Winter Benchmark Review

Winter Benchmark Review

by Jimmy Martin

​7 Principles of Government

​1. Popular Sovereignty - Power to the people

​2. Republicanism - citizens elect representatives to represent them

​3. Bill of Rights - rights & freedoms guaranteed to citizens

​4. Limited Government - government only has specific powers given to it

​5. Separation of Powers - government is divided into 3 branches

​6. Checks and Balances - each branch is equal and checks the power of the other branches

​7. Federalism - the federal government shares power with the states

Multiple Choice

What principles of government are described in the passage?

• Limited government and federalism

• Individual rights, and checks and balances

• Republicanism and popular sovereignty

• Checks and balances, and separation of powers

Multiple Choice

Both the US Constitution and the Texas Constitution —

• include a Bill of Rights within their articles

• establish procedures for changing or amending the Constitution

• explain relations among lower-level governments

• were created exactly alike

Multiple Choice

Which principle of government is reflected in this section of the Texas Constitution?

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

Which title best describes the list above?

• 14th Amendment

• Separation of Powers

• Freedom of Press

• Federalism

Multiple Choice

The Texas Constitution reflects the principle of limited government by —

• allowing citizens to ignore the decisions of the state government if they wish

• giving only specific powers to the state government, which are precisely spelled out

• permitting each elected officeholder only a short time in public office

• . giving each branch of state government the power to check the actions of the other two branches

Multiple Choice

Which of the following completes this diagram?

• The Rule of Law

• Rights of Texas Citizens

• Examples of Civic Responsibility

• The Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes why is it impossible to have a truly democratic society without a free press?

• Voters would not have the information they need to vote wisely.

• Citizens would not know where to volunteer for community service.

• Leaders would not know what the public is really thinking.

• Leaders would not come up with new ideas for the government.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes why civic participation in Texas is so important?

• Most people prefer to give help rather than pay taxes.

• The work of government is easier when it is divided into small parts.

• Civic participation provides work for government officials.

• Democracy depends on citizens being willing to engage in politics.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best completes the diagram?

• Three-quarters of the Cabinet approves the amendment.

• A majority of the Justices of the Texas Supreme Court approve the amendment.

• Three-quarters of the voters ratify the amendment.

• A majority of the voters approve the amendment.

​Regions of Texas

​Mountains and Basins Region - driest region in the state, least populated

​Great Plains - flat and dry region with extreme weather (tornados and blizzards)

​North Central Plains - region we live

​Coastal Plains - wettest region with the most people

​Capitol of Texas

​The capitol of Texas is Austin, Tx. Austin, TX is located in the center of Texas on the edge of Coastal Plains and North Central Plains.

Multiple Choice

Which two regions of Texas are separated by the Balcones Escarpment?

• Mountains and Basins & Coastal Plains

• North Central Plains & Coastal Plains

• Mountains and Basins & Great Plains

• Great Plains & North Central Plains

Multiple Choice

The capitol of Texas is located in which subregion?

• Rolling Plains

• Mountains and Basins

• High Plains

• Edwards Plateau

Multiple Choice

Which inference about Texas is supported by a comparison of the two maps?

• Urban centers are located in those areas with the least annual rainfall.

• Population density is usually greater where annual rainfall is greater.

• People cannot live in areas with less than 14 inches of rain a year

• Most people prefer to live in sunny areas where rainfall is light.

Multiple Choice

Which phrase best completes this graphic organizer?

• Cabeza de Vaca explores the interior of Texas

• Stephen F. Austin brings the “Old 300” to Texas

• Mexico fights for independence from Spain

• The Cherokee Nation settles along the Sabine River

Multiple Choice

Which motivation led early European explorers to investigate the Americas?

• Desire to find riches

• Desire to spread democracy

• Desire to leave religious institutions

• Desire to escape government monarchies

Multiple Choice

How did the Spanish government react to the situation described in the excerpt?

• It began the colonization and settlement of Texas based on the reports of Fray Marcos

• It sent Fray Marcos and other explorers to establish missions in Texas and to find gold

• It mainly lost interest in the exploration of Texas once it discovered there was no gold

• It appointed Coronado as governor of all of the territory he had explored, including Texas

Multiple Choice

Which Catholic priest was born in Spain and established missions among the Caddo Indians in East Texas?

• Fray Damián Massaret

• José de Escandon

• Antonio Margil de Jesús

• Francisco Hidalgo

Multiple Choice

Colonel José de Escandón is best known for –

• Leading an expedition against French explorer René-Robert, Cavalier de la Salle

• Discovering the deserted French Fort Saint Louis

• Establishing new settlements along the Rio Grande, including Laredo

• Defeating the Pueblo Indians in the area of El Paso

Multiple Choice

What would be the best title for this diagram?

• The Expansion of Spanish Culture

• The Texas War for Independence

• The First Anglo-American Settlers Come to Texas

• Mexico’s Empresario System Collapses

Multiple Choice

Why do most historians consider Stephen F. Austin to be the “most successful” empresario in Mexican Texas?

• He settled more families in Texas than his contracts allowed

• He settled more families in Texas than any other empresario

• He settled families from both the United States and Mexico in Texas

• He was the only empresario to receive multiple contracts to settle in Texas

Multiple Choice

Which best completes the diagram above?

• Haden Edwards is captured and killed by General Santa Anna.

• Haden Edwards defeats General Santa Anna at San Jacinto.

• Haden Edwards invades Nacogdoches and declares its independence as the Republic of Fredonia.

• Haden Edwards helps topple the government in Mexico City to have his contract renewed.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is supported by the Mier y Terán Report?

• The Mexican population outnumbered the Anglo population

• The Americans were improving the lives of the Mexicans

• The Mexican population was adapting to American culture

• The Americans were not trying to adapt to Mexican culture

Multiple Choice

What law that was passed by the Mexico's Centralist government discouraged the immigration of U.S. citizens in to Texas territory but promoted Mexican immigration?

• Texas Constitution of 1833

• Constitution of 1824

• Law of April 6, 1830

• Colonization Contracts of 1824 and 1832

Multiple Choice

Which statement best reflects why Texans declared their independence from Mexico?

• Texans had too few government officials serving in the Mexican government.

• Texans did not want to learn Spanish or live under a democratic government.

• Texans believed they were being denied their individual and political rights.

• Texans wanted the Mexican government to move its capital city to Texas.

Multiple Choice

The flag shown was flown during which battle?

• Battle of Gonzales

• Battle of the Alamo

• Battle of San Jacinto

• Battle of Turtle Bayou

Multiple Choice

Which best explains the role played by Juan N. Seguin in the Texas Revolution?

• He spoke for Spanish-speaking Tejanos at the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1836.

• He was the leader of Spanish-speaking Tejano volunteers who helped defend the Alamo against General Santa Anna.

• He was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

• He helped Mexican General Santa Anna in his invasion of Texas in 1836.

Multiple Choice

Which chart best illustrates Santa Anna's reason for giving a speech to his troops before the Battle of the Alamo?

Multiple Choice

• I – James Fannin, II – George Childress, III – Lorenzo de Zavala

• I – James Fannin, II – Sam Houston, III – Juan N. Seguin

• I – William B. Travis, II – Sam Houston, III – Lorenzo de Zavala

• I – William B. Travis, II – George Childress, III – Juan N. Seguin

​Republic of Texas

​1836-1845

​1. Wanted annexation with U.S.

​ - did not want war with Mexico

​ - did not want another slave state

​2. Issues

​ - Financial (No money)

​ - Conflicts with Indians & Mexico

​3. Presidents

​ - Sam Houston

​ - Mirabeau Lamar

​ - Sam Houston

​ - Anson Jones

Multiple Choice

Why did the United States Congress refuse to annex Texas in the 1830s?

• They feared annexing territory that was controlled by Indian tribes.

• Northerners did not want to annex a large slave-holding state.

• They knew many Texans opposed the annexation.

• They did not want to pay the debts that Texas owed from the war.

Multiple Choice

Which best completes the diagram?

• The U.S. Congress refused to annex Texas.

• The Texas Republic faced financial difficulties.

• Texan citizens asked to be returned to Mexico.

• Texas adopted the first income tax.