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U.S History Flash Cards

Total questions: 127

Worksheet time: 2hrs 47mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the main reason that the French traveled to the New World?

a)

To profit from the fur trade

b)

To conquer land

c)

To escape religious persecution

d)

To convert natives to christianity

2.
Spanish soldiers and explorers who led military expeditions in the Americas and captured land for Spain.
a)
Colonies
b)
Cortes
c)
Joint-stock
d)
Conquistadors
3.

How would you categorize the treatment of the Native Americans by the Spainish?

a)

Cruel

b)

Friendly

c)

Indifferent

d)

Nice

4.

This country wanted to spread Christianity to the Americas.

a)

Spain

b)

China

c)

France

d)

England

5.

An economic policy where colonies serve as a source of raw materials. Increases the wealth and maintains a favorable balance of trade for the "mother" country.

a)

Charter

b)

Mercantilism

c)

House of Burgesses

d)

Social Contract

6.

The long cold winters in the ____________________ colonies was not ideal for growing cash crops and so they focused on lumbering, fishing & fur trading.

a)

New England

b)

Middle

c)

Southern

d)

Winter

7.

What body of water is marked by #10?

a)

Hudson Bay

b)

Gulf of Mexico

c)

Atlantic Ocean

d)

Great Lakes

8.

True or False:

The Quakers believed that people of different beliefs could live together in harmony.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

9.

Because the Middle Colonies produced so much food, they became known as the

a)

"Breadbasket" colonies

b)

"High-Yielding" colonies

c)

"Prolific Pennsylvanians"

d)

"Fruitful Friends"

10.

Which religious group known for their tolerance, acceptance, pacifism and oats settled in Pennsylvania?

a)

Quakers

b)

Catholics

c)

Puritans

d)

Baptists

11.
What was a natural resource of the Middle Colonies?
a)
good soil
b)
gold
c)
copper
d)
timber
12.

The economy of the Southern colonies was based primarily on what industry?

a)

Mining

b)

Fishing

c)

Agriculture

d)

Lumber

13.

The motivation for settling most of the Southern colonies was

a)

Religious freedom

b)

Profit/trade

c)

Glory for the king

d)

Safety

14.

The colony of __________ was a refuge for _________ seeking freedom.

a)

Virginia, Puritans

b)

Maryland, Puritans

c)

Virginia, Catholics

d)

Maryland, Catholics

15.

What was the reason behind Lord Baltimore founding Maryland?

a)

money

b)

religious freedom

c)

democracy

d)

power

16.

What problem did many face that led to the founding of the Georgia colony?

a)

In the early 1700’s, many in England are poor or in debt.

b)

Many faced religious persecution.

c)

The English Civil War

d)

None of these!

17.

What was salutary neglect?

a)

Britain was strictly controlling the colonies

b)

Britain left the colonies to govern themselves

c)

Britain sent an army to the colonies

d)

Britain sold the colonies to France

18.

The distance from Great Britain and the need for local lawmaking led to:

a)

the development of self-government

b)

establishing a king for each colony

c)

increased shipbuilding for travel

d)

Parliament establishing new religious traditions in Great Britain

19.
 Why did the Pilgrims create the Mayflower Compact?
a)
 to show that they opposed representative government.
b)
to establish an orderly community
c)
 to reinforce the laws of England in the new colony
d)
 to guarantee universal religious tolerance in the colony
20.
Which of the following is the most important reason why Pilgrims came to America?
a)
 gold
b)
trade
c)
land
d)
religious freedom
21.

One of the main differences in the reasons for Jamestown and Plymouth was

a)

Plymouth was founded to escape religious persecution, Jamestown was founded for financial gain

b)

Jamestown was founded for religious reasons, Plymouth was founded for agricultural reasons

c)

Jamestown was founded for enslaved people, Plymouth was founded for free citizens

d)


Jamestown was founded to convert Native Americans, Plymouth was founded to find gold

22.

