ap classroom questions and some kahn
"The creation of a home market is not only necessary to procure for our agriculture a just reward of its labors, but it is indispensable to obtain a supply of our necessary wants. . . . Suppose no actual abandonment of farming, but, what is most likely, a gradual and imperceptible employment of population in the business of manufacturing, instead of being compelled to resort to agriculture. . . . Is any part of our common country likely to be injured by a transfer of the theatre of [manufacturing] for our own consumption from Europe to America? ". . . Suppose it were even true that Great Britain had abolished all restrictions upon trade, and allowed the freest introduction of the [products] of foreign labor, would that prove it unwise for us to adopt the protecting system? The object of protection is the establishment and perfection of the [manufacturing] arts. In England it, has accomplished its purpose, fulfilled its end. . . . The adoption of the restrictive system, on the part of the United States, by excluding the [products] of foreign labor, would extend the [purchasing] of American [products], unable, in the infancy and unprotected state of the arts, to sustain a competition with foreign fabrics. Let our arts breathe under the shade of protection; let them be perfected as they are in England, and [then] we shall be ready . . . to put aside protection, and enter upon the freest exchanges." Henry Clay, speaker of the House of Representatives, speech in Congress, 1824 The excerpt could best be used by historians studying which of the following in the early 1800s? A The political debates over economic development B The lives of women working in new factories C The effects of new technologies on commerce D The value of British-manufactured imports
A The political debates over economic development
Andrew Jackson vetoed the recharter of the Bank of the United States partly because he believed that the bank A concentrated too much power in the hands of a few people B gave too many loans to assist unstable state and local banks C was secretly funding the abolitionist movement D was overly subsidized by state tax monies E planned to create new paper money unsupported by gold or silver
A concentrated too much power in the hands of a few people
In addition to the cotton gin, Eli Whitney's major contribution to American Technology was his A introduction of interchangeable parts B development of the first practical locomotive C invention of the mechanical reaper D installation of the first textile mill E development of steam power
A introduction of interchangeable parts
Andrew Jackson supported all of the following EXCEPT A Indian removal B the right of nullification C the removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States D annexation of new territory E use of the presidential veto power
B the right of nullification
Which of the following best explains the expansion of participatory democracy in the early nineteenth century? A The abolition of slavery in most northern states B The growth of manufacturing along rivers and canals C The extension of suffrage rights to most adult White men D The influence of the early women's rights movement
C The extension of suffrage rights to most adult White men
One distinguishing feature of the new middle class that emerged in the 1830s and 1840s was A its members' tendency to be tolerant of religious diversity B the separation of economic production from the home and family life C the fact that almost all middle-class men attended graduate and professional schools D its members' support for ending legal immigration from eastern Europe E the fact that most married women worked outside the home to provide income for their families
B the separation of economic production from the home and family life
The expansion of a market economy in the early nineteenth century is reflected in which of the following? A The decline of the slave system in the South B The improvement of transportation and availability of goods C The development of assembly-line production D The formation of strong labor unions E The continued growth of home labor and cottage industries
B The improvement of transportation and availability of goods
Many Americans were suspicious of the Second Bank of the United States for which of the following reasons? A They believed that it was controlled by leaders of the Whig Party. B They believed that it was controlled by southern plantation owners. C They believed that it was controlled by a commercial elite. D It refused to make any loans for business expansion. E It refused to exchange bank notes for gold.
C They believed that it was controlled by a commercial elite.
