Question 1

In 1819, Missouri petitioned Congress to be admitted as a _____ state.

Accepted Answer

Missouri petitioned Congress to be admitted as a slave state in 1819, which led to a significant national controversy over the balance of power between slave and free states.

Question 2

Why did Congress delay outlawing the international slave trade within the jurisdiction of the United States until 1808?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution, in Article I, Section 9, prohibited Congress from outlawing the international slave trade until 1808, which was 20 years after its ratification.

Question 3

What invention enabled an economic boom in the South and created a demand for new land in the West?

Accepted Answer

Eli Whitney's cotton gin revolutionized cotton production in the South by greatly increasing efficiency and speeding up the process of separating cotton fibers from the seeds. This led to a significant increase in demand for cotton and a corresponding increase in demand for land to grow it on. The economic boom in the South created by the cotton industry also led to an increased demand for goods and services, including from the rapidly expanding new territories in the West.

Question 4

Although Andrew Jackson received the most electoral votes in the general election, in the end John Quincy Adams was named president with the support of Henry Clay. How did Jackson's supporters characterize this outcome?

Accepted Answer

Jackson's supporters characterized the outcome as a "corrupt bargain," alleging that Clay had used his influence as Speaker of the House to secure Adams' victory in exchange for becoming his Secretary of State.

Question 5

Who did President John Quincy Adams appoint as secretary of state?

Accepted Answer

President John Quincy Adams appointed Henry Clay as secretary of state in 1825.

Question 6

Although President John Quincy Adams was a wise man, his presidency is characterized by all of the following except

Accepted Answer

While John Quincy Adams did have personal challenges during his presidency, such as his wife's ill health, this is not generally considered a major factor in his presidency. The other choices - the shadow of his election, his support for banking and mercantile interests, and opposition from Jackson supporters - are all commonly cited factors that contributed to the challenges of his presidency.

Question 7

How did the Land Act of 1820 change regulations regarding western settlement?

Accepted Answer

The Land Act of 1820 lowered the price per acre to make land more affordable but ended the practice of buying land on credit, requiring full payment at the time of purchase.

Question 8

Ending participation in the international slave trade by the United States had what effect?

Accepted Answer

The ending of the international slave trade in the United States led to a significant increase in the domestic slave trade, as slaves already present in the country were sold and resold to different parts of the country. This created a flourishing domestic slave trade, as demand for slave labor remained high in many industries.

Question 9

To what does the practice of "squatting" refer?

Accepted Answer

"Squatting" is the practice of occupying land without purchasing it, often on public or unused land. This practice is seen as controversial and can be illegal in some cases. The other options, such as issuing fraudulent land claims or staking a claim to a mine, are not necessarily related to squatting.

Question 10

Although the United States was still rural in 1820,

Accepted Answer

The statement "Nonfarm labor was becoming more common" suggests that people were moving away from agricultural work and into other forms of employment, which would have taken place primarily in urban areas. Therefore, even though the US was still predominantly rural in 1820, nonfarm labor becoming more common suggests a growing urbanization trend. Choices A, B, and D are not supported by the information given.

Question 11

At the founding of the nation, suffrage was restricted by gender, race, and

Accepted Answer

At the founding of the nation, suffrage was restricted by property ownership, meaning only white male property owners were allowed to vote. Military status, occupational entitlements, and religious restrictions were not significant factors in suffrage restrictions at that time.}}

Question 12

How had a majority of Americans come to regarding voting by the 1820s?

Accepted Answer

By the 1820s, the idea of voting had become closely tied to the concept of liberty in the United States, but this was predominantly a privilege envisioned for white citizens. The expansion of suffrage during this period largely benefited white males, reflecting broader societal views on race and citizenship.

Question 13

Even as suffrage was extended to all white males,

Accepted Answer

While suffrage was being extended to all white males, free African Americans actually lost the right to vote, even in places where they had previously been allowed to do so. This was due to a combination of outright legislation and intimidation tactics like literacy tests and poll taxes.

Question 14

How had many Americans come to regard the Order of the Freemasons in the 1820s?

Accepted Answer

Many Americans had come to regard the Order of the Freemasons in the 1820s as a dangerous and antidemocratic institution due to rumors and conspiracy theories about their secret rituals and influence in politics and society. This led to the creation of the Anti-Masonic Party, which aimed to expose and eliminate the perceived threat of the Freemasons.

Question 15

Despite the festive air of slave markets, what evidence was there that participants were aware of the sordidness of the activities?

Accepted Answer

The absence of white females at slave markets suggests an awareness of the sordidness of the activities, as their presence might have been considered inappropriate or offensive given the nature of the transactions.

Question 16

What nickname reflected the character and reputation of Andrew Jackson?

Accepted Answer

The nickname "Old Hickory" was given to Andrew Jackson because of his tough and unyielding personality, as well as his service and leadership during the Battle of New Orleans.

Question 17

What was Andrew Jackson's attitude on the protective tariff in the 1820s?

Accepted Answer

Andrew Jackson was not completely opposed to protective tariffs but he favored a limited and gradual approach to protectionism. He supported some level of protective tariffs to help American industries compete with foreign products, but he was wary of excessive tariffs causing too much government interference in the economy.

Question 18

What turned out to be an issue in the presidential campaign in 1828?

Accepted Answer

The issue that turned out to be a significant concern in the presidential campaign of 1828 was whether Rachel Robards, Jackson's wife, had been legally divorced when they were married. This issue caused a great deal of controversy and mudslinging during the campaign, with opponents of Jackson making many accusations against him and his wife. The issue ultimately played a role in Rachel's untimely death, and it continued to haunt Jackson for many years afterward.

Question 19

Why did Andrew Jackson appeal to the growing majority of democratic Americans in the election in 1828?

Accepted Answer

Andrew Jackson appealed to the growing majority of democratic Americans in the election of 1828 because he positioned himself as an outsider and victim of eastern elites, distancing himself from the political establishment of his time. This resonated strongly with voters who were wary of the traditional political class and eager for a new kind of leadership.

Question 20

In terms of his views on federal authority versus states' rights, Jackson

Accepted Answer

Jackson's views on federal authority versus states' rights were complex and inconsistent. He believed in strong federal power when it came to issues such as national defense, but he also believed in promoting states' rights on issues such as nullification and the Bank of the United States. He famously opposed South Carolina's attempt to nullify federal tariffs in the Nullification Crisis, but he also vetoed the rechartering of the Bank of the United States, citing states' rights concerns.

Quiz 10: Jacksonian Democracy, 1820-1840