An Advanced Level AP US History Practice Test!
Directions: choose the best answer for each of the following questions.
- 1.
The Eastern third of what is now the United States was originally inhabited by the
- A.
Woodland Indians
- B.
Plains Indians
- C.
Mountain Indians
- D.
Coastal tribes
- E.
Anasazi people
Correct Answer
A. Woodland IndiansExplanation
Answer (A) Woodland Indians. The Woodland Indians, descendants of the Mississipian Mound Builder cultures, populated most of North America east of the Mississippi River. For the most part, they both farmed and hunted.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The country that produced the most successful fur traders and trappers, and had the best relations with Native Americans, was:
- A.
Spain
- B.
Holland
- C.
France
- D.
England
- E.
Portugal
Correct Answer
C. FranceExplanation
Answer (C) France. The French were primarily interested in the fur trade. Indian traders, coureurs du bois (runners of the wood) lived among the Native Americans and often intermarried. Priests (known as black robes) also lived among the Native Americans. The Spanish, Dutch, and English all attempted to colonize and subdue Native American cultures.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The Half-Way Covenant provided:
- A.
Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a conversion experience.
- B.
Partial participation in politics to people who were not church members.
- C.
Admission to communion but not voting membership in the church.
- D.
Partial participation in church affairs for women.
- E.
For an end to hostilities between Anglicans and Puritans in Connecticutt.
Correct Answer
A. Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a conversion experience.Explanation
Answer (A) Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a full conversion experience. The Halfway Covenant was introduced in Puritan communities by the 1660s. Because church membership (and voting) required a full conversion experience, and the second and later generations of Puritans were not as religiously fervent as their settler parents, church membership began to decline. The Halfway Covenant allowed members who agreed to follow the teachings of the church to baptism and communion but not to full voting membership. Children of full members were baptized, but if they did not report a conversion experience, their children (the grandchildren of full members) could not be baptized. Later, Massachusetts adopted the controversial Half-Way Covenant of 1662, permitting children to be baptized whose grandparents had been members of the church, but whose parents were not. Males baptized under the Covenant could vote at town meeting when they came of age, but were not admitted to the Lord's Supper or allowed to vote for a pastor. Full church membership came with confession of faith.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Among the factors that tended to promote intercolonial unity during the French and Indian War was
- A.
Religious unity
- B.
Common language and wartime experiences
- C.
Ethnic and social harmony
- D.
Improved transportation and settlement of boundary disputes
- E.
The colonial dislike of their treatment by the British
Correct Answer
B. Common language and wartime experiencesExplanation
Answer (B) Common language and wartime experiences. At the time of the war, there was no religious, ethnic or social harmony--the colonies had the world's most diverse population. Boundary disptues increased. Although the colonists would come to share a dislike of their treatment by the British AFTER the war, at the time of the war, most were proud to be part of the British Empire.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The country that produced the most successful fur traders and trappers, and had the best relations with Native Americans, was:
- A.
Spain
- B.
Holland
- C.
France
- D.
England
- E.
Portugal
Correct Answer
C. FranceExplanation
Answer (C) France. The French were primarily interested in the fur trade. Indian traders, coureurs du bois (runners of the wood) lived among the Native Americans and often intermarried. Priests (known as black robes) also lived among the Native Americans. The Spanish, Dutch, and English all attempted to colonize and subdue Native American cultures.Rate this question:
-
- 6.
The Half-Way Covenant provided:
- A.
Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a conversion experience.
- B.
Partial participation in politics to people who were not church members.
- C.
Admission to communion but not voting membership in the church.
- D.
Partial participation in church affairs for women.
- E.
For an end to hostilities between Anglicans and Puritans in Connecticutt.
Correct Answer
A. Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a conversion experience.Explanation
Answer (A) Baptism but not "full communion" to people who had not had a full conversion experience. The Halfway Covenant was introduced in Puritan communities by the 1660s. Because church membership (and voting) required a full conversion experience, and the second and later generations of Puritans were not as religiously fervent as their settler parents, church membership began to decline. The Halfway Covenant allowed members who agreed to follow the teachings of the church to baptism and communion but not to full voting membership. Children of full members were baptized, but if they did not report a conversion experience, their children (the grandchildren of full members) could not be baptized. Later, Massachusetts adopted the controversial Half-Way Covenant of 1662, permitting children to be baptized whose grandparents had been members of the church, but whose parents were not. Males baptized under the Covenant could vote at town meeting when they came of age, but were not admitted to the Lord's Supper or allowed to vote for a pastor. Full church membership came with confession of faith.Rate this question:
-
- 7.
