100+ Political Trivia Questions and Answers That Will Test Your Knowledge

Politics might seem serious, but turning it into trivia makes learning about government, elections, and political history so much more fun! I’ve put together this collection of 100+ political trivia questions that work perfectly for dinner parties, classroom activities, or even just testing your own knowledge.

Last election night, my friends and I had a blast quizzing each other while waiting for results to come in. Even my politically disinterested brother-in-law ended up joining in and surprising us with what he knew!

Whether you’re a political junkie or just wanting to brush up on some basics, these questions cover everything from presidential facts to global politics and historical moments that shaped our world.

Political trivia is perfect for bringing some friendly competition to discussions about government and politics. Instead of heated debates, you can enjoy learning fascinating facts while testing your knowledge. I’ve found that even people who typically avoid political conversations often enjoy this lighthearted approach to the subject.

In my experience, political trivia works wonderfully at family gatherings where you might otherwise steer clear of political topics. It’s educational but fun, and you might be surprised at the random facts people remember!

Looking for more ways to spark interesting conversations? Check out our collection of philosophical questions that will get everyone thinking deeply.

U.S. Presidential Trivia

American presidents have fascinating stories and facts associated with them. From quirky personal habits to groundbreaking achievements, these questions cover the interesting aspects of those who’ve held the highest office in the land.

Who was the shortest U.S. president at 5’4″? James Madison
Which president was never elected as president or vice president? Gerald Ford

Which president was known as the “Father of the Constitution”? James Madison
Who was the first president to be born as a U.S. citizen? Martin Van Buren
Which president had the shortest term in office, serving just 31 days? William Henry Harrison

Which president appeared on MTV’s “Boxers or Briefs” segment? Bill Clinton
Who was the first president to live in the White House? John Adams
Which president was a peanut farmer before entering politics? Jimmy Carter

Who was the oldest person to be elected president (before the 2020 election)? Donald Trump
Which president was a Hollywood actor before entering politics? Ronald Reagan
Who was the only president to serve non-consecutive terms? Grover Cleveland

Which president signed the Emancipation Proclamation? Abraham Lincoln
Which president established the Peace Corps? John F. Kennedy
Which president was the first to appear on television? Franklin D. Roosevelt

Who was the first president to be impeached? Andrew Johnson
Which president was formerly the director of the CIA? George H.W. Bush
Which president was elected to four terms in office? Franklin D. Roosevelt

Who was the first president to be born in a hospital? Jimmy Carter
Which president was known by the nickname “Ike”? Dwight D. Eisenhower
Who was the heaviest president, weighing over 330 pounds? William Howard Taft

Which president installed a bowling alley in the White House? Richard Nixon
Who was the first president to win a Nobel Peace Prize? Theodore Roosevelt
Which president was a former governor of Arkansas? Bill Clinton

Which president was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre? Abraham Lincoln
Who was the only unmarried president? James Buchanan

Looking for more interesting challenges? Try our hypothetical questions that can spark amazing political discussions after your trivia session.

U.S. Government and Constitution Trivia

The structure and history of American government is filled with fascinating details. These questions test your knowledge about the Constitution, branches of government, and how the U.S. political system functions.

How many amendments are in the U.S. Constitution? 27
How many articles are in the U.S. Constitution? 7

What year was the Constitution signed? 1787
Which amendment prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment”? 8th Amendment
How many justices serve on the U.S. Supreme Court? 9

Which branch of government has the power to declare war? Legislative (Congress)
What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution? “We the People”
How many senators are there in the U.S. Senate? 100

How many voting members are in the House of Representatives? 435
Which amendment guarantees freedom of speech? 1st Amendment
What is the minimum age to become U.S. President? 35

Which amendment abolished slavery? 13th Amendment
How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution? 9
Which amendment gave women the right to vote? 19th Amendment

What city was the first capital of the United States? New York City
Which state has the most electoral votes? California
How many years is a term for a U.S. Senator? 6 years

What is the minimum age to become a U.S. Senator? 30
What is the minimum age to become a U.S. Representative? 25
Who is considered the “Father of the Constitution”? James Madison

Which amendment repealed Prohibition? 21st Amendment
What is the name of the executive mansion in Washington D.C.? The White House
How many branches make up the U.S. federal government? 3

Which Constitutional amendment lowered the voting age to 18? 26th Amendment
Who is first in line to succeed the president if they can no longer serve? Vice President

Need topics to discuss with friends after testing their knowledge? Check out our interesting topics to talk about for engaging conversations beyond politics.

Global Politics Trivia

Politics isn’t just about America! These questions explore leaders, systems, and political events from around the world to broaden your international political knowledge.

