American History I Exam Review: III
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The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none; or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities. Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground? Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice.George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796Courtesy of The Avalon Project at Yale Law SchoolIn his farewell address, how did George Washington attempt to influence the foreign policy of the United States?
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He advised the nation to favor those countries with commercial ties to the United States
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He encouraged politicians to promote a foreign policy of imperialism
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He recommended a policy of neutrality with other nations
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He advocated for an alliance with European nations
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This American History I Exam Review assesses understanding of key historical perspectives and policies from the early United States, examining foundational texts and speeches that shaped America's political and social landscape.
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- 2.
American Party Platform (1856) Americans must rule America; and to this end native-born citizens should be elected for all State, Federal and municipal offices of government employment, in preference to all others.Persons born of American parents residing temporarily abroad, should be entitled to all the rights of native-born citizens.No person should be selected for political station (whether of native or foreign birth), who recognizes any allegiance or obligation of any description to any foreign prince, potentate, or power, or who refuses to recognize the Federal and State Constitutions (each within its sphere) as paramount to all other laws, as rules of political action.The unequaled recognition and maintenance of the reserved rights of the several States, and the cultivation of harmony and fraternal good-will between the citizens of the several States, and to this end, non-interference by Congress with questions appertaining solely to the individual States, and non-intervention by each State with the affairs of any other State.How did the American Party respond to the immigration of Germans in the Midwest and Irish in the East?
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It built low-cost government housing projects to accommodate the influx of European immigrants
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It called for the exclusion of people born outside of the United States from voting or holding office
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It created education and job-training programs to help immigrants integrate into American society
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It proposed an amendment to make English the national language and ban the speaking of foreign languages
Correct Answer
A. It called for the exclusion of people born outside of the United States from voting or holding officeExplanation
The American Party responded to the immigration of Germans in the Midwest and Irish in the East by calling for the exclusion of people born outside of the United States from voting or holding office. This was part of their platform, which emphasized the idea that native-born citizens should be given preference in government positions. The party believed that only those who were born in America should have the right to participate in the political process and hold positions of power. This exclusionary stance was a direct response to the increasing numbers of immigrants arriving in the country during that time.Rate this question:
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- 3.
In a response letter to John Holmes in April 1820 concerning the Missouri question, Thomas Jefferson wrote:This momentous question, like a fire bell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it at once as the [death] knell of the Union . . . but this is a reprieve only, not a final sentence. A geographical line, coinciding with a marked principle, moral and political, once conceived and held up to the angry passions of men, will never be obliterated; and every new irritation will mark it deeper and deeper . . . the cession of that kind of property, . . . would not cost me in a second thought, if . . . a general emancipation . . . could be effected . . . but, as it is, we have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.Why did Jefferson believe that the passage of the Missouri Compromise would deepen sectional conflict?
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Each enactment by Congress that took power away from the states would have built more resentment
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While some wanted slavery to end immediately, others wanted it to end gradually
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Americans would have argued forever over the line, once it was created
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Adding new states would have recreated the competition
Correct Answer
A. Americans would have argued forever over the line, once it was createdExplanation
Jefferson believed that the passage of the Missouri Compromise would deepen sectional conflict because Americans would have argued forever over the line, once it was created. He believed that a geographical line dividing free and slave states would be a constant source of tension and would only deepen with every new disagreement or conflict. Jefferson saw the compromise as a temporary solution that would not resolve the underlying issue of slavery, but rather perpetuate and intensify the divisions between the North and the South.Rate this question:
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- 4.
I appeal to you, my friends, as mothers: are you willing to enslave your children? You start back with horror and indignation at such a question. But why, if slavery is no wrong to those upon whom it is imposed?Angelina Grimké,An Appeal to the Christian Women of the South, 1836How did Angelina Grimké′s religious beliefs affect her participation in the abolitionist movement?
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Mrs. Grimké focused on urging slave owners in the South to free their slaves in order to avoid punishment from God
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Mrs. Grimké worked to convince women, as Christians and mothers, that slavery was immoral and should be abolished
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Mrs. Grimké led political protests and petitioned the federal government to end slavery immediately
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Mrs. Grimké used the Bible to defend her roles as both slave owner and advocate for the spread of slavery
Correct Answer
A. Mrs. Grimké worked to convince women, as Christians and mothers, that slavery was immoral and should be abolishedExplanation
Angelina Grimké's religious beliefs influenced her participation in the abolitionist movement by motivating her to work towards convincing women, particularly Christian mothers, that slavery was morally wrong and should be abolished. She believed that as Christians, they had a responsibility to fight against the institution of slavery and to advocate for the freedom of enslaved individuals. By appealing to their religious values and emphasizing the immorality of slavery, Grimké aimed to inspire others to join the cause and work towards its abolition.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Fellow Citizens, I am not wanting in respect for the fathers of this republic. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. . . . The point from which I am compelled to view them is not, certainly, the most favorable; and yet I cannot contemplate their great deeds with less than admiration. They were statesmen, patriots and heroes, and for the good they did, and the principles they contended for, I will unite with you to honor their memory. . . . What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy— a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.Frederick Douglass, July 5, 1852What understanding did Frederick Douglass wish to convey in his speech, What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?
