringing about the government's downfall. Retreating to Sirte, Gaddafi was captured and killed by NTC militants.

What does "Jamahiriya" mean?

state of the masses

What was Gaddafi's role in jamahiriya?

he retained power as military commander-in-chief and head of the Revolutionary Committees responsible for policing and suppressing opponents

List two reasons why Libya become an "international pariah."

Overseeing unsuccessful border conflicts with Egypt and Chad, Gaddafi's support for foreign militants and alleged responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing

Name two significant events in 1986 that demonstrated the world's view of Libya.

U.S. bombing of Libya and United Nations-imposed economic sanctions

What was Libya's socialist government called?

Jamahiriya ("state of the masses")

Why did Libya become an "international pariah"?

Gaddafi's support for foreign militants and alleged responsibility for the Lockerbie bombing

How did the world respond to Libya in 1986?

U.S. bombing of Libya and United Nations-imposed economic sanctions.

How did Gaddafi lose power?

an anti-Gaddafist uprising led by the National Transitional Council (NTC) broke out, resulting in the Libyan Civil War

How did Gaddafi die?

Retreating to Sirte, Gaddafi was captured and killed by NTC militants.

What does the term Jamahiriya mean in English?

state of the masses

In what year did Gaddafi found the Jamahiriya?

Along with Egypt, what nation did Libya have border issues with in this era?

Chad

What terrorist bombing was Gaddafi's Libya supposedly involved in?

Lockerbie

In what year did the United states bomb Libya?


Muammar Gaddafi was born in a tent near Qasr Abu Hadi, a rural area outside the town of Sirte in the deserts of western Libya. His family came from a small, relatively un-influential tribal group called the Qadhadhfa, who were Arabized Berber in heritage. His father, Mohammad Abdul Salam bin Hamed bin Mohammad, was known as Abu Meniar (died 1985), and his mother was named Aisha (died 1978); Abu Meniar earned a meager subsistence as a goat and camel herder. Nomadic Bedouins, they were illiterate and kept no birth records. As such, Gaddafi's date of birth is not known with certainty, and sources have set it in 1942 or in the spring of 1943, although biographers Blundy and Lycett noted that it could have been pre-1940. His parents' only surviving son, he had three older sisters. Gaddafi's upbringing in Bedouin culture influenced his personal tastes for the rest of his life. He repeatedly expressed a preference for the desert over the city and retreated to the desert to meditate.

Describe Gaddafi's humble upbringing.

was born in a tent near Qasr Abu Hadi, a rural area outside the town of Sirte in the deserts of western Libya

How did his upbringing impact his later life preferences?

He repeatedly expressed a preference for the desert over the city and retreated to the desert to meditate.

When was Gaddafi born?

Gaddafi's date of birth is not known with certainty, and sources have set it in 1942 or in the spring of 1943

What culture did Gaddafi experience as a child?

Bedouin

Describe Gaddafi's early childhood.

Gaddafi was born in a tent near Qasr Abu Hadi, a rural area outside the town of Sirte in the deserts of western Libya

How did Gaddafi's father earn a living?

Abu Meniar earned a meager subsistence as a goat and camel herder

How come no one knows for sure when Gaddafi was born?

Nomadic Bedouins, they were illiterate and kept no birth records

How did his early childhood experiences impact his later life?

He repeatedly expressed a preference for the desert over the city and retreated to the desert to meditate.

When did Gaddafi's parents die?

His father, Mohammad Abdul Salam bin Hamed bin Mohammad, was known as Abu Meniar (died 1985), and his mother was named Aisha (died 1978)

Near what town was Gaddafi's birthplace of Qasr Abu Hadi?

Sirte

What was the name of Gaddafi's tribe?

Qadhadhfa

Other than Mohammad Abdul Salam bin Hamed bin Mohammad, what was Gaddafi's father called?

Abu Meniar

When did Gaddafi's mother die?

How many sisters did Gaddafi have?

three


From childhood, Gaddafi was aware of the involvement of European colonialists in Libya; his nation was occupied by Italy, and during the North African Campaign of World War II it witnessed conflict between Italian and British troops. According to later claims, Gaddafi's paternal grandfather, Abdessalam Bouminyar, was killed by the Italian Army during the Italian invasion of 1911. At World War II's end in 1945, Libya was occupied by British and French forces. Although Britain and France intended on dividing the nation between their empires, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) declared that the country be granted political independence. In 1951, the UN created the United Kingdom of Libya, a federal state under the leadership of a pro-western monarch, Idris, who banned political parties and established an absolute monarchy.

When did Libya become an independent nation?

In 1951

When Libya first became an independent country, what form of government did it adopt?

an absolute monarchy

What countries occupied Libya after World War II?

British and French forces

Who was the first leader of Libya?

a pro-western monarch, Idris

What World War I event directly impacted Gaddafi's family?

Gaddafi's paternal grandfather, Abdessalam Bouminyar, was killed by the Italian Army during the Italian invasion of 1911

How did World War I directly impact Gaddafi's family?

According to later claims, Gaddafi's paternal grandfather, Abdessalam Bouminyar, was killed by the Italian Army during the Italian invasion of 1911

What happened to Libya right after World War II?

Libya was occupied by British and French forces

When was it announced that Libya would be independent?

In 1951, the UN created the United Kingdom of Libya, a federal state under the leadership

What was the first type of government that Libya had?

a pro-western monarch, Idris, who banned political parties and established an absolute monarchy.

What country occupied Libya during World War II?

his nation was occupied by Italy

What nation controlled Libya as a colony when Gaddafi was a child?

Italy

Who battled the Italians during the North African campaign?

British

Who was Gaddafi's father's father?

Abdessalam Bouminyar

During what year did the Italians invade Libya?

Along with the British, who occupied Libya at the end of the Second World War?

French


Gaddafi's earliest education was of a religious nature, imparted by a local Islamic teacher. Subsequently moving to nearby Sirte to attend elementary school, he progressed through six grades in four years. Education in Libya was not free, but his father thought it would greatly benefit his son despite the financial strain. During the week Gaddafi slept in a mosque, and at weekends walked 20 miles to visit his parents. Bullied for being a Bedouin, he was proud of his identity and encouraged pride in other Bedouin children. From Sirte, he and his family moved to the market town of Sabha in Fezzan, south-central Libya, where his father worked as a caretaker for a tribal leader while Muammar attended secondary school, something neither parent had done. Gaddafi was popular at school; some friends made there received significant jobs in his later administration, most notably his best friend Abdul Salam Jalloud.

Describe Gaddafi's first experience with education.

a religious nature, imparted by a local Islamic teacher

In addition to gaining an education, describe how Gaddafi managed to attend school 20 miles from his family.

During the week Gaddafi slept in a mosque, and at weekends walked 20 miles to visit his parents

How did Gaddafi deal with peer pressure regarding his cultural background?

Bullied for being a Bedouin, he was proud of his identity and encouraged pride in other Bedouin children.

When Gaddafi's family moved to Sabha, describe his educational experiences in secondary school.

Gaddafi was popular at school; some friends made there received significant jobs in his later administration, most notably his best friend Abdul Salam Jalloud.

Describe Gaddafi's parents' educational backgrounds.

where his father worked as a caretaker for a tribal leader while Muammar attended secondary school, something neither parent had done.

Why was Gaddafi made fun of in elementary school?

Bullied for being a Bedouin, he was proud of his identity and encouraged pride in other Bedouin children.

How did Gaddafi manage to attend elementary school so far from home?

During the week Gaddafi slept in a mosque, and at weekends walked 20 miles to visit his parents.

Were Gaddafi's parents educated?

while Muammar attended secondary school, something neither parent had done.

