presidents
Who was the first president of the United States?
George Washington.
Who was the most prominent figure of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his approach of nonviolent protest?
Martin Luther King Jr
What is imperialism?
It is the policy or process by which a powerful nation extends its economic, political, or military control over other, weaker nations or territories.
What event triggered the official and direct entry of the United States into World War II?
The surprise Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) on December 7, 1941.
What was the financial event that marked the official beginning of the Great Depression in the United States?
The collapse of the Wall Street stock market—known as the "Crash of '29" or "Black Thursday"—which occurred on October 29, 1929 [U.S. History].
Which president is known for abolishing slavery and for delivering the famous Gettysburg Address?
Abraham Lincoln.
What famous speech did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver in 1963 during the March on Washington?
The "I Have a Dream" speech, in which he advocated for racial equality and the end of discrimination.
What name was given to the idea that the United States had the divine right to expand from coast to coast across the North American continent?
Manifest Destiny
Who was the president of the United States during most of World War II?
Franklin D. Roosevelt (served from 1933 until his death in April 1945)
Who was the President of the United States when the crisis began?
Herbert Hoover. Many people at the time blamed the poverty on his lack of government intervention, calling the shantytowns "Hoovervilles."
Who is the only president in the history of the United States to have served more than two terms?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Which historic decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1954 declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
What conflict accelerated the United States' transition toward an imperialist power in the late 19th century, and what territories did it gain?
The Spanish-American War (1898). Following its victory, the United States annexed Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, in addition to securing Cuba's independence.
What was the name of the top-secret United States project that developed the first atomic bombs?
The Manhattan Project. It culminated with the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.
What caused the massive collapse of thousands of banks during the early years of the Depression?
The "bank run." Upon learning of the crisis, millions of citizens rushed simultaneously to withdraw their savings, which left the banks without cash and forced them to close, resulting in the loss of depositors' money.
Who was the first and only president in American history to win the election unanimously in the Electoral College?
George Washington ( 1789 and 1792
What were the two most important federal laws passed in the 1960s that prohibited racial discrimination and segregation?
Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion,
Who was the U.S. Navy captain who,in 1890,argued that a powerful nation needed a modern navy and overseas bases to protect its international trade?
Alfred Thayer Mahan. You can learn more about his theories in The Influence of Sea Power Upon History
Which major naval battle in the Pacific is considered the turning point that halted Japanese expansion?
The Battle of Midway (June 1942), where the U.S. Navy destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers.
Which social security system, still in effect today, was created in 1935 as part of the New Deal?
A: The Social Security Act, designed to provide retirement pensions and assistance to the unemployed and the disabled.
Which U.S. president received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating the Russo-Japanese War?
Theodore Roosevelt
What was the name of the group of Black students who, in 1957, required the escort of federal troops sent by President Eisenhower to enter an all-white high school in Little Rock, Arkansas?
The Little Rock Nine
During the construction of the Panama Canal, how did Theodore Roosevelt's administration react to Colombia's refusal to permit the project?
The United States covertly supported a separatist movement to enable Panama to gain independence from Colombia, thereby allowing the U.S. to build and control the canal.
What executive order did President Roosevelt sign in 1942 that led to the forced internment of thousands of American citizens of Japanese descent?
Executive Order 9066.
What does the term "The First 100 Days" refer to in the context of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency?
It is the initial period of his term in 1933, during which Congress passed an unprecedented amount of New Deal legislation, including the creation of agencies such as the FDIC to insure bank deposits.