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The extent to which slavery and citizenship share common characteristics
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The degree to which slaves were denied the civil rights they were granted in the U.S. Constitution
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The connection between the right to vote and the realization of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
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The contrast between the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the realities of slavery
Correct Answer
A. The contrast between the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the realities of slaveryExplanation
In his speech, Frederick Douglass conveys the contrast between the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the harsh realities of slavery. He criticizes the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom and equality on the Fourth of July while simultaneously denying these rights to enslaved African Americans. Douglass argues that for the American slave, the Fourth of July is a stark reminder of the injustice and cruelty they face. By highlighting this contrast, Douglass aims to expose the hypocrisy of a nation that claims to champion liberty and equality while perpetuating the institution of slavery.Rate this question:
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- 6.
James Henry Hammond was a South Carolina politician and U.S. Senator before the Civil War. He was a strong advocate of slavery and included justifications of the institution into many of his speeches: The Senator from New York said yesterday that the whole world had abolished slavery . . . all the powers of the earth cannot abolish that . . . in short, your whole hireling class of manual laborers . . . are essentially slaves. The difference between us is, that our slaves are hired for life and well compensated; there is no starvation, no begging, no want of employment among our people, and not too much employment either. Yours are hired by the day, not cared for, and scantily compensated, which may be proved in the most painful manner, at any hour in any street of your large towns. Why, you meet more beggars in one day, in any single street of the city of New York, than you would meet in a lifetime in the whole South. We do not think that whites should be slaves either by law or necessity. Our slaves are black, of another . . . race. The status in which we have placed them is an elevation . . . They are happy, content, unaspiring . . . Yours are white, of your own race; you are brothers of one blood. They are your equals in natural endowment of intellect, and they feel galled by their degradation.James Henry Hammond, speech before the U.S. Senate, March 4, 1858According to Hammond, how did freedom and equality contribute to the justification of the economic system of slavery in the South?
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Hammond stated that poor people of all races should be slaves because slave owners provide their slaves with basic life necessities
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Hammond argued that American slaves were inferior as a race, but they were treated much better than other impoverished peoples
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Hammond thought that slaves should receive monetary wages for their work but at a much lower rate than whites who performed the same jobs
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Hammond believed that states′ rights were a central part of freedom and therefore supported slavery only to advance this position
Correct Answer
A. Hammond argued that American slaves were inferior as a race, but they were treated much better than other impoverished peoples -
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How did the outcome of the Mexican-American War, which added new lands to America, increase sectional tensions throughout the 1850s?
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Southern farmers resented the wealth gained from California gold
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Texas and California did not desire statehood, which angered New England politicians
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Territorial expansion led to intense debates about the extension of slavery into the new areas
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Agriculture became the dominant economic activity in the new areas, which threatened manufacturing interests.
Correct Answer
A. Territorial expansion led to intense debates about the extension of slavery into the new areasExplanation
The outcome of the Mexican-American War resulted in the acquisition of new lands by America, namely Texas and California. This expansion of territory led to heated debates and tensions regarding the extension of slavery into these new areas. The issue of whether these territories would be admitted as free or slave states intensified the sectional divide between the North and South. The North opposed the spread of slavery, while the South sought to protect and expand the institution. These debates ultimately contributed to the growing tensions that would lead to the American Civil War.Rate this question:
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- 8.
It shall be lawful for the President of the United States . . . to order all such aliens as he shall judge dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States . . . to depart out of the territory of the United States . . . If any person shall write, print, utter, or publish . . . scandalous and malicious writings against the government of the United States . . . they shall be punished by a fine . . . and by imprisonment.Excerpt from the Alien and Sedition Acts SchoolHow did the Quasi-War with France and the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts affect American politics?
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Legislation was passed that limited U.S. citizens′ First Amendment rights
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Legislation was passed that increased the power of the state governments
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Legislation was passed that limited the power of the president during wartime
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Legislation was passed that expanded voting rights to newly immigrated citizens
Correct Answer
A. Legislation was passed that limited U.S. citizens′ First Amendment rightsExplanation
The passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts during the Quasi-War with France affected American politics by limiting U.S. citizens' First Amendment rights. These acts allowed the President to order the deportation of aliens deemed dangerous and imposed fines and imprisonment for anyone who wrote or published scandalous and malicious writings against the government. This legislation curtailed freedom of speech and press, restricting the ability of citizens to criticize the government and express their opinions.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The British empire drove the French out of nearly all of North America with its victory in the Seven Years′ War, 1756–1763, also known as the French and Indian War. Tensions remained between the British and the American Indians on the frontier following the war. As an attempt at compromise, the British government issued the Proclamation of 1763, forbidding the settlement of British colonists west of the Appalachian Mountains.How did this proclamation contribute to colonial unrest leading up to the Revolutionary War?
