test

Question 1

How long did it take to travel between Europe and America in the 18th century?

Answer 1

The voyage typically lasted 6 to 10 weeks, depending on weather conditions.

Question 2

What were the “other products” taxed by the Sugar Act?

Answer 2

The Sugar Act taxed sugar, certain wines, coffee, pimiento, cambric, and printed calico, and regulated the export of lumber and iron.

Question 3

What was the outcry from the colonists after the Stamp Act was introduced?

Answer 3

Colonists protested with the slogan ‘No taxation without representation!’, boycotted British goods, and formed groups like the Sons of Liberty.

Question 4

What was the role of the Daughters of Liberty?

Answer 4

They organized boycotts of British goods, produced homemade textiles, and promoted self-reliance to oppose British policies.

Question 5

How much did British exports fall due to colonial boycotts?

Answer 5

British exports to the colonies fell by nearly 40% as a result of widespread colonial boycotts.

Question 6

At the Boston Tea Party, what was the cost of the tea thrown into the harbor in today’s money?

Answer 6

The destroyed tea was valued at approximately £9,659 in 1773, which is roughly equivalent to $1.7 million today.

Question 7

What Native American tribe were the colonists disguised as during the Boston Tea Party?

Answer 7

The colonists disguised themselves as Mohawk Indians during the Boston Tea Party.

Question 8

Who was considered the first casualty of the American Revolution?

Answer 8

Crispus Attucks, an African American man, is widely regarded as the first casualty, killed during the Boston Massacre.

Question 9

What Boston lawyer defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre?

Answer 9

John Adams defended the British soldiers, believing in the right to a fair trial.

Question 10

What was the typical and painful punishment for British tax collectors in the colonies?

Answer 10

They were often subjected to tarring and feathering, a form of public humiliation and punishment.

Question 11

What pamphlet, considered the first to inspire the Declaration of Independence, was written to fight back against British taxes?

Answer 11

Common Sense

Question 12

Who wrote ‘Common Sense,’ and why?

Answer 12

Thomas Paine wrote ‘Common Sense’ to advocate for American independence from British rule and to challenge the authority of the British government.

Question 13

Who originally thought of the idea for declaring independence?

Answer 13

The concept of declaring independence was influenced by multiple individuals, but Richard Henry Lee of Virginia formally proposed the idea to the Continental Congress in June 1776.

Question 14

What artist painted the famous depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 14

John Trumbull painted the renowned artwork titled ‘Declaration of Independence,’ which portrays the presentation of the draft to Congress.

Question 15

This portrait is on the back of what Federal Note today?

Answer 15

The depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull is featured on the back of the U.S. two-dollar bill.

Question 16

Where (city and building) was the Declaration signed?

Answer 16

The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall.

Question 17

Who was the President of the Second Continental Congress?

Answer 17

John Hancock served as the President of the Second Continental Congress.

Question 18

Why did John Hancock sign his name so big?

Answer 18

John Hancock signed his name prominently so that King George III could read it without difficulty, symbolizing his bold commitment to American independence.

Question 19

Who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 19

Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Question 20

Why was Thomas Jefferson selected to write the Declaration?

Answer 20

Thomas Jefferson was chosen for his eloquent writing style, his reputation as a strong advocate for colonial rights, and his ability to articulate the colonies’ grievances and aspirations.

Question 21

Can you name the five men that made up the committee to draft the Declaration?

Answer 21

The committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston.

Question 22

After the committee finished discussing their individual ideas and suggestions, how long did it take Thomas Jefferson to write the entire document?

Answer 22

Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence over the course of 17 days, from June 11 to June 28, 1776.

Question 23

What is the official date (month/day/year) that the Declaration was adopted?

Answer 23

The Declaration of Independence was officially adopted on July 4, 1776.

Question 24

In what famous museum in Washington, D.C., would one find the original Declaration of Independence?

Answer 24

The original Declaration of Independence is housed in the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.

Question 25

What is the name of the room in this museum where it is found?

Answer 25

The document is displayed in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.

Question 26

Name the three documents found in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom.

Answer 26

The three documents are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights.

Question 27

What name has been given to these three important documents?

Answer 27

They are collectively known as the Charters of Freedom.

Question 28

The Declaration of Independence is broken down into how many sections by historians today to help people understand it better?

Answer 28

Historians typically divide the Declaration into five sections.

Question 29

Can you list the 5 sections in the Declaration of Independence and briefly describe their specific meaning to the document?

Answer 29

The five sections are: 1. Introduction: States the purpose of the document and the necessity of explaining why the colonies are seeking independence. 2. Preamble: Outlines the philosophical principles and beliefs underpinning the colonies' decision, including the concepts of natural rights and the social contract. 3. Indictment: Lists the grievances and injustices committed by King George III against the colonies, justifying the call for separation. 4. Denunciation: Expresses the colonists' attempts to address these grievances peacefully and their subsequent justification for taking action. 5. Conclusion: Formally declares the colonies' independence from Britain and asserts their status as free and independent states.

Question 30

What is the date (month/day/year) of the start of the American Revolution?

Answer 30

The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775 with the battles of Lexington and Concord.

Question 31

What poem was written about the Battle of Lexington?

