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STAAR REVIEW (3rd Benchmark) 8th Grade Social Studies

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 40mins

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.

—President George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796


The idea expressed in this quote is that the United States should avoid —

a)

becoming involved in the political affairs of other countries

b)

being a part of a global trade network

c)

establishing U.S. territories overseas

d)

allowing U.S. citizens to emigrate

2.

Which numbered state did the United States acquire from Spain in 1819?

a)

Florida

b)

Illinois

c)

Arizona

d)

Oregon

3.

The development of the factory system in the early 1800s caused —

a)

A decrease in free trade between nations

b)

an increase in government regulation of businesses

c)

an increase in production levels

d)

a decrease in immigration

4.

Which of the following is most associated with the formation of the Democratic Party?

a)

The election of Andrew Jackson as president

b)

The use of protective tariffs

c)

The impeachment of President Andrew Johnson

d)

The abolition movement

5.
  • Invention of the cotton gin
  • Opening of lands along the Mississippi River
  • Growing demand for inexpensive labor


Which change occurred as a direct result of these developments?

a)

A reduction in the number of skilled workers in northern states

b)

The expansion of manufacturing into the western territories

c)

A reduction in trade with European countries

d)

The expansion of slavery into newly acquired territories

6.

(?) CAUSE -------------- EFFECT (The War of 1812)

a)

French naval attacks on U.S. harbors

b)

British invasions of countries allied with the United States

c)

French embargoes on trade with the United States

d)

British impressment of U.S. sailors

7.

Population of Selected U.S. Cities, 1840–1870

Urban Area..................1840.........1850........1860.........1870

New York, NY............312,710....515,547.....813,669...942,292

Baltimore, MD..........102,313....169,054.....212,418...267,354

New Orleans, LA......102,193....116,375.....168,675...191,418

Philadelphia, PA.........93,665....121,376.....565,529...674,022

Boston, MA.................93,383....136,881....177,840....250,526


The statistics in this table illustrate population changes associated with —

a)

the rise of industrialism in the United States

b)

the establishment of a federal income tax

c)

a prolonged food shortage in the United States

d)

a lengthy war over disputed territory

8.

Which of the following best completes the following list?

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Competition
  • Private Property
  • Profit Motive
  • Consumer Choice
a)

Free Enterprise System

b)

Mercantilism

c)

Federalism

d)

Republicanism

9.

Which of the following is the best example of an early U.S. struggle to define the domestic authority of the central government?

a)

The XYZ Affair

b)

The War of 1812

c)

The Barbary Wars

d)

The Whiskey Rebellion

10.

'The Bills of Rights . . . are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous.'


Those who agreed with this point of view were known as —

a)

Minutemen

b)

Loyalists

c)

Federalists

d)

Patriots

11.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

—U.S. Constitution, Tenth Amendment


What was the purpose of this amendment?

a)

To encourage citizens to monitor the federal government

b)

To prevent conflicts between state and local governments

c)

To limit the authority of the federal government

d)

To increase the participation of citizens in state government

12.

Which law would be considered unconstitutional on the basis of First Amendment guarantees?

a)

A ban on the publication of classified information by government employees

b)

A requirement that church employees pay income tax

c)

A requirement that churches get a permit before building a new chapel

d)

A prohibition on electing religious leaders to government office

13.

The production of goods moved from home businesses, where products were generally crafted by hand, to . . . production in factories. This revolution, which involved major changes in transportation, manufacturing, and communications, transformed the daily lives of Americans as much as . . . any single event in U.S. history.

—“The Industrial Revolution in the United States,” The Library of Congress


Which of the following was most responsible for the revolution described in this excerpt?

a)

Expanded public education

b)

Rapid technological innovation

c)

Increased government spending

d)

Rapid territorial expansion

14.

EIGHTH AMENDMENT

  • Excessive fines cannot be imposed
  • Excessive bail cannot be required
  • ?????????


Which sentence completes this diagram?

a)

People cannot be forced to be witnesses against themselves

b)

Cruel and unusual punishment cannot be inflicted

c)

Warrants cannot be issued unless probable cause is established

d)

A defendant cannot be denied a speedy and public trial

15.

The completion of the Erie Canal played a key role in which development?

a)

New York City becoming a vital commercial center with the country’s busiest seaport

b)

New Orleans becoming a leader in manufacturing and overseas trade

c)

Washington, D.C., becoming the cultural and political center of the nation

d)

Boston becoming one of the country’s largest transportation hubs

16.

The Whiskey Rebellion challenged the idea that —

a)

the federal government had the power to pass and enforce tax laws

b)

a national military was needed for dealing with foreign threats

c)

the federal government could raise tariffs to protect industries

d)

a national court system was needed for resolving disputes between states

17.

The organization of the first U.S. political parties resulted in large part from disagreements over which issue?

a)

The purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France

b)

The election of George Washington to a second term as president

c)

The establishment of the First Bank of the United States

d)

The attack on the Port of Tripoli in North Africa

18.

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.


Which of the following is the source of this statement on foreign policy?

a)

George Washington’s Farewell Address

b)

The Monroe Doctrine

c)

Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address

d)

The Federalist Papers

19.

In Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court first stated the principle that —

a)

only the courts may regulate interstate commerce

b)

the president may veto federal legislation

c)

the courts may declare a federal law unconstitutional

d)

only the president may issue an executive order

20.

How did the War of 1812 most affect the U.S. economy?

a)

Disruption in trade contributed to domestic industrial growth.

b)

Small farmers benefited from higher export prices for grain crops.

c)

The sale of treasury bonds to international companies was prohibited.

d)

New trade alliances resulted in increased foreign investment

21.

