wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Year End Practice Test

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 37mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is considered to be the greatest accomplishment of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The establishment of the Northwest Land Ordinance

b)

The finalization of the terms of the Albany Plan of Union

c)

The negotiation of a peace treaty with Great Britain

d)

The resettlement of Native Americans west of the Mississippi River

2.

James Madison published the list of problems related to the Articles of Confederation in May 1787.

Vices of the political system of the United States:


1. Failure of the states to comply with the constitutional requests for goods and money

2. Encroachments by the states of federal authority

3. Violations of the law of nations and treaties

4. Trespasses of the states on the rights of others

5. Lack of agreement in matters where common interest requires it.

How did the Framers of the Constitution correct these problems?

a)

They added a bill of Rights to the Constitution

b)

They divided the legislative body into two houses

c)

They gave the executive branch authority over the judicial branch.

d)

They gave the federal government sovereignty over the states.

3.

Which compromise decided the issue of how to count slaves for congressional representation?

a)

Connecticut Compromise

b)

Commerce Compromise

c)

Slave Trade Compromise

d)

Three-Fifths Compromise

4.

Read this excerpt and answer the question.


"A Nation, without a national government, is, in my view, an awful spectacle. The establishment of a Constitution, in time of profound peace, by the voluntary consent of a whole people, is a prodigy, to the completion of which I look forward with trembling anxiety. I can reconcile it to no rules of prudence to let go the hold we now have, in so arduous an enterprise, upon seven out of the thirteen states, and after having passed over considerable a part of the ground, to recommence the course."

Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist Papers


What was the position taken in The Federalist Papers?

a)

State constitutions should be similar to the U.S. Constitution.

b)

States should have the power to veto federal laws.

c)

State constitutions should be similar to the U.S. Constitution.

d)

The Constitution is necessary and should be ratified.

5.

What fundamental principal of American Democracy is demonstrated in this quote from the Constitution?


We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

a)

Common law

b)

Consent of the governed

c)

Rule of law

d)

A) Separation of powers

6.

George Washington’s success in using the federal militia to stop the Whiskey Rebellion is evidence of what?

a)

The lack of well-trained state militias

b)

The need for more federal taxes

c)

The size and strength of the American navy

d)

The supremacy of the national government

7.

As Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall’s decisions promoted the ideas of which group?

a)

Abolitionists

b)

Antifederalists

c)

Democratic Republicans

d)

Federalists

8.

Why might some historians refer to Jefferson’s election in 1800 as a “peaceful revolution”?

a)

Because Britain threatened to attack the United States if John Adams was reelected

b)

Because control of the government passed from the Federalist Party to the Democratic Republican party

c)

Because many citizens staged nonviolent protests to oppose the outcome of the election

d)

Because the president and vice president were elected from different political parties

9.

How did the expedition of Lewis and Clark (1803-1806) impact the new nation?

a)

It established the route that would later be used for the transcontinental railroad

b)

It forced the British to give up their claim to the Oregon Territory.

c)

It mapped the course of the Mississippi River and selected the best locations for new cities

d)

It provided information about the territory gained from the Louisiana Purchase

10.

This is the first verse of a poem written by Francis Scott Key in 1814.


O say can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so prooudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallently streaming?

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


What inspired Key to write this poem?

a)

the American victory at the Battle of New Orleans

b)

the burning of the White House

c)

the bombardment of Fort McHenry

d)

the defeat of Tecumseh at the Battle of Thames

11.

Why did President Madison declare war in 1812?

a)

alliances between Native Americans and the French

b)

British impressment of American Sailors

c)

British occupation of Detroit

d)

the transfer of Louisiana to the Spanish

12.

The two quotes below are from a speech given by a pres"The Western Hemisphere is no longer open for colonization."

"America will regard any interference in Western Hemispheric affairs as a threat to its security."


The president's speech marked what event?

a)

Congressional approval of the Louisiana

b)

the annexation of Texas and start of the Mexicar War

c)

the declaration of the Monroe Doctrine as a warning to Europe

d)

the removal of Native Americans along the Trail of Tears

13.

Below are viewpoints of an individual in the Antebellum Era.


* opposed the formation of a National Bank

* believed education was the responsibility of individuals not government

*opposed the adoption of a protective tariff.


An individual with these viewpoints was Most Likely to live in which area?

a)

East

b)

North

c)

South

d)

West

14.

This is a list of influential people in the early 1800s.


