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8th Grade Social Studies Final Exam

Total questions: 121

Worksheet time: 6hrs 43mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The increase in the number of enslaved Africans arriving in America was largely due to         

a)

 the development of the plantation system

b)

 greater efforts to capture Africans by other Africans

c)

an increase in the number of European slave traders

d)

changing attitudes about the justice of owning slaves

2.

The Mayflower Compact showed that the Pilgrims were

a)

ready to begin a new way of life without strangers.

b)

aware of the need to make their own government

c)

aware of how different they were from other colonists.

d)

willing to follow the same laws as Virginia.

3.

What was the main reason that several New England cities became major shipbuilding centers?

a)

These cities needed ships for deep-sea fishing.

     

b)

The land near the cities was at first difficult to farm

c)

The city governments supported shipbuilding

d)

The cities were located on the coast and had plenty of wood

4.

The colony Lord Baltimore established in Maryland encouraged

a)

land grants for every settler.

  

 

b)

a role for colonists in government

c)

religious freedom for Roman Catholics

d)

the settlement of wealthy people

5.

A government ruled by a king or queen

a)

democracy

b)

oligarchy

c)

republic

d)

monarchy

6.

A group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere.

a)

colony

b)

joint stock company

c)

debtors

d)

country

7.

Colonists who received free passage to North America in exchange for working without pay for a certain number of years

a)

Debtors

b)

Pilgrims

c)

Catholics

d)

Indentured Servants

8.
In what year was Jamestown settled?
a)
1492
b)
1607
c)
1776
d)
2007
9.

Where is Jamestown located [today]?

a)

Virginia

b)

California

c)

New York

d)

North Carolina

10.

Plymouth colony was located in this modern state.

a)

Massachusetts

b)

Virginia

c)

Maine

d)

Rhode Island

11.

The main reason the Pilgrims came to the New World

a)

Find gold

b)

Friendly Native Americans

c)

Religious freedom

d)

Good fishing

12.
Why did most settlers come to America?
a)
to avoid church
b)
for land and opportunities
c)
they were criminals forced to come
13.

Representative assembly in colonial Virginia; the first form of representative government in the 13 colonies

a)

Colonization

b)

Parliament

c)

Virginia House of Burgesses

d)

Mayflower Compact

14.

Who would colonists tar and feather?

a)

The King

b)

Parliment

c)

Tax Collectors

d)

Patriots

15.

Why did Great Britain pass the Proclamation of 1763?

a)

To help the French

b)

Because they favored the Native Americans

c)

The King made Parliament pass the law

d)

They couldn't afford to protect the colonists from Native American attacks

16.
Hundreds of people died in the Boston Massacre.
a)
True
b)
False
17.
Why did Britain seek to tax the colonists in the 1760s?
a)
The colonists were wealthier than most British citizens.
b)
Britain needed money to pay for the French and Indian War.
c)
The British wanted to punish the colonists for rebelling against the Proclamation.
d)
Britain needed money to protect the colonists from the French.
18.
What was the main reason that the colonists were protesting?
a)
They didn`t like the type of tea that was shipped to them
b)
They wanted the ships to leave
c)
They thought the tea was priced too high
d)
They felt they were being taxed unfairly without being represented in the government
19.
Why did the Sons of Liberty dress up as Native Americans  and dump tea in the Boston Harbor?
a)
To protest  and fight back against taxes on tea and other items
b)
To celebrate 4th of July
c)
To celebrate their American Revolution victory over the British
d)
To protest against the Declaration of Independence
20.
A secret organization formed to protest the Stamp Act was called
a)
Congress
b)
Sons of Liberty
c)
Parliament
d)
Loyalists
21.

What was the name of the group that met to discuss what the colonists should do about unfair laws like the Intolerable Acts?

a)

The First Continental Congress

b)

The House of Burgesses

c)

The Sons of Liberty

d)

The Boston Tea Party

22.

