Chapter Nine
Nation building and nationalism
Multiple Choice
1. The first goal of expansionists in the United States after 1815 was to ________.
A) obtain the Pacific Northwest from Great Britain
B) obtain Florida from Spain
C) acquire the former French colony of Louisiana
D) develop the trans-Appalachian West
E) eradicate the Native Americans
Answer: B
Rationale:
After 1815, expansionist efforts in the United States initially focused on obtaining Florida
from Spain. This goal stemmed from the desire to secure territorial control over the region,
address border disputes, and eliminate threats posed by Native American resistance and
escaped slaves seeking refuge in Florida.
2. The Adams-Onís Treaty ________.
A) excluded Spain from the North American continent
B) reduced British influence in Florida
C) granted the Northwest Territory to the United States
D) weakened the Spanish position in Latin America
E) made Florida a U.S. territory
Answer: E
Rationale:
The Adams-Onís Treaty, also known as the Transcontinental Treaty of 1819, resulted in Spain
ceding Florida to the United States. This agreement effectively transferred control of Florida
to the U.S., resolving border disputes and paving the way for American territorial expansion
in the Southeast.
3. After 1815, the United States ________.
A) grew rapidly in size and population
B) was threatened by foreign invasion
C) revised its form of government
D) was unable to expand its economy
E) invaded and occupied Canada
Answer: A
Rationale:
After 1815, the United States experienced rapid growth in both size and population as a result
of territorial expansion, immigration, and internal development. This period marked a
significant expansion of U.S. territory, particularly westward, as well as a surge in population
due to immigration and natural increase.
4. By the mid-1820s, the Cherokee had each of the following EXCEPT ________.
A) a written language
B) a written constitution providing a republican form of government
C) a system of slavery regulated by law
D) a military force capable of defending their lands against white encroachment
E) a salaried government bureaucracy
Answer: D
Rationale:
By the mid-1820s, the Cherokee Nation had developed significant institutional structures,
including a written language, a written constitution providing a republican form of
government, a system of slavery regulated by law, and a salaried government bureaucracy.
However, they lacked a military force capable of effectively defending their lands against
white encroachment, which eventually led to their forced removal from their ancestral
territory along the Trail of Tears.
5. The ________ nation included peoples of both Native American and African origins.
A) Algonquin
B) Seminole
C) Cherokee
D) Apache
E) Choctaw
Answer: B
Rationale:
The Seminole nation included peoples of both Native American and African origins. This
heterogeneous population comprised Native Americans from various Southeastern tribes,
such as the Creek, Miccosukee, and others, as well as escaped African slaves who sought
refuge among the Seminole and formed communities within the tribe.
6. The last resistance of Indians to white settlement in the Old Northwest came in 1831–1832
under Chief ________.
A) Tecumseh
B) Sitting Bull
C) Osceola
D) Black Hawk
E) Rain-in-Face
Answer: D
Rationale:
The last resistance of Indians to white settlement in the Old Northwest came in 1831–1832
under Chief Black Hawk. This conflict, known as the Black Hawk War, involved the Sauk
and Fox tribes' attempt to resist forced removal from their lands in present-day Illinois and
Wisconsin.
7. The first great federal transportation project was the ________.
A) National Road
B) Lancaster Turnpike
C) Erie Canal
D) transcontinental railroad
E) Union and Pacific Railroad
Answer: A
Rationale:
The first great federal transportation project in the United States was the National Road, also
known as the Cumberland Road. Authorized by Congress in 1806, the National Road was the
first major improved highway built by the federal government, connecting Cumberland,
Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia.
8. Which of the following forms of transportation predominated before the 1820s and 1830s?
A) national road systems
B) canal systems
C) steamboats
D) flatboats
E) railroads
Answer: D
Rationale:
Before the 1820s and 1830s, flatboats predominated as a form of transportation in the United
States. Flatboats, also known as broadhorn, were flat-bottomed boats used for transporting
goods and passengers on rivers and waterways, particularly in regions where roads were
scarce or undeveloped.
9. The most spectacular engineering achievement of the young United States was the
________.
A) Cumberland Trail
B) Erie Canal
C) Intercoastal Waterway
D) Baltimore Turnpike
E) Washington Monument
Answer: B
Rationale:
The most spectacular engineering achievement of the young United States was the Erie
Canal. Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal was a monumental feat of engineering that
connected the Great Lakes region to the Hudson River and New York City, significantly
reducing transportation costs and facilitating economic growth and development in the
Midwest and Northeast.
10. Which of the following statements about canals in early nineteenth-century America is
NOT true?
A) They linked the Atlantic coastal cities to the lakes and rivers of the interior.
B) Most of them proved to be unprofitable.
C) They could not compete successfully with railroads.
