wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

US History + Government Regents Prep

Total questions: 50

Worksheet time: 2hrs 40mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

During the colonial period in British North America, the major geographic barrier to westward expansion was the

a)

Ohio River

b)

Great Plains

c)

Rocky Mountains

d)

Appalachian Mountains

2.

The United States purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 was geographically important because it

a)

assured sole ownership of the Great Lakes

b)

ended Spanish control of the Southwest

c)

provided full access to the Mississippi River

d)

allowed completion of the first railroad in California

3.

The Mayflower Compact (1620) and the Virginia House of Burgesses (1619) are early examples of

a)

restrictions on religious freedom (

b)

steps toward representative government

c)

resistance to British rule

d)

economic systems in the colonies

4.

What was one result of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)?

a)

Sectional tension increased.

b)

The slave trade was abolished

c)

Northern states were more willing to compromise

d)

Southern states immediately seceded from the Union.

5.

During the 1920s, the Scopes trial and the dispute over Prohibition showed the clash between

a)

rich people and poor people

b)

traditional values and modernism

c)

business owners and labor unions

d)

the national government and state governments

6.

Which economic condition of the 1920s was a major cause of the Great Depression?

a)

Farm prices rose dramatically.

b)

Industry overproduced consumer goods

c)

Banks were reluctant to lend money

d)

Demand increased faster than supply

7.

The conditions shown in this 1936 photograph were caused mainly by

a)

periods of widespread flooding

b)

deforestation and overgrazing

c)

global warming

d)

drought and poor farming techniques

8.

Which Soviet Union action led to the situation shown in this cartoon?

a)

blockade of Berlin

b)

creation of the Warsaw Pact

c)

reunification of Germany

d)

construction of the Berlin Wall

9.

A goal of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was to

a)

eliminate discrimination in housing

b)

implement job-training programs

c)

increase equal rights for African Americans

d)

end barriers to voting faced by African Americans

10.

What is the main idea of this cartoon?

a)

Special interest groups often influence elections.

b)

Lobbyists have limited influence on candidates.

c)

Candidates seeking reelection are harmed by campaign restrictions

d)

Federal laws have banned private interests from lobbying Congress.

11.

Which two issues led to protests and riots in many American cities during the 1960s?

a)

space exploration and environmental pollution

b)

the Vietnam War and racial injustice

c)

inadequate health care and women’s liberation

d)

gasoline shortages and illegal immigration

12.

The terms brinkmanship, peaceful coexistence, and détente are most closely associated with

a)

periodic border disputes between Canada and the United States

b)

problems the United States experienced with Germany prior to its reunification

c)

techniques used by terrorists to intimidate United States citizens

d)

Cold War relations between the United States and the Soviet Union

13.

Which development has resulted from the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the 1990s?

a)

growth in membership of labor unions in the United States

b)

greater global economic interdependence

c)

fewer industries leaving the United States

d)

more protective tariffs between the member nations

14.

The Supreme Court ruling in United States v. Nixon (1974) upheld the principle that the president

a)

is not above the law

b)

can be allowed greater powers during national emergencies

c)

must accept limits on his veto power

d)

can freely dismiss members of his cabinet

15.

Information in the cartoon below most clearly supports the conclusion that by 1914

a)

states along the East Coast had granted full voting rights to women

b)

women could vote only in state elections

c)

most states had approved at least some voting rights for women

d)

complete national suffrage for women had been achieved

16.

The term muckraker was used during the Progressive Era to describe

a)

dissatisfied workers who went on strike

b)

Northerners who went South following the Civil War

c)

investigative journalists who exposed societal problems

d)

women who supported the Prohibition movement

17.

Congress passed the Interstate Commerce Act (1887) and the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) in response to

a)

foreign influences on the United States economy

b)

public demand for better roads

c)

monopolistic practices that were harmful to small businesses

d)

the failure of federal banks to provide loans to individuals

18.