How did the colonists resist British laws an taxes?

a)

Boycotts

b)

Protests

c)

Tarring and feathering tax collectors

d)

All of the above

23.

How did Great Britain view the First Continental Congress?

a)

Agreed with them

b)

Thought they were traitors

c)

Wanted to negotiate

d)

Thought they should join parliament

24.

American Colonists had representation in Parliament.

a)

True

b)

False

25.

What was King George III reaction to the Boston Tea Party?

a)

The Boston Massacre

b)

The passage of the Coercive, or Intolerable, Acts

c)

He allowed colonial representation in Parliament

d)

Repealed the Stamp Act

26.

What is the difference between a Patriot and a Loyalist?

a)

Tom Brady

b)

Loyalists supported agriculture. Patriots supported manufacturing.

c)

Patriots supported the king and Parliament. Loyalists wanted war.

d)

Patriots wanted independence. Loyalists wanted to stay loyal to the king.

27.

Which phrase best represents the colonists main complaint against the British taxation?

a)

"We're going to build a wall and make the British pay for it."

b)

"Join or die!"

c)

"No taxation without representation"

d)

"America - I'm Lovin' It!"

28.

Taxed almost all printed materials in the colonies

a)

Proclamation of 1763

b)

Sugar Act, 1764

c)

Stamp Act, 1765

d)

Declaratory Act, 1766

e)

Townshend Acts, 1767

29.

British policy prohibited colonists from moving west of Appalachian Mountains

a)

Proclamation of 1763

b)

Sugar Act, 1764

c)

Stamp Act, 1765

d)

Declaratory Act, 1766

e)

Townshend Acts, 1767

30.

Political body that was created in the colonies to challenge British control.

a)

Continental Congress

b)

House of Burgesses

c)

Olive Branch Petition

d)

Declaration of Independence

31.

Lowered tax on imported molasses in order to stop smuggling

a)

Proclamation of 1763

b)

Sugar Act, 1764

c)

Stamp Act, 1765

d)

Declaratory Act, 1766

e)

Townshend Acts, 1767

32.

What was the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge like for the Continental Army?

a)

the army struggled at Valley Forge due to supply shortages

b)

Loyalists were discouraged by reports from Valley Forge

c)

conditions at Valley Forge ended hopes for American independence

d)

the battle at Valley Forge was the turning point of the war

33.

All of the following are true regarding fighting during the Revolutionary War EXCEPT:

a)

the British formed blockades to stop supplies/troops from reaching Continental Army

b)

the war was fought on land and at sea

c)

the British formed blockades to stop supplies/troops from reaching Continental Army

d)

most Native Americans sided with the Americans

34.

After a string of losses, this American victory boosted morale and confidence in Washington’s leadership.

a)

Trenton

b)

Lexington and Concord

c)

Yorktown

d)

Saratoga

e)

Bunker Hill

35.

First armed conflict of the war; known as “shot heard round the world.”

a)

Trenton

b)

Lexington and Concord

c)

Yorktown

d)

Saratoga

e)

Bunker Hill

36.

Washington’s army and French fleet surround main British army in the south. Last major battle before British surrender.

a)

Trenton

b)

Lexington and Concord

c)

Yorktown

d)

Saratoga

e)

Bunker Hill

37.

A costly British victory (more than 1,000 casualties); Shows that the Americans can put up a fight.

a)

Trenton

b)

Lexington and Concord

c)

Yorktown

d)

Saratoga

e)

Bunker Hill

38.

This Continental victory convinces the French to enter the war against Britain.

a)

Trenton

b)

Lexington and Concord

c)

Yorktown

d)

Saratoga

e)

Bunker Hill

39.

Promised freedom to African Americans who joined the British cause and fought on the British side:

a)

Lord Dunmore

b)

Thomas Paine

c)

Friedrich von Steuben

d)

Marquis de Lafayette

e)

Charles Cornwallis

40.

