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Quizzes > History > Modern History

APUSH Unit 3 Practice Quiz: Test Your Period 3 Knowledge

Ready for the APUSH Unit 3 test? Dive in and ace your Period 3 MCQs!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art collage of colonial quill ink bottle parchment scroll letters reading APUSH Unit 3 on golden yellow background.

Are you ready to prove your command of AP U.S. History? Dive into our Ultimate apush unit 3 practice test, crafted to challenge your knowledge of Period 3 - from the Embargo Act to the Hartford Convention and beyond. Looking for more review? Try our ap us history unit 3 practice test packed with apush unit 3 mcq-style questions and scenario-based prompts to sharpen your critical thinking. Designed for students aiming to ace the exam, this apush unit 3 test solidifies key concepts and builds confidence. Ready to elevate your study game? Start now with this unit 3 apush test and step confidently into exam day!

What was the primary purpose of the Embargo Act of 1807?
To coerce Britain and France into respecting American neutrality
To annex Spanish Florida
To raise federal revenue through increased tariffs
To punish Native American tribes in the Northwest Territory
The Embargo Act of 1807 was intended to prevent American ships from trading with foreign ports in order to pressure Britain and France to respect U.S. maritime neutrality and cease interfering with American shipping. It halted nearly all exports from U.S. ports. The policy aimed to avoid war by using economic coercion instead of military force. history.state.gov
What was the main focus of the Hartford Convention (1814 - 1815)?
A strategy session for invading Canada
A proposal to support the Louisiana Purchase
A plan to secede New England from the Union
New England Federalists meeting to protest the War of 1812
The Hartford Convention was a gathering of New England Federalists who opposed the War of 1812 due to its negative impact on maritime trade and regional interests. Delegates discussed constitutional amendments to protect their states and even raised the possibility of secession. The convention ultimately discredited Federalists by making them seem disloyal after news of U.S. victories arrived. britannica.com
Who was President of the United States during the War of 1812?
James Madison
James Monroe
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
James Madison served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817, leading the nation through the War of 1812. His decision to declare war on Britain was driven by issues like impressment of American sailors and interference with U.S. trade. The war tested the resilience of the young republic and ultimately reinforced American national identity. millercenter.org
Which political party was founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison?
Democratic-Republican Party
National Republican Party
Federalist Party
Whig Party
In the early 1790s, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party in opposition to the Federalists. They championed states' rights, a strict construction of the Constitution, and support for agrarian interests. The party dominated U.S. politics in the early 19th century after the decline of the Federalists. britannica.com
Which treaty formally ended the War of 1812?
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty of Paris
Jay's Treaty
Adams - Onís Treaty
The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, ended the War of 1812 and restored pre-war boundaries without addressing the issues of impressment or neutral shipping rights. It took effect in February 1815 after ratification by both nations. The treaty ushered in a period of improved Anglo-American relations. archives.gov
What principle was established by the Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Implied powers under the Commerce Clause
Judicial review of Congressional acts
States' ability to nullify federal laws
Federal power to regulate interstate commerce
Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, empowering the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Marshall asserted the judiciary's role as a coequal branch of government. This decision shaped the balance of power among the three branches. oyez.org
What was the main goal of the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804 - 1806)?
To establish forts along the Canadian border
To survey the Florida coastline
To map and explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory
To negotiate a treaty with Spain
President Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore and map the Louisiana Territory, evaluate natural resources, and find a water route to the Pacific. Their journey provided valuable geographic and scientific information for westward expansion. It also established relations with Native American tribes. nps.gov
Which groups were specifically targeted by the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798?
Members of the Democratic-Republican Party in Congress
Recent immigrants and critics of the Federalist administration
African Americans in northern states
Native American tribes in the Northwest
The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 increased residency requirements for citizenship and authorized the president to deport non-citizens deemed dangerous. The Sedition Act criminalized criticism of the federal government. These laws aimed to suppress Democratic-Republican opposition and were highly controversial. archives.gov
Which resolution was passed in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts?
Emancipation Proclamation
Missouri Compromise
Northwest Ordinance
Kentucky Resolution
The Kentucky Resolution, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1798, argued that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional, specifically targeting the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Virginia Resolution, authored by James Madison, made a similar argument. These resolutions introduced the concept of nullification. britannica.com
Which three Founding Fathers authored the Federalist Papers?
George Washington, James Monroe, and Patrick Henry
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Roger Sherman
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius." These essays defended the proposed U.S. Constitution and explained the principles of federal government. They remain a key resource for interpreting the framers' intent. congress.gov
What was a major outcome of the Louisiana Purchase (1803)?
It ceded Florida to the United States
It abolished slavery in the new territory
It established the 49th parallel as the northern border
It doubled the size of the United States