Which of the following describes a representative government?

a)

A government made up of people chosen by their towns to represent them

b)

A small group of religious clerics making key decisions

c)

One leader delegating specific tasks to assistants

d)

Keeping power in one family for centuries

23.

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

a)

Reprimanded disorderly travelers

b)

First document to create self-government in America

c)

Appointed the first president and elected legislature

d)

Abolished slavery in America

24.

What is the significance of the Virginia House of Burgesses?

a)

Last evidence of English rule in the colonies

b)

Established the colony of Virginia

c)

First description of a free market system

d)

First representative legislature in the colonies

25.

What is the significance of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut?

a)

First representative legislature in the colonies

b)

First written Constitution that listed the rights of citizens

c)

First social contract written by the Pilgrims

26.

What is a grievance?

a)

Compliment

b)

Complaint

c)

Criticism

27.

Which battle is known as the "turning point" of the war?

a)

Lexington and Concord

b)

Saratoga

c)

Yorktown

28.

At the Battle of Yorktown...

a)

The British won

b)

The British surrendered

c)

The French joined the war

29.

After the Proclamation of 1763 colonists could not expand...

a)

North

b)

South

c)

East

d)

West

30.

Why were most colonists angry about the taxes placed on them?

a)

They were expensive

b)

They felt like they lacked representation

c)

No one likes taxes

31.

How did the Stamp Act, the Tea Act, and the Intolerable Acts encourage American colonists to consider revolution against British rule?

a)

by representing an effort in Britain to end the slave trade in the colonies

b)

by increasing conflict between the colonists and neighboring Indian tribes.

c)

by revealing the British plan to expand the American colonies farther west on the continent

d)

by raising taxes in the American colonies without granting the colonies any representation in Parliament

32.

The French-Indian/Seven Years War is often viewed by historians as being a factor in causing the American Revolution. Which of these BEST explains why this might be the case?

a)

The Indians believed the colonists would return seized lands to them

b)

The British were able to defeat the French in North America, Asia, and at sea

c)

The high cost of the war meant Parliament had to create new taxes in the American colonies

d)

The French were never truly expelled and played a large role in stirring-up colonial discontent

33.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal..


Which statement BEST explains the underlined portion of the quote from the Declaration of Independence?

a)

Thomas Jefferson believed all people should be in government

b)

Citizens have the same rights as political leaders.

c)

George Washington did not believe in slavery.

d)

People are free to have any job they want.

34.

A Patriot in North America in the 1770s would have MOST LIKELY supported which of these?

a)

supporting the "Coercive Acts"

b)

boycotting British-made goods

c)

remaining a part of Great Britain

d)

becoming a member of the "red coats"

35.

After winning the French & Indian War, Great Britain passed the Proclamation of 1763 which made the colonists angry because

a)

it took away their representation in Parliament.

b)

it forced colonists to house and feed British soldiers.

c)

it passed a tax on items such as newspapers, wills and contracts.

d)

it did not allow them to settle on land west of the Appalachian mountains

36.

Benjamin Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union is significant because –

a)

It called for the colonists to reunite with their mother country

b)

It stopped the abuses of the economic theory of mercantilism

c)

It asked for the colonists to train and prepare to fight against the mother country

d)

It called for the individual colonies to unite together in order to strengthen their military capabilities

37.

How did mercantillist policies create tension between Great Britain and the colonies?

a)

By introducing indentured servitude to the middle colonies.

b)

By requiring colonists to enlist in the military

c)

By limiting the amount of farmland each colonist could have

d)

By preventing colonists from trading with most other foreign countries

38.
Which of the following best describes a Loyalist?
a)
Someone who wanted the colonies to be independent from Britain
b)
Someone who was neutral
c)
Someone who wanted to the colonies to remain British
d)
None of these
39.