How did his early relationships play a role later when Gaddafi  became a ruler?

Gaddafi was popular at school; some friends made there received significant jobs in his later administration, most notably his best friend Abdul Salam Jalloud.

Was Gaddafi's education free?

Education in Libya was not free, but his father thought it would greatly benefit his son despite the financial strain.

In what religion was Gaddafi educated?

Islamic

What town did Gaddafi's family move to after they left Sirte?

Sabha

What geographical portion of Libya is Fezzan located in?

south-central

Who was Gaddafi's closest friend in secondary school?

Abdul Salam Jalloud

In what town did Gaddafi first attend primary school?

Sirte


Gaddafi organized demonstrations and distributed posters criticizing the monarchy. In October 1961, he led a demonstration protesting Syria's secession from the United Arab Republic. During this they broke windows of a local hotel accused of serving alcohol. Catching the authorities' attention, they expelled his family from Sabha. Gaddafi moved to Misrata, there attending Misrata Secondary School. Maintaining his interest in Arab nationalist activism, he refused to join any of the banned political parties active in the city – including the Arab Nationalist Movement, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, and the Muslim Brotherhood – claiming he rejected factionalism. He read voraciously on the subjects of Nasser and the French Revolution of 1789, as well as the works of Syrian political theorist Michel Aflaq and biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Sun Yat-sen, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Why did Gaddafi's family have to leave Sabha?

he led a demonstration protesting Syria's secession from the United Arab Republic. During this they broke windows of a local hotel accused of serving alcohol.

Gaddafi was an avid reader. Name three biographies that he read.

Abraham Lincoln, Sun Yat-sen, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

What political idealogy did Gaddafi not believe in?

factionalism

While he was in secondary school, what sort of activism did Gaddafi support?

Arab nationalist activism

Why did Gaddafi's family leave Sabha?

October 1961, he led a demonstration protesting Syria's secession from the United Arab Republic

What political ideology did Gaddafi reject when he attended Misrata Secondary School?

factionalism

List several biographies that influenced Gaddafi.

Abraham Lincoln, Sun Yat-sen, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

Where sort of activism did Gaddafi promote while attending secondary school?

Arab nationalist activism

Where did Gaddafi travel to after he was kicked out of Sabha?

Misrata

Along with the Ba'ath Party and Muslim Brotherhood, what group was notably banned in Misrata?

Arab Nationalist Movement

In what month and year did Gaddafi protest against Syria leaving the United Arab Republic?

October 1961

Of what nationality was Michel Aflaq?

Syrian

Along with Lincoln and Ataturk, whose biography did Gaddafi read while in Misrata?

Abraham Lincoln


Gaddafi briefly studied History at the University of Libya in Benghazi, before dropping out to join the military. Despite his police record, in 1963 he began training at the Royal Military Academy, Benghazi, alongside several like-minded friends from Misrata. The armed forces offered the only opportunity for upward social mobility for underprivileged Libyans, and Gaddafi recognised it as a potential instrument of political change. Under Idris, Libya's armed forces were trained by the British military; this angered Gaddafi, who viewed the British as imperialists, and accordingly he refused to learn English and was rude to the British officers, ultimately failing his exams. British trainers reported him for insubordination and abusive behaviour, stating their suspicion that he was involved in the assassination of the military academy's commander in 1963. Such reports were ignored and Gaddafi quickly progressed through the course.

What subject did Gaddafi briefly study before joining the military?

History at the University of Libya in Benghazi

Why didn't Gaddafi learn to speak English?

Gaddafi, who viewed the British as imperialists

Where did Gaddafi begin his military training?

at the Royal Military Academy

How did Gaddafi view the influence of the military?

the only opportunity for upward social mobility for underprivileged Libyans, and Gaddafi recognised it as a potential instrument of political change

What crime did the British trainers believe Gaddafi was involved in?

the assassination of the military academy's commander in 1963

What subject did Gaddafi study at the University of LIbya?

History

Why did Gaddafi drop out of college?

to join the military

What rationale did Gaddafi use for joining the military?

Gaddafi recognised it as a potential instrument of political change

What country trained Libya's military?

the British military

What crime was Gaddafi suspected of being involved in during his time in the military?

the assassination of the military academy's commander in 1963

Where did Gaddafi attend college for a time?

University of Libya

During his time in college, what did Gaddafi study?

History

After Gaddafi left the University of Libya, what institution did he attend?

Royal Military Academy, Benghazi

While the Libyan monarchy existed, who trained the Libyan army?

British

What did Gaddafi regard his British instructors as?

imperialists


The Bovington signal course's director reported that Gaddafi successfully overcame problems learning English, displaying a firm command of voice procedure. Noting that Gaddafi's favourite hobbies were reading and playing football, he thought him an "amusing officer, always cheerful, hard-working, and conscientious." Gaddafi disliked England, claiming British Army officers racially insulted him and finding it difficult adjusting to the country's culture; asserting his Arab identity in London, he walked around Piccadilly wearing traditional Libyan robes. He later related that while he travelled to England believing it more advanced than Libya, he returned home "more confident and proud of our values, ideals and social character."

How did Gaddafi view Libya when he returned from England?

he returned home "more confident and proud of our values, ideals and social character."

How did the Bovington signal course director view Gaddafi?

he thought him an "amusing officer, always cheerful, hard-working, and conscientious."

How did Gaddafi feel about the British officers?

claiming British Army officers racially insulted him

When Gaddafi traveled to London, did he attempt to blend into the English culture?

finding it difficult adjusting to the country's culture; asserting his Arab identity in London, he walked around Piccadilly wearing traditional Libyan robes

How did the Bovington sign course director think of Gaddafi?

an "amusing officer, always cheerful, hard-working, and conscientious."

How did Gaddafi feel about the British Army officers?

Gaddafi disliked England, claiming British Army officers racially insulted him

When Gaddafi went to England, how did he respond to their culture?

finding it difficult adjusting to the country's culture; asserting his Arab identity in London, he walked around Piccadilly wearing traditional Libyan robes

When Gaddafi returned to Libya, how did he view his country?

while he travelled to England believing it more advanced than Libya, he returned home "more confident and proud of our values, ideals and social character."

What were Gaddafi's favorite hobbies in the military?

reading and playing football

Along with reading, how did Gaddafi enjoy spending his free time?

playing football

In what part of London did Gaddafi wear traditional Arab garb?

Piccadilly

What language did Gaddafi have difficulty learning?

English

Where did Gaddafi's signal course take place?

Bovington

What mistreatment did Gaddafi say that British soldiers subjected him to?

racially insulted him


Many teachers at Sabha were Egyptian, and for the first time Gaddafi had access to pan-Arab newspapers and radio broadcasts, most notably the Cairo-based Voice of the Arabs. Growing up, Gaddafi witnessed significant events rock the Arab world, including the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the Suez Crisis of 1956, and the short-lived existence of the United Arab Republic between 1958 and 1961. Gaddafi admired the political changes implemented in the Arab Republic of Egypt under his hero, President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Nasser argued for Arab nationalism; the rejection of Western colonialism, neo-colonialism, and Zionism; and a transition from capitalism to socialism. Nasser's book, Philosophy of the Revolution, was a key influence on Gaddafi; outlining how to initiate a coup, it has been described as "the inspiration and blueprint of [Gaddafi's] revolution."

What changes impressed Gaddafi in Egypt?

President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Nasser argued for Arab nationalism; the rejection of Western colonialism, neo-colonialism, and Zionism

What Egyptian leader impressed Gaddafi?

his hero, President Gamal Abdel Nasser

What book instructed Gaddafi in how to stage a coup?