D) Their construction was paid for through a combination of state funding and private
investment.
E) Spectacular canal boat accidents claimed many lives.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Option E is correct because while accidents did occur on canals, they were not so widespread
or catastrophic as to claim "many lives" in a manner suggested by the statement. Canals were
generally safer modes of transportation compared to other alternatives available at the time.
While accidents did happen, they were not of such a magnitude as to result in significant loss
of life across the canal networks. Therefore, this statement does not accurately reflect the
historical reality of canal transportation in early nineteenth-century America.
11. Which one of the following was NOT a southern staple by about 1820?
A) cotton
B) rice
C) sugar
D) indigo
E) tobacco
Answer: D
Rationale:
Indigo was not a southern staple by about 1820. While cotton, rice, sugar, and tobacco were
major cash crops cultivated in the southern United States during this period, indigo
cultivation had significantly declined due to competition from cheaper sources in other parts
of the world.
12. Under the ________ system, manufacturers provided raw materials to people in their own
homes and then picked up the finished products for distribution.
A) finishing-off
B) mass production
C) piece work
D) putting-out
E) cottage industry
Answer: D
Rationale:
Under the putting-out system, also known as the domestic system or workshop system,
manufacturers provided raw materials to individuals or families working in their own homes
(cottage industry) and then collected the finished products for distribution and sale. This
system was commonly used in early industrialization to facilitate production.
13. The great showplace for early American industrialization was ________.
A) New York, New York
B) Boston, Massachusetts
C) Lowell, Massachusetts
D) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
E) Burlington, Vermont
Answer: C
Rationale:
Lowell, Massachusetts, was the great showplace for early American industrialization. It
emerged as a prominent center for textile manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution,
with large-scale textile mills powered by water from the Merrimack River. The Lowell mills
became renowned for their efficiency and innovation in textile production.
14. Which of the following groups was initially a primary source of labor for the textile
mills?
A) young single women
B) young single men
C) children
D) immigrants
E) African Americans
Answer: A
Rationale:
Young single women were initially a primary source of labor for the textile mills. The early
textile mills, such as those in Lowell, Massachusetts, recruited young women from rural areas
to work in factory conditions, offering them employment opportunities and wages outside of
traditional domestic roles.
15. Industrialization transformed women’s work by ________.
A) introducing a new area of expertise
B) changing where women worked
C) transferring women’s work to men
D) turning the household into a production center
E) reducing women’s household duties
Answer: B
Rationale:
Industrialization transformed women's work by changing where women worked. With the
rise of factory-based industries during the Industrial Revolution, many women transitioned
from working primarily within households or agricultural settings to working in factories and
mills, contributing to the growing urban workforce.
16. Many Americans believed high tariffs would ________.
A) enhance America’s image abroad
B) prevent competition from foreign goods
C) meet the demands of American farmers
D) prevent political differences from arising
E) take money out of their own pockets
Answer: B
Rationale:
Many Americans believed high tariffs would prevent competition from foreign goods. High
tariffs, such as those imposed by the Tariff of 1816 and subsequent tariff acts, were intended
to protect domestic industries from foreign competition by imposing taxes on imported
goods, thereby encouraging consumers to buy domestically produced goods.
17. The president most closely identified with the Era of Good Feeling was ________.
A) James Monroe
B) James Madison
C) John Quincy Adams
D) Thomas Jefferson
E) Andrew Jackson
Answer: A
Rationale:
The president most closely identified with the Era of Good Feeling was James Monroe.
Monroe's presidency, from 1817 to 1825, coincided with a period of relative political
harmony and economic prosperity in the United States, characterized by a sense of national
unity and optimism following the War of 1812.
18. Which of the following was NOT an aspect of the Missouri Compromise of 1820?
A) No more slave states could be created north of the southern boundary of the Missouri
Compromise line.
B) Missouri was admitted as a slave state on the condition that slavery be phased out over a
period of time.
C) Maine was split off from Massachusetts and admitted as a free state.
D) Northern and southern congressmen split along sectional lines on this issue.
E) Adroit political maneuvering by Henry Clay got the compromise through the House of
Representatives.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is incorrect because the Missouri Compromise did not entail Missouri's admission
as a slave state on the condition that slavery be phased out over time. Instead, Missouri was
admitted as a slave state without any conditions related to the future of slavery within its
borders.
19. As chief justice of the Supreme Court, John Marshall ________.
A) promoted the growth of state sovereignty
B) supported the attainment of political and social equality
C) emphasized the primacy of property and property rights
D) abandoned his Federalist sympathies
E) began the tradition of wearing four gold stripes on the sleeves of his robes
Answer: C
Rationale:
John Marshall, as chief justice of the Supreme Court, emphasized the primacy of property
and property rights. His decisions, such as those in cases like Marbury v. Madison and
Dartmouth College v. Woodward, often protected property rights and established the
supremacy of federal law over state law.
