Key Events and Concepts in Early American History (1491–1830)

The Early American Republic (1800–1830)

1. Jefferson's Vision and the Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Question: Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase of 1803 demonstrated that his vision for the future of the U.S. especially emphasized:

Answer: D. Westward expansion of independent small farm families.

2. Impact of the Napoleonic Wars on the U.S.

Question: How did events surrounding the French Revolution, Napoleon, and the world war between France and Britain affect the U.S. the most in the early 1800s?

Answer: There was serious interference with American merchant shipping.

3. Causes of the War of 1812

U.S. Perspective

Question: From the U.S. perspective, a major cause of the War of 1812 was:

Answer: C. British trading with Indigenous groups and the impressment (kidnapping) of U.S. sailors.

British Perspective

Question: From the British perspective, a major cause of the War of 1812 was:

Answer: B. Economic competition with U.S. manufacturing.

4. Washington's Concerns and the French Revolution

Question: The concerns expressed by Washington (in his Farewell Address) were a response to the:

Answer: C. Controversy regarding support for the revolutionary government of France.

5. Key Elements of Henry Clay's "American System"

Question: Which of the following were the three key elements of Henry Clay's "American System"?

• Protective tariff
• Government-sponsored internal improvements
• National bank

6. Purpose of the National Road Construction

Question: The National Road was constructed primarily for the purpose of:

Answer: B. Promoting trade and communication between the East Coast and the frontier.

7. The South and the Market Revolution (c. 1840)

Question: By 1840, the South was on the cutting edge of the Market Revolution because:

Answer: It produced and exported 1.5 million bales of cotton, representing two-thirds of the world supply, mostly to Europe.

8. Regional Perspectives on Protective Tariffs

Southern Opposition

Question: Southern politicians opposed protective tariffs on manufactured goods from foreign countries mostly because:

Answer: Countries such as Britain would then put tariffs on Southern cotton.

Northern Support

Question: Northern politicians supported higher tariffs mainly because:

Answer: Tariffs would protect infant U.S. manufacturing from European competition.

9. Impact of the Missouri Compromise of 1820

Question: The biggest impact of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was that it:

Answer: D. Exposed the continued and rising tensions regarding the spread of slavery.

10. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 (Exclusions)

Question: Which answer was NOT a reason for the U.S. to announce the Monroe Doctrine of 1823?

Answer: To ensure the U.S. could invade Mexico without European interference.

11. Jackson's Response to the Nullification Crisis

Question: President Andrew Jackson's immediate response to South Carolina's nullification of the tariff was to:

Answer: B. Ask Congress for a Force Bill authorizing him to use the military to compel South Carolina to accept the tariff.

12. Stated Reason for the Indian Removal Act (1830)

Question: What was the main reason given for the Indian Removal Act of 1830?

Answer: Protecting Indigenous peoples from white settlers was expensive; they would supposedly be safer somewhere else.

13. Why the South Switched to Cotton Production

Question: What was the main reason the South switched to growing cotton as a main crop?

Answer: Technological innovations allowed textiles to be mass-produced using cotton (e.g., the cotton gin).

14. Main Effect of the Erie Canal

Question: What was the main effect of the Erie Canal?

Answer: C. Atlantic coastal ports had easy access to goods from the newer western territories.

Foundations of Colonial America (1491–1764)

15. Advantage of Mesoamerican and Andean Civilizations

Question: What was the most important advantage that Indigenous groups in Mexico or Peru had compared to other Indigenous groups?

Answer: D. The ability to create a surplus of food.

16. Defining Characteristic of Spanish Colonies

Question: Which answer best describes Spanish colonies?

Answer: D. Converting Indigenous peoples to Christianity was a high priority.

17. Prosperity of the Jamestown Colony

Question: The Jamestown, Virginia colony eventually prospered because:

Answer: B. Tobacco became a profitable crop to export.