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The 11th President Trivia Quiz

Do you know the 11th President, James K. Polk? Take this quiz to find out.

A multiple-choice quiz by curtis9789. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
curtis9789

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
317,974

Updated
Mar 01 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
390

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. James K. Polk is the first president to have held the office of ________ before being elected president. Hint

Governor of North Carolina

Speaker of the House of Representatives

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

Vice President

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following institutions was established during James K. Polk's administration? Hint

The Army Academy at West Point

US Naval Academy at Annapolis

Harvard University

US Coast Guard Academy

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. James K. Polk was the first "Dark-Horse," or 'unknown' president.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Sarah Polk, the First Lady, hosted the first _______ at The White House. Hint

Thanksgiving dinner

Egg roll

Christmas dinner

Tennis match

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Polk was a supporter and close friend of Andrew Jackson. For that reason he acquired which of the following nicknames? Hint

Tennessee Hickory

Old Hickory

Young Hickory

Big Hickory

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. When he was sworn in on March 4th, 1845 he was the youngest man to become president up to that time.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The Mexican War was declared May 13th, 1846 and ended on February 2nd, 1848 with the Treaty of _________ . Hint

Guadalupe Hidalgo

Mexico City

Paris

San Antonio

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Under Polk's administration, which cabinet post was established? Hint

Department of the Interior

Postmaster General

Department of Agriculture

Secretary of Defense

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Polk was the first candidate for US president to successfully declare he would serve one term of 4 years.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Where was James K. Polk born? Hint

Tennessee

Virginia

South Carolina

North Carolina

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. James K. Polk is the first president to have held the office of ________ before being elected president.

Answer: Speaker of the House of Representatives

He was Speaker of the House from 1835-1839. Up to that time no other president has been Speaker of the House.

2. Which of the following institutions was established during James K. Polk's administration?

Answer: US Naval Academy at Annapolis

George Bancroft served as naval secretary under James K. Polk. He founded the US Naval Academy at Annapolis in 1845.

3. James K. Polk was the first "Dark-Horse," or 'unknown' president.

Answer: True

Polk was the first "Dark-Horse" candidate of many to be nominated for president by a major party. At first, former President Martin Van Buren was the front-runner. Later, he went downhill until on the 9th ballot the convention chose Polk.

4. Sarah Polk, the First Lady, hosted the first _______ at The White House.

Answer: Thanksgiving dinner

She was the hostess of the first annual Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.

5. Polk was a supporter and close friend of Andrew Jackson. For that reason he acquired which of the following nicknames?

Answer: Young Hickory

Andrew Jackson's nickname was "Old Hickory". James K. Polk got his nickname because of his firm support of Jacksonian principles, he opposed the 2nd Bank of the United States, and preferred gold and silver above paper money. For this behavior he earned the nickname of "Young Hickory".

6. When he was sworn in on March 4th, 1845 he was the youngest man to become president up to that time.

Answer: True

At 49 years old, he was the youngest person to become president up to that time. At 68 years old, the oldest president at the time was William Henry Harrison.

7. The Mexican War was declared May 13th, 1846 and ended on February 2nd, 1848 with the Treaty of _________ .

Answer: Guadalupe Hidalgo

The war lasted about a year and a half and resulted in Mexico's complete defeat. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. The Rio Grande became Texas' southern border. The United States also acquired California and all of New Mexico territory, a.k.a. the Mexican Cession. The United States now extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

8. Under Polk's administration, which cabinet post was established?

Answer: Department of the Interior

The first appointment though, was made by Zachary Taylor (the 12th president).

9. Polk was the first candidate for US president to successfully declare he would serve one term of 4 years.

Answer: True

He declared during his candidacy that he would serve only one term. He worked harder and longer than maybe any other President of the United States. During his four years in office he was away from his desk only 37 days. He died 3 months after leaving office.

10. Where was James K. Polk born?

Answer: North Carolina

He was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on November 2nd, 1795.

Source: Author curtis9789

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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