American colonists were prohibited from moving west of the Appalachian Mountains by the ______________.

a)

Stamp Act

b)

Declaratory Act

c)

Proclamation of 1763

d)

Townshend Acts

40.
when you refuse to buy a product as a protest it is?
a)
Buy out
b)
Repulsion
c)
Boycott
d)
Bigot
41.

The author of the famous pamphlet that argued for an end to monarchy and supported independence?

a)

Thomas Paine

b)

Tomas Pain

c)

Thomas Jefferson

42.

1. True or False: The French were the Patriots' greatest ally during the American Revolution

a)

True

b)

False

43.

  1. What is considered the first battle of the American Revolution?

a)

Lexington and Concord

b)

Trenton

c)

Bunker Hill

d)

Yorktown

44.

This treaty formally ended the American Revolution

a)

Treaty of Ghent

b)

Treaty of Boston

c)

Treaty of Paris of 1783

45.

What was one purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

to establish a framework for government

b)

to express reasons for limiting immigration

c)

to state the reasons for the colonies to separate from England

d)

to list arguments for women’s suffrage

46.

Which amendment protects our right to free speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press?

a)

5

b)

6

c)

1

d)

2

47.

Which amendment states that we have the right to not quarter, or keep, soldiers in our homes?

a)

3

b)

4

c)

5

d)

6

48.

Which amendment prevents double jeopardy, or being tried twice for the same crime?

a)

4

b)

5

c)

6

d)

7

49.

Which amendment prevents cruel or unusual punishment from being inflicted on a person?

a)

2

b)

4

c)

6

d)

8

50.

Which amendment states that any powers not listed in the Constitution remain in the hands of the state or the people?

a)

10

b)

11

c)

12

d)

13

51.

Which amendment states that a citizen has a right to a trial by jury?

a)

5

b)

6

c)

7

d)

8

52.

Which amendment states that citizens have a right to a public and speedy trial, as well as a right to a counsel?

a)

2

b)

4

c)

6

d)

8

53.

Which amendment protects citizens from random search or seizures?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

54.

What rights did The Bill of Rights ensure?

a)

Individual Rights

b)

State's Rights

c)

Federal Government's Rights

55.

What are the Bill of Rights?

a)

The Articles of Confederation

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Amendments to the Constitution

d)

The Mayflower Compact

56.

The first amendment consists of which rights?

a)

the right to bear arms

b)

rights to a speedy, public and jury trial

c)

religion, assembly, unreasonable searches and seizures

d)

religion, assembly, press, petition and speech

57.

This means the law must be applies fairly to all people in the U.S.

a)

due process

b)

trial by jury

c)

franchise

d)

suffrage

58.

The power of the President to veto acts of Congress is an example of _________________________.

a)

separation of powers

b)

federalism

c)

republicanism

d)

checks and balances

59.

The Bill of Rights protects American citizens _______________________________.

a)

popular sovereignty

b)

individual rights

c)

democracy

d)

republicanism

60.

Which principle is the idea that power flows from the people?

a)

Federalism

b)

Checks and balances

c)

Republicanism

d)

Popular Sovereignty

61.

The national government has the ability to declare war, but individual states do not have that power. This is an example of _________________________.

a)

Republicanism

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of powers

d)

Checks and balances

62.

What best describes the Constitutional principle of checks and balances?

a)

Each branch of the government can limit the power of the others

b)

The power of government is restricted by the Constitution

c)

A bill must pass both houses of Congres

d)

The power to declare war is given to the President

63.

When the U.S. Constitution established three branches of government, it was supporting which of the following principles?  

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Checks and Balances

64.

The U.S. Constitution established the division of governmental powers between the national and state governments.  By doing so, what basic governmental principle was established?  

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Checks and Balances

65.

Which of the following BEST describes the constitutional principle of representative democracy?  

a)

Government's power is divided between national and state levels.

b)

The authority of government flows from the people.

c)

Voters elect representatives to exercise power for them.

d)

Unalienable rights are guaranteed to all citizens in the Preamble and the Bill of Rights.

