American History To 1865

The correct answer is Homestead Act. The Homestead Act was a law passed in the 1860s that allowed individuals to claim up to 160 acres of public land if they met certain requirements. These requirements included paying a registration fee, living on the land for five years, and either cultivating crops or building structures on the land. The Homestead Act was intended to encourage settlement and development of the western territories by providing individuals with the opportunity to acquire land and establish themselves as landowners.

John Calhoun was the leading southern politician of the early 19th century, hailing from South Carolina. He served as Vice President under both J.Q. Adams and Andrew Jackson. Calhoun was known for his exceptional intellect and was a strong advocate for state's rights and slavery. He played a significant role in the "nullification" movement, which asserted that states had the right to invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

An indentured servant is someone who voluntarily entered into a contract to work for another person for a specific period of time in exchange for free passage to a new country. Unlike a sharecropper, who typically worked on someone else's land and received a share of the crops as payment, an indentured servant did not receive any pay. A bond servant is similar to an indentured servant, but their contract was often for life instead of a specific period of time. A "perioded slave" is not a recognized term, and there is no information given to suggest that the person in question was a slave.

Thomas Jefferson is the correct answer because he was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and his eloquent writing skills made him the ideal choice to draft the document. He drew inspiration from Enlightenment thinkers and incorporated their ideas of natural rights and government by consent into the Declaration. Jefferson's contribution to the document solidified his place in history as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

The correct answer is the Kansas-Nebraska Act. This law, passed by Congress in 1854, divided the territory west of Missouri and Iowa into two new territories. It was controversial because it allowed for popular sovereignty, meaning that the residents of these territories could decide whether or not to allow slavery. This effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had prohibited slavery in these territories. The Kansas-Nebraska Act sparked intense debate and violence, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers clashed in the newly formed territories. It also led to the collapse of the Whig party and the rise of the Republican Party, which was founded as an anti-slavery party.

Henry Clay was a prominent American leader who was known for his political skills and dedication to preserving the Union. Although he never became President, he played a crucial role in shaping American politics. As a Whig from Kentucky, Clay was instrumental in brokering important compromises such as the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. These compromises helped to maintain the delicate balance between free and slave states and temporarily eased tensions over the issue of slavery. Clay's efforts to preserve the Union and his significant contributions to American politics make him one of the finest politicians never to be elected President.

The correct answer is The Declaration of Independence. This famous line is from the opening paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. It is a foundational document in American history, declaring the colonies' independence from Great Britain and asserting the rights and principles upon which the new nation was built. The line emphasizes the belief in the equality of all men and the idea that these rights are inherent and cannot be taken away.

John Brown's body lies a-mold'ring in the grave; His soul marching on" is a verse from a song that honors John Brown. This verse refers to John Brown's violent advocacy for the freedom of slaves. He is known for leading an ill-fated attack on a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia. This event further fueled the tensions between the North and the South leading up to the American Civil War.

Aaron Burr is the correct answer because he was an American political character who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. He was later acquitted on charges of treason for his involvement in a conspiracy to sever the western states from the Union.

The French and Indian War, which took place from 1754 to 1763, was part of the larger conflict known as the Seven Years' War. It was fought between the French and their Native American allies against the British and their Native American allies. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which resulted in France ceding Canada to Britain. Therefore, the correct answer is the Seven Years' War.

Sally Hemings is the correct answer because she was a slave owned by Thomas Jefferson, and it is alleged that he had a sexual relationship with her and fathered several children. Sally Hemings' relationship with Jefferson has been a subject of historical debate and controversy, but recent DNA evidence has supported the claims of her descendants.

The correct answer is Battle of Yorktown. The Battle of Yorktown was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. British general Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington at this site, effectively ending the war. The battle took place in Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 and was a decisive victory for the American forces.

The correct answer is the Alien and Sedition Acts. These acts were a series of laws passed in 1798 during John Adams' presidency. They aimed to limit the activities of radicals who supported the French Revolution and were critical of the Federalist party. The Alien Act allowed the government to deport or imprison non-citizens deemed dangerous, while the Sedition Act made it a crime to criticize the government, leading to the prosecution of several newspaper editors and politicians. These acts were highly controversial and seen as a violation of free speech and the First Amendment.

