American History: Puritans to Civil War

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What was the primary reason Puritans emigrated to America?

To escape persecution for their beliefs

To settle in a tropical climate

To spread the teachings of Catholicism (correct)

To start a new economic venture

What was the Mayflower Compact?

An economic agreement among colonists

A treaty with Native Americans

The first framework of government in America (correct)

A religious manifesto

What does Puritanism emphasize as part of its beliefs?

A focus on communal living exclusively

Complete separation from politics

Personal experience of salvation by Christ (correct)

Universal acceptance of all religions

Which aspect characterized Puritan society?

Living a simple life based on humility Signup and view all the answers

What was a key belief of the Puritans regarding God?

God is an absolute sovereign over all Signup and view all the answers

How did the Puritans view piety?

As a habitual reverence and obedience to God Signup and view all the answers

What responsibility did the first generation of Americans have after the American Revolution?

To build the institutional foundations of the country Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Puritans' view of religion's role in society?

Religion should influence politics and social life Signup and view all the answers

What were the three main causes of the Civil War?

Slavery, states vs federal rights, and economics Signup and view all the answers

Which movement aimed at ending slavery in the United States?

Abolition Movement Signup and view all the answers

What is a common theme found in slave narratives?

Struggle for freedom and redemption Signup and view all the answers

What does racism typically involve?

Discrimination against marginalized racial groups Signup and view all the answers

What event in 2020 sparked global antiracism protests?

George Floyd's death at the hands of police Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of cancel culture?

Withdrawing support from public figures for offensive actions Signup and view all the answers

What is historical revisionism?

The process of updating historical facts and interpretations Signup and view all the answers

What role did slaves play in American society before the Civil War?

They provided labor and supported the economy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary cultural movement associated with the flourishing of African American arts in the 1920s?

The Harlem Renaissance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following venues was not directly associated with Harlem's cultural scene during the 1920s?

The Blue Note Signup and view all the answers

During which era did the Cotton Club become a prominent nightclub in Harlem?

The Roaring 20s Signup and view all the answers

Which term best describes the overarching theme of the Harlem Renaissance?

Celebration of African Heritage Signup and view all the answers

Which genre of music had a significant emergence during the Apollo Theatre's activity in Harlem?

Jazz Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as a strong sense of love and attachment to one's country?

Patriotism Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the War of Independence in 1775?

British attempts to control colonial affairs Signup and view all the answers

Which document is Benjamin Franklin credited with drafting?

The Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Which pamphlet did Thomas Paine write that called for independence?

Common Sense Signup and view all the answers

What principle is summarized in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Signup and view all the answers

Who was the third President of the United States and a spokesman for democracy?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a grievance mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?

Limiting freedom of speech Signup and view all the answers

What genre does nonfictional prose belong to?

Fact-based literature Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the American Romantic Movement in literature?

Symbolism and transcendentalism Signup and view all the answers

Which novel is associated with themes of forgiveness, guilt, and redemption?

The Scarlet Letter Signup and view all the answers

What role does suspense play in literature according to the discussed themes?

To ensure the reader remains engaged Signup and view all the answers

In what period did the American Romantic Movement occur?

1830 to 1870 Signup and view all the answers

What major theme is prevalent in the works of Edgar Allan Poe?

Horror and sadness Signup and view all the answers

Which author is known for exploring the complexity of nature and industrialism in American society?

Herman Melville Signup and view all the answers

Which philosophical concept is closely related to Transcendentalism?

Kant's transcendental idealism Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of federalism as defined in the content?

Power distributed between national and local governments Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the post-bellum period following the American Civil War?

Expansion of democracy and rapid industrial growth Signup and view all the answers

What does realism in literature emphasize?

Everyday objects and moral dilemmas faced by characters Signup and view all the answers

Which literary movement is characterized by experimentation and a focus on the present?

Modernism Signup and view all the answers

During which years did the Prohibition period in the United States take place?

1920 to 1933 Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe a stylish and independent young woman in the 1920s?

Flapper Signup and view all the answers

What concept refers to the subjective experience of time, distinguishing it from objective time?

Duree Signup and view all the answers

What is bootlegging associated with?

The illegal manufacture and sale of alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines gangster culture?

The prevalence of organized crime and gang membership Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Puritans

Puritans were English Protestants who believed Church of England reforms were insufficient.
They emigrated to North America in the 1630s (up to 20,000).
The Pilgrims were a group of Puritans who established the Mayflower Compact in 1620.
Puritanism emphasized personal salvation through Christ, strict morality, purity, and a covenant with God.
Puritans sought societal reform to align with their religious beliefs.
Puritan society valued humility and simplicity, influenced by religious beliefs and the Bible.
They believed God's saving grace was revealed through preaching.
Salvation, according to Puritans, was through a covenant with God.

Puritan Society

Puritans believed the state should promote true religion and influence politics and societal life.

American Revolution

War of Independence (1775-1783)
Fighting between 13 British American colonies and Great Britain.
Colonies sought freedom from British rule.
Founded United States of America with the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
British attempts to exert greater control over colonial affairs contributed to the conflict.

Benjamin Franklin

American scientist, inventor, politician, and philanthropist.
Founding Father who signed the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution.
Credited with drafting the Declaration of Independence and American Constitution.

Thomas Paine

English-American writer and political pamphleteer.
His "Common Sense" pamphlet and "Crisis" papers strongly influenced the American Revolution.
"Common Sense" advocated for independence from Britain in 1776.

The American Crisis

Series of pamphlets with emotional language to persuade American support for the revolution.

American Enlightenment

Period of intellectual and social change in the 13 colonies (18th century).
Rooted in European Enlightenment ideas; influenced new ways of thinking about government.

Theory positing people live in society according to an agreement establishing moral and political rules.

Declaration of Independence

Document adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Colonists declared independence from Great Britain.
Summarized the colonists' motivations for independence.

Constitution of the United States

Written in 1787; officially valid in 1788; its first three words are "We the People."

Branches of Power

Three branches:
- Executive: President
- Judicial: Supreme Court
- Legislative: Congress (House of Representatives and Senate)

Federalism

System of government where powers are divided between a central and regional (state) level.

American Romanticism

Literary period (1830-1870).
Emphasized nature, symbolism, transcendentalism, and individualism.
Key figures: Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Edgar Allan Poe, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Walt Whitman.

Dark Romanticism

Literary genre (19th century), often with themes of death, anxiety, crime, loss, and horror.
Key figure: Edgar Allan Poe

Modernism

Literary period focused on themes of the city, individual experience, and response to technological advancements.

Harlem Renaissance

African American cultural movement (1910-1930).
Focused on creativity in music, theatre, and visual arts with influential figures such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and others.
Contributed greatly to African American literary history. Key figures
Harlem was a major center of the movement.

Jazz Age

Cultural period (1920s).
Key features: modernism, city life, optimism, and passion.

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Description

This quiz explores the key events, beliefs, and societal roles from the Puritan era to the American Civil War. Test your knowledge on the Puritans' emigration, their values, the movement against slavery, and the impact of racism in America. Delve into significant cultural movements and the evolution of societal norms throughout American history.