ILTS HISTORY 246 EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is Mercantilism? - ANS An economic system where the colonies exist to benefit the
mother country by providing raw materials and markets for goods.
What was the Mayflower Compact and why is it important? - ANS A 1620 agreement for self-
government by the Pilgrims; it's seen as an early step toward representative democracy.
What was the effect of the French and Indian War on colonial-British relations? - ANS Britain
increased taxes on the colonies to pay war debt, leading to growing resentment and
revolutionary sentiment.
What are the main ideas in the Declaration of Independence? - ANS All men are created
equal, governments derive power from the people, and citizens can revolt against unjust
governments.
What were the Articles of Confederation? - ANS The first US government framework; it gave
too much power to states and had no strong central authority.
What did the Great Compromise achieve at the Constitutional Convention? - ANS Created a
bicameral legislature: House of Representatives based on population and senate with equal
representation.
1 @COPYRIGHT THEBRIGHT 2025/2026
, What is checks and balances in the US Constitution? - ANS A system that ensures no branch
of government becomes too powerful, ex. the president can veto laws passed by congress.
What was the Louisiana Purchase? - ANS A land deal in 1803 where the US bought territory
from France, doubling the size of the country.
What was the Trail of Tears? - ANS The forced removal of Cherokee and other tribes to lands
west of the Mississippi, resulting in thousands of deaths.
Who were abolitionists? - ANS People who campaigned to end slavery, like Fredrick
Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William Lloyd Garrison.
What did the Missouri Compromise do? - ANS Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine
as a free state; banned slavery north of the 36 degree 30' line.
What was the Dred Scott decision? - ANS A supreme court ruling that enslaved people were
not citizens and congress couldn't ban slavery in territories.
What did the emancipation proclamation do? - ANS Freed enslaved people in Confederate
states as of January 1, 1863 - but not in union states.
What were the Reconstruction Amendments? - ANS 13th (abolished slavery), 14th
(citizenship and due process), and 15th (voting rights for Black men)
What was the Freedmen's Bureau? - ANS A federal agency created to assist freed slaves with
education, jobs, and legal help during Reconstruction.
What motivated European powers to colonize North America? - ANS Economic gain
(gold/resources), religious freedom, and territorial expansion.
2 @COPYRIGHT THEBRIGHT 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is Mercantilism? - ANS An economic system where the colonies exist to benefit the
mother country by providing raw materials and markets for goods.
What was the Mayflower Compact and why is it important? - ANS A 1620 agreement for self-
government by the Pilgrims; it's seen as an early step toward representative democracy.
What was the effect of the French and Indian War on colonial-British relations? - ANS Britain
increased taxes on the colonies to pay war debt, leading to growing resentment and
revolutionary sentiment.
What are the main ideas in the Declaration of Independence? - ANS All men are created
equal, governments derive power from the people, and citizens can revolt against unjust
governments.
What were the Articles of Confederation? - ANS The first US government framework; it gave
too much power to states and had no strong central authority.
What did the Great Compromise achieve at the Constitutional Convention? - ANS Created a
bicameral legislature: House of Representatives based on population and senate with equal
representation.
1 @COPYRIGHT THEBRIGHT 2025/2026
, What is checks and balances in the US Constitution? - ANS A system that ensures no branch
of government becomes too powerful, ex. the president can veto laws passed by congress.
What was the Louisiana Purchase? - ANS A land deal in 1803 where the US bought territory
from France, doubling the size of the country.
What was the Trail of Tears? - ANS The forced removal of Cherokee and other tribes to lands
west of the Mississippi, resulting in thousands of deaths.
Who were abolitionists? - ANS People who campaigned to end slavery, like Fredrick
Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William Lloyd Garrison.
What did the Missouri Compromise do? - ANS Admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine
as a free state; banned slavery north of the 36 degree 30' line.
What was the Dred Scott decision? - ANS A supreme court ruling that enslaved people were
not citizens and congress couldn't ban slavery in territories.
What did the emancipation proclamation do? - ANS Freed enslaved people in Confederate
states as of January 1, 1863 - but not in union states.
What were the Reconstruction Amendments? - ANS 13th (abolished slavery), 14th
(citizenship and due process), and 15th (voting rights for Black men)
What was the Freedmen's Bureau? - ANS A federal agency created to assist freed slaves with
education, jobs, and legal help during Reconstruction.
What motivated European powers to colonize North America? - ANS Economic gain
(gold/resources), religious freedom, and territorial expansion.
2 @COPYRIGHT THEBRIGHT 2025/2026
