regents

Base your answers to questions 1 and on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

Resolved, that the taxation of the people by themselves, or by persons chosen by themselves to represent

them, who can only know what taxes the people are able to bear, or the easiest method of raising them, and

must themselves be affected by every tax laid on the people, is the only security against a burdensome

taxation, and the distinguishing characteristic of British freedom, without which the ancient constitution cannot

exist.

Source: Resolutions drafted by Patrick Henry and adopted by the Virginia House of Burgesses on May 30, 1765

1. The main purpose of this resolution was to

(2) protest against the Stamp Act

2. Based on this document, which statement best describes the author’s point of view?

(3) The British government would only have the right to tax the colonists if they

were represented in Parliament.

Base your answers to questions 3 through 5 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

...Small islands not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under

their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an

island. In no instance hath nature made the satellite larger than its primary planet, and as England and

America,with respect to each other, reverses the common order of nature, it is evident that they belong to

different systems: England to Europe, America to itself....

Source: Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

3. The argument presented in this passage was intended to

(3) convince American colonists to declare their independence

4. This document led to a turning point in history because

(2) it led more American colonists to support declaring their independence from Britain

5. Based on the passage, which statement best describes Paine’s point of view?

(4) England should not rule over its American colonies.

Base your answers to questions 6 and 7 on the image below and your knowledge of social studies.

Source: Paul Revere, Bloody Massacre on King Street, engraving 1770

6. Which event is being depicted in this illustration?

(1) The Boston Massacre

7. A historian would find this document most useful for

(2) studying colonial reactions to conflict with British government

Base your answers to questions 8 and 9 on the excerpt of the document below 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator

with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these

rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That

whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to

abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in

such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness…”

8. Which document includes this passage?

(2) Declaration of Independence

9. This passage suggests that the authority of government

(2) is based on a social contract meant to guarantee individual rights

Base your answers to questions 10 and 11 on the excerpt of the document below and your knowledge of social

studies.

[We understand] that [we] have, in common with all other men, a natural & unalienable right to that freedom,

which [God] has [given] equally [to] all and which [we] have never [given up in] any contract or agreement… Every

principle from which America has acted in the course of her unhappy difficulties with Great-Britain, pleads

stronger than a thousand arguments in favor of [us].

[We] therefore humbly [beg] your honors, to [consider] this petition, & [pass a law] whereby [slaves] may be

restored to the enjoyment of that freedom which is the natural right of all men…

Lancaster Hill

Peter Bess

Brister Slenten

Prince Hall

Jack Purpont (his mark)

Nero Suneto (his mark)

Newport Symner (his mark)

Job Lock

Source: Petition to the Massachusetts legislature, January 13, 1777

10. Based on this petition, which statement best describes the authors’ point of view?

(1) Enslaved people have the same right to freedom as the colonists who are declaring their

independence from Britain.

11. A historian would find this document most useful for

(4) Studying the impacts of the Revolutionary War on African Americans

Base your answers to questions 12 and 13 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

. . . I long to hear that you have declared an independency -- and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I

suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous

and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.

Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we

are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no

voice, or Representation.

Source: Abigail Adams, Letter to John Adams, March 31, 1776

12. Which document most directly addressed the concerns expressed by Abigail Adams in this passage?

(3) Declaration of Sentiments

13. Based on the letter, what problem is being discussed?

(1) Inequality between men and women

Base your answers to questions 14 and 15 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

The people who are the insurgents (rebels)... see the weakness of government. They feel at once their own

poverty, compared with the opulent (rich), and their own force, and they are determined to make up the latter

in order to remedy the former …

This dreadful situation, for which our government have made no adequate provision (arrangements), has

alarmed every man of principle and property in New England … What is to give us security against the violence

of lawless men? Our government must be braced (strengthened), changed, or altered to secure our lives and

property.

Source: Henry Knox, Oct. 23, 1786, Letter to George Washington

14. Based on the letter, what problem is being described?

(2) weakness of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation

15. Which of these actions was the most direct result of the situation described in the document?

(4) Delegates created a new Constitution.

Base your answers to questions 16 through 18 on the passages below and your knowledge of social studies.

“Let every state import what it pleases. The morality

or wisdom of slavery are considerations belonging to

the states themselves. What enriches a part enriches

the whole and the states are the best judges of their

particular interest.”

Source: Oliver Ellsworth, August 21, 1787, at the

Constitutional Convention

“Every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant. They

bring the judgment of heaven on a Country.”

Source: George Mason, August 22, 1787, at the

Constitutional Convention.

16. What issue is being discussed in the documents?

(1) Whether the Constitution should allow the slave trade to continue

17. Which statement identifies a key difference between the arguments presented in both documents?

(3) Mason argued against the slave trade on moral grounds, while Ellsworth argued in favor of it

based on federalism and economics.

18. Which action occurred as a result of the disagreement depicted in these documents?

(2) The slave trade was allowed to continue until 1808.

Base your answers to questions 19 and 20 on the passages below and your knowledge of social studies.

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and

independence, and every power, jurisdiction and right,

which is not by this confederation expressly delegated

to the United States, in Congress assembled

Source: Article II, Articles of Confederation

The powers not delegated to the United States by the

Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are

reserved to the states respectively, or to the people

Source: 10th Amendment, US Constitution

19. The purpose of each of these provisions is to

(1) determine the division of power between state and central governments

20. Which of the following Supreme Court decisions most closely relates to the provision in Document 2?

(3) McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Base your answers to questions 21 and 22 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

To what expedient [method], then, shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of

power among the several departments, as laid down in the Constitution? The only answer that can be given is,

that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving

the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be

the means of keeping each other in their proper places. . . .

