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Joshua Norton Trivia Quiz

The only unelected, unappointed official in U.S. History. Who is this guy? Join me and find out!

A multiple-choice quiz by blakey. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
blakey

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
239,763

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
345

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Why did Joshua Norton travel to San Francisco? Hint

To go into business for himself

To find a wife

To pan for gold

To find a better job

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Question 2 of 10

2. In 1859 Joshua Norton gave himself a grandiose title. What was it? Hint

Joshua Norton I Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico

President Norton

King Joshua I

Prime Minister Norton

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Question 3 of 10

3. On December 2nd, 1859 Norton issued a decree that in effect dismissed Governor Wise of Virginia and replaced him with John Breckenridge. What was it that Wise did to infuriate him? Hint

Insulted him

Cut off funding for a friend of his

Denied him access to the state

Let John Brown hang for his role at Harper's Ferry

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Question 4 of 10

4. Joshua Norton's next two decrees also went unnoticed, what were they? Hint

Barring the state government and school system

Dissolution of the United States and barring Congress from meeting

Improving traffic safety and child labor laws

No more traffic tickets and taxes

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1861 a new theater opened in San Francisco called Tucker's Hall. They jumped on the fame that Joshua Norton was getting by performing this play in honor of him. What was it called? Hint

To His Majesty King Norton

The Emperor Has no Clothes

Long Live the Emperor

Norton I

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Question 6 of 10

6. Was Joshua Norton ever arrested for his actions by the federal government?

Yes

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Question 7 of 10

7. In 1869 Joshua Norton issued a decree that the Democratic and Republican parties be dissolved. What was the penalty if they did not? Hint

Three to four years in prison

One to two years in prison

Five to ten years in prison

Community service for life

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Question 8 of 10

8. What did Joshua Norton order built to connect San Francisco and Oakland? Hint

Renting canoes

A train

A suspension bridge

A ferry boat system

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Question 9 of 10

9. Did Joshua Norton ever tell a city other than San Francisco what to do?

Yes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Was there ever official money printed with Joshua Norton's likeness on it?

Yes

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Why did Joshua Norton travel to San Francisco?

Answer: To go into business for himself

He was a successful businessman from South Africa (born 1818 in England), who emigrated to California in 1849. When a rice shortage hit San Fransisco in 1853 he invested everything he had in a shipment of Peruvian rice, but other shipments arrived flooding the market and driving the price down below what it was previously. He lost everything he had. He filed for bankruptcy in 1858.

2. In 1859 Joshua Norton gave himself a grandiose title. What was it?

Answer: Joshua Norton I Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico

He issued 'decrees', and the papers picked up the story, making money hand over fist. The majority of decrees attributed to him were actually invented by newspaper editors.

3. On December 2nd, 1859 Norton issued a decree that in effect dismissed Governor Wise of Virginia and replaced him with John Breckenridge. What was it that Wise did to infuriate him?

Answer: Let John Brown hang for his role at Harper's Ferry

Of course it never went anywhere and Governor Wise retained his Governorship.

4. Joshua Norton's next two decrees also went unnoticed, what were they?

Answer: Dissolution of the United States and barring Congress from meeting

According to one account he wrote orders to General Winfield Scott telling him to take as many troops as necessary and rid the halls of the infidels. Scott just laughed and threw the orders away.

5. In 1861 a new theater opened in San Francisco called Tucker's Hall. They jumped on the fame that Joshua Norton was getting by performing this play in honor of him. What was it called?

Answer: Norton I

It was also known as "An Emperor for a Day".

6. Was Joshua Norton ever arrested for his actions by the federal government?

Answer: No

No, he wasn't because everyone thought he was a joke. But he was arrested for involuntary treatment of a mental condition. The Police Chief of San Francisco issued an apology to him because of the furor it caused. After this officers saluted him on the street when he passed.

7. In 1869 Joshua Norton issued a decree that the Democratic and Republican parties be dissolved. What was the penalty if they did not?

Answer: Five to ten years in prison

In his decree he gives the reason for it as party strife "within our realm".

8. What did Joshua Norton order built to connect San Francisco and Oakland?

Answer: A suspension bridge

He also suggested an underwater tunnel. A bridge was built in the 1930's and the transbay tunnel was completed in the 60's. He was ahead of his time.

9. Did Joshua Norton ever tell a city other than San Francisco what to do?

Answer: Yes

He ordered Sacramento to clean its streets and put up gaslights leading the way to the State Capitol. Earlier he ordered the city of Oakland to donate money to a friend so his friend could continue his airship experiments. When the city ignored him he ordered the arrest of the Board of Supervisors.
The answers so far have been taken from this site:
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/norton.html

10. Was there ever official money printed with Joshua Norton's likeness on it?

Answer: No

No, not officially but he did have his own specially printed money that some eateries took in exchange for services. Among his possessions when he died in 1870, were a number of hats and cablegrams from crowned heads of Europe and Russia.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/15/MNGUMAC6LN1.DTL
There is a video on him on youtube on the Stephenpyx channel.

Source: Author blakey

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