U.S. History and Government Practice Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the U.S. History and Government Regents exam materials, including the Great Depression, Watergate, the Atomic Bomb, and the Louisiana Purchase.

According to the notes, what was the economic status of the United States by $1933$?

The United States had entered the Great Depression, which was the worst economic crisis in U.S. history, with millions out of work.

What three goals were President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs designed to provide?

Relief, recovery, and reform.

How did the Social Security Act aim to support the American public during the Great Depression?

It was designed to support the elderly and the unemployed.

What was the Supreme Court's unanimous ruling regarding President Richard Nixon and the White House tapes?

The court ruled that Nixon must turn over the tape recordings needed by the Watergate special prosecutor for the trial of the President's highest aides.

How did Chief Justice Warren E. Burger address the claim of executive privilege in the Watergate case?

He stated that presidential claims of executive privilege are not unreviewable and must yield to the demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial.

What was the main concern of the Manhattan Project scientists regarding the use of atomic bombs on Japan in July $1945$?

They felt attacks could not be justified unless the postwar terms for Japan were made public and Japan was given an opportunity to surrender, while considering the moral responsibilities involved.

In his August $6$, $1945$, statement, how did President Harry S. Truman describe the power of the atomic bomb?

He described it as a harnessing of the basic power of the universe and a revolutionary increase in destruction.

What warning did President Truman give the Japanese leaders if they continued to reject the ultimatum issued at Potsdam?

He warned they could expect a "rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth."

Why was access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans vital for American settlers after $1783$?

The Appalachian Mountains acted as a barrier to shipping goods eastward, making river transport to New Orleans the easiest way to reach ocean-going vessels.

What were the terms of the Pinckney Treaty negotiated with Spain in $1795$?

It provided the right of navigation on the Mississippi River and the right of deposit (to store goods until export) at the port of New Orleans.

How did Napoleon Bonaparte's view of the Louisiana Territory change around $1803$?

He originally saw it as a granary for Saint Domingue, but when that colony was in danger of being lost and he needed funds for a campaign against Britain, he decided to sell the entire territory.

What constitutional dilemma did Thomas Jefferson face regarding the Louisiana Purchase?

Jefferson took a strict, literal view of the Constitution, which did not explicitly list the power for the President to buy property from foreign governments.

Which Federalist leader in New England led the opposition against the Louisiana Purchase on constitutional grounds?

Timothy Pickering.

How many states were eventually created, in whole or in part, from the Louisiana Purchase territory?

$13$ states (Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana).

According to historian Sean Wilentz, what was a significant negative impact of the Louisiana Purchase?

The consequences of the purchase disturbed public opinion over constitutional issues regarding the expansion of slavery, which helped "rip the country to pieces."

In the context of the social studies tasks, how is "Historical Context" defined?

The relevant historical circumstances surrounding or connecting the events, ideas, or developments in the documents.