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Quiz about The 1960 US Presidential Election

The 1960 US Presidential Election Quiz

A quiz about the 1960 Presidential election that saw John F. Kennedy defeat Richard Nixon by a razor thin margin.

A multiple-choice quiz by 81gaucho. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
81gaucho

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
156,509

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
856

Last 3 plays: ZWOZZE (2/10), Guest 174 (9/10), Midget40 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Besides John F. Kennedy, who were the main contenders for the Democratic nomination in 1960? Hint

Adlai Stevenson & Richard Nixon

Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum

Jimmy Carter & Lyndon Johnson

Hubert Humphrey & Lyndon Johnson

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Question 2 of 10

2. Besides Richard Nixon, who was the main contender for the Republican nomination in 1960? Hint

Nobody

Nelson Rockefeller

Barry Goldwater

Robert Taft

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Question 3 of 10

3. Historians generally regard Kennedy's victory in this state's primary election as the springboard to his nomination. Hint

California

West Virginia

Arkansas

Texas

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who was Nixon's Vice Presidential running mate in 1960? Hint

Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Nelson Rockefeller

Spiro Agnew

Thomas Kuchel

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Question 5 of 10

5. The contest between Kennedy and Nixon was the first Presidential election ever between a sitting Vice President and a sitting U.S. Senator.

True

False

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Question 6 of 10

6. Where was the Democratic National Convention held in 1960? Hint

Boston

New York

Los Angeles

Chicago

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Question 7 of 10

7. Where was the Republican National Convention held in 1960? Hint

Miami

Chicago

San Francisco

Kansas City

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Question 8 of 10

8. Kennedy defeated Nixon by very narrow margins in these two states. Had Nixon won them, he would have won the election. Hint

Illinois & Texas

Pennsylvania & Michigan

California & Ohio

Florida & New Jersey

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Question 9 of 10

9. What was the result of the popular vote in the 1960 Presidential election? Hint

Kennedy won by approximately 115,000 votes.

Kennedy won by approximately 500,000 votes

Nixon won by approximately 250,000 votes

Kennedy won by over 1,000,000 votes

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Question 10 of 10

10. Of the 537 electoral votes, Kennedy won 303 and Nixon won 219. What happened to the other 15? Hint

Alaska and Hawaii's electoral votes weren't counted

15 Electors from states won by Nixon voted for Barry Goldwater

15 Electors abstained to protest against alleged voter fraud in Illinois and Texas

15 went to segregationist Senator Harry Byrd (VA)

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 02 2024 : ZWOZZE: 2/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 174: 9/10
Mar 12 2024 : Midget40: 3/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Besides John F. Kennedy, who were the main contenders for the Democratic nomination in 1960?

Answer: Hubert Humphrey & Lyndon Johnson

Stevenson lost to Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956.

2. Besides Richard Nixon, who was the main contender for the Republican nomination in 1960?

Answer: Nobody

As the sitting two term Vice President under Eisenhower, Nixon was virtually unopposed for the nomination. Nelson Rockefeller was considering running for president until the so-called "Compact of Fifth Avenue", in which he agreed to withdraw in exchange for inclusion of certain of his more "liberal" policies in Nixon's election manifesto.

3. Historians generally regard Kennedy's victory in this state's primary election as the springboard to his nomination.

Answer: West Virginia

Kennedy was attempting to become the first Catholic President; after he defeated Humphrey in largely Protestant West Virginia, it was then believed he could win the general election.

4. Who was Nixon's Vice Presidential running mate in 1960?

Answer: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.

Agnew was Nixon's running mate in 1968 and 1972. Kuchel was a moderate Republican from California who assumed Nixon's senate seat when Nixon became Vice President in 1952. Lodge's father was a Senator in the early 20th century who led the fight against the U.S. joining the League of Nations after World War I.

5. The contest between Kennedy and Nixon was the first Presidential election ever between a sitting Vice President and a sitting U.S. Senator.

Answer: True

Strange as it may seem, this is still the only time this has happened (up to and including the 2000 election). It almost happened in 1836 when sitting V.P. Martin Van Buren ran against William Henry Harrison, but Harrison was a former Senator vs. a sitting Senator.

6. Where was the Democratic National Convention held in 1960?

Answer: Los Angeles

It was held at the L.A. Sports Arena. Kennedy made his acceptance speech next door at the L.A. Coliseum.

7. Where was the Republican National Convention held in 1960?

Answer: Chicago

San Francisco hosted the 1956 and 1964 Republican conventions, Miami did so in 1968, and Kansas City hosted in 1976.

8. Kennedy defeated Nixon by very narrow margins in these two states. Had Nixon won them, he would have won the election.

Answer: Illinois & Texas

There were widespread allegations of voter fraud in these states, which Kennedy narrowly won. Had the results been reversed, Nixon would have won the electoral college. Many Republicans, including Dwight Eisenhower, encouraged Nixon to ask for a recount in these states, but he declined to do so.

9. What was the result of the popular vote in the 1960 Presidential election?

Answer: Kennedy won by approximately 115,000 votes.

Out of nearly 70 million votes cast, Kennedy's plurality in the popular vote was less than 0.2%

10. Of the 537 electoral votes, Kennedy won 303 and Nixon won 219. What happened to the other 15?

Answer: 15 went to segregationist Senator Harry Byrd (VA)

Although Kennedy won Alabama, 5 of Alabama's 11 Electors voted for Harry Byrd to protest against Kennedy's pro-civil rights philosophy. One Elector from Oklahoma (won by Nixon) also voted for Byrd. In the popular vote in Mississippi, "Uncommitted" beat both Kennedy and Nixon. Thus, Mississippi's Electors also voted for Byrd.

Source: Author 81gaucho

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