Quiz on the First United States President and the Bill of Rights

What was the method used to choose the first United States president?

• Direct popular vote

• Electoral college

• State legislature selection

• Appointment by Congress

Answer explanation

The first United States president was chosen using the Electoral College system, where electors from each state cast votes based on the popular vote in their state, rather than a direct popular vote or other methods.

What did the Bill of Rights aim to do in the United States Constitution?

• Establish a monarchy

• Amend the Constitution to include fundamental rights and liberties

• Create a new government structure

• Limit the power of the president

Answer explanation

The Bill of Rights aimed to amend the Constitution by adding fundamental rights and liberties to protect individual freedoms, ensuring that the government could not infringe upon these essential rights.

Who could vote for the electors in the first presidential election of 1789?

• All adult citizens

• Only adult men of European descent who owned property

• Women and men of all descents

• Only state officials

Answer explanation

In the first presidential election of 1789, only adult men of European descent who owned property were allowed to vote for electors, reflecting the limited suffrage of that era.

How many electoral votes did George Washington receive in the 1789 Presidential Election?

• 69

• 34

• 9

• 6

Answer explanation

George Washington received 69 electoral votes in the 1789 Presidential Election, making him the first president of the United States. This number reflects the unanimous support he had from the electors.

Who was the candidate with the second highest number of electoral votes in the 1789 Presidential Election?

• John Adams

• John Jay

• Robert H. Harrison

• George Clinton

Answer explanation

In the 1789 Presidential Election, George Washington received the highest electoral votes, while John Adams secured the second highest with 34 votes, making him the runner-up.

What was required of each of the thirteen states by January 7, 1789?

• To choose its electors

• To hold a public debate

• To declare independence

• To draft a new constitution

Answer explanation

By January 7, 1789, each of the thirteen states was required to choose its electors to participate in the first presidential election, as established by the Constitution. This was crucial for the functioning of the new government.

Who appointed the electors in some states during the 1789 Presidential Election?

• The governor

• The president

• The Supreme Court

• The military

Answer explanation

During the 1789 Presidential Election, electors were appointed by the governors in some states, as they had the authority to oversee the electoral process at that time.

When was George Washington sworn in as the first president of the United States?

• April 6, 1789

• April 30, 1789

• May 1, 1789

• March 4, 1789

Answer explanation

George Washington was sworn in as the first president of the United States on April 30, 1789, in New York City. This date marks the official beginning of his presidency, making it the correct answer.

What was one of George Washington's first duties as president?

• Declaring war

• Choosing leaders for the departments of the executive branch

• Writing the Constitution

• Abolishing taxes

Answer explanation

One of George Washington's first duties as president was choosing leaders for the departments of the executive branch, which was essential for establishing a functioning government.

Who was the Secretary of the Treasury in Washington's first cabinet?

• Thomas Jefferson

• Henry Knox

• Alexander Hamilton

• Edmund Randolph

Answer explanation

The Secretary of the Treasury in Washington's first cabinet was Alexander Hamilton. He played a crucial role in establishing the nation's financial system, unlike Jefferson, Knox, or Randolph who held different positions.