SAT II US History : U.S. Intellectual and Cultural History

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #101 : U.S. Intellectual And Cultural History

"For we must consider that we shall be a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us, so that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken, and so cause Him to withdraw His present help from us, we shall be made a story and a byword through the world."

-John Winthrop

The above quote best expresses the Puritan belief in __________________.

Possible Answers:

authority

religious tolerance

republicanism

moral instruction

divine providence

Correct answer:

divine providence

Explanation:

While still onboard the Arbella, the ship that brought the original colonists to Boston, John Winthrop delivered a sermon entitled "A Modell of Christian Charity." Popularly known as the "City Upon a Hill" speech for its closing statement, the sermon outlined to the Puritans about to establish Massachusetts Bay Colony the divine providence they thought was guiding them. Winthrop's message was that their efforts would succeed because God was on their side.

Example Question #102 : U.S. Intellectual And Cultural History

Which Norse explorer surveyed the eastern coast of North America in the eleventh century?

Possible Answers:

Hans Egede 

Christian Krogh 

Leif Ericson 

Erik the Red

Adam of Bremen 

Correct answer:

Leif Ericson 

Explanation:

Leif Ericson is generally accepted by most historians to be the first European to set foot on the continent of North America. Leif Ericson was most likely born in Iceland, which at the time was part of a vast Nordic-Scandinavian Empire. It is probable that he landed in what is now Newfoundland in the first few years of the eleventh century. 

Example Question #2 : Summary Of U.S. Intellectual And Cultural History From Pre Columbian History To 1789

Universalism argues that __________.

Possible Answers:

man and nature are as one

the Holy Trinity is a myth

the United States is destined to own the whole American continent

mankind can never know God

salvation is possible for all believers 

Correct answer:

salvation is possible for all believers 

Explanation:

Universalism, as a sect of Christianity, holds that all mankind—no matter how sinful or ungodly—can achieve salvation. Christian Universalists believe that the divine mercy and forgiveness of God guarantees all humans eternal salvation. One of the earliest and most well known Universalists teachers in colonial America was named George de Benneville. His teachings, that God would grant salvation to all, laid the foundation for Universalism in the United States.  

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