Bremen School District 228 Social Studies Common Assessment 1: Fall Pretest American History 55 Minutes – 73 Questions Directions: There are 73 historical documents in this test and 28 multiple choice questions that match to these documents. Following are 40 multiple choice questions testing American History Content knowledge and critical thinking skills taught during the first semester. After reading a passage, choose the best answer to each question and fill in the corresponding oval on your answer document. You may refer to the passages as often as necessary. Written: Spring 2014 Authors: Mike Hasso, Ed Lipowski, Rick Tustin, Andy Rybarczyk 1 Document A “Annexation,” Yes, we are the nation of progress, of individual freedom, of universal enfranchisement. Equality of rights is the cynosure of our union of States, the grand exemplar of the correlative equality of individuals; and while truth sheds its effulgence, we cannot retrograde, without dissolving the one and subverting the other. We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission ­­ to the entire development of the principle of our organization ­­ freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. This is our high destiny, and in nature's eternal, inevitable decree of cause and effect we must accomplish it. All this will be our future history, to establish on earth the moral dignity and salvation of man ­­ the immutable truth and beneficence of God. For this blessed mission to the nations of the world, which are shut out from the life­giving light of truth, has America been chosen; and her high example shall smite unto death the tyranny of kings, hierarchs, and oligarchs, and carry the glad tidings of peace and good will where myriads now endure an existence scarcely more enviable than that of beasts of the field. Who, then, can doubt that our country is destined to be the great nation of futurity? John O’Sullivan, “Annexation,” 1845. Document B “Texas” Texas is now ours. Already, before these words are written, her Convention has undoubtedly ratified the acceptance, by her Congress, of our proffered invitation into the Union; and made the requisite changes in her already republican form of constitution to adapt it to its future federal relations. Her star and her stripe may already be said to have taken their place in the glorious blazon of our common nationality; and the sweep of our eagle's wing already includes within its circuit the wide extent of her fair and fertile land. She is no longer to us a mere geographical space­­a certain combination of coast, plain, mountain, valley, forest and stream. She is no longer to us a mere country on the map…. Why, were other reasoning wanting, in favor of now elevating this question of the reception of Texas into the Union, out of the lower region of our past party dissensions, up to its proper level of a high and broad nationality, it surely is to be found, found abundantly, in the manner in which other nations have undertaken to intrude themselves into it, between us and the proper parties to the case, in a spirit of hostile interference against us, for the avowed object of thwarting our policy and hampering our power, limiting our greatness and checking the fulfillment of our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions…. 2 Source: John O’Sullivan Document C: Mary Elizabeth Lease, 1890 (ORIGINAL) Yet, after all our years of toil and privation, dangers and hardships upon the Western frontier, monopoly is taking our homes from us by an infamous system of mortgage foreclosure, the most infamous that has ever disgraced the statutes of a civilized nation. It, takes from us at the rate of five hundred a month the homes that represent the best years of our life, our toil, our hopes, our happiness. How did it happen? The government, at the bid of Wall Street, repudiated its contracts with the people; the circulating medium was contracted in the interest of Shylock from $54 per capita to less than $8 per capita; or, as Senator [Preston] Plumb [of Kansas] tells us, “Our debts were increased, while the means to pay them was decreased;” or as grand Senator [William Morris] Stewart [of Nevada] puts it, “For twenty years the market value of the dollar has gone up and the market value of labor has gone down, till to­day the American laborer, in bitterness and wrath, asks which is the worst—the black slavery that has gone or the white slavery that has come?”