United States History: Regents Review

The formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was primarily a response to racism and prejudice. These organizations were created to combat discrimination and promote equality for marginalized groups, such as African Americans and Jewish people. They aimed to address systemic racism and prejudice in society through advocacy, education, and legal action. By working towards eliminating racism and prejudice, the NAACP and ADL sought to create a more inclusive and tolerant society.

The writings of John Locke and other authors of the Enlightenment expressed the idea of “The Consent of the Governed”. Rousseau also maintained that a “Social Contract” existed between government and the governed and when government failed to protect rights, a revolution was in order.

The Mississippi River was a major trade route that transported goods from North to South. The Mississippi flows into the Gulf of Mexico which led to the development of the trading port city of New Orleans.

Acquiring New Orleans as part of the Louisiana Purchase was considered important to the development of the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys because the city served as a port for American agricultural goods. New Orleans was strategically located at the mouth of the Mississippi River, making it a crucial hub for trade and transportation. The city's port facilitated the export of agricultural products from the surrounding river valleys, allowing farmers to access national and international markets more easily. This boosted economic growth and development in the region, making New Orleans a vital asset for the expansion of the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.

The Louisiana Purchase had great geographic significance for the United States because it focused the United States on westward expansion. This is because the purchase of the vast territory doubled the size of the country, opening up new opportunities for settlement and economic development in the western frontier. It allowed the United States to gain control over key trade routes and access to valuable resources, ultimately shaping the country's expansionist ambitions and manifest destiny ideology.

President Richard Nixon's policy of détente aimed to reduce tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Détente was a strategic approach to easing Cold War tensions through diplomatic negotiations and agreements. Nixon believed that by engaging in dialogue and establishing a more cooperative relationship with the Soviet Union, the risk of nuclear war could be reduced. This policy included arms control agreements, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges, all aimed at fostering a more peaceful coexistence between the two superpowers.

The Great Society of Lyndon Johnson is most similar to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. Both programs aimed to address social and economic issues in the United States. The Great Society focused on poverty reduction, civil rights, and education, while the New Deal aimed to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression through various relief and recovery measures. Both programs were significant in expanding the role of the federal government and implementing policies to improve the lives of Americans.

Thomas Paine argued in his publication Common Sense that the American colonies should break away from England. This is because Paine believed that foreign nations would reject an independent American government, making it difficult for the colonies to establish themselves as a separate nation. He also argued that overthrowing the British government would be nearly impossible, and that America was too dependent on British trade and protection. Therefore, Paine advocated for the colonies to declare independence from England in order to establish their own government and secure their own future.

An atlas is the best source of information for identifying the location of major mountain ranges in the United States because it provides detailed maps and geographical information. Encyclopedias may have information on mountain ranges, but they may not provide specific locations. Almanacs are more focused on general facts and statistics rather than detailed maps. Dictionaries are primarily for defining words and do not provide geographical information. Therefore, an atlas is the most suitable source for this specific task.

The Rocky Mountains are primarily responsible for the lowest population in the area shown on the map. This is because the Rocky Mountains are a rugged and mountainous terrain, making it difficult for human settlement and development. The harsh climate, high elevation, and limited resources in this region make it less attractive for people to live in compared to other areas such as river valleys or coastal regions. Therefore, the presence of the Rocky Mountains restricts population growth and leads to a lower population in the area.

During the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, African Americans in the United States produced significant and influential works of art and literature. This cultural movement, centered in Harlem, New York, showcased the talents of African American writers, poets, musicians, and artists. Through their creative expressions, they explored themes of identity, racial pride, and social issues, challenging stereotypes and promoting cultural awareness. The Harlem Renaissance played a crucial role in shaping African American culture and history, making it an accurate explanation for the given answer.

Enlightenment thinker John Locke stated in his Two Treatises, that people had natural right including life, liberty, and property. This philosophy was adopted by Jefferson and incorporated into his writing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Truman Doctrine was request to the US Congress for assistance for Greece and Turkey (weapons, food, aid) in their on-going struggle against Communism within their nations. The Marshall plan was billions of dollars in US aid for the war revenged nations of Europe, following the Second World War. The intention of the Marshall plan was to provide an incentive for the nations of Europe to reject a move to communism and allow a stable transition to democratic governments.

The population data from the census of 2000 was used to determine the number of electoral college votes from each state. The electoral college is a system in which each state is assigned a certain number of electoral votes, based on its population. This system is used to elect the President of the United States. The population data helps to determine the representation and influence of each state in the electoral college.

During World War II, there was a shortage of traditional labor as many men were drafted into the military. This created new opportunities in the workplace for women and minorities who were previously excluded or limited in their employment options. With the shortage of workers, employers had to hire from a broader pool of candidates, leading to economic gains for women and minorities. This allowed them to enter industries and occupations that were previously dominated by men, thus increasing their participation in the workforce and contributing to their economic advancement.