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 added approximately 828,000 square miles to the United States, effectively doubling its territorial size. The acquisition removed France as a colonial presence and opened vast tracts for exploration and settlement. This expansion significantly influenced American political and economic development. archives.gov
How did the Embargo Act of 1807 impact American merchants?
It improved diplomatic relations with Britain
It increased profits for American exporters
It devastated U.S. shipping and led to widespread smuggling
It forced European powers to subsidize American trade
The Embargo Act banned American vessels from foreign trade, which nearly collapsed U.S. maritime commerce. Many merchants resorted to smuggling to survive economically. New England's economy was particularly hard-hit, fueling political opposition. britannica.com
What did Jay's Treaty (1794) primarily seek to resolve?
Spanish control of the Mississippi River
French impressment of American sailors
Piracy in the Mediterranean Sea
British withdrawal from western forts and compensation for seized ships
Jay's Treaty aimed to settle unresolved issues from the Treaty of Paris (1783) by securing British evacuation of forts on U.S. soil and obtaining limited compensation for American merchants. It also granted American ships limited trading rights in the British West Indies. The treaty was controversial but averted war with Britain. britannica.com
What was the primary outcome of the XYZ Affair (1797 - 1798)?
A quasi-war at sea between the U.S. and France
A formal alliance between the U.S. and Britain
The resignation of President Adams
The purchase of Louisiana Territory
The XYZ Affair involved French agents demanding bribes from American diplomats, which outraged U.S. public opinion and led Congress to authorize a naval conflict known as the Quasi-War. Though undeclared, hostilities lasted from 1798 to 1800. The crisis bolstered Federalist calls for defense reforms. history.state.gov
Which Supreme Court decision affirmed the principle of federal supremacy over state actions?
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
In McCulloch v. Maryland, Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that Congress had implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause and that states could not tax federal institutions. This decision reinforced federal authority and ensured that states cannot impede valid constitutional exercises of power. oyez.org
What grievance did New England Federalists express at the Hartford Convention?
Opposition to the War of 1812 and demands for constitutional amendments
Desire to expand slavery into Canada
Support for the Louisiana Purchase
Calls for joint defense with France
Hartford Convention delegates criticized the war's impact on New England's economy and proposed amendments to limit Congress's war-declaring powers. They also sought relief for states adversely affected by federal policies. Although they stopped short of calling for secession, their actions were viewed as unpatriotic after American victories. britannica.com
What doctrine was established by Marbury v. Madison?
Federal preemption of state law
Judicial review
State nullification of federal law
Separation of powers
Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court authority to strike down laws it found unconstitutional. Chief Justice Marshall's ruling balanced the powers of the three branches and affirmed the judiciary's role. This doctrine remains a foundation of American constitutional law. law.cornell.edu
What was the main provision of the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809?
It banned trade with both Spain and Russia
It reopened trade with all nations except Britain and France
It only applied to trade in agricultural goods
It resumed all foreign trade under new tariffs
The Non-Intercourse Act replaced the Embargo Act, permitting Americans to trade with all countries except Britain and France. It aimed to continue economic pressure on those two powers while restoring trade with other nations. However, it proved difficult to enforce. britannica.com
Why was the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) significant?
It secured Florida for the United States
It ended the Creek War
It weakened Tecumseh's Native confederacy
It marked the first use of rifled muskets
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought between U.S. forces under William Henry Harrison and Shawnee leader Tecumseh's confederacy. Harrison's victory disrupted Native American resistance in the Northwest Territory. News of British encouragement of Native attacks helped fuel American calls for war in 1812. britannica.com
In what way did the Lewis and Clark expedition advance geographic knowledge?
They charted the Great Lakes
They mapped the Missouri River and Pacific Coast routes
They documented routes to Alaska
They surveyed the Texas coastline
Lewis and Clark provided detailed maps of the Missouri River watershed and overland routes to the Pacific Northwest. Their expedition filled in vast blanks on the national map and identified key natural landmarks. This information guided future explorers and settlers. nps.gov
Which policy did Thomas Jefferson pursue to reduce the power of the federal government?
Expanding the national bank
Cutting military spending and eliminating internal taxes
Nationalizing state militias
Increasing the size of the federal judiciary
Jefferson worked to shrink federal expenditures by reducing the size of the army and navy and repealing internal taxes, relying instead on customs revenues. He also paid down the national debt. These measures reflected his commitment to limited government. millercenter.org
How did the Hartford Convention contribute to the decline of the Federalist Party?
It led to an alliance with Britain against the United States
It resulted in the impeachment of John Adams
It portrayed Federalists as unpatriotic after news of victory in the War of 1812
It caused a split with the Democratic-Republicans over slavery
The Hartford Convention's timing, coinciding with the successful conclusion of the War of 1812, made Federalist complaints seem disloyal. Public opinion turned against them, and the party never recovered national influence. The convention effectively marked the end of Federalist dominance. britannica.com
What effect did the War of 1812 have on Native American alliances in the Northwest Territory?
It forced tribes to ally with Spain
It secured Native sovereignty over the Ohio Valley
It strengthened Tecumseh's confederacy permanently
It weakened Native coalitions after losing British support
Native American tribes allied with the British in hopes of resisting U.S. expansion. After Britain's defeat, they lost critical support and territory. The war weakened confederacies and opened the Northwest Territory to American settlement. britannica.com
In what way did Chief Justice John Marshall's decisions strengthen federal authority?
By broadly interpreting the Necessary and Proper Clause
By abolishing implied powers of Congress
