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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is ironic about Texas secession on March 2?
(a) It was Houston's brithday.
(b) It was the day Houston became governor.
(c) It was the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto.
(d) It was the anniversary of Houston's election to the Senate.

2. What was Daniel Webster known for during his lifetime?
(a) As a politician who opposed any kind of compromise.
(b) As a writer of fiction.
(c) As a particularly eloquent speaker.
(d) As a squeaky voiced speaker.

3. What does Kennedy identify as the second pressure that prevents courageous deeds by elected officials.
(a) The need to get more education.
(b) The need to get re-elected.
(c) The need to travel the world.
(d) The need to publish a book.

4. What made Sam Houston a household word in the United States?
(a) He was leader of the Texas forces that defeated Mexico at the battle of San Jacinto.
(b) He was a greater orator than Daniel Webster.
(c) He ran for president in 1856 but did not win the Democratic nomination.
(d) He became known for the Houston knife he invented.

5. Although thought of as a crazy politician, what did John F. Kennedy see as a mark of courage in the man?
(a) His stance on big government over states' rights.
(b) He would do whatever was necessary to get re-elected.
(c) He would do what he thought was right regardless of his party or his popularity.
(d) He would stand up in the Senate without a gun.

6. How did Webster's constituents view his stand on compromise with the slave states?
(a) They thought he should run for President.
(b) They supported him wholeheartedly.
(c) It drew their wrath.
(d) They were proud of their native son.

7. What is the example of some advice Kennedy received when he first became a Congressman?
(a) The way to go is to make your own decisions.
(b) Follow the yellow brick road.
(c) Listen and do what the majority are doing.
(d) The way to get along is to go along.

8. What was the result of Webster's courageous stand in giving the Seventh of March speech?
(a) Webster sacrificed his potential presidential run and his popularity.
(b) Webster was honored by his constituents as a man of courage.
(c) Webster changed his position of slavery to agree with Clay.
(d) Webster would have become president but he died 2 years later.

9. What Senator pulled a gun on Benton once?
(a) Senator Henry Foote.
(b) Senator William Cooper.
(c) Senator Martin VanBuren.
(d) Senator Aaron Burr.

10. What leader who was at odds with Adams' father did John Quincey find himself agreeing with quite often?
(a) Benjamin Franklin.
(b) Thomas Jefferson.
(c) George Washington.
(d) Alexander Hamilton.

11. What was one of Benton's favorite sayings about himself?
(a) Benton always knows what is right.
(b) Benton and Democracy are one and the same.
(c) Benton is a bull in a china shop.
(d) Benton will never compromise.

12. What does Kennedy see as Webster's moral flaw?
(a) Webster was a compulsive gambler.
(b) Webster was an alcoholic and often lost track of time.
(c) Webster had no compunction against taking money for political favors.
(d) Webster had many affairs his wife did not know about.

13. Whom did the Adams family say that the magistrate must serve?
(a) His god.
(b) His party.
(c) His family.
(d) His people.

14. What view did Webster take that made him unpopular with abolitionists?
(a) He refused to argue against salvery when he went to the Southern states.
(b) He was a strong supporter of the Union and believed compromise on slavery was more important than breaking up the nation.
(c) He would not address the subject of slavery because he though it would just go away.
(d) He did not feel that being a part of a Union that allowed slavery in some territories a viable alternative.

15. What well-known military leader had Houston served under?
(a) Andrew Jackson.
(b) George Washington.
(c) Ulysses S. Grant.
(d) Robert E. Lee.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is another difficult situation for an elected official besides the interests of the nation and those of the constituency?

2. Who suggested that Senators were vulgar demagogues?

3. To what does Kennedy ascribe as half the power of Webster?

4. What effect did Webster's three-hour-long speech in the Senate have in 1850?

5. What Webster speech in the Senate became known by the date it was given?

(see the answer keys)

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