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Quiz about Thomas Jefferson A Unique American Part 2

Thomas Jefferson - A Unique American - Part 2 Quiz

I have been reading Jon Meacham's excellent book on Thomas Jefferson, which provides an insightful look into this complex man. This is the second quiz I have written on Jefferson. We will take up his story as he runs for President in 1800.

A multiple-choice quiz by MicjealS. Estimated time: 8 mins.

Author
MicjealS

Time
8 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
356,337

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
288

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. We have seen some strong negative claims made against US presidential candidates. Our first real competitive campaign was the election of 1800. What rather remarkable negative claim was made about Jefferson by supporters of John Adams? Hint

That Jefferson had died

That in a fit of anger he shot his neighbor's dog

That in a fit of anger he shot his dog

That he was a secret agent of King George III of Great Britain

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Question 2 of 10

2. The election of 1800 was one of the wildest ones in American history; perhaps that is not surprising as we had not had a contested presidential election before. Among the many odd things that happened, which of the following actually did occur? Hint

The appearance of Halley's comet was widely accepted as a sign that the separation from Great Britain had been an offense to God and no American should vote at all

The Spanish declared if Jefferson were elected President they would declare war on the United States

Alexander Hamilton, perhaps Jefferson's single greatest adversary, turned against John Adams, weakening support for him and thereby assisting Jefferson

Virginia and North Carolina legislatures voted to secede from the Union if the Northerner John Adams were to win

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Question 3 of 10

3. If you retain some of your high school history, you may recall that the US election of 1800 was initially a tie in the electoral college. How was this finally resolved? Hint

It was decided by a vote in the House of Representatives

It was decided by a vote in the Senate

The Supreme Court made the selection

There was a run off election

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Question 4 of 10

4. Once safely in office, how did Jefferson set about correcting what he saw as the errors of the previous administration? Hint

He worked quietly, but relentlessly, behind the scenes to replace and overturn policies that in his view worked against the democratic principles of the Constitution

He was so exhausted by the election he had no energy left for the fight and essential left things the way they were

He used the office of President as a bully pulpit to take his case to the people and thereby pressure Congress into making the reforms he sought

He set about on a vicious campaign attacking his enemies in the Congress and Judiciary in a loud and public spectacle

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of Jefferson's major accomplishments was the Louisiana Purchase, which more than doubled the size of the United States. There were a number of events that together helped to make this happen. What were they? Hint

Spain gave the territory to France, the Russians who had designs on the North American West coast saw this as a threat, Jefferson wanting desperately to avoid a war in his backyard rushed a delegation to France to purchase the territory

Spain gave the territory to France, the U.S. was concerned about French control of New Orleans and sought to buy the city from the French, Napoleon did not want to bother with a North American territory and needed money so he offered all of Louisiana

Spain gave the territory to Russia to gain their support against France, the French bought it from the Russians at bargain price along with a promise to not invade, the French in need of funds sold it to the U.S.

Spain needed money to defend itself from France, they set a bidding war between the U.S. and Great Britain, when the British pulled out early in the bidding the U.S. got the territory at a good price because now they were the only buyer

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Question 6 of 10

6. In the election of 1800, Jefferson won but faced a starkly divided nation. In the next four years he worked slowly but steadily to transform the U.S. government. By the next election in 1804 the results of his efforts could be seen. What were they? Hint

He battled mightily but ended his first term essentially where he started and won his second term by the same weak margin

It had been a disaster, disappointing his supporters, further angering his foes, resulting in his blistering defeat

He had been extremely successful and was highly popular

He made some gains but in large his foes gained against him such that he won in 1804 only because the Federalists could not stand up a popular candidate to run against him

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Question 7 of 10

7. Jefferson was a great believer in the limits of executive power. However, there were two occasions were he took a strong position that set long lasting precedence on Presidential authority. What were these? Hint

He refused to accept a Supreme Court overturning of his order to restrict the further import of slaves and overruled the State of Virginia's ban on the importation of English goods

He ordered the State of Massachusetts to pay an tax on imported English goods and banned sales of tobacco anywhere within the U.S.

