Regents Exam in U.S. History and Government free essay sample

If you have or use any communications device, no matter how briefly, your examination will be invalidated and no score will be calculated for you. Print your name and the name of your school on the lines above. A separate answer sheet for Part I has been provided to you. Follow the instructions from the proctor for completing the student information on your answer sheet. Then fill in the heading of each page of your essay booklet. This examination has three parts. You are to answer all questions in all parts. Use black or dark-blue ink to write your answers to Parts II, III A, and III B. Part I contains 50 multiple-choice questions. Record your answers to these questions as directed on the answer sheet. Part II contains one thematic essay question. Write your answer to this question in the essay booklet, beginning on page 1. Part III is based on several documents: Part III A contains the documents. When you reach this part of the test, enter your name and the name of your school on the first page of this section. Each document is followed by one or more questions. Write your answer to each question in this examination booklet on the lines following that question. Part III B contains one essay question based on the documents. Write your answer to this question in the essay booklet, beginning on page 7. When you have completed the examination, you must sign the declaration printed at the end of the answer sheet, indicating that you had no unlawful knowledge of the questions or answers prior to the examination and that you have neither given nor received assistance in answering any of the questions during the examination. Your answer sheet cannot be accepted if you fail to sign this declaration. DO NOT OPEN THIS EXAMINATION BOOKLET UNTIL THE SIGNAL IS GIVEN. REGENTS EXAM IN U. S. HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT Part I Answer all questions in this part. Directions (1–50): For each statement or question, record on your separate answer sheet the number of the word or expression that, of those given, best completes the statement or answers the question. 1 Which geographic factor most directly influenced the location of the first English settlements in North America? 1) rivers along the Atlantic coast (2) availability of flat land in the Midwest (3) mild climate along the Gulf coast (4) forests throughout the Middle Colonies 2 The Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights were significant influences on United States constitutional development because they (1) provided suffrage for all men and women (2) placed limits on the powers of the government (3) called for the abolition of slavery (4) supported the de velopment of federalism 3 The Declaration of Independence contains a (1) proposal for reuniting the colonies and England (2) statement of grievances against the King of England (3) request for a treaty between the colonies and Spain (4) plan for organizing the western territories 4 Which set of events related to early America is in the correct chronological order? 1) inauguration of George Washington passage of Stamp Act Battle of Saratoga French and Indian War (2) Battle of Saratoga French and Indian War passage of Stamp Act inauguration of George Washington (3) French and Indian War passage of Stamp Act Battle of Saratoga inauguration of George Washington (4) passage of Stamp Act French and Indian War inauguration of George Washington Battle of Saratoga 5 Critics of the Articles of Confederation argued that it (1) imposed unfair taxes on the states (2) used a draft to raise a national army (3) provided a strong system of federal courts (4) placed too much power in the hands of the states 6 â€Å"†¦ Article 6. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted: Provided, always, That any person escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one of the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid. †¦Ã¢â‚¬  — Northwest Ordinance, 1787 Based on this excerpt from the Northwest Ordinance, which statement is a valid conclusion? (1) The issue of slavery was largely ignored before the Civil War. (2) Abolitionists had gained control of the Constitutional Convention. 3) Slavery was legally banned in the Northwest Territory. (4) Enslaved persons had constitutionally protected civil rights. 7 The Great Compromise enabled delegates at the Constitutional Convention (1787) to (1) establish the principle of popular sovereignty in the territories (2) give C ongress the exclusive right to declare war if the nation is attacked (3) protect the interests of states with small populations and states with large populations (4) provide for the indirect election of the president through the electoral college [2] U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 8 Which presidential action is an example of the use of the unwritten constitution? 1) signing a law passed by Congress (2) calling a meeting of the cabinet (3) ordering the navy to patrol the Persian Gulf (4) nominating a federal court judge 9 The major benefit of having the elastic clause in the United States Constitution is that it (1) allows the government to respond to changing conditions (2) protects the rights of racial minorities (3) prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful (4) establishes a postal service 10 How did Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan affect the economy of the United States during the 1790s? (1) National tax revenues decreased. (2) H igh tariffs increased foreign trade. (3) Treasury policies contributed to widespread inflation. (4) The newly created Bank of the United States helped stabilize the economy. 