SAT II World History : SAT Subject Test in World History

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Other American History From 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

The Triple Alliance was the association of city-states that in the fifteenth century ruled

Possible Answers:

the highlands of Peru.

the Amazon River basin.

Mid-Atlantic colonies.

Central Mexico.

the Yucatan Peninsula.

Correct answer:

Central Mexico.

Explanation:

The Triple Alliance was the association of Tenochtitlan, Texoco, and Tlacopan, three city states in Central Mexico that came together in the early 1400s CE. This association ruled over much of central Mexico for the next hundred years, with authority vested in the king of Tenochtitlan, although most associated city states had some authority. When Hernan Cortes first encountered and then conquered the Alliance in the early sixteenth century, he and his fellow Spaniards related to it as an "Empire," which they named after the largest ethnic group in the Alliance, the Azteca.

Example Question #252 : 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

The Seven Years' War was fought from 1756 to 1763 between __________.

Possible Answers:

England and Spain 

the United States of America and Spain 

Spain and Mexico 

England and the Netherlands

England and France 

Correct answer:

England and France 

Explanation:

The Seven Years' War (called the French and Indian War in the United States and often called the First Real World War by some historians) was fought between the empires of Britain and France from 1756 to 1763. At the time, England and France had massive territorial holdings throughout the world, and there were very few geographic locations that were untouched by the conflict.

Example Question #3 : Other American History From 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Which of these was not a consequence of the Seven Years' War?

Possible Answers:

Tensions between England and the American colonies decreased.

Contact between Native Americans and Europeans increased and relationships between the two groups developed.

England gained extensive territory throughout the Indian subcontinent.

All of the other answer choices were consequences of the Seven Years' War.

French influence in North America was greatly reduced.

Correct answer:

Tensions between England and the American colonies decreased.

Explanation:

The Seven Years' War was fought between England and France from 1756 to 1763. In the United States, the conflict is more commonly called the French and Indian War. The conflict had many direct consequences across the globe, notably the British gaining the Indian subcontinent from France, the reduction of French influence in North America, and deteriorating relationships between the American colonies and Britain. Many colonists resented the British imposition of taxes, tariffs, and quartering laws, whereas in Britain many people felt that the war had been fought in part to protect the colonists from French and Native American invasion, and therefore the colonists ought to help pay for the conflict. The relationship between the colonies and the metropole would never heal, and the build-up of tension eventually led to the American War of Independence, also called the American Revolutionary War.

Example Question #2 : Other American History From 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Pedro II __________.

Possible Answers:

signed the Treaty of Tordesillas with Spain 

aided the Venezuelan revolution led by Simón Bolívar

sponsored Columbus’ voyages to the New World

was removed from power in favor of his son King John VI

reigned over Brazil for much of the nineteenth century 

Correct answer:

reigned over Brazil for much of the nineteenth century 

Explanation:

Pedro II was the second and last Emperor of Brazil. He reigned from 1831 to 1889 and oversaw much of the country’s progression from a former slave colony to a multicultural and relatively liberal society. Pedro II is well known for his commitment to free speech, economic growth, and civil rights. He was also a long-time opponent of the institution of slavery and oversaw its abolition in the waning years of his reign.

Example Question #1 : Other American History From 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Benito Juarez __________.

Possible Answers:

discovered Machu Picchu 

was primarily responsible for the Haitian independence movement 

lead the reform rebellion in Mexico 

was the last Spanish governor of Colombia 

was crowned first Emperor of Brazil

Correct answer:

lead the reform rebellion in Mexico 

Explanation:

Benito Juarez served as President of Mexico on numerous occasions in the mid-nineteenth century. Amongst other things, he resisted French occupation of Mexico, encouraged liberal reforms, and overthrew the Second Mexican Empire and restored the Republic.

Example Question #261 : 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

The Gettysburg Address was issued during __________.

Possible Answers:

The Civil War

The Spanish-American War

The War of 1812

The Mexican-American War

The Revolutionary War

Correct answer:

The Civil War

Explanation:

The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history. It was given by President Lincoln in November 1863 at the commemoration of a battleground. The Address is famous for its brevity as well as its meaningfulness to Americans at the time and to this day.

Example Question #262 : 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Democracy in America was written by __________.

Possible Answers:

Lafayette

Patrick Henry

Samuel Adams

Voltaire

Alexis de Tocqueville

Correct answer:

Alexis de Tocqueville

Explanation:

Democracy in America was written by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835. The book was written after Tocqueville’s travels around America. The book was a consideration of the changes being wrought by the infant Industrial Revolution - changes in standards of living and relationships between the workers and the government, as well as the capitalist upper classes. Tocqueville believed that American capitalist society was extremely fluid, allowing for a great social movement between the rich and the poor.

Example Question #261 : 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Which answer best describes the Federalist Party in the United States?

Possible Answers:

A 20th century US party that were opponents of federal economic intervention and assistance

An early US party that were proponents of federal economic intervention and assistance

An early US party that believed in a weak federal government led by John Adams

None of these answers are correct

An early US party that believed in a strong federal government and were led by Alexander Hamilton

Correct answer:

An early US party that believed in a strong federal government and were led by Alexander Hamilton

Explanation:

The Federalist Party, led by Alexander Hamilton, was an 18th century political group that proposed a strong central federal government.

Example Question #263 : 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

The Reconstruction period of United States' history began after the end of __________.

Possible Answers:

the Panic of 1837

the Vietnam War

World War Two

the Civil War

the Great Depression

Correct answer:

the Civil War

Explanation:

Reconstruction is the term used to refer to the period of time in the South immediately after the end of the Civil War and lasting for several decades. In the Reconstruction period the South was integrated back into American politics, social life, and economics. It was also a time of massive social change as freed slaves were either integrated or prevented from integration by discriminating laws.

Example Question #11 : Other American History From 1500 C.E. To 1900 C.E.

Who was the President of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

Possible Answers:

William Tecumseh Sherman

Jefferson Davis

John C. Calhoun

Robert E. Lee

Henry Clay

Correct answer:

Jefferson Davis

Explanation:

The President of the Confederacy during the Civil War was Jefferson Davis.

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