He sent federal troops to the Western borders without Congressional approval and ordered the disbandment of the U.S. Navy, also without Congressional authority

He refused to accept a subpoena to appear in a court and ordered military expenditures without Congressional approval

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Question 8 of 10

8. Jefferson's second term was a difficult time. What was the very unpopular step he took? Hint

He established an embargo of trade with Great Britain

He set up an abusive poll tax to inhibit anyone but the wealthy from voting in federal elections

He negotiated a mutual defense treaty with France

He instituted a high income tax to pay for the Louisiana Purchase

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Question 9 of 10

9. While Jefferson did not run in the election of 1808, his hand-picked candidate James Madison ran as the "Jeffersonian" candidate. Therefore, Madison's performance in the election can be seen at least in part as a public assessment of Jefferson's span in office. How did he do? Hint

Nearly as well as Jefferson in 1804

He won, but with a very narrow margin

Very poorly, losing badly to the Federalist Pinckney

He won, but only by promising to disavow Jefferson's policies

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Question 10 of 10

10. Once allies and friends, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson found themselves separated by different visions for the young US nation. As the figure heads of their parties in the election of 1800, their supporters instigated an extremely negative campaign between the two opponents. This poisonous atmosphere separated the former friends. After Jefferson left office, what became of their relationship? Hint

While still disagreeing on politics they rekindled their previous warm personal friendship

They pointedly ignored one another

They continued their bitter feud, often writing disparaging articles about each other for the press of the day

Adams died before Jefferson left office so there was no relation between them

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: That Jefferson had died

Well, no point voting for a guy if he is dead. This seemingly silly tactic might look a little more effective when one thinks of the state of communications of the time. Jefferson couldn't send out a twitter message or appear on the evening TV news holding today's New York Times.

Other more serious slights were that he was an atheist and that he had disrespected the revered General Washington. Both claims had something behind them. Jefferson was a free thinker regarding religion and did not blindly accept any individual creed.

While he greatly respected and admired Washington, he was also critical of Washington's support of some of Adams' policies. Letters citing his views on this were published out of context by his enemies.

Answer: Alexander Hamilton, perhaps Jefferson's single greatest adversary, turned against John Adams, weakening support for him and thereby assisting Jefferson

Jefferson and Hamilton had very different views about what the American government should be. Hamilton felt the public was ill-suited to making decisions on important matters, while Jefferson was committed to a government of the people. Adams was certainly much closer to Hamilton in his thinking than toward Jefferson's ideals.

However, apparently Adams was not sufficiently extreme in his views and Hamilton actively campaigned against him, bleeding the support he needed.

3. If you retain some of your high school history, you may recall that the US election of 1800 was initially a tie in the electoral college. How was this finally resolved?

Answer: It was decided by a vote in the House of Representatives

At this time the President and Vice-President ran separately and each electoral college elector had two votes. The plan was to withhold one vote for the vice-president and thereby indicate the preference for president. The Republicans got their wires crossed and the results were 73 votes for Jefferson, 73 for Aaron Burr, 65 for John Adams, and 64 for Charles Pinckney.

The Federalist ticket of Adams and Pinckney were clearly defeated but the result left no winner. By the Constitution the issue was given to the House of Representatives.

While the will of the people was clear the politics got ugly. The Federalists were viscerally opposed to Jefferson. On several occasions they sought concessions from Jefferson on future policy to gain their support to break the impasse. Jefferson rejected all of these.

It took over six weeks and thirty-six pollings in the House, but finally, on 17 February 1801, Jefferson was elected.

4. Once safely in office, how did Jefferson set about correcting what he saw as the errors of the previous administration?

Answer: He worked quietly, but relentlessly, behind the scenes to replace and overturn policies that in his view worked against the democratic principles of the Constitution

Jefferson was a master in the art of the deal and what today we might call political schmoozing. He was also patient and kept his eye on the long term goal. He knew he could not move faster than the nation would let him. He also kept up a stream of correspondence and private dinners where he would listen, offer observations, and make suggestions, all behind the scenes.

