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SSUSH6 - 1st 5 Presidents

Total questions: 68

Worksheet time: 34mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

During George Washington's presidency, what was the major reason for conflict between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton?

a)

Washington’s decision not to get involved in the revolution in France

b)

the distribution of power between the judicial branch and the legislative branch

c)

Hamilton’s objection to Jefferson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution

d)

the U.S. government’s decision to remain neutral in the war between France and Britain

2.

Which of the these was a precedent set by the first President of the United States, George Washington?

a)

the popular election of the President

b)

the tradition of only serving two terms

c)

naming nine Justices to the Supreme Court

d)

addressing the Chief Executive as "Your Highness"

3.

Alexander Hamilton's plan for a “national bank” was politically significant because

a)

it helped provide the country's first balanced budget.

b)

it created the first income tax within the ruling class.

c)

it triggered the duel with Aaron Burr that eventually killed Hamilton.

d)

it caused the first direct conflict between supporters of strict interpretation versus loose interpretation of the Constitution.

4.

Which of these actions is an example of American leaders following the advice President Washington gave in his Farewell Address?

a)

the creation of two opposing political parties during the 1796 elections

b)

the end of the French-American alliance in 1800, which ended the Quasi-War

c)

the Civil War, which was characterized by two sections of the country at war with each other

d)

Washington being asked to run for another presidential term in the presidential election of 1800

5.

The Whiskey Rebellion was significant in U.S. history MAINLY because

a)

the states proved that they could nullify federal laws.

b)

the forces of prohibition achieved a ban on alcoholic beverages

c)

the states were able to pass legislation reversing a national tax.

d)

the federal government used force to enforce the laws of the land.

6.

As the first president, George Washington's decisions regarding the inauguration ceremony, selecting a Cabinet and running two terms are all examples of

a)

following Constitutional laws

b)

precedents he made that future presidents followed.

c)

early mistakes that were changed by later presidents.

d)

extending presidential powers not explicitly given to the President

7.

Who was Hamilton's primary political rival while serving in Washington's cabinet?

a)

Henry Knox

b)

Abraham Lincoln

c)

George W. Clinton

d)

Thomas Jefferson

8.

According to George Washington's Farewell Address, which of these is MOST important to sustaining the United States and will be MOST frequently attacked by enemies?

a)

free trade

b)

unity of the states

c)

an agriculture-based economy

d)

development of political parties

9.

Which of these would have MOST favored the financial plans of Alexander Hamilton?

a)

foreign industry

b)

Democratic-Republicans

c)

strict constructionists

d)

banks in northern states

10.

What was the major reason for conflicts regarding domestic issues between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton?

a)

They disagreed about the power of the Judicial branch.

b)

Jefferson wanted to support Britain in its war with France.

c)

Hamilton objected to Jefferson's interpretation of the Constitution.

d)

Washington's decision not to get involved in the revolution in France.

11.

Alexander Hamilton based much of his financial program on his belief that

a)

land was the most important source of wealth.

b)

speculation in government securities had to be prevented

c)

the states should be discouraged from depending on the federal government.

d)

the success of the new government required the support of the upper class.

12.

In order to get his financial program through Congress in 1790, Alexander Hamilton made a deal with James Madison and Thomas Jefferson to locate the nation's capital to

a)

to the state of Washington

b)

to land from Madison in Pennsylvania

c)

to the new creation of the East Virginia

d)

the agrarian states of Maryland and Virginia

13.

Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson disagreed over the proposed “National Bank” based on which issue?

a)

which executive department would be responsible for running it

b)

the wisdom of staffing such an institution with immigrants from Britain

c)

how much in additional taxes would be levied on citizens of the United States

d)

whether or not the Constitution gives the national government the power to establish the bank

14.

Which of these BEST describes the advice George Washington gave Americans about relationships with foreign powers in his Farewell Address?

a)

America should align itself with one foreign nation permanently.

b)

America should never align itself with Britain in any international disagreements.

c)

America should form permanent alliances of peace with as many foreign nations as possible.

d)

America should form temporary alliances with foreign nations only in extraordinary emergencies.

15.

What was the MAIN difference in the beliefs of the earliest political parties?

a)

the issue of slavery

b)

the power of government

c)

the split with Great Britain

d)

the belief in economic practices

16.

