Chapter 1

Question 1

When did Christopher Columbus land on Guanahani?

Answer 1

On October 12, 1492.

Question 2

Who reached North America before Columbus?

Answer 2

The Vikings in the 11th century.

Question 3

What happened to the Native American population by the late 19th century?

Answer 3

It decreased from 3-10 million to about 250,000.

Question 4

What was the ‘lost colony’ of the 16th century?

Answer 4

Roanoke, established between 1585-1590.

Question 5

What was the economic basis of Jamestown in 1607?

Answer 5

Initially bullionism, later tobacco cultivation.

Question 6

What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact of 1620?

Answer 6

It is a symbolic origin of the United States.

Question 7

What concept did Massachusetts Bay Colony promote in 1630?

Answer 7

‘A City Upon a Hill’ and American exceptionalism.

Question 8

When did the first African slaves arrive in Jamestown?

Answer 8

In 1619.

Question 9

What was the outcome of the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763)?

Answer 9

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 removed France from North America.

Question 10

What colonial grievance did the Stamp Act of 1765 provoke?

Answer 10

The slogan ‘No Taxation Without Representation.’

Question 11

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer 11

July 4, 1776.

Question 12

Who authored Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 12

Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson, respectively.

Question 13

What were the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 13

The first framework for government, ratified in 1781.

Question 14

Why was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 significant?

Answer 14

It banned slavery in new territories and ensured new states were equal to the original 13.

Question 15

Who is considered the ‘Father of the Constitution’?

Answer 15

James Madison.

Question 16

When was the U.S. Constitution ratified?

Answer 16

In 1788.

Question 17

What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Answer 17

To protect individual freedoms, ratified in 1791.

Question 18

Who was the first President of the United States?

Answer 18

George Washington.

Question 19

Name key members of Washington’s cabinet.

Answer 19

Alexander Hamilton (Treasurer), Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State), Henry Knox (Secretary of War).

Question 20

What precedent did Washington set by declining a third term?

Answer 20

The tradition of serving only two terms.

Question 21

How did Alexander Hamilton strengthen the U.S. economy?

Answer 21

By establishing credit, paying off debts, and creating a national bank.

Question 22

What caused the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794?

Answer 22

A 25% tax on whiskey, which was used as currency by farmers.

Question 23

What was Shays’ Rebellion?

Answer 23

A 1786 uprising by farmers protesting unfair taxes in Massachusetts.

Question 24

What was the impact of the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798?

Answer 24

They increased the naturalization period and restricted free speech against the government.

Question 25

What was the significance of the Jay Treaty (1794)?

Answer 25

It resolved tensions with Britain by compensating U.S. shipowners and ensuring British withdrawal from forts.

Question 26

How did the 'Quasi-War' with France end?

Answer 26

Through diplomacy, but it weakened President John Adams' popularity.

Question 27

What were the two main political parties in early U.S. history?

Answer 27

Federalists (led by Hamilton) and Democratic-Republicans (led by Jefferson).

Question 28

How did these parties differ on government power?

Answer 28

Federalists favored a strong central government; Democratic-Republicans supported states' rights.

Question 29

What battle restored confidence in the U.S. Army against Native Americans in 1794?

Answer 29

The Battle of Fallen Timbers.

Question 30

Why did the Federalist Party decline after 1800?

Answer 30

Due to the unpopularity of policies like the Alien and Sedition Acts and the loss of the election to Jefferson.

Question 31

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

Answer 31

A 1794 protest by farmers in Pennsylvania against a federal excise tax on whiskey.

Question 32

Why was whiskey so important to farmers?

Answer 32

Whiskey was used as a form of currency and a way to process surplus corn into a more transportable and profitable product.

Question 33

What tax triggered the rebellion?

Answer 33

A 25% tax on whiskey imposed by the federal government under Alexander Hamilton’s financial policies.

Question 34

What was the government’s main objective for taxing whiskey?

Answer 34

To raise revenue to pay off national and state debts and establish federal authority over the states.

Question 35

How did the farmers react to the tax?

Answer 35

They resisted by intimidating tax collectors, staging protests, and in some cases, engaging in violent actions.

Question 36

How did President George Washington respond to the Whiskey Rebellion?

Answer 36

He called up a militia of about 13,000 men from several states and personally led them part of the way to Pennsylvania to suppress the rebellion.

Question 37

Why was Washington's response to the rebellion significant?

Answer 37

It demonstrated the strength of the new federal government and its ability to enforce laws, contrasting with the weaknesses under the Articles of Confederation.

Question 38

What were the outcomes of the Whiskey Rebellion?

Answer 38

The rebellion was quelled without significant bloodshed, some leaders were arrested but later pardoned, and it reaffirmed federal authority.

Question 39

How did the Whiskey Rebellion affect public opinion?

Answer 39

While it showed the government’s strength, some citizens criticized the heavy-handed response, viewing it as an overreach of federal power.

Question 40

What long-term impact did the Whiskey Rebellion have on the United States?

Answer 40

It set a precedent for federal intervention in state affairs and highlighted tensions between rural and urban interests.

Question 41

What was Alexander Hamilton's vision for the United States?

Answer 41

He supported a strong central government, industrial and economic growth, and a central bank to stabilize the nation’s finances.

Question 42

What was Thomas Jefferson's vision for the United States?

Answer 42

He advocated for limited federal power, agrarianism, and states' rights to ensure individual freedoms and local governance.

Question 43

How did Hamilton and Jefferson differ in their interpretation of the Constitution?

Answer 43

Hamilton favored a loose interpretation, allowing implied powers for the federal government, while Jefferson supported a strict interpretation, limiting federal powers to those explicitly stated.

Question 44

What was Hamilton's financial plan for the United States?

Answer 44

Hamilton proposed assuming state debts, establishing a national bank, and implementing tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing.

Question 45

Why did Jefferson oppose Hamilton's national bank?

Answer 45

Jefferson believed it was unconstitutional and that it would concentrate too much economic power in the hands of the federal government and wealthy elites.

Question 46

How did Hamilton justify the creation of the national bank?

Answer 46

He used the "necessary and proper" clause of the Constitution, arguing that the bank was essential to managing the economy and government finances.

Question 47

What was Hamilton’s stance on foreign relations?

Answer 47

He supported closer ties with Britain, valuing its economic and trade benefits.

Question 48

What was Jefferson’s stance on foreign relations?

Answer 48

He favored France, seeing it as a natural ally due to shared revolutionary ideals and their support during the American Revolution.

Question 49

How did Hamilton view the common people?

Answer 49

He distrusted the masses and believed in government led by a well-educated and wealthy elite.

Question 50

How did Jefferson view the common people?

Answer 50

He trusted the common farmer and believed that democracy thrived best in an agrarian society.

Question 51

What political party did Hamilton help establish?

Answer 51

The Federalist Party, which advocated for a strong central government and support for commerce and industry.

Question 52

What political party did Jefferson lead?

Answer 52

The Democratic-Republican Party, which supported states’ rights and an agrarian-based economy.

Question 53

How did Hamilton and Jefferson clash during Washington’s presidency?

Answer 53

They frequently argued in Washington’s cabinet, with Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury pushing for federal authority and Jefferson as Secretary of State opposing centralized power.

Question 54

What was the result of their disagreements on government?

Answer 54

Their rivalry led to the establishment of the first political parties in the United States.

Question 55

How did their visions shape the future of the United States?

Answer 55

Hamilton’s ideas influenced industrial and financial policies, while Jefferson’s vision contributed to the emphasis on states’ rights and rural values.