8th Grade Government and History Topics

8th Grade Final Exam Study Guide TOPIC 4: 1. Why is it important for people to serve on juries when they are called upon to do so? The bill of rights guarantees the right to trial by jury. They can fulfill their civic duty 2. What freedoms are guaranteed in the state constitutions? Bill of rights, trial by jury, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press. 3. Why did the Founding Fathers rewrite the Articles of Confederation? Because it was failing. The articles of confederation revolved around a weak central government, where currency was losing its value, and the government couldn't tax. 4. Why did the Great Compromise establish a two-house legislature? It would benefit larger and smaller states. To create a fair voting system, the house of representatives would get elected by the people. 5. What did the Virginia and New Jersey Plans have in common? Three branches of government to prevent abuse of power. Legislative branch consists of elected representatives. 6. What were the rights listed in the First Amendment? (RAPPS) Religion Assembly Press Petition speech 7. How did the Federalist Papers generate support to approve the Constitution? It defended and proved how the constitution was important and beneficial for the country. 8. What part of the Constitution drew inspiration from the English Bill of Rights? Bill of Rights / Trial by jury / due process of law 9. Why was James Madison considered the “Father of the Constitution”? His intelligence and his ideas about how to structure a democratic government influenced the other delegates. He helped write the bill of rights. 10. What group gained greater political rights when amendments were added to the Constitution? African Americans 11. How were the southern states affected by the Three-Fifths Compromise? It gave them more cost because they counted the slaves as ⅗ of the population. Short Answer Essay: 12. Why was the principle of civic virtue important to the Founding Fathers? * They believed that it was important to keep freedom in the country and a just society in America. * They believed that it was important because civic virtue is putting the nation’s needs before their own. They believed that this would help unite the country. TOPIC 5: 13. What were the causes of the War of 1812? * Britain was arming American Indians and they were seizing the American ships. * The war hawks were influencing the war. * The British were impressing American sailors. * The British were impressing American sailors. The Americans were banning imports from Britain. 14. Why did the northern states favor Hamilton’s protective tariff? The tariff had less of an effect on business in the NOrth than the south. The tariff stopped the competition between foreign goods and was good for the business of the North. 15. What caused conflicts between white settlers and American Indians during the early 1800s? The white settlers were taking over the American Indians lands. 16. Why did Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans oppose policies that favored manufacturing and trade? Because they believed it would make the northern states too powerful compared to the southern states and the government. They also favored farming over manufacturing and they believed that the U.S should depend on independent farmers and not big businesses. 17. How did Hamilton attempt to create a stable economic system? * He wanted to build a nation bank to pay off the national debt. * He planned to build industries and agricultural * He passed the proactive tariff. 18. What did the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts lead to? Many disagreed and protected these acts. The alien act gave the president the power to deport allies who were a danger to the country and made it harder for people to become citizens in the country, the sedition acts stated that no one could say anything negative about the government. They could be fined and jailed for criticizing the government 19. What was the impressment of soldiers? The practice of forcing people into military services. 20. How did Jefferson’s views differ from Hamilton’s? Jefferson wanted a limited federal government with a strict interpretation of the constitution. Hamilton wanted a strong central government with a loose interpretation of the Constitution. 21. Why did Jefferson favor a laissez-faire attitude toward the nation’s economy? It was the idea that the government should play a small role in the small business. 22. How did the Treaty of Greenville settle the ongoing conflict between American Indians and white settlers? It gave American Indians payment for their lands. It opened the northwest territory for the white settlers and ed\nded the conflict between the U.S and several American INidans tribes. The white settlers had to give back the land they took or pay a fair amount for it. 23. How would Clay’s American System with high tariffs on imported goods have benefited the West and South? The system was an economic plan that included tariffs and a national bank, and a federal system to build new roads and canals was never adopted. THe money would have gone to a better transportation system, making it easier and cheaper for them to ship goods to city markets. 24. Why did some Federalists criticize Adams’s refusal to declare war on France? The federalists wanted war to weaken the democratic republicans. They believed that the war would increase military forces. A goal was to strengthen federal power, which was one of the key goals of the federalists. John Adams did not want to go to war. He wanted to keep washington;s neutrality policy. Instead he sent diplomats to negotiate peace in france. 25. How did the election of 1796 increase political tensions? There was a federalist President and a Vice president from the democratic-republicans increased the tension 26. How did life change for ordinary Americans in the early years of the republic? Industries and manufacturing became more popular. Many facilities opened and young women started working in the factories. Education and music changes. 27. What did revolutions in Latin America lead to? It led to the formation of the Monroe doctrine which was a document that told European countries that they were not to colonize any more American land and that they were not to interfere with American lands. Latin Americans colonies seeking independence from European control. They started revolutions, which led to their freedoms. Short Answer Essay: 28. Explain why President Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793. * With war in Europe, Washington had to decide on a foreign policy and staying neutral was the only option. * Washington did not want conflicts with European conflicts to affect the American economy * The Neutrality proclamation would keep the U.S from choosing sides. TOPIC 6: 29. What was a major difference between the settlement in Utah and the settlement in California? Utah was settled by mormons hoping to escape religious persecution. People went to California for gold that was found there. They were seeking wealth. CHinese people also fled to california. 