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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What measure did Henry Clay enlist Webster to help with?
(a) Speaches warning about Abraham Lincoln's political ambitions.
(b) Clay's bid for re-election.
(c) The Great Compromise of 1850.
(d) Re-writing the Bill of Rights to include slavery.

2. What trait of Adams ultimately caused him to suffer great disappointments?
(a) His superior attitude toward other politician.
(b) His uncompromising religion.
(c) His willingness to change positions when expedient.
(d) His ability to manipulate his father.

3. What traits indicate that Adams suffered common human emotions?
(a) Times of disappointment and hurt at loss of popularity.
(b) His hate and retribution against his enemies.
(c) Adams secret life of debauchery.
(d) Lapses in his Puritanical beliefs.

4. How did Webster's constituents view his stand on compromise with the slave states?
(a) They supported him wholeheartedly.
(b) It drew their wrath.
(c) They thought he should run for President.
(d) They were proud of their native son.

5. What is the example of some advice Kennedy received when he first became a Congressman?
(a) Listen and do what the majority are doing.
(b) Follow the yellow brick road.
(c) The way to go is to make your own decisions.
(d) The way to get along is to go along.

6. What view did Webster take that made him unpopular with abolitionists?
(a) He was a strong supporter of the Union and believed compromise on slavery was more important than breaking up the nation.
(b) He refused to argue against salvery when he went to the Southern states.
(c) He did not feel that being a part of a Union that allowed slavery in some territories a viable alternative.
(d) He would not address the subject of slavery because he though it would just go away.

7. What Webster speech in the Senate became known by the date it was given?
(a) The Independence Day speech.
(b) The Seventh of March speech.
(c) The First of January speech.
(d) The Christmas Day speech.

8. How does Kennedy characterize the difficult position of the elected official?
(a) Being alone in the desert.
(b) Walking in the difficult landscape of being elected by constituents.
(c) Not being able to care about doing a good job.
(d) Walking on the moon.

9. What was the result of Webster's courageous stand in giving the Seventh of March speech?
(a) Webster was honored by his constituents as a man of courage.
(b) Webster sacrificed his potential presidential run and his popularity.
(c) Webster changed his position of slavery to agree with Clay.
(d) Webster would have become president but he died 2 years later.

10. Why was it considered a contradiction when Houston supported temperance?
(a) His political supporters opposed temperance.
(b) He owned a brewery.
(c) He made his money in rum running.
(d) He was a heavy drinker.

11. What is ironic about Texas secession on March 2?
(a) It was the anniversary of Houston's election to the Senate.
(b) It was the day Houston became governor.
(c) It was Houston's brithday.
(d) It was the anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto.

12. In spite of John Quincey Adams' clarity and political courage, what life-long need did he have?
(a) The visible justification of God.
(b) The approval of his father and mother.
(c) Unwavering popularity among the people.
(d) A personal fortune so he was not dependent on the voters.

13. What questionable arrangement kept Webster in the Senate when he was about to resign?
(a) Businesses who benefited from his help paid off his debts so he could remain in the senate.
(b) Webster appointed his relatives to Senate jobs.
(c) Webster lied under oath in a Senate hearing.
(d) Webster was offered a bfribe which he nearly accepted.

14. Why did Benton oppose the treaty of annexation of Texas?
(a) Because Texas would cost too much money.
(b) Because Texas was too big.
(c) Because he disliked Sam Houston.
(d) Because of his commitment to the Union.

15. Besides the Texas territory which Benton opposed, what other one did he support against his party's stand?
(a) California.
(b) Alaska.
(c) Montana.
(d) Oregon.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Houston ran away from home in his childhood, where did he go?

2. What was one of Benton's favorite sayings about himself?

3. Which of the following public offices did John Quincey Adams NOT hold?

4. Besides appearing to be disloyal to his father when he aligned himself with Jefferson's politics, what other problem arose for John Quincey Adams?

5. Why was Webster a leader in the North prior to the Civil War?

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