Which of these BEST describes the purpose of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

a)

They prevented people from becoming citizens of the United States.

b)

They provided a means to safely protect the country from French invasion.

c)

They were meant to punish the Federalists who supported the National Bank.

d)

They were aimed at people who were criticizing President Adams' foreign policy.

17.

Why were the Alien and Sedition Acts controversial?

a)

They were passed over President Adams' veto.

b)

Many thought they violated the Constitution.

c)

They failed to arrest any people they targeted.

d)

They were the first laws made under the new Constitution.

18.

Which statement BEST describes why the election of 1800 is called the "revolution of 1800"?

a)

It was the first time that two candidates ran for President.

b)

It was the first time that there was an election while America was at war.

c)

It was the first time that common people were able to vote in an election.

d)

It was the first time that power was transferred to a different political party.

19.

The Alien and Sedition Acts, signed into law in 1798, were, for the most part, intended for

a)

illegal aliens

b)

French nationals

c)

British radicals

d)

political opposition

20.

Which of these was a major source of conflict between President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson?

a)

Thomas Jefferson opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by the Federalist Congress.

b)

Adams strongly supported the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions while Jefferson opposed them.

c)

Adams was sympathetic to the French Revolution while Jefferson opposed supporting this event.

d)

Thomas Jefferson wanted to be the face of the Federalist party and felt that Adams was not qualified to lead.

21.

Most of the indictments under the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 were of

a)

Federalists politicians

b)

Democratic-Republican politicians

c)

Federalist newspaper editors and publishers

d)

Democratic-Republican newspaper editors and publishers.

22.

The first American political party to successfully have a President in office was the

a)

Whigs

b)

Democrats

c)

Federalists

d)

Democratic Republicans

23.

The only Federalist President, John Adams, was defeated in the election of 1800 by

a)

James Madison

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

George Washington

d)

Alexander Hamilton

24.

Political parties appeared in the United States shortly after the Constitution was adopted because

a)

Washington disliked Jefferson.

b)

Great Britain had a two-party system.

c)

the Constitution provides for a two-party system.

d)

differences arose over political and economic issues.

25.

Which of these was NOT a challenge faced by John Adams during his presidency?

a)

questions concerning the wisdom of the Louisiana Purchase

b)

conflict between Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson

c)

tensions between France and the United States because of the XYZ Affair

d)

controversy over a law that allowed the government to deport "enemy" aliens

26.

When studying the Constitution and early United States History, the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 can be viewed as a violation of which of these?

a)

Checks and Balances

b)

Popular Sovereignty

c)

the Fifth Amendment

d)

the First Amendment

27.

The Election of 1800 revealed what flaw in the U.S. Constitution that led to the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment?

a)

Presidents could run for an unlimited amount of terms which could lead eventually to a monarchy.

b)

The method used by the Electoral College of electing the president and vice-president often resulted in a tie for president.

c)

The popular vote elected the president and the Electoral College elected the vice-president resulting in the same candidate for both positions.

d)

The Electoral College elected the president, and the popular vote elected the vice-president resulting in the same candidate for both positions.

28.

The XYZ Affair (1797) led to near formal war with

a)

Canada

b)

England

c)

France

d)

Germany

29.

Which early president passed the unpopular Alien & Sedition acts, which restricted people speaking out against the government and allowed him to deport foreigners?

a)

John Adams

b)

James Madison

c)

Thomas Jefferson

d)

George Washington

30.

Probably the most important Supreme Court decision was ______ in which the court ruled ______.

a)

McCulloch v. Maryland : the power to tax is the power to destroy

b)

Marbury v. Madison : that it had the power to declare a law unconstitutional

c)

Scott v Sandford : slaves are still slaves even when taken into free territories

d)

Fletcher v. Peck : that the national government has the right to regulate interstate commerce

31.

In their journey westward, Lewis and Clark traveled the furthest distance on which river?

a)

Columbia

b)

Mississippi

c)

Missouri

d)

Snake

32.

The Louisiana Purchase of 1803

a)

was a major cause of the Spanish-American War.

b)

pushed the Spanish below the Rio Grande in North America.

c)

resulted in increased conflict between the U.S. and France.

d)

almost doubled the area of the U.S. and gave it control of the Mississippi River.

33.