30. How was the conflict over the Tariff of 1828 resolved? President Jackson threatened to use the military to enforce the tariff. To avoid civil war, he passed a lower tariff and the Force Bill to enforce future tariffs. 31. How did the economic success of the Erie Canal affect westward expansion? There were more economic opportunities in the west due to the succes of the canal system. The Erie enabled other goods to be shipped by barge from the north-west territories to the new york harbor. Soon private investors began building canals that connected western cities to eastern cities. 32. What were some of the effects of the Indian Removal Act? * Expanded slavery to new territories * Relocated American INdians to less fertile lands * Resulted in deaths of thousands of American Indians. 33. What was the main role of the mountain men during the expansion into Oregon Country? * They found trails and mapped them for the people traveling west * Many used their knowledge of the terrain to help settlers make it through the mountains. * They followed American Indians' trails through passage in the rocky mountains. 34. What was the main concern of the U.S. annexation of Texas? * Northerners were worried that it would become a slave state. * Jackson worried that this would lead to war. * Worried it would strengthen support for slavery 35. How was life in the West different from life in the East in the early 1800s? The women did more jobs in the west and took part in jobs outside of home and in the east women would work more home working. Men in the west would be trappers and would sell fur. 36. Why did settlers choose Oregon Country over the Great Plains? The great plains were too dry for farming. Oregon Country had mild temperatures and rain. They had an abundance of water and a mild climate. 37. Describe what life was like for pioneers on the Oregon Trail. How did they travel? What type of relationship did they have with the American Indians? What were the hardships and challenges? They traveled by wagons pulled by oxen or horses. Also traveled by foot They had hostile relationships with American Indians but when the opportunity came, however, they would also trade with them. Hardships included weather conditions, diseases, attacks from the Indians, short water supply and lack of food. 38. Why did many Americans feel that the result of the 1824 election was fraudulent? Jackson won the popular vote but didn't win the majority. The house had to decide. Clay made a bargain with Adams and got Adams voted into office. THis was known as the “corrupt bargain.” 39. What is the negative impact of the spoils system? An unqualified person might be given a government job. 40. What caused an economic depression during Martin Van Buren’s presidency? Since Jackson closed the national bank, many banks printed their own money and there was no way to back it up with gold or silver. Printed money lost its cause, which caused the panic of 1833. 41. What TWO issues increased tensions between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas? Issues with religion and slavery 42. Why did many American Indians blend European and American Indian customs? Because many colonizers came and took their land, the American Indians had a choice during the Indian removal act. They had to leave their land or integrate with European culture. 43. What were the causes of the Mexican-American War? * The US annexation of texas * Border dispute * The US wanted new Mexico and california * They tried to pay Mexico for this territory, but Mexico said no. 44. What was the result of the Mexican-American War? * Mexico and the US signed the treaty of guadalupe Hidalgo * Mexico gave up california and New Mexico * America gave them 15 million dollars in exchange. * It gave the U.S territory known as the Mexican cession. Short Answer Essay: 45. Why did so many settlers migrate west in the early nineteenth century? What factors made this mass migration possible? Many settlers migrated west because of manifest destiny, the belief that they had a duty to expand outwards. Because of this belief in the text it states how people wanted new economic opportunities and felt it was their patriotic duty. Many people would go for gold, farmlands and more land. They would also want more natural resources and places to expand. This travel and migration was possible because of many things, like the Erie canal that would transport items or the railroad that would make it safer to transport people and items. * Settlers believed in manifest destiny * They wanted access to fertile farmland and better opportunities/economic growth. * They created the steamboat and canals and the national road toachive this migration. What they believed, what they looked for and how they got there. TOPIC 7: 1. What was the MAIN reason that many German immigrants moved west soon after arriving to the United States? * Harsh weather conditions, severe food shortage, seeking fertile land and better lives. They were also attracted to the democratic political system. 2. Who was William Lloyd Garrison, and what did he do? He was a white abolitionist who launched the liberator, the most influential anti-slavery newspaper. 3. Who was Nat Turner, and what was his significance? He was a black abolitionist who led a slave rebellion. He killed 57 white men. His actions increased southern fears from uprising from slaves and raised their suspicions of them. 4. How did the Quakers feel about slavery? Why? They believed it was a sin because they believed that all people were created equal in the sight of God. 5. What was the importance of the Underground Railroad? A secret network helping slaves escape. They were escaping to the north. 6. Who was Frederick Douglass, and his significance? He was an African American who spoke out against slavery and powerful lectures and spoke on the meaning of freedom. 7. What were some effects of the United States becoming industrialized? Production of goods increased. It was easier to buy and things changed how people lived. There were harsh and unsafe working conditions. Cities became overpopulated. 8. What happened to the population of the larger northern cities as industrialization grew? It became overpopulated. 9. Why were there fewer industries in the South compared to the North in the mid-1800s? They relied on agriculture and only made products that helped with farming. Most of the industries in the south remained small and only met the nee ot the agricultural needs of the agricultural society, This contrasted with the north, with its increasing urban society and large diverse industries.

