History Summative Multiple Choice Reading Quiz Answers 5-8 🥔
4. How did Americans respond to the French Revolution? A. Almost everyone supported it at first, because the French seemed to be following in Americans' footsteps. B. Hamilton supported the creation of a standing army to prepare the nation should French radicalism spread across the Atlantic. C. Opponents of the French Revolution formed the Republican Party, headed by Thomas Jefferson. D. President Washington immediately spoke out against French radicals and dispatched American warships to assist England.
A. Almost everyone supported it at first, because the French seemed to be following in Americans' footsteps.
1. Which of the following was a characteristic of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation? A. Congress could not levy taxes or regulate commerce. B. Congress could amend the Articles by a two-thirds vote. C. There were two branches of government—judicial and legislative—but no executive. D. The more populous a state, the more votes it cast in Congress.
A. Congress could not levy taxes or regulate commerce.
12. What was a key consequence of the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777? A. France became an ally to the United States. B. the immediate surrender of all British troops to the Continental army C. British commanders took the war into the heart of New England for the first time. D. General Washington decided to retreat to Valley Forge for the winter.
A. France became an ally to the United States.
7. What qualifications did the Constitution ratified in 1787 impose for voting? A. None; it left voting rules to the states. B. It allowed all white males over twenty-one to vote but expressly banned women. C. It allowed all white males over twenty-one to vote and said nothing about women. D. It specifically banned African-Americans from voting.
A. None; it left voting rules to the states.
13. Which of the following contributed to the poor American performance in the War of 1812? A. The nation was deeply divided about whether to go to war. B. The renewal of the charter of the Bank of the United States in 1811 prompted other banks to refuse to help the government to fund the war. C. The war in Europe had ended before the War of 1812 began, and the British were able to pay more attention to the war. D. The United States had to fight a two-front war: against the British in Canada and against the Spanish in Florida.
A. The nation was deeply divided about whether to go to war.
4. The Boston Massacre occurred when British soldiers __________. A. fired into a mob and killed a number of Boston residents B. captured members of the Sons of Liberty involved in the Boston Tea Party C. fired on local minutemen guarding an arsenal D. tried to defend Thomas Hutchinson from an angry mob
A. fired into a mob and killed a number of Boston residents
6. The Quebec Act __________. A. granted religious toleration to Catholics in Canada B. removed the Ohio River Valley from the province of Quebec C. called for Canada to join America in the struggle for independence D. created Quebec out of the preexisting provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick
A. granted religious toleration to Catholics in Canada
7. In the years immediately before the American Revolution, the concept of natural rights __________. A. greatly influenced Thomas Jefferson's early writings B. prompted Thomas Jefferson to support independence before the war even began C. contradicted the argument for colonial resistance D. led to Parliament's passage of the Declaratory Act of 1766
A. greatly influenced Thomas Jefferson's early writings
12. After the Revolution, African-Americans in the North __________. A. often wound up in a state similar to that of indentured servitude B. began fleeing to the South when they saw that the new states would not approve emancipation C. were happy that the process of abolition under the new state constitutions meant that all current slaves would be free during their lifetimes D. were unable to establish their own institutions because their numbers were too low
A. often wound up in a state similar to that of indentured servitude
1. As a result of the American Revolution, Americans rejected __________. A. the principle of hereditary aristocracy B. the establishment of a republic C. the definition of liberty as a universal entitlement D. all kinds of organized religion
A. the principle of hereditary aristocracy
9. Which of the following contributed to the success of free trade advocates during the Revolutionary War? A. the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations B. Isaac Newton's explanation of the law of gravity as applied to economics C. the failure of wartime tariffs to solve the problem of the national debt D. memories of the despised Intolerable Acts
A. the publication of Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations
6. The New Jersey Plan __________. A. was mainly supported by the smaller, less populated states B. contained a gradual emancipation requirement that proved quite controversial C. found its greatest support from the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts delegations D. called for a radical departure from the Articles of Confederation in every way
A. was mainly supported by the smaller, less populated states
14. The treaty that ended the War of 1812 __________. A. gave the United States large tracts of land in the West B. gave Canada the option of joining the United States C. restored the prewar status quo D. resulted in the United States losing land to Canada
C. restored the prewar status quo
5. Why did colonists object to the Tea Act? A. Because it would aid a different part of the empire than their own, colonists felt that this was the kind of discriminatory action that violated the concept of liberty. B. By paying it, they would be acknowledging Great Britain's right to tax the colonists. C. It granted a monopoly, and the colonists opposed all forms of monopoly. D. It raised the tax on tea so much as to make tea prohibitively expensive.
