American History: Colonization to Constitution

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary consequence of the Boston Massacre?

It sparked the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

It led to the immediate withdrawal of British troops.

It resulted in the creation of the Declaration of Independence.

It increased tensions between the colonists and the British Crown. (correct)

"No taxation without representation!" was a slogan used by the British Crown to justify taxation.

False

What was the Articles of Confederation?

The first constitution of the United States.

The ______ was a central document establishing the framework of the U.S. government in 1787.

Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their significance:

Boston Massacre = Heightened tensions leading to revolution Declaration of Independence = Formal statement of independence Articles of Confederation = First governing document of the U.S. No taxation without representation = Colonial resistance slogan Signup and view all the answers

When were the Articles of Confederation ratified?

1781 Signup and view all the answers

The Constitution was created primarily to provide a stronger federal government.

True Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Declaration of Independence significant?

It formally proclaimed the American colonies' independence from British rule. Signup and view all the answers

When was the Bill of Rights ratified?

1791 Signup and view all the answers

The Indian Removal Act was passed in 1803.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is Manifest Destiny?

The belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Signup and view all the answers

The __________ forced Native American tribes to relocate to present-day Oklahoma.

Indian Removal Act Signup and view all the answers

Match the following events with their corresponding years:

Louisiana Purchase = 1803 Mexican-American War = 1846-1848 Abolitionism = Early 19th century Secession = Post-1860 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following illustrates the checks and balances system?

Congress can override a Presidential veto. Signup and view all the answers

The cotton gin was invented in the late 18th century.

True Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the secession of Southern states from the Union?

The election of Abraham Lincoln. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit 1: Colonization, Prerevolutionary Tensions, Revolutionary War

Boston Massacre: A clash between British soldiers and American colonists in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1770; heightened tensions leading to the American Revolution.
Declaration of Independence: Outlined "God-given rights" (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) and listed grievances against British rule. The document formally declared the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain. It was written in response to a series of actions by Great Britain.

Unit 2: Constitution and Civics

Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the United States, enacted in 1781 during the Revolutionary War; created a weak central government, proved ineffective.
Constitution: The supreme law of the United States; established a stronger federal government with three branches (legislative, executive, and judicial). Enacted in 1787.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution; guarantee individual liberties (speech, religion, assembly, etc.) and protections against governmental intrusion. Established in 1791.
Branches of Government: Legislative (Congress responsible for making laws), Executive (President enforces laws), and Judicial (Supreme Court interprets laws).

Unit 3: Early Republic Period and Westward Expansion

Louisiana Purchase: Acquisition of a vast territory from France in 1803, doubling the size of the United States.
Manifest Destiny: The belief that the United States was destined to expand across North America; often led to conflicts with Native American tribes.
Indian Removal Act (1830): Forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma); caused significant suffering.
Mexican-American War (1846-1848): War between the U.S. and Mexico resulting in territorial acquisition (California, Nevada, Utah, etc.).

Unit 4: Abolition and Civil War

Cotton Gin: A machine that revolutionized cotton production, significantly increasing demand for enslaved labor, and strengthening the Southern economy and entrenching slavery. Invented in the late 18th century.
Abolitionism: A movement to end slavery, prevalent in the early 19th century; challenged Southern economic systems and societal norms.
Secession: The withdrawal of Southern states from the Union (1860-1861), leading to the American Civil War.
Civil War: The bloodiest conflict in American history; fought between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states) over the issue of slavery and states' rights (1861-1865).

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Description

This quiz covers key events and documents from American history, focusing on Unit 1's colonization, revolutionary tensions, and the Revolutionary War, as well as Unit 2's Constitution and civics. Test your knowledge on significant occurrences like the Boston Massacre, Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation.