U. S. History Milestone Unit 4 (RAD)

By limiting the power of the National Government, the Bill of Rights ultimately serves as:

• the appendix to Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution that denies powers

• a protector of individual and states’ rights.

• a reminder of the anti-federalists arguments

• the final list of all citizens natural rights and freedoms.

Proposed Bills

No person may carry a firearm.

No publishing of documents criticizing the government.

State’s may not make their own laws.

Why are the proposed bills in the list above unlikely to ever become laws in the United States?

• Most states already have laws similar to these.

• They represent ideas that the executive branch cannot enforce.

• The Declaration of Independence specifically prevents them from becoming law.

• The Bill of Rights protects these individual and states’ rights.

How did the Whiskey Rebellion affect George Washington’s Presidency? 

• It made his popularity legendary once he repealed the unpopular Whiskey Tax.

• It forced him to utilize a national army to stop domestic unrest.

• It showed his skills in negotiating state interests in Congress.

• It exposed the President as powerless to intervene in state and local matters.

The first political parties in America arose primarily because of:

• support of a stronger Congress that had oversight over presidential appointments.

• opposition to Alexander Hamilton’s influence in Washington’s administration.

• divisions among the American public over whether to trade with Britain or France

• disagreements over whether to keep or prohibit slavery in newly acquired lands.

Why was George Washington’s presidency so important? 

• With no guideline to follow, he created many precedents for future presidents

• His presidency helped clarify the purpose of the Declaration of Independence

• He was the only president elected by popular vote

• Since he was popular, he was able to rule with disregard for the people

How did the Northwest Ordinance lead to the creation of new states?

• It granted the U.S. military the power to create states west of the Mississippi River.

• It allowed the United States to seize lands from Canada and divide them into states.

• It established Illinois and Michigan as free states to balance the number of slave states.

• It allowed western territories to apply for statehood once they reached a certain size.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were important to westward expansion because they: 

• eliminated all Native American threats in the west.

• set up many permanent settlements in the west.

• negotiated the price and timing of the Louisiana Purchase.

• explored and mapped out the area received in the Louisiana Purchase

Which event is an example of Thomas Jefferson’s keen diplomatic skills?

• the War of 1812

• the Embargo Act

• the Louisiana Purchase

• the Sally Hemmings Affair

How did British naval vessels help instigate the War of 1812?   

• They occasionally helped runaway slaves escape the United States.

• They routinely seized American crew and cargo illegally.

• They provided Canadian militias with weapons for border raids against Americans

• They smuggled goods to France, hurting American merchant’s trade with France.

The Erie Canal was significant for early America because it:

• aided the rebels in transporting supplies and troops during the revolution.

• allowed ships to travel from the northern states to southern states quickly

• connected New York’s ports to the western interior for increased commerce.

• provided vital irrigation for the farmlands in the northern territories.