Sam Houston is the correct answer because he was a prominent figure in Texas history who held multiple important roles. He served as a soldier and led the Texans during their fight for independence from Mexico. He later became the president of the Republic of Texas and represented the state as a senator after it became a state. However, when he opposed Texas' decision to secede from the Union before the Civil War, he was removed from his position as governor.

The correct answer is The Battle of Lexington and Concord. Emerson's "shot heard round the world" refers to the first shot fired in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, which marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. The phrase became famous because it symbolized the start of a major conflict that would have far-reaching consequences.

Horace Mann is known as the "Father of the Modern Public School" because he dedicated his efforts to expanding access to free, nondenominational public education in Massachusetts. He believed that education should be available to all children, regardless of their social or economic background. Mann worked tirelessly to improve the quality of education, increase teacher training, and establish standardized curriculum and school funding. His contributions to the public school system had a lasting impact on education in the United States, making him the correct answer in this context.

Marbury vs. Madison was an important Supreme Court decision because it set the basis for the concept of judicial review. Judicial review is the power of the courts to review and potentially invalidate laws or actions that are deemed unconstitutional. This decision established the principle that the Supreme Court has the authority to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress. It solidified the Court's role as the final arbiter of the Constitution and its ability to check the actions of the other branches of government.

Roger Williams was expelled from Massachusetts for his liberal religious views, not political views. He believed in the separation of church and state and advocated for religious freedom. This led to his founding of Rhode Island as a haven for those seeking religious liberty.

The correct answer is "the powers of the mind are disconnected with the color of the skin". This answer is supported by the information given in the passage, which states that Benjamin Banneker taught himself advanced mathematics in order to make astronomical calculations. This demonstrates that his intellectual abilities were not limited by his skin color, contradicting the beliefs of some Americans who believed in racial superiority.

The Battle of Bull Run was won by the South and is also known as the Battle of Manassas. It was the first battle of the Civil War.

During Andrew Jackson's presidency, he implemented a set of policies known as Jacksonian Democracy. This era saw a significant increase in direct democracy within the US government. Jackson believed in expanding political participation to the common man, which resulted in the removal of property qualifications for voting and the election of political officials. This shift towards a more democratic system laid the foundation for future reforms and increased the power of the people in shaping the government.

Marquis de Lafayette is the correct answer because he was a French nobleman, political leader, and general who supported the ideals of the American Revolution. He fought alongside the Americans during the Revolution and later played a significant role in the French Revolution. The statement about General John Pershing mentioning Lafayette when landing in France during WWI refers to the debt of gratitude owed to Lafayette for his support and involvement in the American Revolution.

Crispus Attucks is considered the first black American to die in the struggle for liberty because he was one of the victims of the Boston Massacre in 1770. Attucks, a former slave, was part of a crowd protesting against British soldiers when the soldiers opened fire, killing him and four others. This event played a significant role in fueling the American Revolution and highlighting the injustices faced by African Americans in the colonies. Attucks' sacrifice and death have made him an important figure in the fight for freedom and equality in American history.

"Stonewall" Jackson is known for his famous dying words, "Let us cross the river and rest in the shade of the trees." This statement reflects his desire for peace and tranquility after the hardships of war. Jackson was a prominent Confederate general during the American Civil War and his last words have become iconic, symbolizing his longing for a peaceful end to the conflict.

Shay's Rebellion was a significant event in American history because it highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government. The rebellion, led by a former military officer, was a response to the government's foreclosure of farms. The rebellion's violent nature and the government's inability to effectively respond to it demonstrated the limitations of the existing political system. As a result, many people realized the necessity of a stronger central government and a new constitution, which eventually led to the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution.

The correct answer is Battle of Bunker Hill. This battle was the first major confrontation between the American colonists and the British during the Revolutionary War. Although the Americans were eventually forced to retreat, they put up a strong resistance and inflicted heavy casualties on the British troops. This gave the colonists confidence and showed them that they were capable of standing up to the powerful British army.