An important consequence of the "tariff of abominations" (1828) is that it led to the A taxation of consumer items B reelection of Andrew Jackson C enunciation of the doctrine of nullification D alliance of Southern planters and Western farmers E expansion of the New England textile industry
C enunciation of the doctrine of nullification
The area marked X on the map was part of A Massachusetts' Western Reserve B the Northwest Territory C the Louisiana Purchase D the Mexican Cession E the Oregon Country
C the Louisiana Purchase
Which of the following factors best explains the increase in White male suffrage in the early nineteenth century? A Reaction to widespread political protest B Resistance to increased federal taxation C Amendments to the United States Constitution D Changes to property ownership requirements
D Changes to property ownership requirements
Politics in the antebellum United States changed dramatically because A expanded White male suffrage broadened participation in elections B female suffrage became a topic of debate in the House of Representatives C widespread electoral reform resulted in direct election of senators D the power of the federal government expanded to ensure the equal protection of all citizens E the government sought to assimilate American Indians in the West
A expanded White male suffrage broadened participation in elections
In the early 1830's, the majority of workers in the textile mills of Massachusetts were A young unmarried women from rural New England B newly arrived immigrants form Ireland C men who were heads of households D married women whose children were of school age E free African Americans form urban areas
A young unmarried women from rural New England
Which of the following best explains the cause of the emergence of new political parties in the early nineteenth century? A Continued debates over the proper role of the federal government B Growing agreement regarding the issue of slavery C Declining support for westward territorial expansion D Persistent concern over the influence of foreign powers
A Continued debates over the proper role of the federal government
"So if a law be in opposition to the constitution; if both the law and the constitution apply to a particular case, so that the court must either decide that case conformably to the law, disregarding the constitution; or conformably to the constitution, disregarding the law; the court must determine which of these conflicting rules governs the case. This is of the very essence of judicial duty." "If, then, the courts are to regard the constitution, and the constitution is superior to any ordinary act of the legislature, the constitution, and not such ordinary act, must govern the case to which they both apply." Source: John Marshall, Opinion of the Court in Marbury v. Madison, 1803 Which of the following statements best summarizes Marshall's argument about the Supreme Court? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) It should judge ordinary acts as equal to the Constitution. (Choice B) It should judge whether a law is constitutional. (Choice C) It should judge whether both a law and the Constitution apply to a case. (Choice D) It should judge whether the law or the Constitution ought to determine a case.
(Choice A) It should judge ordinary acts as equal to the Constitution.
"The apprehended danger from the experiment of universal suffrage applied to the whole legislative department is no dream of the imagination. . . . The tendency of universal suffrage is to jeopardize the rights of property and the principles of liberty. There is a constant tendency . . . in the poor to covet and to share the plunder of the rich; in the debtor to relax or avoid the obligation of contracts; in the majority to tyrannize over the minority and trample down their rights in the indolent and the profligate to cast the whole burdens of society upon the industrious and virtuous . . . . We are no longer to remain plain and simple republics of farmers. . . . We are fast becoming a great nation, with great commerce, manufactures, population, wealth, luxuries, and with the vices and miseries that they engender." -James Kent, excerpt from the Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled for the Purpose of Amending the Constitution of the State of New York, 1821 Which of the following groups would be most likely to support the views expressed in the excerpt? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) Whigs (Choice B) Jacksonian Democrats (Choice C) Progressives (Choice D) Abolitionists
(Choice A) Whigs
"[T]his momentous question, like a firebell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror. I considered it, at once as the [death] knell of the Union. It is hushed, indeed, for the moment. But this is a reprieve only, not a final sentence. A geographical line, coinciding with a marked principle, moral and political, once conceived, and held up to the angry passions of men, will never be obliterated; and every new irritation will mark it deeper and deeper." -Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Randolph, 1820 Which of the following developments in the 1840s best represented the continuation of the ideas expressed in the passage? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) debates over the expansion of slavery to land acquired after the Mexican-American War (Choice B) conflicts with European powers over continued colonization efforts in the Americas (Choice C) clashes between citizens and German and Irish immigrants over increased immigration to the United States (Choice D) disputes over the federal government's role in influencing the economy
(Choice A) debates over the expansion of slavery to land acquired after the Mexican-American War
"In terms of international power politics, the Monroe Doctrine represented the moment when the United States felt strong enough to assert a 'sphere of influence' that other powers must respect. In terms of national psychology, the Monroe Doctrine marked the moment when Americans no longer faced eastward across the Atlantic and turned to face westward across the continent. The changed orientation was reflected in domestic political alignments." -Source: Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848, 2007 Which of the following historical events best illustrates the general argument in the excerpt about how Americans "turned to face westward across the continent"? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) The Second Great Awakening (Choice B) The Mexican-American War (Choice C) The Embargo Act of 1807 (Choice D) The Nullification Crisis
(Choice B) The Mexican-American War
