American History Quiz: Colonial Era

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Questions and Answers

America’s first national government, in effect until 1789, was based on which document?

Constitution

Bible

Articles of Confederation (correct)

Republican Plan

The idea that colonies should benefit the mother country and that strong nations have more exports than imports is known as?

Mercantilism (correct)

Parliamentary sovereignty

Salutary neglect

Virtual representation

Which event involved colonists dumping tea into the ocean to protest the Tea Act?

Tea Act

Stamp Act

Intolerable Acts

Boston Tea Party (correct)

Colonial representative bodies such as the House of Burgesses developed as a result of the British policy known as?

Salutary neglect Signup and view all the answers

The differences in the economic development of the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Southern colonies can be attributed to?

Geographic conditions there Signup and view all the answers

The first permanent English colony in North America was primarily established for?

Financial gain for investors Signup and view all the answers

A major reason the American colonists of the 1600's chose to settle along the seacoast and rivers was to?

Carry out trade Signup and view all the answers

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a component of Henry Clay's American System?

Promotion of foreign trade relations Signup and view all the answers

Which reform movement was associated with the Seneca Falls convention?

Women's Rights Signup and view all the answers

What event is primarily associated with the nullification crisis?

Southern opposition to tariffs Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes sectionalism?

Focusing on your region instead of the whole country Signup and view all the answers

Who was most directly affected by the Indian Removal Act?

Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant consequence of Nat Turner's rebellion?

Imposition of stricter slave codes Signup and view all the answers

What did the Homestead Act accomplish?

Provided free land to Western settlers Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Land Ordinance of 1785 in relation to education?

Set aside Section 16 for public school use Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the 1783 Treaty of Paris?

Ended the Revolutionary War and recognized American independence Signup and view all the answers

What does horizontal integration involve?

Acquiring competitors to dominate an industry Signup and view all the answers

Which group was most associated with the political machines of the late 19th century?

Immigrant populations Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of the Populist movement?

To advocate for the working conditions of farmers Signup and view all the answers

Which speech set forth William Jennings Bryan's support for bimetallism?

The Cross of Gold speech Signup and view all the answers

What was one method of Vertical Integration?

Owning all parts of the supply chain within the company Signup and view all the answers

'54, 40 or Fight' primarily refers to which border dispute?

The border dispute with Mexico Signup and view all the answers

Which state was NOT added to the United States through the Mexican Cession?

Oregon Signup and view all the answers

The main accomplishment of the Freedmen's Bureau was to provide what?

Aid and education to emancipated slaves Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation?

To free all enslaved individuals in the Confederacy Signup and view all the answers

Who is recognized as the father of the U.S. Constitution?

James Madison Signup and view all the answers

What are the three main branches of the U.S. government?

executive, legislative, and judicial Signup and view all the answers

Nativism is best defined as which of the following?

Protection of native-born citizens' interests over immigrants Signup and view all the answers

What significant role did the House of Burgesses play in American history?

It was the first representative assembly in the Americas Signup and view all the answers

What document supersedes any state laws and serves as the foundation of American government?

the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

A member of the House of Representatives is elected to serve a term of how many years?

two years Signup and view all the answers

Bacon's Rebellion marked a transition from what labor system to another?

From indentured servants to African slaves Signup and view all the answers

Who is credited with introducing tobacco to Jamestown?

John Rolfe Signup and view all the answers

How long is the term served by a U.S. Senator?

six years Signup and view all the answers

What was John Winthrop's vision for the Puritan community?

To establish a model society for others Signup and view all the answers

Why was Marbury v. Madison a landmark case?

It established judicial review. Signup and view all the answers

The Middle Passage refers to which journey?

The voyage across the Atlantic Ocean for enslaved Africans Signup and view all the answers

What did President Jefferson’s interpretation of the Constitution allow regarding the Louisiana Purchase?

He interpreted it loosely for the purchase. Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant effect of the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin?

