1.
I became the 17th president of the United States when Abraham Lincoln was shot. I vetoes the 14th Amendment that granted African American men citizenship after the Civil War but was overturned by congress. I allowed southern leaders to create Jim Crow laws that created segregation in the south. I was impeached because I was so unpopular with the people. Who am I?
Correct Answer
A. Andrew Johnson
Explanation
Andrew Johnson is the correct answer because he became the 17th president of the United States after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. He vetoed the 14th Amendment, which granted African American men citizenship, but it was overturned by Congress. Johnson's lenient policies allowed southern leaders to create Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation in the South. He was also impeached due to his unpopularity with the people.
2.
I was the great Union Civil War general who accepted the surrender of the Confederacy that ended the Civil War. Later I became the nation's 18th president. Though I was a wonderful general, I was not a wonderful president. I was very trusting. Many politicians took advantage of that and the government became corrupt. Who am I?
Correct Answer
B. Ulysses S. Grant
Explanation
Ulysses S. Grant is the correct answer because he fits the description of being a great Union Civil War general who accepted the surrender of the Confederacy and later became the nation's 18th president. The explanation also mentions that he was not a wonderful president and that his trusting nature led to corruption in the government, which aligns with historical accounts of Grant's presidency.
3.
I was president 19th president serving from 1877 - 1881. I didn't do anything to stop the southern leaders who tried to take the vote away from black men. If it hadn't been for that, people would have seen that I was a good president. I was an honest man and ended the corruption of the Grant years. My wife was a supporter of the temperance movement. Who am I?
Correct Answer
C. Rutherford B. Hayes
Explanation
Rutherford B. Hayes is the correct answer because he served as the 19th president from 1877 to 1881. Although he did not take action against the southern leaders who attempted to suppress black voting rights, the statement suggests that he believed his presidency would have been viewed more positively if he had. It is mentioned that he was an honest man and he ended the corruption of the Grant years. Additionally, his wife's support for the temperance movement is mentioned.
4.
I was our 20th president for less than a year in 1881. I went to Williams College, became a school principal, and then a congressman. I might have been a good president, but a man with mental problems shot and killed me soon after I was elected. Who am I?
Correct Answer
D. James A. Garfield
Explanation
James A. Garfield was the 20th president of the United States, serving for less than a year in 1881. He attended Williams College, worked as a school principal, and later became a congressman. Unfortunately, his presidency was cut short when he was shot and killed by a man with mental problems shortly after being elected.
5.
I took over as the 21st president and served from 1881 - 1885. I was a reformer and wanted to make the government as efficient as possible. I made the Civil Service Commission powerful. My reforms angered some congressmen, and I was not nominated for a second term. Who am I?
Correct Answer
E. Chester A. Arthur
Explanation
Chester A. Arthur is the correct answer because he served as the 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. He was known as a reformer who aimed to make the government more efficient. One of his key actions was strengthening the Civil Service Commission. However, his reforms angered some congressmen, which ultimately led to him not being nominated for a second term.
6.
I was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. I was a truthful man. I was also a bachelor when I was elected. I got married and started a family while I was in the White House. During my first presidency, I saw the Apache chief Geronimo surrender to army forces and ending Indians' freedom. When my second presidency began, I had to deal with one of the nation's worst depression ever. I was a reformer but did not feel the government should interfere with the economy or social injustices. Who am I?
Correct Answer
F. Grover Cleveland
Explanation
Grover Cleveland is the correct answer because he was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. He was known for his honesty and was a bachelor when he was first elected, but got married and started a family while in the White House. During his first presidency, he witnessed the surrender of Apache chief Geronimo, which marked the end of Indian freedom. In his second presidency, he had to handle one of the nation's worst depressions. Cleveland was a reformer, but believed that the government should not interfere with the economy or social injustices.
7.
I was president from 1889-1893. My father was a member of Congress. My grandfather was the nation's ninth president. My great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence. During my presidency, I saw the Sherman Antitrust Act passed. I saw six new states admitted to the Union during my presidency. When I believed the country had a money surplus, I spent so much money, I left the nation in debt when I left the presidency. Who am I?
Correct Answer
G. Benjamin Harrison
Explanation
Benjamin Harrison is the correct answer because he was the president from 1889-1893, his father was a member of Congress, his grandfather was the nation's ninth president (William Henry Harrison), and his great-grandfather signed the Declaration of Independence (Benjamin Harrison V). During his presidency, the Sherman Antitrust Act was passed and six new states were admitted to the Union. He also believed the country had a money surplus and spent excessively, leaving the nation in debt when he left the presidency.
8.
I was president from 1897 - 1901. I was president during the Spanish - American War and at the beginning of the U.S.'s rise to a world power. I made the Philippine Islands, Guam, the Samoan Islands, and Puerto Rico - U.S. Territories. I annexed Hawaii. I was elected to a second term but six months after the election, I was shot by an anarchist. My Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt took over for me as president. Who am I?
Correct Answer
H. William McKinley
Explanation
William McKinley is the correct answer because he was the president from 1897 to 1901, during the Spanish-American War and the U.S.'s rise to a world power. He made the Philippine Islands, Guam, the Samoan Islands, and Puerto Rico U.S. territories, and annexed Hawaii. He was elected to a second term but was assassinated by an anarchist six months after the election, leading Theodore Roosevelt to take over as president.