The Federal Reserve System was created in 1913 to

a)

authorize Congress to set interest rates

b)

regulate the nation’s money supply

c)

allow the government to own the nation’s banks

d)

take over the responsibility of printing money

19.

During the Progressive Era, support for a graduated income tax was based primarily on the

a)

desire of corporations to reduce their taxes

b)

need to raise income from the lower classes

c)

belief that all people should be taxed the same

d)

resentment over the unequal distribution of wealth

20.

In passing the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890), Congress intended to

a)

prevent large corporations from eliminating their competition

b)

distinguish good trusts from bad trusts

c)

regulate rates charged by railroads

d)

force large trusts to bargain with labor unions

21.

Which Progressive Era muckraker’s book led to the passage of the Meat Inspection Act?

a)

Jacob Riis’s How the Other Half Lives

b)

Lincoln Steffens’s The Shame of the Cities

c)

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle

d)

Frank Norris’s The Octopus

22.

“…We therefore formulate, and for ourselves adopt the following pledge, asking our sisters and brothers of a common danger and a common hope, to make common cause with us, in working its reasonable and helpful precepts [principles] into the practice of everyday life. I hereby solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from all distilled, fermented and malt liquors, including wine, beer and cider, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of and traffic in the same.…” — National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, 1908 (adapted)


According to this passage, those who adopted this pledge believed that

a)

religion had no place in national politics

b)

Congress should repeal Prohibition

c)

alcohol consumption was damaging to society

d)

only the government can solve social problems

23.

Base your answers to question 12 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies.

Speaker A: The best way to prevent corruption in government is to allow citizens a direct role in the legislative process.

Speaker B: Breaking up trusts and monopolies will increase business competition.


Speaker C: An important goal of the federal government should be the protection of our natural resources.

Speaker D: Government will only improve when women are granted full suffrage


Which speaker’s statement is most directly related to the political concepts of initiative, referendum, and recall?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

24.

Base your answers to question 13 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies.

Speaker A: The best way to prevent corruption in government is to allow citizens a direct role in the legislative process.

Speaker B: Breaking up trusts and monopolies will increase business competition.


Speaker C: An important goal of the federal government should be the protection of our natural resources.

Speaker D: Government will only improve when women are granted full suffrage


Which two speakers’ viewpoints reflect actions taken by Theodore Roosevelt when he was president (1901–1909)?

a)

D and A

b)

A and B

c)

B and C

d)

C and D

25.

Use the political cartoon below and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.


The Democratic donkey and Republican elephant in the background of this cartoon clearly indicate that the animal in the foreground represents a new third party challenger. Which of the following most accurately identifies that challenger and party?

a)

Henry Wallace, Progressive party

b)

James B. Weaver, Greenback party

c)

Theodore Roosevelt, Bull Moose party

d)

Millard Fillmore, American or Know Nothing part

26.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

27.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

28.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

29.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

30.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

31.

Information on the graph most clearly supports the conclusion that the Erie Canal

a)

slowed migration to the Midwest

b)

replaced railroads as the main method of 
transportation

c)

improved transportation between the 
Hudson River and the Great Lakes

d)

relied on the development of steamboats for 
canal use

32.

Which factor most influenced the economic development of the colonial South?

a)

plentiful forests


b)

warm and wet growing seasons

c)

rich deposits of iron ore and coal

d)

abundant water power for manufacturing

33.

Base your answer to question 4 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.

...The Jury withdrew, and in a small time returned, and being asked by the clerk, whether they were agreed of their verdict, and whether John Peter Zenger was guilty of printing and publishing the libels in the information mentioned? They answered by Thomas Hunt, their foreman, Not Guilty. Upon which there were three huzzas [cheers] in the hall which was crowded with people, and the next day I was discharged from my imprisonment. - John Peter Zenger


The court case discussed in this passage was important in the development of colonial America because it helped establish the principle of 


a)

freedom of the press

b)

double jeopardy

c)

freedom of assembly

d)

judicial independence

34.

