Honors US History 1st Semester Final Review Sheet (2012)
*Final will cover chapters 2-9* Be sure to study notecards from all chapters
Chapters 2-4
1.Explain the importance of religion in the founding of the original colonies. Was there really religious tolerance in
America?
3.Explain the effects of the First Great Awakening.
4.How did the Witchcraft Hysteria get out of control in Salem Massachusetts? How did religion play a role the
Salem Witch Trials?
5.Explain the significance of the French and Indian War. How did this change the relationship between the British
and the colonies?
6.Explain the major causes of the Revolutionary War. What British acts angered the colonists the most?
7.How important was propaganda in the lead up to the Revolutionary War? Provide specific examples to support
your argument.
Chapter 5
8.Explain the different purposes of the Declaration of Independence. Evaluate the effectiveness of this document.
9.List the advantages and disadvantages of the Americans and British during the war. How were the Patriots able to
overcome their disadvantages to win the war?
10.Explain the significance of the Battle/Invasion of ________. (Trenton, Princeton, Saratoga, King’s Mountain,
Vincennes, Yorktown) What battles encouraged France to help the Patriots?
11.List the concessions made by the Americans and British in the Treaty of Paris. How could this treaty lead to
another war? What issues were left unresolved and what provisions were likely to be ignored?
12.How did the Revolutionary War affect the lives of Native Americans and former slaves? How was the reality of
post-war American different from their expectations?
13.List the weakness of the Articles of Confederation. What were the successes of the Articles?
Chapter 6
14.Explain the major compromises made at the Constitutional Convention. Did these compromises end or just delay
future problems?
15.Outline the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Which group was most successful in articulating
their views? Explain
16.Outline the different parts of Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan. How was each part of the plan supposed to
help our economy? What was Hamilton’s overall philosophy on the economy and government?
17.Explain the challenges and obstacles George Washington faced as he entered office. What were some of
Washington’s accomplishments and failures in office?
18.Explain the motivation behind the Alien and Sedition Acts? Why were these laws controversial?
19.How did George Washington’s presidency and the events surrounding it lead to the formation of America’s first
party system? Outline the contrasting viewpoints of the Federalists and the Republicans.
Chapter 7
20.What happened during the Second Great Awakening? What were the effects of this movement?
21.Describe the different threats Thomas Jefferson faced as president. Evaluate his response to the different
situations.
22.Why is the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison (1803) considered to be one of the most important cases in
history? How did John Marshall’s decision increase the power of the Federalists and the Supreme Court? Evaluate
John Marshall’s tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
23.Explain the causes of the War of 1812.
24.Explain the different laws passed by Congress in an attempt to combat impressment and the violation of
American neutral rights on the seas. Why were these laws a failure?
25.Did the United States win, lose, or tie in the War of 1812? Who was the biggest loser of the war?
Chapter 8
26.Explain why the government instituted the following economic measures (or attempted to) after the War of 1812
and explain their intended effects: a.Chartering the Second Bank of the United States, b.Protective Tariff, c.Internal
Improvements27.Why was the time period that occurred during James Monroe’s administration known as the Era of Good
Feelings? Explain 2 foreign policy accomplishments of Monroe.
28.Outline the points of the Missouri Compromise. Who got the best deal? (North or South)
29.What was the “corrupt bargain”? How did it hurt the presidency of John Quincy Adams?
Chapter 9 Review Sheet
1.How did Andrew Jackson increase “democracy” in America? In what ways did he contradict
the true idea of democracy? Was he really the “People’s President”?
2.How did the Second Party System form in America? Outline and explain the views of each
party. What types of people were more likely to be Whigs or Democrats?
3.Explain the actions and policies that resulted in the “nullification crisis.” How was this
situation resolved?
4.Why did Andrew Jackson want to “kill” the Second National Bank of the United States? How
did Henry Clay defend the bank? What did the Presidential election of 1832 say about the
public’s view on the bank?
5.How did the Whigs combat the power of the Democrats. How did they attack Jackson and what
groups did they reach out to for support?
6.What were Andrew’s Jackson and the general public’s motivations for Indian Removal? How
did Jackson defend his policy?
7.Was Andrew Jackson responsible for the Trail of Tears and should he be held accountable in
History for his actions? Explain.
8.How did Andrew Jackson’s economic policies lead to the Panic of 1837? How did this affect
the presidency of Martin Van Buren?
9.Eavluate the presidency of Martin Van Buren. What were his major accomplishments and
failures? Why did he not get re-elected?
10.How were William Henry Harrison and the Whigs able to win the presidency in the 1840
election?