The correct answer is Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. In the 1790s, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson wrote these resolutions to assert states' rights and limit the power of the Federal Government. These resolutions were a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts and promoted the concept of Nullification, which allowed states to declare federal laws unconstitutional. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were significant in the ongoing debate over the balance of power between the states and the federal government.

The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that aimed to settle the dispute between free and slave states. As part of this compromise, California was admitted as a free state, meaning that slavery was prohibited there. Additionally, the compromise allowed other newly-acquired territories, such as New Mexico and Utah, to decide for themselves whether to allow slavery or not. Therefore, the Compromise of 1850 is the correct answer because it directly resulted in California becoming a free state and allowed other territories to determine their own stance on slavery.

During James Polk's presidency, one of his major achievements was the acquisition of Texas and California. Polk's administration successfully negotiated the annexation of Texas, which had previously been an independent republic. Additionally, Polk's administration played a significant role in the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the United States gaining California and other territories in the Southwest. These territorial acquisitions were crucial in expanding the United States' territory and influence during Polk's presidency, making it the most notable aspect of his tenure as President.

The Whigs were a political party that emerged in opposition to Jackson's Democrats. They eventually disbanded due to the contentious issue of slavery in the 1850s, with many former Whigs joining the newly formed Republican party. The Whigs supported protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for infrastructure as part of their political platform. However, expanding American control into northern South America was not a plank of the Whig party.

Fort Sumter is the correct answer because it was indeed the site of the first military engagement of the Civil War. The battle of Fort Sumter took place on April 12, 1861, when Confederate forces attacked the Union-held fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. This marked the beginning of the Civil War, as it was the first armed conflict between the Union and Confederate forces. The engagement ended with the surrender of the Union forces after two days of bombardment, establishing Confederate control over the fort.

The correct answer is in putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. This was the first major test of the new Federal Government's Constitutional powers because it demonstrated the government's ability to enforce its laws and maintain order within the country. The rebellion, which occurred in 1794, was a response to the newly established federal tax on whiskey. The government's successful suppression of the rebellion showed that it had the authority and capability to assert its power and maintain control over the states.

The "Know-Nothing" party was known for its anti-immigrant and nativist views, as well as its opposition to Roman Catholic influence in America. They were also known as the "American Party" and advocated for only "true", "native" Americans holding positions of power. However, they were not unified behind the abolition of slavery, which sets them apart from the other traits mentioned.

The Fugitive Slave Act was indeed part of the Compromise of 1850. This compromise was a series of laws that aimed to address the growing tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. The Fugitive Slave Act was one of the provisions of this compromise, and it required the return of escaped slaves to their owners, even if they had reached free states. This act was highly controversial and sparked outrage in the North, leading to increased opposition to slavery and pushing many previously indifferent northerners towards an anti-slavery position.

The quote "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!" is attributed to Daniel Webster, a Whig political leader. He used this quote to emphasize the importance of maintaining federal unity and preserving the union. John C. Calhoun, Patrick Henry, and Noah Webster were all notable figures in American history, but they did not make this specific quote in defense of federal unity.

The Battle of Chancellorsville was a costly victory for the South because it resulted in the accidental death of General Stonewall Jackson by his own troops. This loss was significant as Jackson was one of the most skilled and respected Confederate generals. The battle took place in Virginia in 1863 during the American Civil War and was a major Confederate victory, but the loss of Jackson was a significant blow to the Southern forces.

"The American Crisis" is the correct answer because it is a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. The phrase "These are the times that try men's souls" is a famous quote from this pamphlet, which was published during the American Revolution. Paine used this phrase to emphasize the difficult and challenging nature of the times and to inspire and encourage American soldiers and citizens to continue their fight for independence.

Kit Carson is the correct answer because he was a frontier guide who gained respect for his trapping and guiding skills, as well as for his role in opening up California for settlement. However, he was also involved in the forceful relocation of Navajos in the 1860s, which tarnished his reputation.

Thomas Jefferson is the correct answer because he was the President who preceded Andrew Jackson and also advocated for more direct democracy, although to a lesser extent than Jackson. Jefferson believed in the importance of individual liberties and limited government, and he supported the expansion of voting rights and the involvement of ordinary citizens in the political process. His presidency was marked by policies that aimed to empower the common people and reduce the influence of elites, similar to Jackson's approach.