APUSH Classroom QUIZ

(The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification Quiz): "It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the Constitution; but conceiving, as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it. "My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people; . . . that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous . . . ; that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over, the legislature; that the judicial department will be oppressive; . . . and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights. These are objections which are not local, but apply equally to all the states. "As the Convention was called for the 'sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation . . . ,' I did not conceive that these powers extend to the formation of the plan proposed; but the Convention being of a different opinion, I acquiesced [agreed] in it, being fully convinced that, to preserve the Union, an efficient government was indispensably necessary, and that it would be difficult to make proper amendments to the Articles of Confederation. "The Constitution proposed has few, if any, federal features, but is rather a system of national government. Nevertheless, in many respects, I think it has great merit, and, by proper amendments, may be adapted. . . . "Others may suppose that the Constitution may be safely adopted, because therein provision is made to amend it. But cannot this object be better attained before a ratification than after it? And should a free people adopt a form of government under conviction that it wants [needs] amendment?" Elbridge Gerry, letter to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1787 Gerry made which of the following arguments regarding amending the Constitution? A. A Bill of Rights should be added before ratification. B. Enslaved people should not be counted for representation. C. The executive and legislative branches should share more power. D. More populous states should have greater representation in Congress.

A. A Bill of Rights should be added before ratification.

(Shaping a new republic) "His Catholic Majesty [of Spain] and the United States of America desiring to consolidate on a permanent basis the Friendship and good correspondence which happily prevails between the two Parties, have determined to establish by a convention several points. . . . "Article IV "It is likewise agreed that the Western boundary of the United States which separates them from the Spanish Colony of Louisiana, is in the middle of the channel or bed of the River Mississippi . . . ; and his Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed that the navigation of the said River in its whole breadth from its source to the Ocean shall be free only to his Subjects, and the Citizens of the United States, unless he should extend this privilege to the Subjects of other Powers by special convention. . . . "Article XXII "The two high contracting Parties hoping that the good correspondence and friendship which happily reigns between them will be further increased by this Treaty, and that it will contribute to augment their prosperity and opulence, will in future give to their mutual commerce all the extension and favor which the advantage of both Countries may require; . . . his Catholic Majesty will permit the Citizens of the United States for the space of three years from this time to deposit their merchandise and effects in the Port of New Orleans." Treaty of Friendship, Limits, and Navigation Between Spain and the United States, known as Pinckney's Treaty or the Treaty of San Lorenzo, 1795 The agreements made in the excerpt best reflect which of the following concerns in the United States during this period? A. How to support western settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains B. How to avoid the establishment of political parties C. Whether to assist the French in their war against Great Britain D. Whether to allow slavery to expand into new territories

A. How to support western settlers beyond the Appalachian Mountains

(Movement in the Early Republic) : Which of the following best describes an overall trend depicted in the graph for the time period between 1751 and 1800 ? A. The slave trade to the North increased. B. The slave trade was halted as a result of the American Revolution. C. The number of enslaved Africans brought to the United States decreased. D. The number of enslaved Africans brought to the Carolinas and Georgia steadily increased.

C. The number of enslaved Africans brought to the United States decreased.

(Constitution Quiz) : "Threatened by popular political victories [in the states] and widespread resistance, many elite Pennsylvanians launched an effort to remake the state and national governments so that they were less democratic. . . . Popular policies and resistance . . . threatened elite ideals. . . . Popular calls for a revaluation of war debt certificates, bans on for-profit corporations, progressive taxation, limits on land speculation, and every other measure designed to make property more equal promised to take wealth away from the elite. . . . It was also threatening that popular politics frightened off potential European investors. . . . [They] were alarmed by the Pennsylvania legislature's 1785 [cancellation] of the Bank of North America's corporate charter. . . . . . . The push for the Constitution was based in part on the belief that state governments across the new nation had been too democratic and, as a result, had produced policies . . . that threatened elite interests. Most of the men who assembled at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 were also convinced that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to counter the rising tide of democracy in the states." Terry Bouton, historian, Taming Democracy: "The People," the Founders, and the Troubled Ending of the American Revolution, 2007 Question The relationship established between the federal government and the states under the United States Constitution was a long-term response to which of the following earlier developments? A. The claims of parliamentary authority over colonial legislatures B. George Washington's warning against the formation of permanent alliances C. Frontier conflicts between Native Americans and British colonists D. Democratic-Republican opposition to Alexander Hamilton's economic policies

A. The claims of parliamentary authority over colonial legislatures

(Movement in the Early Republic) : Which of the following best describes the trend in the number of enslaved Africans brought to the Carolinas and Georgia depicted in the graph? A. It sharply decreased before the 1770s and then returned to the level of 1751-1760. B. It increased before the 1770s and then declined between 1771 and 1790. C. It remained steady before 1770 and reached zero slave imports by 1771. D. It consistently decreased until reaching zero slave imports by 1781.

