American History: A Survey (Brinkley), 13th Edition

Chapter 6: THE CONSTITUTION AND THE NEW REPUBLIC

Multiple Choice Quiz

1
By 1786, even defenders of the Articles of Confederation accepted the fact that which of the following needed to be strengthened?
A)the power to tax
B)the executive
C)the court system
D)the army
E)the navy
2
Which of the following was NOT a characteristic of the men who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787?
A)They represented the great property interests.
B)They were relatively young.
C)They believed in democracy.
D)They were well-educated.
E)They were all highly respected.
3
The most significant division in the Constitutional Convention was between
A)slave and free states.
B)large and small states.
C)eastern and western interests.
D)agricultural and manufacturing interests.
E)the Federalists and the Republicans.
4
James Madison's Virginia Plan proposed
A)revision and strengthening of the Articles of Confederation.
B)larger influence within a new national government for the richer and more populous states.
C)a unicameral national legislature with equal representation for the states.
D)a bicameral national legislature with state representatives in both houses chosen by popular vote.
E)the direct election of the president.
5
The most important issue not yet addressed when the Constitutional Convention adjourned was
A)the question of counting slaves for representation.
B)whether to have an executive or not.
C)the absence of a list of individual rights.
D)the question of the power of the national government to tax.
E)where to locate the national capitol.
6
The Antifederalists did all of the following EXCEPT
A)present themselves as the true protectors of the principles of the Revolution.
B)fear the potential for despotism in a strong centralized government.
C)argue that the Constitution would increase taxes, weaken the states, and abolish individual liberties.
D)argue that the Constitution represented the rights of the "well born" at the expense of the common people.
E)show a basic faith in human nature and man's ability to wield power justly.
7
Which of the following was NOT addressed by the first Congress under the new Constitution?
A)a bill of rights
B)a federal court system
C)an executive department
D)the role of political parties in the election of a president
E)None of these answers is correct.
8
The Constitution's most distinctive feature was its
A)separation of "powers" with "checks and balances."
B)system for the direct election of the executive.
C)lack of a national judicial system.
D)single house legislature.
E)lack of amendment provisions.
9
The number of Supreme Court justices was determined by
A)Article III of the Constitution.
B)the chief justice.
C)the president.
D)a popular vote.
E)Congress.
10
To prevent an "excess of democracy" and the tyranny of mob rule, the Constitution restricted direct popular election to
A)the president.
B)federal judges.
C)senators.
D)representatives.
E)All these answers are correct.
11
Which of the following was NOT a belief of Alexander Hamilton?
A)Urbanization and industrialization were desirable.
B)A stable and effective government required an elite ruling class.
C)The new government needed the support of the wealthy and powerful.
D)A permanent national debt was desirable.
E)The best leaders are those democratically elected.
12
President Washington helped stabilize the western frontier by
A)putting down the Whiskey Rebellion.
B)allowing existing states to incorporate additional land claims.
C)refusing to bargain with Indian resistance leaders.
D)relieving General "Mad Anthony" Wayne of his command.
E)discovering white settlements of the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes region.
13
Jefferson and his followers believed the Federalists were creating a political party because they were
A)using their offices to reward supporters and win allies.
B)forming local associations to strengthen their stand in local communities.
C)working to establish a national network of influence.
D)forming caucuses of elected officials.
E)All these answers are correct.
14
Which of the following was NOT a belief held by Jefferson and his followers?
A)The ordinary farmer-citizen could, if properly educated, be trusted to govern through elected representatives.
B)Urban people posed a danger to a republic because they could easily become a lawless mob.
C)The best citizen was one who tilled his own soil.
D)Commercial activity was a danger to the republic.
E)None of these answers is correct.
15
Under the Constitution, the status of the western Indian tribes was
A)not clearly defined.
B)that of independent nations.
C)that of conquered nations.
D)the same as states.
E)clearly defined.
16
Although the treaty between England and the United States that John Jay negotiated in 1794 fell short of his instructions, it did
A)little to improve commercial relations with England.
B)give America undisputed sovereignty over the entire Northwest.
C)end the impressments of American soldiers.
D)indicate that the United States and France were not going to war.
E)end the impressments of American soldiers and indicated that the United States and France were not going to war.
17
In the election of 1796,
A)Thomas Jefferson was the choice of southern Federalists.
B)the Federalist Party united behind Adams.
C)George Washington took an active role.
D)the Federalist Party divided when southern Federalists refused to support Adams.
E)Hamilton favored Jefferson over Adams.
18
Republicans pinned their hopes for a reversal of the Alien and Sedition Acts on the
A)Supreme Court.
B)Senate.
C)House of Representatives.
D)Army of the United States.
E)state legislatures.
19
The "quasi war" with France
A)was started by American impressments of French sailors.
B)led to a series of humiliating defeats for the American navy.
C)led to the XYZ Affair.
D)helped the Federalists to increase their Congressional majorities.
E)helped the Republicans win control of Congress in 1798.
20
Which of the following is NOT true of the campaign and election of 1800?
A)It was one of the ugliest in American history.
B)Parties and party organization played an important role.
C)It underscored problems in the method of electing a president.
D)It resulted in a clear victory for the winning candidate.
E)It created the first urban political machine.
21
The Federalists made a last gasp attempt to maintain power by
A)repealing the Alien and Sedition Acts.
B)supporting Aaron Burr for president.
C)creating new federal courts and judges.
D)plotting a revolution to prevent the election of Jefferson.
E)expanding the number of Supreme Court justices.
22
Which of the following was NOT accomplished by Pinckney's Treaty?
A)Spain recognized America's right to navigate the Mississippi River.
B)The northern boundary of Florida was fixed at the 31st parallel.
C)The Spanish would prevent Florida Indians from attacking the U.S.
D)The city of New Orleans was transferred to the U.S.
E)None of these answers is correct.
23
Which of the following about the Alien and Sedition Acts is NOT true?
A)They were some of the most controversial legislation in American history.
B)They were roundly protested by the Federalists of New England.
C)They discouraged immigration and encouraged foreigners to leave.
D)They were invoked to arrest Republican newspaper editors.
E)They strengthened the president's hand in dealing with aliens.
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