Who was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? Margaret Thatcher
Which country has the world’s oldest parliament still in existence? Iceland

What is the legislative body of Russia called? Federal Assembly
Who was the first Chancellor of unified Germany? Helmut Kohl
Which political system combines a monarchy with a parliamentary government? Constitutional Monarchy

Which country has had the most prime ministers since 1945? Italy
The Bundestag is the parliament of which country? Germany
What does “Brexit” refer to? Britain’s exit from the European Union

Which country has a unicameral parliament called the Knesset? Israel
Who was the leader of Cuba for nearly 50 years until 2008? Fidel Castro
In which year did the European Union officially come into existence? 1993

Which country has the largest number of political parties? India
The Dáil Éireann is the lower house of parliament in which country? Ireland
Who was the first democratically elected president of South Africa? Nelson Mandela

Which country has a political system called “social democracy”? Sweden
What is the name of the Canadian parliament building? Parliament Hill
What is the political structure of Switzerland called? Federal Directorial Republic

Who is the longest-serving monarch in British history? Queen Elizabeth II
Which international organization has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium? NATO and EU
What was the name of South Africa’s policy of racial segregation? Apartheid

The Politburo was the chief executive committee of which country? Soviet Union
Who was known as the “Iron Lady” of Israeli politics? Golda Meir
What type of government does Vatican City have? Ecclesiastical Elective Monarchy

Which country was divided by the Berlin Wall? Germany
Who was the first non-royal female head of state in the modern world? Sirimavo Bandaranaike (Sri Lanka)

If you enjoy deep discussions after trivia, explore our collection of deep topics to talk about that delve into political philosophy and more.

Historical Political Events Trivia

From revolutionary moments to world-changing decisions, these questions cover the key political events that have shaped history and continue to influence our world today.

In what year did the Berlin Wall fall? 1989
What was the name of the 1215 charter that limited the power of the English monarch? Magna Carta

Which political scandal led to President Nixon’s resignation? Watergate
What year did women gain the right to vote in the United States? 1920
Which war was ended by the Treaty of Versailles? World War I

What was the period of McCarthyism mainly concerned with? Communist infiltration in the U.S.
What political doctrine stated that European powers had no right to colonize in the Americas? Monroe Doctrine
Which political movement began with the storming of the Bastille? French Revolution

What was the name of FDR’s programs to combat the Great Depression? The New Deal
In what year did the Soviet Union dissolve? 1991
What event sparked World War I? Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Which landmark Supreme Court case established judicial review? Marbury v. Madison
What was the name of the economic plan to rebuild Western Europe after WWII? Marshall Plan
What political movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi in India? Indian Independence Movement

Which U.S. president established the “Great Society” programs? Lyndon B. Johnson
What was the name of the first nuclear arms limitation treaty? SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty)
Which political crisis occurred during the Kennedy administration in 1962? Cuban Missile Crisis

What was the “Iron Curtain” that Winston Churchill referred to? The political boundary dividing Europe into Western and Soviet spheres
Which historical document begins with “When in the Course of human events”? Declaration of Independence
What was the name of South Africa’s first multiracial elections? Rainbow Election (1994)

Want to test your friends on other subjects? Check out our math trivia questions for a complete change of pace after political questions.

Political Terminology Trivia

Politics has its own language! These questions test your knowledge of political terms, systems, and concepts that are essential to understanding how governments work around the world.

What political system gives supreme power to the people? Democracy

What is the system where power is held by a small number of elite individuals? Oligarchy
What is a “filibuster” in the U.S. Senate? A tactic to prevent a vote by prolonged speechmaking
What does “gerrymandering” refer to? Manipulating electoral district boundaries for political advantage

What does the political term “caucus” mean? A meeting of party members to select candidates
What is the executive branch’s refusal to enforce certain laws called? Executive discretion
What’s the term for when a bill automatically becomes law after 10 days if Congress is in session? Pocket approval

What do we call a legislative proposal that hasn’t yet been enacted? Bill
What’s the political philosophy advocating for common ownership of resources? Communism
What is the political system where a monarch has absolute power? Absolute monarchy

What term describes the voting district a politician represents? Constituency
What does “bipartisan” mean in politics? Supported by both major political parties
What political term describes the illegal practice of exchanging votes for money? Vote buying

What’s the term for a formal alliance between political parties? Coalition
What do we call a state with no official religion? Secular state
What term describes rule by the wealthy? Plutocracy

What political system uses religious law as the basis of government? Theocracy
What is the “bully pulpit” in American politics? The president’s ability to advocate through public attention
What’s the term for when someone breaks away from their political party? Defection

What political philosophy advocates minimal government intervention? Libertarianism

For more engaging ways to start conversations on political or other topics, check out our conversation starters for texting that can spark interesting discussions.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed testing your political knowledge with these trivia questions! Whether you’re using them for a classroom activity, a party game, or just personal enrichment, political trivia is a fun way to learn more about how our governments work and the people who’ve shaped political history.

My family has a tradition of doing trivia nights before major elections, and it’s amazing how much we learn while having fun. Sometimes the most obscure facts are the ones that stick with you the longest!

So, how did you score? Were there any questions that surprised you? I’d love to know which sections you found most interesting or challenging!

Looking for more trivia to expand your knowledge base? We have tons more collections covering everything from sports to space exploration. Or if you’re planning a get-together, check out our questions for couples for another fun activity!