By endorsing states' rights over federal law
By limiting the scope of the Commerce Clause
John Marshall's rulings, especially in McCulloch v. Maryland, used the Necessary and Proper Clause to expand federal legislative power. His decisions also reinforced the supremacy of federal laws over conflicting state laws. Marshall's court laid the foundation for a strong national government. oyez.org
Why was McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) a landmark case?
It allowed states to nullify federal legislation
It upheld the Missouri Compromise
It declared state banks unconstitutional
It affirmed federal implied powers and prohibited state taxation of the national bank
McCulloch v. Maryland confirmed that Congress has implied powers under the Constitution, such as creating a national bank. It also ruled that states could not tax federal institutions, reinforcing federal supremacy. The decision is a cornerstone of constitutional law. law.cornell.edu
How did the Embargo Act of 1807 inadvertently foster American manufacturing?
Domestic producers filled the void left by restricted imports
It led to new British factories in New England
It forced companies to export more manufactured goods
It subsidized cotton plantations
With European goods barred, Americans turned to homegrown industries to supply textiles and other manufactured products. New factories emerged in New England to meet domestic demand. This shift laid groundwork for the American Industrial Revolution. ourdocuments.gov
Which foreign policy stance characterized the Democratic-Republicans in the early 1800s?
Strict neutrality toward all European powers
Pro-British alliance and opposition to France
Pro-French and critical of Britain's maritime practices
Expansionist alliance with Spain
Democratic-Republicans sympathized with revolutionary France and resented British impressment of American sailors. They opposed strong ties with Britain and supported France's cause, influencing policies like the Embargo Act. Federalists, in contrast, favored closer ties with Britain. britannica.com
How did the Monroe Doctrine (1823) reflect shifts in U.S. foreign policy originating in Period 3?
It asserted U.S. opposition to European colonization in the Americas
It committed the U.S. to global free trade policies
It pledged support for European monarchical restoration
It recognized Spanish control over Latin America
The Monroe Doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization and that any attempt at interference would be seen as hostile to U.S. interests. It built on earlier assertions of American neutrality and sovereignty. The doctrine became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. history.state.gov
What argument did the Kentucky Resolution advance regarding federal laws?
Federal laws automatically superseded state laws
States must enforce all federal laws without question
Only Congress could interpret the Constitution
States could nullify federal statutes deemed unconstitutional
The Kentucky Resolution, authored by Jefferson, argued for the doctrine of nullification, claiming that states were the final judges of federal overreach. It claimed that unconstitutional federal acts could be voided by individual states. The resolution heightened debates over states' rights. britannica.com
In what way did British impressment policies influence U.S. decisions leading up to the War of 1812?
It provoked American outrage and calls for war to protect maritime rights
It decreased American shipbuilding
It led the U.S. to support British naval recruitment
It caused the U.S. to ally with Spain against Britain
The British Royal Navy forcibly conscripted American sailors under the claim they were British deserters. This practice was seen as a violation of U.S. sovereignty and a key grievance leading Congress to declare war in 1812. Impressment inflamed nationalistic sentiment and demands for defense of American rights. britannica.com
What role did the Cumberland Road (National Road) play in early 19th-century America?
It provided a direct route to California
It connected northern factories with southern plantations
It facilitated westward migration and interstate commerce
It served exclusively as a military supply line
Authorized by Congress in 1806, the Cumberland Road improved overland travel from Maryland to the Ohio River, opening the trans-Appalachian West to settlers and trade. It was the first major federally funded highway, symbolizing a commitment to internal improvements. britannica.com
How did the Judiciary Act of 1801 reflect Federalist priorities?
It expanded the federal judiciary to secure Federalist judicial appointments
It restricted court cases to maritime issues
It eliminated the Supreme Court
It transferred judicial power to state courts
The Judiciary Act of 1801, passed by the lame-duck Federalist Congress, created new circuit courts and judgeships, allowing outgoing President Adams to appoint numerous Federalist judges. This move was intended to maintain Federalist influence in the judiciary after the party lost the presidency. archives.gov
Which theory, articulated in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, held that the Constitution was a compact among sovereign states?
Nullification Theory
Divine Right Theory
Social Contract Theory
Compact Theory
Compact Theory argued that the federal government was created by a contract among sovereign states, which retained ultimate authority. Jefferson's Kentucky Resolution and Madison's Virginia Resolution asserted this principle to challenge the Alien and Sedition Acts. The theory laid groundwork for later states' rights arguments. britannica.com
Which factor most directly contributed to the collapse of the Federalist Party after 1815?
Loss of the Judiciary Branch
Failure to support the Louisiana Purchase
Opposition to the Monroe Doctrine
Association with the unpopular Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention's criticism of the War of 1812 and perceived disloyalty discredited the Federalists nationally. Their actions were seen as unpatriotic just as the war ended in American victory. The party never recovered from the stigma and faded from national politics. britannica.com
Which principle from Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) had the greatest long-term impact on federal power?
Establishment of federal banking powers
Limitation of judicial review
Right of states to regulate interstate commerce
Broad interpretation of the Commerce Clause
Gibbons v. Ogden held that the federal government has exclusive authority to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause. This broad interpretation enabled Congress to justify a wide range of economic regulations, greatly expanding federal legislative power. The decision shaped U.S. economic policy for centuries. oyez.org
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze the causes and consequences of the Embargo Act -