…. No more millionaires, and no more paupers; no more gold kings, silver kings and oil kings, and no more little waifs of humanity starving for a crust of bread. No more gaunt faced, hollow­eyed girls in the factories, and no more little boys reared in poverty and crime for the penitentiaries and the gallows. But we shall have the golden age of which Isaiah sang and the prophets have so long foretold; when the farmers shall be prosperous and happy, dwelling under their own vine and fig tree; when the laborer shall have that for which he toils; when occupancy and use shall be the only title to land, and every one shall obey the divine injunction, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” When men shall be just and generous, little less than gods, and women shall be just and charitable toward each other, little less than angels; when we shall have not a government of the people by capitalists, but a government of the people, by the people. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you. Source: Mary Elizabeth Lease became politically involved as a speaker for the rights of workers and farmers. She had a powerful voice and charismatic speaking style. In this speech, Lease gave a speech to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in 1890, a women’s movement against alcohol. 3 Document D: William Jennings Bryan, 1896 (ORIGINAL) The merchant at the crossroads store is as much a businessman as the merchant of New York. The farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day, begins in the spring and toils all summer, and by the application of brain and muscle to the natural resources of this country creates wealth, is as much a businessman as the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of grain…. We come to speak for this broader class of businessmen…. It is for these that we speak. We do not come as aggressors. Our war is not a war of conquest. We are fighting in the defense of our homes, our families, and posterity. We have petitioned, and our petitions have been scorned. We have entreated, and our entreaties have been disregarded. We have begged, and they have mocked when our calamity came. We beg no longer; we entreat no more; we petition no more. We defy them!.... You come to us and tell us that the great cities are in favor of the gold standard. I tell you that the great cities rest upon these broad and fertile prairies. Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic. But destroy our farms and the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country…. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold. Source: The speech above was delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the Democratic National Convention in July 1896. It is considered one of the most famous speeches in American history. The passage is an excerpt. 4 Common Core Questions 1 ­ 28 Standard 1: 1. Which event below would be most closely associated with this document? (Doc A & B) A. French Indian War B. Spanish American War C. Mexican American War D. Civil War 2. Which of these would not seem to be part of the idea of manifest destiny mean to the author (Docs A & B) A. The addition for land to America B. The freeing of slaves throughout the south C. The spreading of democracy D. The economic development of the west 3. Ms. Lease was from what region of the country? (Doc C & D) A. The great plains B. The east coast C. The south D. California 4. When William Jennings Bryan was given this speech (Doc C & D) A. He was speaking to a group of wall street bankers B. He was running for President C. He was serving as President D. It was his inauguration speech 5 Standard 2: 5. Based on what you have read, what is the desire of the author? (Doc A & B) A. The limiting of addition territories being added to the United States B. The desire to see America add additional territory C. To see America free slaves D. For America to take a greater role on the world stage 6. The author of these documents (Doc A & B) A. Supports the annexation of Texas B. Is lukewarm regarding the question of Texas C. Is yet to form an opinion on the question of Annexation D. Seems drastically opposed to the Idea of Texas as a state 7. Ms. Lease believes that (Doc C & D) A. Western farmers are losing homes to the greed of eastern bankers B. Workers should be given more hours so they can raise their incomes C. The government should provide welfare for those who need it D. The American economic system should return to slavery 8. What is it that William Jennings Bryan in Document D is speaking out against? (Doc C & D) A. Wealth concentrated in cities B. The need for more farms C. Gold Standard D. The war with Spain 6 Standard 3: 9. Which of the following events would have happened before the writing of Document B (Doc A & B) A. Compromise of 1850 B. Missouri Compromise C. Kansas Nebraska Act D. Dred Scott Case 10. In document B, the idea that Texas may join the Union appears (Doc A & B) A. to be a done deal B. against