66.

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?  

a)

A judge overturning a lower court's decision.

b)

A legislative bill being vetoed by the President.

c)

A governor granting a criminal a pardon.

d)

A governor declaring a tax free period.

67.

Democracy allows for the people to vote.  Which constitutional principle protects this?

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Individual Rights

68.

The Supreme Court interprets the law

a)

Federalism

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Limited Government

69.

"We the People of the United States…"

a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Republicanism

c)

Federalism

d)

Separation of Powers

70.

"…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Limited Government

d)

Individual Rights

71.

"The powers not delegated to the United States… are reserved to the States respectively…"

a)

Republicanism

b)

Federalism

c)

Separation of Powers

d)

Checks and Balances

72.

"The President… shall have Power, by which the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur."

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Limited Government

d)

Individual Rights

73.

The United States may not restrict your freedom of religion, assembly, press, petition, or speech

a)

Limited Government

b)

Individual Rights

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Republicanism

74.
a)

Popular Sovereignty

b)

Republicanism

c)

Federalism

d)

Separation of Powers

75.

The Constitution outlines our government and restricts its powers

a)

Separation of Powers

b)

Checks and Balances

c)

Limited Government

d)

Individual Rights

76.
a)

Federalism

b)

Separation of Powers

c)

Checks and Balances

d)

Limited Government

77.

The president of the United States has to follow the same laws as everyone else

a)

Limited Government

b)

Individual Rights

c)

Popular Sovereignty

d)

Republicanism

78.

Under due process, every citizen is innocent until proven_________________

a)

worthy

b)

interesting

c)

innocent

d)

guilty

79.

Washington was the first president and warned against forming permanent foreign ___________________

a)

commerce (trade)

b)

adversaries (enemies)

c)

alliances (friendships)

d)

relations with Native Americans

80.

Washington warned against forming political parties during which speech?

a)

1st Inaugural Address

b)

2nd Inaugural Address

c)

Farewell Address

d)

State of the Union Address 1789

81.

Which political party was formed by Alexander Hamilton and favored a stronger federal government?

a)

Democratic- Republicans

b)

Whigs

c)

Anti-Federalists

d)

Federalists

82.

Democrat-Republican Party was formed by Thomas Jefferson and favored stronger __________________ government.

a)

federal

b)

national

c)

central

d)

state

83.

The first political parties in the U.S. formed mainly in response to disagreements over __

a)

taxation without representation

b)

the doctrine of judicial review

c)

territorial expansion to the west

d)

how much power/ authority the federal government should have

84.

Which Party believed in a strict reading (interpretation) of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Independents

b)

Democratic Republicans

c)

Federalists

d)

Whig Party

85.

What is known as the power of the Judicial Branch to examine the laws and actions of the Executive and Legislative Branches to determine if they are constitutional or not?

a)

Judicial Review

b)

Jurisdiction

c)

Original Jurisdiction

d)

Writ of Certiorari

86.

The Marbury v. Madison ruling is considered a landmark (important) case because it established the power of judicial review meaning that

a)

the Supreme Court can interpret the Constitution and decide what it means

b)

the Supreme Court can decide who gets federal commissions and who doesn't

c)

the Supreme Court can fire federal judges

87.
Why was the port of New Orleans so important?
a)
It was the best place to go fishing
b)
It was a party town
c)
It was the Catholic headquaters
d)
It was the main center for trade along the Mississippi river
88.

Impressment was

a)

the process of squeezing juice from fruits

b)

trying to attract a suitor

c)

kidnapping sailors and forcing them to serve in a foreign navy

d)

trying to convince another country that you are on their side

89.

What did the Embargo Act of 1807 do (check all that are correct).

a)

caused economic problems for the United States

b)

ended British Impressment

c)

increased unemployment

d)

forbid trade with ALL foreign nations

e)

only let ships sail between U.S. ports

90.

