NEW US History: Major Topic Prompt Index (MT1-25)
MT1: The Federalist Period (1789-1800) (pp. 84-98)
Presidents Washington and Adams faced many serious challenges during the early years of our national experience. I would like you
to read Chapter 6 and identify three specific challenges (both foreign and domestic) that these two presidents encountered. Then I
would like you to evaluate (or judge) how well they managed each of these challenges. For each challenge you identify, please be able
to explain specific efforts these Presidents made to address them. Likewise, when you judge the successes or failures of these
presidents, you should provide specific evidence or examples to support your claims.
MT2: Jeffersonian Democracy (1800-1815) (pp. 84-98)
Many historians have pointed out that the Election of 1800 was a key turning point in American History – indeed, Jefferson himself
called it a “peaceful revolution.” Find two specific examples in Chapter 6 that show how Presidents Jefferson or Madison significantly
altered our national course or policies (both foreign and domestic) and be able to explain the impact of those decisions. Then find two
specific examples in Chapter 6 that show how Presidents Jefferson or Madison continued policies that were initiated by their Federalist
predecessors (ironic?).
MT3: The Era of Good Feelings (1815-1828) (pp. 99-111)
Historians call the decade following America’s success in the War of 1812 an “Era of Good Feelings” and an “Age of Nationalism.” Be
able to explain why each of these labels is appropriate for this period by explaining specific efforts or events that reflect these
sentiments of “good feelings” or “nationalism*.” However, there were also some events and developments during this period that
expose growing tension and conflict within the United States. Identify and be able to explain at least two specific developments or
events that expose that emerging tension.
*Nationalism (noun): 1. the force that tended to pull the various regions of the young United States together (the opposite of sectionalism).
2. intense national pride or patriotism, perhaps inspired by prosperity or success in war. 3. relating to the belief that the federal, or central,
government ought to be strengthened at the expense of the states. 4. the perspective that the United States ought to project its power
abroad in order to establish dominance within the Western Hemisphere, and to increase its status generally among European powers.
MT4: Jacksonian Democracy (1828-1840) (pp. 99-111)
As President, Andrew Jackson demonstrated a strong commitment to the interests of the “common man,” worked to strengthen the
Presidency at the expense of the other branches of the federal government, and worked to strengthen the Federal government at the
expense of the states. Identify and be able to explain two specific ways that Jackson demonstrated his support for the “common man,”
two ways that he strengthened the presidency, and two ways that he strengthened the federal government.
MT5: The Age of Reform (1830s-1850s) (pp. 112-125)
During the mid-1800s, a strong impulse of social reform* captivated our national consciousness and even shaped our political agenda.
I would like you to be able to identify and explain at least four distinct movements connected with the Age of Reform. For each of these
movements, you should be able to identify and explain at least one key player, at least one key goal or objective, and at least one
significant historical development related to that goal.
*The term “social reform” implies a wide variety of individual or collective efforts intended to address or correct a perceived injustice relative
to our founding ideals and values.
Honors: In addition to the prompt above, be able to explain the sources of these various movements and their objectives. Where did
these ideas and crusades come from all of the sudden? What forces or values motivated these reformers and fuelled their tireless efforts.
What present-day reform effort(s) best reflect the ethic and energy of one or more of these Age of Reform movements?
MT6: Manifest Destiny (1820s-1850s) (pp. 126-140)
Between the 1820s and 1850s several factors contributed to rapid westward expansion and settlement all along the American frontier,
deep into the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, and onward to the Oregon Territory and the Pacific coast. America had aspirations to
be an expansionistic, “transcontinental nation” – even if that meant pushing Native Americans, Mexico or even Great Britain out of our
way! Be able to explain how the US managed to achieve this goal, how we acquired at least two* specific western territories, and how
our policies related to Native American land claims developed to meet those objectives. Also, be able to explain how and why at least
two* of these episodes of expansion actually led to political tensions between the various sections of the United States.
Honors: where the * appears, I would like you to be able to explain 3 specific examples instead of 2.
MT7: Sectionalism and Secession (1848-1861) (pp. 141-153)
Through the 1850s, political tensions between the North and South grew despite several efforts to resolve these sectional conflicts. Be
able to explain how the Compromise of 1850 was intended to correct this problem, and at least one* reason why it failed in a few years.
Likewise, be able to explain how the Kansas-Nebraska Act was intended to solve sectional competition, and at least one* reason why it
had the opposite effect.
