Name Period
US Presidencies: Washington to Jackson
Directions: The following questions are meant to focus your review of the presidencies from George
Washington to Andrew Jackson. Answer each multiple choice question and then explain why the answer is correct by providing specific historical evidence to support your choice. The first one has been done for you as an example. In the end, this will serve as your notes and review for a unit test on chapters 4-6 so I highly encourage you to put time and effort into your answers and your responses. I will be available during class time if you have questions.
Answer the following question Then, explain why the answer is correct by providing specific historical evidence to support your choice. 1. A major purpose of the president’s cabinet is to
(1) offer advice on important issues (2) nominate ambassadors
(3) conduct impeachment trials (4) regulate the amount of money in
circulation
The cabinet was a precedent established by George Washington as our first president. It was a group of advisors to the president, including the
Vice-President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of Treasury. Today, the presidential cabinet has grown to include 15 executive departments. The cabinet is often considered part of the unwritten constitution.
2. The decision of President George Washington to use the state militia to put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 demonstrated that the
(1) States were still dominant powers in the new nation
(2) President was becoming a military dictator
(3) Federal government had no authority to impose an excise tax
(4) New National Government intended to enforce federal laws
Direct tax imposed by Hamilton on the manufacture of whiskey - - angered westerners where whiskey served as a medium of exchange rebellion erupts in 1794: terrorized tax collectors, stopped court proceedings, robbed the mail, and destroyed whiskey making distilleries that paid the tax put down by the army: showed federal (central/national) governments commitment to enforcing laws
This is opposite of Shay’s Rebellion under the Articles of Confederation - - remember when the
Massachusetts farmers tried to rebell against taxes the federal government did not have any power to prevent an internal uprising, thus giving evidence that the Articles of Confederation was too weak and if left would threaten the independence and unity of our nation.
3. The outcome of the Whiskey Rebellion (1794) strengthened the authority of the
(1) national government (2) state governors (3) territorial legislatures (4) local police
4. How did Washington react to the conflict between France and England in 1793?
(1) He used the opportunity to begin the war for American independence. (2) He declared the neutrality of the US. (3) He aided the French because they
had supported the American Revolution.
(4) He negotiated a peace settlement between warring nations.
We have to remember that we are a new nation that just started building up an army and a navy… are we ready to fight against larger, more established countries??? Absolutely not! The best course of action is to remain neutral (keep to ourselves; don’t choose sides) and focus maintaining our
independence (by not getting sucked into a fight we cannot get out of) and on building up our economy and our power.
In this particular situation, we are going to try to continue to trade with both England and France since we have decided to remain neutral.
5. President Washington’s principal reason for issuing the Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) was to
(1) Repay France for help in the Revolutionary War
(2) Protect United States interests in the Caribbean area
(3) Safeguard the newly won independence
(4) Punish the British for failing to withdraw from American territory
6. President George Washington pursued a foreign policy of neutrality during his administration primarily because he believed that
(1) the United States needed time to gain economic and military strength (2) treaties were prohibited by the
Constitution
(3) the United States should not expand by force
(4) alliances should be established with both France and England
7. What was a major foreign policy goal of the United States during the first half of the 1800s?
(1) forming defense alliances with European nations
(2) establishing colonies in the Caribbean and Latin America
(3) maintaining neutrality while increasing foreign trade
”The great rule of conduct for us in regards to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have with them as little political connection as possible.” George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
8. This statement helped establish the US foreign policy called
(1) containment (2) internationalism (3) imperialism (4) neutrality
As a precedent George Washington issued a Farewell Address after his two-terms as president. The Farewell Address was meant to inform the nation about lessons he has learned/advice for the future of our country. He said: (1) beware of entangling alliances (in other words, stay neutral and do not get dragged into something you do not have a say over; in staying neutral you can protect your own security), (2) beware of sectionalism - - do not divide our country into the north and the south and the west… we are the UNITED States of America, and (3) beware of political parties.
9. In his Farewell Address. President Washington advised the nation to avoid permanent alliances because he believed that the US
(1) would risk its security by involvement in European affairs
(2) had no need for the products or markets of Europe
(3) possessed military power superior to any European nation
(4) needed to limit European immigration
10. In his Farewell Address, President George Washington warned against establishing alliances with European countries because he was concerned primarily about
(1) restrictions on trade with Latin America (2) French colonization of the Caribbean (3) United States involvement in foreign
wars
(4) protection of the western frontier
Base your answer to question 11 on the passage below and on your knowledge of social studies.
… Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate [connect] ourselves by artificial ties in the ordinary vicissitudes [changes] of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities[antagonisms].…
President George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796 11. According to the passage, President Washington
believed that the United States should
(1) seek financial aid from European nations (2) end all existing European friendships (3) avoid involvement in the political
disputes of Europe
12. Which heading best completes the partial outline below?
(1) The Spoils System (2) The American System (3) Hamilton’s Financial Plan (4) Constitutional Amendments
Alexander Hamilton was part of George Washington’s 1st cabinet as the secretary of the treasury. In this role, he created the nation’s financial plan which included the creation of a national bank, the full funding of the national debt (allow for the nation to have credit), and the collection of an excise tax on whiskey. He believed having a national bank would allow for a common currency and would therefore helped to stabilize the economy. He justified his actions with the use of the Elastic Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 a.k.a. the Necessary and Proper Clause) and in doing so created controversy with strict interpretationist, Thomas Jefferson that led to our first two political parties: Federalist and
Democratic-Republicans. 13. As Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton
was most noted for
(1) Devising a plan to pay off the nation’s debts and establishing a national bank
(2) Beginning a system to tax exports (3) Arranging necessary loans from
European nations
(4) Raising revenue from the sale of western lands
14. How did Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan affect the economy of the United States during the 1790s?
(1) National tax revenues decreased. (2) High tariffs increased foreign trade. (3) Treasury policies contributed to
widespread inflation.
(4) The newly created Bank of the United States helped stabilize the economy.
15. One reason James Madison and Thomas Jefferson objected to Alexander Hamilton’s financial policies was that they believed
(1) The establishment of a national bank was unconstitutional
(2) A laissez-faire policy would not help the country’s economy
(3) The government should encourage industrial development
(4) High tariffs were needed to protect America’s economic interests
Alexander Hamilton’s loose interpretation of the Constitution allowed him to justified his actions with the use of the Elastic Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 a.k.a. the Necessary and Proper Clause) and in doing so created controversy with strict
interpretationist, Thomas Jefferson, who felt the National Bank was unconstitutional as the power to create a bank was not written in the Constitution. I. _______________________________
16. A strict interpretation versus a loose interpretation of the Constitution was most evident in the debate over the
(1) creation of the Bank of the United States in 1791
(2) decision to declare war on Great Britain in 1812
(3) annexation of Florida in 1821 (4) issuance of the Monroe Doctrine in
1823
Alexander Hamilton’s loose interpretation of the Constitution allowed him to justified his actions with the use of the Elastic Clause (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 a.k.a. the Necessary and Proper Clause) and in doing so created controversy with strict
interpretationist, Thomas Jefferson, who felt the National Bank was unconstitutional as the power to create a bank was not written in the Constitution.
17. On the issue of creating a national bank, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton differed on whether to
(1) apply a strict or loose interpretation of the Constitution
(2) establish a tariff to raise revenue (3) use deposits to finance a new navy (4) issue loans to farmers
18. Conflict between the Jeffersonians and Hamiltonians over the interpretation of the constitution during Washington’s first administration led directly to the
(1) end of the Era of Good Feelings (2) decision to replace the Articles of
Confederation
(3) addition of the elastic clause to the Constitution
(4) start of the first political parties
Jefferson = Republicans
Hamilton = Federalists
19. The creation of the first political parties in the US resulted from the controversy over
(1) expanding slavery into the newly acquired territories
(2) interpreting the constitution (3) recognizing women’s equality (4) declaring independence from Great
Britain
20. In US History, which statement best represents the political ideology of Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists?
(1) Only the wealthy will survive in the economic system
(2) A strong central government is essential for the growth of the nation (3) No one should have to pay taxes on the
national government
Alien and Sedition Acts
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
21. These pieces of legislation reflected the conflict between
(1) Congress and the President (2) State’ rights and federal supremacy (3) The military and civilian government (4) The US Supreme Court and state courts
The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed during John Adams presidency as a way to limit the power of the Republicans (most aliens (immigrants) voted
Republican and under the new Alien Act, they would have to wait 14 years until they could vote).
Republicans did not agree with the Alien and Sedition Acts and therefore passed the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions as a state action to declare a federal law unconstitutional. In other words, the states were claiming the right to nullify federal laws they did not agree with. This marks the conflict between states’ rights and federal supremacy (authority) that will last to the Civil War.
