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You Don't Know John... Trivia Quiz

Not many people know about our second president, John Adams, overshadowed by the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Let's see if you know "Bonny" Johnny Adams and his term in office.

A multiple-choice quiz by Geniusman101. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Geniusman101

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
121,087

Updated
Mar 27 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
866

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. From what college did John Adams graduate? Hint

Princeton

William & Mary

Harvard

Yale

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which French foreign minister was involved in the infamous XYZ affair, which occurred during the Adams presidency?

Answer: (Last name only)

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of the undeclared war fought between America and France during Adams' term? Hint

French Revolution

Quasi War

Napoleonic Wars

Seven Years War

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which American in France in 1799 tried to make a treaty by himself, without the government's or Adams' consent? Hint

John Marshall

George Logan

Oliver Ellsworth

John Fries

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which laws were somehow passed by Adams (Federalist) to weaken the Democratic-Republican party and were considered, for the most part, unconstitutional? Hint

Excise Tax

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

Alien & Sedition Acts

Judiciary Act of 1801

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Question 6 of 10

6. As a president, John Adams did something daring. He sacrificed his chance at re-election for the good of his country. What did he do that was so important? Hint

Midnight Appointments (more Federalist judges added)

Convention of 1800 (peace with France)

Established Department of Navy

Put down a rebellion in Pennsylvania

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Question 7 of 10

7. Americans may know that John's wife was Abigail Adams, but what was her maiden name?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who was John Adams' Vice President? Hint

Thomas Jefferson

John Quincy Adams

Alexander Hamilton

Charles Cotsworth Pinckney

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Question 9 of 10

9. What were John Adams' famous last words?

Answer: (Three Words)

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Question 10 of 10

10. John Adams was selected to the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From what college did John Adams graduate?

Answer: Harvard

Adams graduated from Harvard and became a lawyer by 1758. The irony here is that Adams never liked school, or large groups of people, for that matter.

2. Which French foreign minister was involved in the infamous XYZ affair, which occurred during the Adams presidency?

Answer: Talleyrand

Adams sent over C.C. Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry to work out a treaty with France after the failed Jay's Treaty. Unfortunately for Adams, Talleyrand didn't respect America as a true nation at the time.

3. What was the name of the undeclared war fought between America and France during Adams' term?

Answer: Quasi War

This war was never declared, so not many people know about it today. It was waged on the open sea, and as a young country just recovering from a war, this was the last thing Adams needed.

4. Which American in France in 1799 tried to make a treaty by himself, without the government's or Adams' consent?

Answer: George Logan

There was a law passed directly after this called the Logan Act, which stated that no unauthorized citizen could go to a country and make a treaty for the United States.

5. Which laws were somehow passed by Adams (Federalist) to weaken the Democratic-Republican party and were considered, for the most part, unconstitutional?

Answer: Alien & Sedition Acts

The Sedition Act of the Alien & Sedition Acts said the president could fine or imprison anyone who spoke out, published, or wrote anything against a member of Congress or Executive Branch. They went completely against the Bill of Rights. No wonder the laws only lasted two years.

6. As a president, John Adams did something daring. He sacrificed his chance at re-election for the good of his country. What did he do that was so important?

Answer: Convention of 1800 (peace with France)

Adams sent over William Vans Murray, Oliver Ellsworth (Supreme Chief Justice), and William Davie to France to work out a treaty. Talleyrand, this time, accepted the Americans as a nation and was able to work out a deal.

7. Americans may know that John's wife was Abigail Adams, but what was her maiden name?

Answer: Smith

Abigail Smith, now known as Abigail Adams, married John in 1764. She was incredibly smart, and kept John informed of goings on while he was away.

8. Who was John Adams' Vice President?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

The vice presidency back then wasn't much of a job, and not much happened with Jefferson as VP.

9. What were John Adams' famous last words?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson survives

The irony was that Thomas Jefferson had in fact died a couple of hours earlier at his house, Monticello. They both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

10. John Adams was selected to the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence.

Answer: True

The committee consisted of such political greats as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

Source: Author Geniusman101

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