B. It increased before the 1770s and then declined between 1771 and 1790.

(Articles of Confederation) : "In the time of the late war, being desirous to defend, secure, and promote the Rights and Liberties of the people, we spared no pains but freely granted all the aid and assistance of every kind that our civil fathers [political leaders] required of us. "We are sensible also that a great debt is justly brought upon us by the War, and we are as willing to pay our share towards it as we are to enjoy our shares in independency. . . . "But with the greatest submission we beg leave to inform your Honors that unless something takes place more favorable to the people, in a little time at least one half of our inhabitants in our opinion will become bankrupt. . . . When we compute the taxes laid upon us the five preceding years, the State and County, town, and class taxes, the amount is equal to what our farms will rent for. Sirs in this situation, what have we to live on: No money to be had; our estates daily posted and sold. . . . Surely your Honors are no strangers to the distresses of the people but do know that many of our good inhabitants are now confined in jail for debt and for taxes. . . . Will not the people in the neighboring states say of this state: although the Massachusetts [people] boast of their fine Constitution, their government is such that it devours their inhabitants? ". . . If your Honors find anything above mentioned worthy of notice, we earnestly pray that . . . [the state legislature] would point out some way whereby the people might be relieved." Petition from the town of Greenwich to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1786 Which of the following evidence used in the petition supports the claim that the Massachusetts government "devours their inhabitants"? A. Many people living in Massachusetts fought in the Revolutionary War. B.Many Massachusetts farmers were held in debtor's prison. C. Massachusetts property owners typically rented land to tenants. D. Massachusetts incurred a state debt during the American Revolution.

B. Many Massachusetts farmers were held in debtor's prison.

(Constitution Quiz) : "In the time of the late war, being desirous to defend, secure, and promote the Rights and Liberties of the people, we spared no pains but freely granted all the aid and assistance of every kind that our civil fathers [political leaders] required of us. "We are sensible also that a great debt is justly brought upon us by the War, and we are as willing to pay our share towards it as we are to enjoy our shares in independency. . . . "But with the greatest submission we beg leave to inform your Honors that unless something takes place more favorable to the people, in a little time at least one half of our inhabitants in our opinion will become bankrupt. . . . When we compute the taxes laid upon us the five preceding years, the State and County, town, and class taxes, the amount is equal to what our farms will rent for. Sirs in this situation, what have we to live on: No money to be had; our estates daily posted and sold. . . . Surely your Honors are no strangers to the distresses of the people but do know that many of our good inhabitants are now confined in jail for debt and for taxes. . . . Will not the people in the neighboring states say of this state: although the Massachusetts [people] boast of their fine Constitution, their government is such that it devours their inhabitants? ". . . If your Honors find anything above mentioned worthy of notice, we earnestly pray that . . . [the state legislature] would point out some way whereby the people might be relieved." Petition from the town of Greenwich to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1786 Concerns about domestic political unrest in the early United States were lessened by which of the following developments? A. The outbreak of the Haitian Revolution B. The creation of a stronger central government C. The attempts by Native American peoples to limit White settlement D. The conflict between Great Britain and France after the French Revolution

B. The creation of a stronger central government

(Shaping a new republic) "His Catholic Majesty [of Spain] and the United States of America desiring to consolidate on a permanent basis the Friendship and good correspondence which happily prevails between the two Parties, have determined to establish by a convention several points. . . . "Article IV "It is likewise agreed that the Western boundary of the United States which separates them from the Spanish Colony of Louisiana, is in the middle of the channel or bed of the River Mississippi . . . ; and his Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed that the navigation of the said River in its whole breadth from its source to the Ocean shall be free only to his Subjects, and the Citizens of the United States, unless he should extend this privilege to the Subjects of other Powers by special convention. . . . "Article XXII "The two high contracting Parties hoping that the good correspondence and friendship which happily reigns between them will be further increased by this Treaty, and that it will contribute to augment their prosperity and opulence, will in future give to their mutual commerce all the extension and favor which the advantage of both Countries may require; . . . his Catholic Majesty will permit the Citizens of the United States for the space of three years from this time to deposit their merchandise and effects in the Port of New Orleans." Which of the following groups would have most likely supported the agreements made in the excerpt? A. Fur trappers on the Pacific coast B. White farmers in Kentucky C. Merchants in New England D. Native American leaders in Louisiana

