George Washington's Presidency Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The term "Cabinet", still used today, was used to describe the president's group of most important advisors. How many people were in George Washington's Cabinet?

Answer: 4

The Presidential Cabinet was not placed in the United State's Constitution by the founders, but the president knew he needed some trusted advisors to aid him in leading the country. His four advisors during his first term were Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury), Henry Knox (Secretary of War) and Attorney General Edmund Randolph.

2. Did George Washington have the same people in his Cabinet for his second term that he did in his first term?

Answer: No

All of the original members of Washington's first term Cabinet were replaced by his second term. Also, during his second term, all four members were replaced again with four additional people that helped the president finish his time in office.

3. While establishing the judicial branch of the United States through the Judiciary Act of 1789, George Washington also created a new post that became part of his cabinet. His appointee for this post was Edmund Randolph. Which position did Washington create that Randolph filled?

Answer: Attorney General

Washington signed the Judiciary Act of 1789 into law, allowing him to establish the Supreme Court, the circuit courts and district courts. Since he was the first president and the one who signed the law, he also appointed all of the initial members of the judiciary, including the Attorney General. Edmund Randolph was appointed to the role which he held for the remainder of Washington's first term as president.

4. As part of the Judiciary Act of 1789, Washington appointed every member of the judiciary branch. Who was the first Supreme Court Chief Justice after being appointed by Washington?

Answer: John Jay

John Jay was a key piece of the Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War in 1783, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs for much of the 1780's. After his appointment to the Supreme Court as Chief Justice, Jay served as governor of New York for nearly six years. John Rutledge served as Jay's successor as Chief Justice after Jay resigned in 1795.

5. During Washington's second term, the Northwest Indian War broke out between the United States and the United Indian Nations. Washington authorized the U.S. Army to defend American interests in the territory. The final battle of this war was the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Which modern day state was the location of this battle?

Answer: Ohio

After the Treaty of Paris ended the Revolutionary War, the Northwest Territory, which included the Ohio Territory, was given to the United States from Great Britain. The local natives fought against the settlers coming into their territory, leading to the conflict. Washington, as commander-in-chief, instructed the Army to defend American expansion into the territory.

After a series of defeats, U.S. forces won the Battle of Fallen Timbers, effectively ending the war.

6. George Washington selected his vice presidential candidate before the election, as is done today.

Answer: False

The initial presidential election determined both the president and the vice president based on total electoral votes. The candidate with the most votes won the presidency, while the one with the second most votes won the vice presidency.

7. Washington did not receive a salary during his time as president.

Answer: False

Washington intended to not receive a salary for his presidency. Congress, however, insisted that the president be paid for his work for the country. Washington and his vice president, John Adams, both received salaries during their time in office.

8. What state did George Washington go back to after being president?

Answer: Virginia

He had a plantation in Virginia in which he returned to upon the completion of his two terms as president. Virginia has been home to several U.S. presidents over the years, including Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. These four Virginians held the office of president for 32 of the first 36 years of the United States.

9. Before the constitution, George Washington called the national government a rope of _____ ?

Answer: Sand

The Articles of Confederation, established in 1781, were the governing documents before the founders wrote the Constitution. Many of the founders believed that the Articles of Confederation were weak. There was no judiciary and no executive under the Articles of Confederation, and that weakness, among others, lead to its failure and the decision to develop the Constitution.

10. Who was George Washington's vice president?

Answer: John Adams

John Adams was the first vice president of the United States after a decisive electoral victory for George Washington, with Adams receiving the second most votes. After Washington's two terms, Adams was narrowly elected president over Thomas Jefferson for the country's second presidency.

Source: Author jddrsi_raven

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Do you know about the American government around George Washington's time? Let's see what we know from his time as the first president of the United States. Have fun, and good luck!
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author roobear

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George Washington's Presidency Quiz

Do you know about the American government around George Washington's time? Let's see what we know from his time as the first president of the United States. Have fun, and good luck! This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author roobear

Do you know about the American government around George Washington's time? Let's see what we know from his time as the first president of the United States. Have fun, and good luck!
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author roobear