A Trivia On The History Of America In A Nutshell
Embark on a whirlwind tour through American history with our 'America in a Nutshell: History Trivia Quiz.' From the Founding Fathers to key historical events, this quiz compresses the nation's complex narrative into bite-sized questions. Test your knowledge on pivotal moments, influential figures, and cultural milestones that have shaped the United States. Whether you're a history buff, a student, or someone curious about America's past, this trivia quiz offers a lively challenge, providing a quick and entertaining journey through the essential highlights of the nation's captivating history.
- 1.
 In Lincoln's second inaugural address, he _____________________.
- A.
Made it clear that the Confederacy would not be forgiven
- B.
Declared that all former slaves would be given 40 acres and a mule
- C.
Said that he wanted peace and had hatred towards non
- D.
Announced that he would step down as president
Correct Answer
C. Said that he wanted peace and had hatred towards nonExplanation
In Lincoln's second inaugural address, he expressed his desire for peace and reconciliation, even with the Confederacy. He did not hold hatred towards non, but instead emphasized the need for unity and healing in the nation.Rate this question:
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- 2.
 Lincoln was killed at _______________.
- A.
Ford Theater
- B.
The White House
- C.
Honda Opera House
- D.
Gettysburg.
Correct Answer
A. Ford TheaterExplanation
Lincoln was killed at Ford Theater. This historic event took place on April 14, 1865, when President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. The assassination occurred during the final days of the American Civil War and had a significant impact on the nation's history.Rate this question:
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- 3.
 President Johnson did not want __________________.
- A.
To accept any of the Confederate states back in the Union
- B.
Georgia to be known as the peach state
- C.
To allow former slaves the right to vote
- D.
Slavery to end
Correct Answer
C. To allow former slaves the right to voteExplanation
President Johnson did not want to allow former slaves the right to vote. This can be inferred from his opposition to the 14th Amendment, which granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all individuals, including former slaves. Johnson believed that voting rights should be determined by the states, and he opposed federal intervention in this matter. He also issued pardons to many former Confederates and allowed them to regain political power, which further demonstrates his reluctance to grant voting rights to former slaves.Rate this question:
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- 4.
 The Freedmen's Bureau did not supply former slaves with ____________
- A.
Land
- B.
Clothes
- C.
Food
- D.
Education
Correct Answer
A. LandExplanation
The Freedmen's Bureau did not supply former slaves with land. The bureau was established after the American Civil War to provide assistance to newly freed slaves and impoverished white Southerners. While it did provide aid in the form of clothing, food, and education, it did not distribute land to former slaves. Land redistribution was a contentious issue during the Reconstruction era, and although some efforts were made to provide land to former slaves, it was not a widespread practice supported by the Freedmen's Bureau.Rate this question:
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- 5.
 The Black Codes did not allow _______________
- A.
Former slaves the right to get married
- B.
Former slaves the right to trial by jury
- C.
Former slaves the right to travel out of state
- D.
Former slaves to be unemployed
Correct Answer
D. Former slaves to be unemployedExplanation
The Black Codes were a series of laws enacted in the Southern states after the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans. These codes aimed to maintain white control and limit the social and economic opportunities available to former slaves. One of the provisions of the Black Codes was to prevent former slaves from being unemployed, as they were required to work in order to maintain their freedom.Rate this question:
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- 6.
 Congress during Johnson's Presidency was mostly made up of ______________.
- A.
Republicans that supported the Civil Rights Act
- B.
Democrats the supported state rights
- C.
Independents that took neither side
- D.
Evil scientists that wanted to rule the world, by training laser cats to form an army
Correct Answer
A. Republicans that supported the Civil Rights ActExplanation
During Johnson's Presidency, the Congress was mostly made up of Republicans who supported the Civil Rights Act. This is because Johnson, a Democrat, was able to garner bipartisan support for the Act, which aimed to end racial segregation and discrimination. Many Republicans recognized the importance of advancing civil rights and joined forces with Democrats to pass this landmark legislation.Rate this question:
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- 7.
 The 14th amendment stated _____________.
- A.
All former slaves would be paid for their years of work while they were slaves
- B.
A former slave could not run for president
- C.
