Obscure American history trivia

Sandra Sotomayor?

 

Sonia Sotomayor, but not her either. I had to look this one up. Freaking obscure pull. Well done.

 

Not that obscure. Author of one of the worst SC decisions in history.

 

Citizens United?

 

Damn I never paid attention to who wrote the decision. I will put myself in a corner for the rest of the class period.

 

Roger Taney?

 

ding, ding, ding.

 

I’m sorry, whose effing question was this? You’re giving hints on it and then telling people they got it right? JFC, learn how to use the ducking reply button first, ya big footing mofo!

 

This probably isn't obscure to most of you history buffs here, but I did not realize that until 1913 a state's U.S. senators were selected by each state's legislature. Man, that process had to be loaded with corruption.

Was it the 17th Amendment that changed it to a vote of people? Cannot remember.

 

Never heard of him.

 

Chief justice for the Dred Scott decision.

Yes, the 17th amendment mandate the direct election of senators.

17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Direct Election of U.S. Senators

 

It was horribly corrupt, which is partially why they changed it. The founders saw the Senate as the adult table and the House as the People's table. So the House was directly elected, but the Senate—just like the people couldn't be trusted to elect the president—was chosen by the state legislatures.

And, yes, it was the 17th that changed it.