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John Quincy Adams Trivia Quiz

John Quincy Adams is one of the most versatile public servants in U.S. history, having served in either the executive or legislative branches under ten different Presidents! His diary provides us with considerable insight into early U.S. history.

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

Author
chessart

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
15,416

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
10 / 15

Plays
1824

Last 3 plays: Guest 174 (15/15), twlmy (13/15), Joey7675 (3/15).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 15

1. Adams' first political appointment was by President Washington as Minister to what country? Hint

Italy

Norway

France

The Netherlands

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Question 2 of 15

2. In what capacity did Adams serve in the administration of his father, John Adams? Hint

Secretary of State

Minister to Prussia

special assistant

Congressional liaison

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Question 3 of 15

3. In 1809, President Madison appointed Adams Minister to what country? Hint

Spain

Finland

Denmark

Russia

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Question 4 of 15

4. In 1814, Adams was part of the delegation which negotiated the Treaty ending the War of 1812. Which treaty was this? Hint

Paris Peace Treaty

Treaty of Trent

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo

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Question 5 of 15

5. As Secretary of State under President Monroe, Adams had a hand in all but which one of the following? Hint

Louisiana Purchase

Monroe Doctrine

Agreement with Great Britain for joint control of the Oregon Territory

Obtaining Florida from Spain

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Question 6 of 15

6. As was customary during that era, Secretary of State Adams ran for President in 1824. Where did he finish in the popular vote? Hint

second

third

first

fourth

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Question 7 of 15

7. Who was Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams? Hint

Daniel Webster

Henry Clay

John Tyler

Martin Van Buren

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Question 8 of 15

8. Adams ran for re-election in 1828, but lost to whom? Hint

William Henry Harrison

Martin Van Buren

Andrew Jackson

James K. Polk

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Question 9 of 15

9. In 1830 Adams' home Congressional Distict in Massachusetts elected him to Congress. How many years did he serve in Congress? Hint

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Question 10 of 15

10. In 1841, Adams argued what well-known case before the United States Supreme Court? Hint

Marbury vs. Madison

the Dred Scott case

the Amistad case

the Antelope case

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Question 11 of 15

11. What Congressional Rule did Adams regularly violate and fight against? Hint

the gag rule prohibiting petitions regarding slavery

rule providing for months-long recesses each year

rule allowing filibusters

rule making impeachments too difficult

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Question 12 of 15

12. Adams suffered a stroke in 1848 when he rose on the House floor to speak on what issue? Hint

slavery in the District of Columbia

establishment of a federal road-building program

the Mexican War

the forced relocation of Southeastern Indian tribes

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Question 13 of 15

13. Adams is sometimes said to be the father of what Institution, established in 1846? Hint

Washington Monument

Smithsonian

Jefferson Memorial

Yellowstone National Park

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Question 14 of 15

14. Adams kept a diary throughout his adult life. At what age did he begin writing in his diary? Hint

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Question 15 of 15

15. The voluminous diaries of John Quincy Adams were kept under lock and key until when? Hint

1921

1861

1891

1951

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 14 2024 : Guest 174: 15/15
Dec 05 2024 : twlmy: 13/15
Dec 02 2024 : Joey7675: 3/15
Nov 25 2024 : Guest 174: 15/15
Nov 07 2024 : Guest 174: 15/15

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Adams' first political appointment was by President Washington as Minister to what country?

Answer: The Netherlands

He was appointed at age 26. He had been overseas with his father as a child, and was well-prepared for the post.

2. In what capacity did Adams serve in the administration of his father, John Adams?

Answer: Minister to Prussia

3. In 1809, President Madison appointed Adams Minister to what country?

Answer: Russia

4. In 1814, Adams was part of the delegation which negotiated the Treaty ending the War of 1812. Which treaty was this?

Answer: Treaty of Ghent

Negotiated over a period of four months, the Treaty was signed at Ghent, Belgium, on Dec. 24, 1814, and ratified by the U.S. Senate in February, 1815. It was considered a diplomatic victory for the U.S., since under the Treaty Great Britain gave up its demand for control of the Great Lakes.

5. As Secretary of State under President Monroe, Adams had a hand in all but which one of the following?

Answer: Louisiana Purchase

The Louisiana Purchase was of course earlier, under President Jefferson. JQA has been called 'the greatest Secretary of State ever' for his many achievements during the eight Monroe years.

6. As was customary during that era, Secretary of State Adams ran for President in 1824. Where did he finish in the popular vote?

Answer: second

But since none of the 4 candidates with electoral votes received a majority, the election was then decided in the House of Representatives.

7. Who was Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams?

Answer: Henry Clay

A bitter Andrew Jackson charged that Adams had entered into a 'corrupt bargain' with Clay, promising him the Secretary of State job in exchange for his support in the House of Representative run-off voting. There is no way to substantiate this, however.

8. Adams ran for re-election in 1828, but lost to whom?

Answer: Andrew Jackson

This time Jackson won in the Electoral College, and no House of Representatives run-off was needed.

9. In 1830 Adams' home Congressional Distict in Massachusetts elected him to Congress. How many years did he serve in Congress?

Answer: 18

Adams served until dying on the House floor at the age of 80.

10. In 1841, Adams argued what well-known case before the United States Supreme Court?

Answer: the Amistad case

He talked for more than 8 hours in support of the African prisoners whose fate was in the hands of the U.S. Courts. The Antelope was another slave ship case from 20 years earlier which Adams had to distinguish from the Amistad case in order to win. Anthony Hopkins was amazing in his wonderful portrayal of Adams in Steven Spielberg's film 'Amistad'.

11. What Congressional Rule did Adams regularly violate and fight against?

Answer: the gag rule prohibiting petitions regarding slavery

He repeatedly flouted the gag rule by presenting petitions to outlaw slavery in the District of Columbia. He had the satisfaction of living long enough to see the gag rule repealed.

12. Adams suffered a stroke in 1848 when he rose on the House floor to speak on what issue?

Answer: the Mexican War

All were issues Adams was interested in, but it was the Mexican War which Adams objected to and a measure relating to the war was being debated. He died 2 days later in the Speaker's Room of the House.

13. Adams is sometimes said to be the father of what Institution, established in 1846?

Answer: Smithsonian

While President Adams had pushed without success for Federal Government support for scientific pursuits, and he was a strong supporter of the Smithsonian when it later came before Congress while he was still serving as a representative from Massachusets.

14. Adams kept a diary throughout his adult life. At what age did he begin writing in his diary?

Answer: 11

He began writing the diary when he went with his father to France at age 11.

15. The voluminous diaries of John Quincy Adams were kept under lock and key until when?

Answer: 1951

Although Adams' grandson, Charles Francis Adams, had earlier published an edited version, the complete diary was not released until 1951, after a vigorous debate among Adams' great-grandsons who were considering whether to burn them.

Source: Author chessart

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