Hardest President Thomas Jefferson and His Times Trivia Quiz | World

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Jefferson's estate of Monticello was not the only property he owned in the Charlottesville, Virginia countryside. Which is the name of his other 483-acre property adjoining Monticello in Charlottesville?

Answer: Montalto

Jefferson purchased Montalto on October 17, 1777. Although the land was never developed, Jefferson had plans for a possible aqueduct from the Montalto spring and an observation tower. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has announced plans to acquire Montalto for historic preservation.

Nearby Highland (now known as Ash Lawn) near Charlottesville was the estate of the 5th US President James Monroe - for which it is said Jefferson was a consulting architect.

2. Jefferson was adamant that his epitaph memorialize three - and only three - of his lifetime endeavors. Which accomplishment did he consider less worthy of inclusion?

Answer: President of the United States

Referring to the Presidency, Jefferson said:

"The second office [Vice President] of the government is honorable and easy, the first [President] is but a splendid misery." ...from a letter to Elbridge Gerry (May 13, 1797).

3. Which significant role did Martha "Patsy" Washington Jefferson Randolph play in the life and times of her father?

Answer: All of these

Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph was Jefferson's eldest daughter. She lived at the White House in the winters of 1803-1804 and 1805-1806 and served as the White House hostess.

She gave birth to the first child born at the White House (James Madison Randolph) on January 17, 1806.

Interestingly, the second child born at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was black, born in 1806 to Fanny and Eddy, two of President Jefferson's slaves.

Jefferson's 5 other children were: Jane Randolph (1774-1775), a stillborn or unnamed son (1777), Mary "Polly" Wayles (1778-1804), Lucy Elizabeth (1780-1781), and Elizabeth (1782-1785).

4. Only one state was added to the Union during Jefferson's 8-year administration. Although its physical borders were established by an Act of Congress in 1803, its admission to the United States was not ratified at that time. Which state had its formal admission to the United States delayed until August 7, 1953?

Answer: Ohio

Prior to the admission of the State of Louisiana by Act of Congress in 1812, there was no designated legal provision for the admission of a state to the Union.

On August 7, 1953, President Eisenhower signed an Act of Congress ratifying Ohio's admission to the United States, retroactive to March 1, 1803.

5. In which Frenchman did Jefferson place his confidence to pave the way with Napoleon for the negotiations to purchase the Port of New Orleans in 1803? His guidance and influence resulted in the Louisiana Purchase.

Answer: �leuth�re Ir�n�e du Pont de Nemours

From his years as an envoy to Paris from the Continental Congress, Jefferson considered �. I. du Pont both a friend and confidant. At Jefferson's request, du Pont entered into back-channel communications with Napoleon's government during a personal visit to Paris in 1802.

With his advance knowledge of the state of French politics, du Pont provided invaluable information to James Monroe and Robert Livingston in their negotiations with the French. He was instrumental in encouraging the French to relinquish not only the Port of New Orleans but the entire Louisiana Territory as well.

du Pont emigrated to the United States after the French Revolution and in 1799 founded the I. E. du Pont company as a gunpowder mill. Today it is one of the largest international corporations.

Ren� Robert de La Salle (1643-1687); Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910-1997); Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859).

6. Which of his two Vice-Presidents did Jefferson unsuccessfully pursue for conviction on criminal charges of treason against the United States?

Answer: Aaron Burr

After Burr mortally wounded Alexander Hamilton in a duel in 1804, he left the Vice-Presidency.

Burr then traveled to the areas of the Louisiana Purchase where he had leased property in the Bastrop Land Grants (Texas). There he was alleged to have conspired to become King or Emperor of Louisiana.

Burr stood trial for treason against the United States in 1807 but was not convicted.

7. As of 2008, the only Supreme Court justice to be impeached in the history of the United States was exonerated by trial in the Senate of the United States in 1805. Who was this "victim" of alleged partisan political impeachment during Jefferson's administration?

Answer: Samuel Chase

The senatorial majority of Democratic-Republicans sought to undo many of the appointments of Federalist President John Adams to the bench. The irascible Chase made a perfect target for them.

Chase was acquitted of the 8 charges of impeachment by the Senate on March 1 1805.

The charges alleged inappropriate application of judicial procedures and poor performance, The acquittal set a precedent that, in general, no sitting judge may be impeached and found guilty solely on the basis of judicial performance.

8. On March 16, 1802 Jefferson signed "The Military Peace Establishment Act" authorizing the first United States military academy. Which branch of the military staffed this first academy and where was it located?

Answer: US Army - West Point NY

Jefferson had a passion for scientific education, culminating in his drive to establish The University of Virginia.

Since the administration of Washington, the Federalists had called for the establishment of some sort of military academy.

The establishment of West Point marked one of the highlights of cooperation between the Democratic-Republicans and the Federalists during Jefferson's administration.

9. Based on his 6th Annual Message to Congress, Jefferson signed into law which Act against "violations of human rights" on March 17, 1807, to become effective January 1, 1808?

Answer: Prohibition of the Slave Trade

The United States Constitution (1787) prohibited enactment of any law affecting the slave trade before January 1, 1808.

By signaling his intentions at the annual message of 1806, Jefferson gave clear indication that he would abolish the slave trade in the United States at the earliest opportunity.

Congress passed "An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves into any Port or Place Within the Jurisdiction of the United States...." on March 2, 1807."

10. Jefferson's impressive tombstone at Monticello is not the original grave marker; it is a replica of the original. Where is the original tombstone of Jefferson's grave?

Answer: The University of Missouri

The original tombstone had fallen into disrepair by the time the land was purchased by Uriah Phillips Levy in 1836. The tombstone was eventually removed and held in storage at the estate of Thomas Jefferson Randolph.

In 1885, the descendants of Jefferson approved the donation of the original grave marker to The University of Missouri. It is now found at the Jefferson Garden of the Francis Quadrangle at the University of Missouri.

Source: Author socalmiguel

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Bruyere before going online.
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President Thomas Jefferson and His Times Quiz

"I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing..." Thomas Jefferson in a letter to James Madison (January 30, 1787);

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