The Battle of Saratoga was a key turning point in the War for Independence because
- A.
it prevented the British from keeping control of the key port of New York City.
- B.
It brought about crucial French assistance to the Revolutionary cause.
- C.
It ended the possibility of a peaceful settlement with Britain.
- D.
It effectively destroyed British military power in the middle colonies.
- E.
Benedict Arnold was narrowly prevented from betraying his country.
Correct Answer
B. It brought about crucial French assistance to the Revolutionary cause.Explanation
Answer (B) French assistance. The Battle of Saratoga convinced the French to openly provide troops for the war effort,rather than merely monetary assistance. Benedict Arnold was actually the hero of Saratoga. His treason came later.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Among the factors that tended to promote intercolonial unity during the French and Indian War was
- A.
Religious unity
- B.
Common language and wartime experiences
- C.
Ethnic and social harmony
- D.
Improved transportation and settlement of boundary disputes
- E.
The colonial dislike of their treatment by the British
Correct Answer
B. Common language and wartime experiencesExplanation
Answer (B) Common language and wartime experiences. At the time of the war, there was no religious, ethnic or social harmony--the colonies had the world's most diverse population. Boundary disptues increased. Although the colonists would come to share a dislike of their treatment by the British AFTER the war, at the time of the war, most were proud to be part of the British Empire.Rate this question:
-
- 9.
The essential disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson over the proposed Bank of the United States was
- A.
Whether the Constitution granted the federal government the power to establish such a bank.
- B.
whether it would be economically wise to create a single national currency.
- C.
Whether the Bank should be under the control of the federal government or the states.
- D.
Whether such a Bank violated the Bill of Rights.
- E.
Whether Hamilton would use the Bank to destroy the Democratic party.
Correct Answer
A. Whether the Constitution granted the federal government the power to establish such a bank.Explanation
Answer (A). Jefferson argued that the "Necessary and Proper" ("Elastic clause") did not permit Congress to create a bank that was not specifically authorized in Article I, section 2 of the Constiitution (only permitting those that were absolutely essential to a listed power); Hamilton argued that it permitted Congress to do anything rationally related to a listed power. In 1819 (many years later), the US Supreme Court, headed by John Marshall (a Federalist) decided that Hamilton was right.Rate this question:
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- 10.
The most important action the First Continental Congress took to protest the Intolerable Acts was
- A.
Forming The Association to impose a complete boycott of all British goods.
- B.
Organizing a colonial militia to prepare for military resistance.
- C.
Forming Committees of Correspondence to communicate among the colonies.
- D.
Sending petitions such as the Olive Branch petition.
- E.
Writing the Declaration of Independence
Correct Answer
A. Forming The Association to impose a complete boycott of all British goods.Explanation
Answer (A) the Association. Options B, D, E were accomplished by the Second Continental Congress. The Committees of Correspondence were begun in 1772.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which of the following was NOT a cnsequence of the Louisiana Purchase?
- A.
The geographical and scientific discoveries of the Lewis and Clark expedition
- B.
The weakening of the power of the presidency in foreign affairs.
- C.
Former Vice President Aaron Burr’s attempt to break off the West from the United States.
- D.
A strengthening of national unity and the decline of the Federalist Party.
- E.
A growing feeling of manifest destiny
Correct Answer
B. The weakening of the power of the presidency in foreign affairs.Explanation
Answer (B). If anything, when Jefferson made the decision to acquire the property without clear constitutional authority, he increased the power of the presidency.Rate this question:
-
- 12.
The Battle of Saratoga was a key turning point in the War for Independence because
- A.
it prevented the British from keeping control of the key port of New York City.
- B.
It brought about crucial French assistance to the Revolutionary cause.
- C.
It ended the possibility of a peaceful settlement with Britain.
- D.
It effectively destroyed British military power in the middle colonies.
- E.
Benedict Arnold was narrowly prevented from betraying his country.
Correct Answer
B. It brought about crucial French assistance to the Revolutionary cause.Explanation
Answer (B) French assistance. The Battle of Saratoga convinced the French to openly provide troops for the war effort,rather than merely monetary assistance. Benedict Arnold was actually the hero of Saratoga. His treason came later.Rate this question:
-
- 13.
The Era of Good Feelings was sharply disrupted by
- A.
The bitter political battles over the Tariff of 1816.
- B.
the rise of international tensions with Britain.
- C.
The panic of 1819 and the battle over slavery in Missouri.
