8th Grade History FINAL EXAM

Mayflower Compact: What was the Mayflower Compact of 1620?

An agreement signed by 41 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower to create self-government and establish majority rule.

Mayflower Compact: Why was the Mayflower Compact created?

The Pilgrims landed outside Virginia’s legal authority and needed rules for government and order.

Mayflower Compact: What government principle did the Mayflower Compact establish?

Government based on the consent of the governed and majority rule.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

A British law requiring colonists to pay a tax on printed materials like newspapers and legal documents.

Stamp Act: Why did Britain pass the Stamp Act?

To raise money to pay debts from the French and Indian War and maintain British troops in America.

What was the colonial reaction to the Stamp Act?

Colonists protested with boycotts, violence, and the Stamp Act Congress.

Tea Act: What was the Tea Act of 1773?

A law that allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to colonies at reduced prices.

Tea Act: Why did colonists oppose the Tea Act?

They believed it was a trick to force them to accept Parliament’s right to tax them without representation.

Tea Act: What event resulted from the Tea Act?

The Boston Tea Party, where 342 chests of tea were dumped into Boston Harbor.

Intolerable Acts: What were the Intolerable Acts of 1774?

A series of British laws punishing Massachusetts by closing Boston Harbor and restricting colonial government.

Intolerable Acts: Why did Britain pass the Intolerable Acts?

To punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party.

Intolerable Acts: What was the colonial reaction to the Intolerable Acts?

Colonists united and formed the First Continental Congress.

Declaration of Independence: When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

July 4, 1776.

Declaration of Independence: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson.

Declaration of Independence: What is the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To declare independence from Great Britain.

Declaration of Independence: What Enlightenment idea influenced the Declaration?

Natural rights from John Locke.

Declaration of Independence: What rights are listed in the Declaration?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Declaration of Independence: What does the Declaration say about government power?

Government gets power from the consent of the governed.

Articles of Confederation: What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first national constitution of the United States.

Articles of Confederation: Why was the national government weak under the Articles?

Congress could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws.

Articles of Confederation: When were the Articles replaced?

1789, replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Articles of Confederation: What event showed the weakness of the Articles?

Shays' Rebellion.

Preamble: What is the Preamble to the Constitution?

The introduction that explains the purpose of government.

Preamble: What are the first three words of the Preamble?

“We the People."

What is one goal of the Preamble?

To establish justice.

What is another goal of the Preamble?

To ensure domestic tranquility.

U.S. Constitution: When was the Constitution written?

1787.

U.S. Constitution: What did the Constitution replace?

The Articles of Confederation.

U.S. Constitution: What type of government did the Constitution create?

A federal republic.

U.S. Constitution: What is the Constitution considered?

The supreme law of the land.

U.S. Constitution: What does federalism mean?

Power is shared between national and state governments.

Checks and Balances: Why was checks and balances created?

To prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Checks and Balances: How can the President check Congress?

By vetoing laws.

How can Congress check the President?

By overriding vetoes and impeaching.

Checks and Balances: How can the Supreme Court check Congress?

By declaring laws unconstitutional.

Bill of Rights Amendment 1: What rights does the First Amendment protect?

Answer: Religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Bill of Rights Amendment 2: What does the Second Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

Bill of Rights Amendment 3: What does the Third Amendment prohibit?

Housing soldiers in private homes without consent.

Bill of Rights Amendment 4: What does the Fourth Amendment protect?

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Bill of Rights Amendment 5: What does the Fifth Amendment guarantee?

Due process, protection against self-incrimination, and double jeopardy.

Bill of Rights Amendment 6: What rights are in the Sixth Amendment?

Speedy trial, jury, lawyer, and witnesses.

Bill of Rights Amendment 7: What does the Seventh Amendment guarantee?

Jury trial in civil cases.

Bill of Rights Amendment 8: What does the Eighth Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment.

Bill of Rights Amendment 9: What does the Ninth Amendment state?

People have rights not listed in the Constitution.

Bill of Rights Amendment 10: What does the Tenth Amendment state?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states.

Monroe Doctrine: What was the Monroe Doctrine of 1823?