22. The importance of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803) is that the Court
(1) decided on the legality of state taxation of federal property
(2) allowed for the influence of political parties in the passage of laws
(3) refused to expand federal power over interstate trade
(4) established the power of judicial review of federal laws
John Adams signed William Marbury in as one of the “midnight judges” before his term as president was over. William Marbury’s appointment was never delivered, he is suing for his appointment. He uses for justification the Judiciary Act of 1789. According to the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court has the power to issue writs of mandamus. In essence, the Judiciary Act of 1789 tried to change the constitution by giving the Supreme Court more power. You cannot change the constitution with a law(act), you need an amendment, therefore the Judiciary Act of 1789 was declared unconstitutional, marking the first use of the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional (exercising judicial review).
23. In Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Supreme Court established a precedent for
(1) judicial review
(2) the impeachment process for civil officers
(3) lifetime offices for justices (4) treaty ratification procedures
24. The decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was significant because it established that the Supreme Court
(1) had limited powers over state courts (2) had the power to choose its own
members
(3) could declare a federal law unconstitutional
25. Judicial review is most accurately described as the power of the
(1) president to override a decision of the Supreme Court
(2) state courts to overturn decisions of the Supreme Court
(3) Senate to approve all presidential appointments to federal courts (4) Supreme Court to determine the
constitutionality of laws
The Supreme Court is the keeper of the Constitution (the referee). It is their job to review laws/acts to make sure they uphold and are in-line with the provisions of the Constitution (the rule book) and if they are not, to declare them null and void
(unconstitutional).
26. Many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court while John Marshall was Chief Justice led directly to
(1) a reduction of federal influence in economic affairs
(2) an increase in the power of the federal government over the states
(3) a greater role for Congress in foreign policy
(4) a limitation on slavery in the states
Marbury vs. Madison is an example of one of the cases under John Marshall’s time as Chief Justice. This case established the power of judicial review, thereby strengthening the role of the judicial branch and the overall power of the federal government.
27. In deciding to purchase the Louisiana Purchase, President Thomas Jefferson had to overcome the problem of
(1) Obtaining the support of Western settlers
(2) Passing the constitutional amendment necessary to authorize the purchase (3) Avoiding a possible war with England
over the purchase
(4) Contradicting his belief in strict interpretation of the Constitution
Thomas Jefferson was a strict interpretationist of the constitution, which means he followed it word for word and thus, contradicted his belief when
purchasing the Louisiana Purchase because he did not have the written power (was not specifically given the power) to buy land… he ended up justifying his purchase by using his presidential power to make treaties.
28. On what grounds would strict constructionists of the US Constitution have questioned the purchase of the Louisiana Territory?
(1) It violated the guarantee of states’ rights
(2) The president was not specifically given the power to purchase new land (3) Congress was opposed to expansion
west of the Mississippi River (4) The Constitution applied only to the
29. One result of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory (1803) was that the United States (1) acquired California from Spain (2) gained control of the port of New
Orleans/the Mississippi River (3) ended border conflicts with British
Canada
(4) annexed Florida
Included control of the port of New Orleans and therefore the Mississippi River.
30. A geographic and economic motivation for the Louisiana Purchase (1803) was the desire to
(1) annex California
(2) secure land for the Erie Canal (3) control the port of New Orleans (4) own all of the Great Lakes
31. In the early 1800s, the Mississippi River was important to the United States because it
(1) served as a major highway for trade (2) led to wars between Great Britain
and Spain
(3) divided the Indian territories from the United States
(4) served as a border between the United States and Mexico
The Mississippi River is a very vital trade route… whoever controls the river, controls trade up and down the river.
“. . . I know too that it is a maxim [rule] with us, and I think it a wise one, not to entangle ourselveswith the affairs of Europe. . . .”
Thomas Jefferson, December 21, 1787, Library of Congress
32. Which document most clearly reflects the advice given in this statement?
(1) Albany Plan of Union (2) Articles of Confederation (3) Bill of Rights
(4) Washington’s Farewell Address
33. The War of 1812 has been called the “Second War for American Independence” primarily because the
(1) British blocked United States access to the port of New Orleans
(2) United States continued to resist taxes imposed by Great Britain (3) British government had never fully
respected the United States as a free nation
(4) United States and Great Britain had not signed a peace treaty after the Revolutionary War
We fought against Britain since Britain was (1) seizing our goods, (2) impressing our sailors, and (3) inciting Native American attacks on our borders. Having “won” we beat Britain for the second time, therefore securing our independence since Britain never fully respected our independence and bringing forward a surge in nationalism and prestige (street credit with other nations).
