How did Samuel Morse’s best-known innovation contribute to U.S. growth and development?
A.
It enabled instantaneous long-distance transmission of information.
B.
It allowed manufactured goods to be produced at lower costs.
C.
It boosted the speed of cross-country mail delivery.
D.
It increased national unity by reducing sectional differences.
2.
The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in order to
A.
establish legal requirements for the education of former slaves
B.
mandate fair labor contracts between African American workers and plantation owners
C.
abolish the institution of slavery
D.
protect the voting rights of African American men
3.
The United States acquired the Oregon Territory when
A.
a treaty divided U.S. and British claims to the land
B.
Mexico sold the territory to the United States for $10 million
C.
the territory’s settlers voted for annexation by the United States
D.
Russia sold the land to the United States for $7.2 million
4.
Which excerpt from the Declaration of Independence best explains why colonists were unhappy about their lack of representation in the British parliament?
A.
“He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people.”
B.
“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.”
C.
“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.”
D.
“For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.”
5.
The decision in Marbury v. Madison was significant in U.S. history because it —
A.
reinforced federal authority over American Indian affairs
B.
confirmed the power of Congress to regulate interstate commerce
C.
established the practice of judicial review by the Supreme Court
D.
upheld the power of the Electoral College to choose the vice president
6.
A biography on the military career of General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson would include his involvement in which Civil War events?
A.
The First Battle of Bull Run and the Confederate victory at Fredericksburg
B.
The Union capture of Atlanta and the March to the Sea through Georgia
C.
The Virginia Peninsula campaign and the Union victory at Gettysburg
D.
The campaigns in northern Virginia and the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House
7.
Which of the following correctly describes the Three-Fifths Compromise?
A.
A portion of the slave population was counted for legislative representation.
B.
A federal law enforcing the return of fugitive slaves was passed.
C.
The census bureau was established to help apportion representation.
D.
The election of senators was delegated to state legislatures.
8.
Which statement accurately describes the reasons for establishing Plymouth and Jamestown?
A.
Both colonies were established to bring wealth to stockholders.
B.
Plymouth’s founders intended to produce raw materials, while Jamestown’s founders expected to discover gold.
C.
Both colonies were established to limit the expansion of other European empires.
D.
Plymouth was founded as a refuge from religious persecution, while Jamestown was founded for commercial profit.
9.
Which of these prompted Congress to propose the Fourteenth Amendment?
A.
The popular sovereignty provision in the Kansas-Nebraska Act
B.
The positions taken in the Know-Nothing Party platform
C.
The Black Codes enacted by southern states after the Civil War
D.
The opposition by southern states to the Emancipation Proclamation
10.
Which group was among the first to call for an end to slavery?
A.
American Indians, because they viewed the plight of slaves as similar to their own
B.
Quakers, because slavery contradicted their religious beliefs
C.
British loyalists, because Great Britain had ended the slave trade
D.
Puritans, because the New England economy did not rely on slavery
11.
In the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which point would have been made by a Federalist?
A.
“The existing national government lacks the ability to add new states to the union.”
B.
“The states are in danger of losing the ability to raise revenue.”
C.
“The existing national government lacks the power to perform essential functions.”
D.
“The states are unable to protect the rights of the people.”
12.
What was one long-term consequence of the sharecropping system?
A.
Agricultural workers organized labor unions.
B.
Many former slaves became trapped in a cycle of debt.
C.
Many agricultural workers moved to cities to start small businesses.
D.
Landowners sold property to pay wages to former slaves.
