The role of Presidents

Question 1

When was Abraham Lincoln’s presidency?

Answer 1

1861-65

Question 2

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 2

Positive

Question 3

Why?

Answer 3

Introduced the 13th amendment that abolished slavery across the entire country (social)

Question 4

How can this view be challenged?

Answer 4

His impact is limited by the overall outlook of the era who were hesitant to the idea of equality and he had an initial reluctance to advocate for full racial equality only doing the minimum to preserve and strengthen the union of the states.

Question 5

When was Andrew Johnson’s presidency?

Answer 5

1865-69

Question 6

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 6

Negative

Question 7

Why?

Answer 7

He opposed reconstruction policies aimed at ensuring equality and vetoed key civil rights legislation. His leniency towards former confederates and resistance to Black suffrage hindered progress and allowed systemic racism to persist in the post-war South

Question 8

When was Ulysses Grant’s presidency?

Answer 8

1869-77

Question 9

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 9

Positive

Question 10

Why?

Answer 10

Enforced reconstruction laws, supported the 15th amendment and actively combatted the KKK through measures like the Civil Rights Act of 1871.

Question 11

When was Rutherford B Hayes’ presidency?

Answer 11

1877-81

Question 12

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 12

Negative

Question 13

Why?

Answer 13

The compromise of 1877 ended reconstruction , withdrawing troops from the South and leaving African Americans vulnerable to disenfranchisement and racial violence.

Question 14

When was Grover Cleveland’s presidency?

Answer 14

1893-97

Question 15

Did he have an overall positive or negative impact?

Answer 15

Negative

Question 16

Why?

Answer 16

He largely ignores racial issues and opposed federal intervention in the South, allowing segregation and disenfranchisement to persist.

Question 17

When was Woodrow Wilson’s presidency?

Answer 17

1913-21

Question 18

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 18

Negative

Question 19

Why?

Answer 19

He segregated federal agencies and allowed racial discrimination to worsen.

Question 20

When was Franklin D Roosevelt’s presidency?

Answer 20

1933-1945

Question 21

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 21

Positive

Question 22

Why?

Answer 22

The introduction of the New Deal provided jobs and economic relief for African Americans and Introduced the Black Cabinet

Question 23

When was Harry S Truman’s presidency?

Answer 23

1945-53

Question 24

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 24

Positive

Question 25

Why?

Answer 25

He desegregated the Armed Forces and supported the establishment of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights.

Question 26

When was Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency?

Answer 26

1953-61

Question 27

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 27

Positive

Question 28

Why?

Answer 28

He enforced desegregation in schools, notably sending troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to protect Black students in 1957.

Question 29

How can this view be challenged?

Answer 29

He acted reluctantly in desegregating schools, emphasising law and order over moral justice.

Question 30

When was John F Kennedy’s presidency?

Answer 30

1961-63

Question 31

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 31

Positive

Question 32

Why?

Answer 32

He publicly supported the movement and introduced significant civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1963.

Question 33

When was Lyndon B Johnson’s presidency?

Answer 33

1963-69

Question 34

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 34

Positive

Question 35

Why?

Answer 35

He successfully passed landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Question 36

When was Jimmy Carter’s presidency?

Answer 36

1977-81

Question 37

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 37

Positive

Question 38

Why?

Answer 38

He appointed more African Americans to key government positions than any president before him and advocated for racial equality. His administration also focused on economic opportunities and improving conditions for African Americans.

Question 39

When was Ronald Reagan’s presidency?

Answer 39

1981-89

Question 40

Was his impact positive or negative?

Answer 40

Negative

Question 41

Why?

Answer 41

His administration scaled back key civil rights protections and opposed affirmative action and anti-discriminatory laws.