APUSH Practice Test Unit #3

Marbury v Madison is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review. This means that the court has the power to review and invalidate laws or actions that are deemed unconstitutional. The case involved William Marbury, who was appointed as a justice of the peace by outgoing President John Adams. However, his commission was not delivered, and the new Secretary of State, James Madison, refused to honor it. The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice John Marshall, declared that Marbury had a right to his commission but also ruled that the court did not have the authority to enforce it. This decision established the power of the court to interpret the Constitution and declare laws unconstitutional.

McCulloch v Maryland was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1819 that addressed the issue of whether the state of Maryland had the power to tax a branch of the Bank of the United States. The court ruled that the state did not have this power, establishing the supremacy of federal law over state law. This decision solidified the principle that federal laws and the Constitution take precedence over conflicting state laws, ultimately shaping the balance of power between the federal government and the states.

The Whig party was the first major party in American history. It was formed in the early 1830s and was active until the mid-1850s. The party emerged as a result of the growing opposition to President Andrew Jackson and his policies. The Whigs advocated for a strong federal government, economic development through internal improvements, and a protective tariff. They also supported the American System, which aimed to promote industry and infrastructure. The party's members included former National Republicans, Anti-Masons, and other individuals who opposed Jacksonian democracy. The Whig party played a significant role in shaping American politics during its existence.

The northerners were opposed to statehood for Texas because they were against the expansion of slavery. They feared that if Texas became a slave state, it would upset the balance of power between the free and slave states in the country. This opposition was driven by the moral and political concerns surrounding the institution of slavery, as well as the potential impact it would have on the future of the United States.

The spoils system refers to a practice where political supporters are given public office positions as a reward for their loyalty and support. This system was implemented to incentivize individuals to actively participate in politics and support the ruling party or candidate. By offering public office positions to political supporters, it ensured their continued loyalty and helped to maintain a strong political base. This practice also allowed the ruling party to control and influence the government by placing trusted individuals in key positions.

The American System, proposed by Henry Clay, aimed to promote economic growth and national unity. It included a protective tariff to protect American industries, a national bank to stabilize the economy, and internal improvements to develop transportation infrastructure. However, it did not include a strong navy as part of its agenda. The American System focused more on domestic economic policies rather than military expansion or defense.

The Embargo Act, which banned trade with France, was initially applauded in New England. However, it ended up hurting Americans more than anyone else. This is because the Act severely impacted American merchants and farmers who relied on international trade for their livelihoods. The embargo caused a significant economic downturn, leading to widespread unemployment and financial hardships for Americans. Additionally, the Act did not achieve its intended goal of forcing Britain and France to respect American neutrality.

The Missouri Compromise, enacted in 1820, aimed to maintain a balance between free and slave states in the United States. The correct answer, "ban on slavery north of 36 degrees 30' in the LA purchase territory," refers to one of the key provisions of the compromise. It established that slavery would be prohibited in any new states formed north of the 36 degrees 30' latitude line within the Louisiana Purchase territory. This line became a significant dividing point between areas where slavery was allowed and areas where it was banned, contributing to the ongoing tensions between the North and the South over the issue of slavery.

The War Hawks were a group of American politicians who advocated for war with Britain in the early 19th century. Their goals included capturing Canada and Florida, as well as going to war with Britain. They believed that by expanding American territory and asserting American power, the United States would be able to secure its position as a world power.

The "corrupt bargain" refers to the presidential election of 1824. In this election, none of the candidates received a majority of the electoral votes, so the decision was sent to the House of Representatives to choose the president. Henry Clay, one of the candidates, used his influence as Speaker of the House to support John Quincy Adams, who eventually won the presidency. This led to accusations of a backroom deal between Adams and Clay, hence the term "corrupt bargain."

The correct answer is "judicial independence and the separation of powers had been preserved." This is because the failure to impeach a Supreme Court Justice for "high crimes and misdemeanors" suggests that the judiciary is independent from the executive branch and that the principle of separation of powers, which ensures checks and balances between the branches of government, has been upheld.