8th Grade Final Exam Study Guide

TOPIC 4:

1. Why is it important for people to serve on juries when they are called upon to do so?
The bill of rights guarantees the right to trial by jury. They can fulfill their civic duty

2. What freedoms are guaranteed in the state constitutions?  
Bill of rights, trial by jury, freedom of religion, and freedom of the press.

3. Why did the Founding Fathers rewrite the Articles of Confederation? 
Because it was failing. The articles of confederation revolved around a weak central government, where currency was losing its value, and the government couldn't tax.

4. Why did the Great Compromise establish a two-house legislature?  
        It would benefit larger and smaller states. To create a fair voting system, the house of representatives would get elected by the people.

5. What did the Virginia and New Jersey Plans have in common?  
Three branches of government to prevent abuse of power. Legislative branch consists of elected representatives.

6. What were the rights listed in the First Amendment?  (RAPPS)
Religion
Assembly
Press
Petition
speech

7. How did the Federalist Papers generate support to approve the Constitution?  
        It defended and proved how the constitution was important and beneficial for the country.

8. What part of the Constitution drew inspiration from the English Bill of Rights? 
        Bill of Rights / Trial by jury / due process of law

9. Why was James Madison considered the “Father of the Constitution”?
        His intelligence and his ideas about how to structure a democratic government influenced the other delegates. He helped write the bill of rights.

10.   What group gained greater political rights when amendments were added to the Constitution? 
African Americans

11.   How were the southern states affected by the Three-Fifths Compromise?  
        It gave them more cost because they counted the slaves as ⅗ of the population.

Short Answer Essay:

12.  Why was the principle of civic virtue important to the Founding Fathers? 
* They believed that it was important to keep freedom in the country and a just society in America.
* They believed that it was important because civic virtue is putting the nation’s needs before their own. They believed that this would help unite the country.

TOPIC 5:

13.   What were the causes of the War of 1812?  
* Britain was arming American Indians and they were seizing the American ships.
* The war hawks were influencing the war. 
* The British were impressing American sailors. 
* The British were impressing American sailors. The Americans were banning imports from Britain.

14.   Why did the northern states favor Hamilton’s protective tariff? 
        The tariff had less of an effect on business in the NOrth than the south. The tariff stopped the competition between foreign goods and was good for the business of the North.

15.   What caused conflicts between white settlers and American Indians during the early 1800s?  
        The white settlers were taking over the American Indians lands.

