Who Am I? US Presidents Edition

HISTORY

By: Gavin Thagard

6 Min Quiz

Image: Associated Press photograph

About This Quiz

Laws, foreign policies, and war; the presidents of the United States have done it all, as they've guided the country for nearly 250 years. How much do you know about them, though? Here's a quiz where you can find out!

It would be hard to judge the history of the United States without looking at the presidents who have guided the country throughout that history. These presidents are leaders of the Free World, though maybe all of their acts as president haven't reflected that idea. Still, the country has progressed, and the president is usually the defining figure in that progression, as United States history is often seen as presidential history. 

Are you an expert on the presidents? Do you know everything about them? What if they described themselves to you, detailing some of their most important deeds or horrendous acts? What if they told you something about their past, such as their previous career? Would you be able to guess who they are? If you believe you can, then try out this quiz!

It isn't for everyone, however. You might want to make sure you know your presidents before you take it. Otherwise, they just might confuse you by what they reveal. If you're up for the challenge, then it's time to get started! 

When the United States went into the Great Depression, I began implementing the New Deal programs. Who am?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt also led the United States into World War II. He is the only president to ever be elected four times.

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I made the decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan. Who am I?

After defeating Germany, the United States knew a drawn-out war with Japan was not only probable but inevitable if they didn't do something different. For that reason, Truman made the decision to drop two atomic bombs on separate civilian cities in Japan, forcing Japan to surrender.

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I am the only president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms. Who am I?

Grover Cleveland was both the 22nd and the 24th President of the United States. His presidency was split by Benjamin Harrison, a Republican who previously served as a Senator from Indiana.

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I took over as President of the United States when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Who am I?

Lyndon Johnson always wanted to focus on social issues in the United States, but he was forced to deal with a war in Vietnam. As Johnson became further associated with the war, his support began to wane, and he didn't seek reelection in 1968.

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As one of the Founding Fathers, I drafted the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. Who am I?

James Madison was born to a tobacco planter in Virginia. Before becoming the fourth President of the United States, Madison served as the fifth United States Secretary of State.

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I was general of the Union Army during the Civil War. Who am I?

Ulysses S. Grant was given control of the Northern army after his predecessors failed to complete a major defeat against the South. Unwilling to wait out the South, Grant used all the resources necessary to crush the Southern army and end the war.

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I led the United States during World War I and wanted to join the League of Nations. Who am I?

Woodrow Wilson was a proponent of more open-border policies like free-trade, while also aiming to keep the United States out of the affairs of other world governments. Instead, he wanted each country to have the ability to choose its own political future.

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I was the Governor of Arkansas before defeating George H.W. Bush in the 1992 election. Who am I?

Bill Clinton was impeached by Congress in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice. He was later acquitted of the charges.

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I was the first president born as an American citizen after the American Revolution. Who am I?

Martin Van Buren was one of the earliest members of the Democratic Party. His presidency is remembered for the Panic of 1837, a financial crisis across the United States. The crisis turned into an economic depression, which is one of the reasons he lost the election in 1840.

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I was president during the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which left millions of people homeless. Who am I?

Hoover's presidency is marked by the beginning of the Great Depression in which people all across the country set up little self-made towns out of whatever material they could find. These towns were known as "Hoovervilles."

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Not only did I serve in the Civil War, but I also led the country during the Spanish-American War. Who am I?

After being elected to a second term, William McKinley was assassinated by Leon Czolgosz in 1901. McKinley was succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt.

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I was involved in the Watergate Scandal, which forced me to resign from my presidency. Who am I?

Nixon is the only president to ever resign from the presidency. Many historians believe he was a shoe-in to win the next election, which leaves them puzzled by the scandal.

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As President of the United States, I pardoned Richard Nixon for his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. Who am I?

Many people, particularly the Democrats, were upset with Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon. This is one of the main reasons he lost the election to Jimmy Carter in 1976.

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I was president during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. Who am I?

There are many conspiracy theories surrounding the 9/11 attacks. Whether they are true or not, the attacks launched the United States into another war.

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I was the first African-American President of the United States. Who am I?

Obama's presidency was marred by a constant standstill in Congress, where both political parties refused to compromise. One of his most controversial moves was the United States National Health Care Act, which expanded healthcare across the country.

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As the seventh President of the United States, I signed the Indian Removal Act, relocating all Native American tribes in the South. Who am I?

Andrew Jackson became popular for his advocation of the common man in America. Running for office with this in mind, he was one of the leading figures in the birth of the Democratic Party.