"As a means of effecting this end I suggest for your consideration the propriety of setting apart an ample district west of the Mississippi, and without the limit of any State or Territory now formed, to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes as long as they shall occupy it. . . There they may be secured in the enjoyment of governments of their own choice, subject to no other control from the United States than such as may be necessary to preserve peace on the frontier and between the several tribes. There the benevolent may endeavor to teach them the arts of civilization. . . "This emigration would be voluntary, for it would be as cruel and unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers and seek a home in a distant land. But they should be distinctly informed that if they remain within the limits of the States they must be subject to their laws. . ." -Source: Andrew Jackson, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1829 Arguments similar to those expressed in the excerpt were later employed to justify which of the following? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) the rise in religious revivalism (Choice B) the creation of indigenous reservations (Choice C) the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act (Choice D) the direct election of senators
(Choice B) the creation of indigenous reservations
In the 1850s, which of the following groups would have been most likely to benefit from the changes depicted on the maps? A Immigrants from western Europe B American Indians C Mexicans who remained in the southwestern United States D African Americans
A Immigrants from western Europe
"Opening up trade abroad became crucial for the Republican leaders. Desiring as they did the United States to remain predominantly rural and agricultural, they were confronted with the problem of ensuring sufficient markets for the agricultural surpluses of America's many hardworking and productive farmers. Since the Southern Republicans did not want America to develop huge urban centers, they could not assume the existence of a large domestic market for the surpluses of farm goods. If the farmers were unable to sell their produce somewhere, they would stagnate, slip into mere subsistence farming, and become idle and lazy and eventually morally unfit for republican government." -Source: Gordon S. Wood, Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815, 2009 Which of the following pieces of historical evidence from the United States census would best support the argument in the excerpt? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) Data showing changes in wages for workers in textile mills (Choice B) Data showing population growth in rural areas in the Northeast (Choice C) Data showing changes in agricultural production and price (Choice D) Data showing the growth of railroad lines
(Choice C) Data showing changes in agricultural production and price This information could support Wood's argument that the government wanted to increase foreign trade to maintain agricultural production as long as there wasn't a significant drop in production.
"The evil, Sir, is enormous; the inevitable suffering incalculable. Do not stain the fair fame of the country . . . Nations of dependent Indians, against their will, under color of law, are driven from their homes into the wilderness. You cannot explain it; you cannot reason it away. . . Our friends will view this measure with sorrow, and our enemies alone with joy. And we ourselves, Sir, when the interests and passions of the day are past, shall look back upon it, I fear, with self-reproach, and a regret as bitter as unavailing." -Source: Edward Everett, Speeches on the Passage of the Bill for the Removal of the Indians Delivered in the Congress of the United States, 1830 Which of the following movements expressed ideas most similar to the ideas expressed in the excerpt? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) nativists in the 1870s (Choice B) homesteaders in the 1860s (Choice C) anti-imperialists in the early 1900s (Choice D) conservationists in the early 1900s
(Choice C) anti-imperialists in the early 1900s
"By the middle of the nineteenth century, thus, the nation had taken significant steps in the direction of universal white male suffrage. Spurred by the development of the economy, shifts in the social structure, the dynamics of party politics, the diffusion of democratic ideals, the experiences of war, and the need to maintain militias, the states, the federal government, and municipalities all had dismantled the most fundamental obstacles to the participation of men in elections. . . "The expansion of the suffrage in fact played a key role in the enormous upsurge of political participation in the 1830s and 1840s, when turnout in some locales reached 80 percent of all adult male citizens." -Source: Alexander Keyssar, "The Right to Vote: the Contested History of Democracy in the United States," 2009 According to the passage, which of the following best explains the most important effect that the extension of suffrage to all white men had on the United States? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) Fewer people voted in midterm elections than presidential elections.(Choice B) There was more corruption at all levels of government. (Choice C) Fewer people who owned property ran for political office. (Choice D) More people voted in all levels of elections.
(Choice D) More people voted in all levels of elections.
"In the meantime, what has agriculture been doing in spite of all Mr. Clay's efforts to convert our young farmers into manufacturers? . . . Our agriculture is spreading in every direction, not only counties but by States, while population in our manufacturing regions is almost stationary. . . Although agriculture must thus outgrow this legislative home market, till our unexplored forests on north-western, western, and south-western borders, are converted into fields and pastures, we must go on taxing ourselves for generations to come, to increase the wealth of a small portion of our wealthy men and their posterity. Strip this American system of all its sophistries, and what is it, but a fraudulent partnership between a portion of our politicians and capitalists . . ." -Source: "Commercial Reciprocity and the American System," The United States Democratic Review, 1844 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) The federal government had the power to tax imports and exports under the necessary and proper clause. (Choice B) The Southern states should diversify their agricultural products to improve their local economy. (Choice C) The American System would help to connect and unify all the different regions of the United States. (Choice D) The American System benefitted industrial economies more than agricultural economies.
(Choice D) The American System benefitted industrial economies more than agricultural economies.
