U.S. HISTORY STAAR PRACTICE 1

Which historic document had the greatest influence on the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?

• The English Bill of Rights

• The Mayflower Compact

• The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• The Articles of Confederation

In the Articles of Confederation, where was most of the government power placed?

• The States
• The National Government
• The Continental Congress
• The Legislative Branch

Which branch has the responsibilty of interpreting laws? They say what laws mean and determine if a law is being obeyed.

• Administrative

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

Why did the Constitutional Convention agree to the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• To settle debates over the issue of counting the enslaved population for representation

• To settle debates over the issue of abolishing the importation of enslaved people

• To create a government based on the principle of federalism

• To create a government with a bicameral legislature

Why is Thomas Jefferson’s writing of the Declaration of Independence considered to be one of his greatest contributions to American history?

• He showed responsibility by outlining the structure for a new government.

• He helped define rights that would defeat tyranny.

• He developed a military plan to defeat the British.

• He outlined a strategy for acquiring the Louisiana Territory.

The colonies in yellow belong to what region?

• New England Colonies
• Middle Colonies
• Southern Colonies
• France

The Continental Congress set up the Northwest Ordinance to sell _______ to pay off the debt from the war.

• crops
• land
• slaves
• none of these

Why was the Third Amendment prohibiting the quartering of troops added to the U.S. Constitution?

• To address colonial treatment by the British military

• To maintain control over members of the British military

• To ensure the national government could pay for the U.S. military

• To reinforce the need for state militias in the United States

Why did President Washington give this advice about the future of U.S. foreign policy?

• To end European colonization in the Western Hemisphere

• To avoid being drawn into European wars

• To use trade embargoes to stay neutral

• To encourage economic growth through the transatlantic slave trade

How did the American colonies react to enforcement of the Intolerable Acts?

• By collecting funds to pay for the tea destroyed in Boston Harbor

• By sending ambassadors to France to request military aid

• By placing a tax on all goods imported from Great Britain

• By holding the First Continental Congress to discuss unified resistance