20. Which of the following was not a decision of the Marshall Court?
A) Gibbons v. Ogden
B) Dartmouth College v. Woodward
C) Dred Scott v. Sandford
D) McCulloch v. Maryland
E) Marbury v. Madison
Answer: C
Rationale:
Dred Scott v. Sandford was not a decision of the Marshall Court. This case was heard by the
Supreme Court under Chief Justice Roger B. Taney in 1857. The decision in Dred Scott v.
Sandford ruled that African Americans, whether free or enslaved, could not be considered
American citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court.
21. McCulloch v. Maryland involved questions regarding ________.
A) the national bank
B) internal improvements
C) the role of the U.S. Congress
D) the chartering of private corporations
E) timber rights
Answer: A
Rationale:
McCulloch v. Maryland involved questions regarding the national bank. The case addressed
the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States and the power of the federal
government to establish a national bank under the Necessary and Proper Clause of the
Constitution.
22. According to the decision of Gibbons v. Ogden, which of these would regulate interstate
commerce?
A) the executive branch
B) Congress
C) the Supreme Court
D) the individual states
E) the judicial branch
Answer: B
Rationale:
According to the decision of Gibbons v. Ogden, Congress would regulate interstate
commerce. This landmark Supreme Court case established that the power to regulate
interstate commerce fell under the authority of the federal government, specifically Congress,
rather than individual states.
23. The main diplomatic challenge facing James Monroe in 1820 was ________.
A) the continuing threat of English intervention in the United States
B) the development of trading rights with Latin America
C) establishing friendly relations with France
D) responding to the revolt of Spain’s Latin American colonies
E) the “Native American problem”
Answer: D
Rationale:
The main diplomatic challenge facing James Monroe in 1820 was responding to the revolt of
Spain's Latin American colonies. This challenge involved navigating the complexities of the
Latin American independence movements while maintaining diplomatic relations with
European powers and promoting U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
24. In 1823, John Quincy Adams believed the nation should ________.
A) form an alliance with the British
B) avoid involvement in European affairs
C) create an alliance with the newly independent Latin American nations
D) control the affairs of the Western Hemisphere
E) wrest control of New Orleans from the Spanish
Answer: B
Rationale:
In 1823, John Quincy Adams believed the nation should avoid involvement in European
affairs. This sentiment was reflected in his foreign policy approach, which prioritized
neutrality and non-intervention in the political affairs of Europe while focusing on the
expansion of U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
25. The foreign policy initiative calling for an end to all European colonization efforts in the
Western Hemisphere was known as the ________.
A) Monroe Doctrine
B) Adams-Onís Agreement
C) Continental Treaty 1818
D) Webster-Ashburton Treaty
E) American System
Answer: A
Rationale:
The correct answer is option A, the Monroe Doctrine. This doctrine was introduced by
President James Monroe in 1823 and stated that the United States would oppose any further
colonization efforts or interference by European powers in the affairs of the independent
nations of the Americas. It aimed to prevent European intervention in Latin American
countries that had recently gained independence from Spain and Portugal. The Monroe
Doctrine asserted the United States' dominance in the Western Hemisphere and set the stage
for its emergence as a global power. Options B, C, D, and E are incorrect because they refer
to different treaties and policies with distinct objectives and contexts.
26. How are expansion and migration after 1812 in the U.S. related?
A) As the U.S. expanded, people immigrated to these areas.
B) Expansion was caused primarily by the pressure of migration.
C) As the U.S. expanded its borders, people migrated to these new areas.
D) Expansion and migration are both direct results of improved water transportation after
1812.
E) Expansion and migration are both direct results of improved land transportation after
1812.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because as the United States expanded its borders through territorial
acquisitions such as the Louisiana Purchase and the annexation of Texas, Oregon, and the
Mexican Cession, people migrated to these newly acquired areas in search of land, economic
opportunities, and new beginnings. Expansion created opportunities for migration as settlers
moved westward to claim land, establish communities, and participate in the nation's
westward growth.
27. How did expansion affect men like John Jacob Astor?
A) As free African Americans, men like Astor could settle in the West and make a life for
themselves.
B) As displaced Native Americans, men like Astor could relocate in the newly acquired land
of the West or Florida making a new life for themselves.
C) Expansion gave entrepreneurs like Astor the opportunity to create prosperous immigrant
neighborhoods like Astoria, New York.
D) Expansion gave entrepreneurs like Astor the opportunity to create prosperous companies
in the West.