- D.
The nasty presidential campaign of 1820.
- E.
Andrew Jackson’s war in Florida.
Correct Answer
C. The panic of 1819 and the battle over slavery in Missouri.Explanation
The economic depression of 1819 (one of the first in the country's history), combined with the rising sectionalism temporarily resolved in the Missouri Compromise, interrupted the Era of Good Feeling. It definitely ended with the fractious presidential election of 1824, which presidential hopeful Andrew Jackson denounced as a "corrupt bargain."Rate this question:
-
- 14.
The essential disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson over the proposed Bank of the United States was
- A.
Whether the Constitution granted the federal government the power to establish such a bank.
- B.
whether it would be economically wise to create a single national currency.
- C.
Whether the Bank should be under the control of the federal government or the states.
- D.
Whether such a Bank violated the Bill of Rights.
- E.
Whether Hamilton would use the Bank to destroy the Democratic party.
Correct Answer
A. Whether the Constitution granted the federal government the power to establish such a bank.Explanation
Answer (A). Jefferson argued that the "Necessary and Proper" ("Elastic clause") did not permit Congress to create a bank that was not specifically authorized in Article I, section 2 of the Constiitution (only permitting those that were absolutely essential to a listed power); Hamilton argued that it permitted Congress to do anything rationally related to a listed power. In 1819 (many years later), the US Supreme Court, headed by John Marshall (a Federalist) decided that Hamilton was right.Rate this question:
-
- 15.
A major change affecting the American family in the early nineteenth century was:
- A.
The rise of an organized feminist movement
- B.
The movement of most women into the work force
- C.
The increased conflict between parents and children over moral questions.
- D.
A decline in the average number of children per household.
- E.
frequent dysentery outbreaks.
Correct Answer
D. A decline in the average number of children per household.Explanation
Answer (D). Most of these changes took place later in the 19th century.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Which of the following was NOT a cnsequence of the Louisiana Purchase?
- A.
The geographical and scientific discoveries of the Lewis and Clark expedition
- B.
The weakening of the power of the presidency in foreign affairs.
- C.
Former Vice President Aaron Burr’s attempt to break off the West from the United States.
- D.
A strengthening of national unity and the decline of the Federalist Party.
- E.
A growing feeling of manifest destiny
Correct Answer
B. The weakening of the power of the presidency in foreign affairs.Explanation
Answer (B). If anything, when Jefferson made the decision to acquire the property without clear constitutional authority, he increased the power of the presidency.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The first major improvement in the American transportation system came from
- A.
Steamboats and highways
- B.
Keelboats and Conestoga wagons
- C.
Railroads and clipper ships
- D.
Canals and railroads
Correct Answer
D. Canals and railroadsExplanation
Answer (A). The next best answer is (D), but these came later.Rate this question:
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- 18.
Two denominations that especially gained adherents among the common people of the West and South in the early 19th century were:
- A.
Episcopalians and Unitarians
- B.
Congregationalists and Mormons
- C.
Transcendentalists and Adventists
- D.
Methodists and Baptists
- E.
Puritans and Anglicans
Correct Answer
D. Methodists and BaptistsExplanation
Answer (D). The Methodists and Baptists proliferated in the South and West.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The Era of Good Feelings was sharply disrupted by
- A.
The bitter political battles over the Tariff of 1816.
- B.
the rise of international tensions with Britain.
- C.
The panic of 1819 and the battle over slavery in Missouri.
- D.
The nasty presidential campaign of 1820.
- E.
Andrew Jackson’s war in Florida.
Correct Answer
C. The panic of 1819 and the battle over slavery in Missouri.Explanation
The economic depression of 1819 (one of the first in the country's history), combined with the rising sectionalism temporarily resolved in the Missouri Compromise, interrupted the Era of Good Feeling. It definitely ended with the fractious presidential election of 1824, which presidential hopeful Andrew Jackson denounced as a "corrupt bargain."Rate this question:
-
- 20.
The phrase “spot resolution” refers to
- A.
President Polk’s war message asking Congress to declare war immediately or, “on the spot.”
- B.
The proposed amendment to stop even “one spot” of land be opened for slavery.
- C.
Congressman A. Lincoln’s resolution demanding to know the “exact spot” of American soil where American blood had supposedly been shed.
- D.
A congressional act determining which spots of land in Mexico should be ceded to the U.S
- E.
Proposed laws declaring that the “spot” of shame could not be removed if we did not fight Mexico.
