Exploration / Colonization
What was a primary reason for European exploration of the Americas in the 15th and 16th centuries?
To find new trade routes to Asia
Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Which statement best explains why the Articles of Confederation were replaced by the U.S. Constitution after the American Revolution?
It was too weak of a government system
Who was the first President of the United States under the U.S. Constitution?
George Washington
Which territory was acquired from France in 1803 and doubled the size of the United States?
Louisiana Purchase
Which European country established the first permanent settlement in North America at Jamestown in 1607?
British
What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
To formally break away from British rule
How does the principle of checks and balances function in the U.S. government?
It prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful by giving each branch the ability to limit the actions of the others
Why did Thomas Jefferson purchase the Louisiana Territory?
It gave the US access to the Mississippi River.
What was the belief that justified the westward expansion of the United States and the acquisition of new territories in the 19th century?
Manifest Destiny
What is one example of how the geography of the New England colonies influence their economy during the colonial period?
Abundant forests and coastal access promoted shipbuilding and fishing
How did the Stamp Act contribute to the American Revolution?
It led to widespread protests because it taxed printed materials without colonial consent
How do Popular Sovereignty and Republicanism work together?
Popular sovereignty says the People have power, and Republicanism shows HOW the people have power - by voting
What was the main message of Washington’s Farewell Address?
Warning / advice to the country (The U.S. should avoid permanent foreign alliances and political parties)
How did the annexation of Texas in 1845 contribute to the start of the Mexican-American War?
Mexico was angered because it still considered Texas part of its territory
What was the main reason for the development of self-government in the American colonies?
The long distance between the colonies and Great Britain
Why was the Battle of Saratoga considered a turning point in the American Revolution?
It convinced France to form an alliance with the American colonies
Why did the Founding Fathers include the amendment process in the U.S. Constitution?
To ensure that the Constitution could adapt to changing times and needs
What was one major cause of the War of 1812?
British impressment of US sailors
Which two territories were gained as a result of treaties with foreign nations, rather than through war?
Oregon Territory and Louisiana Purchase
Describe the key economic differences between the Southern and Northern colonies during the colonial era.
The Southern colonies developed an economy based on cash crops and plantation agriculture, while the Northern colonies diversified into trade, shipbuilding, and small-scale farming.
List the unalienable rights that Thomas Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence.
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness
Which statement best explains why the Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution?
Anti-Federalists felt the original Constitution did not include enough protections for individual freedoms
What was a significant effect of the Monroe Doctrine (1823)?
It established the U.S. as a dominant power in the Western Hemisphere by opposing European interference
What was one major consequence of the Mexican Cession (1848)?
It led to conflicts over the expansion of slavery into new territories