"In debate, Democrats and Whigs alike employed the rhetoric of American republicanism, invoking popular 'virtue' against 'corruption,' though Democrats used it to denounce the money power and Whigs to denounce executive usurpation. Democrats more often looked to invoke Lockean natural rights; Whigs, Anglo-American traditions of resistance to monarchical misrule. Both traced their origins to Republicanism. . . For all that they had in common as American republicans, however, the Whigs and Democrats differed markedly in their conception of America's future. They disagreed not simply over means but also over ends. The goals of the two parties' voters added up to rival visions of the national destiny." -Source: Daniel Walker Howe, What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848, 2007 The patterns described in the excerpt most directly foreshadowed which of the following developments? Choose 1 answer: (Choice A) the establishment of political machines to gain votes for their political parties in exchange for favors (Choice B) the rise in reform movements led by middle-class women to solve social problems, like child labor (Choice C) the increased interest in establishing a secret ballot and voter registration to reduce corruption in political elections (Choice D) the growth in sectional differences between the two parties, eventually leading to the Civil War
(Choice D) the growth in sectional differences between the two parties, eventually leading to the Civil War
All of the following accurately describe Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France EXCEPT: A It opened the Mississippi River permanently to western farmers. B It ended the threat of American Indian raids on western settlements. C It was made possible by the failure of Napoleon's forces to suppress a salve revolt in Haiti. D It showed Jefferson's considerable flexibility in dealing with foreign policy. E It violated Jefferson's own view concerning strict construction of the Constitution.
B It ended the threat of American Indian raids on western settlements.
"Louisiana as ceded by France is made part of the United States. Congress may make part of the United States other adjacent territories which shall be justly acquired. "Congress may sever from the United States territory not heretofore within the United States, with consent of a majority of the free males above 21 years, inhabiting such territory." James Madison, secretary of state, proposed constitutional amendment [not passed], 1803 Which of the following best describes the historical situation in which the amendment was proposed? A The Anti-Federalists sought to add a bill of rights to the Constitution. B The federal government sought to acquire more western land in North America. C The United States sought to forcibly remove American Indians from their homelands. D The Constitutional Convention sought to establish the separation of powers between branches of government.
B The federal government sought to acquire more western land in North America.
What was the purpose behind the publication of the 1840 illustration above? A To attack William Henry Harrison for being a poor, uneducated farmer B To portray William Henry Harrison as a common man C To create support for the Populist movement D To encourage settlement of Indiana by German and Irish immigrants E To criticize the "log cabin" mentality and the manufacture of hard cider
B To portray William Henry Harrison as a common man
The opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 was important because it A established the role of the federal government in internal improvements B strengthened the ties between the eastern manufacturing and western agricultural regions C made the invention of the steamboat economically viable D spurred innovation in the railroad industry E was the last major canal project before the Civil War
B strengthened the ties between the eastern manufacturing and western agricultural regions
"To the Commanders of armed vessels belonging to the United States: "WHEREAS it is declared by the act entitled 'An act for the protection of the commerce and seamen of the United States, against the Tripolitan cruisers,' That it shall be lawful fully to equip, officer, man, and employ such of the armed vessels of the United States, as may be judged requisite by the President of the United States, for protecting effectually the commerce and seamen thereof, on the Atlantic ocean, the Mediterranean and adjoining seas: and also, that it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to instruct the commanders of the respective public vessels, to subdue, seize, and make prize, of all vessels, goods, and effects, belonging to the Bey [Sultan] of Tripoli [in North Africa], or to his subjects. "THEREFORE, And in pursuance of the said statute, you are hereby authorized and directed to subdue, seize, and make prize, of all vessels, goods, and effects, belonging to the Bey of Tripoli, or to his subjects, and to bring or send the same into port, to be proceeded against and distributed according to law. "By command of the President of the United States of America." Thomas Jefferson, 1802 The rhetorical purpose expressed in the excerpt would most likely have been interpreted as promoting which of the following? A Expanding suffrage rights to all White men B Challenging Great Britain's control of Canada C Using international commerce to expand United States influence D Investing in technology to make ocean voyages faster
C Using international commerce to expand United States influence
In Marbury v. Madison, the United Stated Supreme Court affirmed A its right to determine the constitutionality of state court decisions B its right to determine the constitutionality of state laws C its right to determine the constitutionality of congressional enactments D the sanctity of property rights against harassment by unfriendly state legislatures E the broad scope of the federal government's commerce power
C its right to determine the constitutionality of congressional enactments
