American History I Exam Review: II

The United States Supreme Court gained the power of judicial review through the Court's decision in Marbury v. Madison. Judicial review refers to the Court's authority to review and interpret laws, determining their constitutionality. This landmark case established the principle that the Supreme Court has the final say in interpreting the Constitution and has the power to declare laws passed by Congress or actions taken by the executive branch as unconstitutional. This power has since become a crucial aspect of the Court's role in the American legal system.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) is the correct answer because this Supreme Court decision ruled that the state of Georgia did not have the authority to regulate the Cherokee Nation or interfere with their lands. This decision recognized the sovereignty of Native American tribes and their right to self-governance. The Trail of Tears refers to the forced removal of Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, from their ancestral lands to designated Indian Territory, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans. This decision is closely associated with the Trail of Tears because it addressed the legal rights and treatment of Native American tribes during this time period.

President Thomas Jefferson supported the Louisiana Purchase because he wanted to gain full control of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River was a vital waterway for trade and transportation, and by acquiring the Louisiana Territory, Jefferson ensured that the United States would have unrestricted access to this important river. This would allow for the expansion of American commerce and settlement in the western territories. Additionally, controlling the Mississippi River would also prevent other European powers, such as France or Spain, from gaining control of this strategic waterway.

The correct answer is "began imposing new taxes on the colonists." After the French and Indian War, the British government faced a significant debt and sought to recover it by imposing various taxes on the American colonists. These included the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts, which sparked widespread protests and resistance among the colonists. The imposition of these taxes without colonial representation in the British government was a major factor that fueled the independence movement in the thirteen colonies.

During the colonial period, the economic development of the South was most directly dependent on the labor of enslaved Africans. Enslaved Africans were forced to work on plantations, cultivating crops such as tobacco, cotton, and rice. Their labor was essential for the profitability and success of these agricultural enterprises. The South's economy relied heavily on the production and export of these cash crops, and the institution of slavery allowed plantation owners to exploit the labor of enslaved Africans for their own economic gain.

The authors of the Constitution drew on Montesquieu's concept of separation of powers to prevent tyranny. This concept suggests that power should be divided among different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. By doing so, it ensures that not one branch has too much power and can potentially abuse it. This system of checks and balances helps to safeguard against the concentration of power in the hands of a few and promotes a more democratic and accountable government.

The correct answer is "encourage settlement west of the Mississippi River." The Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act were both passed in 1862 as part of the federal government's efforts to promote westward expansion. The Homestead Act provided free land to settlers who were willing to develop and cultivate it, while the Pacific Railway Act authorized the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, which facilitated transportation and migration to the western territories. These acts were aimed at incentivizing and supporting the settlement of the western lands.

The Black Codes were a series of laws enacted in the Southern states after the Civil War. These laws were designed to restrict the rights and freedoms of newly freed African Americans. The codes aimed to maintain white supremacy and control over the African American population by imposing strict regulations on their behavior, labor, and movement. The Black Codes effectively limited the rights of African Americans and perpetuated a system of racial discrimination and oppression.

In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that the American colonies should break away from England. Paine believed that it was common sense for the colonies to seek independence from British rule. He argued that the British government was oppressive and that the colonies would be better off governing themselves. Paine also highlighted the economic benefits of independence, stating that the colonies would no longer be dependent on British trade and protection. His arguments were influential in shaping public opinion and ultimately led to the American colonies declaring independence from England.

During the 1830s, President Andrew Jackson supported the Indian removal policy because white settlers desired the land on which Native American Indians lived. This policy aimed to forcibly relocate Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to make way for white settlement and expansion. Jackson believed that this would alleviate conflicts between settlers and Native Americans and open up valuable land for agricultural and economic development. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 was passed under Jackson's administration, leading to the forced removal of thousands of Native Americans, most notably the Cherokee Nation, along the Trail of Tears.

The timeline provided shows that the United States gained territory in the early 19th century through diplomacy. This is evident from the various treaties mentioned, such as the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, the Convention with Britain, the Adams-Onís Treaty, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, and the Treaty of Oregon. These treaties were negotiated agreements between the United States and other countries or territories, indicating that territory was acquired through diplomatic means rather than war or executive orders.

In his first inaugural address, President Abraham Lincoln stated his main goal for the nation was to preserve the Union. This means that Lincoln's priority was to maintain the unity of the United States and prevent it from splitting apart due to the ongoing conflict over slavery. Lincoln believed that preserving the Union was crucial for the country's stability and prosperity.

The War of 1812 resulted in the United States maintaining its independence and its territory. Despite facing challenges from the British Empire, the United States successfully defended itself and preserved its sovereignty. The war solidified the nation's independence and demonstrated its ability to protect its territory from foreign powers.

The issue most closely associated with these headlines is the status of slavery in new states. The first headline mentions the compromise that allowed Maine and Missouri to enter the Union, which was related to the issue of slavery. The second headline states that California joined the Union as part of the Compromise of 1850, which also dealt with the issue of slavery. The third headline mentions the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which established popular sovereignty in the territories and was a significant event in the debate over slavery. Therefore, the correct answer is the status of slavery in new states.

The primary objection of the Antifederalists to the ratification of the Constitution was that they believed the rights of the people were not protected. They were concerned that the Constitution did not include a bill of rights, which would explicitly outline the rights and freedoms of individuals. The Antifederalists argued that without these protections, the government could potentially infringe upon the rights of the people. They believed that a bill of rights was necessary to safeguard individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government.

The Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford denied Congress the power to regulate slavery in the territories. This decision further deepened the sectional conflict because it effectively nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in certain territories. By denying Congress the authority to regulate slavery, the ruling allowed for the expansion of slavery into new territories and heightened tensions between the North and the South. This decision ultimately contributed to the growing divide between the free and slave states, leading to the eventual outbreak of the Civil War.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 had an immediate effect of allowing farmers to more easily ship their grain to eastern markets. The canal provided a direct water route from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, bypassing the need for overland transportation. This reduced transportation costs and time, making it more profitable for farmers to sell their products in the eastern markets. As a result, the completion of the Erie Canal had a significant impact on the agricultural economy and trade in the region.

President Washington believed that alliances could draw the United States into wars. He stated that it is the true policy of the United States to avoid permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. He emphasized the importance of honesty and observing existing engagements but also expressed his opinion that extending alliances would be unnecessary and unwise. This suggests that he was cautious about getting involved in international conflicts and believed that avoiding alliances would help maintain peace and protect the interests of the United States.

The Monroe Doctrine, established in 1823, was a foreign policy that aimed to protect the independence of newly formed Latin American nations. It stated that any attempt by European powers to colonize or interfere in the affairs of these nations would be considered a threat to the United States. Therefore, the correct answer is that the Monroe Doctrine opposed the creation of new colonies in Latin America.

The disputed presidential election of 1876 resulted in the end of Reconstruction as federal troops were removed from the South. This election was highly controversial and marked by allegations of voter fraud and political maneuvering. As a compromise, a special commission was created to determine the outcome, and it ultimately awarded the presidency to Rutherford B. Hayes. As part of the compromise, Hayes agreed to remove federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction and allowing Southern states to regain control over their own affairs. This decision had significant consequences for African Americans, as it led to the rollback of many civil rights protections and the establishment of Jim Crow segregation laws.