Which power regarding the federal judiciary was established in Marbury v. Madison?

a)

The president appoints all federal judges.

b)

The Congress creates lower federal courts.

c)

Members of the federal courts serve life 
terms.

d)

Federal laws may be declared unconstitutional.

35.

Base your answers to question 14 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies.

Speaker A: The right way to settle the question of slavery in the territories is to let the people who live there determine if their state is to be slave or free.

Speaker B: The Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford is exactly what this country needs. Perhaps now the abolitionists will stop their meddling.

Speaker C: Secession is unlawful and treasonous. Everything possible must be done to preserve the Union.

SpeakerD: The rights of the states must be protected. The federal government is exceeding its authority.


The solution proposed by Speaker A is known as

a)

nullification

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

the spoils system

d)

federal supremacy

36.

Base your answers to question 15 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies.

Speaker A: The right way to settle the question of slavery in the territories is to let the people who live there determine if their state is to be slave or free.

Speaker B: The Supreme Court’s decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford is exactly what this country needs. Perhaps now the abolitionists will stop their meddling.

Speaker C: Secession is unlawful and treasonous. Everything possible must be done to preserve the Union.

SpeakerD: The rights of the states must be protected. The federal government is exceeding its authority.


Which speaker most accurately represents the opinions of President Abraham Lincoln

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

37.

A major cause of antagonism toward the “new immigrants” who came to the United States after 1880 was the belief that they

a)

were better educated than native-born Americans

b)

had a higher standard of living than most Americans

c)

adapted easily to American culture

d)

competed with Americans for jobs as 
unskilled laborers

38.

The Great Migration during World War I refers to the movement of

a)

factory workers from the Northeast to the Sun Belt

b)

communists deported to Russia as undesirable aliens

c)

African Americans to northern cities to find work

d)

refugees fleeing from eastern Europe to the United States

39.

A major difference between the philosophies of President Herbert Hoover and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in responding to the Great Depression is that Roosevelt

a)

wanted to rely on private charities to provide assistance

b)

stressed the need for individual self-reliance

c)

supported direct relief to people out of work

d)

thought the government should not be 
involved in economic reform

40.

Base Question 32 on the image above


The main idea of this 1937 cartoon about President Franklin D. Roosevelt is that the president is

a)

trying to increase the public’s respect for the Supreme Court

b)

seeking the Supreme Court’s help against his political opponents

c)

attempting to exercise too much influence over the Supreme Court

d)

refusing to allow the Supreme Court to review legislation

41.

One outcome of the situation referred to in the cartoon was that

a)

President Roosevelt decided not to seek reelection

b)

the Supreme Court ended most New Deal programs

c)

President Roosevelt was impeached for abuse of his powers 


d)

Congress rejected President Roosevelt’s effort to pack the Supreme Court

42.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 1949 primarily to

a)

provide for the mutual defense of the member nations

b)

promote social and cultural exchanges between members

c)

promote free trade between the United States and Asia

d)

rebuild Western Europe’s war-ravaged economy

43.

Base your answer to question 37 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.

...It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale. ...

President Harry Truman, Executive Order 9981, July 26, 1948 According to the passage, the principal goal of President Truman in issuing this executive order was to

a)

stop the military draft

b)

end segregation in the armed forces

c)

increase opportunities for women to serve in 
combat

d)

ensure an adequate number of troops to fight 
in the Cold War

44.

“U.S.SendsAidtoGreeceandTurkey”

“China Falls to Red Communists”

“Senator Joe McCarthy Claims Communists Infest U.S. Government”


Which generalization regarding these headlines is most valid?

a)

The Cold War affected United States domestic and foreign policy.

b)

The Soviet Union assisted in the rebuilding of Japan after World War II

c)

The United States returned to a foreign policy of neutrality after World War II

d)

The United Nations led the effort to contain fascism

45.

Base your answers to question 39 on the interview below and on your knowledge of social studies.

