UPDATED US HISTORY 1 CLEP EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS

UPDATED US HISTORY 1 CLEP EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS “All of the following were early explorers of North America EXCEPT A. Francisco Coronado. B. Robert La Salle. C. Samuel de Champlain. D. Francisco Pizarro. E. Jacques Marquette. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Francisco Pizarro explored Peru while Francisco Coronado travelled through the area of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Robert La Salle and Jacques Marquette pursued the Mississippi River, and Samuel de Champlain explored the New England coast, Lake Champlain, and the Great Lakes." ""God has not been preparing the English-speaking and Teutonic peoples for a thousand years for nothing but vain, idle self-admiration. No! He has not made us the master organizers of the world to establish a system where chaos reigns. He has given us the spirit of progress to overwhelm the forces of reaction throughout the earth. He has made us adept in government that we may administer government among savage and senile peoples." The passage most nearly represents the philosophy of I. Manifest Destiny. II. American exceptionalism. III. Social Darwinism. A. I only. B. III only. C. I and III only. D. II and III only. E. I, II, and III. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The passage is taken from a speech by U.S. Senator Albert Beveridge, an ardent imperialist, and represents a philosophy based on Manifest Destiny (I), American exceptionalism (II), and Social Darwinism (III). The doctrine of Manifest Destiny stated that it was the destiny of the United States to dominate and rule all of the American continent. It was based on the belief that the American people and American democracy were superior to other peoples and governments in the Americas. This is related to the concept of American exceptionalism (II), which stated that America was God's chosen nation and Americans were God's chosen people. The two concepts went hand-in-hand, because if Americans were God's chosen people, then it was God's will that they should someday dominate North America, if not the rest of the world. When Darwin's ideas were published, hypothesizing survival of the fittest, many Americans quickly embraced them because they were easily translated into Social Darwinism, the belief that "superior" cultures will naturally come to dominate "inferior" cultures. This line of reasoning was used to establish "scientific" support for the concepts of Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism. Together they provided a compelling, even if distorted, rationale for American imperialism." "Which of the following was NOT involved in the "triangular trade" of the colonial period? A. Rum B. Molasses C. Cotton D. Slaves E. Tobacco - CORRECT ANSWER (C) Cotton did not become a major product until the invention of the cotton gin in the 1790s. Sugar or molasses was purchased in the West Indies and taken to New England where it was manufactured into rum. The rum was then traded in Africa for slaves. In other forms of the triangular trade, tobacco was a major product." "By February 1, 1861, which group of states had seceded from the Union? A. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina B. Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Florida C. Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia D. Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama E. Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia - CORRECT ANSWER (A) The first group of states to secede were Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina. After Lincoln called up troops in April 1861, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia seceded. Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware were slave states that never seceded." "Which of the following best describes the First Bank of the United States? A. It was solely a private business enterprise. B. It was solely a federal government enterprise. C. It was a joint private-public enterprise. D. It was a joint state-federal government enterprise. E. It was a joint state-private enterprise. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) The First Bank of the United States was a joint private-public enterprise, with stock owned by both the federal government and private individuals and representatives of the government and private sector serving as directors." "Historians believe the British trade regulations during the colonial period A. were bad for all the American colonies. B. favored the Southern colonies over the Northern colonies. C. provided both advantages and disadvantages for the American colonies. D. encouraged the development of colonial industry. E. favored the Northern colonies over the Southern colonies. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) The British trade regulations provided both advantages and disadvantages for the American colonies. For example, while guaranteeing access to the British market, they prevented access to the markets of other countries. Individual laws often favored certain colonies over others, but as a whole they did not favor one section of the American colonies." "The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established what precedent for new territories? A. Support for public education B. Equality of new states with old C. Fair treatment of Indians D. Prohibition of slavery E. Popular sovereignty - CORRECT ANSWER (B) While the Northwest Ordinance provided support for public education, prohibited slavery, and sought fair treatment of Indians, the only precedent it established was a procedure for a territory to become a state equal with all existing states. Popular sovereignty emerged later as a policy to allow states to decide for themselves whether to be slave or free." "The Pinckney Treaty with Spain in 1795 gave Americans the "right of deposit" at New Orleans. This meant that A. Americans could land goods at New Orleans and ship them out again without paying taxes. B. America had full trading rights with the Spanish. C. Americans could ship their goods in Spanish vessels. D. New Orleans became an American possession. E. American banks could be established in New Orleans. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) The "right of deposit" meant that Americans could land their goods at New Orleans and ship them out again without paying taxes. The treaty also opened the Mississippi to American shipping for three years and settled the boundary with Florida." "Which of the following books was likely to be found in the home of a colonial New Englander? A. The Scarlet Letter B. Walden C. Pilgrim's Progress D. The Holy Bible, Douay version E. Moby-Dick - CORRECT ANSWER (C) Pilgrim's Progress was published by the English Puritan John Bunyan in 1678 and 1684. The Douay version of The Bible was used by Roman Catholics, while Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Henry Thoreau's Walden, and Herman Melville's Moby-Dick were nineteenth century New England works." "The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 A. freed all slaves. B. freed slaves in the "border states." C. freed slaves in areas controlled by the Union army. D. freed slaves in areas still in rebellion. E. freed slaves in Washington, D.C. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) The Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, freed slaves in areas still in rebellion. The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery entirely." "The Proclamation of 1763 A. ordered that settlement be stopped west of the peaks of the Appalachians. B. stated that those who broke the trade laws were to be tried in the admiralty courts. C. ended the French and Indian War. D. forbade trade with the French, Dutch, and Spanish West Indies. E. established new taxes on trade. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) The Proclamation of 1763 ordered the ending of settlement west of the peaks of the Appalachians because of increasing problems with the Indians. The Peace of Paris (1763) ended the French and Indian War while the Sugar Act (1764) forbade trade with the non-English West Indies and required trials for those breaking the law to be held in Admiralty Courts, which had no juries. Numerous new taxes were placed on trade beginning in 1765." "The War of 1812 resulted in which of the following? A. New territory for the United States B. Resumption of the status quo prior to the war C. Defeat of the United States D. The strengthening of the Federalist party E. Loss of United States territory - CORRECT ANSWER (B) The Treaty of Ghent (1814) restored the antebellum status quo. Although the United States had attempted to take Canada, it had failed. Despite defeats in many battles and the burning of Washington, D.C., the U.S. was not defeated in the war. The Federalists, who opposed the war and were moving toward supporting secession of the Northeast, were seriously weakened when the war ended." "Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes A. freedom of speech. B. the powers of the presidency. C. freedom of assembly. D. the powers of Congress. E. the powers of the Supreme Court. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Article I of the Constitution deals exclusively with Congress, the legislative branch of government. In this section of the Constitution, the powers and duties of Congress are carefully enumerated in detailed fashion. The most famous section of this article is Article I, Section 8, the "necessary and proper clause," which allows for a broad expanse of Congress' powers to make law. The powers of the presidency are covered in Article II, while those of the Supreme Court in Article III. Guarantees of freedom of speech and assembly are to be found in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights." "In order for a treaty to become law, the _____ must ratify the treaty after it has been negotiated by the _____ . A. House of Representatives ... Senate B. Congress ... president C. Supreme Court ... Senate D. Senate ... president E. president ... Senate - CORRECT ANSWER (D) According to Article II, Section 2 (II, 2) of the United States Constitution, the Senate is granted the sole authority to ratify a treaty while the president, or any delegated representative he appoints, alone can negotiate treaties with a foreign nation. This division of power is part of the elaborate checks and balances established in our Constitution by the founding fathers in 1788. This principle is one of the key characteristics of a republican form of government. The system was utilized to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful and dictatorial. Neither the Supreme Court nor the House of Representatives was included in this process. In recent years, American presidents have utilized increasingly the device of "executive agreements" with foreign nations to bypass the requirement of Senate approval of treaties. In 1937, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Belmont that although executive agreements are approved only by the president, they enjoy the same legal status as treaties." "The first presidential election that relied upon the popular vote to select the electoral college was held in A. 1789 B. 1800 C. 1824 D. 1916 E. 1928 - CORRECT ANSWER (C) In the election of 1824, the members of the electoral college were selected by popular vote for the first time. Despite the public's misconceptions, the American president is selected by the electoral college and not the popular vote. Prior to 1824 members of the electoral college were selected by some agency of state government and as a result, the American electorate had little direct say in presidential elections. Today, a candidate requires 270 out of 535 electoral votes to become president. Members of the electoral college are chosen on a state-by-state basis according to party affiliation with the candidate. Each state is granted the same number of electors as its membership in Congress. In a winner-take-all format, a vote for a presidential candidate really is a vote for his party's state candidates to the electoral college and an indication to the electors from your state as to your candidate of choice. The November presidential election really is an election of the electoral college who meet in December to select the president." "On the eve of Columbus's first arrival in 1492, the native Indian population of the Western Hemisphere is estimated at A. 1-5 million. B. 10-20 million. C. 25-40 million. D. 50-60 million. E. 80-100 million. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) In recent years, students of population analysis, demographers, have greatly revised the long accepted population estimates of James Mooney in 1925 for the Amerindian in pre-Colombian times. Mooney has estimated that less than 25 million Indians resided in the Americas around the year 1500. The main problem with Mooney's figures is that they were based primarily upon white European eyewitness accounts of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Today archaeological findings and sophisticated demographic analysis using the computer have established the Indian population of the Western Hemisphere at nearly 100 million prior to Columbus' arrival. It should be noted that the Indian population stood at its lowest ebb in America in 1886 when there were less than 250,000 Amerindians. In the 1980 census, the Amerindian population had grown to 1.2 million." "The Articles of Confederation created for the 13 states A. a strong national government. B. a sound national economy. C. a league of friendship among 13 independent countries. D. the Bill of Rights. E. interstate trade agreements. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) The Articles of Confederation existed as the government of the United States from 1781 through 1788 when it was replaced by the United States Constitution. The Articles existed as a unicameral legislature in which each state had one vote. It was granted no coercive powers over the states and cannot be considered a national government, as it could not act directly on citizens. Because it could not raise taxes directly, but could only request moneys from the states, the Articles had little control over the states' finances. It paid for the war through an inflationary currency that at times was nearly worthless. After the war, the Articles proved unable to control interstate trade conflicts that led indirectly to the writing of the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was not ratified until 1791, two years after the Articles had expired. At best, it kept the 13 states from dividing through the use of a common enemy, England, during the war." "During the winter of 1786, Shays' Rebellion indicated to most Americans A. the political dangers of the post-war recession. B. the weaknesses of state government. C. the need to reform the Articles of Confederation. D. the desperation of the yeoman farmer in America. E. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) In the immediate aftermath of the Revolutionary War in 1783, the British sought to do economically what they had been unsuccessful at militarily. British merchants indebted Americans heavily by extending credit and then in 1785 demanding full payment in gold. American merchants demanded full payment from yeoman farmers and would not accept barter payment as tender. The result was that by 1786, 35 percent of American farmers were in danger of losing their farms through mortgages. The farmers of western Massachusetts requested aid from the state government and when none came took matters into their own hands. The angry farmers closed down the courts to stop foreclosure proceedings against farmers. Massachusetts requested aid from the Articles but the central government was unable to assist Massachusetts. Massachusetts eventually put down the rebellion with a show of force and the rebels scattered. Shays' Rebellion shocked most conservatives in America into recognizing that the Articles were sorely in need of reform. A convention was called for the summer of 1787 to meet in Philadelphia. The 55 delegates to that convention produced the Constitution of the United States." "In seventeenth century New England, married women were denied the right to A. vote for elected officials. B. divorce their husbands. C. arrange marriages for their children. D. own property. E. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) Seventeenth century married and single women were denied the right to vote in colonial elections. According to seventeenth-century law, married women (feme coverts) did retain the authority to divorce their husbands by proving just cause (i.e., extreme physical cruelty, abandonment, impious behavior). Also, mothers were considered equal partners with fathers in following the New England practice of parental arrangements of marriage for their children as a means of socioeconomic mobility. Finally, women were allowed to own personal property while married, and in many cases land and businesses as well. The denial of political rights to women in colonial America was based on the belief that women were unable to know public affairs as they were restricted in their affairs to the private domain of the household." "During the Washington administration, the secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton, proposed an economic program which included all of the following EXCEPT A. establishing close ties between the national government and American business. B. establishing a national bank. C. having the states pay off the total war debt. D. imposing new taxes through customs duties and excise taxes. E. retiring the full national debt but maintaining deficit government spending. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) Although Hamilton publicly advocated retirement of the bulk of America's wartime debt to restore faith, he desired to retain a portion of the debt to cement creditors closer to the national government out of their self-interest. As a result, Hamilton supported the notion of deficit spending as a means of attracting creditors to the national government. It was imperative to Hamilton that business interests be attracted to the national and not state governments. As a result, Hamilton demanded that the new national government assume the war debt of each individual state. In order to pay this sum, he proposed the raising of a revenue through customs duties and excise taxes. To conclude his plan, Hamilton sought to create a national bank with business leaders and government officials in the controlling interest. By these means, Hamilton sought to achieve his goal of uniting business leaders to the new national government during the 1790s. His program was directly opposed by Jefferson and Madison." "In the impeachment process against the president, the __________ determines the guilt or innocence of the president. A. House of Representatives B. Senate C. Supreme Court D. Cabinet E. American people - CORRECT ANSWER (B) The impeachment process in American government is actually a two-part process. In Article I, Section 2 (I, 2), the House of Representatives holds the sole right to initiate impeachment against a president. The House acts as a grand jury in this phase and its impeachment of a president only amounts to an announcement to the Senate that the second phase of the process must begin. According to I, 3, the Senate, with the chief justice of the Supreme Court presiding, begins a trial on the guilt or innocence of a president regarding the bill of impeachment. If found guilty, the president is removed from office. Thus, the Senate acts as a petit jury and determines innocence and guilt. Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth president, and Bill Clinton, the forty-second president, have been the only two presidents impeached by the House of Representatives (in 1867 and 1999, respectively). Neither one was removed from office by the Senate. President Richard Nixon was neither impeached nor removed from office by this process." "In James Madison's "Federalist Paper Number Ten," the most dangerous threat to the U.S. Constitution was presented by A. the president's war powers. B. factions. C. the Supreme Court. D. a standing army. E. freedom of speech. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) According to most political scientists, James Madison's Tenth Federalist ranks behind only the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution as a document fundamental to American government. During the ratification contest over the Constitution in New York, Madison, along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, authored a series of letters in defense of the Constitution that were signed under the pseudonym "Publius." It was Madison's Tenth letter that showed how the Constitution differed from all previous political systems in that it allowed for expansive freedom for its citizens, yet still provided an energetic government. According to Madison, however, the only serious threat to the Constitution would arise from a single interest group, or faction, becoming dominant in our government. Madison believed a large territory and diverse population would prevent that from ever occurring. Madison supported a strong president and Supreme Court, and authored the Bill of Rights in ." "Spanish colonization of the New World was characterized by all of the following EXCEPT A. ruthless exploitation of the Indians. B. establishing African slavery in the Americas. C. reliance upon large families as settlers. D. introduction of the horse to America. E. the creation of large agricultural plantations. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) The ideal colonial for Spain was an unmarried young male bent on achieving sudden fame and wealth through military exploitation of the Indians. During the sixteenth century about 1,500 conquistadors arrived per year seeking only to gain a rapid fortune and return to Spain. To achieve this end, the conquistadors conquered the Indians through military force and exploited their labor as slaves on large plantations called adelatandos. Only after the Indian population succumbed did the Spanish introduce African slavery to the Americas through the efforts of Charles V and Las Casas. Prior to Columbus' arrival, there were no horses known to the Western Hemisphere." "Seventeenth-century English settlers of New England differed from those in Virginia by A. living shorter lives because of the harsh climate. B. importing large numbers of slaves. C. settling on isolated farms. D. living in tightly clustered communities. E. having large families. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Contrary to popular views, New Englanders enjoyed a life expectancy of close to 70 years for men and 62 years for women in the seventeenth century. Earlier estimates of life expectancy too often factored a high infant mortality into the equation to conclude with an inaccurate assessment of life expectancies in the 40's for both men and women. Both Virginians and New Englanders had average family sizes of between six and eight throughout the seventeenth century. Slavery never grew beyond small portions in New England because of the lack of large plantations in the region. Instead, Puritans tended to reside in highly isolated villages or towns. Here each Puritan community huddled together and worked closely to establish their separate religious utopias. The harsh New England climate, rocky soil, and thick forests all worked to support the Puritan pattern of settlement by townships." "The only eighteenth century North American British colony with a black population majority was A. North Carolina B. Virginia C. Maryland D. South Carolina E. Georgia - CORRECT ANSWER (D) South Carolina earned its distinct population ratios with a black:white ratio of 20:1. In large part, this was