SOL Overview
1. Why did colonists come to the Americas?
2. Jamestown was established in ____________ (year) by the __________________ (group).
3. The first Africans arrived in Jamestown in ________________(year) as _______________, not slaves.
4. The economy of _______ was based on shipbuilding, lumbering, and small-scale subsistence farming.
6. The economy of ______________ was based on shipbuilding, small-scale farming, and trading.
7. The economy of _________ was based on large plantations that grew cash crops in the eastern coastal
lowlands and small-scale farming, hunting and trading inland.
8. Society in the ________colonies was based on religious tolerance of multiple religious groups, including
Quakers in _____ and Catholics in ______.
9. Society in __________colonies was based family status and ownership of land. _____ in the eastern
coastal lowlands dominated colonial government and society.
10. The __________________________ was a religious movement that led to rapid growth of evangelical
religions, challenging the established religious and governmental order.
11. _____________________________ were people mostly from England, Scotland, or Ireland who agreed
to work on plantations in return for passage from Europe or relief from debts.
12. ______ was an Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas influenced America’s belief in self-government.
What were those ideas?
13. _____ was an English immigrant to America who wrote _______, which challenged the rule by the king.
14. The Declaration of Independence, authored by _________ (VA), reflected the ideas of Locke and Paine.
15. The __________________________ of 1763 prohibited settlement west of the Appalachians because
that region was too costly for the British to protect.
16. The _____________ Act, a tax on legal documents, as well as taxes on tea and sugar were created to pay
off the cost of the French and Indian War and for British troops in the colonies.
17. The first time most of the colonies acted together was when the ________ Congress was called in 1774.
18. The _________________________ took place when British troops fired on anti-British demonstrators.
19. War began when the ___________________________ in Massachusetts fought a brief skirmish with
British troops at _______________________ and __________________________.
20. The American Army was led by __________________________________________ of Virginia.
21. The French army and Navy helped during the Battle of _________, which officially ended the revolution.
SOL Overview _________________________________
pg. 2
22. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
23. Under the Constitution, the question of balance of power between small and large states was settled by
creating a ________________, where each state gets two senators, and a ____________________ with
membership based on a state’s population
24. ______________ (VA) was the “Father of the Constitution”. He was a political philosopher who kept
copious notes of the proceedings, which are historians’ best record of what transpired at the Convention.
25. ___________________________________ authored much of the Bill of Rights.
26. People who supported a strong national government were called __________________. Those who
supported strong state governments were called ____________________________
27. The ______________________________________, written by _____________, reiterated the notion
that basic human rights should not be violated by governments.
28. The __________ outlawed the established church (the practice of government support for one church).
29. Why was the election of 1800, won by _________________________, important?
30. Supreme Court decisions under Chief Justice _________ (VA) established the power of federal courts to
declare laws unconstitutional. __________ v. _________ established this power of “judicial ________”.
31. The Supreme Court case ______ v. _____ prohibited the states from taxing agencies of the government.
32. In _______ (year), Jefferson purchased the _______________from France, doubling the size of the U.S.
33. The American victory over the _____________ in the War of 1812 produced an American claim to the
_______________ Territory, and increased migration of American settlers into __________, which was
later acquired by a treaty from Spain.
34. What did the Monroe Doctrine (1823) state?
35. __________’s invention of the cotton gin led to the spread of the slavery-based “__________ kingdom”
36. American migration into __________ led to an armed revolt against Mexican rule and a famous battle at
the ________________, in which a band of Texans fought to the last man against a vastly superior force.
37. The American victory in the ____________ War during the 1840s led to the acquisition of an enormous
territory. What eventual states were cut out of it?
38. The belief that it was America’s “_____________ Destiny” to stretch from the _________to the ______
provided political support for territorial expansion.
39. What happened to Native Americans as a result of American westward expansion?
SOL Overview _______________________________
pg. 3
40. The ____________ system is a practice of using public offices to benefit members of the victorious
party. The number of eligible voters increased as previous ____ requirements were eliminated.
41. How did Andrew Jackson feel about the Bank of the U.S.?
42. Jackson’s reelection brought an end to the ______, as Jackson withdrew government money and put it in
________ banks. His actions caused a major economic depression, resulting in the Panic of ________.
43. The ________________ was when several tribes were relocated from Atlantic Coast states to Oklahoma.
44. The ______________ strongly opposed high tariffs, which made the price of imported manufactured
goods much more expensive.
45. As the U.S. expanded westward, the conflict over _________ grew more bitter and threatened to tear the
country apart.
