During Whose Presidency? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Herbert Hoover

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 was the worst financial crises in U.S. history up to that time. Although Herbert Hoover had only been in office for 8 months, he was quickly and severely criticized for the disaster. This blame can best be illustrated by the fact that thousands of unemployed, homeless "squatters" set up temporary shelters and nicknamed them "Hoovervilles" all over the United States.

Answer: Andrew Jackson

The Nat Turner rebellion claimed the lives of 55-65 Virginians before being put down. As a result, 56 slaves were executed and as many as 200 more were murdered by militias. When finally caught, Turner was hanged, flayed, and drawn and quartered. In the aftermath, state legislatures passed strict laws regarding the education of slaves and unsupervised slave meetings in churches, etc. Andrew Jackson played no role in putting the rebellion down.

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

After purchasing the Louisiana Territories from France, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to lead a group of army volunteers to explore the newly acquired land. The main objectives were to explore and map the territory, find a route across the Western part of the continent, and establish an American presence in this territory before other European powers tried to claim it.

The adventure was considered a success and lasted from May 1804 to September 1806.

Answer: James Madison

The War of 1812 was a war between the United States and the United Kingdom over several important issues. The causes for the war were many: trade restrictions brought about by the British war with France, the impressment of as many as 10,000 American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support for Native American tribes fighting American settlers on the frontier, and American interest in annexing British territory.

It was the main crisis of President Madison's administration. Many felt that the War of 1812 was an extension of the Napoleonic Wars that were happening in Europe at the time.

Answer: False

Jimmy Carter was president during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-1981. The crisis began as a reaction to the United States granting the deposed and exiled Shah of Iran asylum as he underwent treatment for cancer in the U.S. A group calling themselves the Muslim Student Followers of the Imam's Line held 52 Americans for 444 days.

The hostages were released minutes after president Ronald Reagan was sworn into office. Many criticized President Carter for his poor handling of the crisis.

Answer: Richard Nixon

Although President Nixon was president during the mission, the U.S. goal to land on the moon dates back to John F. Kennedy's speech before Congress in 1961 where he sets the goal to land on the moon by the end of the decade.

Answer: True

The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was fought over the United States annexing Texas. Although Texas technically won its independence from Mexico in 1836, Mexico saw the annexation as an illegal act. President James K. Polk had offered to purchase the territory from Mexico, but this was rejected prior to the outbreak of war.

Answer: Abraham Lincoln

The United States Civil War was a defining event for the relatively new nation. In it, the northern states fighting as the Union were at war with the rebellious southern states fighting for the primary issue of states' rights and how it would continue to allow for slavery. Abraham Lincoln would forever be connected to this war that saw the Union defeat the Confederate States of America in 1865.

Answer: Bill Clinton

The terrorist attack against the World Trade Center in 1993 claimed the lives of six people and injured 1,000 more. The bomb was detonated in the lower level parking area of one of the towers and caused a great deal of damage to the structure's foundation. Bill Clinton had been in office for about one month prior to the bombing.

Answer: Lyndon B. Johnson

The 1960's were a tumultuous time for the United States. Johnson was sworn in as president after the assassination of John Kennedy in 1963 and won re-election in 1964. He immediately inherited the Vietnam crisis and the growing racial tensions of the nation, two issues that later defined his presidency.