Nasser's book, Philosophy of the Revolution

Name one event that occurred in the Arab world during Gaddafi 's childhood that influenced his life.

1948 Arab–Israeli War, the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the Suez Crisis of 1956, and the short-lived existence of the United Arab Republic between 1958 and 1961

What political ideology did Nasser implement?

transition from capitalism to socialism

What was the nationality of a significant number of teachers in Sabha?

Egyptian

From what city did Voice of the Arabs broadcast?

Cairo

What notable event occurred in 1952?

Egyptian Revolution

When did the United Arab Republic end?

What political leader did Gaddafi greatly admire?

Nasser


Idris' government was increasingly unpopular by the latter 1960s; it had exacerbated Libya's traditional regional and tribal divisions by centralising the country's federal system in order to take advantage of the country's oil wealth, while corruption and entrenched systems of patronage were widespread throughout the oil industry. Arab nationalism was increasingly popular, and protests flared up following Egypt's 1967 defeat in the Six-Day War with Israel; allied to the western powers, Idris' administration was seen as pro-Israeli. Anti-western riots broke out in Tripoli and Benghazi, while Libyan workers shut down oil terminals in solidarity with Egypt. By 1969, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency was expecting segments of Libya's armed forces to launch a coup. Although claims have been made that they knew of Gaddafi's Free Officers Movement, they have since claimed ignorance, stating that they were monitoring Abdul Aziz Shalhi's Black Boots revolutionary group.

What was happening to Idris' government in the 1960s?

Idris' government was increasingly unpopular by the latter 1960s

What industry greatly impacted the downfall of Idris's government?

the oil industry

What sort of problems did the oil industry experience in Libya?

corruption and entrenched systems of patronage were widespread throughout the oil industry

What did the Libyan workers do to show their support of Egypt?

Libyan workers shut down oil terminals in solidarity with Egypt

Did the CIA confirm knowledge of Gaddafi's upcoming coup?:

they have since claimed ignorance, stating that they were monitoring Abdul Aziz Shalhi's Black Boots revolutionary group.

What country won the Six-Day War?

Israel

In what cities did protests against westerners flare up in 1967?

Tripoli and Benghazi

On what country's behalf were the 1967 protests taking place?

Egypt

In what year did the CIA begin to expect a military coup in Libya?

What revolutionary organization was led by Abdul Aziz Shalhi?

Black Boots


In mid-1969, Idris travelled abroad to spend the summer in Turkey and Greece. Gaddafi's Free Officers recognized this as their chance to overthrow the monarchy, initiating "Operation Jerusalem". On 1 September, they occupied airports, police depots, radio stations and government offices in Tripoli and Benghazi. Gaddafi took control of the Berka barracks in Benghazi, while Omar Meheisha occupied Tripoli barracks and Jalloud seized the city's anti-aircraft batteries. Khweldi Hameidi was sent to arrest crown prince Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida al-Mahdi as-Sanussi, and force him to relinquish his claim to the throne. They met no serious resistance, and wielded little violence against the monarchists.

When Gaddafi staged his coup, did he need to use a great show of violence?

They met no serious resistance, and wielded little violence against the monarchists.

When did Gaddafi decide to stage his coup?

In mid-1969, Idris travelled abroad to spend the summer in Turkey and Greece.

What was Gaddafi's coup called?

Operation Jerusalem

What did Gaddafi seize during the coup?

Gaddafi took control of the Berka barracks in Benghazi,

What did Hameidi do during the coup?

Hameidi was sent to arrest crown prince Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida al-Mahdi as-Sanussi, and force him to relinquish his claim to the throne.

What countries did Idris visit in the summer of 1969?

Turkey and Greece

What was the code name for Gaddafi's coup against the monarchy?

Operation Jerusalem

What leader's forces occupied the barracks in Tripoli?

Omar Meheisha

Who arrested Sayyid Hasan ar-Rida al-Mahdi as-Sanussi?

Khweldi Hameidi

What revolutionary leader took control of the anti-aircraft equipment in Tripoli?

Jalloud


Having removed the monarchical government, Gaddafi proclaimed the foundation of the Libyan Arab Republic. Addressing the populace by radio, he proclaimed an end to the "reactionary and corrupt" regime, "the stench of which has sickened and horrified us all." Due to the coup's bloodless nature, it was initially labelled the "White Revolution", although was later renamed the "One September Revolution" after the date on which it occurred. Gaddafi insisted that the Free Officers' coup represented a revolution, marking the start of widespread change in the socio-economic and political nature of Libya. He proclaimed that the revolution meant "freedom, socialism, and unity", and over the coming years implemented measures to achieve this.

How did Gaddafi announced his leadership?:

Addressing the populace by radio

List the two names of Gaddafi's coup.

"White Revolution", although was later renamed the "One September Revolution"

What did Gaddafi tell the people that the revolution represented?

freedom, socialism, and unity

What did Gaddafi insist that the coup be referred to as?

a revolution

What was the name of the government Gaddafi set up after overthrowing the monarchy?

Libyan Arab Republic

What was the Libyan coup called at first?

White Revolution

What was the Libyan coup later called, when it was renamed for the day it took place?

One September Revolution

What was the name of the revolutionary group led by Gaddafi?

Free Officers

How did Gaddafi characterize the monarchy in his radio address?

reactionary and corrupt


Although theoretically a collegial body operating through consensus building, Gaddafi dominated the RCC, although some of the others attempted to constrain what they saw as his excesses. Gaddafi remained the government's public face, with the identities of the other RCC members only being publicly revealed on 10 January 1970. All young men from (typically rural) working and middle-class backgrounds, none had university degrees; in this way they were distinct from the wealthy, highly educated conservatives who previously governed the country.

How did Gaddafi staff the RCC members?

All young men from (typically rural) working and middle-class backgrounds, none had university degrees;

Why did Gaddafi select these men as RCC members?

they were distinct from the wealthy, highly educated conservatives who previously governed the country.

Whose face was most closely associated with Libya's new government?

Gaddafi

Did everyone endorse Gaddafi?

some of the others attempted to constrain what they saw as his excesses

On what date were the members of the RCC announced?

10 January 1970

How many members of the RCC had graduated from university?

What was the general age group of the members of the RCC?

young

What was the sex of all the members of the RCC?

men

Along with the working class, what was the class background of RCC members?

middle


The coup completed, the RCC proceeded with their intentions of consolidating the revolutionary government and modernizing the country. They purged monarchists and members of Idris' Senussi clan from Libya's political world and armed forces; Gaddafi believed this elite were opposed to the will of the Libyan people and had to be expunged. "People's Courts" were founded to try various monarchist politicians and journalists, and though many were imprisoned, none were executed. Idris was sentenced to execution in absentia.

What did the RCC do with remnants of the monarchy?

They purged monarchists and members of Idris' Senussi clan from Libya's political world and armed forces

What happened to Idris?

Idris was sentenced to execution in absentia.

How did Gaddafi view the elite?

Gaddafi believed this elite were opposed to the will of the Libyan people and had to be expunged.

What happened to the monarchists and and journalists?

"People's Courts" were founded to try various monarchist politicians and journalists, and though many were imprisoned, none were executed.

What clan was King Idris part of?

Senussi

Along with journalists, who was tried in the People's Courts?

monarchist politicians

How many people were executed by the People's Courts?

What sentence was given to the absent King Idris?

execution

Along with the Senussi, who was purged from the military?

monarchists


In May 1970, the Revolutionary Intellectuals Seminar was held to bring intellectuals in line with the revolution, while that year's Legislative Review and Amendment united secular and religious law codes, introducing sharia into the legal system. Ruling by decree, the RCC maintained the monarchy's ban on political parties, in May 1970 banned trade unions, and in 1972 outlawed workers' strikes and suspended newspapers. In September 1971, Gaddafi resigned, claiming to be dissatisfied with the pace of reform, but returned to his position within a month. In February 1973, he resigned again, once more returning the following month.

