8th Grade Second Semester Exam Practice

1. Who wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel that showed the horrors of slavery?

Susan B. Anthony

Mary Boykin Chesnut

Harriet Beecher Stowe

2. The Seneca Falls Convention was a meeting to help which group of Americans?

Alcoholics

Slaves

Women

3. Which job held by former slaves, was the most similar to their conditions as slaves?

U.S. Senator

Sharecroppers

U.S. Representatives

Due to the economic controls placed on by those in power, it was very hard to make a profit while renting materials, equipment and land. It was a legalized cycle of poverty.

Explanation

Due to the economic controls placed on by those in power, it was very hard to make a profit while renting materials, equipment and land. It was a legalized cycle of poverty.

4. The Civil Rights movement (think Martin Luther King) was effective in the long run.

True

False

5. Which group used terrorizing tactics to slow down the effects of civil rights laws passed during the Reconstruction era?

Carpet baggers

Ku Klux Klan

Scalawags

6. A democracy works best when informed citizens share their opinions, even if those opinions are not the same as the government in place.

True

False

7. Even the Supreme Court can make mistakes.

True

False

Dred Scott went too far to the pro-slavery position, and Plessy v. Ferguson was flawed.

Explanation

Dred Scott went too far to the pro-slavery position, and Plessy v. Ferguson was flawed.

8. The U.S. signed treaties to acquire some of their western territory.

True

False

9. The Women's suffrage movement was effective in the long run.

True

False

10. What laws were passed during the Reconstruction era that were designed to limit the rights of former slaves?

Black codes

Morse code

Slave codes

11. To Lincoln, what was THE singlemost important thing to protect?

Full equality for slaves

The states

The Union

12. Many places in the South had a hard time accepting the terms of the 14th amendment.

True

False

This was a federal law, but applied the idea of expanded citizenship to state laws as well. It could not be ignored or altered.

Explanation

This was a federal law, but applied the idea of expanded citizenship to state laws as well. It could not be ignored or altered.

13. Which word means to withdraw from the Union?

Secede

Succeed

Recede

a receding hairline is one that is balding.

Explanation

a receding hairline is one that is balding.

14. The U.S. purchased land to acquire some of their western territory.

True

False

15. From the question above, which issue led to the most heated debates?

Slavery

Native American rights

Rights for women

16. Poll taxes and the grandfather clause were unfair and undemocratic.

True

False

discrimination, plain and simple

Explanation

discrimination, plain and simple

17. Who was a key organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention?

Frederick Douglass

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Clara Barton

18. The U.S. fought wars to acquire some of their western territory.

True

False

19. Which court case denied slaves freedom when living on free soil?

Brown vs. Board of Ed.

Dred Scott vs. Sanford

Plessy vs. Ferguson

20. What is the best bumper sticker that captures the essense of the concept of popular sovereignty?

If you can read this, you're too close

I heart my dictator

Voters rock!

I am the proud parent of an honor roll student from Upton Middle School

21. What was the main focus of Plessy v. Ferguson?

Ending slavery

Segregating people

Voting

22. Because of the Civil War, the Northern economy

Grew

Shrunk

Switched to labor-intensive crops such as cotton

23. Jim Crow laws

Limit freedom

Promote freedom

Support the ideas of the Declaration of Independence

24. Which is the term for an official pardon, which Lincoln offered to former Confederates willing to rejoin the Union?

Amnesty

Habeas corpus

Parole

This was offered even before the war ended, and all that was required was a sworn oath of loyalty to the Union. The sincerity of such a statement would clearly be in question.

Explanation

This was offered even before the war ended, and all that was required was a sworn oath of loyalty to the Union. The sincerity of such a statement would clearly be in question.

25. Young women took many of the new jobs created during the Industrial Revolution.

True

False

The machines provided power; they had the know how.

Explanation

The machines provided power; they had the know how.

26. Based on Lincoln's "House Divided Speech", Lincoln felt as if slavery was dividing the United States into two groups: those who tolerated slavery and those worked for its removal.

True

False

Although Lincoln thought slavery was wrong, he would have been content to work on the problem gradually.

Explanation

Although Lincoln thought slavery was wrong, he would have been content to work on the problem gradually.