Honors: where the * appears, I would like you to be able to explain 2 reasons instead of 1. Also, be able to explain the six distinct parts of
the Compromise of 1850.
MT8: Civil War (1861-1865) (pp. 154-169)
At the beginning of the war, the South seemed to enjoy a number of key advantages, and the North experienced some frustrating
military setbacks. But by mid-1863, the Union had seized the initiative (militarily, politically, diplomatically, and economically). Be able
to explain those specific advantages (3) the South had early in the war, and how they contributed to specific Union defeats (2). Then
be able to explain at least two specific ways that the North managed to reverse that momentum and achieve absolute victory by 1865.*
Honors: I would like you to additionally be able to identify and explain two specific steps along that road to Union victory. You
may not use Gettysburg or Vicksburg – these were “turning-points” battles.
MT9: Reconstruction (1865-1877) (pp. 170-179)
More than just re-admitting the southern states or repairing the physical damage of war, Reconstruction was largely concerned with
deciding what the war, its great sacrifices, and the Union victory actually meant. Be able to identify and explain at least three of the key
struggles that these questions ignited, and support your claims with specific examples and evidence. Also be able evaluate the
outcomes of Reconstruction from the point-of-view of (1) the Freedmen, (2) Southern whites, and (3) Northern whites.
NEW US History: Supplementary Questions Index (MT1-25)
MT1: Federalist Period (pp. 84-98)
Supplementary Questions:
1. Explain three key differences between the political views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.
2. Explain two important traditions that Washington set as our first President that have shaped the office ever since.
3. What was the XYZ Affair, and how does it relate to one or more of the broad themes of the Federalist Period?
4. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts, and why did some states feel justified in refusing to obey these federal laws?
5. What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, and what key power-struggle (which is a major theme in early American
History) did they expose / provoke / aggravate?
6. What two specific pitfalls did Washington warn the nation about in his Farewell Address (1797), and why did he choose these
two particular problems to caution his countrymen about?
MT2: Jeffersonian Democracy (pp. 84-98)
Supplementary Questions
1. Jefferson’s vision for the United States was that it remain a “nation of small farmers” rather than become a commercial,
manufacturing and trading power like Britain. Why?
2. Why did Jefferson struggle with the decision to purchase the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803? What were the main
reasons he ultimately decided to do so?
3. What were three specific reasons that some Americans wanted war with Great Britain by 1812? Who were these “war hawks”
and what was motivating them?
4. What was the Hartford Convention? Who was part of this meeting, what specific grievances or demands did it produce, and
why?
5. What were three significant results of the War of 1812 for the United States? What new opportunities and new relationships
did this victory produce?
MT3: Era of Good Feelings (pp. 99-111)
Supplementary Questions
1. What is sectionalism, and how did it cause conflict within the US? Explain two sources and two consequences of sectionalism
in the U.S. prior to 1850?
2. Identify three of John Quincy Adams’ key accomplishments as US Secretary of State and explain how they were
advantageous to the United States.
3. Explain two ways that Chief Justice John Marshall used the Supreme Court to boost federal power in the early 1800s?
4. What were the three distinct parts of Henry Clay’s American System, and how did each part help strengthen the nation’s
sense of unity?
5. What was the Monroe Doctrine? What was its purpose, and why did European powers generally abide by or respect it?
MT4: Jacksonian Democracy (pp. 99-111)
Supplementary Questions
1. What was “universal white male suffrage,” and how did this development shape Jackson’s political success and the second
American party system (Democrats v. Whigs)?
2. What was the “South Carolina Exposition,” and why did South Carolina threaten to leave the Union in 1832?
3. Why did the farmers of the South and West so despise the Bank of the United States in the 1830s? Why did they distrust the
BUS?
4. What economic factors caused or contributed to the Panic of 1837, and how did President Van Buren attempt to fix this mess?
5. How did the Whigs defeat Van Buren in 1840? What specific factors, strategies or circumstance did they use to finally break
the Democrats’ winning streak?
MT5: Age of Reform (pp. 112-125)
Supplementary Questions
1. Explain the relationship between the Second Great Awakening, transcendentalism, and reform.
2. Distinguish between the goals and methods of William Lloyd Garrison, David Walker and Frederick Douglass.
3. What inferences about the antebellum period can you draw from the adoption of the “gag rule” in 1836?
4. How was the women’s suffrage movement related to the abolition movement?
5. How are the economic and technological developments of the early 19th century related to the Commonwealth v. Hunt
decision?