B. White farmers in kentucky

(Articles of Confederation) : 1. "Threatened by popular political victories [in the states] and widespread resistance, many elite Pennsylvanians launched an effort to remake the state and national governments so that they were less democratic. . . . Popular policies and resistance . . . threatened elite ideals. . . . Popular calls for a revaluation of war debt certificates, bans on for-profit corporations, progressive taxation, limits on land speculation, and every other measure designed to make property more equal promised to take wealth away from the elite. . . . It was also threatening that popular politics frightened off potential European investors. . . . [They] were alarmed by the Pennsylvania legislature's 1785 [cancellation] of the Bank of North America's corporate charter. . . . . . . The push for the Constitution was based in part on the belief that state governments across the new nation had been too democratic and, as a result, had produced policies . . . that threatened elite interests. Most of the men who assembled at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 were also convinced that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to counter the rising tide of democracy in the states." Terry Bouton, historian, Taming Democracy: "The People," the Founders, and the Troubled Ending of the American Revolution, 2007 Question One piece of evidence Bouton uses to support his argument about why some United States political leaders sought to replace the Articles of Confederation in 1787 was that they? A. thought that a strong central government threatened Americans' liberties B. opposed the economic policies that some state legislatures pursued C. believed that the national government should be more democratic D. sought to discourage Europeans from investing in the United States

B. opposed the economic policies that some state legislatures pursued

"I have heard it asserted by some, that as America hath flourished under her former connection with Great Britain, that the same connection is necessary towards her future happiness, and will always have the same effect. Nothing can be more fallacious [untrue] than this kind of argument. We may as well assert that because a child has thrived upon milk, that it is never to have meat, or that the first twenty years of our lives is to become a precedent for the next twenty. But even this is admitting more than is true, for I answer roundly, that America would have flourished as much, and probably much more, had no European power had any thing to do with her. . . . "But Britain is the parent country, say some. Then the more shame upon her conduct. Even brutes do not devour their young, nor savages make war upon their families. . . . Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America. This new world hath been the asylum for the persecuted lovers of civil and religious liberty from every part of Europe. Hither have they fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster; and it is so far true of England, that the same tyranny which drove the first emigrants from home, pursues their descendants still." Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Paine's argument best provides evidence for which of the following developments resulting from the American Revolution? A. The rapid creation of an industrialized economy in the United States B. The increase in immigration from continental Europe and reduction in immigration from Great Britain C. The emergence of a unique American national identity separate from that of Europe D. The fear among the Spanish and French that that revolutionary ideas would spread, which prompted them to abandon their colonies

C. The emergence of a unique American national identity separate from that of Europe

Hail Columbia! Happy Land! Hail ye heroes, heaven-born band, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, And when the storm of war was gone, Enjoy'd the peace your valor won— Let Independence be our boast, Ever mindful what it cost; Ever grateful for the prize, Let its altar reach the skies. Firm, united let us be, Rallying round our Liberty, As a band of brothers join'd, Peace and safety we shall find. . . . Sound, sound the trump of fame, Let [George] Washington's great name Ring round the world with loud applause, Ring round the world with loud applause, Let every clime to freedom dear, Listen with a joyful ear, With equal skill, with godlike power, He governs in the fearful hour Of horrid war, or guides with ease, The happier times of honest peace. Firm, united let us be, Rallying round our Liberty, As a band of brothers join'd, Peace and safety we shall find. Which of the following developments best explains the sentiment expressed in the first verse of the song lyrics? A. The conflicts between the federal army and Native Americans on western frontiers B. The resumption of commerce with Great Britain after the American Revolution C. The growth among people in the United States of a sense of national identity D. The partisan clash between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists

C. The growth among people in the United States of a sense of national identity

(The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification Quiz): "It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the Constitution; but conceiving, as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it. "My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people; . . . that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous . . . ; that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over, the legislature; that the judicial department will be oppressive; . . . and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights. These are objections which are not local, but apply equally to all the states. "As the Convention was called for the 'sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation . . . ,' I did not conceive that these powers extend to the formation of the plan proposed; but the Convention being of a different opinion, I acquiesced [agreed] in it, being fully convinced that, to preserve the Union, an efficient government was indispensably necessary, and that it would be difficult to make proper amendments to the Articles of Confederation. "The Constitution proposed has few, if any, federal features, but is rather a system of national government. Nevertheless, in many respects, I think it has great merit, and, by proper amendments, may be adapted. . . . "Others may suppose that the Constitution may be safely adopted, because therein provision is made to amend it. But cannot this object be better attained before a ratification than after it? And should a free people adopt a form of government under conviction that it wants [needs] amendment?" Elbridge Gerry, letter to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1787 Gerry made which of the following arguments in the excerpt about the Articles of Confederation? A. The Articles needed to be amended to make slavery illegal. B. The Articles were mostly effective at funding the central government. C. The problems of the Articles could not be fixed by the state delegates. D. The state governments should be given increased power under the Articles.

C. The problems of the Articles could not be fixed by the state delegates.

(Shaping a new Republic) : "His Catholic Majesty [of Spain] and the United States of America desiring to consolidate on a permanent basis the Friendship and good correspondence which happily prevails between the two Parties, have determined to establish by a convention several points. . . . "Article IV "It is likewise agreed that the Western boundary of the United States which separates them from the Spanish Colony of Louisiana, is in the middle of the channel or bed of the River Mississippi . . . ; and his Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed that the navigation of the said River in its whole breadth from its source to the Ocean shall be free only to his Subjects, and the Citizens of the United States, unless he should extend this privilege to the Subjects of other Powers by special convention. . . . "Article XXII "The two high contracting Parties hoping that the good correspondence and friendship which happily reigns between them will be further increased by this Treaty, and that it will contribute to augment their prosperity and opulence, will in future give to their mutual commerce all the extension and favor which the advantage of both Countries may require; . . . his Catholic Majesty will permit the Citizens of the United States for the space of three years from this time to deposit their merchandise and effects in the Port of New Orleans." Treaty of Friendship, Limits, and Navigation Between Spain and the United States, known as Pinckney's Treaty or the Treaty of San Lorenzo, 1795 Which of the following was a primary reason that the United States and Spain agreed to the articles outlined in the excerpt? Responses A. To force Great Britain to give up its colonial claims in Canada B. To provide land for the establishment of Catholic missions C. To minimize tensions caused by United States expansion into western territory D. To prevent France from reclaiming the territory it lost after the Seven Years' War

C. To minimize tensions caused by United States expansion into western territory

(The Constitutional Convention and Debates over Ratification Quiz) : "It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the Constitution; but conceiving, as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it. "My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people; . . . that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous . . . ; that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over, the legislature; that the judicial department will be oppressive; . . . and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights. These are objections which are not local, but apply equally to all the states. "As the Convention was called for the 'sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation . . . ,' I did not conceive that these powers extend to the formation of the plan proposed; but the Convention being of a different opinion, I acquiesced [agreed] in it, being fully convinced that, to preserve the Union, an efficient government was indispensably necessary, and that it would be difficult to make proper amendments to the Articles of Confederation. "The Constitution proposed has few, if any, federal features, but is rather a system of national government. Nevertheless, in many respects, I think it has great merit, and, by proper amendments, may be adapted. . . . "Others may suppose that the Constitution may be safely adopted, because therein provision is made to amend it. But cannot this object be better attained before a ratification than after it? And should a free people adopt a form of government under conviction that it wants [needs] amendment?" Elbridge Gerry, letter to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1787 In the excerpt, Gerry claimed that he did not sign the United States Constitution for which of the following reasons? A. He required approval from the Massachusetts legislature. B. He demanded that he be appointed to the new government. C. He believed that the United States should return to British rule. D. He believed the new government insufficiently protected the rights of citizens

D. He believed the new government insufficiently protected the rights of citizens.

(Movement in the Early Republic) : Which of the following describes a trend shown in the graph of the regional distribution of the slave trade before the American Revolution? A. The northern colonies did not participate in the slave trade. B. The slave trade to Virginia and Maryland increased. C. Fewer enslaved Africans were brought to the southern colonies than to the northern colonies. D. More enslaved Africans were brought to the Carolinas and Georgia than to Virginia and Maryland.

