Register
Question 1
What was the name of the campaign led by General Sherman that involved a march of Union troops through Georgia, destroying everything in their path?
Correct Answer:
Sherman's March to the Sea
Explanation:
The campaign led by General Sherman that involved a destructive march through Georgia is known as Sherman's March to the Sea. This military strategy was conducted from November to December 1864 and aimed to cripple the Confederate war effort by targeting not only military targets but also infrastructure and civilian property. Sherman's tactics were designed to disrupt supply lines and undermine the morale of the Southern populace, effectively demonstrating the real implications of war on civilians and their resources. This campaign was pivotal in hastening the end of the Civil War and is often cited as a significant example of total war.
Question 2
What does the 15th Amendment prohibit?
Correct Answer:
Discrimination against voters based on race and previous servitude
Explanation:
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, specifically prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment was a crucial step in the Reconstruction era aimed at enfranchising African American men, ensuring that their right to vote could not be infringed upon due to their race or history of slavery. Understanding this context highlights its significance in American history as it addressed systemic inequalities in voting rights. Other options do not accurately reflect the provisions of the 15th Amendment. Age, gender, and income discrimination are not covered under this amendment, which focused solely on racial and prior servitude prohibitions in voting rights.
Question 3
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects citizens from voter discrimination based on race?
Correct Answer:
15th Amendment
Explanation:
The 15th Amendment is the correct choice because it explicitly prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a significant achievement following the Civil War and aimed to secure voting rights for African American men, although it took further legislative and societal efforts to ensure these rights were fully realized. In the context of voter discrimination, while the 12th Amendment addresses the electoral process for the president and vice president, and the 19th Amendment guarantees women the right to vote regardless of sex, neither addresses racial discrimination. The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibits poll taxes in federal elections but does not directly address racial discrimination. Thus, the 15th Amendment remains the foundational constitutional protection against racial voter discrimination.
Question 4
What notorious organization was formed to exploit government contracts related to the Union Pacific Railroad?
Correct Answer:
Credit Mobilier
Explanation:
The organization that was formed to exploit government contracts related to the Union Pacific Railroad was Credit Mobilier. This scandal emerged in the 1860s during the construction of the transcontinental railroad and involved a construction company that was set up as a front to siphon off profits from the railroad's federal contracts. The company created inflated bills for the work done, allowing its executives and investors to profit significantly at the expense of the government and taxpayers. The scandal was significant as it highlighted issues of corruption, cronyism, and the intertwining of business and politics during the Gilded Age, leading to a loss of public trust in government institutions. The other organizations mentioned pertain to different contexts: the Whiskey Ring was involved in a liquor tax scandal during Grant's presidency; the Redeemers were a political coalition in the South after Reconstruction aimed at restoring white Democratic rule; and the Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group that emerged to intimidate and suppress African Americans and their allies during and after the Reconstruction era. These distinctions clarify the unique role that Credit Mobilier played in the realm of corruption related to railroad expansions.
Question 5
What was the significance of the Compromise of 1877?
Correct Answer:
It ended federal support for Reconstruction
Explanation:
The significance of the Compromise of 1877 lies in its role in effectively bringing an end to the Reconstruction era. As part of the agreement that settled the disputed 1876 presidential election, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes was awarded the presidency in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the southern states. This marked a critical turning point because it signaled the end of federal intervention in Southern affairs, which had been a central feature of Reconstruction. With the removal of federal troops, Southern state governments, many of which were composed of Republicans and supported by African American voters, lost protection against white supremacist groups and violence. This shift allowed Southern states to soon implement laws and policies that rolled back the gains made by African Americans during Reconstruction, leading to the establishment of discriminatory practices and the Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation. The other choices do touch on important aspects of the era, but they do not capture the central significance of the Compromise of 1877 in the same way. While the compromise did precede the rise of Jim Crow laws, its immediate impact was to discontinue federal support for the civil rights of African Americans in the South. The Freedmen's Bureau was established earlier during Reconstruction, and while agricultural practices in the South were indeed
Question 1
Exam overview

About this Exam

Prepare for your AP United States History exam with our comprehensive AMSCO Period 5 Practice Test. This resource is meticulously designed for high school students aiming to master the critical era spanning 1844 to 1877. This practice exam helps you assess your knowledge of Manifest Destiny, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, ensuring you are fully prepared for the types of questions you will encounter on the official APUSH exam.

More details

Additional Information

What the Course Entails and Exam Details

The AMSCO APUSH Period 5 course covers key historical themes and events from the mid-to-late 19th century. Key topics include the expansionist ideology of Manifest Destiny, the causes and consequences of the Mexican-American War, and the intensifying sectionalism over the issue of slavery. Students will explore the breakdown of political compromises, the rise of the Republican Party, and the ultimate election of Abraham Lincoln that triggered secession. The course further details the military and political aspects of the Civil War, followed by an in-depth analysis of the Reconstruction era's successes and failures.


What to Expect in the Final Exam

This practice exam mirrors the format and rigor of the official APUSH exam to provide a realistic testing experience. You can expect a series of multiple-choice questions that require primary source analysis and critical thinking rather than simple recall. Additionally, the exam includes short-answer questions that assess your ability to explain historical events and synthesize information from different periods. Success on this practice test requires not only factual knowledge but also the application of historical thinking skills such as comparison, causation, and continuity and change over time.


How to Study and Exam Centers

To make the most of this practice exam, we recommend studying the corresponding AMSCO textbook chapters thoroughly. Focus on understanding the cause-and-effect relationships between major events in Period 5. Create timelines and flashcards for key figures, legislative acts, and court cases. When taking the practice test, simulate real exam conditions by timing yourself and minimizing distractions. This exam is available through online educational portals, school testing centers, and sometimes provided directly by teachers in a classroom setting. Consult your school’s AP coordinator or history department for specific availability and administered dates.


Job Opportunities from the Course

While APUSH itself is not a vocational certification, a strong performance on the exam—demonstrated through diligent preparation with resources like this practice test—is a stepping stone to higher education and future careers in various fields. Achieving college credit can accelerate your academic path, leading to careers such as:

  • Historian or Archivist

  • High School History Teacher

  • Post-secondary History Professor

  • Political Analyst or Consultant

  • Lawyer or Legal Professional

  • Museum Curator or Exhibit Designer

  • Public Policy Advisor

Quiz information

Frequently Asked Questions

The complete question count is available after full access is unlocked.
No fixed duration is currently configured for this quiz.
Question explanations are included where they are available in the quiz content, helping you review the reasoning after answering.
Yes. You can retake the practice test again as you continue studying during your available access period.
After your access is confirmed, you can continue into the complete practice exam from this quiz flow.
Unless explicitly stated otherwise, this page provides independent practice material for study and exam preparation and is not the official examination itself.
Keep studying

Related Questions

Architecture Licensure Exam History Theory Planning Practice Test

0 min

A Level History America Practice Exam

0 min

Master ASU ARS445 History of Animation Exam 2

0 min

ABCTE United States History Practice Exam

0 min

ABCTE World History Practice Exam

0 min

Chiropractic History and Principles Practice Test

0 min