Which of these occurred during early U.S. industrialization?

a)

Manufacturers instituted a five-day workweek.

b)

Labor laws required factories to provide a safe working environment.

c)

Workers were required to attend schools to develop technical skills.

d)

Production of goods transitioned from homes to factories.

22.

• Unreasonable searches and seizures are illegal.

• Search warrants may not be issued without probable cause.

• The place to be searched and the people or items to be seized must be described in a warrant.


Which amendment provides for the protections described in this list?

a)

First Amendment

b)

Fourth Amendment

c)

Fifth Amendment

d)

Tenth Amendment

23.

The Twelfth Amendment established a new process for choosing a president and a vice president. The purpose of this amendment was to —

a)

prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch

b)

ease the eligibility requirements for holding federal office

c)

keep state officials from exerting undue influence on presidential elections

d)

reduce the likelihood of disputed outcomes in presidential elections

24.

The first political parties in the United States formed mainly in response to disagreements

over —

a)

taxation without representation

b)

the doctrine of judicial review

c)

territorial expansion to the west

d)

the extent of federal power

25.

What was a major result of the Missouri Compromise?

a)

It increased the number of immigrants settling in northern states.

b)

It provided financing for canal construction

c)

It rapidly expanded railroad construction in southern states

d)

It temporarily relieved sectional tensions.

26.

Which of these is a guarantee in the First Amendment?

a)

States have the power to regulate public education.

b)

People can choose whether and how to participate in religious services.

c)

Persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty

d)

Citizens have the right to be judged by a jury of their peers.

27.

In Marbury v. Madison, the Supreme Court established a principle that would eventually be used by all courts to —

a)

strike down any law that the court deems unconstitutional

b)

decide the outcome of contested election results

c)

overturn any impeachment that the court deems unsupported by evidence

d)

mediate disputes related to commerce between states

28.

A certain small town has many choices for people who want to attend religious services, including two churches, a synagogue, a cathedral, a mosque, and a temple. These choices are protected by the —

a)

First Amendment

b)

Third Amendment

c)

Sixth Amendment

d)

Eighth Amendment

29.

Leading Members of President George Washington's Cabinet:

  • Secretary of State - Thomas Jefferson
  • Secretary of the Treasury - Alexander Hamilton


Disagreements between these two cabinet members led to

a)

the creation of reservations for American Indians

b)

a struggle to ratify the Bill of Rights

c)

the establishment of the first U.S. political parties

d)

a compromise over slavery in western territories

30.

The decision in Marbury v. Madison was significant in U.S. history because it —

a)

reinforced federal authority over American Indian affairs

b)

reinforced federal authority over American Indian affairs

c)

established the practice of judicial review by the Supreme Court

d)

upheld the power of the Electoral College to choose the vice president

31.
  • The Whiskey Rebellion
  • The Bank of the United States • The Alien and Sedition Acts
  • Marbury v. Madison



This list provides examples of —

a)

topics discussed during the Second Constitutional Convention

b)

domestic issues faced by the leaders of the new republic

c)

weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation

d)

issues leading to the ratification of the first constitutional amendments

32.

Factors That Contributed to Early Industrialization in the United States:

  • An abundance of laborers
  • The availability of capital
  • ???????????


Which factor best completes this list?

a)

New transportation systems

b)

Increased government regulation

c)

A decline in agricultural production

d)

The growth of labor unions

33.

That if any person shall write . . . any false, scandalous and malicious . . . writings against the government of the United States, or . . . stir up sedition within the United States . . . then such person . . . shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.

—An Act of the Fifth Congress of the United States, 1798


Which constitutional guarantee did this act violate?

a)

Freedom of assembly

b)

The right to due process

c)

Freedom of the press

d)

The right to a jury trial

34.
  • Job opportunities in cities increased.
  • Agriculture became more mechanized
  • Prices of consumer goods decreased.

These developments occurred as a result of increased —

a)

Industrialization

b)

Westward Migration

c)

Expansion of U.S. territory

d)

Government Regulation of Business

35.

Which of these best summarizes the Monroe Doctrine?

a)

The immigration of Europeans to the United States must be discouraged.

b)

International peace can be maintained without complicated alliances.

c)

The power to nullify federal laws is necessary to preserve sovereignty.

d)

Further colonization of the Americas by European countries is prohibited.

36.

JOHN MARSHALL


  • Promoted the public good
  • Maintained a strong sense of duty
  • Used clear language to discuss complex issues


Which action should be added to this list?

a)

Upheld the doctrine of states’ rights

b)

Supported the popular election of Supreme Court justices

c)

Allowed slavery to extend into western territories

d)

Wrote the Supreme Court decision that established the principle of judicial review

37.

How did the War of 1812 affect the U.S. economy?

a)

The use of federal paper currency increased.

b)

Agricultural imports increased

c)

Imports of raw materials increased

d)

Manufacturing increased

38.

What was one major effect of the Erie Canal on the United States in the early nineteenth century?

a)

The rapid growth of cities in the Northeast

b)

A rise in cotton exports to the United Kingdom

c)

An increase in the cost of shipping goods to Europe

d)

A decrease in trade between settlers and American Indians

39.

Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause. . . .


The constitutional amendment excerpted above protects people in the United States from —

a)

excessive fines for traffic violations

b)

imprisonment for life without a jury trial

c)

excessive surveillance by the government

d)

conscription by the armed forces

40.

Which headline provides the best example of a First Amendment guarantee in action?

a)

“Religious University Forced to Close by State”

b)

“Mormons Hold State Convention Downtown”

c)

“Congress Declares a National Day of Remembrance”

d)

“Protesters Arrested at Antiwar Rally”