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Salmon P. Chase Trivia Quiz

Salmon P. Chase (1808-1873) was an early Republican and an opponent of slavery. He served as a US governor, senator, Cabinet Secretary, and Chief Justice.

A multiple-choice quiz by star_gazer. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
star_gazer

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
320,166

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
217

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Salmon P. Chase was born in Cornish, New Hampshire in 1808. Because his father died when he was nine years old, he was raised by his uncle, an Episcopal Bishop. He proved to be an apt student and eventually entered Dartmouth College. Upon completion at Dartmouth, he went on to study in what city to become an attorney? Hint

Boston

Washington, D.C.

Philadelphia

New York

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Question 2 of 10

2. A spiritual renewal inspired Chase to make a strong commitment to abolitionism: the banning of slavery from the US. He then became well known for legally defending fugitive slaves in Ohio; he even argued on their behalf before the US Supreme Court.

Although Chase at first aligned himself with the Whig party, he soon switched his political affiliation to become a leader in what party? Hint

Liberty

Democrat

Republican

Free Soil

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. In 1849, Chase was elected a Free Soil US senator from Ohio. It was in the US senate that he spoke out with great passion against slavery. Unfortunately, Chase encountered much opposition to his progressive opinions on human dignity. What was the one senate act that Chase vehemently opposed but passed regardless? Hint

Enrollment Act

Missouri Compromise

Kansas Nebraska Act

Homestead Act

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Question 4 of 10

4. As the once powerful Whig party was clearly dying, Salmon P. Chase saw an opportunity to unite various political factions on a platform to oppose all slavery in the USA. He helped to author "The Appeal of the Independent Democrats in Congress to the People of the United States" in 'the New York Times' on January 24, 1854. Today, this writing is considered to be the first expression of the principles of which political party? Hint

Know Nothing Party

Republican Party

Bull Moose Party

Free Soil Party

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1860, eager to be the president, Chase tried to win his party's nomination. However, due to the political resentments of others, he was unable to find much support outside of his home state of Ohio. Chase then gave his endorsement to Abraham Lincoln. After winning the general election, Lincoln returned this political favor to Chase by appointing him to be what? Hint

Secretary of the Treasury

Attorney General

Secretary of State

Secretary of War

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Question 6 of 10

6. As a member of Lincoln's cabinet, Chase oversaw the creation of a US national banking system. He was also able to create for the US its first own what? Hint

Budget Secretary

Defense department

Federal paper currency

Bureau of Indian Affairs

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Question 7 of 10

7. To honor Salmon P. Chase for his work, particularly in Lincoln's cabinet, what modern large denomination US note does his portrait appear on? Hint

$500 bill

$5,000 bill

$10,000 bill

$1,000 bill

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Question 8 of 10

8. As 1864 approached, Chase decided to run again for president so he resigned from Lincoln's cabinet. Lincoln still saw great value in Chase's ability to serve the USA and, after the death of Chief Justice Roger Taney, Lincoln nominated Salmon P. Chase to replace him. Soon, after his confirmation, Chief Justice Chase made what radical move? Hint

He sought to review past pro slavery decisions of the Court.

He had all the justices take an oath of allegiance to the Union.

He had a black lawyer argue a case before the High Court.

He encouraged the Court to hear cases about the rights of freed slaves.

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Question 9 of 10

9. Salmon P. Chase was the first Chief Justice to preside over an impeachment trial of a US president. President Andrew Johnson had fought with many "Radical Republicans" in Congress over Reconstruction. Johnson eventually fired the Secretary of War: Edwin Stanton, who was also a "Radical Republican."

Stanton's many allies in the House accused Johnson of violating the Tenure of Office Act by dismissing Stanton. The House impeached Johnson by a large margin and instructed the Senate to begin their trial of him. After a month-long trial, Johnson was acquitted by a margin of how many votes? Hint

Ten

Three

One

Five

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Question 10 of 10

10. Chief Justice Chase unsuccessfully sought (twice) to be nominated a US presidential candidate. Regardless of his inability to win the Office of the President, the service Chase gave to his nation was immeasurable. Salmon P. Chase died in 1873. Where is he buried? Hint

Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

A family plot in Cornish, New Hampshire

Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Washington, D.C.

U.S. Attorney General William Witt oversaw Chase's legal studies and he was eventually admitted to the Bar in 1829. Chase then moved to Ohio and became a hard working attorney in Cincinnati. All went well for the young lawyer from New Hampshire until his wife's sudden death in 1835; this thrust Chase into a temporary "identity crisis."

