Answers to Jim Crow Civics Literacy Test Sample Questions
Here are the answers to the Alabama voters’ literacy test sample questions, circa 1964:
“B” Questions
Prospective voters would be required to answer four questions like these:
1. What body can try impeachments of the president of the United States? [Senate]
2. Check the applicable definition of “responsibility”:
– A duty [x]
– A speech
– A failure3. Name the attorney general of the United States. [Then: acting A.G. Nicholas Katzenbach; now: Eric Holder]
4. Women may now serve on juries in Alabama state courts. [True]
5. Can the president of the United States be impeached? [Yes]
6. Check the applicable definition for “representative”:
– Agreement between states
– Person chosen to act for others [x]
– Good character7. FBI stands for [Federal Bureau of Investigation]
8. Each county in Alabama may decide by whether or not it will have legalized sale [sic] of alcoholic beverages. [True]
9. Can the president of the United States be removed from office for conviction of bribery? [Yes]
10. Check the applicable definition for “treaty”:
– Agreement between nations [x]
– A tax
– A written oration11. Name the man who is nationally known for heading the Federal Bureau of Investigation for many years. [Then: J. Edgar Hoover; now: Robert Mueller]
12. What officer is designated by the Constitution to be the president of the Senate of the United States? [Vice President]
13. Can you be imprisoned under Alabama law for a debt? [No]
14. In addition to becoming a U.S. citizen by birth, a person may become a citizen by:
– Immigration
– Naturalization [x]
– Voting15. Name one person by name or title who is part of the judicial branch of government in Alabama. [Then: Chief Justice Livingston; now: Sue Bell Cobb]
16. The first sentence of the United States Constitution is called the Preamble. [True]
“C” Questions
Prospective voters would be required to answer four questions like these:
1. If a person charged with treason denies his guilt, how many persons must testify against him before he can be convicted? [Two]
2. At what time of day on January 20 each four years does the term of the president of the United States end? [12 noon]
3. If the president does not wish to sign a bill, how many days is he allowed in which to return it to Congress for reconsideration? [10]
4. If a bill is passed by Congress and the president refuses to sign it and does not send it back to Congress in session within the specific period of time, is the bill defeated or does it become law? [It becomes law unless Congress adjourns before the expiration of 10 days]
5. If a person seeks to search your home, what kind of paper must he have before you are compelled to allow him to do so? [Search warrant]
6. If the United States wishes to purchase land for an arsenal and have exclusive legislative authority over it, consent is required from [Legislature].
7. Prior to the adoption of the United States Constitution, the organization of states was known as the [Confederation].
8. Tribunals are [courts].
9. Can the state coin money with the consent of Congress? [No]
10. Name one area of authority over state militia reserved exclusively to the states. [The appointment of officers]
11. The power of granting patents, that is, the securing to inventors the exclusive right to their discoveries, is given to the Congress for the purpose of [promoting progress].
12. The only legal tender which may be authorized by states for payment of debts is [U.S. currency].
13. In what year did the Congress gain the right to prohibit the migration of persons to the states? [1808]
14. Who is the commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States? [The president]
15. Which of the Parts above, of the United States Constitution deals with the federal government’s authority to call the state militia into federal service? [Part 1]
16. The president is forbidden to exercise his authority of pardon in cases of [impeachment].
