All SAT II US History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #171 : U.S. Political History
Which of these demands was not part of the Omaha Platform adopted by the Populists in 1892?
Eliminating the use of "Free Silver"
Reduction of tariff rates
A new banking system regulated by the Federal government
A graduated income tax
The direct election of Senators
Eliminating the use of "Free Silver"
The Ocala Demands were a set of demands issued in 1890 by a group of agricultural institutions. It demanded, among other issues, that there be an amendment to the Constitution providing for the direction election of Senators, a reduction of tariff rates, the establishment of a graduated income tax, that the banking system be reformed and placed directly in the hands of the Federal government, and that “free silver” be used to support inflation in United States currency. In 1892 the Farmer’s Association formed into the Populist Party and the Ocala Demands were accommodated into the Party’s Omaha Platform.
Example Question #172 : U.S. Political History
“The great and leading principle is, that the General Government emanated from the people of the several States, forming distinct political communities, and acting in their separate and sovereign capacity, and not from all of the people forming one aggregate political community; that the Constitution of the United States is, in fact, a compact, to which each State is a party, in the character already described; and that the several States, or parties, have a right to judge of its infractions; and in case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of power not delegated, they have the right, in the last resort, to use the language of the Virginia Resolutions, “to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil, and for maintaining, within their respective limits, the authorities, rights, and liberties appertaining to them.”
The above quote best represents which antebellum political viewpoint?
Populism
Nullification
Nativism
Manifest destiny
Abolitionism
Nullification
The belief that states have a right to ignore federal law if they deem it a violation of their own sovereignty is known by the name of nullification. The author of this quote, John C. Calhoun, was the most prominent advocate of states’ rights and nullification. Calhoun resigned as Vice President to Andrew Jackson in 1832 due to their disagreement on South Carolina’s attempted nullification of the Tariff of 1832.
Example Question #173 : U.S. Political History
“I will not be a liar, a poltroon, or a hypocrite, to accommodate any party, to gratify any sect, to escape any odium or peril, to save any interest, to preserve any institution, or to promote any object. Convince me that one man may rightfully make another man his slave, and I will no longer subscribe to the Declaration of Independence. Convince me that liberty is not the inalienable birthright of every human being, of whatever complexion or clime, and I will give that instrument to the consuming fire.”
The above quote best illustrates what political movement?
Nativism
Suffrage
Temperance
Abolitionism
Populism
Abolitionism
The quote is a perfect illustration of abolitionism, the movement to end slavery, espoused by one of its chief proponents, William Lloyd Garrison.
Example Question #174 : U.S. Political History
How did the Wade-Davis bill differ from Lincoln’s policies on how best to reincorporate the South into the Union after the end of the Civil War?
The Wade-Davis bill was supported by Lincoln.
The Wade-Davis bill argued that Lincoln was too lenient with the Southern states and called for harsher restrictions on re-entry.
The Wade-Davis bill argued that Southern states should not be allowed back into the Union without payment of reparation and the execution of all Southern war time leaders.
The Wade-Davis bill proposed that greater leniency be shown to Southern states seeking re-entry.
The Wade-Davis bill declared all Southern states could immediately regain their status as states.
The Wade-Davis bill argued that Lincoln was too lenient with the Southern states and called for harsher restrictions on re-entry.
Following the end of the Civil War, Lincoln favored a quick and easy process of reconciliation with the South. He contended that once 10% of a Southern state's electorate took oaths to establish an abolitionist government, that state could gain re-entry. The Wade-Davis bill argued that Lincoln was too lenient and proposed a much higher percentage of the electorate to take oaths. Lincoln, believing the Wade-Davis bill would only cause greater disharmony, used his pocket veto to block its passage.
Example Question #175 : U.S. Political History
Which group was most responsible for the addition of the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution in order to ensure the provision of basic liberties to the public?
Libertarians
Anti-Federalists
Republicans
Democrats
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
The Anti-Federalists were composed largely of farmers, lower class individuals, and those who favored state power over centralized federal power. Their primary concern with the Constitution was its lack of a Bill of Rights ensuring basic liberties. The Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties had not yet come to be at that point in time.
Example Question #176 : U.S. Political History
Which of the following is not true about the Know-Nothing Party?
It was formally known as the American Party
It was a nativist movement that reached its height during the 1850s
It was Anti-Immigration
It was Anti-Catholic
It was a movement exclusively found in the North
It was a movement exclusively found in the North
The American Party (more commonly known as the Know-Nothing Party) was a nativist movement most popular during the early 1850s that primarily sought to curb immigration and the growing influence of Catholicism brought in by immigrants. It origininated in the North, but it quickly gained a nationwide presence, even boasting a chapter in California. It died out almost entirely by the time of the Civil War and was absorbed into other parties by the end of it.
Example Question #177 : U.S. Political History
The Radical Republicans sought all of the following as a goal of Reconstruction except __________.
involvement in the United States Congress by ex-Confederates
limitation on political rights for ex-Confederates
prosecution of former Confederate leaders for wartime offences
full citizenship for former slaves
voting rights for freed slaves
involvement in the United States Congress by ex-Confederates
The "Radical Republicans," who were opposed during and after the Civil War by the moderate wing of their own party, controlled Congress during Reconstruction and implemented many harsh and sweeping measures on former Confederates. The Radical Republicans sought citizenship and voting rights for all newly freed slaves, the political exclusion of former Confederates, and the prosecution of Confederate leaders for their actions during the Civil War.
Example Question #178 : U.S. Political History
Who wrote the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, respectively?
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson and John Jay
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
John Adams and Alexander Hamilton
James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
The Virginia Resolution was written by James Madison. The Kentucky Resolutions (note the plural) were written by Thomas Jefferson.
Example Question #180 : U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
The Supreme Court responded to Andrew Jackson's efforts at Native American removal with Worcester v. Georgia, where the Court ruled that the Cherokee comprised a “domestic dependent nation” with a right to freedom from molestation. What was the ultimate outcome of this judicial ruling?
The President and the leader of the Cherokee entered into initial talks to negotiate a treaty recognizing Indian sovereignty and determining where displaced Cherokee could relocate.
President Jackson had the Court's ruling officially nullified using his veto power.
Congress ordered the impeachment of Chief Justice Marshall.
Regardless of the Court's decision, President Jackson proceeded with the removal of the Cherokee and they were expelled from their lands.
President Jackson's troops were prevented from expelling the Cherokee by the National Guard, whom Chief Justice Marshall had called in to enforce the ruling.
Regardless of the Court's decision, President Jackson proceeded with the removal of the Cherokee and they were expelled from their lands.
After hearing of the ruling in Worcester, President Jackson said, “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” Without the President to enforce the ruling, the removals continued. This incident is a prime example of the sort of defiant, unilateral decision making and disregard for the other branches of government that earned Jackson his notoriety as tyrannical. Since Chief Justice Marshall had no authoritative means to force compliance with the Court's ruling, Jackson simply ignored it.
Example Question #511 : Sat Subject Test In United States History
Who is the man depicted in this cartoon by Thomas Nast appearing in Harper's Weekly, on October 21, 1871?
Andrew Carnegie
Cornelius Vanderbilt
William M. Tweed
J. Edgar Hoover
Jay Gould
William M. Tweed
The man represented in the cartoon is William M. "Boss" Tweed of New York City's Tammany Hall, a 19th century Democratic Party political machine that dominated New York City and New York State politics and industry.
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