D. More enslaved Africans were brought to the Carolinas and Georgia than to Virginia and Maryland.

Hail Columbia! Happy Land! Hail ye heroes, heaven-born band, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, And when the storm of war was gone, Enjoy'd the peace your valor won— Let Independence be our boast, Ever mindful what it cost; Ever grateful for the prize, Let its altar reach the skies. Firm, united let us be, Rallying round our Liberty, As a band of brothers join'd, Peace and safety we shall find. . . . Sound, sound the trump of fame, Let [George] Washington's great name Ring round the world with loud applause, Ring round the world with loud applause, Let every clime to freedom dear, Listen with a joyful ear, With equal skill, with godlike power, He governs in the fearful hour Of horrid war, or guides with ease, The happier times of honest peace. Firm, united let us be, Rallying round our Liberty, As a band of brothers join'd, Peace and safety we shall find. Which of the following best explains the depiction of George Washington in the third verse of the song? A. Washington's public advocacy for abolition B. The movement to elect Washington president for life C. Washington's policy of intervening in European conflicts D. The popular image in national culture of Washington as a virtuous leader

D. The popular image in national culture of Washington as a virtuous leader

(Articles of Confederation) : "In the time of the late war, being desirous to defend, secure, and promote the Rights and Liberties of the people, we spared no pains but freely granted all the aid and assistance of every kind that our civil fathers [political leaders] required of us. "We are sensible also that a great debt is justly brought upon us by the War, and we are as willing to pay our share towards it as we are to enjoy our shares in independency. . . . "But with the greatest submission we beg leave to inform your Honors that unless something takes place more favorable to the people, in a little time at least one half of our inhabitants in our opinion will become bankrupt. . . . When we compute the taxes laid upon us the five preceding years, the State and County, town, and class taxes, the amount is equal to what our farms will rent for. Sirs in this situation, what have we to live on: No money to be had; our estates daily posted and sold. . . . Surely your Honors are no strangers to the distresses of the people but do know that many of our good inhabitants are now confined in jail for debt and for taxes. . . . Will not the people in the neighboring states say of this state: although the Massachusetts [people] boast of their fine Constitution, their government is such that it devours their inhabitants? ". . . If your Honors find anything above mentioned worthy of notice, we earnestly pray that . . . [the state legislature] would point out some way whereby the people might be relieved." Petition from the town of Greenwich to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1786 Which of the following claims did the residents of Greenwich use to most support their argument that they should be "relieved" by the Massachusetts legislature from the situation described in the petition? A. They believed that Massachusetts should pay off its war debts. B. They earned enough money to pay their state taxes. C. They were eager to gain the benefits of independence. D. They had aided the government during the Revolutionary War.

D. They had aided the government during the Revolutionary War.

(Constitution Quiz) : "It was painful for me, on a subject of such national importance, to differ from the respectable members who signed the Constitution; but conceiving, as I did, that the liberties of America were not secured by the system, it was my duty to oppose it. "My principal objections to the plan are, that there is no adequate provision for a representation of the people; . . . that some of the powers of the legislature are ambiguous . . . ; that the executive is blended with, and will have an undue influence over, the legislature; that the judicial department will be oppressive; . . . and that the system is without the security of a bill of rights. These are objections which are not local, but apply equally to all the states. "As the Convention was called for the 'sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation . . . ,' I did not conceive that these powers extend to the formation of the plan proposed; but the Convention being of a different opinion, I acquiesced [agreed] in it, being fully convinced that, to preserve the Union, an efficient government was indispensably necessary, and that it would be difficult to make proper amendments to the Articles of Confederation. "The Constitution proposed has few, if any, federal features, but is rather a system of national government. Nevertheless, in many respects, I think it has great merit, and, by proper amendments, may be adapted. . . . "Others may suppose that the Constitution may be safely adopted, because therein provision is made to amend it. But cannot this object be better attained before a ratification than after it? And should a free people adopt a form of government under conviction that it wants [needs] amendment?" Arguments for creating a stronger federal government arose primarily as the result of long-term concerns about the? A. attempts by Great Britain to regain its former North American colonies B. use of congressional funds to build road networks between the states C. challenge of establishing rules to allow territories to become new states D.inability of the national government to maintain order under the Articles

D. inability of the national government to maintain order under the Articles