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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the author's opinion, what was the direct result of the House's refusal to deal with the subject of slavery in 1790?

2. What is one significance of the debate in 1790 over the Quaker petitions?

3. What was the subject of the petitions to the House of Representatives that caused so much controversy on February 11, 1790?

4. What acts are considered to be the worst blunders of the John Adams presidency?

5. When did George Washington die?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Adams suggest that the President be referred to as "His Majesty"?

2. Why did Adams make an ineffective Vice President to Washington?

3. Where did the white men, whether pro and anti slavery, believe the slaves would go once they were freed?

4. Why was the marriage between John and Abigail Adams so unusual?

5. Why did Washington turn away requests that he become a king of the new republic?

6. Describe Washington physically as well as the legend surrounding him.

7. Describe the change in Jefferson's attitude towards Washington that began with the Whiskey Rebellion.

8. Why were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson at the top of everyone's list as possible replacements for Washington as President?

9. What was the difference in the way Washington and Jefferson defined the role of America in the affairs of other countries?

10. Why was Adams distrustful of his own cabinet?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Re-read paragraph two on page 16, where the author says America was founded not necessarily on a proposition written by Jefferson in 1776, but on an argument about what that proposition means. What does the author mean by this statement? Does it make you think differently about the history as you were taught as a young child?

Essay Topic 2

John Adams believed his role in history would be forgotten, even though he was the second man to serve as President. What factors contributed to this belief?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the marriage and partnership between Abigail and John Adams. Are there any historic comparisons, i.e., Bill and Hillary Clinton or Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt? In your opinion, should a man of such power depend on the input of his wife for decisions?

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