8th Grade Social Studies STAAR Review #2

The Northwest Ordinance is considered a historical milestone because it —

• more than doubled the size of the United States

• established a method for admitting new states to the Union

• encouraged state legislatures to ratify the Constitution

• proposed treaties with American Indians to allow the peaceful settlement of new territories

Answer explanation

The Northwest Ordinance established a method for admitting new states to the U.S. There were certain requirements the territory needed to meet in order to become a state.

One advantage the Confederacy had over the Union during the Civil War was that Confederate forces had —

• numerous factories for producing weapons and ammunition

• a larger number of military troops in reserve

• an extensive railroad system for moving troops and supplies

• knowledge of the terrain where most battles were fought

Answer explanation

Many of the battles of the Civil War were fought in the Confederate states, so they would have more knowledge of the terrain and landscape in that area.

The Compromise of 1850 allowed certain territories to use popular sovereignty to determine whether the territory would be free or slave. This decision applied to much of the land gained from the —

• Revolutionary War

• War of 1812

• U.S.-Mexican War

• Civil War

Answer explanation

The Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state in the Union. California was part of the Mexican Cession territory the U.S. gained from the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo after the U.S.-American War. The Mexican Cession territory was affected by the Compromise of 1850.

How did Samuel Morse’s best-known innovation contribute to U.S. growth and development?

• It enabled instantaneous long-distance transmission of information.

• It allowed manufactured goods to be produced at lower costs.

• It boosted the speed of cross-country mail delivery.

• It increased national unity by reducing sectional differences.

Answer explanation

Samuel Morse's best-known invention was the telegraph. The telegraph was a new way to communicate and transmit information over long distances.

Which of the following correctly describes the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• A portion of the slave population was counted for legislative representation.

• A federal law enforcing the return of fugitive slaves was passed.

• The census bureau was established to help apportion representation.

• The election of senators was delegated to state legislatures.

Answer explanation

The Three-Fifths Compromise was where slaves would count as 3/5ths of the population. This would affect representation in the House of Representation, where there are a set number of elected representatives based on state population.

The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in order to —

• establish legal requirements for the education of former slaves

• mandate fair labor contracts between African American workers and plantation owners

• abolish the institution of slavery

• protect the voting rights of African American men

Answer explanation

The Fifteenth Amendment grants the right to vote to all African American males. This was a right that was granted to former slaves.

The United States acquired the Oregon Territory when —

• a treaty divided U.S. and British claims to the land

• Mexico sold the territory to the United States for $10 million

• the territory’s settlers voted for annexation by the United States

• Russia sold the land to the United States for $7.2 million

Answer explanation

The Oregon Territory was claimed by both the U.S. and Great Britain. They agreed upon a treaty where the land would be divided on the 49th parallel. Mexico sold us the Gadsden Purchase territory for $10 million. Texas voted for annexation into the U.S. Russia sold us their territory in Alaska.

What was one result of the Treaty of Paris of 1783?

• Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent country.

• Competing Seminole and Spanish claims in West Florida were resolved.

• The British navy agreed to stop pressing American sailors into service.

• British territory in eastern Canada was ceded to France.

Answer explanation

The Treaty of Paris 1783 ended the American Revolution, where the U.S. gained its independence from Great Britain. In this treaty, Great Britain finally recognized U.S. independence.

The first political parties in the United States formed mainly in response to disagreements over —

• taxation without representation

• the doctrine of judicial review

• territorial expansion to the west

• the extent of federal power

Answer explanation

The first political parties formed because of disagreements over the powers of the federal government.

What was a major result of the Missouri Compromise?

• It increased the number of immigrants settling in northern states.

• It provided financing for canal construction.

• It rapidly expanded railroad construction in southern states.

• It temporarily relieved sectional tensions.

Answer explanation

The Missouri Compromise established the boundary of the 36 30 parallel. Slavery was prohibited above the line, and allowed below. This was an attempt to relieve tensions over the issue of slavery.