Which event was a direct result of the Louisiana Purchase and helped to lay the foundations for western expansion?

a)

Defeat of Napoleon

b)

Lewis and Clark expedition

c)

Election of Thomas Jefferson

d)

Marbury v. Madison

34.

Which area on the map was purchased from France in 1803?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

35.

Which of these statements MOST accurately describes the term Jeffersonian Democracy?

a)

The United States should ally closely with the nations of Europe.

b)

The Bill of Rights merely suggests rights and can be easily changed.

c)

The common man must be protected from the tyranny of the aristocrats.

d)

The states must consistently yield to the power of the Federal government.

36.

All of these are describing which action?

a)

Embargo Act of 1807

b)

the "Corrupt Bargain" of 1824

c)

the "American System"

d)

XYZ Affair

37.

Thomas Jefferson's purchase of the Louisiana Territory could be viewed as hypocritical because

a)

it was an instance of strict interpretation of the Constitution

b)

he had stopped John Adams from purchasing it three years earlier.

c)

as a landholder in Virginia, he stood to profit personally from the deal.

d)

as a Democratic-Republican, he would normally be against such Presidential power.

38.

Which early American political party are these facts describing?

a)

the Whigs

b)

the Federalists

c)

the Know-Nothings

d)

the Democratic-Republicans

39.

This is the basic principle that states that the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional that are in conflict with the Constitution.

a)

petit court

b)

habeas corpus

c)

judicial system

d)

judicial review

40.

Which early American political party are these facts describing?

a)

the Whigs

b)

the Federalists

c)

the Anti-Federalists

d)

the Democratic-Republicans

41.

In early United States history, "midnight judge" refers specifically to

a)

judges who lacked qualifications for office.

b)

racist groups who terrorized minorities at night.

c)

political action committees who influenced local magistrates.

d)

judges appointed to serve based on their political affiliation.

42.

Why was the The Embargo Act of 1807 despised by business and industry?

a)

It required the first minimum wage in the U.S

b)

It resulted in a near halt of all imports and exports.

c)

It called for an increased tariff on all imported goods.

d)

It called for an increased tariff on all exported goods.

43.

The Election of 1800 marked the decline of the _________________ party and the emergence of the _____________________ party.

a)

Loyalist; Whig

b)

Moderate; Populist

c)

Federalist; Democratic-Republican

d)

Democratic-Republican; Federalist

44.

How did the Treaty of Ghent- which ended the War of 1812- address issue of trade between the United States and Britain?

a)

All U.S. protective tariffs were to be ended

b)

All British protective tariff were to be ended

c)

Both sides were to import more goods from each other

d)

The treaty made no direct references to international trade

45.

On December 24, 1814, The Treaty of Ghent was signed between the U.S. and Great Britain, ending the War of 1812. Which statement BEST describes the outcome of the War of 1812?

a)

Great Britain won control of Florida and Louisiana

b)

The United States won control of Canada from Britain

c)

American businesses became dependent on imports from Britain

d)

Both sides agreed to return things to the way they were before the war.

46.

Which was NOT an outcome of the War of 1812?

a)

U.S. ushered in a period of patriotism and nationalism.

b)

Federalist party ended due to lack of support of the War of 1812.

c)

Native Americans faced more hostilities and lost more land because of lack of British support.

d)

U.S. became economically stronger because Great Britain paid war reparations as a result of the impressment issue.

47.

The War of 1812 had the GREATEST impact on what area?

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

5

48.

During the early 1800s the British Navy began to take U.S. sailors and sea merchants captive during the early 1800s, forcing them to work on British ships. What was this practice called?

a)

arrest

b)

impressment

c)

imprisonment

d)

slavery

49.

In the War of 1812, the United States

a)

fought Mexico for territory in the Southwest.

b)

gained the Florida territory from the Spanish.

c)

fought France for control of the Louisiana Territory.

d)

responded to England’s attempts to restrict US trade in Europe.

50.

Why was the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 sometimes thought of as a "meaningless" American victory?

a)

Andrew Jackson was killed during it.

b)

The United States lost the War of 1812.

c)

It occurred after the end of the War of 1812.

d)

The U.S. surrendered the city to Britain after the war.

51.

