8th Grade Social Studies 3rd quarter Benchmark

Which phrase BEST explains why the Founding Fathers made it difficult to amend the U.S. Constitution?

• to avoid standard legislative obstacles

• to protect against rule by a small majority

• to restrict the influence of political leaders

• to ensure that proposed changes are extensive

Which U.S. president was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• John Adams

• Andrew Jackson

What event(s) happened prior to the Battle of Yorktown?

• Townshend Acts

• Boston Tea Party

• Signing of the Declaration of Independence

• All of the above

How did Benjamin Franklin’s actions support American victory during the Revolutionary War?

• He recruited and trained the minutemen

• He negotiated an alliance with France

• He established peaceful ties with Britain

• He served as a general in the Continental Army

Which historical figure was born in Virginia; became Secretary of War; helped with the Louisiana Purchase and became president?

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

• Stonewall Jackson

• John Adams

President Thomas Jefferson wanted to keep taxes low; provide no protective tariffs and eliminate the national debt. He believed in one of the following economic systems

• mercantilism

• laissez-faire

• protectionism

• monopoly

In 1783, the Continental Congress proposed a 5 percent tax on imports in order to help pay for the costs of the Revolutionary War. Which state or region MOST likely voted against the tax on the grounds that it would have to pay more taxes than other states or regions?

• New England Colonies at 199,558 pounds

• New York at 547,132 pounds

• Pennsylvania at 239,462 pounds

• North & South Carolina at 226,737 pounds

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington was a great military leader. He was also a great political leader. His actions as the head of the army supported his long-term goals for the new nation. He understood that military leaders must always listen to Congress, even if the leaders disagreed with Congress. Washington also understood that the army needed to show respect to the citizens it was serving. Some armies force the citizens to give them food. Washington commanded his men to ask for food. He knew that the army might be able to get more supplies by force, but then the people would not trust him or his soldiers. Which goal did George Washington have for the new nation?

• Military leaders would disagree with Congress

• The United States would be ruled by its citizens

• The United States would recognize his leadership

• The military would have the right to take supplies by force

Holland, without a king, hath enjoyed more peace for this last century than any of the monarchical governments in Europe. —Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 Based on the passage, what idea about government does Paine support?.

• Monarchy was not the first type of government

• The king has no right to impose taxation on the American colonies

• Monarchical governments are more likely to go to war

• Holland should take over administration of the colonies from the British king

This Virginian was the Secretary of State under President John Adams. Chosen as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in 1801, he established the idea that the courts have the ability to overturn laws that go against the Constitution. His decisions also helped define checks and balances in the government of the United States. Which man is described in the passage?

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• John Marshall

• James Monroe