MT6: Manifest Destiny (pp. 126-140)
Supplementary Questions
1. Explain 2 ways that technological and commercial innovations in the first half of the 19th century fostered a “market revolution.”
2. Explain two specific reasons or justifications for Manifest Destiny.
3. Explain three reasons that Texans desired, then demanded, independence from Mexico in 1835.
4. Explain why the nine-year debate over Texas annexation was so contentious, and the factors led to its resolution in 1845.
5. Explain what group of Americans opposed a war with Mexico through 1846 and why they opposed it.
6. Explain two important outcomes of the Mexican War?
MT7: Sectionalism and Secession (pp.141-153)
Supplementary Questions
1. Why did California’s application for admission to the Unites States trigger a crisis in 1850?
2. Explain two specific ways that Northern abolitionists responded to the new Fugitive Slave Law.
3. Explain why Kansas became the focus of the slavery debate in the mid-1850s?
4. How and why did Lincoln’s election as President in 1860 trigger Southern secession?
5. How did the Dred Scott Decision change the slavery debate in 1857?
6. Explain what a “nativist” is, and what events or developments in the 1840s-1860s encouraged this feeling.
MT8: The Civil War (pp. 154-169)
Supplementary Questions
1. Explain the “Anaconda Plan” and briefly evaluate its effectiveness.
2. How did the Emancipation Proclamation change or enlarge the Union war aims?
3. Name two key military turning points in the Civil War and explain why they were turning points.
4. Why did Great Britain remain neutral during the Civil War? (11.1)
5. Why was Lincoln’s suspension of the writ of habeas corpus a war-time necessity?
MT9: Reconstruction (pp. 170-179)
Supplementary Questions
1. Explain two specific parts of the Congressional plan for Reconstruction between 1867 and 1877.
2. What were “scalawags” and “carpet-baggers;” how were they different; and who would have called them this?
3. Describe the experiences of the freedmen as they experienced the dramatic changes introduced by Reconstruction.
4. Why was President Andrew Johnson impeached? What inference can you draw from this episode? 
5. Explain the Compromise of 1877 and why it occurred.
MT10: The Gilded Age (Chapters 13-16, pp. 180-224)
The period from the end of the Civil War (1865) through the Turn-of-the-Century (1900) is generally called the “Gilded
Age.” Do a little bit of research on your own and see if you can figure out where this label came from, what it means, and
whether or not it accurately represents this period.
Honors: As you work to answer the questions below, keep in mind that the technological progress, economic prosperity,
and rapid westward expansion that characterize this period also came with some costs. When I return, be able to discuss
those costs and whether they were justified.
Chapter 13 (pp. 180-190)
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Explain two ways that the US Government promoted settlement on the Great Plains between 1862 and the 1890s.
Explain how US Government policy relating to the Plains Indians changed between 1865 and 1890.
Explain three specific goals of the Populist Party.
Identify two groups of Americans that were most likely to support the Populist Party, and explain why.
Explain what William Jennings Bryan meant by “Cross of Gold.”
How would bimetallism help the economy, according to its supporters?
Chapter 14 (pp. 191-200)
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Explain the regulations advocated by the Grangers and how they led to the Interstate Commerce Act (1887).
Explain two specific reasons why western farmers were unhappy with the big railroad companies.
Explain two ways that Andrew Carnegie worked to control (monopolize) the steel industry.
Who during this period would have found “Social Darwinism” an appealing idea, and why?
Explain two reasons why strikes usually failed during the Gilded Age. Draw some inferences! 
Identify and explain the key difference between the AFL and the IWW.
Chapter 15 (pp. 201-210)
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Name two regions of the world where the New Immigrants came from in the late 1800s.
Explain two examples of anti-immigration measures in the US at the Turn-of-the-Century, and why many Americans supported them.
Explain what settlement houses, like Hull House, provided for the poor.
Explain three specific problems that city residents faced at the Turn-of-the-Century.
Explain two ways that political machines held power at the Turn-of-the-Century.
Explain two reasons why big business supported high tariffs during the Gilded Age. Draw some inferences! 
Chapter 16 (pp. 211-224)
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Explain three ways that southern states restricted the voting rights of African-Americans at the Turn-of-the-Century.
Describe the key difference differences between the views of W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington.
Explain how the U.S. Supreme Court legitimized racial segregation in the Southern states by 1896.
How was the discrimination faced by African-Americans in the South similar to the experiences of other minority groups?
Explain the competition between the great newspaper empires of the late 1800s, and how it shaped our culture.