    Understand the motivations behind the 1807 Embargo Act and assess its economic and diplomatic impacts on the United States and global trade.

  2. Evaluate regional perspectives at the Hartford Convention -

    Examine New England delegates' grievances and proposals during the 1814 Hartford Convention to assess its influence on Federalist politics and national unity.

  3. Recall major events and dates in APUSH Period 3 -

    Memorize key milestones from the Revolutionary era through the War of 1812 to strengthen your chronological understanding of Period 3.

  4. Apply critical thinking to answer questions in this apush period 3 practice test -

    Develop reasoning skills to interpret prompts effectively and eliminate incorrect options in multiple-choice scenarios.

  5. Manage exam timing and pacing to boost performance on the unit 3 apush test -

    Learn time-management strategies that help you allocate seconds per question and complete the test within the allotted time.

  6. Navigate multiple-choice question formats in the apush unit 3 mcq -

    Familiarize yourself with common question structures and distractor patterns to improve accuracy and confidence.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Articles of Confederation & Shays' Rebellion -

    Review how the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation failed to levy taxes or regulate commerce, leading to economic turmoil and events like Shays' Rebellion in 1786 - 87, which underscored the need for a stronger federal framework (Library of Congress). A handy mnemonic: "No Tax, No Trade = Uproar" helps lock in these key weaknesses for your apush unit 3 practice test.

  2. Constitutional Compromises -

    Master the Great Compromise's creation of a bicameral legislature and the Three-Fifths Compromise for taxation and representation at the 1787 Constitutional Convention (National Archives). Think "2 Houses & 3/5 Brakes" to remember how big and small states balanced power in the new government.

  3. Hamilton's Financial Plan (BAT) -

    Understand Alexander Hamilton's three-part strategy - Bank of the U.S., Assumption of state debts, Tariffs ("BAT") - to stabilize the post-Revolution economy and strengthen federal authority (U.S. Treasury). The "BAT" mnemonic makes these cornerstone policies easy to recall during your unit 3 apush mcq review.

  4. Alien & Sedition Acts & Resolutions -

    Dive into the 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts that restricted immigrant rights and free speech, sparking Jefferson's Kentucky and Madison's Virginia Resolutions on states' rights and nullification (National Archives). Remember "Stamp Out Dissent" to connect the Sedition Act backlash with emerging sectional disputes on civil liberties.

  5. Embargo Act of 1807 & Hartford Convention -

    Study Jefferson's Embargo Act - mnemonic "O GRAB ME" backwards - to grasp how shutting down U.S. trade aimed to pressure France and Britain but hurt American merchants, and analyze the 1814 Hartford Convention where New England Federalists protested the War of 1812, sealing the party's decline (Library of Congress). This combo shows how foreign policy crises and domestic dissent shaped early U.S. politics.

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