Correct Answer
C. Congressman A. Lincoln’s resolution demanding to know the “exact spot” of American soil where American blood had supposedly been shed.Explanation
Answer C. Lincoln was derisively called "Spotty Lincoln" for his oppposition to the Mexican-American War.Rate this question:
-
- 21.
A major change affecting the American family in the early nineteenth century was:
- A.
The rise of an organized feminist movement
- B.
The movement of most women into the work force
- C.
The increased conflict between parents and children over moral questions.
- D.
A decline in the average number of children per household.
- E.
frequent dysentery outbreaks.
Correct Answer
D. A decline in the average number of children per household.Explanation
Answer (D). Most of these changes took place later in the 19th century.Rate this question:
-
- 22.
Southerners seeking to expand the territory of slavery were especially interested in acquiring:
- A.
Canada and Alaska.
- B.
Venezuela and Colombia
- C.
Nicaragua and Cuba
- D.
Hawaii and Japan
- E.
Hispaniola
Correct Answer
C. Nicaragua and CubaExplanation
Answer (C). Both Nicaragua (as well as for a potential oceanic canal) and Cuba were of great interest to Southerners, and there were attempts to add them to the United States during the 1850s. Cuba eventually became a protectorate of the U.S., and the canal eventually was created in Panama, also controlled by the U.S.Rate this question:
-
- 23.
The first major improvement in the American transportation system came from
- A.
Steamboats and highways
- B.
Keelboats and Conestoga wagons
- C.
Railroads and clipper ships
- D.
Canals and railroads
Correct Answer
D. Canals and railroadsExplanation
Answer (A). The next best answer is (D), but these came later.Rate this question:
-
- 24.
Two denominations that especially gained adherents among the common people of the West and South in the early 19th century were:
- A.
Episcopalians and Unitarians
- B.
Congregationalists and Mormons
- C.
Transcendentalists and Adventists
- D.
Methodists and Baptists
- E.
Puritans and Anglicans
Correct Answer
D. Methodists and BaptistsExplanation
Answer (D). The Methodists and Baptists proliferated in the South and West.Rate this question:
-
- 25.
Most of the new millionaires who emerged in the North during the Civil War
- A.
Committed their personal fortunes to the Union cause.
- B.
Made their fortunes by providing poorly made “shoddy” goods to the Union armies.
- C.
Made their highest profits by selling captured cotton to British textile manufacturers.
- D.
Earned public distrust by secretly advocating negotiating a settlement with the South.
Correct Answer
B. Made their fortunes by providing poorly made “shoddy” goods to the Union armies.Explanation
Answer (B).Rate this question:
-
- 26.
The phrase “spot resolution” refers to
- A.
President Polk’s war message asking Congress to declare war immediately or, “on the spot.”
- B.
The proposed amendment to stop even “one spot” of land be opened for slavery.
- C.
Congressman A. Lincoln’s resolution demanding to know the “exact spot” of American soil where American blood had supposedly been shed.
- D.
A congressional act determining which spots of land in Mexico should be ceded to the U.S
- E.
Proposed laws declaring that the “spot” of shame could not be removed if we did not fight Mexico.
Correct Answer
C. Congressman A. Lincoln’s resolution demanding to know the “exact spot” of American soil where American blood had supposedly been shed.Explanation
Answer C. Lincoln was derisively called "Spotty Lincoln" for his oppposition to the Mexican-American War.Rate this question:
-
- 27.
Southerners seeking to expand the territory of slavery were especially interested in acquiring:
- A.
Canada and Alaska.
- B.
Venezuela and Colombia
- C.
Nicaragua and Cuba
- D.
Hawaii and Japan
- E.
Hispaniola
Correct Answer
C. Nicaragua and CubaExplanation
Answer (C). Both Nicaragua (as well as for a potential oceanic canal) and Cuba were of great interest to Southerners, and there were attempts to add them to the United States during the 1850s. Cuba eventually became a protectorate of the U.S., and the canal eventually was created in Panama, also controlled by the U.S.Rate this question:
-
- 28.
Most of the new millionaires who emerged in the North during the Civil War
- A.
Committed their personal fortunes to the Union cause.
- B.
Made their fortunes by providing poorly made “shoddy” goods to the Union armies.
- C.
Made their highest profits by selling captured cotton to British textile manufacturers.
- D.
Earned public distrust by secretly advocating negotiating a settlement with the South.
Correct Answer
B. Made their fortunes by providing poorly made “shoddy” goods to the Union armies.Explanation
Answer (B).Rate this question:
-
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