Midterm Social Studies

Common Sense was a pamphlet Thomas Paine published to distribute in the colonies to...

• explain to Britain why they should end the quartering act

• influence more people to join the independence movement.

• to join the Loyalist party

• abide by the Intolerable acts

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.

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.

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.

Which of the following statements best describes the Federalists?

• The Federalists remained loyal to Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.

• The Federalists led the fight to buy the Louisiana Purchase from France.

• The Federalists supported the new Constitution because they wanted a strong national government.

• The Federalists opposed the new Constitution because they opposed a strong national government.

Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?

• George Washington

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

• Thomas Jefferson

What is the significance of the Pilgrims’ arrival in America?

• It led to an alliance between the British and the French.

• It led to an early attempt at self-government in the English colonies.

• It caused Puritans to separate from the Church of England.

• It introduced the slave trade to the Atlantic colonies.

Answer explanation

On their journey to the New World, the Pilgrim's created and signed the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact is the one of the first documents that implemented self-government in the new English Colonies.

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.

Which amendment protects the rights of every American, such as Freedoms of Speech, Religion and Press?

• Second Amendment

• First Amendment

• 27 Amendments

• Third Amendment

Why was the Battle of Yorktown significant?

• It was the last major battle which ended the war

• It was the first major battle which sparked the war

• It was the first battle which the Continental Army had won

• It was the first battle which Britain had won