A strong belief that your own country and common culture are the most important

a)

Impressment

b)

Nationalism

c)

Embargo

d)

Monroe Doctrine

91.

US foreign policy telling European countries to not interfere with decisions in North and South America

a)

Embargo

b)

Impressment

c)

Monroe Doctrine

d)

Treaty of Ghent

92.

the route the Cherokees and other Native Americans took during their forced migration from the southeast United States to Oklahoma

a)

inflation

b)

Trail of Tears

c)

doctrine of nullification

d)

treason

93.

the practice of rewarding political backers with government jobs

a)

veto

b)

assimilate

c)

spoils system

d)

secession

94.

a political movement that celebrated the common man and defended the will of the people

a)

inflation

b)

Trail of Tears

c)

doctrine of nullification

d)

Jacksonian Democracy

95.

a law that ended the U.S. government's earlier policy of respecting the rights of Native Americans to remain on their land

a)

Indian Removal Act

b)

Trail of Tears

c)

Tariff of Abomination

d)

Jacksonian Democracy

96.

the term used by southerners to refer to the Tariff of 1828 because it stirred feelings of disgust and hatred

a)

Indian Removal Act

b)

Trail of Tears

c)

Tariff of Abomination

d)

Jacksonian Democracy

97.

population shift from rural to urban

a)

urban planning

b)

urbanization

c)

urban sprawl

98.

During the late 19th century, what did most immigrants to the U.S. work as?

a)

Factory Workers

b)

Scientists

c)

Lawyers

99.

The growth of cities is called ________.

a)

Industrialization

b)

Urbanization

c)

Immigration

100.

What is a major result of the Irish Potato Famine

a)

the migration of millions to America and Canada

b)

The need for reliance on a single crop

c)

The benefits of imperialism and capitalism

d)

The significance of British rule in Ireland

101.

What does the term Manifest Destiny mean?

a)

the belief that the United States had the right to move west during the 1800s

b)

the belief that the Presidents of the United States could buy any land they wanted

c)

the belief that Britain can come back and rule over the country

d)

the belief that the US is destined to always be at war with Europe

102.

Which of the following is NOT a reason that people migrated to the west between the years of 1805-1880?

a)

cheap land

b)

to get away from the government

c)

fertile land to grow crops

d)

economic opportunities

103.

Who did the United States purchase the Louisiana Territory from?

a)

Canada

b)

Great Britain

c)

France

d)

Mexico

104.

The Louisiana Purchase _________________the size of the United States.

a)

tripled

b)

doubled

c)

did nothing to

d)

quadrupled

105.

What was the specific reason that the United States wanted Florida?

a)

They wanted more land to give to Britain.

b)

Spain was fighting with the US over the territory Dispute

c)

Andrew Jackson wanted to be a hero

d)

US slaves were escaping and Seminoles were raiding on US lands

106.

The Texans fought the Mexicans in 1836 at the Battle of ______________ and lost most of their men.

a)

the Alamo

b)

Ft. McHenry

c)

Mexico City

d)

the French Realm

107.

How did the United States gain the Texas territory?

a)

They fought in a war with Mexico over it

b)

Texas citizens asked to join the United States

c)

The United States fought in a war with Texas over it

d)

Congress voted to annex Texas

108.

What was the result of the Oregon Treaty?

a)

After years of war Britain and the United States agreed over Oregon

b)

The senate decided that Oregon was not worth it

c)

There was no fight because the United States settled a treaty line in 1846

d)

The US gained all of the Oregon territory that they wanted

109.

What was the significance of the Mexican Cession?

a)

It got Mexico out of United States’ Territory

b)

United States now spanned from North to South America.

c)

It cost the United States 15 million

d)

It led to greater United States power

110.