During World War II, the internment of Japanese Americans was primarily driven by racial prejudice. The fear and suspicion towards Japanese Americans were fueled by stereotypes and xenophobia, leading to the belief that they posed a threat to national security. This prejudice disregarded the fact that the majority of Japanese Americans were loyal citizens. While economic depression, immigration quotas, and national segregation policies may have played a role in exacerbating tension, it was ultimately racial prejudice that was the major cause of their internment.

The 1735 trial of John Peter Zenger is most directly related to the protection of freedom of the press. Zenger, a newspaper publisher, was charged with seditious libel for criticizing the government. The trial became a landmark case for establishing the principle that truth is a defense against charges of libel, and that the press has the right to criticize the government without fear of prosecution. This case laid the foundation for the protection of freedom of the press in the United States.

The writings of John Locke and other authors of the Enlightenment expressed the idea of “The Consent of the Governed”. Rousseau also maintained that a “Social Contract” existed between government and the governed and when government failed to protect rights, a revolution was in order. Much of these Enlightnment idea was used as the basis for justification of the American Revolution in the Declaration of Independence.

During the Red Scare of 1919 and the McCarthy Era of the early 1950s, there was a widespread persecution of people suspected of holding anti-American political views. These periods were characterized by intense fear and suspicion of communism and communist sympathizers in the United States. The government and various organizations conducted investigations, blacklisted individuals, and implemented loyalty tests to root out perceived threats to national security. Many innocent people were targeted, their careers ruined, and their lives disrupted based on mere suspicion or association with leftist ideologies. This period of persecution had a significant impact on American society and politics, leaving a lasting legacy of fear and distrust.

All three examples listed were compromises or agreements reached in order to preserve the balance of power in national government between free and slave states as the United States expanded westward in the 1800’s, fulfilling Manifest Destiny.

The elastic clause or the necessary and proper clause in the Constitution, allows Congress to expand its powers beyond the actual text of the Constitution in order to carry out its duties of running the nation. In the case of the National Bank, Hamilton argued that creating the bank fell within the realm of a necessary and proper action, needed to effectively manage the US economy. The bank would remain a divisive issue in early American history as opinions differed over the legality of its creation. It was the center of the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and the “Bank War” under President Andrew Jackson.

Prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, which provided for direct election of U.S. Senators, members of the House of Representatives were the only Federal officials that were voted into office by a popular vote of the people. Before 1913, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures. The President has been elected to office through the Electoral College since 1789.

Johnson helped back the 1964 Civil Rights Act which was the most significant civil rights legislation of the ear, it protected voting rights, desegregated all public facilities and created the Equal Opportunity Commission to protect job opportunities. Johnson’s “war on poverty” also sought to provide assistance to the poorest in the nation and created Medicaid benefits to assist with medial care.

Colonists had fought a bitter war in order to achieve their independence from an oppressive British government. Therefore, the Articles of Confederation were drafted in order to ensure that a strong central government would not be a problem.

In his farewell address George Washington warned the fledgling America to stay clear of “entangling alliances” with the Europeans, but to continue economic ties with the continent. He also sent warnings about the dangers of political parties and the factions they could create, dividing the American people.

Widespread, popular reform movements are also referred to as “grassroots” movements. The protest movements identified above were all successful in achieving their ultimate aims, however as often is the case in American reform movements, the struggle was long and arduous.

During the colonial period, goods were most commonly transported on rivers. This is because rivers provided a natural and efficient means of transportation. Rivers allowed for the easy movement of goods from one place to another, as boats and barges could navigate along the waterways. Additionally, rivers often connected to major trading ports and cities, making them ideal for transporting goods to market. The use of rivers for transportation also allowed for the development of river towns and settlements, as they became important hubs for trade and commerce.

In numerous decisions the Warren Court was active in expanding the rights of the accused. The most famous of these was the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona decision that established a suspect’s right to be informed of his or her rights. Many cases such as Mapp v. Ohio (right against illegal search and seizure) Gideon v. Wainwright (right to counsel) and others further helped establish Earl Warren’s legacy as an activist Chief Justice.

The Supreme Court ruled that Schenck’s protests against US involvement in WWI were a “clear and present danger” to the United States. The court also ruled during WWII, that the internment of Japanese Americans such as Fred Korematsu was legal because the posed a potential threat to the United States. This illustrates the idea that freedoms of liberty and speech can and have been restricted during the extreme cases, such as wartime.

The US Federal Reserve is responsible for setting the interest rates charged on loans through US banks. Lower interest rates result in “cheaper money” and a “looser” supply of money. Higher interest rates result in less loans being given and translate into a “tighter” money supply. The Federal Reserve will lower or raise rates in a continual effort to avoid inflation.

Henry Cabot Lodge and other senators opposed ratification of the Treaty of Versailles because they believed that it could draw the United States into future conflicts. They were concerned that the treaty's provisions, such as the creation of the League of Nations, would require the US to become involved in international disputes and wars. They wanted to maintain American sovereignty and avoid being entangled in foreign affairs.

One of the main causes of the Civil War was a tension between the southern state governments and the federal government over states’ rights and powers. Following the defeat of the Confederacy, the federal government expanded its power and control over that states in order to better avoid a resumption of the tensions that had contributed to the war.

