USHAP Essay Questions

I. When Worlds Collide (1492-1753)

1. “Geography was the primary factor in shaping the development of the British colonies in NorthAmerica.” Assess the validity of this statement for the 1600’s.

Early encounters between American Indians and European colonists shaped those relationships amongthe different cultures. Analyze how the actions taken by BOTH American Indians and Europeancolonists shaped those relationships in TWO of the following regions. Confine your answer to the1600s. New EnglandChesapeakeSpanish SouthwestNew York and New France3. “Throughout the colonial period, economic concerns had more to do with the settling of British NorthAmerica than did religious concerns.” Evaluate the validity of this statement with specific reference toreligious and economic concerns.4.Compare and contrast the ways in which economic development affected politics in Massachusettsand Virginia in the period from 1607 to 1750.5. How did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the southern colonies between 1607 and 1775?6.“In the 1600’s the major issues of U.S. colonial history revolved around theological issues. In the1700’s, the major issues revolved around political issues.” Assess the validity of this statement.7.Compare the ways in which ____ of the following reflected tensions in colonial society:Bacon’s Rebellion (1676)Pueblo Revolt (1680)Salem Witchcraft trials (1692)Stono Rebellion (1739)8. For the period before 1750, analyze the ways in which Britain’s policy of salutary neglectinfluenced the development of American society as illustrated in the following:Legislative assembliesCommerceReligion

II. Revolution (1754-1787)

1.The French and Indian War (1754-1763) altered the relationship between Britain and its NorthAmerican Colonies. Assess this change with regard to TWO of the following in the period between1763 and 1775Land Acquisition Politics Economics2. “Although the thirteen American colonies were founded at different times by people withdifferent motives and with different forms of colonial charters and political organization, by thetime of the Revolution the thirteen colonies had become remarkably similar.” Assess the validityof this statement.1

3.Evaluate the relative importance of any ____ of the following as factors prompting Americans torebel 1776:Parliamentary taxation Restriction of civil libertiesBritish military measures Legacy of colonial religious and political ideas4.“The American Revolution was about white Americans fighting against British imperial control in theEast, and for their own imperialism in the West.” Assess the validity of this statement.5. “The Articles of Confederation was the strongest form of government that the American peoplewould tolerate at the time of revolution.” Assess the validity of this statement.

III. Counterrevolution? (1787-1803)

1.To what extent did the American Revolution fundamentally change American society? In your answer, be sure to address the political, social, and economic effects of the Revolution in the periodfrom 1775 to 1800.2.To what extent was the United States Constitution a departure from the Articles of Confederation?3.“The Bill of Rights did not come from a desire to protect the liberties won in the AmericanRevolution, but rather from a fear of the powers of the new federal government.” Assess the validityof this statement.4.“The Declaration of Independence issued a call for a democratic government of equal citizens thatwas rejected by the writers of the Constitution, who created an aristocratic government that benefitedonly the wealthy few.” Assess the validity of this statement.5.Why have some historians labeled the period 1783-1789 the “Critical Period?”6.Evaluate the relative importance of domestic and foreign affairs in shaping American politics in the1790’s. Account for the development of nascent political parties in Washington’s administrations, andshow the alignments that flowed from this factionalization.7. “Indeed what was most significant about the election of 1800 was that it was NOT a revolution.”Assess this evaluation.

IV. Genocide, Slavery, and Capitalist Democracy (1803-1848)

1.Many historians label the War of 1812 as the Second War of Independence. Assess the validity of thischaracterization.2. What were the social, economic, and political results of the War of 1812, and how did the war reveal sectionalism?3.“The achievements of diplomats are in the long run more significant than the achievements of generals.” Assess the validity of this statement with reference to the period 1785-1825.2

4.“John Marshall was second only to Alexander Hamilton in creating a strong, centralized federalgovernment.” Assess the validity of this statement with specific references to ____major SupremeCourt decisions during Marshall’s tenure (1801-1835) as Chief Justice.5.“The United States displayed all the typical characteristics of a new nation during the early republic,1789-1823.” Assess the validity of this view.6. How did ____of the following contribute to the reemergence of a two party system in theperiod 1820 to 1840?Major political personalities State’s rights Economics issues7. Compare and contrast Jacksonian Democracy with Jeffersonian Democracy.8. Although the power of the national government increased during the early republic, this developmentoften faced serious opposition. Compare the motives and effectiveness of those opposed to thegrowing power of the national government in _______ of the following.Whiskey Rebellion, 1794Virginia and Kentucky Resolution, 1798-1799Hartford Convention, 1814-1815Nullification Crisis, 1832-18339. In what respects did each of the following represent in their expressed opinions and actions theviewpoint of the section of the nation from which he came?Calhoun-The South Clay-the West Webster-New England 10. Analyze the extent to which _____ of the following influenced the development of democracybetween 1820 and 1840:Changes in electoral politicsWestward movementJacksonian economic policySecond Great Awakening11. “Although historically represented as distinct parties, the Federalists and the Whigs in factshared a common political ideology, represented many of the same interest groups, andproposed similar programs and policies.” Assess the validity of this statement.12. Compare the expansionist foreign policies of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Polk. Towhat extent did their policies strengthen the United States?13. In what way did the early nineteenth century reform movements for abolition and women’srights illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of democracy in the early republic?14. “Although Americans perceived Manifest Destiny as a benevolent movement, it was in fact anaggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others.” Assess the validity of this statement.15. “In the first half of the nineteenth century, the American cultural and intellectual communitycontributed to the development of a distinctive American national consciousness.” Assess thevalidity of this statement.16. Discuss the impact of territorial expansion on national unity between 1800 and 1850.3