The correct answer is proposed amendments to the constitution that would make it harder for the US to go to war. The Hartford Convention was a meeting of New England Federalists during the War of 1812. They proposed a series of amendments to the Constitution that aimed to limit the power of the federal government and make it more difficult for the US to engage in future wars. This was seen as a response to the perceived overreach of the federal government during the war and a way to protect New England's interests.

The correct answer is that Macon's Bill No. 2 resumed trade with Britain and France until one of them ended its restrictions against American trade, at which point the US would place an embargo on the other. This means that the United States would continue trading with both countries until one of them stopped restricting American trade. Once that happened, the US would stop trading with the other country as a form of punishment. This approach was intended to pressure both nations into ending their restrictions on American trade.

The American invasion of Canada in 1812 was a failure. Despite their efforts, the Americans were unable to achieve their objectives and were ultimately unsuccessful in their invasion.

President Jackson used pet banks to hold the money he withdrew from the US bank. Pet banks were state banks that were chosen by Jackson to receive federal funds. He withdrew the money from the US bank, which was the national bank at the time, and deposited it into these pet banks. Jackson believed that the US bank had too much power and favored the wealthy elite, so he wanted to weaken it by removing federal funds and distributing them among the pet banks. This action was part of Jackson's broader plan to decentralize the banking system and promote state control over finances.

The Era of Good Feelings refers to Monroe's presidency because during this time, there was a sense of national unity and political harmony in the United States. It was a period of relative peace and prosperity, marked by economic growth, territorial expansion, and a lack of major political disputes. Monroe's presidency is often associated with this era of optimism and national pride.

The South Carolina nullification crisis refers to a historical event where South Carolina attempted to nullify or reject the federal tariff laws imposed by the United States government. This crisis was sparked by the tariff of abominations, which was a protective tariff passed in 1828 that heavily taxed imported goods. The high tariffs negatively affected the Southern states, particularly South Carolina, as they relied heavily on imported goods. This led to a political disagreement between the North and South, with South Carolina arguing that they had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. Andrew Jackson, although initially sympathetic to South Carolina's concerns, ultimately opposed nullification and took measures to enforce federal law.

The Monroe Doctrine, when it was issued, was unable to be enforced by the US. This means that the US did not have the capability or means to ensure that the doctrine would be followed or respected. The doctrine was a statement of US foreign policy that aimed to prevent European colonization or intervention in the Americas. However, at the time of its issuance, the US did not have a strong military or political influence to enforce this policy effectively. Therefore, the Monroe Doctrine was incapable of being enforced by the US.

John C. Calhoun's "South Carolina Exposition" was an argument for state's rights. Calhoun believed that states had the right to nullify federal laws that they believed were unconstitutional. He argued that the states should have the power to protect their own interests and limit the authority of the federal government. Calhoun's argument for state's rights was an important part of the debate over the balance of power between the federal government and the states in the early 19th century.

The government of Mexico and the Americans who settled in Mexican controlled Texas clashed over slavery, immigration, and local rights. However, allegiance to Spain is not a point of contention between the two parties. The Americans in Texas were not opposed to Spain, but rather had conflicts with the Mexican government, which had gained control of the region from Spain.

Washington Irving and James Fenimore Cooper are recognized American writers. They both made significant contributions to American literature during the 19th century. Washington Irving is known for his short stories, such as "Rip Van Winkle" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which have become iconic American tales. James Fenimore Cooper, on the other hand, is famous for his novels, particularly the "Leatherstocking Tales" series, which includes "The Last of the Mohicans." Both writers played a crucial role in shaping American literature and are widely acknowledged for their literary achievements.

