American Sphinx | Short Question Answer Key

Short Answer Key

Prologue

1. Who is probably the most beloved and admired of American presidents?

Thomas Jefferson.

2. Who claims this president?

Liberals and conservatives.

3. What do both William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow claim about Jefferson?

He shares their views of evolution and creation.

4. What do both Franklin Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover claim about Jefferson?

His ideals in their very different ways of handling the Depression.

5. What does the author find surprising about an evening devoted to Jefferson in 1993?

400 people attend, rather than the estimated 40.

6. Why does the audience not ask questions regarding Jefferson's slave ownership and relationship with Sally Hemings?

They are too well-mannered.

7. Who is Sally Hemings?

A slave Jefferson inherited from his wife's family.

8. Who is reportedly the father of Sally Hemings?

John Wales.

9. Regarding Sally Hemings, of what is Jefferson regularly accused?

Having an affair...
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