The new government under the Articles of Confederation failed because

a)

there was not an executive branch or judicial branch.

b)

George Washington wanted to be president for life.

c)

the states did not have enough power.

d)

The British attacked American again.

41.

The three branches of government are

a)

judicial, military, executive

b)

military, presidential, monarchy

c)

judicial, executive, legislative

d)

executive, military, legislative

42.

What is Federalism

a)

Powers given to the president

b)

Powers given to the state government

c)

Powers given to the national government

d)

Power divided between state and national government

43.
The branch that officially introduces bills to become laws is the ____ branch.
a)
legislative
b)
executive
c)
judicial
44.
What document replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a new national government? 
a)
The Declaration of Independence 
b)
The Constitution 
c)
The Magna Carta 
d)
The English Bill of Rights 
45.
Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing (executing) laws?
a)
Judicial
b)
Legislative
c)
Executive 
46.
Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing (executing) laws?
a)
Judicial
b)
Legislative
c)
Executive 
47.
The authors of the United States Constitution included a system of checks and balances to
a)
prevent any one branch of government from controlling the other branches
b)
protect states against the power of the national government
c)
guarantee respect for the freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights
d)
safeguard the United States against foreign attacks
48.
Which branch interprets laws?
a)
Exectuive 
b)
Judicial 
c)
Legislative
49.

What did Anti-Federalists demand be added to the Constitution?

a)

The Articles of Confederation

b)

A more efficient plan of government

c)

A children's menu

d)

A Bill of Rights

50.
The Southern states wanted to count each slave as part of the population because
a)
Slaves increased how much they could collect in taxes
b)
Slaves would help states get more land
c)
Slaves would increase the states representation in the Legislature
d)
Slaves would work on the plantations
51.

What was one of the effects of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803?

a)

It forced us to buy land from England

b)

It doubled the size of the United States.

c)

We fought a war with France for Louisiana

d)

The Federalists praised the decision and joined the Republican party

52.
The Sedition Act created penalties for people who...
a)
Bought arms
b)
Immigrated to the United States
c)
Criticized the government of the United States
53.

Which events preceded and caused the War of 1812? (Select al that apply)

a)

The King of England insulted the President

b)

The impressment of sailors

c)

British taxes on tea and biscuits

d)

British arming the Natives in the Northwest

54.
What did the Monroe Doctrine warn the Europeans not to do?
a)
Not to colonize in the Western Hemisphere
b)
Not to trade in the Western Hemisphere
c)
Not to ally with the Western Hemisphere
d)
Not to make peace with the Western Hemisphere
55.
What political party believed in states' rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, an agrarian society, and political power for all?
a)
Democratic-Republican
b)
Federalist
56.
What political party believed in federal government power, a loose interpretation of the Constitution, an industrial society, and power for the elite only?
a)
Democratic-Republican
b)
Federalist
57.
Who was President when the Louisiana Territory was purchased from Napoleon, the ruler of France, for 15 million dollars?
a)
Madison
b)
Adams
c)
Jefferson
d)
Washington
58.

What issues divided the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties?

a)

How to divide the nations wealth equally

b)

How large and powerful the military should be

c)

How large and powerful the federal government should be

d)

How trade deals should be conducted

59.

Why were the Democratic-Republicans so angry about the Alien and Sedition Acts?

a)

They believed it was a way to easily manage immigration

b)

They believed it was an attack on the right of free speech and a limit to their power

c)

They believed it was needed to keep order in the United States

d)

They believed it would make the countries nationalism stronger

60.

Under which president did the United States fight the War of 1812?

a)

George Washington

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

James Monroe

d)

John Adams

e)

James Madison

61.

Which president dealt with the XYZ affair and the Alien & Sedition Act

a)

John Adams

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

George Washington

d)

James Maddison

62.
Who were X, Y, and Z?
a)
Spanish Conquistadors
b)
US Diplomats
c)
French "secret" agents asking for a bribe
d)
US Sailors being impressed
63.
What is the Quasi-War?
a)
The War between Quasi Moto and the Cardinal of Notre Dame
b)
The undeclared war between the US and France
c)
The 2nd French and Indian War
d)
The War between the Jedi and the Sith
64.