11 One result of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory (1803) was that the United States (1) acquired California from Spain (2) gained control of the port of New Orleans (3) ended border conflicts with British Canada (4) annexed Florida 12 The decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was significant because it established that the Supreme Court (1) had limited powers over state courts (2) had the power to choose its own members (3) could declare a federal law unconstitutional (4) could impeach the president and other government officials 13 The constitutional controversy that led directly to the start of the Civil War concerned the right of states to (1) control tariff rates (2) sign treaties with foreign nations (3) redraw congressional districts (4) secede from the Union U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 14 Which group benefited most directly from the Supreme Court decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)? (1) abolitionists (3) slave owners (2) immigrants (4) enslaved persons 15 Which title best completes the partial outline below? I. __________________________________ A. California Gold Rush (1849) B. Homestead Act (1862) C. Completion of transcontinental railroad (1869) (1) Factors Encouraging Westward Settlement (2) Government-Sponsored Transportation Programs (3) Recognition of Native American Indian Land Rights (4) Actions Promoting the Conservation of Natural Resources Base your answer to question 16 on the passage from the trial transcript below and on your knowledge of social studies. †¦ MISS ANTHONY: When I was brought before your honor for trial, I hoped for a broad and liberal interpretation of the Constitution and its recent amendments, that should declare all United States citizens under its protecting aegis [shield]—that should declare equality of rights the national guarantee to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. But failing to get this justice—failing, even, to get a trial by a jury not of my peers—I ask not leniency at your hands—but rather the full rigors of the law. †¦ Source: United States v. Susan B. Anthony, 1873 6 The constitu tional amendments referred to in this statement were ratified to (1) end the importation of slaves (2) increase federal revenue (3) institute national Prohibition (4) provide legal rights to African Americans [3] [OVER] 17 Which statement best describes how the status of African Americans in the South changed soon after the end of Reconstruction in 1877? (1) The Supreme Court consistently supported civil rights for African Americans. (2) Poll taxes and literacy tests were eliminated for African Americans. (3) Increasing numbers of African Americans were elected to public office. (4) African Americans faced increasing discrimination and segregation. 8 The theory of laissez-faire economics was used during the late 1800s to (1) justify unregulated business growth (2) call for more consumer protection (3) support Progressive programs (4) achieve equal distribution of income Base your answers to questions 19 and 20 on the speakers’ statements below and on your knowledge of social studies. Speaker A: The best way to prevent corruption in government is to allow citizens a direct role in the legislative process. Speaker B: Breaking up trusts and monopolies will increase business competition. Speaker C: An important goal of the federal government should be the protection of our natural resources. Speaker D: Government will only improve when women are granted full suffrage. 19 Which speaker’s statement is most directly related to the political concepts of initiative, referendum, and recall? 1) A (3) C (2) B (4) D 20 Which two speakers’ viewpoints reflect actions taken by Theodore Roosevelt when he was president (1901–1909)? (1) A and B (3) C and D (2) B and C (4) D and A 21 The term muckraker was used in the early 1900s to describe writers who (1) supported limits on government regulation (2) exposed abuses in American society (3) wanted the United States to ban all immigration (4) promoted racial integration efforts 22 In the early 1900s, th e United States proposed the Open Door policy to (1) gain new colonies in the Pacific (2) win support for building the Panama Canal (3) improve relations with Europe (4) secure access to markets in China 23 Which title best completes the partial outline below? I. __________________________________ A. No government without consent of the governed B. High cost of defending territories outside the United States C. United States tradition of noninvolvement (1) (2) (3) (4) America’s New Immigration Policy Reasons for Overseas Expansion Causes of the Spanish-American War Arguments Opposing Imperialism 24 The Federal Reserve System was created in 1913 to (1) authorize Congress to set interest rates (2) regulate the nation’s money supply (3) allow the government to own the nation’s banks (4) take over the responsibility of printing money U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 [4] Base your answers to questions 25 and 26 on the map below and on your knowledge of social studies. Labor’s Struggle for Justice, 1880 – 1920 C A N A DA Wash. 1892 Silver Mines Unrest Miners strike to protest wage cut. To break the union, the state jails over 1,000 workers. Idaho Mont. N. Dak. Minn. 1912 Textile