B. By paying it, they would be acknowledging Great Britain's right to tax the colonists.
12. Which of the following contributed to the United States going to war in 1812? A. Great Britain's announcement that it would end the impressment of American sailors B. Congressional War Hawks who pressed for territorial expansion into Florida and Canada C. Tecumseh's victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe D. the Republican insistence on high tariffs
B. Congressional War Hawks who pressed for territorial expansion into Florida and Canada
9. The relationship between the national government and the states is called __________. A. the New Jersey Plan C. the Virginia Plan B. Federalism D. the Constitution
B. Federalism
7. Why did John Adams believe that land ownership was vital to society? A. He opposed slavery and felt that if small farmers owned land, they would have the power to outvote slaveowners. B. If more people owned land, it would be less likely that fixed and unequal social classes would emerge. C. Land ownership would make people more conservative, and that would counteract any democratic impulses. D. Government would have to encourage it, and Adams believed in an activist federal government.
B. If more people owned land, it would be less likely that fixed and unequal social classes would emerge.
2. How did the Revolutionary War change the meaning of freedom? A. It meant that all men now had a legal claim to an equal distribution of property. B. It challenged the inequality that had been fundamental to the colonial social order. C. It ended colonial society's legally established hereditary aristocracy. D. It meant that, for the first time, men were free to pursue whatever occupations they wished.
B. It challenged the inequality that had been fundamental to the colonial social order.
5. Which of the following is TRUE of the Virginia Plan? A. It proposed a one-house legislature, with population determining representation. B. It proposed a two-house legislature, with population determining representation in each house. C. It called for each state to have one vote in Congress. D. It was strongly opposed by the larger, more populated states.
B. It proposed a two-house legislature, with population determining representation in each house.
5. Which of the following is TRUE of women and political life in the new republic of the 1790s? A. Women, unlike white men and enslaved persons, were specifically not counted in determining congressional representation. B. Some women contributed to a growing democratization of political life by arguing for increased rights for their sex. C. Women actually gained the right to vote, but not the right to hold office, in four New England states and in Pennsylvania by 1799. D. The prevailing view of women as intellectually inferior to men meant that women's involvement in politics never was considered.
B. Some women contributed to a growing democratization of political life by arguing for increased rights for their sex.
15. Why did the United States become a one-party nation following the War of 1812? A. The Republicans were blamed for the British victory in Washington, D.C., and therefore lost power. B. The Hartford Convention's allegedly treasonous activities fatally damaged the Federalist Party's reputation. C. James Monroe's universal popularity as a hero of the War of 1812 made his Republican Party unbeatable. D. The Federalists were so pleased with the war's outcome that they endorsed a union with the Republicans at their 1816 convention in Hartford.
B. The Hartford Convention's allegedly treasonous activities fatally damaged the Federalist Party's reputation.
What contribution did the Stamp Act episode make to the colonists' concept of liberty? A. The elite became more aware of liberty, but the lower classes remained unconcerned, choosing instead just to follow leaders who encouraged them to riot. B. The Stamp Act Congress insisted that the right to consent to taxation was essential to people's freedom. C. It led the Stamp Act Congress to adopt the Declaratory Act, which defined American liberties. D. It convinced colonists that revolting against Great Britain was the only way to secure their liberties.
B. The Stamp Act Congress insisted that the right to consent to taxation was essential to people's freedom.
9. What was the significance of the case of Marbury v. Madison? A. It was John Marshall's first case as chief justice. B. The Supreme Court asserted the power of judicial review. C. The Supreme Court declared that presidential power was greater than congressional power. D. The decision gave states important new powers to block a too-powerful federal government.
B. The Supreme Court asserted the power of judicial review.
10. What policy did the new United States pursue in its dealings with Native Americans? A. The U.S. government generally left them alone because it was busy trying to restore order after the war. B. The U.S. government set out to dispossess the Native Americans of their remaining rich lands and drive them westward. C. The U.S. government pursued a policy of outright extermination. D. The U.S. government recognized Indian claims to their traditional lands from the Appalachians to the Mississippi River.
