Facts About American Revolution: Quiz

1. What was the Quartering Act of 1765?

Each colonist was required to offer 1/4 or a quarter of their income to pay for local British troops.

This law required colonist to pay a quarter for items that previously were less expensive.

Colonists who were against British rule could be publicly beaten and quartered.

The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law that required colonists to provide shelter, food, and supplies for local British troops who were sent to America to protect the colonists after the French and Indian War. This act was a way for the British government to shift the financial burden of the troops' deployment onto the colonists.

Explanation

The Quartering Act of 1765 was a law that required colonists to provide shelter, food, and supplies for local British troops who were sent to America to protect the colonists after the French and Indian War. This act was a way for the British government to shift the financial burden of the troops' deployment onto the colonists.

2. Who was Abigail Adams and what was her contribution to the American Revolution?

She was the seamstress who created the American Flag.

She was the wife of Samuel Adams and was a staunch supporter of local industry rather than importing British products.

Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams and she wrote him letters encouraging him to consider women's rights when drafting the Declaration of Independence. Her contribution to the American Revolution was advocating for women's rights and equality, highlighting the importance of including women's perspectives and concerns in the formation of the new nation.

Explanation

Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams and she wrote him letters encouraging him to consider women's rights when drafting the Declaration of Independence. Her contribution to the American Revolution was advocating for women's rights and equality, highlighting the importance of including women's perspectives and concerns in the formation of the new nation.

3. Which of these was NOT a reason Congress choose George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army?

Washington applied for the job.

Washington was not from New England.

Washington had experience in the army.

Washington was the only candidate seriously considered for the job.

Congress chose George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army for several reasons. Firstly, Washington was not from New England, which helped to unify the different regions of the colonies. Secondly, Washington had experience in the army, having served in the French and Indian War. Lastly, Washington was the only candidate seriously considered for the job, indicating that Congress had confidence in his leadership abilities. Therefore, the statement "Washington applied for the job" is not a reason Congress chose him as the Commander in Chief.

Explanation

Congress chose George Washington as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army for several reasons. Firstly, Washington was not from New England, which helped to unify the different regions of the colonies. Secondly, Washington had experience in the army, having served in the French and Indian War. Lastly, Washington was the only candidate seriously considered for the job, indicating that Congress had confidence in his leadership abilities. Therefore, the statement "Washington applied for the job" is not a reason Congress chose him as the Commander in Chief.

4. Which of the following contributed MOST the colonist victory in the War for Independence?

Support for the war from the majority of Americans.

Major American victories in battle at Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Valley Forge.

Financial and military support for the Americans from France.

Military superiority of the American troops.

The financial and military support from France was the most significant factor contributing to the colonists' victory in the War for Independence. This support provided the Americans with crucial resources, including money, supplies, and troops, which greatly strengthened their military capabilities. Additionally, the involvement of France in the war shifted the balance of power and put pressure on the British forces, ultimately helping the colonists secure their independence.

Explanation

The financial and military support from France was the most significant factor contributing to the colonists' victory in the War for Independence. This support provided the Americans with crucial resources, including money, supplies, and troops, which greatly strengthened their military capabilities. Additionally, the involvement of France in the war shifted the balance of power and put pressure on the British forces, ultimately helping the colonists secure their independence.

5. Which one of the following is true about African American participation during the Revolutionary War?

African Americans were not allowed to fight in the Continental Army because Southern leaders were afraid of slave revolts.

Most African Americans supported the British because they believed they could offer them a better life in the West Indies.

During the Revolutionary War, British military leaders promised African American slaves their freedom if they ran away from their masters and fought for the King. This was a strategy employed by the British to weaken the Continental Army and gain support from enslaved African Americans. By offering freedom as an incentive, the British hoped to encourage African Americans to join their forces and undermine the American cause. This promise of freedom was appealing to many enslaved individuals who saw the opportunity to escape bondage and fight for a cause that promised them liberty.

Explanation

During the Revolutionary War, British military leaders promised African American slaves their freedom if they ran away from their masters and fought for the King. This was a strategy employed by the British to weaken the Continental Army and gain support from enslaved African Americans. By offering freedom as an incentive, the British hoped to encourage African Americans to join their forces and undermine the American cause. This promise of freedom was appealing to many enslaved individuals who saw the opportunity to escape bondage and fight for a cause that promised them liberty.

6. What was the main reason for the colonial opposition to the Stamp Act?

Taxes from the Stamp Act would put a large financial burden on the colonist.

The Stamp Act was the first major tax imposed by Great Britain on the colonist.

The Stamp Act emphasized that the colonies did not have a voice in parliament.

Taxes collected under the Stamp Act would not provide any benefits for the colonist.