Strike Police, militia attack strikers; women beaten, arrested. Vt. N. Y. Maine N. H. Lawrence Mass. R. I. Conn. N. J. 1886 Haymarket Affair A bomb explodes at a labor rally, killing seven police. Four labor leaders are later executed despite lack of evidence. Wyo. S. Dak. Iowa Nebr. Wis. Chicago Mich. Nev. 1914 Ludlow Massacre Eleven children found dead after state militia burns a striking miners’ tent village. Utah Pa. Homestead Pullman Ohio Ind. Calif. Ariz. N Del. 892 Homestead Va. Md. Massacre Steel workers strike Colo. to protest a wage cut. N. C. Seven people are N. killed in a clash with Okla. Ark. Tenn. state militia. Mex 1887 Sugar Cane Workers Strike 1902 Anthracite S. C. State militia breaks strike, killing 30 Coal Strike Miss. people, mostl y African Americans. About 140,000 Ala. Ga. miners strike to win union recognition. La. Theodore Roosevelt Texas forces arbitration to settle the strike. Fla. 1894 Pullman Strike Ill. Kans. About 14,000 troops Ludlow attack striking railroad workers, killing 30. Ky. Labor unrest MEXICO 0 0 200 200 400 Km 400 Miles Albers Equal-Area Projection Source: Gary B. Nash, American Odyssey: The United States in The Twentieth Century, Glencoe, 1994 (adapted) 25 Which generalization about labor unions in the United States is most clearly supported by information on the map? (1) The federal government supported labor union activities. (2) Strikes by labor unions were often suppressed by government actions. (3) Labor union membership was limited to mine workers. (4) State governments offered to arbitrate labor disputes. 26 Which was the first labor strike to end with the president intervening on behalf of the workers? (1) 1886 Haymarket Affair (3) 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike (2) 1894 Pullman Strike (4) 1912 Textile Strike U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 [5] OVER] Base your answer to question 27 on the posters below and on your knowledge of social studies. Base your answer to question 29 on the chart below and on your knowledge of social studies. Depression Era Unemployment Statistics Year 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 Number of Un employed 1,550,000 4,340,000 8,020,000 12,060,000 12,830,000 11,340,000 10,610,000 9,030,000 7,700,000 10,390,000 9,480,000 8,120,000 5,560,000 2,660,000 1,070,000 670,000 1,040,000 Percentage of Civilian Labor Force 3. 2 8. 9 16. 3 24. 1 25. 2 22. 0 20. 3 17. 0 14. 3 19. 1 17. 2 14. 6 9. 9 4. 7 1. 9 1. 2 1. 9 Source: Library of Congress 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 7 The United States government published these World War I posters to encourage Americans to (1) increase military enlistments (2) reduce the use of consumer goods (3) invest in the war effort (4) conserve scarce resources for the military 28 After World War I, one way in which the Red Scare, the passing of the Quota. Acts, and the growth of the Ku Klux Klan were similar is that they all (1) exploited fears about people who were considered un-American (2) encouraged the assimilation of new immigrants into American society (3) supported the goals of the suffrage movement (4) exhibited prejudice against African Americans 1942 1943 1944 1945 Source: U. S. Bureau of the Census 29 Which conclusion is most clearly supported by the information in the chart? (1) President Herbert Hoover’s economic policies expanded job opportunities. (2) The United States unemployment rate reached its highest level in 1938. (3) President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs failed to address the unemployment crisis. (4) World War II ended the high unemployment rates of the Great Depression. U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 [6] 0 As part of the New Deal, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) were created to (1) allow for a qui ck recovery of stock prices (2) provide direct loans to businesses (3) protect individual investors from stock fraud and bank failure (4) allow banks and companies to invest in the stock market 31 Senator Huey Long, Dr. Francis Townsend, and Father Charles Coughlin are best known as (1) members of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s cabinet (2) outspoken critics of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal (3) supporters of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s reelection campaign in 1940 (4) members of the Supreme Court nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 32 The â€Å"cash and carry† policy and the Lend-Lease Act were used by the United States to (1) help fund League of Nations efforts to maintain peace (2) encourage British appeasement of Germany (3) fulfill treaty obligations with Great Britain and France (4) provide support for the Allies in World War II without entering the war 33 President Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to December 7, 1941, as â€Å"a date which will live in infamy† because on that day (1) Germany invaded Poland (2) Japan attacked Pearl Harbor (3) Italy declared war on the United States (4) the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima Base your answer to question 34 on the postcard below and on your knowledge of social studies. ONE TWO THREE! IN AMERICA, THAT MEANS L AN SIN MICH. Source: The Authentic History Center (adapted) 34 Which constitutional amendment was adopted in response to the issue raised on this postcard? (1) graduated income tax (2) direct election of United hat are beyond a restatement of the theme U. S. Hist. Gov’t. – Jan. ’13 [24]