U.S. History Midterm Review 2025

Common Sense by Thomas Paine was a turning point in American history because

• it led Paine’s readers to support colonizing small, helpless island

• it led more American colonists to support declaring their independence from Britain

• it led Americans to dominate Britain in international trade

• it changed readers’ understanding of geography

Based on the passage, which statement best describes Paine’s point of view?

• American colonists are not represented in the English government.

• England has mistreated its American colonists.

• The American colonists have failed to respect English authority.

• England should not rule over its American colonies.

Which document includes this passage?

• Mayflower Compact

• Declaration of Independence

• Northwest Ordinance

• Monroe Doctrine

The Declaration of Independence is a document that states

• how many states will exist in the U.S.

• why the American colonies want to be free of British rule.

• the laws of the U.S.

• how teenagers can best become independent from their parents.

The debate depicted in the documents is most related to

• The Articles of Confederation

• ratification of the Constitution

• Hamilton’s plan for a national bank

• the Northwest Ordinance

Which principle of the United States Constitution is most directly described in this passage?

• States rights

• checks and balances

• the elastic clause

• concurrent powers

Which statement best describes the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

• To gain support for ratifying the Constitution

• To gain support for adding a Bill of Rights

• To gain support for declaring independence from Britain

• To gain support for states’ rights

The main objection to the adoption of the United States Constitution was based primarily on the belief that

• the number of new states admitted to the Union should be limited

• individual freedoms could be restricted by a strong central government

• a separate judiciary would make the government ineffective

• slave populations gave the South too much power

Based on this passage, President Washington would urge the United States to avoid

• trade agreements

• permanent political alliances

• foreign travel

• industrial development

A policy of neutrality and presidential cabinet are examples of

• a precedent established by Washington

• Washington’s expansion of presidential power

• Washington’s interpretation of the Constitution

• Debates between Federalists and Anti-Federalists