16.   Why did Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans oppose policies that favored manufacturing and trade?  
        Because they believed it would make the northern states too powerful compared to the southern states and the government. They also favored farming over manufacturing and they believed that the U.S should depend on independent farmers and not big businesses.

17.  How did Hamilton attempt to create a stable economic system? 
* He wanted to build a nation bank to pay off the national debt.
* He planned to build industries and agricultural
* He passed the proactive tariff.

18.  What did the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts lead to?  
        Many disagreed and protected these acts. The alien act gave the president the power to deport allies who were a danger to the country and made it harder for people to become citizens in the country, the sedition acts stated that no one could say anything negative about the government. They could be fined and jailed for criticizing the government

19.  What was the impressment of soldiers? 
        The practice of forcing people into military services.

20.  How did Jefferson’s views differ from Hamilton’s?  
        Jefferson wanted a limited federal government with a strict interpretation of the constitution. Hamilton wanted a strong central government with a loose interpretation of the Constitution.

21.  Why did Jefferson favor a laissez-faire attitude toward the nation’s economy?  
        It was the idea that the government should play a small role in the small business.

22.   How did the Treaty of Greenville settle the ongoing conflict between American Indians and white settlers?

It gave American Indians payment for their lands. It opened the northwest territory for the white settlers and ed\nded the conflict between the U.S and several American INidans tribes. The white settlers had to give back the land they took or pay a fair amount for it.

23.   How would Clay’s American System with high tariffs on imported goods have benefited the West and South? 
        The system was an economic plan that included tariffs and a national bank, and a federal system to build new roads and canals was never adopted. THe money would have gone to a better transportation system, making it easier and cheaper for them to ship goods to city markets.

24.  Why did some Federalists criticize Adams’s refusal to declare war on France? 
        The federalists wanted war to weaken the democratic republicans. They believed that the war would increase military forces. A goal was to strengthen federal power, which was one of the key goals of the federalists. John Adams did not want to go to war. He wanted to keep washington;s neutrality policy. Instead he sent diplomats to negotiate peace in france.

25.   How did the election of 1796 increase political tensions?  
        There was a federalist President and a Vice president from the democratic-republicans increased the tension

26.  How did life change for ordinary Americans in the early years of the republic?  
        Industries and manufacturing became more popular. Many facilities opened and young women started working in the factories. Education and music changes.

27.  What did revolutions in Latin America lead to?  
        It led to the formation of the Monroe doctrine which was a document that told European countries that they were not to colonize any more American land and that they were not to interfere with American lands. Latin Americans colonies seeking independence from European control. They started revolutions, which led to their freedoms.

Short Answer Essay:

28.  Explain why President Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation of 1793.
* With war in Europe, Washington had to decide on a foreign policy and staying neutral was the only option.
* Washington did not want conflicts with European conflicts to affect the American economy
* The Neutrality proclamation would keep the U.S from choosing sides.

TOPIC 6:

29.   What was a major difference between the settlement in Utah and the settlement in California?  
        Utah was settled by mormons hoping to escape religious persecution. People went to California for gold that was found there. They were seeking wealth. CHinese people also fled to california.

30.  How was the conflict over the Tariff of 1828 resolved?  
        President Jackson threatened to use the military to enforce the tariff. To avoid civil war, he passed a lower tariff and the Force Bill to enforce future tariffs.

31.  How did the economic success of the Erie Canal affect westward expansion? 
        There were more economic opportunities in the west due to the succes of the canal system. The Erie enabled other goods to be shipped by barge from the north-west territories to the new york harbor. Soon private investors began building canals that connected western cities to eastern cities.

32.  What were some of the effects of the Indian Removal Act?  
* Expanded slavery to new territories
* Relocated American INdians to less fertile lands
* Resulted in deaths of thousands of American Indians.

33.  What was the main role of the mountain men during the expansion into Oregon Country?  
* They found trails and mapped them for the people traveling west
* Many used their knowledge of the terrain to help settlers make it through the mountains.
* They followed American Indians' trails through passage in the rocky mountains.

34.  What was the main concern of the U.S. annexation of Texas?  
* Northerners were worried that it would become a slave state.
* Jackson worried that this would lead to war.
* Worried it would strengthen support for slavery

35.   How was life in the West different from life in the East in the early 1800s?  
        The women did more jobs in the west and took part in jobs outside of home and in the east women would work more home working.
Men in the west would be trappers and would sell fur.

