SAT II US History : SAT Subject Test in United States History

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #701 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

What was the last colony to be founded prior to the Revolutionary War?

Possible Answers:

Kentucky

West Virginia

South Carolina

New Hampshire

Georgia 

Correct answer:

Georgia 

Explanation:

The last of the original thirteen colonies to be founded prior to the Revolutionary War was the colony of Georgia. It was founded in 1732, by James Oglethorpe, initially as a trustee colony, but later it become a royal colony under the Crown's direct protection. Georgia was also the colony which had most direct ties to the British Empire at the time of revolution, due in part to the shorter period with which Georgians had to create a separate identity, and also due to the protection from Native Americans that Georgians required from the British. 

Example Question #702 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted what document in Philadelphia?

Possible Answers:

The Articles of Confederation

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Bill of Rights

The Constitution

The Declaration of Independence

Correct answer:

The Declaration of Independence

Explanation:

On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia.

Example Question #364 : U.S. Political History

On March 4th, 1789, the U.S. Congress met for the first time in which American city?

Possible Answers:

Washington, D.C.

Richmond

Philadelphia

New York City

Boston

Correct answer:

New York City

Explanation:

On March 4th, 1789, the U.S. Congress met for the first time in New York City, at Federal Hall.

Example Question #364 : U.S. Political History

At the First Continental Congress, only twelve of the thrteen colonies were represented.  Which colony was not represented?

Possible Answers:

Delaware

New York

New Jersey

Georgia

Virginia

Correct answer:

Georgia

Explanation:

At the First Continental Congress, only Geogia was not represented, as the colony was hoping for British help with its Native-American population.

Example Question #703 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

The only state originally colonized by the French among the following is __________.

Possible Answers:

Maryland

Massachusetts

Louisiana

New York

Georgia

Correct answer:

Louisiana

Explanation:

Among all the European countries who colonized America in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, France was least interested in establishing large, permanent settlements. Instead, the French government favored establishing trading posts and dealing with the Native Americans. The French did have a presence stretching from the St. Lawrence River in Canada through the Great Lakes and down the Mississippi River Valley. One of the few settlements was established at New Orleans in present day Louisiana.

Example Question #704 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

Article 1 of the Constitution of United States details the __________.

Possible Answers:

judicial branch

legislative branch

freedom of speech, religion, and assembly

the rights of citizens

executive branch

Correct answer:

legislative branch

Explanation:

After a short preamble, the first subject that the writers of the Constitution addressed was the legislative branch of the government, the United States Congress. This position shows the vital role the framers saw in the legislature, as the "people's branch." Article II and III went on to detail the roles of the Executive and Judicial Branches, respectively. Enumerated rights of citizens were not originally included, and anti-federalists who were opposed to the constitution saw this as a primary reason to oppose the document. The Bill of Rights, ten amendments that enumerated rights of citizens was added in 1791.

Example Question #705 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

The colony of Delaware was originally settled by __________.

Possible Answers:

Sweden

the Netherlands

England

Spain

Portugal

Correct answer:

Sweden

Explanation:

The first permanent settlement in present day Delaware was established by Sweden in 1638. Fort Christina (now Wilmington) was the only Swedish settlement in North America. This placed it perilously between the English in Virginia and the Dutch in New Amsterdam. In 1651, the Dutch conquered Fort Christina, pushing the Swedes out of North America. By 1664, the English had conquered all Dutch territory in North America.

Example Question #706 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

In a Republican system of governmental power is derived, in theory, from __________?

Possible Answers:

the laborers

the people

the Monarch 

the wealthy

the church 

Correct answer:

the people

Explanation:

In a Republican system of government the power is derived from the mass of the people. The people vote to elect representatives, who are then given a mandate to make decisions on behalf of the people. This is the system of government present in the United States. 

Example Question #707 : Sat Subject Test In United States History

Which founding father was primarily responsible for drafting the United States Constitution?

Possible Answers:

Thomas Jefferson 

Alexander Hamilton 

George Washington 

John Adams 

James Madison

Correct answer:

James Madison

Explanation:

James Madison arrived at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 with the idea of creating an entirely new government than had existed under the Articles of Confederation. He documented these ideas, for the most part in his famous Virginia Plan, and garnered support from many of the delegates at the Convention. His ideas, along with those of Hamilton and Jefferson, would prove the driving forces behind the nature of the Constitution. 

Example Question #371 : U.S. Political History

Freedom of assembly is guaranteed in which Amendment to the Constitution?

Possible Answers:

Sixth 

Ninth 

Fourth 

Third 

First 

Correct answer:

First 

Explanation:

The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right of American citizens to free religious belief, free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom to assemble and petition the government. Freedom of assembly was seen as vital to many of the Founding Fathers, as it would allow protection from tyranny and theoretically ensure the control of the people. 

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