Honors 8th Grade History Midterm Exam Study Guide PDF

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School Grade 8\ Honors United States History **Midterm Exam Study Guide** STRUCTURE OF TEST -six identifications (explain what this is and why it is important to American history in 3-5 sentences -- dates are not necessary, but some sense of chronology is required) (5 p...

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School Grade 8\ Honors United States History **Midterm Exam Study Guide** STRUCTURE OF TEST -six identifications (explain what this is and why it is important to American history in 3-5 sentences -- dates are not necessary, but some sense of chronology is required) (5 points each, 30 total) -chart about branches of government (15 total points) -five text/image-based multiple choice (1 point each, 5 points total) -one fact-based short answer question (10 points) -one fill in the blank vocab paragraph (5 vocab words, 1 point each, 5 points total) -one primary source analysis you haven't seen before, but we've covered the topic (10 points) -one long answer question (use evidence to explain a big theme/throughline in what we've covered so far this year in approximately one page/150-250 words, 25 points) WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW **-Unit 1: colonization, prerevolutionary tensions, revolutionary war** -Boston Massacre -what is it? A clash between British soldiers and American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts. -approximately when does it happen?1770 -why is it important? It increased tensions between the colonists and the British Crown, fueling the growing movement for independence. -famous art made about it at the time (who makes it? What does it show? Why?) -Declaration of Independence -what is the purpose of its parts? (ie what do they do?) -"No taxation without representation!" Approximately when does it happen? Late 1760s and early 1770s -What is it? A slogan expressing the colonists\' belief that they should not be taxed by a government in which they have no elected representatives.   -Approximately when does it happen? Late 1760s and early 1770s -Why is it important? It was a central rallying cry of the American Revolution, highlighting the colonists\' desire for self-governance. -General unit-related question: How did early America show the need for a government that protected people\'s rights? The colonists\' experiences under British rule, marked by taxation without representation, limited self-governance, and the denial of justice, demonstrated the necessity of a government that was accountable to the people and protected their natural rights. **-Unit 2: constitution and civics** -Articles of Confederation -what is it? The first constitution of the United States. -approximately when does it happen? 1781 -Constitution -what is it? The supreme law of the United States. -approximately when does it happen?1787 -Bill of Rights -what is it? The first 10 amendments to the constitution. -approximately when does it happen? 1791 -branches of government -checks and balances -what are they? (definition) A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.    -what are they? (can you give an example?) The President can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds majority. -why were they created? (think specifically about the time period) To prevent the concentration of power in any one branch and to protect individual liberties. From turning to a monarchy like great britian. -general unit related question **-Unit 3: early republic period and westward expansion** -Louisiana Purchase -what is it? The acquisition of a vast territory from France -approximately when does it happen? in 1803 -Manifest Destiny -what is it? The belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. -approximately when does it happen? Mid-19th century -Indian Removal Act -what is it? A law that forced Native American tribes to relocate to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma). -approximately when does it happen? 1830 -Mexican-American War -approximately when does it happen? 1846-1848 -general unit related question -how do things in this unit lead to conflict? The pursuit of Manifest Destiny and westward expansion often led to conflict with Native American tribes, as well as with Mexico. The Indian Removal Act and the Mexican-American War are prime examples of how these policies resulted in violence and displacement. **-Unit 4: abolition and civil war** -cotton gin -what is it? A machine that revolutionized cotton production by efficiently removing seeds from cotton fibers. -approximately when does it happen? Late 18th century -abolitionism -what is it? A movement to end slavery. -approximately when does it happen? Early 19^th^ century -secession -what is it? -approximately when does it happen? The withdrawal of Southern states from the Union. -why does it happen? The election of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican who opposed the expansion of slavery, triggered the secession of Southern states. -general unit related question -how do things in this unit lead to conflict? The expansion of slavery, fueled by the cotton gin, increased sectional tensions between the North and the South. The abolitionist movement further challenged the Southern way of life, leading to political polarization and ultimately, the Civil War. WHAT YOU SHOULD USE TO STUDY -midterm exam vocab sheet (all 20 words) -classwork about the above materials -assessments (quizzes, tests, projects) about the above materials WHAT YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW -maps