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Questions 10–12 are based on the following passage: “We may . . . be said to ha...

Oct 9, 2023

Questions 10–12 are based on the following passage: “We may . . . be said to have reached almost the last stage of national humiliation. There is scarcely any thing that can wound the pride or degrade the character of an independent nation which we do not experience . . . Do we owe debts to foreigners and to our citizens . . . ? There remains without any proper or satisfactory provision for their discharge. Is commerce of importance to national wealth? Ours is at the lowest point of declension.” —Alexander Hamilton, No. 15, 1787 10. Which of the following factors did Alexander Hamilton believe was a source for the problems in the excerpt from Federalist No. 15? (A) Economic class divisions among the American people that prevented them from forging a unified vision (B) A failure of American policy makers to abandon mercantilist principles and to embrace a laissez-faire approach to trade (C) A weak central government without the powers to address pressing issues (D) An unhealthy obsession among the American people with religion and individual salvation, at the expense of interest in solving practical national problems 11. Which of the following specific developments contributed to the general sentiment expressed in Federalist No. 15? (A) Great Britain refused to evacuate forts in the Great Lakes region.(B) Spanish forces retook Florida from the United States.(C)French forces aided American Indians in conducting raids on New England. (D)Dutch traders forced American ships to extend tribute payments in order to dock in Holland. 12. To address the problems identified in Federalist No. 15, Hamilton proposed (A) abandoning an isolationist approach to foreign policy and adopting a more aggressive and interventionist stance.(B) adopting a new constitution in order to create a more powerful national government. (C) forging alliances with American Indian nations to present a united front to European powers.(D) increasing spending on military forces and cutting spending on social programs.

10.

Key Concept

KC-3.2.II: In the late 18th century, new experiments with democratic ideas and republican forms of government, as well as other new religious, economic, and cultural ideas, challenged traditional imperial systems across the Atlantic World.

Explanation

Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist No. 15, is expressing his concern over the inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to effectively manage the nation's debts and commerce. This points to a weak central government, which is unable to address pressing issues, hence option C is the correct answer. 11.

Key Concept

KC-3.2.III: During the 18th century, various European nations explored and colonized parts of North America, leading to conflicts and alliances with Native Americans and among the European powers.

Explanation

The sentiment expressed in Federalist No. 15 is a reflection of the national humiliation and degradation that Hamilton felt due to the inability of the United States to assert its independence and sovereignty. One of the specific developments that contributed to this sentiment was Great Britain's refusal to evacuate forts in the Great Lakes region, which was a violation of the Treaty of Paris of 1783 and a symbol of the nation's inability to enforce its treaties, hence option A is the correct answer. 12.

Key Concept

Explanation

Hamilton, along with other Federalists, believed that the problems identified in Federalist No. 15 could be addressed by adopting a new constitution that would create a more powerful national government. This would give the government the necessary powers to manage the nation's debts, regulate commerce, and enforce its treaties, hence option B is the correct answer.

What were the main arguments in Federalist No. 15?, How did Alexander Hamilton propose to solve the problems identified in Federalist No. 15?, What were the specific developments that contributed to the sentiment expressed in Federalist No. 15?