A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What was Grover Cleveland's stance during his presidency?

1. He initiated a massive public works program

2. He vetoed the pension system for Civil War veterans

3. He focused on expanding civil rights

4. He encouraged military involvement in foreign conflicts

The correct answer is: He vetoed the pension system for Civil War veterans

Grover Cleveland's stance during his presidency can be best understood through his decision to veto the pension system for Civil War veterans. Cleveland believed in limited government intervention and fiscal responsibility, which led him to oppose the increasing financial burden of veterans' pensions that he thought were being disproportionately granted to individuals who may not have been genuinely in need. This position reflects his commitment to keeping government expenditures in check, believing that pensions should not be established indiscriminately and that such systems could encourage dependency rather than self-reliance. His tenure was marked by a focus on economic issues, including opposition to high tariffs and support for the gold standard, rather than engaging broadly in civil rights expansion, initiating large public works, or encouraging military interventions in foreign conflicts.