American Government/ History Quiz
This quiz will test your basic knowledge of our government and the history of the U. S. Some questions were taken from tests that are used everyday like the government naturalization exams, History 101 tests etc. .
- 1.
Which of the following are the inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence?
- A.
. life, liberty, and property
- B.
Honor, liberty, and peace
- C.
Liberty, health, and community
- D.
Life, respect, and equal protection
- E.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Correct Answer
E. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessExplanation
The inalienable rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These rights are considered to be fundamental and cannot be taken away or denied by any government or authority. They are seen as inherent to all individuals and are the foundation of a free and just society.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In 1933 the government programs started by Franklin D. Roosevelt became known as:
- A.
The Great Society
- B.
The Square Deal
- C.
The New Deal
- D.
The New Frontier
- E.
Supply-side economics
Correct Answer
C. The New DealExplanation
The correct answer is the New Deal. In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated a series of government programs aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression. These programs were collectively known as the New Deal. The New Deal included various measures such as the creation of public works projects, financial reforms, and social welfare programs, all aimed at stimulating the economy and providing assistance to those affected by the economic downturn. This comprehensive set of policies and programs had a significant impact on the United States and is often credited with helping to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression.Rate this question:
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- 3.
What are the three branches of government?
- A.
Executive, legislative, judicial
- B.
Executive, legislative, military
- C.
Bureaucratic, military, industry
- D.
Federal, state, local
Correct Answer
A. Executive, legislative, judicialExplanation
The three branches of government are executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and is headed by the president. The legislative branch is responsible for making laws and is made up of Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives. The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws and is made up of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. These three branches work together to ensure a system of checks and balances in the government.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The United States Electoral College:
- A.
Trains those aspiring for higher political office
- B.
Was established to supervise the first televised presidential debates
- C.
Is otherwise known as the U.S. Congress
- D.
Is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president
- E.
Was ruled undemocratic by the Supreme Court
Correct Answer
D. Is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the presidentExplanation
The United States Electoral College is a constitutionally mandated assembly that elects the president. It was established as a compromise during the drafting of the U.S. Constitution to balance the interests of smaller and larger states in the election process. The Electoral College consists of electors from each state who cast their votes to determine the outcome of the presidential election. This system ensures that both the popular vote and the interests of smaller states are considered in the election of the president.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The Bill of Rights explicitly prohibits:
- A.
Prayer in public school
- B.
Discrimination based on race, sex, or religion
- C.
The ownership of guns by private individuals
- D.
Establishing an official religion for the United States
- E.
The president from vetoing a line item in a spending bill
Correct Answer
D. Establishing an official religion for the United StatesExplanation
The Bill of Rights explicitly prohibits the establishment of an official religion for the United States. This means that the government cannot favor or endorse any particular religion over others or force individuals to adhere to a specific religious belief. This provision ensures religious freedom and prevents the government from interfering in matters of personal faith.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Under Our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
- A.
Make treaties
- B.
Make zoning laws
- C.
Maintain prisons
- D.
Establish standards for doctors and lawyers
Correct Answer
A. Make treatiesExplanation
One power of the federal government is the ability to make treaties. This means that the federal government has the authority to negotiate and enter into agreements with other countries. Treaties can cover a wide range of issues such as trade, defense, and diplomacy. By having this power, the federal government can represent the interests of the United States on the international stage and establish agreements that promote cooperation and mutual benefits with other nations.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Name one right or freedom guaranteed by the first amendment.
- A.
Right to bear arms
- B.
Due process
- C.
Religion
- D.
Right to counsel
Correct Answer
C. ReligionExplanation
The first amendment guarantees the right to freedom of religion. This means that individuals have the freedom to practice any religion of their choice, or no religion at all, without interference or persecution from the government. It ensures that the government cannot establish a state religion and also protects individuals' rights to express their religious beliefs and engage in religious activities freely.Rate this question:
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- 8.
What was the source of the following phrase: “Government of the people, by the people, for the people”?
- A.
The speech “I Have a Dream”
- B.
Declaration of Independence
- C.
U.S. Constitution
- D.
Gettysburg Address
Correct Answer
D. Gettysburg AddressExplanation
The phrase "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" was sourced from the Gettysburg Address. This famous speech was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, specifically at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lincoln used this phrase to emphasize the idea of a government that is formed and operated by the people, and exists to serve the people's needs and interests.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas would all agree that:
- A.
All moral and political truth is relative to one’s time and place
- B.
Moral ideas are best explained as material accidents or byproducts of evolution
- C.
Values originating in one’s conscience cannot be judged by others
- D.
Christianity is the only true religion and should rule the state
- E.
