Practice Questions

Question 0

What feature of the Byzantine civilization between the sixth and tenth centuries most distinguished it from western societies of the same period?

Answer 0

The wealth and vitality of the Byzantine cities.

Question 1

What important contribution did ancient Romans give to western civilization?

Answer 1

Their legal system had a major influence on the development of modern jurisprudence.

Question 2

In what way did the crusades most influence the development of Western European society?

Answer 2

They motivated Europeans to establish permanent commercial contact with eastern lands.

Question 3

Enlightenment thinkers most influenced subsequent developments in European history by:

Answer 3

Applying reason and the scientific method to the study of all aspects of social and political life.

Question 4

The cultural exchanges that took place between Europeans and the indigenous peoples of the Americas during the sixteenth centuries most influenced what?

Answer 4

The global distribution of plant and animal life.

Question 5

What was a major cause of the Latin American independence movements of the early nineteenth century?

Answer 5

Spanish restrictions on colonial economic and political activity.

Question 6

Territorial changes resulting from WWI played a major role in which European conflict in the later twentieth century?

Answer 6

The wars among Serbia, Bosnia, and Croatia (1991- 1995)

Question 7

How did geographic factors influence the development of ancient Greek civilization?

Answer 7

The many mountain ranges criss-crossing the peninsula hindered communication and contributed to the rise of independent city-states.

Question 8

What type of society has a woman’s ability to focus exclusively on domestic roles been most widely used as a key indicator that her family has a high social status?

Answer 8

Industrial

Question 9

A perceived need to create a national art based on revolutionary themes most influenced the creation of which works of art?

Answer 9

The murals of Diego Rivera.

Question 10

What was the historical significance of the Magna Carta (1215)?

Answer 10

It established the principle that the King is not above the law.

Question 11

Why was the Neolithic transition from food foraging to food production termed revolutionary?

Answer 11

It led to the development of more complex forms of social organization.

Question 12

What was a major contribution of scientists in Islamic civilization during the tenth to twelfth centuries?

Answer 12

Their astronomical studies provided the basis for later advances in navigation.

Question 13

During the seventeenth century, indentured servants formed a much larger proportion in Maryland and Virginia than they did in New England. What was the major reason for this?

Answer 13

Differences in the agricultural systems in the two regions.

Question 14

Many Native American groups believed that, compared with the activities of French colonists, English colonialism posed a much greater threat to their way of life. Why did they feel this way?

Answer 14

English farmers were steadily expending their areas of settlement.

Question 15

What was most necessary if the government established by the Articles of Confederation was to operate effectively?

Answer 15

Maintaining cooperation among state governments.

Question 16

In what way did the Mexican War (1846-1848) most influence the growth of sectionalism in the period before the Civil War?

Answer 16

The prospect of new land acquisitions provoked debate over the question of slavery in the territories.

Question 17

Radical Republicans plans to take political control of the South after the Civil War, protect southern Unionists, and assist the freed slaves ultimately failed primarily because of what?

Answer 17

The refusal of most southern whites to recognize the legitimacy of Republican state governments.

Question 18

In which way did Franklin Roosevelt reorient U.S. foreign policy before U.S. entry into World War II?

Answer 18

By increasing U.S. involvement in European affairs.

Question 19

What was the U.S. reaction tot he successful launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957?

Answer 19

Fears that the United States had fallen behind Soviets in scientific research made educational reform a matter of National Security.

Question 20

The role of the federal government in U.S. society expended most dramatically as a result of what?

Answer 20

Economic depression between 1929 and 1940.

Question 21

The Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s sought to address unresolved issues that had been major topics of national debate during what?

Answer 21

The Reconstruction Era following the Civil War.

Question 22

What characteristic united the diverse figures who participated in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920’s?

Answer 22

An assertive pride in the African American heritage.

Question 23

The Vietnam War and Watergate most influenced perceptions of which aspect of government in the United States?

Answer 23

The exercise of Presidential power.

Question 24

During the 1990s, the United States signed trade pacts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that were designed to remove barriers to international commerce. A common argument made by organizations opposed to these initiatives was that:

Answer 24

They were likely to result in job cuts in U.S. industries facing competition from low-cost foreign products.

Question 25

As part of a research project, a historian gathers occupational information on every fifth head of household listed in the 1900 and 1910 manuscript population censuses for Houston. Then the historian enters the data in a computer program that will enable her to link individuals that appear on both of the censuses. The historian can best use the information obtained to answer questions about what phenomena during the time period addressed?

Answer 25

Social Mobility.

Question 26

While conducting research on U.S. politics of the late nineteenth century, a historian considers consulting the autobiography of a prominent politician of that period. Using an autobiography for this type or research is most likely to help the historian what?

Answer 26

Obtain insight into contemporary values and beliefs.