Only those that could read would be allowed to vote
- D.
Former slaves were citizens with full civil rights
Correct Answer
D. Former slaves were citizens with full civil rightsExplanation
The correct answer is that the 14th amendment stated that former slaves were citizens with full civil rights. This amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It also guaranteed equal protection under the law and due process of law to all citizens. This amendment was a significant step towards ensuring the rights and equality of African Americans after the Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 8.
 The 15th amendment said that ____________________.
- A.
The right to vote would only go to those who could read.
- B.
The right to vote went all property owners
- C.
A mule would be given to every freedman
- D.
Voting could not be denied a person because of their race
Correct Answer
D. Voting could not be denied a person because of their raceExplanation
The correct answer is "voting could not be denied a person because of their race." This answer is supported by the historical context of the 15th amendment, which was ratified in 1870 and aimed to grant African American men the right to vote. The amendment specifically stated that the right to vote could not be denied or abridged based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This marked an important milestone in the fight for racial equality and civil rights in the United States.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) got away with most of their crimes, because:
- A.
They were never caught
- B.
They committed no crimes
- C.
They hid in the swamps
- D.
No one wanted to testify against them
Correct Answer
D. No one wanted to testify against themExplanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) managed to escape punishment for their crimes because no one was willing to testify against them. This lack of cooperation from witnesses made it difficult for law enforcement to gather evidence and bring the perpetrators to justice. The fear and intimidation tactics employed by the KKK created a climate of silence and reluctance among potential witnesses, allowing the organization to evade accountability for their actions.Rate this question:
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- 10.
This gave former Confederates the right to vote again.
- A.
They said they were sorry, hugged, and made up with the North
- B.
Democrats seized control of the congress
- C.
The enforcement act
- D.
The Amnesty Act gave them back the right
Correct Answer
D. The Amnesty Act gave them back the rightExplanation
The Amnesty Act was a piece of legislation that granted former Confederates the right to vote again. This act was passed by Congress as a way to promote reconciliation and restore political rights to those who had been involved in the Confederacy during the Civil War. By giving them back the right to vote, the Amnesty Act aimed to reintegrate former Confederates into the political process and foster unity within the country.Rate this question:
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- 11.
This President enforced Military Reconstruction.
- A.
Johnson
- B.
Grant
- C.
Hayes
- D.
LaRose
Correct Answer
B. GrantExplanation
Grant is the correct answer because he was the President who enforced Military Reconstruction. After the Civil War, Grant implemented policies to rebuild and reconstruct the South, including the use of military force to protect the rights of freed slaves and ensure their participation in the political process. His administration also worked to suppress the activities of the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups. Grant's commitment to military enforcement of Reconstruction policies was a significant aspect of his presidency.Rate this question:
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- 12.
This President opposed congress with constant vetoes, but was always overruled.
- A.
Lincoln
- B.
Johnson
- C.
Grant
- D.
Obama
Correct Answer
B. JohnsonExplanation
President Johnson, also known as Andrew Johnson, opposed Congress with constant vetoes during his presidency. However, he was consistently overruled by Congress, indicating that his vetoes did not hold much power or influence. This opposition between Johnson and Congress is a key aspect of his presidency, highlighting the challenges and conflicts he faced during his time in office.Rate this question:
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- 13.
This President won the election because he agreed to leave the South alone, thus ending Reconstruction.
- A.
Hayes
- B.
Lincoln
- C.
Grant
- D.
Johnson
Correct Answer
A. HayesExplanation
Hayes won the election because he agreed to leave the South alone, thus ending Reconstruction. This suggests that Reconstruction was a controversial and divisive issue at the time, and Hayes' willingness to compromise on it likely appealed to voters. By promising to withdraw federal troops from the South and allowing Southern states to handle their own affairs, Hayes was able to gain support and ultimately win the election.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which of these was not a trick to take away voting rights of Freedmen?
- A.
Poll taxes
- B.
The grandfather clause
- C.
Secret ballots
- D.
