Chapter 20 Practice Test

The word "maxim" refers to a wise saying or a concise statement that contains a general truth or rule for behavior. It is a brief and memorable expression that carries wisdom and advice. In the given passage, the word "maxim" is used to indicate a type of statement or phrase that imparts wisdom or knowledge. Therefore, the correct answer is "wise saying."

The correct answer is "faced discrimination and racism." This is because historically, free blacks in both the North and the South faced significant discrimination and racism. Despite being free, they were often denied basic rights and opportunities that were afforded to white individuals. They faced segregation, limited access to education and employment, and were subjected to various forms of racism and prejudice.

The cotton gin was a machine that made it much easier and faster to separate cotton fibers from the seeds. This invention increased the profitability of cotton production, leading to a significant increase in demand for cotton. As a result, more slaves were needed to work on cotton plantations to meet the growing demand. Therefore, the main effect of the cotton gin on slaves was an increase in the demand for their labor.

The correct answer is "field hands" because the statement mentions that the great majority of slaves worked as something, and out of the given options, field hands were the most common occupation for slaves. Field hands were responsible for working in the fields, cultivating and harvesting crops, and performing manual labor on plantations. This occupation was prevalent during the time of slavery, especially in agricultural regions where large plantations were common.

The correct answer is that the South's economy depended on slave labor. This is because slavery was deeply ingrained in the economic system of the southern states, particularly in the agricultural sector. Plantation owners relied on enslaved labor to work their crops, such as cotton, tobacco, and rice, which were major exports and sources of wealth for the region. The profitability of these crops was directly tied to the institution of slavery, as it provided a cheap and abundant workforce. Therefore, even white southerners who did not own slaves recognized the economic importance of slavery and supported it for the sake of the South's economy.

The correct answer is "the living conditions endured by slaves." This answer is correct because the question asks for the option that does not express African cultural traditions. While the songs, spirituals, stories, folktales, art, and quilts created by slaves were all ways in which African cultural traditions were expressed, the living conditions endured by slaves were not a form of cultural expression but rather a result of their enslavement.

The map above shows the growth of the cotton kingdom. This can be inferred from the fact that the map is depicting the rising value of slaves. The increase in the value of slaves is directly linked to the expansion of the cotton industry, as slaves were heavily used for labor in cotton plantations. Therefore, the map is illustrating the growth and importance of the cotton kingdom during the time period in question.

The correct answer is "about doubled." This can be inferred from the statement that between 1839 and 1860, the amount of land in the South devoted to cotton increased slowly. Since the options "increased slowly" and "about doubled" are the only ones that indicate an increase, it can be concluded that the land devoted to cotton approximately doubled during that period.

The correct answer is the cotton gin. The map shows changes in cotton production and distribution, indicating that the invention of the cotton gin had a significant impact on the cotton industry. The cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in the late 18th century, revolutionized cotton processing by efficiently separating cotton fibers from the seeds. This invention greatly increased the productivity of cotton production, leading to a boom in the cotton industry and the expansion of cotton cultivation in the southern United States.

Slaveholders used various methods to control enslaved African Americans, including treating slaves like grown-up children, threatening severe punishment for disobedience, and keeping them ignorant about the outside world. However, promising slaves their freedom if they worked hard was not a method used by slaveholders to control them. This option goes against the fundamental principles of slavery, which involved ownership and control over individuals as property.

The correct answer is "brought joy and comfort to each other." This is because when slaves gathered together in their "invisible churches," they found solace and support in each other's company. In these spaces, they were able to share their experiences, express their emotions, and find a sense of community and belonging. This brought them joy and comfort in the midst of their difficult and oppressive circumstances.

Slaves generally feared being sold away from their families the most because it meant being separated from their loved ones and losing any sense of security or support. The bond between family members was crucial for emotional and psychological well-being, and being forcibly separated from them would cause immense pain and anguish. Additionally, being sold away meant being subjected to an unknown and potentially harsher living and working conditions under a new owner.

The cotton kingdom in 1860 stretched approximately 1,200 miles from Norfolk to Port Lavaca.

During the period from 1801 to 1860, the map shows that the system of slavery expanded primarily towards the west, specifically into the Mississippi Valley and Texas. This can be inferred from the fact that the map does not show any significant movement south into Florida and the Caribbean, east onto islands off the Atlantic Coast, or north into the Ohio Valley and Louisiana Territory. Therefore, the correct answer is west into the Mississippi Valley and Texas.

The passage is likely a primary source because it is written by an eyewitness to an event. Primary sources are firsthand accounts of events, typically written by someone who directly experienced or witnessed the event. This suggests that the passage is a reliable and authentic source of information about the event.

Slaves resisted slavery by finding ways to avoid work. This was a form of passive resistance where slaves would intentionally slow down their work, feign illness, or break tools to disrupt the productivity of their owners. By doing so, they were able to resist the oppressive nature of slavery and assert some control over their own lives. This method allowed slaves to resist without directly confronting their owners or risking immediate punishment.

The map suggests that selling slaves for the slave trade was more profitable than raising cotton in Virginia and Kentucky. This can be inferred because the map indicates that there were a higher number of slaves in these states compared to the other options given. The higher number of slaves suggests that there was a higher demand for slaves in these states, which would make selling slaves for the slave trade more profitable. Additionally, the lower number of slaves in the other states suggests that raising cotton may have been a more profitable endeavor in those regions.

According to Douglass, masters knew little about how slaves felt because slaves were afraid to be truthful. Slaves were in a constant state of fear and oppression, and expressing their true feelings and opinions could lead to severe punishment or even death. Masters did not create an environment where slaves felt comfortable sharing their emotions and thoughts openly, which resulted in masters having limited knowledge about the true feelings and opinions of their slaves.