E) Expansion gave immigrants like Astor the opportunity to work hard in an industrial mill
and one day save enough money to start their own business.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Option D is correct because expansion provided entrepreneurs like John Jacob Astor with the
opportunity to establish prosperous companies in the West. Astor, for example, capitalized on
the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest and established the American Fur Company, which
became one of the largest and most successful fur trading enterprises in the early 19th
century. Expansion created new markets, resources, and economic opportunities that savvy
businessmen like Astor could exploit for profit.
28. What does it mean that some Americans believed the U.S. had “continental destiny”?
A) It meant that some Americans believed that the U.S. should control all of the North
American continent.
B) It meant that some Americans believed that the U.S. should expand from the East coast to
the West coast, controlling all the lands in between.
C) It meant that some Americans believed that the U.S. should support Latin American
countries fighting for their independence.
D) It meant that some Americans believed that the U.S. should join with continental Europe
to fight the British Empire.
E) It meant that some Americans believed that the U.S. should join with the continental
European countries that opposed Latin American independence.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is correct because the belief in "continental destiny" referred to the idea that the
United States was destined to expand its territory from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific
Ocean, thereby controlling all the lands in between. This concept, often associated with the
idea of Manifest Destiny, fueled the westward expansion of the United States during the 19th
century, leading to the acquisition of vast territories and the fulfillment of the vision of a
nation stretching from coast to coast.
29. How did preemption affect migration?
A) More people migrated when assured that preemption would allow them to own the land
they had improved.
B) It allowed Native Americans the right to refuse to leave land they had improved in Florida
to settle in the West.
C) It gave land speculators the first rights to purchase public domain land, encouraging
speculators to migrate west.
D) It allowed the government to seize land from farmers, discouraging people from moving
west.
E) It permitted squatters to occupy Native American camps while they were migrating for
seasonal hunting or gathering trips.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Option A is correct because preemption, which allowed settlers to claim and purchase land
they had improved, encouraged migration by providing individuals with the opportunity to
acquire and own land in the expanding western territories. The assurance of land ownership
incentivized settlers to move westward, cultivate the land, and establish communities,
knowing that their efforts would be rewarded with property rights.
30. How did pressure to settle western lands change the nature of Indian removal as first
planned by Thomas Jefferson?
A) The process was entirely voluntary.
B) Native Americans had no say in the process.
C) Indians who chose to adopt white ways were not allowed to remain.
D) Removal happened much earlier than planned.
E) Jefferson had planned for only small groups to migrate west.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because the pressure to settle western lands led to a shift in the nature of
Indian removal policies, with a focus on removing Native American tribes from their
ancestral lands to make way for white settlement and economic development. Unlike Thomas
Jefferson's original vision of gradual and voluntary Native American migration to the West,
the actual implementation of Indian removal policies, such as the Indian Removal Act of
1830 under President Andrew Jackson, forcibly relocated Native American tribes,
disregarding their rights and cultural autonomy in favor of white expansionism.
31. Why was the “civilization” of Native Americans tragic?
A) Some Native Americans refused to become civilized, so they were murdered by white
Americans.
B) Many Native Americans tried to use civilized means like protests and boycotts to
influence the U.S. government for their rights but failed.
C) Few Native Americans wanted to become “civilized” because it meant giving up their
culture in exchange for land and citizenship.
D) Most Native Americans were unable to demonstrate aspects of civilization: literature, art,
or organized society.
E) Some Native Americans sacrificed their culture to try to assimilate into white society and
still they weren’t accepted or granted rights.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Option E is correct because the "civilization" efforts imposed on Native Americans were
tragic as they often required Indigenous peoples to abandon their cultural heritage, languages,
and traditional ways of life in an attempt to assimilate into white society. Despite sacrificing
their culture, many Native Americans still faced discrimination, marginalization, and
violence, highlighting the tragic consequences of forced assimilation policies.
32. What did Native Americans and African Americans have in common in the early
nineteenth century?
A) Both were enslaved by white Americans and used as cheap agricultural labor.
B) Both successfully resisted white American dominance with peaceful protests and
lobbying.
C) Both successfully resisted white American dominance with violence, often joining
together to do so.
D) Both were denied their citizenship and freedom in most areas of the United States.
E) Both successfully obtained their citizenship and freedom in most areas of the United
States.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Option D is correct because both Native Americans and African Americans in the early
nineteenth century were denied their citizenship and freedom in most areas of the United
States. Both groups faced systemic oppression, discrimination, and dispossession of their
lands and rights by white Americans, resulting in their marginalized status within American
society.
33. When President James Madison talked about the need for “internal improvements,” he
was referring to ________.