Source: The Federalist No. 51, 1788

21. Which principle of the United States Constitution is most directly described in this passage?

(2) checks and balances

22. Which statement best describes the author’s purpose in writing this article?

(1) To gain support for ratifying the Constitution

Base your answers to questions 23 and 24 on the passages below and your knowledge of social studies.

[Rulers] are as likely to use the power… for private

purposes, and to the injury and oppression of those

over whom they are placed, as individuals in a state of

nature are to injure and oppress one another. It is

therefore as proper that bounds (limits) should be set

to their authority…. The powers, rights and authority,

granted to the general government by this

Constitution, are as complete, with respect to every

object to which they extend, it reaches to every thing

which concerns human happiness – life, liberty, and

property are under its control. There is the same

reason, therefore, that the exercise of power, in this

case, should be restrained within proper limits….

Source: The Anti-Federalist No. 84 On the Lack of a Bill

of Rights, Brutus (Anonymous), 1787

I go further, and affirm that bills of rights… are not

only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but

would even be dangerous. They would contain various

exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on

this very account, would afford a colorable pretext

(excuse) to claim more than were granted. For why

declare that things shall not be done which there is no

power to do? Why for instance, should it be said, that

the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when

no power is given [to the government to restrain the

press]? ….

Source: Federalist Papers No. 84, Alexander Hamilton,

1788

23. Which statement identifies a key difference between Documents 1 and 2?

(1) Brutus argues that individual rights need more protection from the government, while Hamilton

argues that the Constitution already protects those rights.

24. The debate depicted in the documents is most related to

(2) ratification of the Constitution

Base your answers to questions 25 and 26 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or

abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to

petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Source: First amendment, United States Constitution 1787

25. What is one impact of this amendment on American society?

(1) Congress cannot mandate a national religion.

26. Which of these events most likely influenced the passage of this amendment?

(2) The trial of John Peter Zenger

Base your answers to questions 27 and 28 on the passage below and your knowledge of social studies.

. . The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign nations is, in extending our commercial relations to have

with them as little political connection as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements let them be

fulfi lled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. Europe has a set of primary interests which to us have none

or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are

essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial

ties in the ordinary vicissitudes [shifts] of her politics or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her

friendships or enmities. Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course.

If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off when we may defy material

injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality we may at any

time resolve upon to be scrupulously [completely] respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility

of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or

war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel. . . .

Source: President George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796

27. Based on the speech, what course of action is Washington recommending?

(2) Remaining neutral in foreign affairs

28. This speech is an example of

(1) a precedent established by Washington

Base your answers to questions 29 and 30 on the passages below and your knowledge of social studies.

The Secretary respectfully reports:. . . That a National

Bank is an Institution of primary importance to the

prosperous administration of the Finances, and would

be of the greatest utility in the operations connected

with the support of the Public Credit . . .

There is nothing in the Acts of Congress, which imply

an exclusive right in the institution, to which they

relate, except during the term of the war. There is

therefore nothing, if the public good requires it, which

prevents the establishment of another . . . This is a

strong argument for a new institution, or for a

renovation of the old, to restore it to the situation in

which it originally stood, in the view of the United

States.

Source: Alexander Hamilton, Report to Congress,

December 14, 1790

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on

this ground: That “all powers not delegated to the

United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it

to the States, are reserved to the States or to the

people.” [10th amendment.] To take a single step

beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around

the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a

boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any

definition. The incorporation of a bank, and the

powers assumed by this bill, have not, in my opinion,

been delegated to the United States by the

Constitution.

Source: Thomas Jefferson letter to George Washington

on the bill for establishing a national bank, February

15, 1791

29. The event referenced in the documents represented a turning point in history because

(1) it expanded the powers of the federal government.

30. According to these documents, a key difference in Hamilton and Jefferson’s beliefs centered around

(3) the division of power between federal and state governments

Base your answers to questions 31 and 32 on the political cartoon below and your knowledge of social studies.

31. This cartoon was published in response to the

(4) dispute over the presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore

32. Based on this cartoon, which statement best describes the artist’s point of view?

(4) The Electoral College is undemocratic

Base your answers to questions 33 to 35 on the document below and your knowledge of social studies.

. . We admit, as all must admit, that the powers of the government are limited, and that its limits are not to be

transcended. But we think the sound construction of the constitution must allow to the national legislature that

discretion, with respect to the means by which the powers it confers are to be carried into execution, which will

enable that body to perform the high duties assigned to it, in the manner most beneficial to the people. Let the

end be legitimate, let it be within the scope of the constitution, and all means which are appropriate, which are

plainly adapted to that end, which are not prohibited, but consist with the letter and spirit of the constitution,

are constitutional. . . .

Source: Chief Justice John Marshall, McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819

33. Which constitutional provision was used by Chief Justice Marshall to reach this conclusion?

(2) elastic clause

34. Critics feared that this decision would result in

(1) a stronger federal government that would limit state powers

35. The precedent set in this case was later used by Congress to

(3) establish New Deal programs during the Great Depression