B. The U.S. government set out to dispossess the Native Americans of their remaining rich lands and drive them westward.
8. In order to deal with a wartime economic crisis in 1779, Congress urged states to __________. A. allow the free market to operate without regulation B. adopt measures to fix wages and prices C. raise taxes on the wealthy D. seek loans from friendly European governments
B. adopt measures to fix wages and prices
11. Most of the text of the Declaration of Independence __________. A. was originally drafted by Benjamin Franklin and then brilliantly edited by Thomas Jefferson B. consists of a list of grievances against King George III C. is an updated version of John Locke's classic The Rights of Man D. is an irrefutable argument for the notion of virtual representation
B. consists of a list of grievances against King George III
4. Which of the following persons would have been the most likely supporter of the Articles of Confederation? A. a merchant desiring access to British markets B. a Continental army officer from the Revolutionary War C. a person who owned a bond issued by the Congress D. an indebted farmer in western Massachusetts
D. an indebted farmer in western Massachusetts
7. Gabriel's Rebellion __________. A. led to an increased use of forced labor throughout the south B. demonstrated that enslaved persons were aware of and inspired by the idea of liberty C. inspired Virginia to adopt a gradual emancipation law in 1803 D. was unsucessful partly because its leaders were plantation slaves, who had less contact with the outside world and were unaware of how little support they enjoyed
B. demonstrated that enslaved persons were aware of and inspired by the idea of liberty
10. As designed by the Constitution, __________. A. the president was elected by popular vote B. federal judges were appointed by the president, not elected by the people C. members of the House of Representatives were to be appointed by state legislatures. D. the Supreme Court justices were to serve ten-year terms
B. federal judges were appointed by the president, not elected by the people
12. The three-fifths clause in the U.S. Constitution __________. A. requires that all revenue bills receive a three-fifths affirmative vote in the U.S. House B. gave the white South greater power in national affairs than the size of its free population warranted C. explicitly declared that enslaved persons were undeserving of legal rights D. expired in the year 1808 because of a key sectional compromise at the Constitutional Convention
B. gave the white South greater power in national affairs than the size of its free population warranted
13. The free black population after the Revolution __________. A. declined in number as newly freed slaves left the country whenever possible B. often enjoyed the right to vote if its male members met taxpaying or property qualifications C. all took the last names of their former masters D. avoided supporting the abolitionist cause out of fear of reprisals
B. often enjoyed the right to vote if its male members met taxpaying or property qualifications
3. "Strict constructionists" believed __________. A. freedom of speech and of the press should be restricted if the president believed that to be necessary B. the federal government could only exercise powers specifically listed in the Constitution C. the "general welfare" clause of the Constitution gave the federal government power to create a national bank D. the creation of new western settlements should be strictly limited in order to avoid Indian wars
B. the federal government could only exercise powers specifically listed in the Constitution
5. As a result of the religious freedom created by the Revolution __________. A. organized religion became less important in American life over the next thirty years B. upstart churches began challenging the well-established churches C. the number of religious denominations in the United States declined D. violent struggles between religious groups were not uncommon in the backcountry
B. upstart churches began challenging the well-established churches
14. "Republican motherhood" was an ideology that held __________. A. women should be granted suffrage rights B. women played an indispensable role in the new nation by training future citizens C. Thomas Jefferson's Republican Party represented maternal interests better than its opponents did D. political equality of the sexes fit a republican society
B. women played an indispensable role in the new nation by training future citizens
8. After becoming president, how did Thomas Jefferson deal with the Federalists? A. He followed through on his inauguration speech's statement ("We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists") and treated them as equals. B. He courted their support because he knew that he could never win approval for his policies without them. C. He tried to roll back almost everything they had done by cutting taxes and the size of government. D. He led a successful effort to impeach and remove from office all Federalist judges, whom he then replaced with Republicans.
C. He tried to roll back almost everything they had done by cutting taxes and the size of government.
11. What was unusual about the Embargo Act of 1807? A. It was in response to a British embargo imposed after a British ship sank an American ship—an odd set of circumstances, to say the least. B. The Republican majority in Congress passed it and Jefferson vetoed it, but he was overridden for the only time in his presidency. C. It stopped all American vessels from sailing to foreign ports—an amazing use of federal power, especially by a president supposedly dedicated to a weak central government. D. It persuaded the British to agree to American terms, even though Great Britain had not been a target of the Embargo Act.
C. It stopped all American vessels from sailing to foreign ports—an amazing use of federal power, especially by a president supposedly dedicated to a weak central government.
15. Which of the following statements most most accurately describes an anti-federalist argument for the addition of a bill of rights to the Constitution? A. The English had one, so America ought to mirror that example. B. The right to bear arms for the militia should be guarded by law. C. It would secure the minority against the usurpation and tyranny of the majority. D. Ratification of the Constitution was in doubt without the inclusion of a bill of rights.