A) improved reservations for Native American tribes
B) reconstruction of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
C) construction of a national transportation system
D) more efficient method of moving proposed legislation through Congress
E) development of the land beyond the Appalachians
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because when President James Madison talked about the need for
"internal improvements," he was referring to the construction of a national transportation
system, including roads, canals, and infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation
and communication within the United States. Madison believed that such improvements were
essential for national unity, economic growth, and the development of the western frontier.
34. How did transportation affect industry and agriculture in the early nineteenth century?
A) Improved land and water transportation changed the U.S. from an agricultural to an
industrial society.
B) Improved land and water transportation allowed the U.S. to develop more industry and
create a cash crop agricultural system.
C) Developments in land and water transportation were slow so the U.S. remained an
agricultural society with virtually no industry.
D) Because land transportation was so poor, water transportation caused industry and
agriculture to be confined to the East coast.
E) Because water transportation was cheaper than land transportation, industry soon replaced
agriculture in the U.S.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is correct because improved land and water transportation facilitated the
development of industry and agriculture in the early nineteenth century by providing efficient
means of transporting goods, raw materials, and produce to markets. Better transportation
networks allowed industries to access resources and distribute products more easily, leading
to the growth of manufacturing centers. Additionally, improved transportation enabled
farmers to expand their markets and cultivate cash crops for export, transforming agricultural
practices in the United States.
35. Why did America experience rapid economic development in the early nineteenth
century?
A) a high level of federal support
B) the rapid establishment of a strong manufacturing base
C) the nation’s river network permitted economic development
D) the absence of international economic competition
E) the development of web presses for printing money
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because America experienced rapid economic development in the early
nineteenth century due to the nation's extensive river network, which facilitated
transportation, trade, and commerce. Rivers served as natural highways, allowing goods and
passengers to be transported more efficiently across the country. This network of waterways
connected inland areas to coastal ports and international markets, promoting economic
growth, expansion of trade, and the development of industries along riverbanks.
36. The development of profitable commercial agriculture resulted from all of the following
EXCEPT ________.
A) the availability of good land
B) the revolution in marketing
C) improvements in agricultural technology
D) the extension of transportation facilities
E) generous government subsidies to encourage increased production
Answer: E
Rationale:
Option E is correct because the development of profitable commercial agriculture in the early
nineteenth century resulted from factors such as the availability of good land, improvements
in agricultural technology, the extension of transportation facilities (such as roads and canals),
and the revolution in marketing. While government policies and subsidies may have
influenced agricultural production to some extent, the profitability of commercial agriculture
was primarily driven by market demand, technological innovations, and access to
transportation networks.
37. What was the relationship between industrialization and urbanization in the early 1800s?
A) Urbanization was often the product of industrialization.
B) Industrialization caused major urban areas to shrink.
C) Both were the product of population expansion.
D) Urbanization and industrialization both experienced a decline in the 1820s.
E) Urbanization was initially hampered by industrialization.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Option A is correct because industrialization in the early 1800s often led to urbanization as
factories and manufacturing centers attracted workers from rural areas to cities in search of
employment opportunities. The growth of industries such as textiles, ironworks, and mining
spurred the development of urban centers where factories were concentrated. This influx of
people into cities fueled population growth, infrastructure development, and the expansion of
urban areas, making urbanization a common outcome of industrialization during this period.
38. The economic revolution in the United States between 1810 and 1840 was one of
________. A) design
B) technology
C) handwork
D) production
E) distribution
Answer: E
Rationale:
Option E is correct because the economic revolution in the United States between 1810 and
1840 was primarily characterized by advancements in distribution and transportation
networks that facilitated the movement of goods, resources, and products across the country.
This period saw the expansion of markets, the development of trade routes, and
improvements in infrastructure such as roads, canals, and railways, which transformed the
nation's economy by enhancing the efficiency of distribution and enabling widespread
commercial exchange.
39. Why did interest in national politics wane in the early nineteenth century?
A) Many people began to believe that all politicians, especially those far removed from their
constituency, were corrupt.
B) Most people were focused on state politics because of a rise in political parties and
internal strife.
C) Many people were distracted by the changes in the Supreme Court and paid less attention
to national politics.
D) A period of satisfaction with events followed the War of 1812.
E) Many people still distrusted a strong central government and therefore wanted to develop
their state governments rather than the federal one.
Answer: D
Rationale:
Option D is correct because a period of satisfaction followed the War of 1812, leading to a
decreased interest in national politics. The end of the war brought about a sense of national
pride and unity, reducing the urgency for political engagement at the federal level. With the
major external threat of British intervention resolved, people turned their focus to other
matters, including state-level politics and economic development, contributing to a decline in
interest in national political affairs.
40. Why was James Monroe elected in both 1816 and 1820, in spite of fierce debate over the
Missouri Compromise?
A) Monroe was on the winning side in the debate.
B) Monroe took no part in the controversy.