What was the RCC's view of political parties?

Ruling by decree, the RCC maintained the monarchy's ban on political parties,

What did Gaddafi do in 1971?

In September 1971, Gaddafi resigned, claiming to be dissatisfied with the pace of reform, but returned to his position within a month.

What did Gaddafi do in 1973?

In February 1973, he resigned again, once more returning the following month.

What was the impact of incorporating the sharia into the legal system?

united secular and religious law codes

In what year did the Revolutionary Intellectuals Seminar occur?

What did the RCC outlaw in 1970?

trade unions

What publications were shut down 1972?

newspapers

In what month and year did Gaddafi first resign?

September 1971

In what year did Gaddafi's second resignation occur?


With crude oil as the country's primary export, Gaddafi sought to improve Libya's oil sector. In October 1969, he proclaimed the current trade terms unfair, benefiting foreign corporations more than the Libyan state, and by threatening to reduce production, in December Jalloud successfully increased the price of Libyan oil. In 1970, other OPEC states followed suit, leading to a global increase in the price of crude oil. The RCC followed with the Tripoli Agreement, in which they secured income tax, back-payments and better pricing from the oil corporations; these measures brought Libya an estimated $1 billion in additional revenues in its first year.

What was Libya's main export?

crude oil

How did Gaddafi's decisions in the oil industry impact other OPEC states?

In 1970, other OPEC states followed suit, leading to a global increase in the price of crude oil.

What was the main export of Libya?

crude oil

How much money did Libya accrue in a year as a result of the Tripoli Agreement?

$1 billion

What organization of oil producers was Libya a part of?

OPEC

Who was responsible for raising the price of Libyan oil in 1969?

Jalloud


Increasing state control over the oil sector, the RCC began a program of nationalization, starting with the expropriation of British Petroleum's share of the British Petroleum-N.B. Hunt Sahir Field in December 1971. In September 1973, it was announced that all foreign oil producers active in Libya were to be nationalized. For Gaddafi, this was an important step towards socialism. It proved an economic success; while gross domestic product had been $3.8 billion in 1969, it had risen to $13.7 billion in 1974, and $24.5 billion in 1979. In turn, the Libyans' standard of life greatly improved over the first decade of Gaddafi's administration, and by 1979 the average per-capita income was at $8,170, up from $40 in 1951; this was above the average of many industrialized countries like Italy and the U.K.

In 1979, how much did the average per capita income change for Libyans?

by 1979 the average per-capita income was at $8,170, up from $40 in 1951

What decision allowed Gaddafi to move Libya closer to socialism?

In September 1973, it was announced that all foreign oil producers active in Libya were to be nationalized.

How did Libya's gross domestic product increase from 1969 to 1979?

while gross domestic product had been $3.8 billion in 1969, it had risen to $13.7 billion in 1974, and $24.5 billion in 1979.

How did the RCC begin their march toward nationalization?

starting with the expropriation of British Petroleum's share of the British Petroleum-N.B. Hunt Sahir Field in December 1971.

What company's property did Libya nationalize in December of 1971?

British Petroleum

In what month and year was a blanket nationalization of foreign oil production proclaimed?

September 1973

What was Libya's GDP in 1969?

$3.8 billion

In what year did Libya have a GDP of $24.5 billion?

What was Libya's per-capita income in 1951?


The RCC attempted to suppress regional and tribal affiliation, replacing it with a unified pan-Libyan identity. In doing so, they tried discrediting tribal leaders as agents of the old regime, and in August 1971 a Sabha military court tried many of them for counter-revolutionary activity. Long-standing administrative boundaries were re-drawn, crossing tribal boundaries, while pro-revolutionary modernizers replaced traditional leaders, but the communities they served often rejected them. Realizing the failures of the modernizers, Gaddafi created the Arab Socialist Union (ASU), a mass mobilization vanguard party of which he was president. The ASU recognized the RCC as its "Supreme Leading Authority", and was designed to further revolutionary enthusiasm throughout the country.

What sort of identity was promoted by the RCC?

pan-Libyan

What identities did the RCC try to dissuade?

regional and tribal

What were tribal leaders accused of in 1971?

counter-revolutionary activity

Where was the military court located that tried the tribal leaders in 1971?

Sabha

Of what party did Gaddafi become president in this period?

Arab Socialist Union


The RCC implemented measures for social reform, adopting sharia as a basis. The consumption of alcohol was banned, night clubs and Christian churches were shut down, traditional Libyan dress was encouraged, while Arabic was decreed as the only language permitted in official communications and on road signs. From 1969 to 1973, the RCC introduced social welfare programs funded with oil money, which led to house-building projects and improved healthcare and education. In doing so, they greatly expanded the public sector, providing employment for thousands.

On what philosophy was the RCC's social reforms based?

sharia

What language was used in official communications by the government of Libya?

Arabic

During what period were oil-funded programs for social welfare created?

1969 to 1973

What religion was suppressed in Libya?

Christian

What beverage did the Libyan government ban?

alcohol


The influence of Nasser's Arab nationalism over the RCC was immediately apparent. The administration was instantly recognized by the neighbouring Arab nationalist regimes in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Sudan, with Egypt sending experts to aid the inexperienced RCC. Gaddafi propounded Pan-Arab ideas, proclaiming the need for a single Arab state stretching across North Africa and the Middle East. In December 1969, Libya founded the Arab Revolutionary Front with Egypt and Sudan as a step towards political unification, and in 1970 Syria stated its intention to join.

What philosophy influenced the RCC?

Arab nationalism

Along with Egypt, Iraq and Sudan, what country's Arab nationalist government recognized the Libyan revolutionary government?

Syria

What Arab nationalist thinker was influential with the RCC?

Nasser

What countries founded the Arab Revolutionary Front with Libya?

Egypt and Sudan

In what year was the Arab Revolutionary Front founded?


After Nasser died in November 1970, his successor, Anwar Sadat, suggested that rather than a unified state, they create a political federation, implemented in April 1971; in doing so, Egypt, Syria and Sudan got large grants of Libyan oil money. In February 1972, Gaddafi and Sadat signed an unofficial charter of merger, but it was never implemented as relations broke down the following year. Sadat became increasingly wary of Libya's radical direction, and the September 1973 deadline for implementing the Federation passed by with no action taken.

Who did Anwar Sadat succeed?

Nasser

What was the alternative to creating an Arab political federation?

unified state

Along with Libya, what nations joined the political federation?

Egypt, Syria and Sudan

In what year was the merger charter signed?

When did the federation have to be implemented by?

September 1973


After the 1969 coup, representatives of the Four Powers – France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union – were called to meet RCC representatives. The U.K. and U.S. quickly extended diplomatic recognition, hoping to secure the position of their military bases in Libya and fearing further instability. Hoping to ingratiate themselves with Gaddafi, in 1970 the U.S. informed him of at least one planned counter-coup. Such attempts to form a working relationship with the RCC failed; Gaddafi was determined to reassert national sovereignty and expunge what he described as foreign colonial and imperialist influences. His administration insisted that the U.S. and U.K. remove their military bases from Libya, with Gaddafi proclaiming that "the armed forces which rose to express the people's revolution [will not] tolerate living in their shacks while the bases of imperialism exist in Libyan territory." The British left in March and the Americans in June 1970.

What nations comprised the Four Powers?