Although there was no winner, what effect did the War of 1812 have on the United States?

a)

Signing over of territory to the Native Americans

b)

Continued impressment of American sailors

c)

Increased nationalism due to reaffirmed independence

d)

Free ice cream at the White House to celebrate

65.
In which country did the Industrial Revolution begin?
a)
The United States
b)
England
c)
France
d)
Germany
66.

The invention of these made it possible to replace a broken part with ease instead of having to wait for custom replacements

a)

mass production

b)

division of labor

c)

interchangeable parts

67.

This invention turned rivers into busy routes for traders and travelers.

a)

Railroads

b)

Steamboat

c)

Telegraph

d)

Mechanical Reaper

68.
How did the Agricultural Revolution impact farmers?
a)
New farming methods required more workers on the farm.
b)
New farming methods produced bigger harvests with less farmers.
69.
What is the movement from rural to urban areas called?
a)
Moving
b)
colonization
c)
inflation
d)
urbanization
70.

person who made interchangeable parts

a)

Eli Whitney

b)

Samuel Slater

c)

Francis Cabot Lowell

d)

Sarah G. Bagley

71.
Why did people move to cities during the Industrial Revolution?
a)
People were looking for work.
b)
People were looking for farms.
c)
People wanted to buy a house.
d)
People wanted to sell their crops.
72.
How did people's lives change because of the Industrial Revolution? 
a)
People bought more handmade goods than before 
b)
people worked mostly on farms 
c)
people bought factory made items and worked outside the home
d)
people made a lot of money making homemade items 
73.
Immigration changed during the Industrial Revolution because...
a)
America was gaining power and money 
b)
factories offered jobs to incoming immigrants 
c)
people wanted to own a factory 
d)
no one bought homemade items 
74.
Slavery was impacted by the industrial revolution by...
a)
as the demand for cotton lessened the number of slaves decreased 
b)
as the demand for cotton increased the number of slaves increased 
c)
the North refused to buy cotton from the South because of slavery 
d)
Slavery was not impacted by the Industrial Revolution because it was in the South and the factories were in the North
75.
The U.S. wanted to get control over the Mississippi River and New Orleans.  Why did they want this area? 
a)
The river was in the U.S. 
b)
The port was used by Spain and they could get into the U.S. 
c)
The port and river were needed for trade in North America
d)
The U.S. did not want Native Americans to have it 
76.
Lewis and Clark had many goals that Jefferson gave them.  Which one was NOT accomplished? 
a)
Making peace with Natives 
b)
Locating the Northwest Passage 
c)
Gaining access to the Pacific 
d)
Scientific Exploration: plants and animals 
77.
Some people questioned Jefferson's role in the Louisiana Purchase.  Why? 
a)
Constitution did not state that he could buy land 
b)
Western land was opening the U.S. to threats 
c)
the land made the U.S. twice as big
d)
We were not allies with the French 
78.
Which was NOT a reason settlers moved west?
a)
fresh start 
b)
better life 
c)
land ownership 
d)
government forced them 
79.
Manifest Destiny was an idea that America should own all land east to west.  Which statement summarizes this idea? 
a)
Louisiana Purchase was the only part to this idea 
b)
U.S. peacefully got all land they wanted 
c)
People did not have the power to get new land 
d)
U.S. felt it was their right to buy, take, fight for, or compormise to get all the land they wanted 
80.