C) Monroe changed sides rapidly during the controversy.
D) Monroe set out a clear agenda, and then pursued it to a successful conclusion.
E) The president worked behind the scenes, using proxies to achieve his goals.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is correct because James Monroe took no direct part in the controversy surrounding
the Missouri Compromise. His stance on the issue was not a significant factor in his
reelection in both 1816 and 1820. Instead, Monroe's popularity and the absence of strong
opposition contributed to his successful reelection bids. His presidency was marked by a
period of relative tranquility and political stability known as the "Era of Good Feelings,"
which helped secure his electoral victories.
41. How did the Missouri Compromise impact slavery?
A) It put a final time limit on the institution in the South.
B) It demonstrated that the federal government didn’t care about slavery.
C) It ensured that slavery would remain indefinitely.
D) It put a final end to the slave trade if not the institution of slavery in the U.S.
E) It reduced the number of states where slavery was legal.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because the Missouri Compromise ensured that slavery would remain a
divisive issue in the United States by allowing slavery to continue in existing slave states and
territories south of the compromise line (36°30' parallel). While it temporarily maintained a
balance between slave and free states, it also established a precedent for future compromises
that attempted to address the expansion of slavery into new territories, perpetuating the
institution's existence and contributing to sectional tensions.
42. How did the Missouri Compromise impact the future of North-South relations in the
U.S.?
A) It put off major conflict to a future time.
B) It resolved major North-South conflicts about slavery.
C) It increased North-South conflict about slavery.
D) It changed North-South conflict from political maneuvers to violent conflict.
E) It changed the source of North-South conflict from economics to slavery.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Option A is correct because the Missouri Compromise temporarily postponed major conflict
between the North and South over the issue of slavery by establishing a geographic boundary
(the 36°30' parallel) for the expansion of slavery into new territories. However, it did not
resolve the underlying tensions between the two regions, and disputes over slavery continued
to simmer, eventually erupting into the Civil War decades later. The compromise merely
delayed, rather than permanently resolved, the North-South conflicts regarding slavery.
43. John Marshall was extremely influential in interpreting ________.
A) the role of the presidency
B) the extent of executive privilege
C) the Constitution
D) Congress’ role in national politics
E) the role of political parties
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because John Marshall was extremely influential in interpreting the
Constitution as the chief justice of the Supreme Court. His landmark decisions, such as
Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland, helped shape the principles of
constitutional law and established the doctrine of judicial review, affirming the Supreme
Court's authority to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws
enacted by Congress or actions taken by the executive branch.
44. How did John Marshall influence the United States?
A) He created the first commercial steam ship, proving that people and freight can move by
steam power.
B) He brokered the Adams-Onís Treaty, granting the U.S. the fertile land of Florida.
C) He influenced the future of the institution of slavery in the U.S. by convincing congress to
pass the Missouri Compromise.
D) He influenced the future of the U.S. and Latin America through his Supreme Court rulings
like the Monroe Doctrine.
E) He influenced the future of the U.S. economy through his Supreme Court rulings.
Answer: E
Rationale:
Option E is correct because John Marshall influenced the future of the U.S. economy through
his landmark Supreme Court rulings, particularly those related to economic matters such as
contracts, property rights, and interstate commerce. Marshall's decisions, such as McCulloch
v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden, expanded the scope of federal power, strengthened the
authority of the national government over state governments, and provided a legal framework
supportive of economic development and commercial interests, thereby shaping the future
trajectory of the U.S. economy.
45. Henry Clay’s American system envisioned _________.
A) the triumph of the Monroe Doctrine
B) the end of the canal boom
C) rapid Indian removal
D) a strong federal role in the economy
E) the demise of slavery
Answer: D
Rationale:
Option D is correct because Henry Clay's American system envisioned a strong federal role
in the economy, emphasizing the promotion of economic nationalism and the development of
domestic infrastructure through federal initiatives. Clay advocated for policies such as
protective tariffs to stimulate domestic manufacturing, internal improvements (such as roads
and canals) to facilitate trade and transportation, and the establishment of a national bank to
stabilize the financial system and promote economic growth. The American system aimed to
promote economic growth, industrialization, and national unity through federal intervention
and investment in economic development projects.
46. Why didn’t Great Britain support the rest of the European continent in their Latin
American policies?
A) Independent Latin American countries offered better economic opportunities for British
products.
B) Great Britain didn’t want to lose its colonies in Africa, so it opposed any independent
colonies in Latin America.
C) Great Britain hoped to re-colonize most of the Latin American nations once the Spanish
and Portuguese were kicked out.
D) Great Britain had learned that colonial wars were expensive and impossible to win.