France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union

Who told Gaddafi about a possible counter-coup in 1970?

U.S.

Along with the U.S., what major power recognized Gaddafi's government at an early date?

U.K.

In what month and year did the United States remove its military bases from Libya?

June 1970

Who removed their Libyan military bases in March of 1970?

British


Moving to reduce Italian influence, in October 1970 all Italian-owned assets were expropriated and the 12,000-strong Italian community expelled from Libya alongside a smaller number of Jews. The day became a national holiday. Aiming to reduce NATO power in the Mediterranean, in 1971 Libya requested that Malta cease to allow NATO to use its land for a military base, in turn offering them foreign aid. Compromising, Malta's government continued allowing NATO use of the island, but only on the condition that they would not use it for launching attacks on Arab territory. Orchestrating a military build-up, the RCC began purchasing weapons from France and the Soviet Union. The commercial relationship with the latter led to an increasingly strained relationship with the U.S., who were then engaged in the Cold War with the Soviets.

How many Italians lived in Libya prior to October of 1970?

In addition to Italians, what people were kicked out of Libya in 1970?

Jews

Who did the RCC buy military equipment from?

France and the Soviet Union

Who were the adversaries of the Soviets during the Cold War?

U.S.

Who did Libya offer foreign aid to in 1971?

Malta


His relationship with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat of Fatah was strained, with Gaddafi considering him too moderate and calling for more violent action. Instead he supported militia like the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, As-Sa'iqa, the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, and the Abu Nidal Organization. He funded the Black September Organization who perpetrated the 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli athletes in West Germany, and had the killed militants' bodies flown to Libya for a hero's funeral. Gaddafi also welcomed the three surviving attackers in Tripoli following their release in exchange for the hostages of hijacked Lufthansa Flight 615 a few weeks later and allowed them to go into hiding.

What Palestinian political figure had a poor relationship with Gaddafi?

Yasser Arafat

What organization did Arafat belong to?

Fatah

Who was responsible for the attack on Israeli athletes in 1972?

Black September Organization

In what city did the 1972 attack on Israeli athletes occur?

Munich

How many terrorists survived the 1972 Munich attack?

three


Gaddafi financially supported other militant groups across the world, including the Black Panther Party, Nation of Islam, Tupamaros, 19th of April Movement and Sandinista National Liberation Front in the Americas, the ANC among other liberation movements in the fight against Apartheid in South Africa, the Provisional Irish Republican Army, ETA, Sardinian nationalists, Action directe, the Red Brigades, and the Red Army Faction in Europe, and the Armenian Secret Army, Japanese Red Army, Free Aceh Movement, and Moro National Liberation Front in Asia. Gaddafi was indiscriminate in the causes he funded, sometimes switching from supporting one side in a conflict to the other, as in the Eritrean War of Independence. Throughout the 1970s these groups received financial support from Libya, which came to be seen as a leader in the Third World's struggle against colonialism and neocolonialism. Though many of these groups were labelled "terrorists" by critics of their activities, Gaddafi rejected such a characterisation, instead considering them revolutionaries engaged in liberation struggles.

During what conflict did Gaddafi notably switch sides?

Eritrean War of Independence

During what decade did Libya finance militant groups?

What was the Third World fighting against in the 1970s?

colonialism and neocolonialism

On what continent did the Red Army Faction operate?

Europe

What was the ANC combating?

Apartheid


On 16 April 1973, Gaddafi proclaimed the start of a "Popular Revolution" in a Zuwarah speech. He initiated this with a 5-point plan, the first point of which dissolved all existing laws, to be replaced by revolutionary enactments. The second point proclaimed that all opponents of the revolution had to be removed, while the third initiated an administrative revolution that Gaddafi proclaimed would remove all traces of bureaucracy and the bourgeoisie. The fourth point announced that the population must form People's Committees and be armed to defend the revolution, while the fifth proclaimed the beginning of a cultural revolution to expunge Libya of "poisonous" foreign influences. He began to lecture on this new phase of the revolution in Libya, Egypt, and France.

On what date did Gaddafi declare the beginning of a "Popular Revolution"?

16 April 1973

What happened to Libya's laws as a result of the first point of Gaddafi's speech?

dissolved

How many points did the Popular Revolution plan have?

What type of revolution began as a result of the third point?

administrative

Along with Libya and France, where did Gaddafi speak on the Popular Revolution?

Egypt


As part of this Popular Revolution, Gaddafi invited Libya's people to found General People's Committees as conduits for raising political consciousness. Although offering little guidance for how to set up these councils, Gaddafi claimed that they would offer a form of direct political participation that was more democratic than a traditional party-based representative system. He hoped that the councils would mobilize the people behind the RCC, erode the power of the traditional leaders and the bureaucracy, and allow for a new legal system chosen by the people.

What were the Libyan people instructed to create in conjunction with the Popular Revolution?

General People's Committees

Along with the bureaucracy, who were the General People's Committees directed at?

traditional leaders

What political system did Gaddafi claim was less democratic than the General People's Committees?

traditional party-based representative


The People's Committees led to a high percentage of public involvement in decision making, within the limits permitted by the RCC, but exacerbated tribal divisions. They also served as a surveillance system, aiding the security services in locating individuals with views critical of the RCC, leading to the arrest of Ba'athists, Marxists and Islamists. Operating in a pyramid structure, the base form of these Committees were local working groups, who sent elected representatives to the district level, and from there to the national level, divided between the General People's Congress and the General People's Committee. Above these remained Gaddafi and the RCC, who remained responsible for all major decisions.

What negative consequence did the People's Committees lead to?

tribal divisions

Along with Ba'athists and Islamists, who was arrested as a result of the actions of the People's Committees?

Marxists

Along with the General People's Congress, what national body represented the People's Committees?

General People's Committee

What kind of structure did the People's Committee system use?

pyramid


In June 1973, Gaddafi created a political ideology as a basis for the Popular Revolution. Third International Theory considered the U.S. and the Soviet Union as imperialist, thus rejected Western capitalism as well as Eastern bloc communism's atheism. In this respect it was similar to the Three Worlds Theory developed by China's political leader Mao Zedong. As part of this theory, Gaddafi praised nationalism as a progressive force and advocated the creation of a pan-Arab state which would lead the Islamic and Third Worlds against imperialism.

In what month and year did Gaddafi begin Third International Theory?

June 1973

Who was the founder of Three Worlds Theory?

Mao Zedong

What sort of state did Gaddafi believe should be founded?

pan-Arab

Along with the United States, what country did Gaddafi believe to be imperialist?

Soviet Union

What economic philosophy was associated with the West?

capitalism


Gaddafi summarized Third International Theory in three short volumes published between 1975 and 1979, collectively known as The Green Book. Volume one was devoted to the issue of democracy, outlining the flaws of representative systems in favour of direct, participatory GPCs. The second dealt with Gaddafi's beliefs regarding socialism, while the third explored social issues regarding the family and the tribe. While the first two volumes advocated radical reform, the third adopted a socially conservative stance, proclaiming that while men and women were equal, they were biologically designed for different roles in life. During the years that followed, Gaddafists adopted quotes from The Green Book, such as "Representation is Fraud", as slogans. Meanwhile, in September 1975, Gaddafi implemented further measures to increase popular mobilization, introducing objectives to improve the relationship between the Councils and the ASU.

Gaddafi's written work on Third International Theory consisted of how many volumes?

three

When was the last volume of Gaddafi's work on Third International Theory published?

What was the title given to Gaddafi's Third International Theory writings?