Which of these was an economic result of the War of 1812?

a)

the end of the "Era of Good Feelings"

b)

the beginning of the "Market Revolution"

c)

the end of using steam to transport goods

d)

the beginning of long-distance trade with Europe

52.

After the War of 1812, British manufacturers wanted to flood the United States market with inexpensive goods. What did Congress do in response?

a)

They passed a tariff to protect American industries.

b)

They encouraged American businesses to lower their prices.

c)

They did not recognize that the influx of goods was a problem.

d)

They passed a law to prevent Americans from buying the cheap goods.

53.

Which term would NOT be associated with President James Madison?

a)

Federalist

b)

War of 1812

c)

Secretary of State

d)

Father of the Constitution

54.

What conflict was the first major international test of the sovereignty of the United States?

a)

the Civil War

b)

the Mexican War

c)

the War of 1812

d)

the Spanish American War

55.

The period immediately after the War of 1812 was known as

a)

the Gilded Age.

b)

Jacksonian Democracy.

c)

Jeffersonian Democracy.

d)

the Era of Good Feelings.

56.

The United States declared war on Great Britain in 1812 because

a)

the British navy sank an American warship.

b)

British companies refused to pay debts to US banks.

c)

the British claimed rights to the territory of California.

d)

the British navy repeatedly seized American merchant ships.

57.

The "Market Revolution" which took place in the United States after its second war with Great Britain began in which period on this timeline?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

58.

This cartoon refers to the Monroe Doctrine issued in 1823. The Monroe Doctrine was intended to prevent European expansion in

a)

China

b)

north Africa

c)

South America

d)

southeast Asia

59.

This treaty established U.S. claims to Florida and gave the U.S. access to the Pacific.

a)

Adams-Onis Treaty with Spain

b)

Convention of 1818 with England

c)

Treaty of Versailles with Germany

d)

Webster-Ashburton treaty with England

60.

Which was a motivation behind the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

fear that Great Britain would try to extend it's Canadian border

b)

fear that Great Britain was giving aid to Native Americans to resist American expansion out West

c)

fear that Latin American countries would not adhere to American authority in the Western Hemisphere

d)

fear that Spain would try to regain it's colonies in Latin America, despite their declaration of independence

61.

What document upheld George Washington's policy of avoiding European entanglements and guided the U.S. foreign policy for many years?

a)

Tariff of 1816

b)

Monroe Doctrine

c)

Adams-Onis Treaty

d)

Embargo Act of 1807

62.

The main idea behind the settling of western lands by Americans in the early-1800s was known as

a)

Women's Suffrage

b)

Manifest Destiny

c)

the Industrial Age

d)

the Abolition Movement

63.

Which is TRUE about the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

It gave Europe the message that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open for colonization.

b)

It called for an embargo of any European nation competing for colonies in Africa and Southeast Asia.

c)

It led to a government policy of non-intervention and non-interference in the domestic affairs of Latin America.

d)

It called for immediate military intervention in any Latin American country experiencing unrest or political instability.

64.

The MOST important aspect of the Monroe Doctrine (1823) was that it

a)

prevented an invasion of French forces into Mexico.

b)

prevented an invasion of British forces into Argentina.

c)

showed the U.S. backed the independence of Latin America.

d)

allowed the powerful U.S. navy to patrol the South American coast.

65.

Why was Monroe's presidency known as the "Era of Good Feelings"?

a)

Slavery had begun to decrease which led to more national unity.

b)

There was more national unity due to the end of the War of 1812.

c)

The Federalist party came to a compromise with the Democratic-Republican party.

d)

The Homestead Act was passed which led to widespread expansion and land ownership.

66.

Which was NOT an accomplishment under Monroe's presidency?

a)

The Louisiana Purchase

b)

The Missouri Compromise

c)

The "Era of Good Feelings"

d)

The issuing of the Monroe Doctrine

67.

The Missouri Compromise dealt with

a)

the admission of California and Missouri to the Union.

b)

the expansion of slavery into the former Louisiana Territory.

c)

the slave trade in Washington, DC, and the return of runaway slaves.

d)

the right of states to negotiate their own trade agreements with foreign nations.

68.

Which compromise did President Monroe approve that provided balance between slave and non-slave holding states by restricting slavery north of the 36°30" line?

a)

Great Compromise

b)

Compromise of 1850

c)

Missouri Compromise

d)

Three-Fifths Compromise