In this he brought about a major change in the direction of the Federal government securing for all time the accountability of government to the people.

Answer: Spain gave the territory to France, the U.S. was concerned about French control of New Orleans and sought to buy the city from the French, Napoleon did not want to bother with a North American territory and needed money so he offered all of Louisiana

The Spanish star was descending on the world stage. In the third treaty of San Ildefonso they gave France the lands they claimed north of Mexico in exchange for some territorial advantages in Europe. It also fed the hungry tiger next door, at least for now. Having the active and aggressive French at their western border was very troubling to the Americans.

The focus of this concern was the port of New Orleans. A full three-eighths of America's commerce came downs the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and through New Orleans. Jefferson dispatched a high level team to Paris to try to buy the city. To their surprise Napoleon offered not just New Orleans but all of the Louisiana territory to them.

He was preparing himself for expansions within Europe, so did not need North American distractions and could use some ready cash.

The price was $15 million or about three cents per acre.

Answer: He had been extremely successful and was highly popular

Jefferson's quiet, careful rebuilding of the government was very successful. Even with the bumps and jolts of the messy business of democracy he repaired much of the excesses of Adam's administration. The Louisiana Purchase and his lowering of taxes made him a very popular figure.

In 1800 he got 73 electoral votes to Adams' 65. In 1804 he got 162 votes to the Federalist candidate Pinckney who had only 14 votes.

Answer: He refused to accept a subpoena to appear in a court and ordered military expenditures without Congressional approval

Aaron Burr's life had taken some rather dark turns. After he killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel his political future was limited. In order to reclaim some of his former glory he took to traveling about the Western states speaking of rebellion and separation from the US. When this got too bold he was arrested. The court prosecuting him called on Jefferson with a subpoena to testify in the court. While Jefferson sorely wanted justice done on his former Vice-President, he felt the larger principle of the Executive Branch not being subservient to the Judicial Branch more important and politely but firmly declined. There was insufficient evidence against Burr, but despite being found innocent he ceased to be a political force.

The British Navy had been taking an increasingly high handed approach to US shipping, stopping its vessels and removing sailors they claimed as deserted British sailors, and even firing on US vessels who would not comply. War was a real possibility and the US was in no way ready to mount an effective military force. Jefferson ordered a series of measures to improve US military preparedness and left Congress to catch up with him.

Strictly, by the book, he had the authority to do neither of these things. However, he felt there were larger considerations in each case and allowed his pragmatic sense overcome the slavish devotion to the letter of law.

8. Jefferson's second term was a difficult time. What was the very unpopular step he took?

Answer: He established an embargo of trade with Great Britain

The situation with Great Britain was becoming intolerable. As Jefferson saw it there were three options: submit, embargo, or war. To submit was unacceptable. To go to war with the US's weak military capability was unwise, perhaps even foolish. Embargo, while hardly a good choice, was the best of the bad. It gave the US time to enhance its military strength and gave Great Britain time to change their behavior. However, it also caused a lot of extreme economic hardship leading to a strong public dissatisfaction directed at him.

However, while unpopular, it did buy time. It was not until 1812 that open war was declared and while hardly a stunning victory for the American forces, neither were they overcome by a vastly superior force which might have been the outcome four years earlier.

Answer: Nearly as well as Jefferson in 1804

The vote was 122 for Madison to 47 for Pinckney. Not as commanding as Jefferson's 1804 win but in the context of the very unpopular embargo it was a strong endorsement of Jefferson.

Answer: While still disagreeing on politics they rekindled their previous warm personal friendship

I not sure where I got the idea that both men were bitter enemies to the end but I was glad that Meacham's book could correct that view. In 1811 a mutual friend encouraged the two of them to "make up". This started a series of increasingly friendly letters.

While they did not agree on their old political differences, without the vitriol of their ardent supporters the two men could rekindle their respect and affection for one another. From the time of their reconnection in 1811 to their deaths in 1826 they exchanged over a hundred letters.

Source: Author MicjealS

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