The Green Book

What volume of The Green Book discussed democracy?

one

What political philosophy was discussed in the second volume of The Green Book?

socialism


In September 1975, Gaddafi purged the army, arresting around 200 senior officers, and in October he founded the clandestine Office for the Security of the Revolution. In 1976, student demonstrations broke out in Tripoli and Benghazi, and were attacked by police and Gaddafist students. The RCC responded with mass arrests, and introduced compulsory national service for young people. Dissent also arose from conservative clerics and the Muslim Brotherhood, who were persecuted as anti-revolutionary. In January 1977, two dissenting students and a number of army officers were publicly hanged; Amnesty International condemned it as the first time in Gaddafist Libya that dissenters had been executed for purely political crimes.

In what year was the Office for the Security of the Revolution founded?

In what year did student protests occur in Benghazi?

How many senior officers were expelled fro the army in 1975?

How many students were executed in January of 1977?

two

Who criticized the political execution of students and military officers that occurred in January 1977?

Amnesty International


Following Anwar Sadat's ascension to the Egyptian presidency, Libya's relations with Egypt deteriorated. Sadat was perturbed by Gaddafi's unpredictability and insistence that Egypt required a cultural revolution. In February 1973, Israeli forces shot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114, which had strayed from Egyptian airspace into Israeli-held territory during a sandstorm. Gaddafi was infuriated that Egypt had not done more to prevent the incident, and in retaliation planned to destroy the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, a British ship chartered by American Jews to sail to Haifa for Israel's 25th anniversary. Gaddafi ordered an Egyptian submarine to target the ship, but Sadat cancelled the order, fearing a military escalation.

Whose rise to the presidency of Egypt led to the decline in relations between Egypt and Libya?

Sadat

What nation's military destroyed Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114?

Israeli

Why did Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 accidentally fly into Israel's airspace?

sandstorm

What city was the destination of RMS Queen Elizabeth 2?

Haifa

Jews from what nation chartered the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2?

American


Gaddafi was later infuriated when Egypt and Syria planned the Yom Kippur War against Israel without consulting him, and was angered when Egypt conceded to peace talks rather than continuing the war. Gaddafi become openly hostile to Egypt's leader, calling for Sadat's overthrow, and when Sudanese President Gaafar Nimeiry took Sadat's side, Gaddafi by 1975 sponsored the Sudan People's Liberation Army to overthrow Nimeiry. Focusing his attention elsewhere in Africa, in late 1972 and early 1973, Libya invaded Chad to annex the uranium-rich Aouzou Strip. Offering financial incentives, he successfully convinced 8 African states to break off diplomatic relations with Israel in 1973. Intent on propagating Islam, in 1973 Gaddafi founded the Islamic Call Society, which had opened 132 centres across Africa within a decade. In 1973 he converted Gabonese President Omar Bongo, an action which he repeated three years later with Jean-Bédel Bokassa, president of the Central African Republic.

Who was allied with Egypt during the Yom Kippur War?

Syria

Who was the president of Sudan in 1975?

Gaafar Nimeiry

What revolutionary group sought to overthrow the president of Sudan?

Sudan People's Liberation Army

Prior to the Libyan invasion, what country was the Aouzou Strip a part of?

Chad

What element did the Aouzou Strip possess a great deal of?

uranium


Gaddafi sought to develop closer links in the Maghreb; in January 1974 Libya and Tunisia announced a political union, the Arab Islamic Republic. Although advocated by Gaddafi and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba, the move was deeply unpopular in Tunisia and soon abandoned. Retaliating, Gaddafi sponsored anti-government militants in Tunisia into the 1980s. Turning his attention to Algeria, in 1975 Libya signed the Hassi Messaoud defence agreement allegedly to counter "Moroccan expansionism", also funding the Polisario Front of Western Sahara in their independence struggle against Morocco. Seeking to diversify Libya's economy, Gaddafi's government began purchasing shares in major European corporations like Fiat as well as buying real estate in Malta and Italy, which would become a valuable source of income during the 1980s oil slump.

What country formed a political union with Libya in 1974?

Tunisia

What was the name of the abortive political union between Tunisia and Libya in 1974?

Arab Islamic Republic

Who was the president of Tunisia in 1974?

Habib Bourguiba

With what country did Libya conclude the Hassi Messaoud defense agreement?

Algeria

Against what government was the Hassi Messaoud defense agreement directed against?

Moroccan


On 2 March 1977 the General People's Congress adopted the "Declaration of the Establishment of the People's Authority" at Gaddafi's behest. Dissolving the Libyan Arab Republic, it was replaced by the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (Arabic: الجماهيرية العربية الليبية الشعبية الاشتراكية, al-Jamāhīrīyah al-‘Arabīyah al-Lībīyah ash-Sha‘bīyah al-Ishtirākīyah), a "state of the masses" conceptualized by Gaddafi. Officially, the Jamahiriya was a direct democracy in which the people ruled themselves through the 187 Basic People's Congresses, where all adult Libyans participated and voted on national decisions. These then sent members to the annual General People's Congress, which was broadcast live on television. In principle, the People's Congresses were Libya's highest authority, with major decisions proposed by government officials or with Gaddafi himself requiring the consent of the People's Congresses.

What was the name of the state founded in Libya on March 2, 1977?

Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

How many Basic People's Congresses existed in the Jamahiriya?

What body did the members elected by the Basic People's Congresses attend?

General People's Congress

How often did the General People's Congress occur?

annual

What was the official name of Libya prior to the establishment of the Jamahiriya?

Libyan Arab Republic


Debate remained limited, and major decisions regarding the economy and defence were avoided or dealt with cursorily; the GPC largely remained "a rubber stamp" for Gaddafi's policies. On rare occasions, the GPC opposed Gaddafi's suggestions, sometimes successfully; notably, when Gaddafi called on primary schools to be abolished, believing that home schooling was healthier for children, the GPC rejected the idea. In other instances, Gaddafi pushed through laws without the GPC's support, such as when he desired to allow women into the armed forces. Gaddafi proclaimed that the People's Congresses provided for Libya's every political need, rendering other political organizations unnecessary; all non-authorized groups, including political parties, professional associations, independent trade unions and women's groups, were banned.

What was the GPC accused of being vis-à-vis Gaddafi?

a rubber stamp

What policy did Gaddafi propose that the GPC was against?

primary schools to be abolished

What type of education did Gaddafi prefer to primary schools?

home schooling

What was a policy that Gaddafi instituted without support from the GPC?

allow women into the armed forces


With preceding legal institutions abolished, Gaddafi envisioned the Jamahiriya as following the Qur'an for legal guidance, adopting sharia law; he proclaimed "man-made" laws unnatural and dictatorial, only permitting Allah's law. Within a year he was backtracking, announcing that sharia was inappropriate for the Jamahiriya because it guaranteed the protection of private property, contravening The Green Book's socialism. His emphasis on placing his own work on a par with the Qur'an led conservative clerics to accuse him of shirk, furthering their opposition to his regime. In July, a border war broke out with Egypt, in which the Egyptians defeated Libya despite their technological inferiority. The conflict lasted one week before both sides agreed to sign a peace treaty that was brokered by several Arab states. That year, Gaddafi was invited to Moscow by the Soviet government in recognition of their increasing commercial relationship.

What book did the Jamahiriya look to for legal advice?

Qur'an

What tenet of sharia did Gaddafi believe was incompatible with socialism?

protection of private property

What relationship led the Soviets to invite Gaddafi to Moscow?

commercial

What did conservative Muslim clerics accuse Gaddafi of?

shirk

Who won a border war with Libya?

