AP US History: American & National Identity 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Declaration of Independence's assertion that governments derive 'their just powers from the consent of the governed' most directly reflects which Enlightenment thinker's ideas?
- John Locke (Correct answer)
- Thomas Hobbes
- Karl Marx
- Niccolò Machiavelli
Correct answer: John Locke
John Locke's theory of natural rights and government by consent shaped Jefferson's language in the Declaration.
Question 2: The phrase 'E Pluribus Unum,' featured on the Great Seal, expresses what idea about American national identity?
- Unity formed out of many separate states and peoples (Correct answer)
- Westward expansion across the continent
- Religious freedom for all citizens
- Independence from British monarchy
Correct answer: Unity formed out of many separate states and peoples
'E Pluribus Unum' means 'out of many, one,' symbolizing the union of diverse states and peoples.
Question 3: George Washington's Farewell Address warned against which two dangers to national unity?
- Permanent foreign alliances and political factions (Correct answer)
- Industrialization and urbanization
- Slavery and territorial expansion
- Standing armies and high taxes
Correct answer: Permanent foreign alliances and political factions
Washington cautioned against entangling foreign alliances and the divisive spirit of political parties.
Question 4: The concept of 'republican motherhood' that emerged after the Revolution emphasized that women should
- Raise virtuous, civic-minded sons for the new nation (Correct answer)
- Vote in national elections
- Hold political office
- Serve in the Continental Army
Correct answer: Raise virtuous, civic-minded sons for the new nation
Republican motherhood assigned women the role of instilling civic virtue in future citizens.
Question 5: The Naturalization Act of 1790 defined eligibility for U.S. citizenship by limiting it to
- Free white persons of good character (Correct answer)
- All people born on American soil
- Property-owning men only
- Protestant Christians only
Correct answer: Free white persons of good character
The 1790 act restricted naturalized citizenship to 'free white persons,' embedding a racial definition of belonging.
Question 6: How did the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 reflect tensions over American national identity?
- They raised questions about who belonged and the limits of dissent (Correct answer)
- They expanded voting rights to immigrants
- They abolished slavery in northern states
- They created a national church
Correct answer: They raised questions about who belonged and the limits of dissent
The acts targeted immigrants and critics of the government, sparking debate over citizenship and free speech.
Question 7: The Federalist Papers were written primarily to
- Persuade states to ratify the new Constitution (Correct answer)
- Justify the Declaration of Independence
- Oppose ratification of the Constitution
- Defend the Articles of Confederation
Correct answer: Persuade states to ratify the new Constitution
Hamilton, Madison, and Jay wrote the Federalist Papers to argue for ratifying the Constitution.
AP US History: American & National Identity 2
The Declaration of Independence's assertion that governments derive 'their just powers from the consent of the governed' most directly reflects which Enlightenment thinker's ideas?