STAAR Questions 3 SS 8th GradeOnline version STAAR review questions 8th grade Social Studies. by Amber James 1 During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, George Mason argued — a against increased power for the national government b for the dissolution of state governments c against the passage of a bill of rights d for the creation of a strong executive branch 2 What was one result of the Treaty of Paris of 1783? a Great Britain recognized the United States as an independent country. b Competing Seminole and Spanish claims in West Florida were resolved. c The British navy agreed to stop pressing American sailors into service. d British territory in eastern Canada was ceded to France. 3 Which of the following was an argument made against slavery in the Thirteen Colonies? a Manufacturers argued that slavery discouraged the development of industry. b Farmers argued that using slave labor was expensive and inefficient. c Quakers argued that slavery violated Christian principles. d Puritans argued that the slave trade encouraged materialism. 4 How did the War of 1812 most affect the U.S. economy? a Disruption in trade contributed to domestic industrial growth. b Small farmers benefited from higher export prices for grain crops. c The sale of treasury bonds to international companies was prohibited. d New trade alliances resulted in increased foreign investment. 5 What was one reason James K. Polk won the presidential election of 1844? a He was against removing American Indians from their native lands. b He favored the policy of popular sovereignty in the Kansas and Nebraska territories. c He was committed to fulfilling the goals of Manifest Destiny. d He opposed the extension of slavery west of the Mississippi River. 6 Which of these correctly describes an effect of the Compromise of 1850 on escaped slaves and freedmen? a Members of both groups were captured under the Fugitive Slave Law b Unlike freedmen, escaped slaves were welcome in the gold mines of California. c Members of both groups could be sold in Washington, D.C., slave markets. d Unlike escaped slaves, freedmen could vote in the territories of the Mexican Cession. 7 The Northwest Ordinance established guidelines for the orderly expansion of the United States by instituting a — a method to purchase territory from foreign powers b procedure for military takeovers of existing countries c process through which states could be added to the Union d compromise line that prohibited slavery in the West 8 After the Civil War, southern states adopted Black Codes to — a punish plantation owners for the use of slavery b support Radical Reconstruction objectives in the South c promote the activities of the Freedmen’s Bureau d limit the impact of the Thirteenth Amendment 9 How did the loss of its control of the Mississippi River contribute to the defeat of the Confederacy? a The river had provided direct access to the Union’s base of military operations. b Losing control of the river removed the physical barrier between slave and free states. c The river had provided the Confederacy with a power source for factories and mills. d Losing control of the river divided the Confederacy in two and cut off its supplies. 10 The Twelfth Amendment established a new process for choosing a president and a vice president. The purpose of this amendment was to — a prevent the concentration of power in the executive branch b ease the eligibility requirements for holding federal office c keep state officials from exerting undue influence on presidential elections d reduce the likelihood of disputed outcomes in presidential elections 11 One effect of the Dawes Act was that it — a caused many American Indian tribes to create written constitutions b provided education to American Indians through locally run schools c limited the voting rights of American Indians d harmed the communal structure of American Indian society 12 What was a major result of the Missouri Compromise? a It increased the number of immigrants settling in northern states. b It provided financing for canal construction. c It rapidly expanded railroad construction in southern states. d It temporarily relieved sectional tensions.
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