46. The abolitionist movement grew in the _________________________, led by ____________________,
publisher of The Liberator, an antislavery newspaper.
47. ___________ wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a best-selling novel that inflamed Northern abolition sentiment.
48. Slave revolts led to harsh law in the South against fugitive slaves called _________________________.
49. The (1)____________________ (1820) drew the 36 30’ line through the Louisiana Purchase.
(2)___________ was prohibited above the line, except for (3)______________, a state north of the line.
50. The Compromise of 1850 allowed _____________________________ to enter as a free state.
51. The ____________________ Act of 1854 repealed the ___________ line by giving people in Kansas
and Nebraska the choice of allowing slavery or not.
52. The choice whether to allow slavery in their states was called ______________________________.
53. The deadly events in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces was better
known as _________________________________________________.
54. The ___________________________________ party formed to oppose the spread of slavery.
55. Southerners argued that individual states could _________________________ laws passed by Congress,
or consider any Congressional acts void.
56. Southerners insisted that states had entered the Union freely and could leave or _____________ freely if
they chose. What as this argument better known as?
57. _____________________ (Republican) and __________________________ (Democrat), conducted
numerous debates when running for the U.S. Senate from Illinois.
58. In the case of ______________________________________, the Supreme Court overturned efforts to
limit the spread of slavery and outraged Northerners.
SOL Overview __________________________________
pg. 4
59. The enforcement of the _____________________________, which required slaves who escaped to free
states to be forcibly returned to their owners in the South outraged Northerners.
60. _________________ warned that “a house divided against itself cannot stand”, meaning that a nation
could not continue as half-slave and half- _____________.
61. In 1848, a meeting to launch the women’s rights movement was held at ______________________.
62. Who were the two major early leaders of the women’s rights movement?
63. The election of _____________________ in __________(year) caused several Southern states to secede.
64. The opening confrontation of the Civil War was at ___________, a Union fort located in South Carolina.
65. The _____________ was issued after the Battle of Antietam and professed to free the slaves in the south.
66. The Battle of _______________________________________ was the turning point of the Civil War.
67. The site of Lee’s surrender to Grant was in ________________________________________, Va.
68. What was the debate over the Civil War about? _________ versus the power of the federal government.
69. __________ was the Union military commander who succeeded where other Union commanders failed.
70. ____________________________ was the Confederate General of the Army of Northern Virginia who
encouraged Southerners to accept defeat and move on after the war.
71. ___________ was a former slave who urged Lincoln to recruit former slaves to fight in the Union army.
72. Lincoln delivered the ___________________________ commemorating fallen soldiers in Pennsylvania.
73. __________________________ was the first president impeached, but he was not removed from office.
74. What are the Reconstruction Amendments?
a.
b.
c.
75. The ___________ amendment prohibited states from denying equal rights under the law to any
American; this is called the ____________________________________ clause.
76. The _________ ended the Reconstruction with the Southern Democrats support of Rutherford B. Hayes.
77. _________________ Laws ushered in a period of denying African Americans full citizenship rights
78. _________________________ went on long cattle drives for hundreds of miles to get cattle to market.
79. The ____ Act gave free public land in the western territories to settlers who would live on and farm it.
SOL Overview _____________________________
pg. 5
80. Which two groups moved to the west to seek new opportunities after the Civil War?
81. The _________________, created by Cyrus McCormick, revolutionized farming, especially in the west.
82. Prior to 1871, most immigrants came to America from (1)__ and __ Europe (Germany, Great Britain,
Ireland, Norway, and Sweden). In the half-century from 1871-1921, most immigrants came from (2)___
and ___ Europe (Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia, and present day Hungary and Yugoslavia), as well as
Asia (China and Japan)
1.
2.
83. Immigrants from Europe entered America through ______________________ in New York harbor.
84. Immigrants began the process of assimilation into what was termed the American “_______________”.
They settled into ethnic neighborhoods, had to learn English, adopt American customs, and become
American citizens.
85. Mounting resentment led Congress to limit immigration, through the ________________ of 1882 and
the _____________ of 1921. These laws effectively cut off most immigration for the next few decades.
86. Henry Bessemer came up with the ____. This process would take out the impurities in iron and add
carbon to make steel.
87. Thomas Edison invented the _______________________________ as a source of power and light
88. Alexander Graham Bell invented the ____________________________________.
89. The ___________________________ brothers had the first airplane flight in Kitty Hawk, NC.
90. _____________________________________ had the idea for assembly line manufacturing.