2. A spiritual renewal inspired Chase to make a strong commitment to abolitionism: the banning of slavery from the US. He then became well known for legally defending fugitive slaves in Ohio; he even argued on their behalf before the US Supreme Court. Although Chase at first aligned himself with the Whig party, he soon switched his political affiliation to become a leader in what party?

Answer: Liberty

The Liberty party was a small US political party that focused on abolitionism. The Liberty party put forth the presidential candidate, James G. Birney, in both 1844 and 1848. Salmon P. Chase was the leader of the Liberty party in Ohio. Eventually other small anti-slavery political movements joined forces with the Liberty Party to form the Free Soil party.

Answer: Kansas Nebraska Act

The Kansas Nebraska Act allowed for Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves if they wanted to have slavery or not. Prior to this, the Missouri Comprise had forbidden slavery in all of the northern territories except Missouri. Although this was a big blow to abolitionists like Salmon P. Chase, it ultimately had the effect of further galvanizing the nation on the slavery issue; and, it gave rise to a stronger and a more united anti-slavery movement.

Answer: Republican Party

In 1854, abolitionists gathered in Ripon, Wisconsin and created this new political party. Two years later, the first Republican candidate for US president, John C. Freemont, ran and lost against James Buchanan. Four years after this, Abraham Lincoln, was elected to be our nation's first Republican president. Salmon P. Chase had served as Ohio's first Republican governor from 1856 to 1860.

Answer: Secretary of the Treasury

Although in 1860 Chase had already been elected a Republican senator from Ohio, he resigned this position to serve in Lincoln's cabinet. Lincoln, however, first asked Chase to act as a peace negotiator with many of the southern states in the hopes of avoiding a war.

6. As a member of Lincoln's cabinet, Chase oversaw the creation of a US national banking system. He was also able to create for the US its first own what?

Answer: Federal paper currency

There is no provision in the US Constitution for the printing of money. During the first hundred years of the existence of the US, private banks often would print their own paper currency so as to pay small debts. With the outbreak of the Civil War, the US faced a severe financial crisis.

In order to pay the salaries of Union soldiers and to fulfill other war debts, Chase, as Secretary of the Treasury, had the US Treasury print "Legal Tender Notes" that guaranteed the holder(s) a currency that was backed by the US government.

7. To honor Salmon P. Chase for his work, particularly in Lincoln's cabinet, what modern large denomination US note does his portrait appear on?

Answer: $10,000 bill

Although no longer printed by the US mint, the Chase $10,000 bill is highly sought after by wealthy collectors. The following link has a picture of the obverse of the Chase bill:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:10000-1f.jpg

And, this is a picture of the bill's reverse:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:10000-1b.jpg

Answer: He had a black lawyer argue a case before the High Court.

John S. Rock was a free black man from New Jersey. He had excelled in his studies by becoming a teacher, doctor, dentist, and lawyer. He was also very active in the abolitionist movement. On February 1, 1865, John Rock appeared before the Supreme Court as the first black attorney to have the honor to practice before the high court. Unfortunately, he died of TB only a year later.

9. Salmon P. Chase was the first Chief Justice to preside over an impeachment trial of a US president. President Andrew Johnson had fought with many "Radical Republicans" in Congress over Reconstruction. Johnson eventually fired the Secretary of War: Edwin Stanton, who was also a "Radical Republican." Stanton's many allies in the House accused Johnson of violating the Tenure of Office Act by dismissing Stanton. The House impeached Johnson by a large margin and instructed the Senate to begin their trial of him. After a month-long trial, Johnson was acquitted by a margin of how many votes?

Answer: One

Andrew Johnson survived being removed from presidential office by the most narrow of margins. He went on to finish his term as president and to then become the only person ever elected to the Senate (from Tennessee) after serving as president. History has been kind to Johnson by showing that he was impeached for unconstitutional reasons.

The attempt to oust him was based on politics, not on any high crimes or misdemeanors that he may or may not have committed. Salmon P. Chase deserves credit for overseeing Johnson's trial fairly.

Answer: Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

Chase was originally buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C; he was later interred in his home state of Ohio. Today his legacy lives on. He certainly is not the most famous statesman in American history; but, he is without question one of the most accomplished.

Source: Author star_gazer

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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