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. COUNT 15
QSN1 What book did Gaddafi publish that detailed his Third Internal Theory? ANS1 The Green Book QSN2 What was Gaddafi's first position in government? ANS2 Chairman of the governing Revolutionary Command Council QSN3 As Chairman of the RCC, list the first two things that Gaddafi accomplished. ANS3 abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic QSN4 How did Gaddafi change the legal system? ANS4 introduced sharia as the basis for the legal system QSN5 Describe the Popular Revolution. ANS5 the formation of General People's Committees (GPCs), purported to be a system of direct democracy, but retained personal control over major decisions. QSN6 How did Gaddafi change the legal system? ANS6 he introduced sharia as the basis for the legal system QSN7 How did Gaddafi use all the money that resulted from nationalizing the oil industry? ANS7 to bolster the military, implement social programs and fund revolutionary militants across the world. QSN8 Describe the Popular Revolution. ANS8 formation of General People's Committees (GPCs), purported to be a system of direct democracy, but retained personal control over major decisions QSN9 When Gaddafi established his power in the government, what were his first actions? ANS9 abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic QSN10 What political ideology did Gaddafi want to push his country to? ANS10 Islamic socialism QSN11 What was the profession of Gaddafi's father? ANS11 goat herder QSN12 What was Gaddafi's ethnicity? ANS12 Bedouin QSN13 In what city was the Royal Military Academy located? ANS13 Benghazi QSN14 From what monarch did Gaddafi's movement take over Libya? ANS14 Idris QSN15 What was the name of the governing body headed by Gaddafi after the revolution? ANS15 Revolutionary Command Council