Nipomo High School U.S. History Unit II Exam American History from Colonies to Constitution to Manifest Destiny

Test = 48 points (or roughly twice the map test) Using a multiplier the scoring works like this: #1, 5x multiplier = 15 pts. each/30 pts. total – (More emphasis on the ranking skill and the First Amendment) #3, 3x multiplier = 9 pts. each/18 pts. total – (Less emphasis on sourcing and the diary entry for now)

Question #1: The First Amendment There are five rights that the First Amendment gives to all U.S. citizens. Choose ONE of these five rights and explain which right is the most important to U.S. citizens.

“The most important of the five rights that are given to U.S. citizens in the First Amendment is the freedom of speech. This is the most important because it allows people to have all four other rights as well. There could be no freedom of religion, press, assembly, or petition if there was no freedom of speech (the freedom to say what we feel and think). All rights are based and valued within the right to have freedom of speech. Everyone has differing opinions, beliefs, and values, and without the freedom to have these certain prospects may mean giving other rights up as well.”

Question #2: The First Amendment Choose ONE of the other four rights and explain why this right is less important than your answer from Question 1.

“The freedom of speech right can be compared to the lesser important right of freedom of press. Although the freedom of press is important in order to receive information, there could be no information to be received if Americans had no right to talk about the government in the first place. Without the freedom of speech, the freedom of press would most likely not even be intact due to coinciding purposes. The purpose of freedom of speech is to be able to broadcast those ideas and opinions, and facts of the government to others around the country, which makes it more crucial to have as a right than freedom of press.”

Question #3: Sourcing Briefly explain whether you AGREE or DISAGREE with the following statement: “The painting The First Thanksgiving 1621 helps historians understand the relationship between the Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrim settlers in 1621.”

“I disagree because the painting is from 1932 and the event happened in There’s 311 years of difference between the two dates. This painting will not help historians know about the relationship between the Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrim settlers, due to the following. First, the artist didn’t live in 1621 to witness what happened. Therefore, the painting is only an assumption on how the event must’ve looked like. Second, the painting doesn’t say anything about their relationship aside that they’re friendly to one another because they’re eating together. Third, the picture shows them being friendly and that’s it. It doesn’t show deep relationships between the two peoples. The best way is for historians to find info is to interview descendants whose stories have been passed down onto generations.”

Question #4: Perspective and Opposition 4a. Identify a person (or group of people) who might DISAGREE with the author’s position (write that answer in the box provided). 4b. Write a diary entry from the perspective of this person(s) describing their position of opposition (why they disagree).

Type of Person: “Indian (Native American)” “Today we made another long trek west, heading towards Oklahoma to a reservation. This trail is exhausting and having to walk on foot does not help. My best friend died today from freezing; it was a horrible site. It is hard not having him around. These white men call this trail the Trail of Tears. I guess I know why now. My Family are very angry for having to be forced to move off of our land. The whites are nasty people who do not care about anyone but themselves. The Trail of Tears is very gruesome and I do not know how much I can take.”