the wishes of the people in Texas C. that it is not going to happen D. to be a question that generates some opposition 11. Which era or idea of American History would these readings be associated with (Doc C & D) A. Reconstruction B. Progressive Era C. Civil War D. Immigration 12. Which event could be scene as a catalyst for Bryan’s speech (Doc C & D) A. The Civil War B. Economic uncertainty C. The 15th Amendment D. Immigration 7 Standard 4: 13. What does the word “Providence mean as used by the author (Doc A & B) A. Protection B. God C. Provision D. Care 14. What does the word enfranchisement mean (Doc A & B) A. Business B. Economic power C. Emancipation D. Political rights 15. “For twenty years the market value of the dollar has gone up and the market value of labor has gone down, till to­day the American laborer, in bitterness and wrath, asks which is the worst—the black slavery that has gone or the white slavery that has come?” What does the author mean by this quote? (Doc C & D) A. African Americans have gained the economic advantage B. That workers earn so little they are virtual slaves C. Slavery should never had been ended D. Employees make so much that many poor people have been turned into servants 16. What does the word posterity mean (Document D) A. Future generations B. Wealth C. Enemies D. A persons back side 8 Standard 6: 17. Based on the reading document B one might assume that the author (Doc A & B) A. Supports the institution of slavery but does not own slaves B. Is opposed to institution slavery C. Is a slaveholder D. Is a freed slave 18. The author of these documents would have found the least support form (Doc A & B) A. Southern plantation owner B. Northerners C. Americans who moved to Texas D. James Polk 19. Which of people would have most disagreed with the author of document D A. Jane Addams B. Andrew Carnegie C. Labor Union Members D. William Jennings Bryan 20. The author of Document D would have found the greatest support for his ideas among A. Labor Unions B. Bankers C. Robber Barons D. Farmers Standard 8: 21. Which group would have found the claims made both the author of these readings to be most empty or untrue? (Doc A & B) A. American Indians B. Western farmers C. People on the Oregon trail D. People who traveled to California during the gold rush 9 22. We must onward to the fulfilment of our mission ­­ to the entire development of the principle of our organization ­­ freedom of conscience, freedom of person, freedom of trade and business pursuits, universality of freedom and equality. Which of the following would seem to contradict this statement? (Doc A & B) A. Dawes Act B. 14th Amendment C. Wilmot Proviso D. Oregon Trail 23. Senators Plumb and Stewart both seem (Doc C & D) A. Plumb and Stewart disagree with each other but Plumb agrees with the authors ideas B. agree with each other, but disagree with the author C. agree with the authors message D. Plumb and Stewart disagree with each other but Stewart agrees with the authors ideas 24. Which of the following would have been against these speeches? A. people owing money to the bank B. small farm owners C. banks D. factory workers Standard 9: 25. Which belief below would seem to be most in line with the authors point of view in this reading? (Doc A & B) A. Emancipation Proclamation B. Plessy V. Ferguson C. American Imperialism D. Isolationism 10 26. Whigs welcomed most of the changes wrought by industrialization but advocated strong government policies that would guide growth and development within the country’s existing boundaries; they feared (correctly) that expansion raised a contentious issue the extension of slavery to the territories. Based on this statement?(Docs A & B) A. Whigs would have agreed with O’Sullivan’s argument B. Whigs would have opposed O’Sullivan C. Whigs would have seen O’sullivan as unimportant D. Whigs would have sought O’Sullivan to speak at their rallies 27. When comparing the writings of O’Sullivan to the writings of Lease and Bryan which statement seem most correct? (Doc A & B) A. These authors all wrote about a similar event B. Bryan and O’Sullivan seem to agree with each other the most. C. O’Sullivan predicted the events in the writings of Bryan and Leese D. The writings of Bryan and Lease seem to suggest that O’sullivans vision for the west may not have be accurate 28. O’Sullivan and Bryan share what trait in their writings? (Doc C & D) A. Both favor the common man against businessmen B. The use of religious imagery C. They both seem to favor the East over the West D. They both uses a great deal of references to the past Synthesis (8) 29. When speaking of fundamental rights of man, which statement below is not true? (Knowledge) A. That