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Colonists wanted to settle in the Ohio Valley and lands farther west
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Colonists felt that the British had abandoned them in North America
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Colonists who had fought with the French were angry over their defeat
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Colonists were unhappy with British aggression toward American Indians
Correct Answer
A. Colonists wanted to settle in the Ohio Valley and lands farther westExplanation
The Proclamation of 1763 contributed to colonial unrest leading up to the Revolutionary War because it forbade the settlement of British colonists west of the Appalachian Mountains. This directly conflicted with the desires of the colonists, who wanted to settle in the Ohio Valley and lands farther west. They saw this proclamation as an infringement on their rights and freedoms, leading to increased tension and resentment towards the British government. This contributed to the overall discontent and desire for independence among the colonists, ultimately leading to the Revolutionary War.Rate this question:
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- 10.
INFORMATION WANTED: Of Rosamon Mobley, who formerly belonged to Mr. C. P. Pelham. When heard of, she was going to Sumter to look for her father and mother. Any information will be thankfully received by Susannah Babrige.The Daily Phoenix (Columbia, SC) August 19, 1866INFORMATION WANTED: Of Marcelia Shorter, colored, formerly of Washington County, Maryland. When last heard from was in New Orleans, Marcelia is aged between 40 and 45, bright mulatto, and kept furnished rooms some twelve years ago in New Orleans. She will hear of a brother by addressing Lloyd Shorter.The Louisiana Democrat (Alexandria, LA) July 27, 1870INFORMATION WANTED: Of my father and mother, who were when I last heard from them in Murfresboro, Tenn. They were formerly slaves; my father went by the name of Isaac Fisher, and my mother was called Fanny Bowles. Any person knowing the whereabouts of either of the above names persons will please address to me in care of P. A. Bell. Editor Elevator, San Francisco. Thomas Vaughn, Mission, San Jose, Cal.Maryville Republican (Maryville, TN) February 26, 1870Based on the above excerpts, what impact did the breakup of the plantation system have on African-American families in the United States?
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African-American families quickly assimilated into the dominant white culture of the United States
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African-American families in the South were given forty acres and a mule to begin their new lives.
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African-American families broke apart so that they could meet new people, which slavery had prevented
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African-American family members who were separated by slavery worked hard to locate one another and reunite
Correct Answer
A. African-American family members who were separated by slavery worked hard to locate one another and reuniteExplanation
The given excerpts provide evidence that African-American families were separated during slavery and sought to reunite with their family members. The individuals mentioned in the information wanted ads were actively searching for their loved ones, indicating the impact of the breakup of the plantation system on African-American families. This suggests that the system of slavery had torn families apart, and after emancipation, many African-Americans made efforts to find and reconnect with their relatives.Rate this question:
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- 11.
What is the significance of Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) with Spain?
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It gave the United States the right to navigate the Mississippi
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It gave the United States most-favored nation status.
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It allowed Lewis and Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory
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It moved the Shawnee to the Indiana Territory
Correct Answer
A. It gave the United States the right to navigate the MississippiExplanation
Pinckney's Treaty, also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo, was a significant agreement between the United States and Spain. It granted the United States the right to navigate the Mississippi River, which was crucial for trade and transportation. This treaty resolved border disputes between the two nations and opened up access to the important port of New Orleans. By securing the right to navigate the Mississippi, the United States gained a significant advantage in terms of economic and territorial expansion in the western frontier.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Why did many Mormons migrate to the western United States?
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To pursue gold mining
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To avoid the slavery conflict
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To take advantage of cheap farmland
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To escape religious persecution
Correct Answer
A. To escape religious persecutionExplanation
Many Mormons migrated to the western United States to escape religious persecution. The Mormons faced hostility and discrimination in the eastern United States, particularly in states like Illinois and Missouri. They were seeking a place where they could freely practice their religion and establish their own community. The western United States offered them the opportunity to find religious freedom and create a safe haven for their beliefs.Rate this question:
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- 13.
Which part of the Compromise of 1850 received the greatest support from southern farmers?
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The admission of California as a free state
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The passage of a strict fugitive slave law
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The end of the slave trade in Washington D.C.
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The allowance of popular sovereignty in new territories
Correct Answer
A. The passage of a strict fugitive slave lawExplanation
Southern farmers would have supported the passage of a strict fugitive slave law because it would have made it easier for them to recapture escaped slaves. This would have been beneficial to them economically and helped maintain the institution of slavery in the South. Additionally, southern farmers would have seen the recapture of escaped slaves as a way to protect their property rights and maintain social order.Rate this question:
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- 14.