Certain permanent moral and political truths are accessible to human reason
Correct Answer
B. Moral ideas are best explained as material accidents or byproducts of evolution -
- 10.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his "I have a dream speech" talked about?
- A.
Argued for the abolition of slavery
- B.
Advocated black separatism
- C.
Morally defended affirmative action
- D.
Expressed his hopes for racial justice and brotherhood
- E.
Proposed that several of America’s founding ideas were discriminatory
Correct Answer
D. Expressed his hopes for racial justice and brotherhoodExplanation
In his "I have a dream speech," Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his hopes for racial justice and brotherhood. He spoke about his vision of a future where all individuals, regardless of their race, would be treated equally and live harmoniously together. He emphasized the importance of overcoming racial discrimination and achieving a society where people are judged by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin. King's speech became a powerful symbol of the civil rights movement and continues to inspire people to strive for racial equality.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Sputnik was the name given to the first
- A.
Telecommunications system
- B.
Animal to travel to space
- C.
Hydrogen bomb
- D.
Man made satellite
Correct Answer
D. Man made satelliteExplanation
Sputnik was the name given to the first man-made satellite. It was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957 and marked the beginning of the Space Age. Sputnik orbited the Earth and transmitted signals back to Earth, opening up new possibilities for space exploration and telecommunications.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Puritans
- A.
Opposed all wars on moral grounds
- B.
Stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
- C.
Believed in complete religious freedom
- D.
Colonized Utah under the leadership of Brigham Young
- E.
Were Catholic missionaries escaping religious persecution
Correct Answer(s)
B. Stressed the sinfulness of all humanity
E. Were Catholic missionaries escaping religious persecutionExplanation
The Puritans believed in the doctrine of original sin, which taught that all humans were born sinful and were in need of redemption. They emphasized the sinful nature of humanity and the need for individuals to constantly strive for moral purity. This belief influenced their strict religious practices and their efforts to establish a society based on moral principles. The statement "were Catholic missionaries escaping religious persecution" is incorrect as the Puritans were Protestant, not Catholic, and they were not escaping religious persecution but rather seeking religious freedom.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Susan B. Anthony started and lead a movement for:
- A.
Guarantee women the right to vote in national elections
- B.
Guarantee former slaves the right to vote
- C.
Ensure that harsher laws against criminals were passed
- D.
Reduce the authority of the Constitution of the United States
Correct Answer
A. Guarantee women the right to vote in national electionsExplanation
Susan B. Anthony started and led a movement to guarantee women the right to vote in national elections. She was a prominent suffragist and played a crucial role in advocating for women's suffrage in the United States. Anthony dedicated her life to fighting for equality and women's rights, organizing campaigns, giving speeches, and leading protests. Her efforts contributed to the eventual passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The commander and chief of the military is?
- A.
Secretary of the army
- B.
Secretary of state
- C.
President
- D.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
Correct Answer
C. PresidentExplanation
The President is the commander-in-chief of the military in the United States. As the highest-ranking official in the country, the President has the authority to make decisions regarding the military's operations and strategic direction. This role is outlined in the Constitution, which designates the President as the civilian leader of the armed forces. The Secretary of the Army, Secretary of State, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs are all important positions within the military and national security apparatus, but they do not hold the ultimate authority over the military that the President does.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Two U.S. enemies during WWII were?
- A.
Canada and Mexico
- B.
Germany and Japan
- C.
England and Spain
- D.
China and Russia
Correct Answer
B. Germany and JapanExplanation
During World War II, Germany and Japan were both enemies of the United States. Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, sought to expand its territory and establish dominance over Europe. Japan, led by Emperor Hirohito, aimed to expand its empire in the Pacific region. Both countries engaged in aggressive military actions and were responsible for numerous atrocities during the war. The United States fought against Germany and Japan as part of the Allied forces, ultimately defeating both countries and bringing an end to the war.Rate this question:
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- 16.
In Oct. 1962 the U.S. and the Soviet Union almost went to war over what?
- A.
Control of East Berlin
- B.
Missiles in Cuba
- C.
Support of the Ho Chi Minh regime in Vietnam
- D.
Military support of the Marxist regime in Afghanistan
Correct Answer
B. Missiles in CubaExplanation
During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union were engaged in a tense standoff. In October 1962, the U.S. discovered that the Soviet Union was secretly installing nuclear missiles in Cuba, which posed a direct threat to the United States. This discovery led to a thirteen-day crisis known as the Cuban Missile Crisis, where the U.S. and the Soviet Union came close to engaging in a full-scale war. The U.S. demanded the removal of the missiles, and after intense negotiations, a peaceful resolution was reached, with the Soviet Union agreeing to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and removing missiles from Turkey.Rate this question:
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