Can You Ace This American History Quiz?

Annette

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About This Quiz

"Give me liberty or give me death!" While this quiz isn't as do or die as Patrick Henry might've thought it to be, it's just as important! Henry's cry for freedom from Great Britain was one of the earliest markers in American history and helped change the way towards the American Revolutionary War. With that war came the establishment of the United States of America as a country. America has nearly 250 years of history. Only Americans with an IQ of 130+ can pass this test. Can you?

While there are thousands and thousands of years of history on this land, American history as we know it, began in 1607 with the Jamestown settlement. Starting with this time, the settlers would go from wards of Great Britain to rebels demanding freedom. 

After the establishment of the United States in the late 1700s, the country would go through the Civil War, Great Depression, and World Wars. Presidents would be inaugurated and assassinated. Wars were fought, and peace was found. From the 1600s until the 21st century, how much of it do you know?

Jamestown is considered the first settlement in which state? What was the first state to ratify the Constitution? Which President helped boost America out of the Great Depression? If you know these answers, you just might be ready to ace this quiz. Can you prove that you belong to the elite group of people to beat this test? Let's find out!

Where was the first permanent English settlement?

Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America. It was founded in 1607.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on what date?

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. That's why we celebrate with fireworks on the 4th of July! It wasn't actually signed until August 2 of the same year.

The U.S. Constitution was written in what year?

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787. That was 11 years after we declared independence.

Who purchased the Louisiana Territory?

President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803. This is famously called the Louisiana Purchase.

The Civil War started in what year?

The Civil War began in 1861 and lasted to 1865. Abraham Lincoln was the president at the time.

The opening shots of the American Revolution were fired in which state?

The opening shots of the American Revolution were fired in Massachusetts. That was at Lexington and Concord in 1775.

Where was the Declaration of Independence written?

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written. Today, the hall is a landmark of American history.

The Battle of _____ was the turning point in the American Revolution.

The Battle of Saratoga is considered to be the turning point in the American Revolution. The defeat of the Brits at Yorktown was the end of the Revolution.

Where is Fort Sumter?

Fort Sumter is located in South Carolina. The first shots of the Civil War were fired there.

The Battle of _____ was the turning point of the Civil War.

The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the Civil War. The Confederate troops never invaded the North again.

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at _____.

Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia. This officially ended the Civil War.

Mercantilism is an economic ______.

Mercantilism is an economic theory. It states that a country's strength comes from gold, selling more than it buys, and devoting the colonies to the benefit of the Mother Country.

Those who wanted to end slavery in the U.S. were called what?

An abolitionist was someone that wanted to end slavery in the U.S. The Civil War eventually led to abolition.

What is a tariff?

A tariff is a tax on goods that are imported. There was a lot of controversy about British tariffs before the American Revolution.

Loyalty to the state instead of the country is known as ______.

Loyalty to the state over the country is known as sectionalism. It was very much not what the Founding Fathers intended.

Manifest Destiny was about what?

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the United States should own all the land between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Manifest Destiny became a reality.

The Temperance Movement was a campaign against what?

The Temperance Movement was a campaign against the sale and drinking of alcohol. That didn't last for very long!

Our government is ______.

Our government is a representative government. That means that voters elect representatives to make laws for them.

A Republic is a ______.

A Republic is a kind of nation. It's where voters choose representatives to govern them.

How many branches of government do we have?

In our country, we have 3 branches of government. These are the Legislative, Judicial and Executive branches.

What was the first document that limited the power of the ruler?

The Magna Carta was the first document that limited the power of the ruler. It was signed in 1215 by King John of England.

The American Bill of Rights is based on the _______ .

The American Bill of Rights is based on the English Bill of Rights. Seems fitting that we should have one too.

The Declaration of Independence was written by whom?

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. He would go on to be our third president.

Who wanted the U.S. to stay “neutral in its relations with other nations”?

George Washington advised us in his Farewell Address to stay “neutral in its relations with other nations.” He also said that we should avoid "entangling alliances."

"Common Sense" was written by whom?

"Common Sense" was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine. It was meant to convince the colonists that it was time to become independent.

The Gettysburg Address was made by which president?

The Gettysburg Address was made by Abraham Lincoln. It was to dedicate the cemetery to soldiers that died at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Who issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. It was the official end of slavery in this country.

The Congress was divided by the _____.

The Great Compromise divided Congress into two houses. One house was based on population, while the other was based on equal representation to each state.

Sam Adams was a part of the ______.

Sam Adams was a member of the Sons of Liberty. They started the Committee of Correspondence to gain public support for the revolution.

Benjamin Franklin was a/n _____.

Benjamin Franklin wore many hats. He was a statesman, diplomat, signer of the Declaration of Independence and delegate to the Constitutional Convention.

Who was the British King that no one was pleased with?

King George III was not a favorite among colonialists. He taxed the colonies and refused the Olive Branch Petition that led to the final break with the colonies.

The First Amendment protects which freedom?

The First Amendment is a pretty remarkable thing. It protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

The Second Amendment protects the right to bear ______.

The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms. It also protects the right to organize militias, or armies.

The Statue of Liberty is associated with NYC, but it’s actually in ______.

The Statue of Liberty is associated with NYC, but it’s actually in New Jersey! It’s in Jersey City, to be exact.

What is the most visited museum in the U.S.?

The Smithsonian is the most popular museum in the U.S. To be specific, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in D.C. is the most popular.

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