*William Lloyd Garrison

* Harriet Tubman

* The Grimke Sisters

* Harriet Beecher Stowe

* John Brown


How diid the work of these individuals impact sectionalism in the United States?

a)

It increased sectionalism because Northerners believed these individuals were acting on behalf of southern plantation owners

b)

It increased sectionalism because it reinforced the South's belief that Northerners were trying to end slavery.

c)

It decreased sectionalism because the individuals wored to better the lives of all people in the United States.

d)

It decreased sectionalism because both the North and South were united in their opposition to the work of these individuals.

15.

Which legislation directly led to the events in this headline?


55 People Killed in Fighting

Violent Events Nicknamed "Bleeding Kansas"

a)

the Emancipation Proclamation

b)

the Kansas-Nebraska Act

c)

the Missouri Compromise

d)

the Protective Tariff of 1828

16.

This is the headline from The Charleston Mercury on December 20,1860.


UNION IS DESOLVED


What caused the event in this headline?

a)

Many South Carolinians feared the Lincoln would free the slaves when he took office.

b)

President Lincoln issued the Emmancipation Proclamation

c)

South Carolina's congressional representatives were expelled from Congress

d)

The Union Army fired on the city of Charleston fro Fort Sumter.

17.

This statement was made by President Andrew Johnson.


The time has come for us to heal the scars and wounds of this Great War. We must repain this Union Immediately. My plan for Reconstruction is this. Each state must withdraw its secession, swear allegiance to the Union...and ratify the 13th Amendment. Whit these condition met, let the states of the South rejoin our great Union. I will pardon Confederate leaders that demonstrate true remorse for their actions, and I do not say that suffrage (voting) is now the right of the freed Negro. No, sir, white men alone must manage the South.


Based on this statement, what does Johnson feel is the main goal of Reconstruction?

a)

avenging the death of President Lincoln

b)

giving everyone an opportunity for political power in the South

c)

protecting the civil rights of newly freed slaves

d)

reuniting the states into one nation quickly

18.

What is the name of the big piece of land that Thomas Jefferson bought in 1803?

a)

Louisiana Purchase

b)

Midwest Territory

c)

Mississippi Expansion

d)

Texas Territory

19.

Study the chart, and answer the question.


*The end of salutary neglect

* Stamp Act

* The Boston Massacre

* Declaratory Act


What would be the best title for this chart?

a)

Causes of the American Revolution

b)

Events in the Up Country of South Carolina

c)

Reasons the Articles of Confederation failed

d)

The end of British Mercantilism

20.

This is a list of provisions the Framers included in the Constitution.


*The House of Representatives was elected by the people.

*Senators were elected by state legislatures.

*The Supreme Court was appointed by the President

*The President was chosen by electors from each state, via the Electoral College

a)

The Famers believed all men and woume should be able to elect representatives directly.

b)

The Framers completely trusted the will of the people.

c)

The Framers opposed allowing the average person to have a political voice.

d)

The Framers were conflicted about how much power to give the public.

21.

John O'Sullivan made this statement in 1845.


Americans have a God-given right all the land of North American continent.


Which concept best exemplifies this statement?

a)

Manifest Destiny

b)

Monroe Doctrine

c)

Open Door Policy

d)

Wilmot Proviso

22.

This is a time line of events leading to the Civil War.


1850--Compromise of 1850 was adopted by Congress

1852--Uncle Tom's Cabin was published

1854--Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by Congress

1857--Dred Scott v. Sanford decision was issued by the Supreme Court

1859--John Brown raided the federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry

1860 --?

1860--South Carolina Seceded


Which event would complete this timeline?

a)

Shots were fired at Fort Sumter

b)

The Confederate States of America were Formed

c)

Abraham Lincoln was elected President

d)

The Missouri Compromise was adopted by Congress

23.

This is a quote from President James K. Polk's message to Congress in May 1846.


Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon American soil.


What broader goal was accomplished by the events that followed Polk's declaration?

a)

American values expanded beyond the continent.

b)

James K. Polk was reelected to a second term.

c)

Slavery was abolished in the United States.

d)

The idea of Manifest Destiny was fulfilled.

24.

What was the main cause of the early struggles that confronted the Jamestown colony?

a)

the failure of the first attempt to grow tobacco

b)

the hostility of nearby Indians

c)

the lack of preparedness by the first settlers

d)

the tyranical rule of John Smith

25.

