Sequence in U.S. Political History from 1790 to 1898

Help Questions

AP U.S. History › Sequence in U.S. Political History from 1790 to 1898

Questions 1 - 10
1

What was the significance of The Revolution of 1800?

It represented a shift in political ideology, from Federalism to Democratic-Republicanism

It Signaled the end of the Democratic-Republican party as a major force in United States’ politics

It re-affirmed the Universal Suffrage of all white men

It ushered in another term for President John Adams

All of the those mentioned were true and significant

Explanation

The Presidential Election of 1800, also called The Revolution of 1800, was important for a number of reasons. The only true answer choice here though is that it represented a shift from the Federalist Party to the Democratic - Republican Party. It was the beginning of the end for the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republicans would hold power for several years to come. The election was also notable for exposing one of the flaws of the original Constitution; Because Electors were instructed to cast their vote for two separate candidates the result was both Jefferson and Burr gaining the exact same number of votes. It took thirty-six polls before Jefferson was finally elected President, and Burr Vice-President. Following this election the Twelfth Amendment was passed to instruct electors to make a clear distinction between their choice for President and for Vice-President.

2

Who was the first African-American elected to the United States Congress?

W.E.B. Dubois

Marcus Garvey

Booker T. Washington

John Willis Menard

Stephen Douglas

Explanation

Following the end of the Civil War, and the issuing of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, African-Americans were now free to vote and hold office. The first African-American to be elected was John Willis Menard. He was elected to the House of Representatives from the state of Louisiana in 1868. His election caused a great deal of outrage, but he did become the first black man to address Congress in 1869. The first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Congress was Shirley Chisholm, who was elected a whole century later, in 1968.

3

Which of the following events did NOT occur during the Andrew Jackson administration?

The annexation of the Republic of Texas as a slave state, forcing new legislative compromises on slavery, and the Mexican-American War

The forced removal of the Cherokees from their traditional lands in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia

The dismissal of many federal employees

The rescinding of the charter for the Bank of the United States

The social ostracizing of Secretary of War John H. Eaton and his wife Margaret O’Neill Eaton by Vice President John C. Calhoun and his wife Floride Calhoun due to the Eaton's perceived violation of the social norms of marriage

Explanation

The Annexation of Texas occurred in 1845, eight years after Jackson left the White House, during the administration of James Polk. Every other answer choice is a real event that DID occur during Jackson’s administration.

4

Which of the following purported to end the Civil War before it even began?

The Crittenden Compromise

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Compromise of 1852

The Tariff of Abominations

Explanation

Just based off of pure timing, this should have been a fairly easy answer—although the Compromise of 1852 may have been a tempting answer. The Crittenden Compromise is the correct answer, the reasoning being that Crittenden proposed his compromise two days before South Caroline announced its official secession. The Compromise was a last-ditch attempt at holding the country together before the inevitable war broke out after secession. The Compromise essentially proposed that the Missouri Compromise line be reinstated and extended west, and that slavery be constitutionally protected in any territory south of the line (including possible acquired territories).

5

On December 20th, 1860, this southern state became the first to secede from the Union.

South Carolina

North Carolina

Virginia

Alabama

Georgia

Explanation

South Carolina was the first state to vote to secede from the Union, and the first state to actually secede. It was re-admitted to the United States on June 25th, 1868.

6

Abraham Lincoln began his political career as a member of which party?

Whig

Democratic

Republican

Know Nothing

Federalist

Explanation

While Abraham Lincoln ran as the Republican candidate in 1860, he was leading a new coalition devoted to anti-slavery principles. The Republican Party was formed by Free Soil Democrats, Union Democrats, and Northern Whigs, including Lincoln.

7

Which of the following states did not join the Union during the Presidency of George Washington?

Kentucky

Louisiana

Vermont

Tennessee

Explanation

During the Presidency of George Washington, Americans rapidly began to settle westwards, expanding the new nation at a startling rate. Kentucky, Tennessee, Vermont, and Ohio were all added to the Union during Washington’s term in office. The Mississippi river became the nation’s western boundary. Louisiana did not become a part of the Union until after the Louisiana Purchase, which took place during the Presidency of Thomas Jefferson.

8

What was the importance of Sherman’s March to the Sea?

It heavily damaged Northern industry during the Civil War.

It severely weakened the South towards the end of the Civil War.

It reduced the ability of the British to utilize naval warfare in the Revolutionary War.

It encouraged the support of the French against the British in the Revolutionary War.

It helped the Union gain control of the Mississippi during the Civil War.

Explanation

Sherman’s March to the Sea is the name given to the campaign waged by Union General William Tecumseh Sherman in Georgia towards the end of the Civil War. Sherman marched his troops from Atlanta to Savannah over a one-month period. Sherman and his army destroyed Southern industry, agriculture and civilian property in a campaign historians refer to as total war. It is believed that Sherman’s March to the Sea contributed to a decline in Southern morale and strength.

9

The Battle of New Orleans, in 1812 .

occurred after the war officially ended, but elicited a positive national response nonetheless

ended the War of 1812 and made Andrew Jackson a national hero

resulted in a British victory, but encouraged both sides to reach a negotiated peace

led to an immediate American surrender

encouraged President Madison to continue the war effort

Explanation

The Battle of New Orleans was fought between British forces and the Americans, led by Andrew Jackson. The Americans achieved a decisive victory that elicited a positive response of patriotic feeling and propelled Andrew Jackson to the status of a war hero. Unfortunately for posterity’s sake, the Battle occurred five days after the War of 1812 had officially ended; however, in that time, when news travelled reasonably slowly, the announcement of victory in New Orleans and the announcement of a signed peace occurred almost simultaneously. This gave the impression to many Americans that Jackson and his troops had ended the war and achieved American victory.

10

Andrew Jackson gained national notoriety as an army general in __________

the War of 1812.

the Revolutionary War.

the American Civil War.

the Mexican American War.

the Spanish American War.

Explanation

Andrew Jackson started his military career as teenage boy in the American Revolution, but never rosed past being a private. While spending time in the young Republic as a lawyer, planter, and slave trader, Jackson became involved in the Tennessee state militia. As a leader of the militia, Jackson led troops in 1814 against the Creek tribe in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and roundly defeated them. In 1815, Jackson led troops against the British at the Battle of New Orleans. While Jackson's victory there was widely celebrated, the battle actually occurred after the British had already surrendered in the War of 1812. Jackson's popularity as a military commander eventually helped propel him to the Presidency in 1828.

Page 1 of 2
Return to subject