survival of the fittest rules B. The man has a right to earn property C. All men are created equal D. That these rights come from God 11 30. The colonist reacted to the Stamp act by (U1) 16B2b (Knowledge) A. public demonstrations and other forms of political protest B. armed rebellion against the British Army C. declaring their independence from England D. accepting the act and complying with its laws 31. Which fact would you select to demonstrate that the French Indian War is the spark that set in motion the events that caused the revolution? A. The defeat of the French and their Indian allies was harmful to the Colonists. B. The need to pay for the war caused England to seek revenues from the colonies C. The passing of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 D. Animosity the developed between the English towards the colonist as soldiers 32. The Declaration of Independence drew on John Locke's concepts regarding (U1) 16B3b (Knowledge) A. taxation B. reconciliation C. natural rights D. racial equality “The only representatives of the people of these colonies are persons chosen therein by themselves; and that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally imposed on them but by their respective legislatures.” ­Statement by the Stamp Act Congress, 1765 33. What is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from this quotation? (Application) A. The colonial legislatures should be appointed by the English King with the consent of Parliament B. Only the colonists’ elected representatives should have the power to levy taxes C. The English King should have the right to tax the colonists D. The colonists should be opposed to all taxation 12 34. How did America’s location prior to the 20th century influence our foreign policy? (Analysis) A. It led to the development of an alliance with England B. It brought us into conflict with Asia C. It allowed us to stay out of European affairs D. It caused us to go to war with France 35. Which of these are the two main political parties during the first 25 years of American history? (Knowledge) A. Federalist and Republican B. Democrat and Republican C. Federalist and Democratic Republican D. Republican and Whig 36. Many people felt the Articles of Confederation were weak because (U2) 14F (Analysis) A. too much land was being negotiated away from the Native Americans B. compulsory military service was enacted for all males between ages of 18­21 C. the central government lacked the power to enforce most laws D. allowed the President to serve for life Presidential Vic e Presidential Popular Elec Electoral Candidate Candidate Vote Vote 78 House % % Vote John Quincy Adams John Calhoun 113,142 84 32.2% 13 54.2% Andrew Jackson John Calhoun 151,363 99 37.9% 7 29.2% William Crawford Nathaniel 41,032 41 15.7% 4 16.7% Henry Clay Nathon 47,545 37 14.2% ­ 0.0% 6,616 0 0.0% ­ 0.0% 6,230 0 0.0% ­ 0.0% U Unpledged Republi candidate 13 37. John Quincy Adams was the winner of the election shown in the chart above: Based on the information given why do you think the outcome occurred the way that it did? (Analysis) A. John Quincy Adams had the highest popular vote total B. There was no majority winner in the electoral college so the House of Representatives decided C. John Calhoun said he would prefer to be Vice President under Adams D. Andrew Jackson failed to win the highest totals in both the popular and Electoral College votes 38. The policy of Indian Removal resulted in the following (U3) 16D4b (Application) A. the trail of tears B. a supreme court case C. many Indians dying from disease and starvation D. All of the above 39. War with this nation helped America secure most of the American southwest? (Knowledge) A. Spain B. France C. England D. Mexico 40. Which document was not involved in establishing legislation that determined free and slave states? (Comprehension) A. Kansas and Nebraska Act B. Missouri Compromise C. The Dawes Act D. Compromise of 1850 14 41. The principal goal of the supporters of Manifest Destiny in the 1840s was to (Application) A. convince Canada to become part of the United States B. expand United States territory to the Pacific Ocean C. build a canal across Central America D. acquire naval bases in the Caribbean 42. A major reason for purchasing the Louisiana Territory (1803) was to (Analysis) A. gain access to the Ohio Territory B. remove the British from the borders of the United States C. secure control of the port of New Orleans D. open the Rocky Mountains to miners 43. This Battle was the turning point of the Civil War?( Knowledge) A. Bull Run B. Gettysburg C. Antietam D. Petersburg 44. What is one advantage that helped the North to achieve victory in the Civil War? 16C3b (Comprehension) A. warmer climate B. more technological resources C. better military leadership when the war started D. growing sympathy for Southern culture 45. Which Amendment made slavery illegal in the United States of America? (Knowledge) A. 13th th B. 14
