8th Grade Interim Assessment #1 Intervention - 8.3.4

1.

The Election of 1796 The election of 1796 began a new era in U.S. politics. For the first time, more than one candidate ran for president. Political parties, groups that help elect people and shape policies, had begun to form during Washington’s presidency. Despite Washington’s warnings about political parties, the rivalry between two parties dominated the 1796 election. Alexander Hamilton helped found the Federalist Party, which wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and trade. The Federalists chose John Adams and Thomas Pinckney as candidates. Adams knew he was not well liked in the South or the West, but he hoped people would support him after they thought about his years of loyal public service. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison founded the Democratic-Republican Party. Its members, called Republicans, wanted to limit the federal government’s power. (This party is not related to today’s Republican Party.) They chose Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr as their candidates. Open a new Internet Explorer winder. Copy and paste this link http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/chart.feddr.pdf into the new Explorer window. Study the compare and contrast chart on Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. The United States and France One of Adams’s first goals as president was to improve the relationship between the United States and France. You may remember that the French had once tried to hire American privateers to help them fight Great Britain, a practice Washington frowned upon. Adams sent U.S. diplomats to Paris to smooth over the conflict and to negotiate a treaty to protect U.S. shipping. When the diplomats arrived in France, they learned that French foreign minister Talleyrand would not speak with them. Instead, they had a strange and secret visit from three French agents. Shockingly, the agents said that Talleyrand would discuss a treaty only in exchange for a $250,000 bribe. The French government also wanted a loan of $12 million. The amazed diplomats refused these demands. In March 1798 President Adams told Congress that the peace-seeking mission had failed. He described the French terms, substituting the letters X, Y, and Z for the names of the French agents. Upon hearing the disgraceful news, Federalists in Congress called for war with France. The XYZ affair, as the French demand for a bribe came to be called, outraged the American public. “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” became the rallying cry of the American people.

2.

1. Which event triggered the start of political parties in our country?

A.

A. Whiskey Rebellion
B.

B. XYZ Affair
C.

C. more than one candidate ran for President
D.

D. John Adams demanded he run for a second term

Correct Answer
C. C. more than one candidate ran for President

Explanation
The start of political parties in our country was triggered by the occurrence of more than one candidate running for President. This led to the formation of different factions and groups supporting different candidates, which eventually evolved into political parties.

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3.

2. Which political belief would most likely be supported by the Federalist political party?

A.

A. strong stste governments
B.

B. strong national government
C.

C. Southern plantation owners
D.

D. Western farmers

Correct Answer
B. B. strong national government

Explanation
The Federalist political party would most likely support a strong national government. This belief aligns with the principles of the Federalists, who advocated for a centralized government with a strong executive branch. They believed that a strong national government was necessary to maintain order, protect individual rights, and promote economic growth. The Federalists also supported the ratification of the United States Constitution, which established a stronger federal government compared to the Articles of Confederation.

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4.

3. Which political belief would most likely be supported by the Democratic-Republicans?

A.

A. strong state governments
B.

B. strong national government
C.

C. strengthening the Executive Branches powers
D.

D. eliminating the Bill of Rights

Correct Answer
A. A. strong state governments

Explanation
The Democratic-Republicans, also known as the Jeffersonian Republicans, believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and favored strong state governments. They believed that power should be decentralized and that states should have more control over their own affairs. This belief was in contrast to the Federalists, who supported a strong national government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. The Democratic-Republicans believed that a strong central government would lead to tyranny and the erosion of individual liberties. Therefore, the most likely political belief supported by the Democratic-Republicans would be strong state governments.

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5.

4. Which belief would Alexander Hamilton support?

A.

A. strong federal government who has the power to levy taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, coin money etc.
B.

B. weak federal government, where the states have more powers
C.

C. decrease the military
D.

D. support the French Revolution

Correct Answer
A. A. strong federal government who has the power to levy taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, coin money etc.

Explanation
Alexander Hamilton would support a strong federal government with the power to levy taxes, declare war, regulate commerce, and coin money because he believed in a strong central government that could effectively govern the country and promote economic growth. He was one of the main proponents of the Federalist Party and played a key role in shaping the United States' financial system. Hamilton believed that a strong federal government was necessary to establish economic stability and protect the interests of the nation.

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6.

5. Thomas Jefferson was the leader of which political party?

A.

A. Federalists
B.

B. Democratic-Republicans
C.

C. Whigs
D.

D. Tories

Correct Answer
B. B. Democratic-Republicans

Explanation
Thomas Jefferson was the leader of the Democratic-Republicans political party. This party was formed in opposition to the Federalists and believed in a more limited federal government, states' rights, and an agrarian society. Jefferson's presidency from 1801 to 1809 was characterized by his support for these principles, including his advocacy for the Louisiana Purchase and his promotion of the Embargo Act. The Democratic-Republicans eventually evolved into the modern Democratic Party. The other options, Federalists, Whigs, and Tories, were different political parties during Jefferson's time, but he was not associated with any of them.

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7.

6. Which controversial event, during John Adams' presidency included a bribe from France, when U.S. diplomats were sent there to negotiate a trading and peaceful relationship?

A.

A. Alien and Sedition Acts
B.

B. forming of political parties
C.

C. Louisiana Purchase
D.

D. XYZ Affair

Correct Answer
D. D. XYZ Affair

Explanation
The correct answer is d. XYZ Affair. The XYZ Affair refers to a diplomatic incident between the United States and France in the late 18th century. It involved three French agents, referred to as X, Y, and Z, who demanded bribes from American diplomats in order to negotiate a peaceful relationship and resolve trade disputes. This event caused a major scandal in the United States and led to increased tensions between the two countries.

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