What did the Gadsden Purchase mean for the United States?

a)

They had canals from east to west

b)

They now stretched from “Sea to Shining Sea”

c)

It cost the US 10 million dollars.

d)

More land that the US acquired from Mexico.

111.
What did the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the annexation of Texas in 1845, and the Mexican War of 1846 have in common?
a)
They brought about a war with Spain.
b)
They increased the territory of the United States.
c)
Each resulted in territory annexed by the United States.
d)
Each involved land forcibly taken from Mexico.
112.
Sectional differences in the United States during the early 1800s were mostly rooted in differences about —
a)
economics
b)
political ideas
c)
the roles of women
d)
attitudes about war
113.
How did U.S. tariff policies contribute to sectionalism prior to the Civil War?
a)
Northern states benefited from the tariffs, while Southern states considered them an economic burden.
b)
Northern states gained European investment in industry, while Southern
plantations had to rely on trade with Latin America.
c)
Southern states benefited from tariffs on raw materials, while Northern and
Western states disapproved of higher prices for imports.
114.
How did economic opportunities for free African Americans differ from enslaved African Americans during the early 1800s?
a)
Free African Americans could own property and had some rights, while enslaved
African Americans had no rights at all.
b)
Free African Americans had no rights to own property, but could operate a
business, while enslaved African Americans had no rights at all.
115.
How did both the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 contribute to differences between free and enslaved African Americans?
a)
The institution of slavery was allowed in some new states while other states
allowed freedom for African Americans.
b)
Free African Americans gained new rights to vote and hold office in new free states
while enslaved African Americans lacked any rights.
116.
How did many Southern slaveholders view the issue of slavery?
a)
As a source of labor, slavery was considered an economic issue.
b)
Slavery was considered immoral and should be abolished.
117.
-California becomes a free state.
-Strict fugitive slave law adopted.
-Slave trade, but not slavery, banned in District
of Columbia.
-New states in the Southwest could vote to
have slavery.
-Texas' debt paid in exchange for adjustment of
the Texas boundary.
a)
Compromise of 1850
b)
Kansas-Nebraska Act
c)
Missouri Compromise
118.
How did the ideas expressed by Vice President Calhoun contribute to the outbreak of the Civil War?
a)
He claims that state government has the right to reject federal laws.
b)
He claims the federal government does not have the power to regulate slavery.
119.
Which human geographic factor was common in the North but was lacking in the South during the mid 19th century?
a)
Seaports
b)
Railroads
c)
Plantations
120.
How did the actions of Henry Clay influence national politics?
a)
He reduced sectional conflict through legislation that balanced the concerns of
people on both sides of the issue of slavery.
b)
He increased tensions between Northern and Southern states, boldly advocating
states' rights.
121.
Which of the following was a result of the Missouri Compromise?
a)
Political power was balanced between slavery and free states.
b)
Slavery was declared unconstitutional.
122.
Which physical geographic factor of the northern United States most facilitated industrial growth in the region?
a)
Natural harbors
b)
Mineral-rich soils
c)
Long growing seasons
123.
Why does Jackson not consider nullification a right of state governments?
a)
A state government declaring a federal law unconstitutional would lead that state
to void any law it considered harmful, without any process for appealing the state decision.
b)
Judges must consider all state and federal laws when considering a decision on
the legitimacy of a law.
124.
—Dred Scott v. Sandford,1857
a)
It confirmed enslaved people were property and cannot bring a case to a federal
court.
b)
It determined enslaved people could travel across state lines when seeking
freedom.
125.
Congress responded to the Dred Scott decision by passing a Constitutional amendment that states
a)
"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United
States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
b)
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude."
126.
-Supported Abraham Lincoln in 1860
-No extension of slavery
-Legislation needed to protect
the rights of slaves
a)
Republicans
b)
Democrats
127.
-Split over slavery; had 2 candidates in 1860
-Individual states should decide the slavery issue
-Need to maintain the current
way of life
a)
Democrat 
b)
Republican 

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