Answer 31

The poem written about the Battle of Lexington is 'Concord Hymn.'

Question 32

Who wrote the poem 'Concord Hymn'?

Answer 32

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote the poem 'Concord Hymn.'

Question 33

What was the name of the bridge, leading into Concord, that allowed the Colonists to fend off the British assault?

Answer 33

The bridge was called the North Bridge in Concord.

Question 34

What was the English name for a colonial subject that was loyal to the king?

Answer 34

A colonial subject loyal to the king was called a Loyalist.

Question 35

What was created on June 14, 1775, for the first time in American history?

Answer 35

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Army was created for the first time in American history.

Question 36

Who actually said 'Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes'?

Answer 36

Israel Putnam is often credited with saying 'Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes' at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Question 37

Why did he say it?

Answer 37

He said it to conserve ammunition and ensure that the colonists would fire only when they had a clear shot at the advancing British troops.

Question 38

In 1775, British citizens (in England) were taxed how many times higher than the American colonists?

Answer 38

In 1775, British citizens were taxed four times higher than American colonists.

Question 39

What was the average ratio of musketballs that actually hit their targets?

Answer 39

The average ratio of musketballs that hit their targets was 1 in 6.

Question 40

Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill actually fought?

Answer 40

The Battle of Bunker Hill was actually fought on Breed's Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Question 41

What was the name of the group of European marksmen/fighters that the British hired to help fight with them in the American Revolution?

Answer 41

The British hired the Hessians, German mercenaries, to fight with them during the American Revolution.

Question 42

What famous American doctor/general was brutally beaten and stabbed at the Battle of Princeton? He later died from the wounds.

Answer 42

Dr. Benjamin Rush, a prominent physician, was beaten and stabbed at the Battle of Princeton. However, it was General Hugh Mercer who died from wounds sustained there.

Question 43

Which battle is considered the turning point of the American Revolution?

Answer 43

The Battle of Saratoga in 1777 is considered the turning point of the American Revolution.

Question 44

Why was the Battle of Saratoga the turning point?

Answer 44

The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point because it resulted in a decisive American victory and convinced France to formally ally with the colonies, providing crucial military support.

Question 45

What was the name of the medical procedure used at Valley Forge to slow down or stop the spread of Smallpox?

Answer 45

The procedure used at Valley Forge to stop the spread of Smallpox was called inoculation.

Question 46

What group of people introduced this process to the colonists?

Answer 46

The process of inoculation was introduced to the colonists by African slaves who had knowledge of the practice.

Question 47

Did inoculation work?

Answer 47

Yes, inoculation was effective in reducing the spread of Smallpox and helped protect the Continental Army.

Question 48

What was the main reason that Benedict Arnold became a traitor/turncoat?

Answer 48

Benedict Arnold became a traitor mainly due to his personal grievances over not being promoted enough, and his financial difficulties, which led him to secretly offer to surrender West Point to the British.

Question 49

What was the name of the chemical, used by Washington and his spy ring, to enable them to read invisible ink?

Answer 49

The chemical used was lemon juice, which acted as an invisible ink revealer when heated.

Question 50

Who said 'I have not yet begun to fight'? Why?

Answer 50

John Paul Jones said, 'I have not yet begun to fight' during his naval battle against the British warship HMS Serapis, despite his ship being badly damaged.

Question 51

Who was the swamp fox? Why was he given this name?

Answer 51

Francis Marion, a leader of irregular guerrilla fighters in the South, was called the Swamp Fox because of his ability to hide and strike quickly in the swamps.

Question 52

Describe how a frontier guerrilla would fight their enemy.

Answer 52

A frontier guerrilla would fight by using hit-and-run tactics, ambushing their enemy in dense forests or swamps, and retreating before the enemy could retaliate.

Question 53

What was the date (month/day/year) of the Battle of Yorktown?

Answer 53

The Battle of Yorktown took place on October 19, 1781.

Question 54

After Cornwallis surrendered, what song did the British military band play?

Answer 54

After Cornwallis' surrender, the British military band played 'The World Turned Upside Down.'

Question 55

Where was the Treaty of Paris discussed and signed?

Answer 55

The Treaty of Paris was discussed and signed in Paris, France at the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall).

Question 56

What 3 American men were sent to discuss the terms and ultimately create the Treaty of Paris?

Answer 56

The three American men sent to discuss the terms and create the Treaty of Paris were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay.

Question 57

What is the official date (month/date/year) that the Treaty of Paris was ratified?

Answer 57

The Treaty of Paris was ratified on January 14, 1784.

Question 58

List and describe the 3 main components/criteria of the treaty.

Answer 58

The three main components of the Treaty of Paris were: 1. Recognition of American Independence: Great Britain recognized the United States as a sovereign nation. 2. Territorial Boundaries: The boundaries of the United States were defined, including lands from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic Ocean and from Canada to Florida. 3. Fishing Rights and Debt Settlements: American fishermen were granted rights to fish off the coast of Canada, and both nations agreed to settle any debts incurred during the war.

Question 59

What famous area was given to the newly independent United States to help with their current and future economy?

Answer 59

The Ohio River Valley was given to the United States, providing fertile land for agriculture and future expansion.