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STAAR Review: Early Republic - Printable Social studies Worksheets year 8 - Wayground

STAAR Review: Early Republic

Amber Emerson

Created by Amber Emerson

16 questions

8th Grade

Social studies

Updated Apr 2026

STAAR Review: Early Republic is a Grade 8 social studies practice worksheet focused on identifying key early U.S. documents and explaining their purposes. Students distinguish excerpts from Washington’s Farewell Address, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Northwest Ordinance; complete Northwest Ordinance statements; identify its path to statehood and protected rights; and recognize a related precedent such as trial by jury. The worksheet also reviews Early Republic chronology and decision-making through presidential ordering, multiple-select questions about Monroe’s advisers, hotspot identification of a free-enterprise supporter, matching, and other varied question types. These drag-and-drop, dropdown, matching, hotspot, ordering, multiple-choice, multiple-select, and fill-in-the-blank items help students prepare for STAAR-style assessment tasks by recalling facts, interpreting historical language, and connecting policies to their effects. It is a free printable worksheet with a complete answer key for Grade 8 classroom review, independent practice, or assessment preparation.

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STAAR Review: Early Republic

Total questions: 16

Name
Class
Date
1.

“History and experience prove that foreign influence is one of the most baneful foes of Republican government.... It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances.

-​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Washington's Farewell Address
Monroe's Doctrine
Northwest Ordinance
2.

The American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for colonization by any European powers.

-​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Monroe Doctrine
Northwest Ordinance
Washington's Farewell Address
3.

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

-​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Washington's Farewell Address
Monroe Doctrine
Northwest Ordinance
4.

Also known as the Ordinance of 1787, the ​ (a)   established a government..., outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and guaranteed that newly created states would be ​ (b)   to the original ​ (c)   states. Considered one of the most important legislative acts of the Confederation Congress, this document also protected civil ​ (d)   and outlawed ​ (e)   in the new territories.

Choose from the below words
Northwest Ordinance
equal
thirteen
liberties
slavery
Monroe Doctrine
Washington's Farewell Address
5.

’Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world—So far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it....But in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

-​ ​ (a)  

Choose from the below words
Washington's Farewell Address
Monroe Doctrine
Northwest Ordinance
6.

Match the following

Match the following

George Washington

Match the following

War of 1812

Match the following

John Marshall

Match the following

Alien and Sedition Acts

Match the following

Northwest Ordinance

7.

Click on the person who is most likely a supporter of free enterprise.

A
B
C
D
8.

’Tis our true policy to steer clear of ​ (a)   , with any portion of the foreign world—So far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it....But in my opinion, it is unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them.

Choose from the below words
permanent Alliances
colonial Settlements
protective Tarriffs
territorial Disputes
9.

Order the following presidents by their term.

a)

George Washington

b)

John Adams

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

James Madison

e)

James Monroe

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
10.

Which two former presidents did President Monroe ask for advice on what the U.S, should do to support the new independent Latin American nations? (Select 2 answers)

a)

George Washington

b)

John Adams

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

James Madison

11.

What was a goal of the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

to end attacks on U.S. ships

b)

to warn against impressment of U.S. sailors

c)

to encourage foreign trade with European merchants

d)

to prevent European interference in North and South America

12.

The Northwest Ordinance was a process for admitting ___ ______ into the Union.

(a)  

13.

Match the following

Unalienable Rights

Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness

grievances

complaints against the King

Northwest Ordinance

1787, process of admitting new states into U.S.

Declaration of Independence

1776, defined our rights to defeat tyranny

Treaty of Paris

1783, USA is independent & acquired new land

14.

What was the purpose of the Northwest Ordinance?

a)

to control Indians in the Northwest Territory

b)

to set a path to statehood and establish rights for settlers

c)

to convince more colonists to fight for independence

d)

to give states a process for collecting taxes

15.

Which precedent can be found in the Northwest Ordinance

a)

Right to own slaves

b)

Right to trial by jury

c)

Universal right to vote

16.

Which of the following is NOT a warning/piece of advice that Washington gave to the people of the United States in his farewell address?

a)

Stay united

b)

Avoid political parties

c)

Avoid alliances with other countries

d)

Focus on manufacturing and commerce

WaygroundAnswer Key

STAAR Review: Early Republic

Total questions: 16

1.
Washington's Farewell Address
2.
Monroe Doctrine
3.
Washington's Farewell Address
4.
Northwest Ordinance, equal, thirteen, liberties, slavery
5.
Washington's Farewell Address
6.
 - 

George Washington

,  - 

War of 1812

,  - 

John Marshall

,  - 

Alien and Sedition Acts

,  - 

Northwest Ordinance

7.
8.
permanent Alliances
9.
a, b, c, d, e
10.
c)

Thomas Jefferson

, d)

James Madison

11.
d)

to prevent European interference in North and South America

12.
new states
13.

Unalienable Rights

 - 

Life, Liberty & Pursuit of Happiness

, 

grievances

 - 

complaints against the King

, 

Northwest Ordinance

 - 

1787, process of admitting new states into U.S.

, 

Declaration of Independence

 - 

1776, defined our rights to defeat tyranny

, 

Treaty of Paris

 - 

1783, USA is independent & acquired new land

14.
b)

to set a path to statehood and establish rights for settlers

15.
b)

Right to trial by jury

16.
d)

Focus on manufacturing and commerce

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FAQs

What does the STAAR Review: Early Republic worksheet cover?

This 16-item Grade 8 social studies worksheet asks students to identify excerpts from Washington’s Farewell Address, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Northwest Ordinance, then apply those ideas to questions about foreign policy, statehood, rights, and presidential chronology. Its drag-and-drop, dropdown, matching, hotspot, ordering, multiple-choice, multiple-select, and fill-in-the-blank formats build both historical recall and interpretation skills.

How can I use this worksheet to teach the Early Republic?

Introduce the three documents first, asking students to underline clues about alliances, European colonization, statehood, and civil liberties in each excerpt. Then have students complete the document-identification items before discussing why the Northwest Ordinance created a path to statehood and why Monroe consulted Jefferson and Madison about Latin American independence. Finish with the presidential ordering item as a quick chronology check.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this Early Republic worksheet?

Students may confuse Washington’s warnings about permanent alliances with the Monroe Doctrine’s opposition to European interference in the Americas, especially when responding to similar quotations. They may also mistake the Northwest Ordinance’s purpose for territorial control rather than statehood and settler rights, select the wrong advisers to Monroe, or place the presidents out of chronological order.

How do I assign and grade this Early Republic worksheet?

The worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, with a complete answer key for checking the document-identification, chronology, and Northwest Ordinance items. Printable submissions can be graded by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app. The printable format also gives schools an option for reducing screen time.

How can I differentiate this Early Republic worksheet for my students?

Under the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing or choose a larger font size to make the document excerpts, dropdown text, and matching items easier to read. You can also enable a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language while keeping its Early Republic question structure.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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