34. Because of their views on the War of 1812, the Federalist Party
(1) lost respect and died out. (2) took control of Congress.
(3) took control of the Supreme Court. (4) grew substantially in numbers.
During the War of 1812, the Federalist who opposed the war of 1812 met to determine at the Hartford Convention to determine what they could do independently of the US. They called for several constitutional amendments to increase the power of the New England region. Their actions were seen as disrespectful and repugnant at a time when the nation was celebrating its win and feeling good about the United States!
35. An example of a primary source of information about the War of 1812 would be a
(1) battle plan for the attack on Fort McHenry
(2) historical novel on the Battle of New Orleans
(3) movie on the life of President James Madison
(4) textbook passage on the naval engagements of the war
36. Alexander Hamilton’s proposal to create a
national bank and Thomas Jefferson’s proposal to purchase the Louisiana Territory were criticized because both actions would
(1) place too much power in the hands of Congress
(2) violate protections in the Bill of Rights
(3) increase foreign influence in the United States
(4) require a loose interpretation of the Constitution
Remember… Hamilton “stretched” the Constitution through use of the Elastic Clause to justify having a national bank and Jefferson “stretched” his power to make treaties to justify purchasing the Louisiana Territory… both required a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
37. During the 1790s, one way Congress applied the elastic clause was by
(1) establishing a national bank (2) creating a national postal system (3) adding Vermont and Kentucky as
states
(4) approving the Jay Treaty with Great Britain
Which one of these responses is not expressed in the Constitution?
(1) The creation of the national bank required the use of the elastic clause
(2) A power of Congress identified in Article I, Section 8
(3) Adding states is part of the law, the Northwest Ordinance
(4) Approving a treaty is a power of Senate as written in the pages of the Constitution
38. Which heading best completes the partial outline below?
(1) Unwritten Constitution (2) Constitutional Amendments (3) Electoral Process
(4) Checks and Balances
All of the options in the outline are part of our government because they are based on tradition versus an actual written requirement in the
Constitution; they are thus referred to as being part of the unwritten constitution. Washington’s cabinet is one of the biggest examples of the unwritten constitution at work.
39. Which headline illustrates the use of the unwritten constitution?
(1) “Washington Establishes a Cabinet”
(2) “House Votes to Impeach Andrew
Johnson”
(3) “Senate Rejects the Treaty of Versailles”
40. Which presidential action is an example of the use of the unwritten constitution?
(1) holding a cabinet meeting at the White House
(2) submitting a treaty to the Senate for ratification
(3) nominating an ambassador to France (4) vetoing a bill passed by Congress
41. Which presidential action is an example of the use of the unwritten constitution?
(1) signing a law passed by Congress (2) calling a meeting of the cabinet (3) ordering the navy to patrol the
Persian Gulf
(4) nominating a federal court judge
42. One similarity in the foreign policies of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe was that they
(1) Favored France over England (2) Promoted colonial expansion (3) Came to the defense of Latin
American nations
(4) Sought to avoid involvement in European political struggles
Washington’s Farewell Address = avoid entangling alliances be neutral; Jefferson = embargo act be neutral; Monroe = Monroe Doctrine (prevent
European powers from colonizing in the Western Hemisphere to prevent conflict) be neutral.
43. “We should consider any attempt on the part of the European powers to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety.” This quotation states a principle of
(1) Monroe’s foreign policy as described in the Monroe Doctrine
(2) Clay’s beliefs as outlined in the American System
(3) The Dominion of Canada (4) The United Provinces of Central
America
The Monroe Doctrine prevented further colonization by European powers in the western hemisphere in an effort to avoid conflict and safeguard US national interests - - no power of enforcement but marked the beginning of the long-term American policy of
44. The Monroe Doctrine declared that the United States would
(1) prevent the establishment of new European colonies anywhere in the world.
(2) help colonies in North and South America adopt a democratic form of government.
(3) view European interference in the Americas as a threat to U.S. national interests.
(4) prevent other nations from trading with South American nations.
