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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was the subject of the petitions to the House of Representatives that caused so much controversy on February 11, 1790?
(a) Declaring November 25 the official date to celebrate Thanksgiving.
(b) Declaring December 25 the official date of Christmas.
(c) Revoking the women's right to vote.
(d) Ending the African slave trade in the USA.

2. Which two Representatives reacted first to this petition?
(a) Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
(b) James Jackson and William Loughton Smith.
(c) Ben Franklin and James Madison.
(d) Raymond Burr and Michael Jackson.

3. What is one significance of the debate in 1790 over the Quaker petitions?
(a) It was the first time the Quakers became involved in politics.
(b) It was the first time pro-slavery and abolitionist views had been so clearly outlined in a national venue.
(c) It represented the first time a state delegation was involved in federal politics.
(d) It was the first time the division of church and state arisen.

4. Are the terms "slavery", "slaves", or "Negroes" used in the Constitution of the United States?
(a) No, they were specifically excluded.
(b) No, these terms were not known at the time.
(c) Yes, but only at the end.
(d) Yes, but only in the Declaration of Independence.

5. What did George Washington do to quell the Whiskey Rebellion?
(a) He sent the militia to Pennsylvania.
(b) He wrote a letter to the Philadelphia newspaper.
(c) He paid the ransom.
(d) He sent Thomas Jefferson to negotiate.

6. How did John Adams feel about his position in Washington's cabinet?
(a) Forced to spend so much time in the Senate, he felt muzzled..
(b) Allowed to travel, he enjoyed the opportunity.
(c) He was too busy to have any emotions about it.
(d) Serving as second in command, he felt important.

7. How many votes did the House take before placing Jefferson in office?
(a) Three.
(b) Fifteen.
(c) One.
(d) Thirty-six.

8. Who was the second Vice President?
(a) Aaron Burr.
(b) Benjamin Franklin.
(c) Alexander Hamilton.
(d) Thomas Jefferson.

9. How was the American republic viewed by the English and French governments at this time?
(a) Minor distraction.
(b) A major danger to their way of life.
(c) An equal and respected country.
(d) The most important country in the world.

10. Who did Adams appoint as American Minister to Prussia?
(a) His son, John Quincy Adams.
(b) Aaron Burr.
(c) Thomas Jefferson.
(d) Benjamin Franklin.

11. What was Washington's attitude towards America's involvement in European conflict?
(a) He did not address this problem at any point in his career.
(b) He recommended America always take the side of the English.
(c) He recommended neutrality.
(d) He recommended America always take the side of the French.

12. What was the main qualification for a candidate to replace George Washington as the leader of the country?
(a) Their approval rating on CNN.
(b) The result of their party's convention.
(c) Their role in the creation of American independence.
(d) The amount of personal funds they had for the campaign.

13. Based upon his farewell address and most recent letters to the states, where did Washington believe America's destiny lay?
(a) In spreading revolutions in the rest of the world.
(b) In an alliance with the French.
(c) In securing the North American continent.
(d) With increased involvement in the wars of Europe.

14. What was written into the US Constitution that directly affected this petition?
(a) Congress cannot hear any petitions regarding any subject.
(b) The Constitution does not recognize Quakers as an authorized religion.
(c) Constitution states that Congress cannot consider any petitions during February.
(d) Constitution prohibited Congress from passing any law regarding the slave trade until 1808.

15. Who were the most popular leaders in the country at that time?
(a) George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson.
(b) Abigail Adams, John Adams, Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry.
(c) George Washington, Merriweather Lewis, George Clark and John Adams.
(d) Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, Thomas Paine and John Paul Jones.

Short Answer Questions

1. When did Washington write his Farewell Address?

2. Even though Jay's Treaty was not popular, what was the main reason it passed into acceptance?

3. How many other presidents have served as long as Washington did as the head of our nation?

4. What did Madison propose to do about the issue?

5. What famous American endorsed this petition?

(see the answer keys)

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