American History Quiz: Colonial to Jacksonian Era

An agreement between Spain and Portugal in 1494 that divided the newly discovered lands in the Americas. It aimed to avoid conflict by establishing clear spheres of influence for each country.

The first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. It was initially driven by the search for gold and silver but faced many challenges.

A colony established by a group of Puritan Separatists in 1620. They sought religious freedom and built a community based on their beliefs.

A larger Puritan colony established in 1630. They aimed to create a model society based on religious principles and strict laws.

The governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, known for his vision of a 'City Upon a Hill' where the community would serve as a model for others.

A philosophical and cultural movement in Europe during the 18th century, emphasizing reason, science, and individual liberty.

A religious revival that swept through British America in the 18th century, characterized by emotional preaching and individual conviction.

A protest against British taxation in 1773. Patriots disguised as Native Americans dumped tea into Boston Harbor as a form of rebellion.

A major American victory in the Revolutionary War that convinced France to ally with the US, providing much-needed military support.

The final major battle of the American Revolution, resulting in a British surrender and American victory.

The first constitution of the United States, which created a weak central government with limited powers, particularly regarding taxation and military authority.

A set of 13 values, intended as a model for citizens, emphasizing character traits like temperance, industry, and humility.

A group of Scottish Irish settlers in Pennsylvania who violently attacked Native Americans, leading to increased racial tension.

Legislation that facilitated the sale of western lands to settlers, sparking westward expansion and land speculation.

An expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to map and study the Louisiana Territory, exploring the Missouri River and its tributaries.

A treaty signed in 1800 that officially ended the Quasi-War between the United States and France.

Supporters of the 1787 U.S. Constitution, favoring a strong central government with clear distinctions of rank and intelligence.

Opponents of the 1787 U.S. Constitution, fearing it concentrated too much power in the central government and threatened individual rights.

A political party founded by Thomas Jefferson, opposing the Federalists' strong central government and advocating for state's rights and individual liberties.

A financial plan presented by Alexander Hamilton in 1790, proposing to convert Revolutionary War debts into interest-bearing government bonds to establish the US's creditworthiness.

An undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France from 1798 to 1800, stemming from French seizure of American ships.

Pro-war members of Congress leading up to the War of 1812, advocating for military action against Great Britain.

A conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815, stemming from British impressment of American sailors and interference with American trade.

A shift in the U.S. economy during the 19th century, marked by the transition from home-based production to factory-based work, fostering industrialization and urbanization.

Oliver Evans, an American inventor, modernized flour mills by introducing more automated processes. His innovations rapidly spread across the mid-Atlantic states, transforming flour production.

These young women worked in the textile mills of New England, facing long hours and low wages. They were a significant part of the industrial workforce, sparking debate about women's roles in society.

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1794, making separating cotton seeds from the fibers much faster. This led to increased cotton production, unfortunately, fueling the expansion of slavery in the South.

Cyrus McCormick's invention, the mechanical reaper, revolutionized wheat harvesting in 1831. This horse-drawn machine replaced manual labor, significantly increasing efficiency and productivity.

This economic crisis was one of the first major ones in the US. It was triggered by a combination of factors, including declining cotton exports, bank failures due to public distrust, and the instability of the post-Napoleonic European economy.

This intellectual movement, emerging in the 1820s, emphasized individualism, self-reliance, and resistance to injustice. Major figures included Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote essays like "Nature" and "Self-Reliance", and Henry David Thoreau.

This significant reform movement in the antebellum period aimed to reduce alcohol consumption. It gained momentum in the early 1800s, as Americans consumed high levels of alcohol. Organizations like the Washington Temperance Society advocated total abstinence, resulting in anti-alcohol laws in several states.

Founded in 1816, this society advocated for the colonization of free African Americans in Africa, primarily in Liberia. It was a controversial idea, with some seeing it as a means to end slavery, while others viewed it as a way to separate races.

A vital waterway connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Valley, facilitating transportation of goods and boosting economic growth.

A high tariff on imported goods, designed to protect Northern manufacturing, but sparking Southern outrage due to its perceived unfairness and economic burden.

A practice initiated by Andrew Jackson, replacing long-standing government officials with loyal party supporters, sparking controversy over its potential for corruption.

A controversial law strengthening earlier fugitive slave laws, imposing heavy fines and imprisonment on those aiding escaping slaves, intensifying the debate on slavery.

A doctrine that a state could nullify, or declare void, a federal law it deemed unconstitutional, employed by Southern states protesting the tariffs.

The French historian and political scientist's insightful analysis of American democracy, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, including the potential for majority rule to suppress individual freedoms.

A major personal scandal during Jackson's presidency, involving a social dispute and reflecting the deep divisions within Washington society.

A Supreme Court ruling in 1857 that declared African Americans, whether free or enslaved, were not citizens and had no right to sue in federal court. It also invalidated the Missouri Compromise, allowing slavery in all US territories.

A series of laws designed to address the growing conflict over slavery. It admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and resolved territorial disputes, temporarily easing tensions.

A violent attack led by abolitionist John Brown on a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. He aimed to spark a slave rebellion but was quickly captured and executed.

The presidential election where Abraham Lincoln, a Republican opposed to the expansion of slavery, won. This victory led to the secession of several southern states and the start of the Civil War.

A pivotal battle in the American Civil War, fought in 1863. The Union victory marked a turning point in the war, weakening Confederate forces and solidifying the Union's determination.

A famous speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln after the Battle of Gettysburg. It emphasized the principles of equality and unity, becoming a cornerstone of American ideals.

A presidential proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory, shifting the war's purpose to ending slavery.

The division of the United States into distinct regions, each with its own economic, social, and political interests. This was a major source of tension leading up to the Civil War.