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1. (40) What scandal was the cause for President Nixon to make this famous speech?
Answer: (C) Watergate
Explanation: The Watergate scandal slowly emerged in newspaper articles from 1972 through 1974. President Nixon was often asked about this emerging scandal throughout these years which led up to this famous speech about his involvement (as he viewed it) in the subsequent cover-up of the Break-in at the Democratic National Committee's office in the Watergate towers in Washington D.C. To this day it is not known if he knew prior to the break-in occurring, but he was clearly involved in the cover-up of it thereafter. Once he was ordered to turn over his recorded audio tapes which clearly implicated him in this cover-up, he resigned from office in 1974.
2. (10) This President did not allow the USA Olympic team to travel to the Soviet Union and take part in the 1980 games because the Soviet Union was in conflict with Afghanistan.
Answer: (B) Jimmy Carter
Explanation: In the summer of 1980, the President of the U.S. was Jimmy Carter. Therefore, the only possible answer is Jimmy Carter. Ronald Reagan was elected in November 1980 and did not take office until January 1981.
3. (90) This President was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas, Texas.
Answer: (D) John Kennedy
Explanation: On November 22, 1963 Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President Kennedy at Delany Plaza in Dallas using a rifle. Oswald was arrested but was soon murdered himself by Jack Ruby as he was being escorted by the Dallas Police.
4. (60) Franklin Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941 as a date which will live in "infamy" after what major historical event occurred?
Answer: (A) Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor
Explanation: Because Pearl Harbor was attacked without a Declaration of War being announced prior by the Japanese, President Franklin Roosevelt declared that the date December 7, 1941 would live in "infamy." The U.S. was caught by surprise and lost 1000's of lives. Japan tried to time the strike at the same time they presented the U.S. Government with a War Declaration in Washington, however the Japanese diplomats did not carry out this declaration in time.
5. (50) The "Bay of Pigs" was an ill-fated attempt by Cuban exiles and US intelligence to recapture control of Cuba by an invasion from USA soil. This President signed-off on the mission but would not allow USA military participation.
Answer: (A) John Kennedy
Explanation: The CIA and then President Eisenhower adopted a plan to rid Cuba of Fidel Castro by using Cuban nationals with the assistance of U.S. Military air cover in a sea invasion from Florida. This plan was passed onto President Kennedy, he hesitantly accepted the plan but at the last moment held off U.S. Air support before the invasion. This allowed the invading Cuban nationals to get routed in the failed coup attempt.
6. (20) Elected in 1980, this President is credited with bringing patriotism back to America.
Answer: (C) Ronald Reagan
Explanation: Ronald Reagan was elected President in November 1980 and took office in January 1981 from the President Carter. This test item identifies that this president was elected in 1980. Therefore, the answer could only be Ronald Reagan.
7. (80) This president gave the go-ahead to drop atomic weapons on Japan in 1945 which essentially ended the war in the Pacific.
Answer: (B) Harry Truman
Explanation: Harry Truman became President upon the death of FDR in 1945. Soon thereafter, he was informed that the U.S. had Atomic Weapons ready. He decided to use these atomic bombs on Japan in the hopes it would save many thousands of U.S. Military lives which was estimated to cost with an invasion of Japan. Japan surrendered soon after the 2nd bomb was dropped in 1945.
8. (70) This man was appointed Vice President and later became President without ever being elected to either office.
Answer: (E) Gerald Ford
Explanation: When Vice President Agnew resigned his office due to his own tax scandal. Then President Nixon Named Gerald Ford as Vice President. Ford was then confirmed though Congress. Subsequently President Nixon resigned himself due to the Watergate scandal. Vice President Ford then became President. He was not elected as a Vice Presidential running mate with Richard Nixon nor as President himself. Thus, holding both offices without being elected to either.
9. (100) One of this Presidents famous speeches was in front of the Berlin Wall where he asked then Soviet Union President Gorbachov to "tear down this wall."
Answer: (D) Ronald Reagan
Explanation: President Reagan made this famous speech while standing in front of the Berlin Wall which separated then East and West Germany. Reagan stated that the wall represented an oppressed society and then called on then President of the Soviet Union Gorbachov to "tear down this wall."
10. (110) Dwight Eisenhower was a former General in the U.S. Army prior to becoming President of the United States.
Answer: (A) True
Explanation: True. Prior to becoming President, Eisenhower was a U.S. Army General in charge of the European Theater during World War II and was instrumental in the Normandy invasion.
11. (120) The war (conflict) in __________ involved Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford.
Answer: Vietnam
Explanation: The Vietnam war involved Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon and Ford. Kennedy first sent U.S. military advisors to South Vietnam. As the conflict escalated Johnson followed with more troops and direct U.S. Military involvement. Nixon continued with this conflict but looked for a way out. Finally in 1975 the U.S. withdrew from Vietnam under President Ford.
12. (30) The race to the moon between the Soviet Union and the USA caused President Kennedy to declare that the USA shall reach the moon by the end of the 1960's. What year did the USA finally land on the moon with a manned space craft?
Answer: (B) 1969
Explanation: the year was 1969 when the USA finally landed a manned space craft on the moon. Previous to this the U.S. and the Soviet Union have orbited the moon, but not until 1969 did a manned space craft land on the moon. Kennedy achieved this goal of landing on the moon before the 1960's was over, but he did not live to see it happen as he was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in November 1963 in Dallas.
