SAT II US History : Facts and Details in U.S. Political History from 1790 to 1898

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II US History

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : U.S. Political History

Which of these potential Border States did not remain loyal to the Union in the Civil War?

Possible Answers:
Missouri
Virginia
Maryland
Kentucky
Delaware
Correct answer: Virginia
Explanation:

For the majority of the United States, by the time of Civil War, cultural and political identity was firmly established as either dominantly Northern, pro-Federal power and anti-slavery or Southern, pro-States’ rights and pro-slavery. However, in the border states of Kentucky, Missouri, Maryland and Delaware, there were large cultural communities of both Northerners and Southerners. In Kentucky and Missouri, in particular, the majority of the population favored secession from the Union and it was only due to the decisions of those in power (in the State Legislature) that they remained part of the Union. Lincoln faced a near constant battle to keep all four states loyal. Virginia, on the other hand, was perhaps the political and ideological centre of the Confederacy. Jefferson Davis’ government was run out of Richmond and many of the battles took place on Virginian soil. In 1863 West Virginia split from Virginia to return to the Union – a division that has never been remedied to this day. 

Example Question #31 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

This sitting Vice President shot the former Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, in a duel on July 11th, 1804, at Weehawken, New Jersey. Hamilton died from his wounds the next day, at the Manhattan home of William Bayard.

Possible Answers:

John Jay

Aaron Burr

John Adams

John Quincy Adams

James Madison

Correct answer:

Aaron Burr

Explanation:

It was Vice President Aaron Burr who shot Alexander Hamilton.  The two men had had a contentious political and personal relationship that reached a breaking point when Hamilton defamed Aaron Burr during the latter's 1804 New York gubernatorial bid.

Example Question #32 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which officially ended the Mexican-American War, resulted in the forced Mexican Cession of the territory of Alta California.  Which of the following American States did NOT derive territory from Alta California?

Possible Answers:

Oregon

Nevada

Utah

Arizona

California

Correct answer:

Oregon

Explanation:

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo resulted in territory for the states of Caifornia, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Example Question #34 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

This Kentucky-born statesman served as President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

Possible Answers:
Jefferson Davis
Henry Clay
Robert E. Lee
Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson
Ullyses S. Grant
Correct answer: Jefferson Davis
Explanation:

Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States of America throughout the U.S. Civil War.

Example Question #33 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

This 1814 incident has been the only time after the American Revolutionary War that another country has been able to seize and maintain control of the U.S. capital.  What was this incident's name?

Possible Answers:

The Night of Dolley Madison

The Burning of Washington

The Great Conflagration

The Bonfire of Washington

The March on Washington

Correct answer:

The Burning of Washington

Explanation:

At the Burning of Washington, during the War of 1812, the White House and U.S. Capitol were largely destroyed by British troops.

Example Question #34 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

On May 28th, 1830, which American President signed into law the Indian Removal Act, which empowered him to negotiate with the leaders of the Native Americans in the southern United States, in order to secure their removal to the west of the Mississippi River?

Possible Answers:

President Andrew Jackson

President John Tyler

President William Henry Harrison

President James K. Polk

President Zachary Taylor

Correct answer:

President Andrew Jackson

Explanation:

It was President Andrew Jackson who signed into law the Indian Removal Act, which resulted in the removal of many southern indigenous nations to Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi River; this removal was known as the Trail of Tears.

Example Question #35 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

These seven debates, known as the Lincoln-Douglas Debates of 1858, held between the two senatorial candidates for the state of Illinois, Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen Douglas, garned nationwide attention for the principal topic debated.  What was the principal topic of the famous Lincoln-Douglas Debates?

Possible Answers:

The right of workers to unionize

Slavery

Women's suffrage

The right of a state to secede

Health care

Correct answer:

Slavery

Explanation:

Slavery was the main issue of all seven debates held in Illinois between Lincoln and Douglas in 1858.  Lincoln lost the election, but the national attention enabled him to become the Republican candidate for President of the United States.

Example Question #36 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

Toward the end of this U.S. Civil War, General Robert E. Lee had assumed control of the remaining Rebel armies.  On April 9th, 1865, he surrendered to which Union General, signalling the end of the war.

Possible Answers:

Ulysses S. Grant

Henry Halleck

George H. Thomas

Benjamin Butler

William T. Sherman

Correct answer:

Ulysses S. Grant

Explanation:

General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, who would later become the 18th President of the United States, at Appomattox Court House.

Example Question #11 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

The seven articles of the Constitution, as written by the Constitution Convention, include which three aspects found below?

Possible Answers:

Rights of the states, an amendment process, acceptance of a state religion.

An Amendment process, a religious test as a qualification for office, a system of checks and balances.

The electoral college, the abolition of slavery, an amendment process.

A Supreme Court, two houses within a legislative branch, the inclusion of Native Americans in the population.

A Supreme court, a system of checks and balances, rights of the states.

Correct answer:

A Supreme court, a system of checks and balances, rights of the states.

Explanation:

The following aspects are not found in the original seven articles: the inclusion of Native Americans; a state religion; a religious test to qualify for office; and the abolition of slavery.

Example Question #12 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898

Henry Clay is best remembered for his important contribution to              .

Possible Answers:

The Compromise of 1850 

The opposition to the war of 1812 and the demise of the Federalist Party

The admission of Missouri as a free state

The Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 

Correct answer:

The Compromise of 1850 

Explanation:

Henry Clay is most famously remembered as the “Great Compromiser”. In his time as a United States Congressman he helped broker both the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850—which helped, temporarily, prevent the Union from fracturing. The Compromise of 1850 settled a number of territorial disputes and for half a decade diminished the importance of the slavery issue in the national political arena. Clay’s work on the Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state so that answer is incorrect. Clay also argued in favor of war and was considered a “war-hawk”. 

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