A U.S. policy stating European countries could not colonize or interfere in the Americas.

Monroe Doctrine: Who created the Monroe Doctrine?

James Monroe.

Monroe Doctrine: What did the U.S. promise in the Monroe Doctrine?

The U.S. would not interfere in European affairs.

Emancipation Proclamation: What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

An order that freed enslaved people in Confederate states during the Civil War.

Emancipation Proclamation: Who issued it?

Abraham Lincoln.

Emancipation Proclamation: Did it immediately free all enslaved people?

No, it only applied to Confederate states not under Union control.

Gettysburg Address: What was the Gettysburg Address?

A speech honoring soldiers and redefining the purpose of the Civil War.

Gettysburg Address: Who delivered it?

Abraham Lincoln.

Gettysburg Address: What famous phrase is in the speech?

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

First Great Awakening: What was the First Great Awakening?

A religious revival movement in the American colonies during the 1730s–1740s.

First Great Awakening: Who was a major preacher?

Jonathan Edwards.

First Great Awakening: What was an effect of the movement?

It encouraged individual religious choice and weakened church authority.

Constitutional Convention: What was the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

A meeting to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new Constitution.

Constitutional Convention: Where did it take place?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Constitutional Convention: Who presided over the Convention?

George Washington.

Shays' Rebellion: What was Shays' Rebellion?

An uprising of farmers protesting high taxes and debt in Massachusetts.

Shays' Rebellion: Who led it?

Daniel Shays.

Shays' Rebellion: Why was it important?

It showed the weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.

George Washington: What role did George Washington have in the Revolutionary War?

Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

George Washington: What was his role after the war?

First President of the United States.

George Washington: How many terms did he serve as president?

Two terms.

Branches of Government: What are the three branches of U.S. government?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Branches of Government: What does the Legislative Branch do?

Makes laws (Congress).

Branches of Government: What does the Executive Branch do?

Enforces laws (President).

Branches of Government: What does the Judicial Branch do?

Interprets laws (Supreme Court).

Miranda Warning: What is the Miranda Warning?

A warning that informs suspects of their rights when arrested.

Miranda Warning: What Supreme Court case created it?

Miranda v. Arizona.

Miranda Warning: What rights does it include?

Right to remain silent and right to an attorney.

Supreme Court: What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court.

Supreme Court: How many justices are on the Court?

Nine justices.

Supreme Court: What power does judicial review give the Court?

The power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Supreme Court: What case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison.

National Bank: Who proposed the First National Bank?

Alexander Hamilton.

National Bank: Why was the National Bank created?

To stabilize the economy and manage national debt.

National Bank: Who opposed the National Bank?

Thomas Jefferson.

Election of 1828: Who ran in the election of 1828?

Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams.

Election of 1828: Who won the election of 1828?

Andrew Jackson.

Election of 1828: Why was the election of 1828 important?

It expanded voting rights to more white male voters and marked the rise of Jacksonian democracy.

Secession: What does secession mean?

When a state leaves the Union.

Secession: Why did Southern states secede?

Because of disagreements over slavery and states’ rights.

Secession: What did secession lead to?

The Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln: What was Abraham Lincoln’s main goal as president?

To preserve the Union.

Abraham Lincoln: What major war occurred during his presidency?

The Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln: What happened to him in 1865?

He was assassinated.

Political Parties: What were the first two political parties in the U.S.?

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

Political Parties: Who led the Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton.

Political Parties: Who led the Democratic-Republicans?

Thomas Jefferson.

Political Parties: What did Federalists believe in?

Strong national government.

Political Parties: What did Democratic-Republicans believe in?

Strong state governments.

Manifest Destiny: What was Manifest Destiny?

The belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America.

Manifest Destiny: What areas did U.S. expansion affect?

Western lands including Texas, Oregon, and California.

Manifest Destiny: What was a negative effect of Manifest Destiny?

Displacement and suffering of Native American tribes.

Cotton Gin: What was the cotton gin?

A machine that quickly removed seeds from cotton.

Cotton Gin: Who invented the cotton gin?

Eli Whitney.

Cotton Gin: What impact did the cotton gin have on slavery?

It increased the demand for enslaved labor in the South.