The main reason for the colonial opposition to the Stamp Act was that it emphasized that the colonies did not have a voice in parliament. This meant that the colonists had no say in the decisions made by the British government regarding taxation and other policies that directly affected them. This lack of representation and the imposition of taxes without consent led to widespread resentment and resistance among the colonists.

Explanation

The main reason for the colonial opposition to the Stamp Act was that it emphasized that the colonies did not have a voice in parliament. This meant that the colonists had no say in the decisions made by the British government regarding taxation and other policies that directly affected them. This lack of representation and the imposition of taxes without consent led to widespread resentment and resistance among the colonists.

7. Which of the pairs of statements show an accurate cause and effect relationship?

The Continental Congress voted to accept the Virginia Resolutions, so Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

The correct answer is the Continental Army showed its ability to win at the Battle of Saratoga, so the French government signed a treaty of alliance with the colonists. This is an accurate cause and effect relationship because the success of the Continental Army at the Battle of Saratoga demonstrated to the French government that the colonists had a real chance of winning the war against the British. As a result, the French government decided to form an alliance with the colonists, providing them with military support and assistance.

Explanation

The correct answer is the Continental Army showed its ability to win at the Battle of Saratoga, so the French government signed a treaty of alliance with the colonists. This is an accurate cause and effect relationship because the success of the Continental Army at the Battle of Saratoga demonstrated to the French government that the colonists had a real chance of winning the war against the British. As a result, the French government decided to form an alliance with the colonists, providing them with military support and assistance.

8. Which one of the following was the MOST important factor influencing the start of fighting in the Revolution?

Tensions stirred up by radical colonist opposing British actions.

British movement of troops into the major ports of New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston.

The Continental Congress' decision to declare independence from Great Britain.

Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense," saying the colonist should be free from the British.

Tensions stirred up by radical colonists opposing British actions was the most important factor influencing the start of fighting in the Revolution. This suggests that the actions and protests of the colonists who were opposed to British rule played a crucial role in escalating the conflict and ultimately leading to the outbreak of fighting. These tensions likely created a sense of urgency and resistance among the colonists, setting the stage for the Revolutionary War. The other options, such as the British movement of troops or the Continental Congress' decision to declare independence, may have been important contributing factors, but the radical colonists' opposition to British actions was deemed the most significant.

Explanation

Tensions stirred up by radical colonists opposing British actions was the most important factor influencing the start of fighting in the Revolution. This suggests that the actions and protests of the colonists who were opposed to British rule played a crucial role in escalating the conflict and ultimately leading to the outbreak of fighting. These tensions likely created a sense of urgency and resistance among the colonists, setting the stage for the Revolutionary War. The other options, such as the British movement of troops or the Continental Congress' decision to declare independence, may have been important contributing factors, but the radical colonists' opposition to British actions was deemed the most significant.

9. Which of these statements is the best explanation of this description of governments from the Declaration of Independence: "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"?

The purpose of government is to pass laws and make sure people follow them.

Government has authority over the people because the people agree to give authority to the government.

People have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property, and governments must protect those rights.

The king of England was not just to the colonists, so he should not have power.

The statement "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" means that the government's authority comes from the agreement and consent of the people. This implies that the people willingly give authority to the government, and it is not imposed upon them. This explanation aligns with the concept of a democratic government where the power is derived from the people and their consent.

Explanation

The statement "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" means that the government's authority comes from the agreement and consent of the people. This implies that the people willingly give authority to the government, and it is not imposed upon them. This explanation aligns with the concept of a democratic government where the power is derived from the people and their consent.

10. Which one of these statements was NOT one of the purposes of the Declaration of Independence?

To identify actions of King George II that the colonist felt were unjust.

To apply a philosophy of people's natural rights to the situation of the colonist.

To outline details of a new system of government.

To show official commitment to the revolutionary movement.

The correct answer is "To outline details of a new system of government." The Declaration of Independence was not intended to outline the details of a new system of government. Its main purposes were to identify actions of King George II that the colonists felt were unjust, to apply a philosophy of people's natural rights to the situation of the colonists, and to show official commitment to the revolutionary movement. The Declaration of Independence served as a formal statement declaring the colonies' independence from Britain and their intention to form a new nation, but it did not provide specific details about the new system of government that would be established.

Explanation

The correct answer is "To outline details of a new system of government." The Declaration of Independence was not intended to outline the details of a new system of government. Its main purposes were to identify actions of King George II that the colonists felt were unjust, to apply a philosophy of people's natural rights to the situation of the colonists, and to show official commitment to the revolutionary movement. The Declaration of Independence served as a formal statement declaring the colonies' independence from Britain and their intention to form a new nation, but it did not provide specific details about the new system of government that would be established.