What impact did the transcontinental railroad have on the economy of the West during the mid-1800s?
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Decreased the need for government regulations
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Increased the time needed to ship products to other regions
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Decreased the eastern rail lines
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Increase settlement and growth in the region
Correct Answer
A. Increase settlement and growth in the regionExplanation
The transcontinental railroad had a significant impact on the economy of the West during the mid-1800s by increasing settlement and growth in the region. The railroad provided a faster and more efficient mode of transportation, allowing for easier movement of people, goods, and resources. This led to the development of new towns and cities along the railroad route, as well as increased agricultural and industrial production. The railroad also stimulated trade and commerce, opening up new markets for Western goods and connecting the region to the rest of the country. Overall, the transcontinental railroad played a crucial role in the economic development and expansion of the West.Rate this question:
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- 15.
What was the impact of westward expansion on American Indians during the Jacksonian era?
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Most American Indians were forced to move to Canada
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Most American Indians were assimilated into U.S. society
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Most American Indians were relocated to lands west of the Mississippi River
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Most American Indians were able to negotiate to keep their land
Correct Answer
A. Most American Indians were relocated to lands west of the Mississippi RiverExplanation
During the Jacksonian era, the impact of westward expansion on American Indians was that most of them were relocated to lands west of the Mississippi River. This was a result of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeastern United States. The forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the displacement and suffering of thousands of American Indians as they were moved to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Susan B. Anthony is best known for which area of reform?
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Labor
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Immigration
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Prohibition
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Suffrage
Correct Answer
A. SuffrageExplanation
Susan B. Anthony is best known for her work in the area of suffrage. She was a prominent leader in the women's suffrage movement in the United States and played a crucial role in advocating for women's right to vote. Anthony dedicated her life to fighting for gender equality and was instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Her tireless efforts and activism in the suffrage movement have made her a significant figure in American history.Rate this question:
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- 17.
Why did the U.S. Congress pass the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798?
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To prevent immigrants from joining the Federalist Party
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To prevent a war with France
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To prevent government oppposition
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To prevent immigration from Canada
Correct Answer
A. To prevent government opppositionExplanation
The U.S. Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to prevent government opposition. These acts were aimed at suppressing political dissent and criticism of the government, particularly from the Democratic-Republican Party. The government feared that opposition voices would undermine their authority and stability. By passing these acts, the Congress sought to silence critics and maintain control over the political landscape.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Which idea did Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet support before 1820?
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Organization of American Indians into a separate state
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Assimilation of American Indians into U.S. society
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Unification of American Indians in resistance to the U.S. government
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Relocation of American Indians west of the Mississippi River
Correct Answer
A. Unification of American Indians in resistance to the U.S. governmentExplanation
Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet supported the idea of unifying American Indians in resistance to the U.S. government. They believed that by uniting the various tribes, they could resist the encroachment of white settlers and protect their lands and way of life. This idea of resistance was a response to the increasing pressure and aggression from the U.S. government towards Native American tribes during the early 19th century. Tecumseh and the Prophet sought to create a confederacy of tribes that would stand together against U.S. expansion and defend their sovereignty.Rate this question:
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- 19.
Which of these is the strongest evidence of the federal government showing its power over state governments during the Reconstruction period?
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The creation of the sharecropping system
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The migration of carpetbaggers into southern states
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The military occupation of former Confederate states
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The creation of the Freedmen's Bureau
Correct Answer
A. The military occupation of former Confederate statesExplanation
During the Reconstruction period, the military occupation of former Confederate states is the strongest evidence of the federal government showing its power over state governments. This action demonstrated the federal government's ability to assert control and enforce its policies in the South. The presence of federal troops in these states ensured that the government's authority was upheld and that the process of Reconstruction could proceed as planned. The military occupation served as a clear display of the federal government's power and influence over the state governments during this time.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Which issue led to the organization of the Populist Party?
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The desire to lift the burden of debt from farmers and other workers
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The collapse of the Second Bank of the United States
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An increase in immigration
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Limited availability of land in the West for use by new farmers
Correct Answer
A. The desire to lift the burden of debt from farmers and other workersExplanation
The organization of the Populist Party was primarily driven by the desire to alleviate the financial struggles faced by farmers and workers. This was a result of the heavy burden of debt that they were facing, which was hindering their ability to prosper economically. The party aimed to address this issue by advocating for policies such as government regulation of banks and railroads, as well as the implementation of a graduated income tax. By focusing on the economic concerns of farmers and workers, the Populist Party sought to bring about meaningful change and improve the lives of those who were struggling financially.Rate this question:
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