...[Reporter Mike] WALLACE: All right, sir. A Federal District Court has already ruled that Little Rock [Arkansas] Central High School should be integrated. And the reasons for preventing integration now are anemic [weak]. In view of your promise to the President [Dwight D. Eisenhower], will you respect this decision and give your okay to integration beginning tomorrow morning?

...[Governor Orval] FAUBUS: I’ve previously given my okay to integration. The Guard was not called out to prevent integration, but to keep the peace and order of the community. And, of course, I disagree with your preliminary statement that we are in defiance of a Federal Court order, based upon the premise that the peace and good order of the community is paramount to all other issues. ...

Mike Wallace interview with Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, September 15, 1957


The issue discussed in this interview grew out of an effort to enforce the Supreme Court decision in

a)

Dred Scott v. Sanford

b)

Plessy v. Ferguson


c)

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka

d)

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

46.

Base your answers to question 40 on the interview below and on your knowledge of social studies.

...[Reporter Mike] WALLACE: All right, sir. A Federal District Court has already ruled that Little Rock [Arkansas] Central High School should be integrated. And the reasons for preventing integration now are anemic [weak]. In view of your promise to the President [Dwight D. Eisenhower], will you respect this decision and give your okay to integration beginning tomorrow morning?

...[Governor Orval] FAUBUS: I’ve previously given my okay to integration. The Guard was not called out to prevent integration, but to keep the peace and order of the community. And, of course, I disagree with your preliminary statement that we are in defiance of a Federal Court order, based upon the premise that the peace and good order of the community is paramount to all other issues. ...

Mike Wallace interview with Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, September 15, 1957


The confrontation between Governor Faubus and President Eisenhower referred to in this interview was ended by the

a)

use of federal troops to protect African American students

b)

passage of the Voting Rights Act by Congress

c)

forced resignation of Governor Faubus

d)

immediate desegregation of all Southern 
schools 


47.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Cesar Chavez worked to unionize migrant farm workers by

a)

seizing the land of the lettuce and grape growers 


b)

securing passage of federal legislation to limit immigration

c)

using nonviolent tactics such as boycotts and hunger strikes to help migrant farmers

d)

urging growers to reduce the workforce through mechanization

48.

CLARK M. CLIFFORD 815 Connecticut Avenue Washington, D.C. 20006


The President The White House

Dear Mr. President:

...I believe our ground forces in South Vietnam should be kept to a minimum, consistent with the protection of our installations and property in that country. My concern is that a substantial buildup of U.S. ground troops would be construed by the Communists, and by the world, as a determination on our part to win the war on the ground.

This could be a quagmire. It could turn into an open end commitment on our part that would take more and more ground troops, without a realistic hope of ultimate victory.

I do not think the situation is comparable to Korea. The political posture of the parties involved, and the physical conditions, including terrain, are entirely different. ...

Respectfully yours, Clark


What advice about United States involvement in Vietnam is President Lyndon B. Johnson being given in this letter?

a)

Escalation of the Vietnam War is necessary to stop communist expansion

b)

Increasing the United States military commitment to Vietnam would be a mistake.

c)

Victory in the Vietnam War will be assured if 
the president continues his policies.

d)

Military success in Vietnam is improving the 
president’s chances for reelection

49.

Base your answer to question 45 on the cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies.

“STRANGE — THEY ALL SEEM TO HAVE SOME CONNECTION WITH THIS PLACE”


The investigations that are the subject of this cartoon resulted in

a)

authorization of public financing of all federal elections

b)

eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon

c)

upholding of President Nixon’s right to executive privilege by the Supreme Court

d)

issuance of pardons for presidential aides 


50.

Base your answers to question 49 on the graph below and on your knowledge of social studies.

United States Immigration, 1901-2000


Which conclusion is most clearly supported by information in the graph?

a)

Immigration increased in every decade throughout the 1900s

b)

Immigrants have a higher birth rate than native-born Americans.

c)

Immigration is likely to decrease significantly in the future.

d)

Immigration in the 1990s was about the same as in the first decade of the 1900s