Shady American History for Kids Quiz

Answer: Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive decree issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It served to free the slaves of the Confederate states in rebellion against the Union during the American Civil War. The order changed the legal status of approximately 3 million slaves in certain areas of the American South.

The proclamation led to the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment ending legal slavery in 1865 throughout the USA.

Answer: Scopes Monkey Trial

In 1925, John T. Scopes was accused of teaching evolution in contravention of Tennessee state law. The law stated that it was illegal to suggest that the divine creation of man was something other than that taught in the bible and certainly not from the origin of a "monkey". Scopes ended up losing his case but was later overturned leaving the issue unresolved. Years later it was determined that such a law is a violation of the First Amendment.

Answer: Wounded Knee Massacre

During 1890 in North Dakota the US Cavalry was dispatched to the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in an effort to disarm a group of several Indians. In the ensuing dispute a misunderstanding occurred resulting in shots being fired and the massacre was on.

It is estimated that more than 300 natives were killed, many of which were defenseless. In the aftermath and to add insult to injury, 20 soldiers were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Answer: Burr vs Hamilton

In 1804, the duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton was among the most famous personal and political conflicts in American history resulting in the death of Hamilton. During that time duelling was in the process of being outlawed in the New York/New Jersey area. Burr was charged with murder and was never convicted but it marked the end of his political career.

Answer: Mobsters

The organization of crime became mostly possible because of the progression of firearms technology. During the 1920s guns were readily available in stores and the gangsters had them to the same extent as the police. Mobsters such as Al Capone came to the forefront during the Prohibition era and Mafia bosses such as John Gotti during the late twentieth century.

The FBI was founded just to hunt them down.

Answer: 1992 Los Angeles Riots

Rodney King became known globally as a victim of police brutality during an arrest by the LAPD in 1991. The incident was videotaped which led to charges of excessive force against four police officers. The officers were subsequently acquitted during a trial which in turn led to the infamous Los Angeles riots in 1992.

The riot lasted nearly a week resulting in 63 deaths and thousands injured.

Answer: Civil Rights Movement

The Civil Rights movement began as a mass protest against racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans in southern America during the mid 1950s. It is thought of as particular to the 1960s and Martin Luther King Jr. but politicians had been arguing for equal rights under the law since the founding of the country.

Answer: Salem Witch Trials

During the late seventeenth century the Salem witch trials were conducted for those accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts. It was believed that incidents of sorcery began when children started to have fits and complained of torment inflicted, albeit erroneously, by some of the locals. Mass hysteria ensued culminating in the trials which led to the executions of twenty people. Later it was determined that claims of witchcraft were a hoax.

Answer: Partisan Politics

The American government is characterized by democracy, comprised of two primary political parties, namely the Republicans and the Democrats. For the most part they do not agree with each other's political ideas and refuse to yield ground, making it very difficult to resolve issues.

The lack of bipartisan politics has resulted in the threat of the government to sometimes 'shut down'. Compromise is needed to avoid such a shameful ending.

Answer: Trail of Tears

The Trail of Tears can be described as the forced removal of American Indians by the U.S. government from their homelands and their relocation to designated Indian Territories. This occurred in 1830 when President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act in an effort to 'clear' the land for white settlements.

The event went on for twenty years resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of the Five Civilized Tribes.