The map above shows the United States immediately following the A passage of the Northwest Ordinance B negotiation of the Adams-Onis Treaty C passage of the Missouri Compromise D settlement of the Mexican War E passage of the Compromise of 1850
C passage of the Missouri Compromise
Jacksonian Democracy was distinguished by the belief that A an aristocracy posed no danger to the Republic B the National Republicans alone knew what was right for the people C political participation by the common man should be increased D political rights should be granted to women E franchise restrictions should be radically neutral
C political participation by the common man should be increased
Henry Clay's "American System" called for all of the following EXCEPT A a tariff for the protection of industry B internal improvements at national government expense C sale of federal lands to finance higher education D greater reliance on domestic financial resources E increased trade among the sections of the nation
C sale of federal lands to finance higher education
In the first half of the nineteenth century, Cherokee efforts to retain their tribal lands in Georgia received direct support from A the White residents of Oklahoma B President Andrew Jackson C the United States Supreme Court D the Democratic press E the United States Congress
C the United States Supreme Court
"A bank of the United States is in many respects convenient for the Government and useful to the people. Entertaining this opinion, and deeply impressed with the belief that some of the powers and privileges possessed by the existing bank are unauthorized by the Constitution, subversive of the rights of the States, and dangerous to the liberties of the people, I felt it my duty at an early period of my Administration to call the attention of Congress to the practicability of organizing an institution combining all its advantages and obviating [removing] these objections. I sincerely regret that in the act before me I can perceive none of those modifications of the bank charter which are necessary, in my opinion, to make it compatible with justice, with sound policy, or with the Constitution of our country. . . . "Experience should teach us wisdom. Most of the difficulties our Government now encounters and most of the dangers which impend over our Union have sprung from an abandonment of the legitimate objects of Government by our national legislation. . . . Many of our rich men have not been content with equal protection and equal benefits, but have besought us to make them richer by act of Congress. By attempting to gratify their desires we have in the results of our legislation arrayed section against section, interest against interest, and man against man, in a fearful commotion which threatens to shake the foundations of our Union." President Andrew Jackson, Veto Message Regarding the Bank of the United States, 1832 People who shared the views expressed in the excerpt most likely opposed which of the following? A The expansion of suffrage rights to most White men B The maintenance of low tariffs that allowed the export of goods to Europe C The expansion of United States territory through war D The use of federal government funding for internal improvements
D The use of federal government funding for internal improvements
"It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, . . . yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. . . . But the principal differences between the people of this country and of all others, arise from different forms of government, different laws, institutions and customs. Thus the . . . feudal system of England originated terms which formed . . . a necessary part of the language of that country; but, in the United States, many of these terms are no part of our present language,—and they cannot be, for the things which they express do not exist in this country. . . . The institutions in this country which are new and peculiar, give rise to new terms or to new applications of old terms, unknown to the people of England; which cannot be explained by them and which will not be inserted in their dictionaries, unless copied from ours. . . . No person in this country will be satisfied with the English definitions of the words congress, senate, and assembly, court, [etc.] for although these are words used in England, yet they are applied in this country to express ideas which they do not express in that country." Noah Webster, "Preface," An American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828 The historical concept of the American identity, as characterized in the excerpt, was most clearly distinguished from the identities of other nations by the A enthusiasm for copying English practices and institutions B movement toward establishing a capitalist economy C role women played in civic and public life D importance of liberal ideas about natural rights and liberties
D importance of liberal ideas about natural rights and liberties
The election of 1800 has been referred to as constituting "another revolution" because A the House of Representatives decided the election B a Supreme Court decision was required to dislodge the Federalists C voter turnout increased dramatically D the party in power stepped down after losing the election E force was required to get John Adams to leave the White House
D the party in power stepped down after losing the election
Of the following, which was the principal issue on which the United States sought settlement with Great Britain at the outset of the War of 1812? A A guarantee of New England fishing rights off Newfoundland B Free navigation of the Mississippi River C Cancellation of pre-Revolutionary debts D Access to trade with the British West Indies E An end to impressment
E An end to impressment
The issuance of the Monroe Doctrine did which of the following? A Reaffirmed George Washington's goal of United States neutrality in the Americas. B Helped Secretary of State John Quincy Adams secure the presidency in 1824. C Established the United States as the dominant economic power in South America. D Provided the basis for resolving Anglo-American border disputes. E Asserted American independent in the realm of foreign policy.
E Asserted American independent in the realm of foreign policy.