It fostered Northern opposition to slavery. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the Navigation Acts?

Regulating commerce to favor British interests Signup and view all the answers

The involvement of France in the Revolutionary War was significant because it meant what for American troops?

They would receive better military training Signup and view all the answers

Manifest Destiny was a belief that justified the expansion of the United States to which location?

The Pacific Ocean Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) decision?

It ruled Congress could not ban slavery in territories. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT part of the Treaty of Paris 1783?

France regained control of Louisiana Signup and view all the answers

What restriction did the Proclamation Line of 1763 impose on colonists?

It forbade them from westward expansion past the Appalachian Mountains Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of the Great Compromise?

To create a bicameral legislature accommodating both small and large states. Signup and view all the answers

What was Abraham Lincoln's primary objective when the Civil War began?

To preserve the Union. Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment to the Constitution officially abolished slavery?

13th amendment Signup and view all the answers

What was the temperance movement primarily concerned with?

Ending the sale and consumption of alcohol. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial purpose of the Erie Canal?

To connect the North and West. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

American History Quiz Study Notes

First National Government: The Articles of Confederation served as America's first national government until 1789.
Mercantilism: The idea that colonies should benefit the mother country and that strong nations have more exports than imports.
Boston Tea Party: Colonists dumped tea into the ocean to protest the Tea Act.
Salutary Neglect: British policy that allowed a degree of self-governance in the colonies for a time and played a role in the development of colonial representative bodies.
Colonial Economic Development: Differences in the economies of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the South were primarily a result of geographic conditions.
First English Colony: The first permanent English colony, Jamestown, was established for financial gain.
Colonial Settlement Patterns: Early colonists settled along coastlines and rivers due to the need for access to trade and navigation.
Loyalist: A person in the colonies who opposed going to war with Great Britain.
French Alliance: France openly allied with the colonists after the Battle of Saratoga.
Declaration of Independence Author: Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Slavery in the Constitution: Southern states' refusal to agree to a constitution banning slavery was a major reason for its continuation.
Father of the Constitution: James Madison is considered the "Father of the US Constitution".
Branches of Government: The US government has three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
Supreme Law of the Land: The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
House of Representatives Term: A member of the House of Representatives serves a 2-year term.
US Senator Term: A US Senator serves a 6-year term.
Marbury v. Madison: This established the principle of judicial review.
Jefferson's Constitutional Interpretation: Jefferson's loose interpretation of the Constitution allowed for the Louisiana Purchase.
Uncle Tom's Cabin: This book increased Northern opposition to slavery.
Manifest Destiny: The belief that the US should expand to the Pacific Ocean.
Dred Scott v. Sanford: This Supreme Court decision stated Congress couldn't ban slavery in territories.
Great Compromise: This agreement established a bicameral Congress to satisfy the interests of both large and small states.
Turning Point of Gettysburg: The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a turning point in the Civil War because it significantly hurt the Confederate Army's ability to invade the North.
Lincoln's Primary Goal: Lincoln's primary goal when the war began was preserving the Union.
13th Amendment: The 13th Amendment officially abolished slavery.
Common Sense: Thomas Paine's Common Sense was instrumental in swaying public opinion towards independence.
Monopolies and Trusts: Monopolies and trusts were used by big businesses in the late 1800s to limit competition.
Labor Union Improvements: The American Federation of Labor, led by Samuel Gompers, improved workers' conditions through collective bargaining.
Railroad Labor: Railroad construction employed primarily Irish and Chinese laborers.
Edison's Inventions: Thomas Edison is known for inventing the phonograph and lightbulb.
Abolitionist Opposition to Annexation: Abolitionists opposed the annexation of new western territories because they feared the admission of new slave states.
Ellis Island: Most immigrants arriving on the East Coast landed at Ellis Island.
Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine aimed to prevent European colonization in the Americas.
Temperance Movement: The temperance movement was concerned with the issue of alcohol.
Erie Canal: The Erie Canal connected the North and West.
Eli Whitney's Inventions: Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin and interchangeable parts.
Kansas-Nebraska Act: The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed states to decide on slavery.
"54°40' or Fight": This slogan related to a border dispute with Britain.
Mexican Cession: The Mexican Cession added California, Arizona, and Nevada (but not Oregon).
Freedmen's Bureau: The Freedmen's Bureau provided aid and education to emancipated slaves.
Emancipation Proclamation: The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in the Confederacy after the start of the Civil War.
Nativism: Nativism was a policy of protecting native-born interests over immigrants.
House of Burgesses: The House of Burgesses was the first representative assembly in the Americas.
Bacon's Rebellion: Bacon's Rebellion led to a shift from indentured servants to enslaved Africans.
John Rolfe: John Rolfe introduced tobacco to Jamestown.
John Winthrop: John Winthrop was a Puritan leader seeking to create a model society.
William Penn: William Penn was a Quaker leader of the "Holy Experiment".
Middle Passage: The Middle Passage was the route across the Atlantic Ocean for enslaved Africans.
Navigation Acts: The Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade to benefit Great Britain.
French and Marquis de Lafayette: The involvement of the French and Lafayette strengthened the American military.
Treaty of Paris (1783): The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the Revolutionary War, making the US an independent nation.
Proclamation of 1763: This proclamation restricted colonists from westward expansion.
Boston Massacre: The Boston Massacre was used to rally public support against British rule.
Sons of Liberty and "No Taxation Without Representation": Responses to the Stamp Act.
Parliamentary Sovereignty: Parliament is supreme.
Lexington and Concord: First battle of the Revolutionary War.
Shay's Rebellion: Demonstrated the weakness of the federal government.
Three-Fifths Compromise: Three-fifths of enslaved people were counted for population purposes.
Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights protects individual liberties.
Hamilton's Financial Plan: Components included a national bank and assumption of debt.
Washington's Farewell Address: Warned against foreign alliances.
XYZ Affair: French officials demanding bribes.
Alien and Sedition Acts: Allowed the president to control suspected enemies.
War of 1812 Causes: British impressment of sailors was a main cause.
Henry Clay's American System: Included a national bank, transportation improvements, and tariffs.
Reform Movement (Seneca Falls): Focused on women's rights.
Spoils System: Giving government jobs to supporters.
Nullification Crisis Cause: Southern opposition to tariffs.
Sectionalism: Prioritizing regional interests over national ones.
Indian Removal Act: Affected Native Americans forced to relocate.
Trail of Tears: Forced removal of Native Americans.
Abolition: The movement to end slavery.
Great Compromise: Combined elements from the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.
Popular Sovereignty: People rule the government.
Nat Turner's Rebellion: Resulted in stricter slave codes.
Election of 1860 Effects: Led to Southern secession.
Lincoln's Reconstruction Plan: Ten percent of voters swearing allegiance to the Union could re-enter the Union.
John D. Rockefeller: Founder of Standard Oil Company.
Andrew Carnegie: Expanded the steel industry.
Horizontal Integration: Controlling an industry by buying out competitors.
Vertical Integration: Controlling a complete supply chain.
Political Machines: Often helped immigrants but also practiced corruption.
Labor Union: Organized workers to gain better conditions and wages.
Populists: A political group that aimed at improving working conditions for farmers.
William Jennings Bryan's Bimetallism: Supported in his "Cross of Gold" speech.
Homestead Act: Gave free land to settlers.
Indian Wars Roots: Unsettled land claims fueled conflict.
Treaty of Paris (1783): Ended the Revolutionary War, making the US an independent nation.
Land Ordinance of 1785: Allotted land for public education.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Established a plan for creating new states.

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Test your knowledge on key events and concepts from America's colonial period. This quiz covers significant documents, economic policies, and foundational events that shaped the nation. Challenge yourself to recall important facts about the early history of the United States.