45. As a result of the Monroe Doctrine the United States was able to
(1) form military alliances with European nations
(2) increase trade with Africa
(3) expand its influence in the Western Hemisphere
(4) colonize much of South America
46. In the Adams-Onis Treaty, the US gained (1) North Carolina
(2) California (3) Florida (4) Oregon
Base your answer to question 47 on the excerpt from an address to the Cherokee Nation below and on your knowledge of social studies.
Cherokees! The president of the United States has sent me, with a powerful army, to cause you, in obedience to the treaty of 1835, to join that part of your people who are already established in prosperity on the other side of the Mississippi.— Unhappily, the two years which were allowed for the purpose, you have suffered to pass away without following, and without making any preparations to follow; and now, or by the time that this solemn address shall reach your distant settlements, the emigration must be commenced in haste, but, I hope, without disorder. I have no power, by granting a further delay, to correct the error that you have committed. The full moon of May is already on the wane [decline]; and before another shall have passed away, every Cherokee man, woman, and child, in those states, must be in motion to join their brethren in the far west.… General Winfield Scott, 1838
47. The immediate result of the action demanded in this passage was the
(1) creation of the Underground Railroad (2) expansion of the rights of Native
American Indians
(3) start of the Trail of Tears march to the Oklahoma Territory
(4) assimilation of Native American Indians into mainstream American culture
During Jackson’s presidency, the Indian Removal Act provided money for relocating Native Americans west of the Mississippi River. In the Supreme Court ruling, Worchester v. Georgia, the Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Indians were entitled to their land. Jackson refused to enforce the ruling and instead forced removal, thus beginning the Trail of Tears.
48. Which Supreme Court decision is most closely associated with the Trail of Tears?
(1) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (2) Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) (3) Worcester v. Georgia (1832) (4) Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
49. As a result of President Andrew Jackson’s policies, Native American Indians were
(1) Relocated to reservations in Mexico (2) Forcibly removed to areas west of
the Mississippi River
(3) Gradually allowed to return to their ancestral lands
50. During the 19th century, the expansion of the population of the U.S. affected the lives of the Native Americans in that most Indians
(1) moved to urban areas in large numbers.
(2) sought to form alliances with other minority groups.
(3) were forced to move westward. (4) chose to adopt the culture of the
white settlers.
51. Regarding the Native Americans, President Jackson favored
(1) upholding Cherokee rights
(2) removal to the trans-Mississippi area (3) supporting the Supreme Court
decision in the Georgia case
(4) allowing Congressional control of the situation
52. President Andrew Jackson’s policy toward Native American Indians was created to
(1) encourage Native American Indians to become part of mainstream American society
(2) force Native American Indians to move west of the Mississippi River (3) improve educational opportunities
for Native American Indians
(4) grant citizenship to Native American Indians
53. Which of these developments is implied when we speak of the Jacksonian Revolution in politics?
(1) That the government became more sensitive to the interests and influences of the people
(2) That the executive branch of the Federal Government became subordinate to the legislative branch (3) That the control of the Federal
Government passed from the southern states to the northern states
(4) That the influence of the West in politics was greatly lessened
54. President Andrew Jackson used the spoils system to (1) Veto bills he disliked
(2) Enforce Supreme Court decisions (3) Move Native American Indians off their
traditional lands
(4) Provide jobs to political party supporters
With the spoils system, to the victor belongs the spoils, a system of rewarding the supporters of the winning candidate with government positions. This, however, also opens up room for corruption in political office and today is controlled through the Civil Service Exam.
55. During the 1830s, the development of a national two-party political system was mainly the result of
(1) conflicts over the use of the Monroe Doctrine
(2) debates over the National Bank and tariffs
(3) disputes over the Oregon boundary (4) controversy over the Indian Removal
Act
In the tail end of the Era of Good Feelings (marked by one political party – the Democratic-Republicans), differences over the extension of the National Bank and tariffs led to the creation of an additional political party.
“Jackson Replaces Many Government Workers With His Supporters”
“Jackson Vetoes Bank Recharter Bill for Political Reasons”
“Jackson Refuses to Enforce Worcester v. Georgia Decision”
56. Which conclusion about President Andrew Jackson is most consistent with these headlines?
(1) He allowed Congress to decide controversial issues.
(2) He expanded presidential powers. (3) He demonstrated weakness in dealing
with domestic issues.
(4) He relied on the Supreme Court to settle disputes.
