- 1. William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States, served from 1909 to 1913 and is often remembered as a man of considerable size and stature, both physically and politically, as he was the heaviest U.S. president in history. Born on September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Taft graduated from Yale University and eventually became a prominent lawyer and judge. Before ascending to the presidency, he held various significant positions, including Solicitor General of the United States and Governor-General of the Philippines, where he worked on civil governance reforms. His presidency was marked by a commitment to trust-busting, particularly aimed at monopolies that stifled competition, as well as the enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Despite his progressive agenda, which included tariff reform and the establishment of the Department of Labor, Taft's administration faced significant challenges, including a growing split within the Republican Party between the more progressive wing and the conservative faction led by former President Theodore Roosevelt. This rift ultimately led to Roosevelt's decision to run as a third-party candidate in the 1912 election, which resulted in Taft losing to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. After his presidency, Taft found fulfillment as a jurist and was appointed Chief Justice of the United States in 1921, a position he held until 1930, making him the only former president to later serve on the Supreme Court. Taft's legacy is complex; he is often seen as a transitional figure between the more reformist policies of the Progressive Era and the more conservative approaches that would follow his term.
In which year was William Howard Taft inaugurated as the 27th President of the United States?
A) 1925
B) 1909
C) 1896
D) 1913
- 2. Prior to becoming President, Taft served as the appointed Governor-General of which territory?
A) Guam
B) Philippines
C) Cuba
D) Puerto Rico
- 3. Which political party was Taft affiliated with during his presidency?
A) Green
B) Republican
C) Libertarian
D) Democratic
- 4. Who was Taft's predecessor as President of the United States?
A) Woodrow Wilson
B) Theodore Roosevelt
C) William McKinley
D) Grover Cleveland
- 5. Taft is the only U.S. President to also serve as Chief Justice of the United States. In which year did he achieve this historic position?
A) 1905
B) 1911
C) 1921
D) 1936
- 6. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified during Taft's presidency, authorizing an income tax?
A) 18th Amendment
B) 19th Amendment
C) 21st Amendment
D) 16th Amendment
- 7. Taft's foreign policy promoted what concept, which aimed to encourage investments abroad as a way to improve foreign relations and boost the U.S. economy?
A) Isolationism
B) Trade Sanctions
C) Dollar Diplomacy
D) Military Interventionism
- 8. Taft was the first President to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball opening game. Which team's game did he attend?
A) Chicago Cubs
B) New York Yankees
C) Boston Red Sox
D) Washington Senators
- 9. Which treaty brokered by Taft ended the Russo-Japanese War and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize?
A) Treaty of Portsmouth
B) Treaty of Shimonoseki
C) Treaty of Trianon
D) Treaty of Versailles
- 10. Which state was Taft born in, and then represented in the U.S. Supreme Court?
A) California
B) New York
C) Ohio
D) Texas
- 11. William Howard Taft is the only U.S. President to have also held the distinction of what other government office before and after his presidency?
A) ? Secretary of State
B) ? Vice President
C) ? Supreme Court Justice
D) ? U.S. Senator
- 12. Which prestigious university did Taft graduate from and later serve as a professor and dean at its law school?
A) Yale University
B) Stanford University
C) Princeton University
D) Harvard University
- 13. What was the name of the new political party formed by Theodore Roosevelt, who ran against Taft in the 1912 election?
A) Independence Party
B) Progressive Party
C) Liberty Party
D) Freedom Party
- 14. During his time as President, Taft approved the establishment of which federal agency to set standards for food and drugs?
A) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
B) Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
C) Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)
D) Social Security Administration (SSA)
- 15. What year was William Howard Taft born?
A) 1901
B) 1857
C) 1809
D) 1872
- 16. Which important canal did Taft work on as Secretary of War and later endorsed as President?
A) Erie Canal
B) Panama Canal
C) Kiel Canal
D) Suez Canal
- 17. During his presidency, Taft established the Department of what in response to the Mexican Revolution?
A) Human Services
B) Agriculture
C) Commerce
D) Labor
- 18. Taft appointed the first Jew to the U.S. Supreme Court. What was his name?
A) Earl Warren
B) Louis Brandeis
C) William O. Douglas
D) Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
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