Zig Zag Road to Rights Quiz

In 1776, the "founding fathers" inentionally chose to leave this out of the Declaration of Independence:

• All men are created equal

• Abolition of slavery

• Voting rights for women

• The right to remain silent

True or False: The Emancipation Proclamation successfully banned slavery in the United States in 1863.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

False: Although the Proclamation had freed most slaves as a war measure, it had not made slavery illegal. During the U.S. Civil war, the proclamation was directed to all of the areas in rebellion and all segments of the executive branch (including the Army and Navy) of the United States. It proclaimed the freedom of enslaved people in the ten states in rebellion.

Which Amendment abolished slavery in the U.S.?

• 10th

• 13th

• 6th

• 19th

Answer explanation

In 1865, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery in the U.S.

Who could newly become citizens of the U.S. in 1868?

• African American men

• All African Americans

• Women

• White Women

What right did African American men gain in 1870?

• The right to a fair trial

• The right to vote

• The right to own property

• The right to pay taxes

Plessy v. Ferguson was a setback for African American rights.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Setback: Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson makes “separate but equal” legal by forbidden black passengers from riding in trains with white passengers. 

Which Supreme Court case was a step forward towards equal rights for African Americans in 1954?

• Roe v. Wade

• Plessy v. Ferguson

• Morrison v. Johnson

• Brown v. Board of Education

Before 1965, how were black voters discouraged from (or blocked from) voting in elections?

• Literacy tests/Registration Exams

• Poll taxes

• Intimidation

• All of these

The author of the launch text "The Zig Zag Road to Rights" is using the example of African American rights to show:

• Every activist movement goes through the same struggles

• The path to freedom and equality is not linear (smooth path forward)

• Nobody can gain rights without losing some rights

• Steps foward are more meaningful than setbacks

The author states that no single law could instantly erase prejudice or inequality.

• True

• False