C. It would secure the minority against the usurpation and tyranny of the majority.
10. Which of the following is TRUE of the Louisiana Purchase? A. The slave rebellion in Haiti almost persuaded Napoleon to keep Louisiana as a base from which to attack the island if necessary. B. France had guaranteed the United States commercial access to New Orleans, but Jefferson feared that a British victory over France would deprive the United States of that access. C. Jefferson expected the land acquisition to make possible the spread of agrarian republicanism. D. Ironically, a majority of Republican congressmen opposed the Purchase, so Federalist votes ultimately made its approval possible.
C. Jefferson expected the land acquisition to make possible the spread of agrarian republicanism.
4. Which of the following is TRUE of how the new state constitutions in the Revolutionary era dealt with the issue of religious liberty? A. Several states finally allowed Jews to vote and to hold public office. B. States increased public funding of religion because they no longer had to win British approval to do so. C. Seven state constitutions began with a declaration of rights that included a commitment to "the free exercise of religion." D. Thomas Jefferson wrote a bill for establishing religious freedom in Virginia, but the House of Burgesses never adopted it.
C. Seven state constitutions began with a declaration of rights that included a commitment to "the free exercise of religion."
8. Why did John Adams recommend George Washington as commander of the Continental army? A. He knew that Washington was weighing an offer from Britain to lead its North American forces. B. He shared Washington's view of the importance of natural rights. C. The fact that Washington was from Virginia could help unify the colonists. D. He knew Washington had opposed General Howe's forces cutting down the Liberty Tree.
C. The fact that Washington was from Virginia could help unify the colonists.
8. Why did the founding fathers create the electoral college? A. They did not; it was added to the Constitution after the disputed election of 1796. B. Small states insisted that they have a chance to play a role in choosing the president, and that wouldn't have been possible with direct elections. C. They did not trust ordinary voters to choose the president and vice president directly. D. They knew the Constitution would make them unpopular, so they wanted to create a way to avoid letting voters choose the president, thereby giving themselves a chance to be elected.
C. They did not trust ordinary voters to choose the president and vice president directly.
15. The ideals expressed by Abigail Adams were undermined by A. a cautious approach to granting any group excessive rights that could not be rescinded. B. a lack of participation and support by women during the Revolutionary War. C. a social order that prevented early American leaders from extending rights beyond white male property holders. D. greater concern for democratic equality for groups such as westerners and immigrants.
C. a social order that prevented early American leaders from extending rights beyond white male property holders.
2. With regard to slavery, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 __________. A. allowed for new territorial governments to ban or permit the institution as they saw fit B. allowed the importation of slaves into the Old Northwest for at least another twenty years C. banned slavery in the area north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River D. made no difference, because the U.S. Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional the following year
C. banned slavery in the area north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River
13. During the Revolutionary War, tensions between backcountry farmers and wealthy planters __________. A. enabled the British to turn around their previously unsuccessful performance during the war B. prompted several mutinies within colonial ranks C. gave the British hope that they might be able to enlist the support of southern Loyalists D. caused Francis Marion's eventual defeat at the Battle of Cowpens
C. gave the British hope that they might be able to enlist the support of southern Loyalists
3. The new state constitutions created during the Revolutionary War __________. A. completely eliminated property qualifications for voting B. became far more democratic in the southern states than in the northern states C. greatly expanded the right to vote in almost every state D. did nothing to change the composition of elite-dominated state legislatures
C. greatly expanded the right to vote in almost every state
6. The Sedition Act of 1798 __________. A. targeted new immigrants to the United States B. led to the jailing of Federalist editors C. led Jefferson to argue that states, not the federal government, could punish seditious speech D. was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court two years later
C. led Jefferson to argue that states, not the federal government, could punish seditious speech
1. Virtual representation was the idea A. that only those who were elected by a given population could represent that population in a legislative body B. about representation that most politically active American colonists in the 1760s and 1770s embraced C. that each member of Britain's House of Commons represented the entire empire, not just his own district D. that the king should appoint delegates to represent the colonies in the British House of Commons
C. that each member of Britain's House of Commons represented the entire empire, not just his own district
3. Shays's Rebellion was significant because it demonstrated __________. A. that land distribution policies were out of date B. controversies over the emancipation of slaves could turn violent C. to some influential Americans the need for a stronger central government D. the chaotic nature of Indian policy after the Battle of Fallen Timbers
C. to some influential Americans the need for a stronger central government
3. The "Daughters of Liberty" was the name given to __________. A. the female children of the Founding Fathers, especially the daughters of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson B. the brave women who cared for wounded soldiers during the early battles of the Revolution C. women who spun and wove to create their own clothing rather than buy British goods D. the first national women's patriotic organization, which raised money to provide supplies for the Continental army after Saratoga
C. women who spun and wove to create their own clothing rather than buy British goods
11. Which of the following is TRUE of the Constitution of 1787 and of slavery? A. Despite protests from southern delegates, the document permanently freed runaway slaves who made it to the "free air" of the North. B. The Constitution explicitly protected the security of property in slaves in any state of the Union, so that a slaveowner could move permanently with his slaves from South to North. C. The Constitution provided for half of a state's slave population to be counted in determining its membership in the House of Representatives. D. Although never using the word "slavery," the document protected several aspects of the institution.