E) Great Britain respected Latin American nations’ rights.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Option A is correct because independent Latin American countries offered better economic
opportunities for British products. By supporting the independence movements in Latin
America, Great Britain could expand its trade relations with these newly formed nations,
accessing markets that were previously controlled by Spain and Portugal. Additionally,
British merchants saw potential benefits in trading with Latin American countries free from
colonial restrictions, leading to a lack of support from Great Britain for the rest of the
European continent in their Latin American policies.
47. Why did the Era of Good Feeling end?
A) The United States could not sustain continued economic growth; financial institutions
began to crumble.
B) Nonpartisan cooperation could not be sustained through disagreements of how
government should be involved in social and economic changes.
C) The United States could not maintain peaceful relations with European countries intent on
continuing colonial rule in Latin America.
D) Poor road transportation made it difficult to unite the West with the East of the United
States, causing poor communication and political divisions.
E) The Supreme Court’s focus on protection of individual liberty produced political, social,
and economic inequalities that greatly weakened the nation.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is correct because nonpartisan cooperation could not be sustained through
disagreements about how government should be involved in social and economic changes.
The Era of Good Feeling, characterized by political unity and relative harmony, came to an
end as political divisions emerged over issues such as the role of the federal government in
economic development, the establishment of protective tariffs, and debates over internal
improvements. These disagreements led to the formation of political factions and the
reemergence of partisan politics, signaling the end of the era of national consensus and unity.
48. How does this statement from Monroe’s inaugural fail to address American reality?
“Their citizens individually have been happy and the nation prosperous.”
A) Few people were truly happy in the U.S. during the first few decades of the nineteenth
century.
B) The nation was only prosperous because it exploited immigrants and weaker North
American neighbors.
C) Only those who were citizens (white males) were able to be happy and prosperous; Native
and African Americans were denied these opportunities.
D) Monroe was addressing politicians, the only truly happy citizens of the U.S. and the only
people allowed to enjoy its prosperity.
E) From the moment of his inaugural address, Monroe’s policies undermined individual
citizen’s happiness and the nation’s ability to prosper greatly.
Answer: C
Rationale:
Option C is correct because the statement fails to acknowledge the reality that only those who
were citizens (white males) were able to be happy and prosperous, while Native and African
Americans were denied these opportunities. Monroe's statement reflects a perspective that
ignores the systemic inequalities and injustices faced by marginalized groups within
American society during that period. It overlooks the exclusion of non-white individuals from
full citizenship rights and economic opportunities, highlighting a disconnect between the
idealized image presented in Monroe's rhetoric and the lived experiences of many Americans,
particularly those from minority backgrounds.
49. How was Monroe’s statement in his first inaugural address that “no country was ever
happier with respect to its domain” contradicted by subsequent events?
A) If the U.S. was happy with respect to its domain, it would not have to expand to obtain
Florida or more land in the West.
B) If the U.S. was happy with respect to its domain, it would not have changed to a market
economy and begun industrialization outside of the home.
C) If the Great Lakes and the great rivers were important to the U.S., it would not have built
national roads.
D) The Great Lakes and great rivers ended up being of little value to the U.S. during the early
nineteenth century, causing the U.S. to seek more “domain.”
E) Because of poor relations with Native American tribes in the Great Lakes and great rivers
regions, the U.S. wasn’t truly happy with respect to its domain.
Answer: A
Rationale:
Option A is correct because if the U.S. was truly happy with respect to its domain, it would
not have needed to expand its territory by acquiring Florida or pursuing further territorial
acquisitions in the West. Monroe's statement fails to acknowledge the underlying motives and
realities of American expansionism, which often involved territorial aggrandizement driven
by economic, strategic, and ideological considerations rather than a sense of contentment
with existing domains. The pursuit of territorial expansion contradicts the notion of complete
satisfaction with the nation's existing territory, revealing the discrepancy between Monroe's
optimistic portrayal and the expansionist tendencies of the era.
50. Why did the Monroe Doctrine make little impression on European powers?
A) They were too occupied with losing their colonial power in the Americas to care about
trade embargoes in the United States.
B) They didn’t see the U.S. as a significant enough military power to feel threatened about
their support of Latin American independence.
C) Europe, especially Britain, couldn’t predict how powerful an influence the U.S. would
have on independent markets in Latin America.
D) Communication was so poor that the European powers didn’t receive news of the Monroe
Doctrine until after they had given up Latin America.
E) Maps were so inaccurate that European powers didn’t have a sense of how close the
United States was to much of Latin America.
Answer: B
Rationale:
Option B is correct because European powers did not perceive the United States as a
significant military threat capable of enforcing the Monroe Doctrine. The doctrine, which
warned European powers against further colonization or intervention in the Western
Hemisphere, lacked credibility in the eyes of European nations due to America's relatively
modest military capabilities compared to the major European powers. As a result, European
countries continued to support Latin American independence movements and maintain their
interests in the region without significant concern for U.S. opposition. The doctrine's
effectiveness was limited by America's perceived military weakness and inability to enforce
its policy directives.