91. Which industrial leader is known for:
steelfinanceoilrailroads92. What is laissez-faire capitalism?
93. After reconstruction, many Southern state governments passed “_____________________” laws forcing
separation of the races in public places.
94. African Americans looked to the courts to safeguard their rights. In the case __________________, the
Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” did not violate the 14th amendment.
95. _________________ led an anti-lynching crusade and called on the federal government to take action.
96. _____________________ believed the way to equality was through vocational education and economic
success; he accepted social separation.
SOL Overview _____________________________
pg. 6
97. ________________ believed that education was meaningless without equality. He supported political
equality for African Americans by helping to form the ________ (_____________________________
_______________________________________________________).
98. In state governments, an _____________ is when people can propose a law; a ______________ is when
the people vote on a law, and a ________________ is an election to remove an elected official from
office.
99. The Knights of Labor were destroyed by the violence of the _______________________________.
100. Samuel Gomper's group, the ________________________________ (AFL), organized skilled workers.
101. The _________________________ prevents any business structure that “restrains trade” (monopolies).
102. The _________________________ Act expands the Sherman Anti-Trust Act; outlaws price-fixing; and
exempts unions from the Sherman Act.
103. Women’s suffrage resulted in the _____________ Amendment to the Constitution.
104. In the _________________________, Secretary of State John Hay proposed a policy that would give
all nations equal trading rights in China.
105. With _____________________, President Taft urged American banks and businesses to invest in Latin
America. He promised that the United States would step in if unrest threatened their investments.
106. What did the U.S. acquire as a result of the Spanish American War?
107. The ____________________was considered vital as a quick passage for US merchant and naval ships.
108. In __________________________, the US deposed the monarchy and annexed it.
109. World War I began in Europe in ____________(year) when German and Austria-Hungary went
to war with ______________________, _____________________, and _________________.
110. ___________________________ said that Americans wanted to “make the world safe for democracy”.
111. America’s soldiers and ________________tipped the balance of the war and led to _________'s defeat.
112. The ______________________________________ was Wilson’s plan to eliminate the causes of war.
113. What was wrong with the Treaty of Versailles, which ended WWI?
114. The stock market crashed in _____________(year) because of overspeculation on stocks.
115. What was the Hawley-Smoot Act?
116. The collapse of the financial system led to the closing of __________________.
117. What was the purpose of the New Deal?
SOL Overview _________________________
pg. 7
118. _____________________________________________ said “We have nothing to fear but fear itself”.
119. The Works Progress Administration was an example of a: (circle one)
relief, recovery, or reform program.
120. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was an example of a:
relief, recovery, or reform program.
121. What reform measure corrected unsound banking and investment practices?
122. What provided safeguards for workers, need, elderly, and disabled?
123. World War II officially started with the invasion of ________________________in __________(year).
124. During the first two years of the war, the official policy of the US was ________________________.
125. In 1941, Hitler turned on his partner and attacked the ___________________________. What was he
attempting to achieve?
126. Under _________________________ the US gave Britain war supplies and old naval ships. President
Roosevelt compared it to “lending a ______________ to a next-door neighbor whose house is on fire”.
127. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on ___________________(date). Roosevelt called it “a date that will live
in _______________________”.
128. In the Pacific, the tactic of attacking Japanese islands one at a time, moving closer to Japan, was called
___________________________________.
129. The British victory at _____________________ in North Africa kept the Germans away from the Suez
Canal and the oil fields in the Middle East.
130. The Soviet Victory at _________________ prevented the Germans from reaching the Soviet oil fields.
131. The Supreme Allied commander in Europe was ________________________________________.
132. The Allied invasion of France took place at ___________________ (area) on ________________.
133. In the Pacific, the US Navy stopped the Japanese at ___________ and began the process of pushing the
Japanese back to their country.
134. President Truman ordered atomic bombs dropped on _______________ and ____________. What was
his primary reason for doing this?
135. The ____________________ Convention attempts to ensure the humane treatment of prisoners of war.
136. The Holocaust was also referred to as the ___________________________ or exterminating the Jews.
137. Nazi leaders were tried for war crimes at the _________________________. What concept of law was
established there?
SOL Overview ________________________
pg. 8
138. _______________________________________ was the symbol of women working in the factories.
139. The ________________________ was the confrontation that went on between the US and USSR until
the Soviet government collapsed.
140. ________________________________ was the US policy of stopping communism from spreading.
141. After World War II, Soviet forces occupied _______________________ Europe.
142. ____________ ended up as a divided country, with one half democratic and the other Soviet controlled.
