U.S. History and Government
10 Week Test Review Sheet
Test Format: 30 multiple choice and one thematic essay
Influences on Government

Ancient Greece- what is a democracy?

Ancient Rome- what is a republic?

Enlightenment
o What type of government did Enlightenment
thinkers believe was the best form to protect
the people’s rights?
Colonial America

Early settlements were along which coast?
o

o They believe that the leaders should be chosen
by the people, not God (consent of the
___________)
Know the three regions of the 13 original colonies
and their economic features:
o New England (MA, NH, CT, RI) =
o Middle (NY, PA, NJ, DE)=
o
o You should be able to recognize the names of
the four main Enlightenment philosophers
AND to explain each of their major ideas.
 John Locke =
 Rousseau =
 Montesquieu =
 Voltaire =
Government in Colonial America

What are two examples?

South (MD, VA, NC, SC, GA) =
What is Mercantilism?
o How did the British benefit from this
system?
o
Did the colonies benefit?
The Road to Revolution

The French and Indian War was fought against
Britain over land and trade rights. How did the
results lead to anger in the colonies?

Why did the Albany Plan of Union fail?

Know the major Acts and Taxes and their
influence of the start of the Revolution (i.e. Sugar,
Stamp, Tea Taxes, Boston Massacre, etc.)
Define salutary neglect
o Why did the British follow this policy?
o How did the colonists benefit from this policy?
o VA House of Burgesses and New England
Town Meetings all colonial steps in the growth
of __________________ democracy (or self_______________)

The importance of the Zenger Trial is that
freedom of the _____________ was protected.

The Proclamation Line of 1763 was represented
by what geographical feature?
o
Why did the King not want colonists to
settle past this point?
o What does “no taxation without
representation” mean?

The Declaration of Independence:
o When was it written?
o Who wrote it?
o What was its purpose?
o What influenced it?

What was the purpose of Thomas Paine’s
Common Sense pamphlet?
The American Revolution

How were the Patriots able to win the Revolution
against the stronger, more organized British
military?

Which geographical feature became the new
western boundary following the end of the
Revolution?

Why did the period following the Revolution
through the Constitution become known as the
“critical period?”
Articles of Confederation

What was the most important strength of the
Articles (think the idea that carried over to the
Constitution)?

What were the weaknesses of the Articles?

How did Shay’s Rebellion influence change?
The U.S. Constitution

The Constitutional Convention was held in
Philadelphia, 12 out of 13 states sent delegates.
What was their original goal/purpose?
More Constitution

Debate over Ratification:
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Views on
Gov’t

In what ways did the Constitution “fix” the
weaknesses/problems of the Articles?
Fears


Know the 3 Important Compromises, the two
sides of each and the results:
o Great Compromise= ________v. _________
states over _________________ in gov’t 
____________________ Legislature
o 3/5ths Compromise= ________ v. ________
over representation and ________________
 slaves would count for 3/5s for both
o Commerce Compromise = North v. South
over control of __________ and slave trade 
__________ would control commerce; slave
trade would be revisited in _______ yrs.
**What was added to the Constitution to satisfy the
Anti-Federalists’ concerns?

Three Branches (know each branch, their main job
and roles):
o Executive = ______________ Laws
- Many “Hats” of the President
- Unwritten Constitution (examples?)
- Electoral College
o Legislative= _____________ Laws
- Bills  Laws
- Elastic Clause means
o Judicial= _______________ Laws
- Judicial review (which Supreme Court
case established this??)

Know the Constitutional Principles and definitions
(i.e. Elastic Clause, Federalism, Checks and
Balances, etc.)
Know what WE THE PEOPLE means (not who it
represented then, but how it should be interpreted)
Possible Thematic Essay Topics
Listed below are five different thematic essay topics that address issues we have covered over
the last ten weeks. Your test will include three of these thematic essays, in which you will
choose one to respond to in detail and using evidence from your knowledge of history.
1. Explain how practices of self-government began in colonial America,
using at least three specific examples. How did the end of these practices
lead to the American Revolution?
2. Identify and explain three weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
and describe how each was corrected with the government established
under the U.S. Constitution.
3. Discuss in depth three constitutional principles and how each allows the
government to adapt for changes over time.
4. Evaluate the time from the end of the American Revolution
(independence) through the Founding Fathers ratifying the Constitution.
Why is this period considered “the critical period?” What are three
problems that needed to be addressed by the Constitution and how were
they addressed?
5. Compare and contrast three specific beliefs, fears, and/or views of the
Federalists and Anti-Federalists in relation to U.S. Constitution. How did
their differences lead to issues over ratification of the Constitution?