Essay
1. How did the transportation revolution contribute to the development of a national market
economy in the United States between 1810 and 1840?
Answer: The transportation revolution significantly contributed to the development of a
national market economy during this period by facilitating the movement of goods, people,
and information across the vast expanse of the United States. Improved transportation
networks, such as the construction of canals like the Erie Canal and the expansion of the
railroad system, connected previously isolated regions and allowed for more efficient trade
and commerce. This facilitated the exchange of goods between different regions, creating a
more integrated national market economy where products could be produced in one area and
consumed in another. Additionally, the transportation revolution lowered the cost and time of
travel, encouraging migration and settlement, which further fueled economic growth and
expansion.
2. How did Native Americans of the trans-Appalachian West respond to encroachment by
Anglo Americans?
Answer: Native Americans of the trans-Appalachian West responded to encroachment by
Anglo Americans through various means, including diplomatic negotiations, resistance, and
adaptation strategies. Initially, some Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee and
Choctaw, attempted to assimilate aspects of Anglo-American culture in order to coexist
peacefully and maintain their sovereignty. However, as Anglo-American settlers continued to
encroach upon their lands, many Native American tribes resorted to armed resistance, leading
to conflicts such as the Creek War and the Seminole Wars. Despite efforts to resist removal
from their ancestral lands, many Native American tribes were forcibly relocated through
policies such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which resulted in the tragic Trail of Tears
for the Cherokee and other tribes.
3. What evidence is there that public policies between the War of 1812 and the Age of
Jackson reflected nationalism? Include examples from all three branches of government.
Answer: Public policies between the War of 1812 and the Age of Jackson reflected
nationalism through various initiatives aimed at strengthening the unity and identity of the
United States as a nation. In the legislative branch, Congress passed protective tariffs, such as
the Tariff of 1816 and the Tariff of Abominations in 1828, to promote domestic
manufacturing and protect American industries from foreign competition. Additionally,
Congress enacted infrastructure projects like the Cumberland Road and supported internal
improvements such as the construction of canals and railroads to facilitate national economic
development and integration.
In the executive branch, President James Monroe's Monroe Doctrine of 1823 asserted U.S.
influence in the Western Hemisphere and warned European powers against further
colonization or intervention in the Americas, demonstrating a commitment to protecting
American interests and asserting national sovereignty. Furthermore, President Andrew
Jackson's policies regarding Native American removal, exemplified by the Indian Removal
Act of 1830 and the subsequent Trail of Tears, reflected a vision of territorial expansion and
the assertion of federal authority over the states.
In the judicial branch, decisions such as McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), which upheld the
constitutionality of the Bank of the United States and affirmed federal supremacy over state
laws, and Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), which asserted federal authority over interstate
commerce, reinforced the primacy of federal power and contributed to the development of a
national identity and cohesion.
4. Did changes in agriculture and industry in the decades following the War of 1812
constitute a real revolution, or just expansion of existing practices?
Answer: The changes in agriculture and industry in the decades following the War of 1812
can be viewed as both a revolution and an expansion of existing practices, depending on the
perspective and criteria used to assess them. On one hand, the period witnessed significant
transformations in agricultural practices and industrial production that fundamentally altered
the economic landscape of the United States. Innovations such as the cotton gin,
McCormick's mechanical reaper, and the development of steam-powered machinery
revolutionized agricultural productivity and efficiency, leading to the expansion of
commercial farming and the emergence of large-scale plantation agriculture in the South.
Similarly, the rise of factories, powered by water and later steam, marked the beginning of
industrialization in America, transforming traditional artisanal production methods and
fostering urbanization and the growth of industrial centers.
However, it's also important to recognize that many of these changes built upon existing
practices and trends rather than representing a complete break from the past. For example, the
expansion of cotton cultivation in the South and the growth of industrial manufacturing in the
North were extensions of earlier patterns of economic development. Furthermore, while the
innovations and advancements of this period were significant, they did not necessarily lead to
immediate or universal transformation across all sectors of the economy. Agricultural
practices remained diverse, with many farmers continuing to rely on traditional methods, and
industrialization progressed unevenly, with pockets of innovation and growth coexisting
alongside more traditional forms of economic activity.
Overall, while the changes in agriculture and industry following the War of 1812 can be
characterized as revolutionary in certain respects, they were also part of a broader continuum
of economic development, blending innovation with continuity and reflecting the complex
and multifaceted nature of societal change.
Test Bank for The American Story
Robert A. Divine, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross, H. W. Brands
9780205900688