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I led the Revolutionary Army before becoming the first President of the United States. Who am I?

George Washington was the first President of the United States. One of his most important acts was stepping down after his second term, which would become law after Franklin​ Roosevelt was elected four times.

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I oversaw the annexation of the Republic of Texas and the Mexican Cession. Who am I?

Under James Polk, territory in the United States increased by almost a third of its size. Aside from adding lands from the Republic of Texas and the Mexican Cession, in 1848, Polk also oversaw the inclusion of the Oregon Territory.

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Before becoming president, I led invasions into France and Germany during World War II. Who am I?

At the end of his presidency, Dwight Eisenhower spoke about the military-industrial complex that was taking control of the weapons market. He feared this would make it too easy to start a war instead of trying to seek peace.

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I issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves across the South during the Civil War. Who am I?

Abraham Lincoln was the first president from the Republican Party. Before the Civil War, the Party sought to keep slaves out of new territories in the West. They wanted to preserve that land for settlers instead of slave owners.

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I became President of the United States when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Who am I?

With the Civil War wrapping up, the country faced a serious dilemma after Lincoln was assassinated because the North had to decide what to do with the South. Johnson's policies, which resembled Lincoln's philosophy, were easy on Southern states, which angered many people in the North and was one reason for Johnson's impeachment.

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I started and quickly ended military operations in both Panama and Iraq. Who am I?

Considering George H.W. Bush followed Ronald Reagan as president, the Republican Party was still popular around the country. However, by the end of his presidency, a recession had hit the country, and Bush was forced to raise taxes, which was one of the main reasons he wasn't reelected in 1992.

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A proponent of slavery, I signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which resulted in bloodshed across Kansas. Who am I?

Franklin Pierce sought to maintain peace between the North and the South by making several compromises with Southern slave states. Aside from the laws he passed, Pierce also pushed for the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act.

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I sent the Great White Fleet around the world as a display of American naval power. Who am I?

Theodore Roosevelt was president during the Progressive Era. Many of his policies brought down big trust companies and expanded national parks.

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Before becoming the third President of the United States, I wrote the Declaration of Independence. Who am I?

Aside from the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's legacy is largely defined by the Louisiana Purchase and his support of religious tolerance. Many other aspects of Jefferson's life, such as owning slaves, have often been criticized.

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I was a Major General during the Mexican-American War before becoming president. Who am I?

Zachary Taylor died a little over a year into his presidency due to complications from food poisoning. Taylor was reluctant to run even before he became president, showing he never really wanted the job. It seems as though he got his wish.

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Before becoming the 40th President of the United States, I was an actor and later Governor of California. Who am I?

Ronald Reagan's economic system was known as "Reaganomics." His policies followed the belief that if you lower taxes, people will spend more money, thereby boosting the economy.

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I died of a heart attack while touring the country. Who am I?

Warren Harding's presidency was marred by the Railroad Strike of 1922 and the Teapot Dome scandal. Harding died during his presidency, before he had to answer for the scandal.

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I am the only president from Georgia. Who am I?

After his presidency, Carter founded the Carter Center, a non-profit organization. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

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I became the 21st President of the United States when James Garfield was assassinated in 1881. Who am I?

Chester Arthur is credited with getting the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act passed. The Act required that positions in the Federal Government be rewarded based on merit instead of political affiliation.

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In 1925, I was the first son of a president to become president. Who am I?

The election of 1824 was quite controversial because many people suspected an illegal agreement between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, which resulted in Adams being elected. The supposed deal was known as a "Corrupt Bargain."

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I served as both the President of the United States and Chief Justice of the United States, the only person to ever do so. Who am I?

William Taft was the chosen as Theodore Roosevelt's successor. Taft, however, failed to reach the same level of success as Roosevelt and didn't win reelection in 1912.

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As the 35th President of the United States, I guided the country through the Cuban Missile Crisis. Who am I?

John F. Kennedy's presidency centered around the Cold War and escalating tensions in Vietnam. He was assassinated before his first term could end.

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As the fifth President of the United States, I brought in the Era of Good Feelings. Who am I?

James Monroe is credited with shaping his policies and future policies in America through the Monroe Doctrine. The Doctrine declared that the Americas would not be subjected to European colonialism.

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I was the first Vice President of the United States before becoming the second President of the United States. Who am I?

John Adams was the first president to stay in the White House, which was built in 1800. This would be the home of every president who followed.

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