143. The ______________ pledged the US to defend countries in Europe fighting communism and tyranny.
144. What is the purpose of the United Nations?
145. The _____________________________________ gave massive US financial aid to rebuild Europe.
146. The ________________________was when the US and Britain flew supplies into a city to keep it free.
147. __________ was formed by the US as a defensive alliance among the US and free European countries.
148. What actions by the Soviets in 1949 increased cold war tensions?
149. The communist takeover in _____________ in 1949 increased US fears about communist domination.
150. “________________________________________” was when the US threatened total destruction if
the Soviets tried to use nuclear weapons against us.
151. The ______________ was a failed invasion where the US had planned for Cubans to overthrow Castro.
152. The _____________ was about the US quarantining Cuba because the Soviets were building bases
there. President ___________ ordered the missiles removed, bringing the world to the brink of war.
153. What did Americans do to cope with and prepare for the Cold War threat?
154. The US became involved in a war in __________ in 1950 when the North attacked the South. The war
eventually ended in a ________________________________.
155. The ____________ War in the 1950s and 1960s was also about the US aiding the southern government
when the North tried to take over.
156. The assassination of President __________________ shook the nation’s confidence and began a period
of internal strife and division.
157. The US military buildup in Vietnam reached its greatest intensity under President ________________.
158. Senator ___________________ played on American fears by recklessly accusing government officials
and citizens of being communists.
SOL Overview _____________________________
pg. 9
159. ______________ means to make false accusations based on rumor or suspicion, but without real proof.
160. Ethel and Julius ___________________________ were convicted of spying for the Soviets.
161. What were the effects of the Vietnam War at home in the US?
162. President Nixon tried to bring an end to the Vietnam War by replacing US troops with South
Vietnamese troops and only supplying aid to them. This was called ___________________________.
163. President Nixon learned to use the rivalry between ____________ and ___________ to benefit the US.
164. President Nixon was forced out of office by the _______________ scandal and did not complete his
plans for the war.
165. In 1975, North and South Vietnam merged into one country under _____________________ control.
166. How did Vietnam veterans feel they were treated by the country during and after the war?
167. _________________ benefited economically more than any other state from military expenditures of
the Cold War.
168. What did Kennedy mean by “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for
your country”.
169. What weaknesses caused the Soviet Union to begin collapsing?
170. (1)_______________ was the Soviet leader who brought in reforms like (2)______________________
(openness) and (3)___________________________________________(economic restructuring).
171. President ___________ challenged the legitimacy of the Soviet Union and increased military spending.
172. What did Ronald Reagan mean by “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”?
173. _________ was the Supreme Court case that said segregated schools are unequal and must desegregate.
174. ________________________________ led the NAACP Legal Defense Team that won the Brown case.
175. _________________________________________ led the NAACP Legal Defense Team in Virginia.
176. When Southern localities resisted integration by closing their schools it was called
____________________________________. This led to the establishment of many private schools.
177. ____________ was when white families moved out of urban areas to escape integration of the schools.
178. In 1963, the __________________________________ helped to influence public opinion about
supporting civil rights and showed the power of non-violent, mass protest.
SOL Overview _______________________________
pg. 10
179. The “I Have A Dream” speech was given in Washington by __________________________________.
180. The _________________ Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination based on race, religion, national origin,
and gender and desegregated pubic accommodations.
181. The _____________________ Act of 1965 outlawed literacy tests, put voting in Southern states under
Federal control and increased the number of African American voters.
182. President ___________________________ played a major role in getting the Civil Rights Acts passed.
183. One goal of the __________________________________ was to challenge segregation in the courts.
184. An increasingly larger percentage of ______________ have joined the labor force. This has led to
many working mothers.
185. __________________________________ was the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court.
186. ___________________________________ was the first female US astronaut.
187. What issues do working women consider to be important?
188. The ____________ ghetto refers to women being held to traditionally low prestige, low paying jobs.
189. The ______________ is the perception that career advancement for women is not equal to that of men.
190. In the last fifty years, most of the immigrants coming to the US have been from ______ and ________.
191. The two major reasons immigrants have for coming to the US are:
192. What political and social contributions have these immigrants made to the US?
193. President ____________________ pledged increased support for the space program in the early 1960s.
194. __________________________________ was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.
195. _____________________________________ was the first person to step on the moon.
196. In the last three decades, what improvements in technology and media have brought about better
access to communication and information for rural areas, businesses and individuals?
197. _________________________________________ invented a vaccine for polio.
198. How has each of these changed work/school/health care?