HIST121 Lesson 8 Quiz – Early Republic
(Washington to Jefferson) Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1.Which document served as the supreme law of the United States
beginning in 1789?
A. The Articles of Confederation
B. The Declaration of Independence
C. The United States Constitution
D. The Federalist Papers
Rationale: The United States Constitution replaced the Articles of
Confederation in 1789 and established a stronger national government with
executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
2. Who became the first President of the United States in 1789?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington
C. John Adams
D. James Madison
Rationale: George Washington was unanimously elected as the nation's first
president and set many important precedents for future presidents.
, 3. What was one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A. It created a powerful executive branch.
B. It allowed Congress to regulate all trade.
C. It gave the national government little power to tax or enforce laws.
D. It established a national court system.
Rationale: The Articles created a weak central government that lacked the
authority to tax citizens directly or enforce congressional decisions.
4. Alexander Hamilton served in which cabinet position?
A. Secretary of State
B. Secretary of the Treasury
C. Secretary of War
D. Attorney General
Rationale: Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury and
developed an ambitious financial plan to strengthen the federal government.
5. Who served as George Washington's first Secretary of State?
A. John Jay
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe
D. Henry Knox
Rationale: Thomas Jefferson managed American foreign affairs as
Washington's Secretary of State before becoming president.
6. What was the primary goal of Hamilton's financial program?
A. Reduce federal authority.
B. Eliminate all taxes permanently.
C. Establish a stable national economy and strengthen the federal
, government.
D. Transfer all economic powers to the states.
Rationale: Hamilton believed a strong financial system would improve
national credit and support economic growth.
7. Hamilton proposed that the federal government assume what?
A. Foreign debts only
B. Individual citizens' debts
C. State Revolutionary War debts
D. Church debts
Rationale: Hamilton argued that assuming state debts would strengthen
national unity and confidence in the federal government.
8. Which compromise helped secure passage of Hamilton's assumption
plan?
A. Missouri Compromise
B. Great Compromise
C. The Compromise of 1790 locating the national capital on the Potomac
River
D. Three-Fifths Compromise
Rationale: Southern leaders agreed to debt assumption in exchange for
locating the permanent capital near the Potomac River.
9. Why did Hamilton support creating the First Bank of the United States?
A. To eliminate all state banks
B. To finance only military operations
C. To stabilize the nation's finances and manage government funds
D. To replace the Treasury Department
(Washington to Jefferson) Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1.Which document served as the supreme law of the United States
beginning in 1789?
A. The Articles of Confederation
B. The Declaration of Independence
C. The United States Constitution
D. The Federalist Papers
Rationale: The United States Constitution replaced the Articles of
Confederation in 1789 and established a stronger national government with
executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
2. Who became the first President of the United States in 1789?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. George Washington
C. John Adams
D. James Madison
Rationale: George Washington was unanimously elected as the nation's first
president and set many important precedents for future presidents.
, 3. What was one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A. It created a powerful executive branch.
B. It allowed Congress to regulate all trade.
C. It gave the national government little power to tax or enforce laws.
D. It established a national court system.
Rationale: The Articles created a weak central government that lacked the
authority to tax citizens directly or enforce congressional decisions.
4. Alexander Hamilton served in which cabinet position?
A. Secretary of State
B. Secretary of the Treasury
C. Secretary of War
D. Attorney General
Rationale: Hamilton became the first Secretary of the Treasury and
developed an ambitious financial plan to strengthen the federal government.
5. Who served as George Washington's first Secretary of State?
A. John Jay
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. James Monroe
D. Henry Knox
Rationale: Thomas Jefferson managed American foreign affairs as
Washington's Secretary of State before becoming president.
6. What was the primary goal of Hamilton's financial program?
A. Reduce federal authority.
B. Eliminate all taxes permanently.
C. Establish a stable national economy and strengthen the federal
, government.
D. Transfer all economic powers to the states.
Rationale: Hamilton believed a strong financial system would improve
national credit and support economic growth.
7. Hamilton proposed that the federal government assume what?
A. Foreign debts only
B. Individual citizens' debts
C. State Revolutionary War debts
D. Church debts
Rationale: Hamilton argued that assuming state debts would strengthen
national unity and confidence in the federal government.
8. Which compromise helped secure passage of Hamilton's assumption
plan?
A. Missouri Compromise
B. Great Compromise
C. The Compromise of 1790 locating the national capital on the Potomac
River
D. Three-Fifths Compromise
Rationale: Southern leaders agreed to debt assumption in exchange for
locating the permanent capital near the Potomac River.
9. Why did Hamilton support creating the First Bank of the United States?
A. To eliminate all state banks
B. To finance only military operations
C. To stabilize the nation's finances and manage government funds
D. To replace the Treasury Department
