Ten New Tidbits of American History Quiz

Answer: Chester A. Arthur

Arthur, the 21st President, assumed the office upon the assasination of President Garfield. A Republican, his main political achievement was the passage of the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which required prospective Federal employees to pass exams in order to qualify for civil service positions.
He also had the nickname "Elegant Arthur." He was known for his stylish dress, constant changing of clothes, and being neatly groomed. He often socialized with high-society types. He lost his own party's nomination in 1884, thus serving only one term.

Answer: Margaret Sanger

Born in 1879, Margaret Sanger was a pioneer for women's rights. She is credited with inventing the term "birth control". In 1921 she established America's first birth control clinic. Jeannette Rankin, of Montana, in 1916 became the first woman elected to Congress. Frances Perkins, in 1933, became the first female cabinet member when Franklin Roosevelt appointed her as Secretary of Labor. Mary Lyon founded the first real women's college, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, in 1837.

It still going strong as Mt. Holyoke College with an (almost) all-female student body.

Answer: Antimasons

Morgan had attempted to gain membership in the Freemasons, a secret society that exists to this day. When he was denied entry to the Batavia, New York chapter, he threatened to publish a book revealing the society's inner workings. He was subsequently jailed for failure to pay debts.

He was bailed out, taken to the town of Niagra, and promptly vanished. Rumor had it that he was drowned in the Niagra River. Rumor also had it that he was paid money to leave the country. His ultimate fate is unknown. Because many citizens feared or distrusted the Freemasons, a short lived political party was formed in opposition to them as a result of Morgan's disappearance.

Answer: Maine and New Brunswick, Canada

The Aroostook War was a bloodless event that narrowly missed becoming a serious armed conflict between the United States and Britain. The boundary between what is now Maine and New Brunswick had not been defined by either the Treaty of Paris (Revolutionary War) or the Treaty of Ghent (War of 1812). With settlers and loggers from both sides crowding into the area, disputes arose. Local militias were formed, and regular army units were sent to the area. General Winfred Scott of the United States managed to calm the situation, and in 1842 the border was fixed by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.

Answer: American Party, Millard Fillmore

The American Party, a mid-nineteenth century anti-immigration party, took 20% of the popular vote in 1856, with former President Fillmore heading the ticket. They carried only one state, Maryland, and received eight electoral votes. Strom Thurmond, as the States Right candidate in 1948 carried four southern states and earned 39 electoral votes.

In 1968, American Independent candidate Wallace obtained 46 electoral votes. Former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt led the Progressive, or Bull Moose Party in 1912.

He out polled incumbent Republican William Taft, and earned 88 electoral votes, but basically split the Republican support, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to be elected.

Answer: Senator Everett Dirkson, Illinois

Dirkson, a Republican Senator from Illinois between 1950 and 1969, is credited with saying this. Known as the Wizard of Ooze due to his rumpled appearance, political smarts, and sometimes bombastic speech, he had a number of great quotes. While supporting the 1964 Civil Rights Act, he stated "Stronger than all the armies is an idea whose time has come".

Another was "I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times". And my personal favorite is "During a political campaign everyone except the candidate is concerned with what a candidate will do on this or that question if he is elected, except the candidate; he's too busy wondering what he'll do if he isn't elected".

Answer: John D. Rockefeller IV

John D. the fourth served two terms as governor of West Virginia and in the Senate starting in 1985. His father, John D. the third, was heavily involved in charitable concerns, heading at one time or another the Rockefeller Brothers' Fund and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Grandfather, John D. Junior, founded Rockefeller University, built Rockefeller Center, and restored Colonial Williamsburg, as well as donating the land upon which the United Nations headquarters is built. Great-grandfather, the original John D., founded Standard Oil (better known as Exxon Mobile), and established the University of Chicago.

Answer: General Winfield Scott

Scott was known as Old Fuss and Feathers because of his attention to detail and flamboyant uniforms. He commanded troops in the War of 1812, several wars with Native American tribes, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War, for which he developed the Anaconda Plan, which was a startegy to blockade Southern ports.
Taylor was known as Old Rough and Ready. Patton was Old Blood and Guts, and Hooker was known as Fighting Joe.

Answer: Mugwumps

Mugwumps were Eastern Republicans who opposed the deal making and cronysm involved in political appointments, and favored civil service reform. When Chester Arthur, a reformer of the system, lost the nomination in 1884, the Mugwumps did not support James Blaine, who was involved in the deal making, and that cost him the election. Carpetbaggers was the derisive term Southerners gave to Northerners who moved in after the war and were active in the new political landscape. Scalawags were Southern whites who cooperated with the Carpetbaggers and occupying troops, and were much hated by many other Southerners. Redeemers were conservative Southern whites who took political control after federal troops withdrew from the South.

They pledged cooperation with Northern industrialists, but were staunch white supremacists.

Answer: Warren Harding

Harding made the statement in 1923. He may have been the least qualified man to ever be President. His attributes were that he looked the part and could speak well. A compromise candidate when the Republican convention was deadlocked, he appointed many cronies and patrons to political posts. Scandals began to break loose in the Interior, Veterans', and Justice Departments in 1923, when Harding died from a stroke while on a cross country tour.