27. Considering the last question, what is the Core Democratic Value that says that power is shared between the three branches of the federal government?

Federalism

Rule of law

Separation of powers

28. What was supported by the Plessy v. Ferguson decision?

Educational opportunites for former slaves

Job training for former slaves

Segregation

Separate but equal only works if the object offered, like a school, is truly of equal quality. If they are identical facilities, then why does it matter what color your skin is?

Explanation

Separate but equal only works if the object offered, like a school, is truly of equal quality. If they are identical facilities, then why does it matter what color your skin is?

29. The Constitutional Union Party entered a presidential candidate in the Election of 1860.

True

False

John Bell was their candidate, and they wanted to keep the country together, rather than let it be torn apart by slavery. They wanted to take votes away from Lincoln, but ended up taking votes away from the two Democratic candidates instead.

Explanation

John Bell was their candidate, and they wanted to keep the country together, rather than let it be torn apart by slavery. They wanted to take votes away from Lincoln, but ended up taking votes away from the two Democratic candidates instead.

30. Which of the following is the hardest to pass, but also the hardest to remove?

A bill

A law

An amendment

Bills can die in committee or be vetoed. Laws can by challenged in the Supreme Court. Amendments require 3/4 of state legislatures or 3/4 of the state voters in state conventions. They can be overturned, but only if another amendment is passed (such as the case of Prohibition and its subsequent repeal)

Explanation

Bills can die in committee or be vetoed. Laws can by challenged in the Supreme Court. Amendments require 3/4 of state legislatures or 3/4 of the state voters in state conventions. They can be overturned, but only if another amendment is passed (such as the case of Prohibition and its subsequent repeal)

31. Since the start of this country, people continued to push westward in search of farmland they could call their own.

True

False

32. The temperance movement wanted to slow the spread of slavery.

True

False

Its target was limiting alcohol abuse; abolition tried to end slavery completely.

Explanation

Its target was limiting alcohol abuse; abolition tried to end slavery completely.

33. In the election of 1860, the Democratic Party had two different candidates run for President.

True

False

Divided over the issue of Slavery, Stephen Douglas ran as a Northern Democrat, and John Breckinridge was a Southern Democrat.

Explanation

Divided over the issue of Slavery, Stephen Douglas ran as a Northern Democrat, and John Breckinridge was a Southern Democrat.

34. Whose factories became much more active as a result of the Civil War?

North

South

West

35. The Abolitionist movement was effective in the long run.

True

False

36. The economies and interests in the three main regions of the United States (North, South, and West) were virtually identical prior to the Civil War.

True

False

Each region varied economically, and therefore their voting habits reflected their substantial differences

Explanation

Each region varied economically, and therefore their voting habits reflected their substantial differences

37. What happened to the federal government as a result of the Civil War?

It was stronger

It took a backseat to states' rights

It was abolished

38. What was the biggest set back to the period known as Reconstruction?

14th amendment

15th amendment

Jim Crow laws

39. How did Robert Fulton help the economy of the U.S?

Development of cotton gin

Development of railroads

Development of steamboats

40. Which of Lincoln's documents contains the phrase "of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this Earth."

First Inaugural Address

Gettysburg Address

Second Inaugural Address

41. Jim Crow laws legalized segregation.

True

False

42. Which was NOT a Supreme court case that strengthened the federal government under John Marshall? (1801-1835)

Dred Scott v. Sanford

Marbury v. Madison

McCulloch v. Maryland

43. In the early 1800's, where did a lot of immigrants find employment?

Northern Factories

Southern Plantations

Public Schools in the West

44. Which amendment was used to agrue for and against the Jim Crow laws during the Reconstruction era?

5th

10th

14th

45. Based on Lincoln's "House Divided Speech", he would be best described as a strict abolitionist.

True

False

Although Lincoln thought slavery was wrong, he would have been content to work on the problem gradually. He wanted to stop the spread of slavery, not end it where it already existed.

Explanation

Although Lincoln thought slavery was wrong, he would have been content to work on the problem gradually. He wanted to stop the spread of slavery, not end it where it already existed.

