American History: Practice Midterm

What is one difference between primary and secondary sources?

• Secondary sources usually reflect signs of bias; primary sources do not.

• Secondary sources are usually written documents; primary sources are not.

• Primary sources are usually eyewitness accounts; secondary sources are not.

• Primary sources usually include historical interpretation; secondary sources do not.

Which of the following is an example of an artifact that a historian might use to reconstruct a Civil War battle?

• a modern song written about the battle

• an interview with the grandson of one of the soldiers

• a modern map of the battlefield site

• an unexploded shell (bomb) found on the battlefield

Read the quotations from two historians below. Why is it possible for both of these historical interpretations to be correct?

• They both discuss how Columbus changed history.

• They both focus on the great skills Columbus had as a ship captain.

• They are using different primary sources for their interpretations.

• They have chosen to emphasize different facts in their interpretations.

What is important for historians to keep in mind when they are collecting evidence?

• that the end goal is to create a chronicle

• to consider the points of view and biases of the people who created their sources

• to value secondary sources over primary sources

• to accept all primary sources as truth

Why is history worth studying?

• The study of history helps develop essential critical thinking skills.

• The more we learn today about the errors of the past, the better chance we have of avoiding them in the future.

• The study of history can help us develop empathy for others.

• all of the above

How do we define governments that receive their 'just powers' to rule from the 'consent of the governed'?

• as monarchies

• as democracies

• as socialists

• as dictatorships

Why was the ideal of equality problematic in 1776?

• It did not include any labor rights.

• It only targeted wealthy males.

• It excluded African Americans, American Indians, and women.

• It created different social classes.

According to the Declaration of Independence, when a tyrannical government continually abuses its subjects and takes away their rights, it is the duty of the people to

• overthrow that government and replace it with a new one.

• work with that government to compromise and settle differences peacefully.

• elect a new king that is a better representative of the people's will.

• abolish that government and return to a state of nature with no social contract.

When Congress drafted the nation's first constitution in 1777, what was something that many Americans feared?

• more than three branches of government

• the Constitution would trigger a war with France

• too much power would be given to the national government (like a king)

• too much power would be given to the people

Supporters of the new Constitution in 1787 were known as

• Patriots.

• Loyalists.

• Moderates.

• Federalists.