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Quiz about American Politics of the 1970s

American Politics of the 1970s Quiz

US policies and leaders of the 1970s.

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

Author
libertarian

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
192,292

Updated
Feb 15 26

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1431

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What year did the Arab oil embargo trigger the beginning of the energy crisis? Hint

1974

1971

1973

1972

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Question 2 of 10

2. Who was George McGovern's running mate in the 1972 presidential election? Hint

Edmund Muskie

Hubert Humphrey

Sargent Shriver

Daniel Patrick Moynihan

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Question 3 of 10

3. Who shot George Wallace in 1972? Hint

Lawrence J. Mullins

Arthur H. Bremer

Dennis J. Lattmann

William E. Palmer

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Question 4 of 10

4. When did Richard Nixon resign the presidency? Hint

April 3, 1974

September 18, 1973

July 5, 1973

August 9, 1974

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Question 5 of 10

5. What year was the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe V. Wade decided? Hint

1972

1976

1974

1973

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Question 6 of 10

6. Who did Gerald Ford narrowly defeat in the race for the republican nomination for president in 1976?

Answer: (Full name or last name only.)

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Question 7 of 10

7. Who was Gerald Ford's running mate in the 1976 presidential election? Hint

George H. W. Bush

Ronald Reagan

Bob Dole

Nelson A Rockefeller

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Question 8 of 10

8. In the second presidential debate of 1976, Gerald Ford committed a blunder of massive proportions. What did he say that may well have cost him the election? Hint

Nixon is completely innocent of all charges

Eastern Europe is not occupied by Communists

I despise New York

The only way I will deal with Communists is with nuclear weapons

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Question 9 of 10

9. Jimmy Carter initiated the Department of Education in the federal government.

True

False

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 1979, 63 Americans were taken hostage in Iran. How long were the majority of the American hostages held in Iran before their release? Hint

555 days

222 days

444 days

333 days

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Most Recent Scores

Mar 05 2026 : clio714: 8/10
Feb 13 2026 : goodreporter: 7/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What year did the Arab oil embargo trigger the beginning of the energy crisis?

Answer: 1973

The oil embargo was only one of the many factors that lead to the energy crisis of the 1970s. There was a further sharp rise in oil prices in 1978.

2. Who was George McGovern's running mate in the 1972 presidential election?

Answer: Sargent Shriver

Thomas Eagleton was McGovern's original choice but he was eventually replaced by Shriver.

3. Who shot George Wallace in 1972?

Answer: Arthur H. Bremer

Wallace was shot at a political rally in Laurel, Maryland. He survived.

4. When did Richard Nixon resign the presidency?

Answer: August 9, 1974

Watergate caused Nixon to resign and the effects of the scandal on American politics lasted for a very long time.

5. What year was the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe V. Wade decided?

Answer: 1973

Norma McCorvey, a pregnant woman (Roe), challenged the Texas law that criminalized an abortion unless it was necessary to save the life of the mother in this extremely controversial Supreme Court case. The court decided in favor of McCorvey.

6. Who did Gerald Ford narrowly defeat in the race for the republican nomination for president in 1976?

Answer: Ronald Reagan

It was the closest race for the nomination in the history of the republican party. Both candidates won the primaries or caucuses in 25 states.

7. Who was Gerald Ford's running mate in the 1976 presidential election?

Answer: Bob Dole

Rockefeller was the incumbant vice president but Dole replaced him on the ballot.

8. In the second presidential debate of 1976, Gerald Ford committed a blunder of massive proportions. What did he say that may well have cost him the election?

Answer: Eastern Europe is not occupied by Communists

Most pundits felt Ford won the first debate. This blunder assured the loss of the second one. It might not have mattered anyway, many voters associated Ford with the Watergate scandal. Although Ford was not part of the scandal, he pardoned Nixon when he assumed the Presidency in 1974.

9. Jimmy Carter initiated the Department of Education in the federal government.

Answer: True

Jimmy Carter created the Department of Education as part of his promise to increase human and social services.

10. In 1979, 63 Americans were taken hostage in Iran. How long were the majority of the American hostages held in Iran before their release?

Answer: 444 days

The prolonged hostage crisis severely damaged Jimmy Carter?s political standing and became a central issue in the 1980 presidential election. Although 14 hostages were released earlier, the remaining 52 were freed on January 20, 1981, just minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworn in, ending their 444 days in captivity.

Source: Author libertarian

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