46. Who could declare a law or treaty to be unconstitutional?

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

47. What term best describes the changes in the Southern economy during Reconstruction?

New South

Solid South

Reconstructed South

The push was to have more industry to support the profitable cotton industry.

Explanation

The push was to have more industry to support the profitable cotton industry.

48. Which was the earliest bill to pass into law? Check only one.

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Missouri Compromise

49. Which of the following plans would have made Southern reentry into the Union the hardest?

Lincoln's Ten % Plan

Johnson's Plan for Reconstruction

Wade-Davis Bill

50. The ideal target for fugitive slaves following the North Star would be

Ohio

Michigan

Canada

Then they could not be returned back to the South

Explanation

Then they could not be returned back to the South

51. Which political party was active in helping African Americans make the transition to a slaveless society?

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Neither of these parties

The Radical Republicans wanted to pass the most progressive laws to improve the conditions of former slaves, and moderates agreed with some and rejected some of the new ideas . The Southern Democrats found ways to slow down and eventually stop the progress of Reconstruction.

Explanation

The Radical Republicans wanted to pass the most progressive laws to improve the conditions of former slaves, and moderates agreed with some and rejected some of the new ideas . The Southern Democrats found ways to slow down and eventually stop the progress of Reconstruction.

52. Check all that apply. Which were characteristics that describe the South during the Civil War?

More railroads

Lack of industries

More shipyards

53. Which branch of government did Andrew Johnson struggle with the most?

Executive

Legislative

Judicial

They tried to get him impeached for his resistance to progressive Reconstruction legislation. He stayed in office by a single vote during the impeachment proceedings.

Explanation

They tried to get him impeached for his resistance to progressive Reconstruction legislation. He stayed in office by a single vote during the impeachment proceedings.

54. Which branch of government has the power to sign treaties with other nations?

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

55. Which of the following was a Congressional act to try to settle the slavery issue in the U.S? Check all that apply.

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Missouri Compromise

Submit

56. Manifest Destiny was the idea Americans were the best candidates to control North America, from sea to shining sea.

True

False

Some would argue against this, such as Native Americans. The spread of democracy would be a positive, when we live up to those ideals.

Explanation

Some would argue against this, such as Native Americans. The spread of democracy would be a positive, when we live up to those ideals.

57. Check all that apply. Check off all of the reasons why off the field conditions killed more people in the Civil War than on the battle fields themselves.

Temperature and weather conditions

Disease and lack of sterilization of medical equipment

Unsafe food

The American Red Cross

Submit

58. What term best describes the voting patterns in the South after 1877?

New South

Solid South

Scalawag Central

Scalawags were Southerners who voted with the Republican Party.

Explanation

Scalawags were Southerners who voted with the Republican Party.

59. Check off all that apply. Which of the following were ways that local and state governments tried to interfere with the 15th amendment?

Grandfather clause

Literacy test

Poll tax

Intimidation by the KKK

Submit

60. The 13th amendment protected the citizenship rights of the former slaves.

True

False

The 13th abolished slavery, the 14th worked on citizenship rights. The 15th guaranteed voting rights for African American males.

Explanation

The 13th abolished slavery, the 14th worked on citizenship rights. The 15th guaranteed voting rights for African American males.

61. Which branch of government has the power to approve signed treaties with other nations?

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

62. Which of the following caused sectional conflict in the United States? Check all that apply.

The election of Lincoln, 1860

The Dred Scott Decision

The actions of John Brown

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Debates over states' rights

Submit

63. Which of the following included popular sovereignty? Check all that apply.

Compromise of 1850

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Missouri Compromise

Submit

64. Name a current U.S. state that was added thanks to the Mexican War

California

Nevada

Utah

There were others from that region as well, or parts of (such as New Mexico)

Explanation

There were others from that region as well, or parts of (such as New Mexico)

Submit

65. Which regions experienced growth in railroad mileage after the Civil War

North

South

West

The North added many connecting lines to their existing network; the South had many of their railroads rebuilt after the devastation of total war; the West needed new railroads to connect its growing population with other more established cities.

Explanation

The North added many connecting lines to their existing network; the South had many of their railroads rebuilt after the devastation of total war; the West needed new railroads to connect its growing population with other more established cities.

Submit