All SAT II US History Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #81 : U.S. Political History
Which of these Presidents did NOT serve in the armed forces in the Civil War?
Chester A. Arthur
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Buchanan
James A. Garfield
Ulysses S. Grant
James Buchanan
In the decades immediately following the Civil War, the Republican Party held a monopoly on the White House and filled the Presidency with a number of Civil War veterans. Not all of these presidents served similarly. Grant was the final commander of all Union forces. Garfield and Hayes both served admirably in the field, and Arthur was a quartermaster in the Union forces. Buchanan was a Democrat who was President 1856–1860, immediately preceding the Civil War.
Example Question #82 : U.S. Political History
The American, or Know Nothing, Party in American history was based around __________.
promotion of American expansion westward
opposition to the Mexican-American War
opposition to immigation
promotion of machine politics
opposition to slavery
opposition to immigation
The American Party was formed in the 1850s, primarily among Northern cities. Their chief organizing principle was opposition to the recent influx of immigrants, particularly Irish immigrants fleeing the Famine in Ireland. In a time of constant division over slavery and westward expansion, the American Party focused strictly on opposition to immigration. Their nickname came from the supposed response of its members when they were asked if they were members, "I know nothing." By 1860, the Know Nothings became one of the cornerstones of the brand new Republican Party, along with Reform Whigs, Free Soil Democrats, and other smaller parties.
Example Question #61 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
The body that decided the controversial 1824 Presidential Election was __________.
the United States House of Representatives
the Congressional nominating caucus
State nominating conventions
the United States Senate
the United States Supreme Court
the United States House of Representatives
The 1824 Presidential Election was the most convoluted and confusing elections in American History and was contested by four men, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Speaker of the House Henry Clay, Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford, and military hero, former Governor and Senator from Tennessee Andrew Jackson. With this four way election, no man won enough votes for the Electoral College to decide the contest, and the election went to the United States House of Representatives, as provided by the Twelfth Amendment to the Constitution. Only the top three vote getters were considered, ruling out Clay, who also had an animosity toward Jackson. Thus, despite Jackson receiving many more votes, winning more states, and having more electoral votes, John Quincy Adams was selected as President by the House.
Example Question #62 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
The first U.S. President to succeed another one upon his predecessors death was __________.
William Henry Harrison
Millard Fillmore
John Tyler
Andrew Johnson
Martin Van Buren
John Tyler
William Henry Harrison, a former Senator from Ohio and noted Indian fighter, defeated President Martin Van Buren in the 1840 Presidential election, pledging to stop the ongoing economic depression and unifying the new Whig Party. During his Inauguration on March 4, 1841, Harrison refused to wear an overcoat, turned down a ride in a covered carriage, and gave the longest inaugural speech in U.S. History, despite the cold and damp weather in Washington. Within a month, Harrison had contracted Pneumonia, and on April 4, 1841 passed away. His Vice President John Tyler then took the oath of office as President. Many detractors only called Tyler the "interim President," as he was elected only Vice President, but Tyler set in place the precedent codified by the Twenty-Fifth Amendment in 1967.
Example Question #63 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
All of the following presidents died in office except __________.
James A. Garfield
James K. Polk
Zachary Taylor
William McKinley
William Henry Harrison
James K. Polk
Only four Presidents have been assassinated, Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, and John F. Kennedy. Other Presidents have died in office, and were succeeded by their Vice Presidents, including William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Warren Harding, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Many nineteenth-century Presidents served one term, often out of choice. Most notable of these was James Polk, who only served one term from 1845–1849, and left office after accomplishing many of his campaign goals.
Example Question #64 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
"The American System," which promoted railroads, internal improvements, and high tariffs, was the prime platform of __________.
John C. Calhoun
Martin Van Buren
Andrew Jackson
Abraham Lincoln
Henry Clay
Henry Clay
"The American System," was the chief policy guide for the Whig Party during the Second Party System of the 1820s to the 1850s. First formulated by its chief spokesman, Speaker of the House Henry Clay of Kentucky, the American System advocated for a series of "internal improvements," in particular the building of railroads, canals, and other transportation networks. With this, the Whigs also sought a protectionist tariff and an economic populism.
Example Question #65 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
The Treaty of Greenville __________.
ended the Spanish-American War
ceded Mexican control of California to the United States
ceded Spanish control of Florida to the United States
ended the War of 1812
ceded Indian land in Ohio to the Federal government
ceded Indian land in Ohio to the Federal government
The Treaty of Greenville was signed by American frontiersman and a collection of Native American peoples in 1795. The treaty established the “Greenville Line,” which served as a boundary between Native people and American and European settlers for several years; however, the settlers soon began to encroach on Native American land in direct violation of the treaty.
Example Question #66 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
Which was the first state to ratify the Constitution?
Delaware
New Jersey
Virginia
New Hampshire
New York
Delaware
Delaware was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution, on December 7th, 1787. The last of the original thirteen states to ratify the Constitution was Vermont.
Example Question #67 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
Which future American President fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe?
William Henry Harrison
James Buchanan
Andrew Jackson
John Tyler
James K. Polk
William Henry Harrison
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought during the war between American settlers and Native American forces led by Tecumseh. William Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana, led the American forces into conflict. It is generally considered to be a victory for the forces of the United States and it served as an important piece of personal propaganda for William Henry Harrison. He acquired the nickname "Tippecanoe," and when he ran for President the slogan “Tippecanoe, and Tyler too” greatly advanced his popularity with the common man.
Example Question #68 : Facts And Details In U.S. Political History From 1790 To 1898
Which future American President led the massacre of the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend?
Zachary Taylor
William Henry Harrison
Andrew Jackson
Ulysses Grant
George Washington
Andrew Jackson
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was fought between American forces, led by Andrew Jackson, and their Native American allies against the Creek Indians. It is considered part of both the War of 1812 and the Creek War. The battle saw the complete massacre of the Creek forces and ultimately the surrender of the Creek war effort.
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