Literacy tests
Correct Answer
C. Secret ballotsExplanation
Secret ballots were not a trick to take away voting rights of Freedmen. Secret ballots are a voting method that ensures the privacy of the voter's choice, allowing them to vote without fear of intimidation or coercion. The other options, such as poll taxes, the grandfather clause, and literacy tests, were tactics used during the Reconstruction era to disenfranchise Freedmen and prevent them from exercising their right to vote.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Jim Crow Laws spelled out __________________.
- A.
Rules for making new laws
- B.
Where and when segregation would occur
- C.
What freedoms Freedmen had
- D.
What a state had to do to rejoin the union
Correct Answer
B. Where and when segregation would occurExplanation
The Jim Crow Laws were a set of laws that enforced racial segregation in the United States. These laws specified the places and situations where segregation would take place, such as separate schools, water fountains, and seating areas for Black and White individuals. They dictated the "separate but equal" treatment of different races and institutionalized racial discrimination in various aspects of life, including public facilities, transportation, and housing. Therefore, the correct answer is that the Jim Crow Laws spelled out where and when segregation would occur.Rate this question:
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- 16.
This man sued the government over a Jim Crow law.
- A.
Homer Simpson
- B.
Homer Johnson
- C.
Homer Plessy
- D.
Homer Ferguson
Correct Answer
C. Homer PlessyExplanation
Homer Plessy is the correct answer because he was a man who sued the government over a Jim Crow law. Jim Crow laws were a system of racial segregation in the United States, and Plessy's case, Plessy v. Ferguson, became a landmark Supreme Court decision in 1896. Plessy challenged a Louisiana law that required racial segregation on trains, arguing that it violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause. The Supreme Court's ruling in favor of segregation established the "separate but equal" doctrine, allowing for legal segregation for several decades.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The supreme court ruled in Plessy vs Ferguson that _____________________.
- A.
Segregation was illegal and would stop
- B.
Segregation was only permissible in private property
- C.
Segregation was fine no matter what
- D.
Segregation was okay as long as the separate facilities were roughly equal
Correct Answer
D. Segregation was okay as long as the separate facilities were roughly equalExplanation
The correct answer is segregation was okay as long as the separate facilities were roughly equal. This ruling, known as the "separate but equal" doctrine, established the legal basis for racial segregation in the United States. It allowed for the segregation of public facilities, such as schools and transportation, as long as they were deemed to be equal in quality. However, this ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Most African Americans decided to _______________________.
- A.
Go back to Arica
- B.
Move to the North
- C.
Become Cowboys and Indian fighters
- D.
Stay in the South
Correct Answer
D. Stay in the SouthExplanation
During the period of African American migration in the United States, most African Americans decided to stay in the South. This can be attributed to various reasons such as economic opportunities, family ties, and cultural connections. Despite the challenges and discrimination they faced, many African Americans chose to remain in the South and work towards civil rights and equality within their communities. This decision played a significant role in shaping the history and culture of African Americans in the Southern states.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Most Republicans during this time period were__________________.
- A.
Northerners or freedmen
- B.
Southerners or poor northerners
- C.
Rich planters
- D.
Women
Correct Answer
A. Northerners or freedmenExplanation
During this time period, most Republicans were either northerners or freedmen. The Republican Party gained significant support from northerners who were opposed to slavery and sought to promote civil rights for African Americans. Additionally, freedmen, who were former slaves, also aligned themselves with the Republican Party as they believed it would protect their newly acquired rights and freedoms. Therefore, the majority of Republicans during this time were comprised of northerners who opposed slavery and freedmen seeking to secure their rights.Rate this question:
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- 20.
These people were seen as intruding vultures during Reconstruction.
- A.
Scalawags
- B.
Rapscallions
- C.
Jaggedylanterns
- D.
Carpetbaggers
Correct Answer
D. CarpetbaggersExplanation
During Reconstruction, "carpetbaggers" referred to individuals from the North who moved to the South following the American Civil War. They were seen as "intruding vultures" because many Southerners viewed them as opportunistic and exploitative. These individuals often came to the South with the intention of profiting from the region's economic and political instability. The term "carpetbagger" carried a negative connotation, suggesting that these individuals were taking advantage of the South's vulnerable state for personal gain.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Nov 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Oct 14, 2011Quiz Created by
Jlarose22
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