Chapter 13: The Rise of a Mass Democracy, 1824-1840
1. The last election based on the old elitist political system was the four-
way presidential campaign of 1824 involving Jackson, Clay, Crawford, and John
Quincy Adams.
A. True B. False
2. Henry Clay disproved the charge of a “corrupt bargain” between himself
and President Adams by refusing to accept any favors from the administration.
A. True B. False
3. President Adams attempted to uphold strong nationalistic principles in a
time of growing support for sectionalism and states’ rights.
A. True B. False
4. In his personal lifestyle as well as his policies, Andrew Jackson
epitomized the hard-working ordinary frontiersmen in contrast to the wealthy
Adams and his supporters.
A. True B. False
5. The election campaign of 1828 was notable for its focus on the issues of
the tariff and the democracy rather than on personalities and mudslinging.
A. True B. False
6. Jackson’s victory in 1828 did represent the triumph of the West and the
common people over the older elitist political system.
A. True B. False
7. The Jacksonians put into practice their belief that ordinary citizens
were capable of holding almost any public office without particular
qualifications.
A. True B. False
8. One consequence of the spoils system was the building of powerful
political machines based on the jobs and sometimes corrupt rewards
distributed to political supporters.
A. True B. False
9. The “Tariff of Abominations” was passed over the strong opposition of
President Jackson.
A. True B. False
10. South Carolina’s fierce opposition to the tariff reflected anxiety that
enhanced federal power might be turned against the institution of slavery.
A. True B. False
11. When the Supreme Court attempted to uphold southeastern Indians’ rights,
Jackson defied the Supreme Court’s rulings and ordered them removed to
Oklahoma.
A. True B. False
12. Jackson used his veto of the bill to recharter the Bank of the United
States to politically mobilize the common people of the West against the
financial elite of the East.
A. True B. False
13. The Whig party was from the beginning united by its ideological support
for states rights and national expansion.
A. True B. False
14. American settlers in Texas clashed with the Mexican government over
issues of slavery, immigration, and legal rights.
A. True B. False
15. William Henry Harrison’s background as an ordinary frontiersmen born in
a log cabin formed the basis for the Whigs’ appeal to the common man in 1840.
A. True B. False
16. The Jacksonian charge of a "corrupt bargain" to gain John Quincy Adams
the presidency arose because
A. William Crawford threw his electoral votes to Adams in exchange for a
seat in the Senate.
B. Adams was charged with having bribed members of the House to vote for him.
C. Adams ended his previous opposition to Clay's American System.
D. Clay was named secretary of state after throwing his support to Adams.
17. Which of the following was not among the factors that made John Quincy
Adams's presidency a political failure?
A. Adams's anti-western land and Indian policies.
B. Adams's involvement with correct machine deals and politicians.
C. Adams's stubborn and prickly personality.
D. Adams's support for national roads, a national university, and an
astronomical observatory.
18. Andrew Jackson's appeal to the common people arose partly because
A. Americans finally understood the ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
B. many citizens were tired of the partisan fights between Republicans and
Federalists.
C. he had risen from the masses and reflected many of their prejudices in
his personal attitudes and outlook.
D. farmer and labor organizations aroused populist opposition to elitist
politics.
19. One political development that illustrated the new popular voice in
politics was
A. the rise of the caucus system of presidential nominations.
B. the growth of the spoils system as a basis for large political "machines."
C. the development of extensive speechmaking tours by presidential
candidates.
D. the hostility to the influence of the Masons in national politics.
20. In the battle over the "Tariff of Abominations,"
A. New England backed high tariffs while the South demanded lower duties.
B. both New England and the South opposed the higher tariff rates.
C. the South fought for higher tariffs while the West sought lower rates.
D. the South backed higher tariffs while New England sought to lower the
rates.
21. Under the surface of the South's strong opposition to the "Tariff of
Abominations" was
A. a desire to develop its own textile industry.
B. competition between southern cotton growers and midwestern grain farmers.
C. a strong preference for British manufactured goods over American-produced
goods.
D. a fear of growing federal power that might interfere with slavery.
22. Some southeastern Indian tribes like the Cherokees were notable for
their
A. effectiveness in warfare against encroaching whites.
B. development of effective agricultural, educational, and political
institutions.
C. success in persuading President Jackson to support their cause.
D. adherence to traditional Native American cultural and religious values.
23. In promoting his policy of Indian removal, President Andrew Jackson
A. defied rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court that favored the Cherokees.
B. admitted that the action would destroy Native American culture and
society.
C. acted against the advice of his cabinet and his military commanders in
the Southeast.
D. hoped to split the Cherokees apart from their allies such as the Creeks
and Seminoles.
24. Jackson's veto of the Bank of the United States recharter bill
represented
A. a bold assertion of presidential power on behalf of western farmers and
other debtors.
B. an attempt to assure bankers and creditors that the federal government
had their interests at heart.
C. a concession to Henry Clay and his National Republican followers.
D. a gain for sound banking and a financially stable currency system.
25. One important result of President Jackson's destruction of the Bank of
the United States was
A. a successful economy that could be handed to his successor, Van Buren.
B. a sounder financial system founded upon thousands of locally controlled
banks.
C. the American banking system's dependence on European investment and
control.
D. the lack of a stable banking system to finance the era of rapid
industrialization.
26. Among the new political developments that appeared in the election of
1832 were
A. political parties and direct popular voting for president.
B. newspaper endorsements and public financing of presidential campaigns.
C. nomination by congressional caucus and voting by the Electoral College.
D. third-party campaigning, national conventions, and party platforms.
27. In the immediate aftermath of the successful Texas Revolution,
A. Texas petitioned to join the United States but was refused admission.
B. Texas joined the United States as a slave state.
C. Mexico and the United States agreed to a joint protectorate over Texas.
D. Britain threatened the United States with war over Texas.
28. The Panic of 1837 and subsequent depression were caused by
A. the stock market collapse and a sharp decline in grain prices.
B. a lack of new investment in industry and technology.
C. the threat of war with Mexico over Texas.
D. over-speculation and Jackson's financial policies.
29. Prominent leaders of the Whig party included
A. Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun.
B. Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.
C. Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison.
D. Stephen Austin and Sam Houston.
30. In general, the Whig party tended to favor
A. individual liberty and states' rights.
B. the protection of slavery and southern interests.
C. a strong federal role in both economic and moral issues.
D. the interests of the working people and farmers against the upper classes.