36.  Why did settlers choose Oregon Country over the Great Plains? 
        The great plains were too dry for farming. Oregon Country had mild temperatures and rain. They had an abundance of water and a mild climate.

37.  Describe what life was like for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.  How did they travel?  What type of relationship did they have with the American Indians?  What were the hardships and challenges? 
They traveled by wagons pulled by oxen or horses. Also traveled by foot
They had hostile relationships with American Indians but when the opportunity came, however, they would also trade with them. 
Hardships included weather conditions, diseases, attacks from the Indians, short water supply and lack of food.

38.  Why did many Americans feel that the result of the 1824 election was fraudulent? 
Jackson won the popular vote but didn't win the majority. The house had to decide. Clay made a bargain with Adams and got Adams voted into office. THis was known as the “corrupt bargain.”

39.  What is the negative impact of the spoils system?  
An unqualified person might be given a government job.

40.  What caused an economic depression during Martin Van Buren’s presidency?  
Since Jackson closed the national bank, many banks printed their own money and there was no way to back it up with gold or silver. Printed money lost its cause, which caused the panic of 1833.

41.  What TWO issues increased tensions between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas?  
Issues with religion and slavery

42.   Why did many American Indians blend European and American Indian customs?  
        Because many colonizers came and took their land, the American Indians had a choice during the Indian removal act. They had to leave their land or integrate with European culture.

43.  What were the causes of the Mexican-American War?  
* The US annexation of texas 
* Border dispute
* The US wanted new Mexico and california
* They tried to pay Mexico for this territory, but Mexico said no.

44.   What was the result of the Mexican-American War? 
* Mexico and the US signed the treaty of guadalupe Hidalgo
* Mexico gave up california and New Mexico
* America gave them 15 million dollars in exchange.
* It gave the U.S territory known as the Mexican cession.

Short Answer Essay:  
45.  Why did so many settlers migrate west in the early nineteenth century?  What factors made this mass migration possible?

Many settlers migrated west because of manifest destiny, the belief that they had a duty to expand outwards. Because of this belief in the text it states how people wanted new economic opportunities and felt it was their patriotic duty. Many people would go for gold, farmlands and more land. They would also want more natural resources and places to expand. This travel and migration was possible because of many things, like the Erie canal that would transport items or the railroad that would make it safer to transport people and items.

* Settlers believed in manifest destiny 
* They wanted access to fertile farmland and better opportunities/economic growth.
* They created the steamboat and canals and the national road toachive this migration.

What they believed, what they looked for and how they got there.

TOPIC 7:

1. What was the MAIN reason that many German immigrants moved west soon after arriving to the United States?  
* Harsh weather conditions, severe food shortage, seeking fertile land and better lives. They were also attracted to the democratic political system.

2. Who was William Lloyd Garrison, and what did he do?  
        He was a white abolitionist who launched the liberator, the most influential anti-slavery newspaper.

3. Who was Nat Turner, and what was his significance?  
        He was a black abolitionist who led a slave rebellion. He killed 57 white men. His actions increased southern fears from uprising from slaves and raised their suspicions of them.

4. How did the Quakers feel about slavery? Why?  
They believed it was a sin because they believed that all people were created equal in the sight of God.

5. What was the importance of the Underground Railroad? 
A secret network helping slaves escape. They were escaping to the north.

6. Who was Frederick Douglass, and his significance?  
He was an African American who spoke out against slavery and powerful lectures and spoke on the meaning of freedom.

7. What were some effects of the United States becoming industrialized?  
Production of goods increased. It was easier to buy and things changed how people lived.
There were harsh and unsafe working conditions. Cities became overpopulated.

8. What happened to the population of the larger northern cities as industrialization grew?  
It became overpopulated.

9. Why were there fewer industries in the South compared to the North in the mid-1800s?  
They relied on agriculture and only made products that helped with farming. Most of the industries in the south remained small and only met the nee ot the agricultural needs of the agricultural society, This contrasted with the north, with its increasing urban society and large diverse industries.

Transcript for:8th Grade Government and History Topics

Transcript for:
8th Grade Government and History Topics