John Marshall had been nominated by John Adams and was a strong Federalist judge. As Chief Justice, Marshall moved the Supreme Court to decisions that favored and strengthened the Federal Government and its superiority over the states. Decisions such as McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) and others are testimony to this expansion and protection of the federal government.

Under Teddy Roosevelt the government became increasingly involved in regulating monopolies and public health. Passage of laws such as the Meat Inspection Act (1906) and the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) were targeted at improving public health. Under Lyndon Johnson the programs of Medicare and Medicaid were established. These were also targeted at public health, providing basic medical coverage for the elderly, the poor and disabled.

Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Lincoln tried many persuasive arguments to preserve the Union. He contended that; “in view of the Constitution and the law, the union is unbroken”. Despite his efforts seven states had seceded by his inauguration in March 1861, and after the firing on Fort Sumter the Civil War was in progress.

In numerous decisions the Warren Court was active in expanding the rights of the accused. The most famous of these was the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona decision that established a suspect’s right to be informed of his or her rights. Many cases such as Mapp v. Ohio (right against illegal search and seizure) Gideon v. Wainwright (right to counsel) and others further helped establish Earl Warren’s legacy as an activist Chief Justice.

At the end of World War II the Soviet Union did not withdraw from the Eastern European nations that it had liberated from German control. Instead, the USSR set up communist governments in these nations, who were directly under the domination and control of Moscow. The US and Western European governments feared the USSR would attempt to expand the ‘Iron Curtain’ of communism further. The resulting fear, mistrust and confrontation, gave birth to the nearly 50 year long Cold War.

During World War I the US greatly increased its production capacity. After the war, those factories and industry were turned to making consumer good for the spend happy population of the 1920’s. Eventually consumers could not afford any more new goods or were unable to pay of the items they had bought on credit. The resulting overproduction caused a steep drop in prices, caused business to close, increased unemployment and was direct cause of the oncoming great depression.

The Schenk case clearly illustrated the willingness to suspend or restrict freedoms in the face of radical or disruptive speech and press. The Palmer Raids of the twenties and the surrounding ‘red scare’ (fear of Communism) also illustrated the acceptance of illegal searches, suspension of due process and suppression of rights in the battle against unpopular political ideals.

George Washington, as the first President of the United States, set a precedent by creating his own cabinet. This precedent was followed by future presidents, leading to the establishment of the president's cabinet as an integral part of the United States government. The cabinet consists of the heads of various executive departments who advise and assist the President in decision-making. This tradition started by George Washington has continued throughout the history of the United States, making it the correct answer.

Thomas Jefferson used the presidential power of treaty making to make the Louisiana Purchase from France. This action was considered a loose interpretation of the Constitution, which does not provide for the presidential acquisition of territory. While Jefferson was ideologically for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, the excellent opportunity offered by the Louisiana Purchase was too good to pass up.

The correct answer is the Northeast and southern California. According to the 1990 census, these two areas were identified as the most densely populated parts of the United States.

During the period known as “salutary neglect” the English inattention to the colonies allowed for the development of self-rule as expressed through the examples provided.

As GI’s came home from World War II, married and started families, the crowded US cities resulted in a suburban growth in areas surrounding these cities. Jobs remained in the cities and as such, workers drove from the suburbs to the cities for employment. This trend required the growth of infrastructure to facilitate these new lifestyles. The federal highway system of the 1950’s was a result.

Booker T. Washington and another great African-American leader, W.E.B. Du Bois differed in their approaches to education. Washington favored vocational education that would teach a skilled trade, such as farming or carpentry. While Du Bois favored broader more formal education, such as literature and sciences.

Literacy tests and poll taxes were common tactics used in southern states to suppress voting by African-Americans. Grandfather clauses were enacted as a way of allowing poor, uneducated, white southerners to vote despite the tests and taxes, based on their grandfathers voting history.

Booker T. Washington and another great African-American leader, W.E.B. Du Bois differed in their approaches to education. Washington favored vocational education that would teach a skilled trade, such as farming or carpentry. While Du Bois favored broader more formal education, such as literature and sciences.

Speaker C is describing the main idea behind the US policy of containment. The concept of containment was one in which the US government exercised a foreign policy that aimed to halt the spread of communism. Actions such as the Marshall Plan’s aid to European economies after WWII, the Truman Doctrine’s aid to Greece and Turkey as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars referenced above, all serve as examples of this policy in action.

As US President, Lincoln was sworn to “preserve and defend” the union. It was clear that allowing the South to succeed from the Union would destroy the United States Lincoln was leading. He attempted to retain the Southern states within the US, eventually resorting to war in order to achieve the desired preservation.

Both Alexander Hamilton's proposal to create a national bank and Thomas Jefferson's proposal to purchase the Louisiana Territory would require a loose interpretation of the Constitution. This means that these actions would involve interpreting the Constitution more broadly in order to justify their implementation. Critics argued that this would give the government too much power and go against the original intent and strict interpretation of the Constitution.