C. 15th D. 20th 15 46. Which of the following was a direct result of the Dred Scott Case? (Comprehension) A. Slaves were declared property with no right to sue in court B. Dred Scott went free C. Slavery was declared unconstitutional D. The south succeeded from the union 47. Abolitionists believed that slavery 16D4b (Comprehension) A. worked better than a free labor system B. threatened unskilled workers in the North C. was morally wrong and wanted to end it D. belonged only in the Southern states 48. The Publication of The Liberator, The Kansas­Nebraska Act, and the Dred Scott decision all contributed to the (Application) A. outbreak of the Civil War B. formation of the policy of Manifest Destiny C. passage of the Missouri Compromise D. annexation of Texas 49. From 1820 to 1865, the debates over nullification, protective tariffs, and the spread of slavery into the new territories concerned the constitutional issue of the .(Application) A. balance of power between the federal and state governments B. balance between the rights of individuals and the need to maintain order C. protection of the rights of ethnic and racial groups D. separation of power between the executive and legislative branches 16 Base your answer to question 50 on the table below and on your knowledge of social studies. 50. Which statement is best supported by the data in the table? (Evaluation) A. The Confederate troops lost the Civil War as a result of their higher numbers of injuries and fatalities B. The Union army had better generals during the Civil War C. The Civil War had more casualties than any other war D. More soldiers died from disease than from wounds Union Troops Confederate Troops Total Troops 1,566,678 1,082,119 Wounded 275,175 194,000 Died of Wounds 110,070 94,000 Died of Disease 249,458 164,000 — Garraty and McCaughey, The American Nation, Harper and Row, 1987; *Shelby Foote, The Civil War: A Narrative, Vintage Books, 1986 Total Enslaved Persons (1820–1860) Selected States 1820 1840 Alabama 47,449 253,532 Georgia 149,656 280,944 Kentucky 126,732 182,258 Louisiana 69,064 168,452 Mississippi 32,814 195,211 Missouri 10,222 58,240 North Carolina 205,017 245,817 South Carolina 251,783 327,038 Tennessee 80,107 183,059 Virginia 425,153 449,087 1860 435,080 462,198 225,483 331,726 436,631 114,931 331,059 402,406 275,719 490,865 17 51. Base your answer to question 51 on the table above and on your knowledge of social studies. Which inference is most clearly supported by the information in this table? (Analysis) A. Slavery decreased throughout the South with the end of the African slave trade B. The enslaved population began to decline after 1840 C. The transcontinental railroad spread slavery outside the South D. Slavery would likely have continued to grow had there not been a civil war 52. Which of the below statements about African Americans living in the South after the Civil War is false? 16D4a (Application) A. They were granted their freedom B. They continued to struggle economically C. The majority quickly joined the middle class D. Many of them continued to work on plantations 53. Where did most European immigrants enter the United States during the late 1800s? (Knowledge) A. Angel Island B. Ellis Island C. San Diego D. Washington D.C. 54. What was NOT a factor that motivated people to immigrate to America? 16C3a (Application) A. Freedom of religion B. Political persecution C. Economic opportunity D. European prosperity 55. The term urbanization is used to describe the growth of A. cities B. government C. industry D. Immigration 18 56. Between 1890 and 1915, the majority of immigrants to the United States were labeled “new immigrants” because they were (Comprehension) A. considered physically and mentally superior to earlier immigrants B. forced to settle in the cities of the Midwest C. from China, Japan, and other Asian countries D. culturally different from most earlier immigrants 57. Rural­to­urban migration was primarily motivated by 16C3c (Application) A. plentiful land B. religious freedom C. fear of crime D. greater job opportunities 58. In the United States, industrial unions of the 1880’s and of the 1980’s had similar goals in that both campaigned for (Comprehension) A. national health insurance B. better unemployment insurance C. greater job security and higher wages D. wage and price freezes 19 Base your answers to questions 59 and 60 on the chart below and on your knowledge of social studies. Immigration