Who would consider Manifest Destiny (America's expansion) would be seen as positive by what TWO groups?

a)

Railroad companies

b)

Native Americans

c)

gold seekers

d)

Mexico

81.
The U.S. wanted to use the land out west.  What was the way the U.S. settled the issue with Native Americans living on the land out west?
a)
Treaties that were kept by both sides 
b)
Indian Removal Act 
c)
U.S. offered to pay full price for Indian lands 
d)
The U.S. offered the Natives a seat in Congress to help them decide what to do 
82.
Reservations were lands set aside for Native people.  Which statement was NOT  true about the reservations? 
a)
America cut funding to the reservations meaning shortage of food and supplies 
b)
Native Americans were left with no way of hunting 
c)
Native Americans were thankful for the land and the supplies and were peaceful in their new homes 
d)
Violence broke out on the reservations 
83.
Lewis and Clark's expedition proved which of the following was TRUE 
a)
Louisiana Purchase was worth the money because of all the plants and animals there 
b)
Louisiana Purchase was a waste of money 
c)
People cannot survive out west 
d)
they did not bring enough information back to make a judgement 
84.
____________ was the general and dictator of Mexico during the Texas Revolution
a)
Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna
b)
Sam Houston
c)
Stephen F. Austin
d)
Davy Crockett
85.
______ was when the Texans forced Santa Anna to sign a treaty giving Texas its independence
a)
Battle of San Jacinto
b)
Battle at the Alamo
c)
Battle of Goliad
d)
Battle of Bull Run
86.
Which of the following was a 13 day siege that helped inspire people to fight for Texas Independence?
a)
Battle of San Jacinto
b)
Battle At the Alamo
c)
Battle of Goliad
d)
Battle of Mexico City
87.
__________ started a colony in Texas with 300 families known as the Old Three Hundred
a)
Sam Houston
b)
Davy Crockett
c)
William Travis
d)
Stephen F. Austin
88.
Who did Texas fight for its independence?
a)
France
b)
Mexico
c)
Spain
d)
Great Britain
89.

What river divides Mexico and the USA today?

a)

Rio Grande

b)

Nueces River

c)

Austin River

d)

Taylor River

90.

The treaty that officially ended the U.S.-Mexican War

a)

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

b)

Treaty of Ghent

c)

Treaty of Paris of 1848

d)

The Alamo Treaty

91.

Who was president of the USA during the Mexican American War?

a)

George Washington

b)

Santa Anna

c)

James K. Polk

d)

Christopher Columbus

92.

What was a major consequence of the Mexican War?

a)

Congress had to decide the slavery issue for the Mexican Cession.

b)

Congress had to repay Mexico for war damages

c)

The U.S. finally opened trade routes with Mexico

d)

The U.S stopped all trade with Mexico

93.
Why did the U.S. and Mexico go to war?
a)

All of these answers are correct

b)

The U.S. and Mexico disagreed over their boundary

c)

Americans' belief in Manifest Destiny

d)

The U.S. annexed Texas

94.
This law said Americans could NOT help runaway slaves.
a)
Missouri Compromise
b)
Fugitive Slave Act
c)
Kansas Nebraska Act
d)
Dred Scott Case
95.
This law sparked three years of violence in the Midwest.
a)
Missouri Compromise
b)
Fugitive Slave Act
c)
Kansas Nebraska Act
d)
Dred Scott Case
96.
This person led a raid at Harper's Ferry, VA in an attempt to rob the armory and steal weapons to fight against slavery.
a)
Abraham Lincoln
b)
Nat Turner
c)
John Brown
d)
Harriet Tubman
97.
Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote a book to show the cruelties of slavery. What was it called?
a)
Uncle Bob's Stories
b)
Uncle Tom's Hotel
c)
Uncle Joe's Best Recipes
d)
Uncle Tom's Cabin
98.

What Claim Did Dred Scott Sue With?

a)

Slavery Is Illegal

b)

Since He Had Once Lived In An Anti-Slavery Area He Would Always Be Free

c)

No One Should be a Slave or Own Slaves.

d)

People with Slaves Should be Prosecuted

99.
What was the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case?
a)
That slavery diminished the national character.
b)
That African American rights were protected by the Constitution.
c)
That African Americans did not have the right to sue in federal court because they were not citizens
d)
That slavery should be abolished by executive order
100.
The Election of 1860 was won by the...
a)
Republican Party
b)
Northern Democratic Party
c)
Southern Democratic Party
d)
Constitutional Union Party
101.