Egypt


In December 1978, Gaddafi stepped down as Secretary-General of the GPC, announcing his new focus on revolutionary rather than governmental activities; this was part of his new emphasis on separating the apparatus of the revolution from the government. Although no longer in a formal governmental post, he adopted the title of "Leader of the Revolution" and continued as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He continued exerting considerable influence over Libya, with many critics insisting that the structure of Libya's direct democracy gave him "the freedom to manipulate outcomes".

In what year did Gaddafi resign from his position in the GPC?

Prior to his resignation, what office did Gaddafi occupy in the GPC?

Secretary-General

After Gaddafi stepped down from the GPC, what title did he take?

Leader of the Revolution

What authority did Gaddafi have over the Libyan armed forces?

commander-in-chief


Libya began to turn towards socialism. In March 1978, the government issued guidelines for housing redistribution, attempting to ensure the population that every adult Libyan owned his own home and that nobody was enslaved to paying their rent. Most families were banned from owning more than one house, while former rental properties were seized and sold to the tenants at a heavily subsidized price. In September, Gaddafi called for the People's Committees to eliminate the "bureaucracy of the public sector" and the "dictatorship of the private sector"; the People's Committees took control of several hundred companies, converting them into worker cooperatives run by elected representatives.

In September of 1978, what bureaucracy did Gaddafi speak out against?

public sector

What "dictatorship" did Gaddafi attack in September of 1978?

private sector

After People's Committees expropriated companies, what did they turn them into?

worker cooperatives

How many companies were taken over by People's Committees?

several hundred


On 2 March 1979, the GPC announced the separation of government and revolution, the latter being represented by new Revolutionary Committees, who operated in tandem with the People's Committees in schools, universities, unions, the police force and the military. Dominated by revolutionary zealots, the Revolutionary Committees were led by Mohammad Maghgoub and a Central Coordinating Office, and met with Gaddafi annually. Publishing a weekly magazine The Green March (al-Zahf al-Akhdar), in October 1980 they took control of the press. Responsible for perpetuating revolutionary fervour, they performed ideological surveillance, later adopting a significant security role, making arrests and putting people on trial according to the "law of the revolution" (qanun al-thawra). With no legal code or safeguards, the administration of revolutionary justice was largely arbitrary and resulted in widespread abuses and the suppression of civil liberties: the "Green Terror."

On what date did the GPC separate the revolution from the government?

2 March 1979,

Who was the leader of the Revolutionary Committees?

Mohammad Maghgoub

What was the English name of the magazine published by the Revolutionary Committees?

The Green March

How often was al-Zahf al-Akhdar published?

weekly

What bodies represented the revolution after the separation of government and revolution?

Revolutionary Committees


In 1979, the committees began the redistribution of land in the Jefara plain, continuing through 1981. In May 1980, measures to redistribute and equalize wealth were implemented; anyone with over 1000 dinar in his bank account saw that extra money expropriated. The following year, the GPC announced that the government would take control of all import, export and distribution functions, with state supermarkets replacing privately owned businesses; this led to a decline in the availability of consumer goods and the development of a thriving black market.

Where did land redistribution begin in 1979?

Jefara plain

When did the Jefara plain land redistribution end?

What was the maximum amount of money a person could have in their bank account without having it expropriated in 1980?

1000 dinar

As a result of the 1981 laws putting the government in control of commerce, what began to thrive?

black market

What took the place of private businesses in 1981?

state supermarkets


The Jamahiriya's radical direction earned the government many enemies. In February 1978, Gaddafi discovered that his head of military intelligence was plotting to kill him, and began to increasingly entrust security to his Qaddadfa tribe. Many who had seen their wealth and property confiscated turned against the administration, and a number of western-funded opposition groups were founded by exiles. Most prominent was the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (NFSL), founded in 1981 by Mohammed Magariaf, which orchestrated militant attacks against Libya's government, while another, al-Borkan, began killing Libyan diplomats abroad. Following Gaddafi's command to kill these "stray dogs", under Colonel Younis Bilgasim's leadership, the Revolutionary Committees set up overseas branches to suppress counter-revolutionary activity, assassinating various dissidents. Although nearby nations like Syria also used hit squads, Gaddafi was unusual in publicly bragging about his administration's use of them; in June 1980, he ordered all dissidents to return home or be "liquidated wherever you are."

What tribe did Gaddafi belong to?

Qaddadfa

What Libyan government official allegedly plotted to kill Gaddafi in 1978?

head of military intelligence

In 1981, what Libyan opposition group was founded?

National Front for the Salvation of Libya

Who founded the NFSL?

Mohammed Magariaf

What group notably murdered Libyan diplomats?

al-Borkan,


In 1979, the U.S. placed Libya on its list of "State Sponsors of Terrorism", while at the end of the year a demonstration torched the U.S. embassy in Tripoli in solidarity with the perpetrators of the Iran hostage crisis. The following year, Libyan fighters began intercepting U.S. fighter jets flying over the Mediterranean, signalling the collapse of relations between the two countries. Libyan relations with Lebanon and Shi'ite communities across the world also deteriorated due to the August 1978 disappearance of imam Musa al-Sadr when visiting Libya; the Lebanese accused Gaddafi of having him killed or imprisoned, a charge he denied. Relations with Syria improved, as Gaddafi and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad shared an enmity with Israel and Egypt's Sadat. In 1980, they proposed a political union, with Libya paying off Syria's £1 billion debt to the Soviet Union; although pressures led Assad to pull out, they remained allies. Another key ally was Uganda, and in 1979, Gaddafi sent 2,500 troops into Uganda to defend the regime of President Idi Amin from Tanzanian invaders. The mission failed; 400 Libyans were killed and they were forced to retreat. Gaddafi later came to regret his alliance with Amin, openly criticising him.

What list did the United States add Libya to in 1979?

State Sponsors of Terrorism

In what Libyan city was the United States embassy burned in 1979?

Tripoli

What event prompted the burning of the US embassy in Libya?

Iran hostage crisis

How much money did Syria owe to the Soviets as of 1980?

£1 billion

What country's military was attacking Uganda in 1979?

Tanzanian


The early and mid-1980s saw economic trouble for Libya; from 1982 to 1986, the country's annual oil revenues dropped from $21 billion to $5.4 billion. Focusing on irrigation projects, 1983 saw construction start on "Gaddafi's Pet Project", the Great Man-Made River; although designed to be finished by the end of the decade, it remained incomplete at the start of the 21st century. Military spending increased, while other administrative budgets were cut back. Libya had long supported the FROLINAT militia in neighbouring Chad, and in December 1980, re-invaded Chad at the request of the Frolinat-controlled GUNT government to aid in the civil war; in January 1981, Gaddafi suggested a political merger. The Organisation of African Unity (OAU) rejected this, and called for a Libyan withdrawal, which came about in November 1981. The civil war resumed, and so Libya sent troops back in, clashing with French forces who supported the southern Chadian forces. Many African nations had tired of Libya's policies of interference in foreign affairs; by 1980, nine African states had cut off diplomatic relations with Libya, while in 1982 the OAU cancelled its scheduled conference in Tripoli in order to prevent Gaddafi gaining chairmanship. Proposing political unity with Morocco, in August 1984, Gaddafi and Moroccan monarch Hassan II signed the Oujda Treaty, forming the Arab-African Union; such a union was considered surprising due to the strong political differences and longstanding enmity that existed between the two governments. Relations remained strained, particularly due to Morocco's friendly relations with the U.S. and Israel; in August 1986, Hassan abolished the union. Domestic threats continued to plague Gaddafi; in May 1984, his Bab al-Azizia home was unsuccessfully attacked by a joint NFSL–Muslim Brotherhood militia, and in the aftermath 5000 dissidents were arrested.

How much money did Libya earn from oil in 1986?

$5.4 billion

What was another name for the Great Man-Made River?

Gaddafi's Pet Project

In what country did FROLINAT operate?

Chad

In what year did the Libyan military pull out of Chad at the behest of the OAU?

Who was the ruler of Morocco in 1984?

Hassan II


In 1981, the new US President Ronald Reagan pursued a hard line approach to Libya, erroneously considering it a puppet regime of the Soviet Union. In turn, Gaddafi played up his commercial relationship with the Soviets, visiting Moscow again in April 1981 and 1985, and threatening to join the Warsaw Pact. The Soviets were nevertheless cautious of Gaddafi, seeing him as an unpredictable extremist. Beginning military exercises in the Gulf of Sirte – an area of sea that Libya claimed as a part of its territorial waters – in August 1981 the U.S. shot down two Libyan Su-22 planes monitoring them. Closing down Libya's embassy in Washington, D.C., Reagan advised U.S. companies operating in the country to reduce the number of American personnel stationed there. In March 1982, the U.S. implemented an embargo of Libyan oil, and in January 1986 ordered all U.S. companies to cease operating in the country, although several hundred workers remained. Diplomatic relations also broke down with the U.K., after Libyan diplomats were accused in the shooting death of Yvonne Fletcher, a British policewoman stationed outside their London embassy, in April 1984. In Spring 1986, the U.S. Navy again began performing exercises in the Gulf of Sirte; the Libyan military retaliated, but failed as the U.S. sank several Libyan ships.

In what years did Gaddafi visit the Soviet Union?

1981 and 1985

What did Reagan wrongly believe Libya to be?

a puppet regime of the Soviet Union

As a result of American hostility, what military alliance did Libya say it would join?

Warsaw Pact

What Libyan aircraft were shot down by the United States in 1981?

What was the occupation of Yvonne Fletcher?

policewoman


After the U.S. accused Libya of orchestrating the 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing, in which two American soldiers died, Reagan decided to retaliate militarily. The Central Intelligence Agency were critical of the move, believing that Syria were a greater threat and that an attack would strengthen Gaddafi's reputation; however Libya was recognised as a "soft target." Reagan was supported by the U.K. but opposed by other European allies, who argued that it would contravene international law. In Operation El Dorado Canyon, orchestrated on 15 April 1986, U.S. military planes launched a series of air-strikes on Libya, bombing military installations in various parts of the country, killing around 100 Libyans, including several civilians. One of the targets had been Gaddafi's home. Himself unharmed, two of Gaddafi's sons were injured, and he claimed that his four-year-old adopted daughter Hanna was killed, although her existence has since been questioned.  In the immediate aftermath, Gaddafi retreated to the desert to meditate, while there were sporadic clashes between Gaddafists and army officers who wanted to overthrow the government. Although the U.S. was condemned internationally, Reagan received a popularity boost at home. Publicly lambasting U.S. imperialism, Gaddafi's reputation as an anti-imperialist was strengthened both domestically and across the Arab world, and in June 1986, he ordered the names of the month to be changed in Libya.

About how many Libyans died in Operation El Dorado Canyon?

What terrorist attack did the United States claim Libya supported?

1986 Berlin discotheque bombing

How many Americans died in the Berlin disco bombing of 1986?

two

What country did the CIA believe Reagan should attack instead of Libya?

Syria

What was the name of Gaddafi's daughter who may not have existed?

Hanna


The late 1980s saw a series of liberalising economic reforms within Libya designed to cope with the decline in oil revenues. In May 1987, Gaddafi announced the start of the "Revolution within a Revolution", which began with reforms to industry and agriculture and saw the re-opening of small business. Restrictions were placed on the activities of the Revolutionary Committees; in March 1988, their role was narrowed by the newly created Ministry for Mass Mobilization and Revolutionary Leadership to restrict their violence and judicial role, while in August 1988 Gaddafi publicly criticised them, asserting that "they deviated, harmed, tortured" and that "the true revolutionary does not practise repression." In March, hundreds of political prisoners were freed, with Gaddafi falsely claiming that there were no further political prisoners in Libya. In June, Libya's government issued the Great Green Charter on Human Rights in the Era of the Masses, in which 27 articles laid out goals, rights and guarantees to improve the situation of human rights in Libya, restricting the use of the death penalty and calling for its eventual abolition. Many of the measures suggested in the charter would be implemented the following year, although others remained inactive. Also in 1989, the government founded the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights, to be awarded to figures from the Third World who had struggled against colonialism and imperialism; the first year's winner was South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela. From 1994 through to 1997, the government initiated cleansing committees to root out corruption, particularly in the economic sector.

In what year did the "Revolution within a Revolution" begin?

In what year was the Ministry for Mass Mobilization and Revolutionary Leadership created?

How many articles were contained in the Great Green Charter on Human Rights in the Era of the Masses?

Who won the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights in 1989?

Nelson Mandela

What was Mandela's nationality?

South African


In the aftermath of the 1986 U.S. attack, the army was purged of perceived disloyal elements, and in 1988, Gaddafi announced the creation of a popular militia to replace the army and police. In 1987, Libya began production of mustard gas at a facility in Rabta, although publicly denying it was stockpiling chemical weapons, and unsuccessfully attempted to develop nuclear weapons. The period also saw a growth in domestic Islamist opposition, formulated into groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group. A number of assassination attempts against Gaddafi were foiled, and in turn, 1989 saw the security forces raid mosques believed to be centres of counter-revolutionary preaching. In October 1993, elements of the increasingly marginalised army initiated a failed coup in Misrata, while in September 1995, Islamists launched an insurgency in Benghazi, and in July 1996 an anti-Gaddafist football riot broke out in Tripoli. The Revolutionary Committees experienced a resurgence to combat these Islamists.

What bodies were intended to be replaced by the popular militia created in 1988?

army and police

What chemical weapon did Libya start making in 1987?

mustard gas

Where did Libya manufacture mustard gas?

Rabta

Where did an abortive coup occur in 1993?

Misrata

Where did a Muslim insurgency take place in 1995?

Benghazi


In 1989, Gaddafi was overjoyed by the foundation of the Arab Maghreb Union, uniting Libya in an economic pact with Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, viewing it as beginnings of a new Pan-Arab union. Meanwhile, Libya stepped up its support for anti-western militants such as the Provisional IRA, and in 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie in Scotland, killing 243 passengers and 16 crew members, plus 11 people on the ground. British police investigations identified two Libyans – Abdelbaset al-Megrahi and Lamin Khalifah Fhimah – as the chief suspects, and in November 1991 issued a declaration demanding that Libya hand them over. When Gaddafi refused, citing the Montreal Convention, the United Nations (UN) imposed Resolution 748 in March 1992, initiating economic sanctions against Libya which had deep repercussions for the country's economy. The country suffered an estimated $900 million financial loss as a result. Further problems arose with the west when in January 1989, two Libyan warplanes were shot down by the U.S. off the Libyan coast. Many African states opposed the UN sanctions, with Mandela criticising them on a visit to Gaddafi in October 1997, when he praised Libya for its work in fighting apartheid and awarded Gaddafi the Order of Good Hope. They would only be suspended in 1998 when Libya agreed to allow the extradition of the suspects to the Scottish Court in the Netherlands, in a process overseen by Mandela.

Along with Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, who was a founding member of the Arab Maghreb Union?

Mauritania

How many people not on Pan Am Flight 103 were killed by its destruction?

Along with Lamin Khalifah Fhimah, who was suspected of the attack on Pan Am Flight 103?

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi

What 1992 UN Resolution imposed sanctions on Libya for its refusal to hand over the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing suspects?

What was the value of the economic losses experienced by Libya as a result of Resolution 748?

$900 million