Before and After Quota Laws From Northern and From Southern and Western Europe Eastern Europe and Asia Average annual number of 176,983 685,531 immigrants before quotas (1907–1914) Emergency Quota Act 198,082 158,367 of 1921 Quotas in Immigration Act 140,999 21,847 of 1924 Source: Thomas A. Bailey et al., The American Pageant, Houghton­Mifflin (adapted) 59. What was an effect of the immigration laws of 1921 and 1924? (Application) A. reduction of immigration from southern and eastern Europe and Asia B. establishment of equality among ethnic groups seeking entrance to the United States C. increase in the total number of immigrants allowed to enter the United States D. removal of restrictions from the nations of northern and western Europe 60. One reason for the passage of the laws shown in this chart was to (Application) A. limit economic growth B. protect the jobs of workers in the United States C. improve working conditions in American factories D. promote non­European immigration 20 Base your answers to questions 61 and 62 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies. Speaker A: “When demand ran high, and markets were scarce, he showed little mercy, broke his contracts for delivery and raised prices.” Speaker B: “The man of wealth must hold his fortune ‘in trust’ for the community and use it for philanthropic and charitable purposes.” Speaker C: “It is cruel to slander the rich because they have been successful. They have gone into great enterprises that have enriched the nation and the nation has enriched them.” Speaker D: “The fruits of the toil of millions are boldly stolen to build up colossal fortunes for the few, unprecedented in the history of mankind.” 61. Which two speakers would most likely label late 19th­century industrialists as robber barons? (Analysis) A. A and B B. A and D C. B and C D. C and D 62. The most valid conclusion that can be drawn from the different viewpoints of these speakers is that industrialists of the late 19th century (Synthesis) A. benefited and harmed society B. treated their workers fairly C. used illegal means to gain wealth D. generally op 63. In the early 20th century, the goal of the Progressive movement was to (Knowledge) A. bring communism to the Americas B. rewrite the Constitution C. Reform America politically, economically and socially D. go into alliances with foreign countries 21 64. The main goal of American Imperialism was to gain access to markets in this part of the world? (Knowledge) A. Africa B. Asia C. Europe D. South America 65. The name muckrakers was given to 16B4 (Knowledge) A. businessman who engaged in illegal activities B. politicians who pushed for reforms C. individual social leaders D. journalists who wrote about corruption 66. Which was a technique used by labor unions to win workers' rights? 16C3c (Comprehension) A. Striking B. Arbitration C. Collective Bargaining D. All of the above 67. Which two geographic features most influenced United States foreign policy throughout the 19th century? (Application) A. Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean B. Gulf of Mexico and Missouri River C. Great Lakes and Hudson River D. Appalachian Mountains and Rocky Mountains 68. The United States issued the Open Door policy (1899–1900) primarily to (Application) A. bring democratic government to the Chinese people B. secure equal trade opportunities in China C. force China to change its immigration policies D. use China as a stepping stone to trade with Japan 22 69. The success of the Populist Party of the 1890s can best be measured by which development? (Evaluation) A. The party replaced one of the two major parties B. The party gained support among business leaders C. Two of the party’s candidates were elected to the presidency D. Several of the par 70. The Progressive movement supported the idea that the federal government should (Analysis) A. regulate big business B. reduce immigration C. build an overseas empire D. reduce the number of farms 71. Which reform idea was a common goal of the Populists and the Progressives? A. restoration of the nation’s cities B. expansion of opportunities for immigrants C. improvement in the status of African Americans D. greater control of government by the people (Evaluation) 72. Which of the following was an important factor in the rapid growth of industry? 16E5a (Application) A. Abundant natural resources B. Visionary entrepreneurs C. Numerous important inventions D. All of the above 73. In the early 20th century, the goal of the Progressive movement was to 16B4 (Analysis) A. bring communism to the Americas B. rewrite the Constitution C. bring democracy closer to the citizens D. go into alliances with foreign countries 23