D. Although never using the word "slavery," the document protected several aspects of the institution.
1. As a cabinet member, what was Alexander Hamilton's long-term goal? A. He wanted to build up the Republican Party's political power. B. He wished to assure that the United States would be a primarily agrarian nation. C. He wanted to promote the power of state governments. D. He wanted to make the United States a major commercial and military power.
D. He wanted to make the United States a major commercial and military power.
6. Why did apprenticeship and indentured servitude decline after the Revolution? A. Many apprentices and indentures had refused to fight in the Revolution, and their bosses, resenting them for it, got rid of them. B. Thomas Paine's criticism of them in Common Sense greatly influenced the many who had read his pamphlet. C. Northerners were outlawing slavery in their state constitutions, and began to eliminate apprenticeship and indentured servitude as well amid southern charges of hypocrisy. D. The lack of freedom inherent in apprenticeship and indentured servitude struck growing numbers of Americans as incompatible with republican citizenship.
D. The lack of freedom inherent in apprenticeship and indentured servitude struck growing numbers of Americans as incompatible with republican citizenship.
13. In the Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that __________. A. a small democratic government was best to govern over the nation B. to be a republic, a country must enfranchise all persons over the age of 21 C. it was essential that slavery be abolished for liberty to flourish D. a large republican-style government was best suited to control the effects of factions.
D. a large republican-style government was best suited to control the effects of factions.
2. Opponents of Hamilton's economic plan __________. A. included George Washington B. were mostly northerners who had supported ratification of the Constitution C. believed future growth was to be found through close ties with Britain D. agreed to a compromise that included placing the national capital in the South
D. agreed to a compromise that included placing the national capital in the South
Thomas Paine's Common Sense __________. A. argued that the British governmental system was perfectly good, but that current officials had corrupted it B. made highly original arguments in favor of independence C. sold well among the elite, who in turn were able to convey its ideas to the lower classes D. argued that America would become the home of freedom and "an asylum for mankind"
D. argued that America would become the home of freedom and "an asylum for mankind"
15. The negotiation of the Treaty of Paris of 1783 __________. A. ignored those who had been loyal to the British empire B. gave the new American nation control of Florida C. led to the British government receiving compensation for anything the Continental Congress had taken from British citizens D. began only after the Battle of Yorktown
D. began only after the Battle of Yorktown
14. Washington's defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown __________. A. allowed Washington to march his men unmolested through the Lower South, where he achieved ultimate victory at Camden B. would have been impossible without Benedict Arnold's poor generalship on behalf of the British C. angered the French, whose fleet had yet to arrive and who wanted credit for the victory D. destroyed British public support for the war
D. destroyed British public support for the war
11. The efforts to emancipate slaves in the 1770s and 1780s __________. A. occurred only in the New England states B. resulted entirely from voluntary work by slaveholders C. included all slaves north of South Carolina D. reflected the importance of property rights
D. reflected the importance of property rights
14. Which of the following groups tended to be Anti-Federalist during the ratification debates? A. wealthier citizens B. rural residents closely tied to the commercial marketplace C. merchants engaged in foreign commerce D. state politicians fearful of a strong central government
D. state politicians fearful of a strong central government
9. The Olive Branch Petition __________. A. was meant to ease tensions among the organized political parties within the Continental Congress B. convinced Thomas Paine that he had enough support to write Common Sense C. was Parliament's final attempt to explain virtual representation to the colonists D. was addressed to King George III and reaffirmed American loyalty to the crown
D. was addressed to King George III and reaffirmed American loyalty to the crown