1st Semester Exam Benchmark Assessment

Below is a political cartoon that describes the national government. Should the sail with the question mark say Articles of Confederation or U.S. Constitution? *

• U.S. Consitution

• Articles of Confederation

Which factor MOST influenced the settlement patterns of Norwegians during the mid-nineteenth century? *

• a desire for cooler weather

• a location near large cities

• an abundance of fertile farmland

• an availability of factory jobs

Which statement BEST summarizes a trend in population between 1820 and 1860 that is shown in the maps? *

• The population of the West declined as new settlers displaced Native Americans.

• The population of the Midwest grew as new immigrants continued to move there.

• The population of the Northeast declined as people gradually migrated westward.

• The population of the South grew as the number of enslaved people increased.

How did the Louisiana Purchase affect the US economy?

• The Louisiana Purchase reduced national food shortages.

• The Louisiana Purchase reduced immigration from Great Britain.

• The Louisiana Purchase increased trade on the Mississippi River.

• The Louisiana Purchase increased outbreaks of violence.

Which state describes the influence that writers like Mercy Otis Warren MOST LIKELY had on the ratification of the Bill of Rights?

• The Bill of Rights was adopted to protect minorities and enslaved people.

• The US Constitution was replaced with the Articles of Confederation.

• The Bill of Rights was written to introduce freedom and liberty to citizens.

• The US Constitution was amended to include protections of individual liberties.

Which statement best describes the actions of the United States during the Mexican-American War? *

• The United States focused on defending its territory from an invasion by Mexico.

• The United States showed a willingness to use military force to protect and expand borders.

• The United States sought to liberate Mexico from a dictatorship and make it a democracy.

• The United States declared war to punish Mexico for previous economic and political disputes.

Which statement BEST explains how a large number of free people and enslaved people responded to the institution of slavery in the mid-1800s? *

• They created a network of people and places to help individuals escape slavery.

• They organized groups to discourage people from moving to southern states.

• They worked together to keep slavery from expanding into northern states.

• They argued that slavery was acceptable only in some parts of the nation.

Which statement MOST LIKELY explains why John Adams supported the separation of powers between the branches of the new national government?

• The work of the government would be overwhelming for just one branch.

• The work of the government could be accomplished more quickly by three branches.

• Each branch of government could ignore the decisions made by the other two.

• Each branch of government would help limit the power of the other two.

Which statement BEST explains why Senator Sumner supported a strict plan for readmitting former Confederate states into the Union? *

• He wanted former Confederate states to follow the laws set forth by the United States.

• He wanted leaders of former Confederate states to be judged in international courts by U.S. allies.

• He wanted former Confederate states to remain economically separated from the United States.

• He wanted freedmen in former Confederate states to pledge loyalty to the United States.

Which statement BEST explains how physical geography influenced the Lewis and Clark Expedition? *

• The expedition used rivers to travel, which made navigating the terrain easier

• The expedition unexpectedly encountered many serious dangers and threats.

• The expedition traveled only short distances before taking long breaks to explore

• The expedition took more time than planned, which required more funding