The Missouri Compromise, the compromise of 1850, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act were all efforts to

a)

end fighting between Midwestern farmers and native American Indians

b)

increase the number of people who voted in presidential elections

c)

encourage manufacturing in the west

d)

settle disputes over the spread of slavery to the western territories

102.

What was the primary cause of the American Civil War?

a)

Cotton

b)

Immigration

c)

Slavery

d)

Native Americans

103.

What statement best describes the "border states"?

a)

Border states are the states that stayed loyal to the Union even though they allowed slavery to exist.

b)

Border states are the states that stayed loyal to the Confederacy even though they did not allow slavery to exist.

c)

Border states are the states that connect with Mexico.

d)

Border states are the states that connect with Canada.

104.

Who was the president of the United States during the Civil War?

a)

Ulysses S. Grant

b)

Robert E. Lee

c)

Abraham Lincoln

d)

Jefferson Davis

105.

Which economy was primarily based on manufacturing by using factories?

a)

North

b)

South

106.

Which economy was primarily based on agriculture (growing crops on large farms)?

a)

North

b)

South

107.

Union commander who used a ¨total war¨ strategy to destroy Georgia

a)

Robert Anderson

b)

William Tecumseh Sherman

c)

John C. Pemberton

d)

David Farragut

108.
This battle was the turning point in the war.
a)
Battle of Bull Run
b)
Battle of Antietam
c)
Battle of Gettysburg
d)
Battle of Appomattox Courthouse
109.

The civil war started when:

a)

Abraham Lincoln became president.

b)

The South seceded (left) from the Union

c)

The south grew cotton

d)

The North left the Union.

110.

A person who wanted to abolish slavery is called a:

a)

Confederate

b)

Southern

c)

Abolitionist

d)

Northern

111.
Which is the best description of Reconstruction?
a)
rebuilding the US after a big earthquake
b)
a period of rebuilding in the US after the Revolutionary War
c)
a period of rebuilding in the US after the Civil War
d)
unfair treatment of African Americans after the Civil War
112.
The 14th Amendment granted...
a)
freedom of speech
b)
citizenship and equal protection
c)
the right to vote
d)
the right to a speedy and fair trial
113.
Which of these amendments gives citizens the right to vote regardless of race, color or previous condition of servitude?
a)
13th Amendment
b)
14th Amendment
c)
15th Amendment
d)
18th Amendment
114.
The 13th Amendment ...
a)
banned slavery
b)
grants voting rights
c)
grants citizenship and equal protection
d)
restores Confederate rights
115.
Southern states created the Black Codes to do what?
a)
limit African Americans rights
b)
expand Confederate rights
c)
give women voting rights
d)
jail Carpetbaggers
116.
Who could hold public office in the south during Reconstruction?
a)
African Americans
b)
Confederate Leaders
c)
Southern Women
d)
American Indians
117.
The Ku Klux Klan was a group that believed...
a)
in white supremacy
b)
in equality for all
c)
in black supremacy
d)
in southern supremacy
118.
Carpetbaggers were...
a)
Newly freed slaves
b)
Southern Republicans
c)
Confederate Soldiers
d)
Northerners who took advantage of southern economic hardships 
119.
The Presidential Election of 1876 resulted in...
a)
military supervision of the south
b)
the restoration of voting rights for white southerners
c)
the end of Reconstruction in the south
d)
equal rights for African Americans
120.
Scalawags were...
a)
Northerners who took advantage of southern economic hardships 
b)
Southern Republicans
c)
former Confederate Leaders
d)
African Americans
121.
Jim Crow Laws passed after Reconstruction took away African American Voting Rights using...
a)
Voter Registration Laws
b)
Political Gerrymandering
c)
Voter Identification Laws
d)
Poll Taxes and Literacy Tests

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