How did the founding of Pennsylvania has a haven for Quakers impact its development as a colony?

a)

The Quaker belief in equality caused it to be the only colony that forbid slavery.

b)

The Quaker belief in fairness made it the first colony to allow women to vote.

c)

The Quaker belief in simplicity discouraged many settlers from moving to the colony.

d)

THe Quaker belief in tolerance for all people led to diversity in the colony.

26.

Why did Andrew Jackson's administration adopt the spoils system?

a)

to extend voting rights to all white men

b)

to force the Native Americans off their land

c)

to reward supporters with government jobs

d)

to stop the renewal of the national bank

27.

Why did southern states feel that new states admitted to the Union should allow slavery?

a)

Southerners felt allowing slavery represented the interests of the nation as a whole.

b)

Southerners felt that slavery was necessary for the economies of new states in the western territiories.

c)

Southerners wanted to abide by the Missouri Compromise in order to maintain unity.

d)

Southerners were cconcerned about losing influence in Congress to the mor populous, non-slave Northern states.

28.

Which state was most affected by the gold rush?

a)

Arizona

b)

California

c)

Texas

d)

Utah

29.

What did the Free Soil party want to do?

a)

abolish slavery nationwide

b)

encourage the secession of southern states

c)

prevent slavery in the territories

d)

grant African Americans the right to vote in national elections

30.

What impact did the publication of Uncle Tom's Cabin have on the nation?

a)

It caused public sentiment to shift in support of abolition by appealing to people's emotions.

b)

It eased sectional tensions by creating sympathy for southern farmers.

c)

It increased public support for abolition by giving a true account of the life of a slave.

d)

It led to increased support for slavery by portaraying slave owners as benevolent caregivers.

31.

What aspect of the Civil War is described by the characteristics in this list?

*Superior military leadership

*Familiarity of terrain

*Food production ability

a)

areas of weaness for the North an South during the Civil War

b)

northern advantages in the Civil War

c)

reasons for southern states to secede from the Union

d)

Southern advantages in the Civil War

32.

Which political party consistently represented the South and the rights of state governments prior to the civil War?

a)

Democrats

b)

Federalists

c)

Know-Nothings

d)

Whigs

33.

What was Abraham Lincoln's position on slavery when he campaigned in 1860?

a)

free-soiler who did not want to see slavery expand into new territories

b)

end slavery and create new colonies for ex-slaves in Africa

c)

strict abolitionist

d)

strong supporter of slavery

34.

Which state was the first to secede?

a)

Georgia

b)

Mississippi

c)

South Carolina

d)

Virginia

35.

What was the main factor that contributed to the Union victory in the Civil War?

The Union

a)

had more resources and a larger population than the Confederacy.

b)

had superior military leaders, and they were able to defeat the Confederacy in every battle.

c)

received troops and weapons from Euromean nations and the Confederacy had no allies.

d)

was more committed to the cause of the war than the people of the Confederacy

36.

Read the text of the 14th Amendment and answer the question.

Section 1.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2.

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.


How does the 14th Amendment ensure that every American is protected by the Bill of Rights?

a)

The amendment contains the Due Process Clause

b)

The amendment establishes procedures for reapportioning representatives.

c)

The amendment places a restriction on who can hold a federal office.

d)

The amendment requires Congress to enforces the provisions contained in it.

37.

What generalization can be made about the purpose of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution.

a)

They intended to keep African Americans in the same status as slaves.

b)

They led to the end of Reconstruction in the South

c)

They tried to help African Aericans achieve equal rights.

d)

They wanted to ease the burden of Reconstruction on white Southerners.

38.

How did the politcal changes during Reconstruction expand democracy in the United States?

a)

It allowed for the direct election os senators to Congress.

b)

It gave southern states more representation in Congress.

c)

It made it possible for African American men to voe and hold political office.

d)

It made it possible for all men and women to vote and hold political office.

39.

When did all slaves in the United States achieve freedom?

a)

When slaves reached Union lines during the war

b)

When the 13th Amendment was ratified

c)

when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued

d)

When the South seceded

40.

Which question about the United States Constitution contributed most to the start of the Civil War?

a)

Could the Constitution be applied to states that joined the Union later or only to the original 13?

b)

Did the Constitution establish a sovereigh nation or a federation of sovereign states?

c)

Should the Constitution be amended to give more power to the regions with industrial growth?

d)

Was the Constitution created in a manner that was fair to all states in the first place?