Government and Citizenship

The Teapot Dome Scandal of 1921-1923 occurred during President Warren G. Harding's administration. What was the scandal?

• the secretary of state was selling secrets to the Germans

• the secretary of treasury was selling counterfeit money to the public

• the secretary of the interior was being bribed to sell oil cheap to private companies (Big Oil)-- oil in Wyoming reserved for the US Navy

• the secretary of agriculture was selling tea at high prices

The Watergate Scandal (1972-1974) occurred during Nixon's administration and led to his resignation. What was the Watergate scandal?

• Republicans were caught spying on Democrats (their headquarters office was at the Watergate Hotel)-- when the police arrested them, Nixon ordered a cover-up of his involvement

• Nixon illegally ordered the bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War

• Nixon had an enemies' list of all of his political opponents and used bullying tactics and blackmail to intimidate them

Why was Bill Clinton impeached by Congress in 1998? He was later acquitted (meaning he was found not guilty).

• He was charged with obstruction of justice for asking officials to intimidate women who had accused him of sexual harassment when he was governor of Arkansas.

• He had an affair with Monica Lewinsky, the White House intern.

• He was charged with blackmailing officials and accepting bribes.

The Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 is what?

• A federal law designed to encourage commercial banks and savings associations to help give loans to all segments of society-- low-income and middle-income earners.

• A federal law to rebuild communities affected by floods and natural disasters.

• A federal law to strengthen law enforcement in communities.

The USA Patriot Act of 2001 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush after the September 11th terrorist attacks. What is the Patriot Act?

• It gives police forces more money and weapons

• It allows for more searching and investigating of financial records, Internet history, phone wiretaps, surveillance and following of people suspected of being terrorists

• It expands the FBI

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed by President Barack Obama. Why was this act passed?

• To provide more money for college students

• To provide economic stimulus in the aftermath of the Wall Street meltdown and financial crisis: increase government spending to prevent job lay-offs

• To invest in infrastructure and clean energy

Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution of 1964 which gave President Lyndon B. Johnson unlimited powers to do what? This increased the power of the Executive Branch.

• To make war with the North Vietnamese (Communists)

• To assist and aid African Americans of the American South in finding affordable permanent housing

• To raise income taxes

• To regulate trade with countries friendly to enemies of the United States

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was a resolution passed by Congress to limit the US president's ability to make war. A president cannot keep troops overseas in combat for more than 60 days without Congress' continued approval. Why did Congress pass this act during President Nixon's administration?

• President Nixon wanted to use nuclear weapons against Vietnam

• President Nixon secretly bombed Pakistan without Congressional approval.

• Congress realized it had given President Johnson too much executive power to wage war and the Vietnam War had been a disaster (Johnson was Nixon's predecessor) and they needed to rein in presidential power.

In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed. What did it allow?

• It gave women the right to vote

• It made alcohol illegal

• It gave Congress the right to levy an income tax

• It gave African Americans and all colored peoples the right to vote.

In 1964, the 24th Amendment was passed. What did it prohibit?

• It prohibited the use of a poll tax (voting fee)-- African Americans (who were predominantly poor in the American South) couldn't vote due to a voting fee. The 24th Amendment stopped this so blacks could vote.

• It prohibited a US president from serving more than 10 years in office.

• It prohibited US Senators from taking contributions from foreign companies.