The Webster-Hayne debate was mainly about settlement issues in the west. This debate took place in 1830 and involved Daniel Webster and Robert Hayne, two prominent politicians from the North and South respectively. The main topic of contention was the expansion of settlement into the western territories of the United States. Webster argued for a strong federal government and the importance of national unity, while Hayne advocated for states' rights and the power of individual states to determine their own policies regarding settlement. The debate highlighted the growing tensions between the North and South over issues of federal power and territorial expansion.

Andrew Jackson's veto of the Maysville Road Bill was an example of his states' rightism. This is because the Maysville Road Bill was a federal infrastructure project that aimed to improve transportation in Kentucky, which was Jackson's home state. However, Jackson vetoed the bill because he believed that it was the responsibility of the individual states, rather than the federal government, to fund such projects. This decision demonstrated Jackson's belief in states' rights and his opposition to federal intervention in state affairs.

The Panic of 1837 refers to a severe economic downturn that occurred in the United States. The correct answer states that it was caused by "over speculation in the west." This refers to the excessive buying and selling of land and other assets in the western parts of the country, particularly in areas like Michigan and Arkansas. This speculative bubble eventually burst, leading to a financial crisis and widespread economic hardship.

The correct answer is Henry Harrison. Henry Harrison was the first Whig president of the United States. He served as the ninth president from 1841 until his death in 1841. He was a member of the Whig Party, which was a political party in the United States during the early to mid-19th century. The Whig Party was formed in opposition to President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party. Harrison's presidency was short-lived, as he died just 32 days after taking office.

The correct answer is "resulted in the restoration of the status quo antebellum." The Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814 between the United States and Britain, ending the War of 1812. The treaty essentially restored the pre-war conditions and boundaries between the two nations, meaning that it brought the situation back to how it was before the war started. This means that the treaty did not achieve any significant gains or losses for either side, and it did not address the impressment issue or end the Revolutionary War. The reference to the British defeat in New Orleans is not relevant to the treaty itself.

The Webster-Hayne debate was a series of speeches between Daniel Webster and Robert Hayne regarding the issue of states' rights versus federal power. The debate did not have a clear-cut winner, as both speakers presented strong arguments. However, it ended with each side satisfied by its champion because both Webster and Hayne were able to effectively defend their respective positions and gain support from their respective supporters. The debate did not have a significant influence on the country as a whole, but it showcased the differing viewpoints on an important political issue of the time.

Under President Martin van Buren, the American government's revenue was kept in independent treasuries throughout the country. This means that the government's funds were stored in separate treasuries that were not affiliated with any specific bank or financial institution. This decision was made in order to prevent any potential corruption or influence from banks, and to ensure the government had direct control over its finances.

The correct answer is New England to try to halt the lavish distribution of western land. The Webster-Hayne debate was a famous debate in 1830 between Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and Senator Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina. The debate primarily focused on the issue of states' rights and the power of the federal government. Hayne, representing the South, argued in favor of nullification, while Webster, representing New England, argued against it. The question suggests that New England was trying to halt the lavish distribution of western land, which aligns with Webster's position against the expansion of federal power and the potential threat it posed to New England's interests.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison championed the doctrine of nullification in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798–99. Jefferson argued that the union was a compact among sovereign states, with the federal government serving as their agent possessing only specified, delegated powers.

In 1820, one of the main diplomatic challenges facing James Monroe was the development of trading rights with Latin America. This was a significant issue because Latin American countries were gaining independence from European colonial powers, and Monroe wanted to establish economic ties with these newly formed nations. By securing trading rights, the United States could expand its commercial interests and strengthen its position in the region. This challenge required diplomatic negotiations and agreements with Latin American governments to establish mutually beneficial trade relationships.

The War Hawks justified war against Britain for several reasons. They believed that Americans had to defend democracy and republicanism, as well as that it was an opportunity to destroy the Indian threat in the West. They also argued that Western agricultural products could not be traded in Europe because of British policies. However, the statement that they wanted the British to face consequences for destroying their merchant ships is not a valid justification for war, as it is not mentioned as a reason by the War Hawks.