owing to the harsh work in the colony's rice fields, which were little better than marshes and swamps. Because of the fear of diseases such as malaria and the demanding nature of the work on a rice plantation, South Carolina farmers were unable to attract white indentured servants and were compelled to rely on black slaves almost exclusively as a labor force. All the remaining Southern colonies held a black:white ratio where slaves comprised about 12-15 percent of the total population throughout the colonial period." "From 1689 until 1763, England fought a series of wars with France for control of North America. Which of the following wars was not part of this series? A. King William's War B. Queen Anne's War C. The Seven Years' War D. King George's War E. King Philip's War - CORRECT ANSWER (E) King Philip's War in Massachusetts was not part of the four great imperial wars between England and France for control of North America. (See Question 10 on King Philip's War.) Each of the other wars were fought for control of North America. Of the four wars, only the Seven Years' War () began in America and spread to Europe. In this final war, England and France fought for control of the Ohio Territory. The French were finally defeated and ceded all of Canada to England at the peace treaty. Thus, in 1763, England was the master of the entirety of North America for the first time. The other wars for the most part ended without conclusive victors: King William's War (); Queen Anne's War (); and King George's War ()." "Colonial government in British North America did NOT allow A. universal manhood suffrage. B. bicameral legislatures. C. annual elections. D. for a republican form of government. E. local units of government to exist. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) Colonial Americans believed that the vote belonged only to those members of society who had a large stake in society's well being. As a result, they allowed only white adult males with sufficient property and in many cases the correct religion to vote. In order to vote in most colonies, one had to be white, male, 21 years or older, a property owner, and a Protestant. These electoral qualifications disenfranchised all blacks, women, non-Protestants, and poor from being politically active through the vote. Annual elections were the rule for the lower legislative houses; local government and county government were very active throughout the colonial period; bicameral legislatures were the norm for the colonies; all 13 colonies claimed to have created a republican form of government to replicate that of England's." "James Otis earned fame for his defense of American political freedom in A. his book, Common Sense. B. the Writs of Assistance case. C. the Virginia House of Burgesses. D. the Second Continental Congress. E. the Boston Tea Party. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) In 1761, the young Massachusetts lawyer James Otis burst across the political horizon with his assault on the general search warrants issued to British customs officials in the Writs of Assistance case. Since 1760, England had sought a method to curb colonial smuggling and New England trade with France during the Seven Years' War. The issuance of the writs allowed officials to ransack private homes searching for evidence. In arguing against the writs, Otis advanced the view that an act of Parliament was subject to review by the higher law of the English Constitution. Otis lost the case, but advanced a view of higher law and constitutions that most Americans came to accept. Thomas Paine was the author of Common Sense. Otis never spoke in Virginia and during the 1770s was to play a minimal political role because of diminishing psychological faculties." "The Boston Massacre occurred after which of the following events? A. The Intolerable Acts B. The Townshend Duties C. The First Continental Congress D. The Battle of Lexington and Concord E. The Boston Tea Party - CORRECT ANSWER (B) Taking place in March 1770, the Boston Massacre occurred AFTER the Townshend Duties of 1767. All other events took place after 1770: Boston Tea Party (1773); First Continental Congress (1774); Intolerable Acts (1774); and the Battle of Lexington and Concord (1775). The massacre itself was a relatively small, local incident involving Boston dock workers and British soldiers that resulted in seven Bostonians being shot. However, the radicals used the incident to their advantage and propagandized the event into a major blow against American freedom." "I am directly opposed to any purpose of secession. The Constitution was made, not merely for the generation which then existed, but for posterity, undefined, unlimited, permanent, and perpetual. . . and for every subsequent state which might come into the Union, binding themselves by that indissoluble bond. The passage most nearly represents the views of I. Henry Clay. II. John C. Calhoun. III. Daniel Webster. A. I only. B. II only. C. I and II only. D. I and III only. E. I, II, and III. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Both Henry Clay (I) and Daniel Webster (III) were ardent supporters of the Union and believed that once a state had joined the Union that state could never secede. They felt that all grievances must be resolved within the framework of the Constitution, which in their view did not allow states to secede when grievances were not resolved to their liking, or for any other reason. John C. Calhoun (II), however, was a leader in the states' rights movement and believed states could secede whenever they wanted to. His views were diametrically opposed to those expressed in the passage." "I am directly opposed to any purpose of secession. The Constitution was made, not merely for the generation which then existed, but for posterity, undefined, unlimited, permanent, and perpetual. . . and for every subsequent state which might come into the Union, binding themselves by that indissoluble bond. The passage is from the only debate in which William Seward, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Daniel Webster, Stephen A. Douglas, Salmon Chase, and Jefferson Davis all took part. This debate resulted in A. the secession of South Carolina from the Union in 1861. B. the Kansas-Nebraska Acts of 1854. C. the Missouri Compromise of 1820. D. the Compromise of 1850. E. the location of the Mason-Dixon line. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) The passage is from a speech made by Henry Clay during the debate over the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise sought to resolve differences between Northern and Southern states over the issues of slavery and prohibition against its expansion into western territories such as New Mexico and California. This debate was the only one in which all of the people named were present. While Henry Clay was present for the debate of the Missouri Compromise in 1820 (C), younger statesmen such as Stephen A. Douglas, Jefferson Davis, Salmon Chase, and William Seward were not. The Missouri Compromise debate, as well as the decision over the location of the Mason-Dixon line (E), never raised the issue of secession as openly as the debate over the Compromise of 1850, and while impassioned speeches such as the one quoted were given on the issue of slavery, they were not given on the issue of secession. While both the Kansas-Nebraska Acts (B) and the secession of South Carolina (A) sparked impassioned speeches, they both occurred after the deaths of Calhoun and Webster, so they could not have participated in these debates." "The battle of Saratoga in 1777 was best known for A. near total defeat of Washington by Howe. B. securing America an alliance with France. C. the first signs of Benedict Arnold's treason. D. being the first battle in the South. E. the splitting of the American states in half by the Howe brothers. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) The major victory of the Americans at Saratoga did much to convince the French to join in an alliance with the Americans against England. According to our French ambassador, Benjamin Franklin, the French were hesitant to assist the Americans because they saw little hope for an American military victory over England. However, General Gates' victory over General Burgoyne gave the Americans new hope and the desperately needed French alliance and loan. Now England faced a war on two fronts. Saratoga was the turning point in the military phase of the American Revolution. Neither Washington nor Howe participated at the Battle of Saratoga which took place in New York." "At the Philadelphia Convention of 1788, the author of the Great Compromise to the U.S. Constitution was A. Patrick Henry. B. John Adams. C. Thomas Jefferson. D. Roger Sherman. E. James Madison. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Roger Sherman was the author of the Great Compromise at the Philadelphia Convention. The issue at hand was the proposed Virginia Plan versus the New Jersey Plan at the Convention. The delegates were equally divided between support of the Virginia Plan (a legislature based on population and favoring the large/populous states) and the New Jersey Plan (a legislature granting each state an equal vote and favoring the small states). This division resulted in a deadlock and threatened the ability to produce a new government for the nation. The deadlock was broken when Sherman proposed the creation of a two house (bicameral) legislature/congress, with the Senate based on the New Jersey Plan (two senators per state) and the House of Representatives based on the Virginia Plan (one representative per 25,000 inhabitants). With the approval of the compromise, the 55 delegates were able to produce the U.S. Constitution. Patrick Henry, as an Antifederalist, never attended the Convention. Adams and Jefferson also were not in attendance as they were serving overseas as America's ambassadors to England and France, respectively. James Madison, as one of the authors of the Virginia Plan, did not author the Compromise." "During the ratification contest, the Antifederalist critique of the proposed U.S. Constitution contained all of the following arguments EXCEPT A. the lack of a written Bill of Rights. B. the lack of a popular vote for the presidency. C. the location of the new government in Washington, D.C. D. the powers of the Supreme Court. E. the large territory of the United States. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) The Antifederalists never voiced concern in over the location of the government in Washington, D.C. because it was not proposed as the new seat of government until 1790 with the accepted Constitution already in operation. During the newspaper debates over the Constitution, the Antifederalists expressly and vehemently denounced the powers of the Supreme Court as too broad and that the national court would overshadow the state courts under the Constitution. These opponents of the Constitution also feared the indirect election of the president through the electoral college system as one that would encourage plots and conspiracies. Finally, the two gravest defects of the Constitution in the eyes of the Antifederalists were that it did not guarantee the rights of its citizens in writing (ultimately, this complaint would lead to the Bill of Rights as the first 10 amendments to the Constitution) and that no single republican form of government could effectively rule over such a large territory as the original American states." "Opposition to the Jay Treaty in the U.S. Senate centered around A. the opening of American trade with the West Indies. B. the British refusal to withdraw troops from American soil. C. the settlement of American debts to British merchants. D. its inability to stop the practice of British impressment. E. None of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) In 1794, George Washington appointed John Jay as special ambassador to negotiate a treaty with Great Britain. Because of his lack of diplomatic leverage, Jay secured a treaty in which England agreed only to the removal of British troops from American soil. England refused to allow the Americans open trade with the West Indies and refused to stop the impressment of American sailors (a practice whereby Americans virtually were kidnapped into serving 10-20 year terms in the British navy). Revolutionary War debts remained open to negotiation by the two parties. Although the Treaty passed the Senate by a single vote, opposition from the Republican party was most intense over the issue of impressment." "In the election of 1800, the House of Representatives selected the president because of the deadlocked election between A. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. B. Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr. C. Thomas Jefferson and Charles Pickney. D. James Madison and John Adams. E. George Washington and John Adams. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) According to the Constitution, the House of Representatives was empowered to select the president from the two top vote getters if no candidate received over 50 percent of the electoral vote. In the election of 1800, John Adams and Charles Pickney were the Federalist party candidates for president and vice president, while Jefferson and Aaron Burr were the nominees of the Democratic-Republican party. However, the ballots cast by the electoral college never indicated who was president and who was vice president. Thus, Jefferson and Burr were tied. Burr sought to steal the presidency from Jefferson and the House cast 37 separate votes before deciding on Jefferson upon the advice of Alexander Hamilton. This election led to the ratification of the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution in 1804 which ordered all future ballots to designate a candidate's office." "Women emerged from the American Revolution with the prescribed new responsibility of A. enjoying the vote. B. serving in local political office. C. becoming public school teachers. D. raising sons and daughters as good republican citizens. E. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) After the American Revolution, American women were advised by authors and ministers that they could best serve the nation by becoming "republican mothers." This concept encouraged women to retain their domain in the household and seek to enter the public world vicariously through their sons. Mothers were advised to teach their sons the republican virtues of truth, frugality, sense of public service, honor, and wisdom. Women were not granted the right to vote, hold any public office, or teach in public schools. Instead, they were advised to keep the home as their domain and only take a half-step toward public life." ""John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it," refers to which Supreme Court decision scorned by President Andrew Jackson? A. Gibbons v. Ogden B. McCulloch v. Maryland. C. Dred Scott Case D. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia E. Marbury v. Madison - CORRECT ANSWER (D) In 1832, Jackson is said to have uttered these words in reaction to Chief Justice Marshall's decision in the case of the Cherokee Nation v. Georgia. Although Marshall rejected the Cherokee nation's argument that they existed as a "nation within a nation," he nonetheless ruled that the Cherokees could not be legally moved from their lands as the state of Georgia desired. The Cherokees were finally removed in along the Trail of Tears. In this case, Jackson reminded the Court that its power was totally dependent upon the Executive branch's willingness to enforce the law. In Gibbons (1824), the Court ruled on commerce; in McCulloch (1819), the court ruled on the superior power of the national government over the states; Dred Scott (1857) was a decision by Roger Taney on slavery; and Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the power of judicial review." "Andrew Jackson referred to the Election of 1824 as "the corrupt bargain" because of A. the Whig election smear campaign against him. B. wide-scale fraud in the popular vote. C. the selection of Henry Clay as President John Quincy Adams' secretary of state. D. the Senate's choice of John Quincy Adams as president. E. the lack of a popular vote for the electoral college. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) In 1824, no candidate received a clear majority in the electoral college. Although Jackson had outpolled his nearest rival in the popular vote, 43 percent to 30 percent, the House of Representatives still selected the second candidate, John Quincy Adams, over Jackson. Jackson became outraged when he discovered that Henry Clay, a presidential candidate, swung his support to Adams and was named secretary of state by Adams. Jackson was convinced that a deal had been struck and the popular vote denied. Jackson never discussed fraudulent voting practices and the Whig party was not identified with campaign smears during this election." "Andrew Jackson's impact on the office of the presidency is characterized by a reliance on A. the veto as a political weapon. B. a "kitchen cabinet." C. the spoils system. D. public opinion. E. All of the above. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) Andrew Jackson had the single greatest impact on the office of the presidency of any president other than Washington during the nineteenth century. Jackson completely transformed the office from a pawn of political parties to a strong and independent force in American government and politics. He established his power through the use of the veto (i.e., the Maysville Veto, the veto of the Second Bank of the United States, etc.) as an offensive rather than defensive political weapon. In addition, he was able to bypass both congressional and party control of his Cabinet by appointing an unofficial inner circle of top advisors called "the kitchen cabinet." Jackson also used his power to appoint civil servants for the federal government with a vengeance and replaced earlier office holders with officials who were personally loyal to him, creating the "spoils system." Finally, Jackson skillfully used public opinion to back his policies whenever he felt it was required, as in his struggles with Nicholas Biddle over the Second Bank of the United States." "The historian most associated with the view of slavery as crushing African-Americans into a "sambo personality" is A. Herbert Aptheker. B. George Fitzhugh. C. Harriet Beecher Stowe. D. Eugene Genovese. E. Stanley Elkins. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) In 1961, Stanley Elkins published his controversial work Slavery. In this study, Elkins likened the conditions of blacks under slavery to Jewish inmates of Nazi concentration camps during World War II. According to Elkins, the American system of slavery relied upon physical and psychological torture of African-Americans to such a degree that it crushed them psychologically and produced the "Sambo personality"—infantile-like adults who lacked strong self-esteem and initiative and who often adopted the views of white racism as their own internal values of self-hate. Herbert Aptheker was a Marxist scholar who advanced the view of slaves as heroic rebels. George Fitzhugh was the Southern champion of slavery as a positive good in the 1850s and viewed all black people as innately inferior to whites and as a result they advanced under slavery. Stowe's depiction of slaves in Uncle Tom's Cabin displayed blacks as human beings with a full range of virtues and courage. Eugene Genovese is a contemporary historian whose classic Roll Jordan Roll examines African-American slave culture and depicts a strong culture grounded by strong and stable people and not "Sambo" personalities." "Select the statement which BEST represents Abraham Lincoln's public position on slavery in the Election of 1860. A. "We must purge this land by blood." B. "We consider the slaveholder a relentless tyrant." C. "On the issue of slavery I will not retreat a single inch." D. "If I can maintain the Union with slavery I shall; if I can maintain the Union without slavery I shall." E. "Slavery is the most dreaded disease known to civilized mankind." - CORRECT ANSWER (D) During the election of 1860, Lincoln sought to reduce the issue of slavery to a secondary status before the primary concern of keeping the nation united. As a result, Lincoln varied widely in his public views on slavery, but never waivered from his belief that the primary issue in the election was keeping the union together. John Brown in 1859 uttered the words of needing to purge America by blood of the sin of slavery. The quotes from (B), (C), and (E) were all representative of the extreme abolitionist position adopted by William Lloyd Garrison and his followers who desired to end slavery immediately even at the cost of losing the South to secession. Lincoln never advocated the Abolitionist position." "Which of the following events occurred last? A. Kansas-Nebraska Act B. Nat Turner Rebellion C. Seneca Falls Convention D. Lincoln-Douglas debates E. Homestead Act - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The Nat Turner Rebellion occurred in 1831 as the bloodiest slave uprising in American history when 55 whites were killed by about 15 slaves in Virginia. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854 and sought to establish the principle of popular sovereignty in the two territories on the issue of slavery to promote the presidential ambitions of Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois. The Seneca Falls Convention convened in 1848 as a militant expression of women's rights led by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The Lincoln-Douglas debates took place in 1858 as both candidates vied for the Senate seat in Illinois. The Homestead Act was passed by Congress in 1862 and granted a free 160-acre farm in the Far West (Great Plains region) to any American citizen 21 years of age or older who would work the land for five years." "Northern denunciation of the Compromise of 1850 was directed primarily toward A. the Fugitive Slave Law. B. statehood for California. C. the acquisition of New Mexico and Utah as slave territories. D. the gag rule in the House of Representatives. E. continuation of the African slave trade. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) Northerners were outraged by the measure of the Compromise of 1850 known as the Fugitive Slave Law. Although the North had gained victories in the Compromise in California's admission as a free state and the end of slave auctions in Washington, D.C., they felt the price of victory was too high with the Fugitive Slave Law. Under this law, all Americans legally were required to assist in the return of all runaway or "fugitive" slaves to their masters. Abolitionists like Garrison denounced the act as an attempt to force every Northerner to become part of the dreaded slave system. The importation of African slaves legally had ended in 1808 and the Gag Rule on tabling abolition petitions in Congress without discussion was enacted in 1837. Northern concern over Utah and New Mexico had been voiced during debates over the Wilmot Proviso at the end of the Mexican-American War." "In the election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln's total of the popular vote was A. 80 percent. B. 70 percent. C. 60 percent. D. 50 percent. E. 40 percent. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) In the election of 1860, the strength of sectionalism in the country was apparent with the nomination of four sectional candidates for president. As the Republican party's candidate, Lincoln mustered only 40 percent of the popular vote but carried a majority of electoral college votes to win the election. John Breckinridge for the Southern Democrats earned 18 percent of the popular vote, while Stephen Douglas and the Northern Democrats earned 30 percent. John Bell of the Constitutional Union party was able to gather only 13 percent of the vote. Thus, Lincoln was seen as a minority president lacking a national mandate and representing only the interests of the North." "During the Civil War, President Lincoln gave evidence of his democratic beliefs by A. sponsoring the Homestead Act. B. the recruitment of black soldiers into the Northern Army. C. the Emancipation Proclamation. D. the Fourteenth Amendment. E. his actions during his first four months in office. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) Lincoln's faith in democracy is best reflected in his sponsorship of the Homestead Act, which granted a free 160-acre farm in the Great Plains to any American citizen willing to work the land for five years. This Act gave rise to the great westward migration of up to four million Americans from 1865 to 1900. Lincoln was extremely reluctant to enlist black volunteers during the Civil War and was forced to this action only in 1863 with the creation of the 54th Massachusetts regiment. Black troops, about 185,000, were kept in segregated units under white officers. Lincoln's passage of the Emancipation Proclamation was more an act of political subterfuge than an effort in democracy as the Proclamation never really freed a slave. The Fourteenth Amendment was ratified in 1867 after Lincoln's death. During his first four months in office, Lincoln ran the Civil War as a virtual dictator, usurping Congressional powers of raising and supporting an army while Congress was on leave." "The president associated with the Sellout of 1876 was A. U.S. Grant. B. Ben Tilden. C. Andrew Johnson. D. Rutherford B. Hayes. E. William Howard Taft. - CORRECT ANSWER (D) The Republican President Hayes was responsible for the Sellout of 1876. In the election of 1876, the Republican Hayes and Democrat Tilden ended in an electoral tie for the presidency. Amidst claims of fraudulent election returns, Hayes met with Southern members of the House of Representatives in New Orleans. In return for their votes, Hayes promised to withdraw Union soldiers from the South and end Reconstruction, effectively granting the white South a free hand in dealing with blacks. Hayes won the election in the South and made good on his bargain. Neither Taft, Johnson, nor Grant were involved in the election of 1876." "Questions 53 and 54 refer to the following passage. The major problems of this country today are the result of too many immigrants and the corrupt influence of Papists (Roman Catholics). The immigrants are stealing jobs that belong to the native-born American citizens. Their low moral values threaten the very fabric of our society. The Papists serve Rome,not the United States. They would turn governmental power over to the Pope in a second, if given the chance. Therefore we believe that Papists should not be allowed to hold political office in the United States. Immigrants should be required to live in the United States for at least 21 years before being eligible to vote. The passage most closely represents the views of what political party? A. Free Soil party B. Know-Nothing party C. Populist party D. Republican party E. Whig party - CORRECT ANSWER (B) The passage represents the philosophy and major tenets of the "Know-Nothing" party, which developed in the late 1840s as the culmination of the anti-Catholic and anti-immigrant sentiments which were widespread in the United States at that time. People feared that immigrants were destroying social values, adding to unemployment problems, and disrupting the political process. Many of these immigrants were Catholic, and they were particularly targeted because of their supposed subservience to a foreign leader, the pope. The Know-Nothings promised to end this perceived threat by limiting the rights of Catholics and immigrants to vote and to hold elective office. Free Soilers (A) focused on stopping the expansion of slavery into the western territories. The fledgling Republican party (D) focused on the abolition of slavery. The Whig party (E) was a mainstream party that refused to take radical positions on the issues of Catholicism and immigrants, and was destroyed by the development of the more radical parties. The Populist party (C) was formed in the 1890s by farmers seeking to redress economic concerns ignored by the major political parties. The Populists never blamed their problems on immigrants and Catholics and never included restrictive policies against them in their platform." "Questions 53 and 54 refer to the following passage. The major problems of this country today are the result of too many immigrants and the corrupt influence of Papists (Roman Catholics). The immigrants are stealing jobs that belong to the native-born American citizens. Their low moral values threaten the very fabric of our society. The Papists serve Rome,not the United States. They would turn governmental power over to the Pope in a second, if given the chance. Therefore we believe that Papists should not be allowed to hold political office in the United States. Immigrants should be required to live in the United States for at least 21 years before being eligible to vote. The political philosophy represented in this passage achieved its peak in popularity around A. 1825. B. 1835. C. 1845. D. 1855. E. 1865 - CORRECT ANSWER (D) The Know-Nothing party evolved out of a secret society known as the "Order of the Star Spangled Banner." It rapidly gained support, especially in coastal cities where the number of immigrants and Catholics were high. The party became the second largest political party in the country by 1855. However, its narrow focus and its lack of nationally recognized, competent, and experienced leaders left it unable to accomplish its stated goals. People quickly grew disillusioned and flocked to other parties focusing on other issues ignored by the Know-Nothings, such as slavery and states' rights, which were rapidly becoming the major issues. By 1860, the Know-Nothings were no longer a major political force." "Which of the following did NOT characterize French settlement in the New World? A. The French controlled access to the Mississippi River and the St. Lawrence River. B. The French established trade in furs. C. The French developed widespread settlement in the interior of the continent. D. The French established a single government for all of New France. E. The French generally established good relations with the Indians. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) French settlement was largely confined to the area north of Montreal to the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. In addition to controlling the St. Lawrence River, the French also controlled access to the Mississippi at New Orleans. Unlike the 13 British colonies, New France had one central government. And also unlike the British, the French, who emphasized the fur trade, tended not to establish permanent settlements in the interior and therefore did not threaten the forests and game necessary to Indian life. The Six Nations, however, never allied with the French." "The key British victory in the French and Indian War was at A. Louisburg. B. Fort Frontenac. C. Fort Duquesne. D. Crown Point. E. Ticonderoga. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) The fall of Louisburg in 1758 gave the British a base from which they could cut off French reinforcements and supplies to America. The British conquered Fort Frontenac and Fort Duquesne in 1758 and Crown Point and Fort Ticonderoga in 1759." "The "Middle Passage" refers to A. the route traveled by Lewis and Clark through the Rocky Mountains. B. the route to the Orient sought by Henry Hudson. C. the road established between Cumberland, Maryland, and Vandalia, Illinois. D. the route across Panama for those heading to the California gold fields. E. the voyage between Africa and the Americas taken by the slave traders. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The "Middle Passage" refers to the slave traders' route between Africa and the Americas during which 13 to 33 percent of the slaves died. Lewis and Clark crossed the Rocky Mountains at the Bozeman Pass on their 1804-06 expedition. Henry Hudson sought the Northwest Passage in 1609. The National Road was built between 1806 and 1852, connecting Maryland and Illinois. Gold seekers crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1849." "All of the following were advocates of religious toleration EXCEPT A. William Penn. B. John Winthrop. C. Roger Williams. D. Lord Baltimore. E. Thomas Jefferson. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) John Winthrop, Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, opposed religious toleration, supporting the banishment of Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson. William Penn established toleration in Pennsylvania, Roger Williams in Rhode Island, and Lord Baltimore in Maryland. Later, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786)." "Alexander Hamilton's "Report on Public Credit" proposed which of the following? A. Repudiate the Confederate debts B. Establish a protective tariff C. Offer bonuses to encourage manufacturing D. Assume the state debts E. Establish a national bank - CORRECT ANSWER (D) Hamilton's "Report on Public Credit" (1790) proposed to assume both the state debts and the debts of the Confederation. In other proposals he sought the establishment of a national bank, a protective tariff, and bounties to encourage manufacturing." "Under Thomas Jefferson, the Republicans A. reversed Federalist measures for funding the national debt. B. renewed the charter of the Bank of the United States. C. reduced the federal budget. D. enlarged the United States Army. E. increased the national debt. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) Largely by reducing the size of the army and navy, Jefferson was able to reduce the federal budget. Although he opposed the Bank of the United States and assumption of state debts, he did not change Federalist policies. Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin tried to pay off the national debt as rapidly as possible." "The Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) gave the United States A. Louisiana B. Oregon C. Texas D. California E. Florida - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) with Spain gave the United States both East and West Florida in return for U.S. payment of up to $5 million in claims by American citizens against the Spanish. Louisiana was purchased in 1803 from France. Texas obtained its independence from Mexico in 1836 and entered the Union in 1845. The 49th parallel was accepted as the border between Canada and Oregon by the U.S. and Great Britain in 1846. And California became an American possession through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848." "The Jacksonian era was notable for its A. decrease in the number of active voters. B. destruction of the spoils system. C. opposition to party nominating conventions. D. support of Indian rights. E. rhetorical egalitarianism. - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The Jacksonian era was notable for its rhetorical egalitarianism, hence the term "Jacksonian democracy," but recent research indicates that the period did not experience any significant increase in social mobility. The Jacksonian Democrats supported the spoils system and opposed Indian rights. Both the Democrats and the Whigs used the nominating convention. And the number of active voters increased in response to the new campaign tactics." "The "Crime of '73" refers to A. the Bland-Allison bill which required the Treasury Department to purchase between $2 million and $4 million worth of silver each month. B. the Sherman Silver Purchase Act which required the Treasury Department to purchase 4.5 million ounces of silver each month. C. the removal of silver coins from the list of standard coins. D. the decision to purchase silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 in relation to gold. E. the refusal to coin silver purchased by the Treasury Department. - CORRECT ANSWER (C) In 1873 Congress passed a law taking silver coins off the list of standard coins. The Bland-Allison Act was passed in 1878 and the Sherman Silver Purchase Act in 1890. In 1834 the government had offered to buy silver at a ratio of 16 to 1 in relation to gold. Despite the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, the Treasury Department refused to coin the silver that it purchased." "Which of the following acts was NOT passed during the Civil War ()? A. Morrill Tariff Act B. National Banking Act C. Homestead Act D. Conscription Act E. Tenure of Office Act - CORRECT ANSWER (E) The Tenure of Office Act was passed in 1867 in order to reduce the power of President Andrew Johnson. Congress passed the Morrill Tariff Act in 1861, the Conscription Act in 1863, the Homestead Act in 1862, and the National Banking Act in 1863." "By 1860 approximately how many slaves lived in the South? A. 2 million B. 3 million C. 4 million D. 5 million E. 6 million - CORRECT ANSWER (C) By 1860 the South had nearly 4 million slaves." "The Twelfth Amendment (1804) to the Constitution A. required the electoral college to vote separately for president and vice president. B. provided for freedom of religion. C. limited the president to two terms. D. prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. E. gave the right to bear arms. - CORRECT ANSWER (A) Because of the tie between Jefferson and Burr in the electoral college vote of 1800, the Twelfth Amendment required that the college vote separately for president and vice president. The First Amendment provided for freedom of religion; the Twenty-second Amendment limited the president to two terms; the Eighteenth Amendment prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages; and the Second Amendment gave the right to bear arms." "The Ostend Manifesto of 1854 concerned which of the following? A. Hawaii B. Alaska C. Puerto Rico D. Cuba E. Guam - CORRECT ANSWER (D) In 1854 the American ministers to Great Britain, France, and Spain met in Ostend, Belgium and issued a statement that became known as the Ostend Manifesto. It said that if Spain would not sell Cuba to the United States, the U.S. had the right to seize the island by force." "Secessionist feeling during the War of 1812 was strong in A. New England and the West. B. New England. C. the South. D. the South and West. E. the West. - CORRECT ANSWER (B) Secessionist feeling was strongest among the New England Federalists who spoke up strongly for separation from the United States at the Hartford Convention of 1814-15. The Convention, however, only recommended constitutional amendments to weaken Southern power and the Democratic party." "Which of the following is associated with early English settlement in the New World? A. Joint-stock companies B. Encomienda C. Prince Henry the Navigator D. George III E. Republicanism - CORRECT ANSWER (A) The joint-stock company was the form of business organization that established Jamestown and Massachusetts, among others. The encomienda was a grant to Indians who lived on a specific piece of land in the Spanish colonies. Prince Henry financed the development of new navigation techniques in the fifteenth century. George III was king of England during the American Revolution, , a period during which republicanism became the dominant political ideology." "Which of the following was NOT a Union strategy in the Civil War? A. Fight a defensive war B. Blockade the Confederate coastline C. Seize control of the Mississippi River D. Seize Richmond, Virginia E. Control the interior railroad lines of the South - CORRECT ANSWER (A) In contrast to the Confederacy, the North was not fighting a defensive war. Rather, it sought to strangle the Confederacy with a blockade; split the Confederacy by controlling the Mississippi and interior railroad lines; and seize Richmond, Virginia, the Confederacy's capital." "The ordinances of 1785 and