American Revolution Quiz: Trivia Test!
The American Revolution was a war that saw the United States gain freedom from the British settlers who had colonized them for years. After the war ended is when the declaration of independence was written down. Do you know what led to America winning the war and what happened next in detail? This quiz will help polish your understanding. Do give it a try and take a walk through history!
- 1.
Events of the American Revolution
- 1776—Washington and his troops flee New York.
- 1777—Americans win the battle at Saratoga.
- 1780—The British capture Charleston.
- 1781--???
- 1783—Americans and the British sign the Treaty of Paris
- A.
British surrender at Yorktown
- B.
Americans hold Stamp Act Congress
- C.
British occupy Fort Ticonderoga
- D.
Americans issue the Declaration of Independence
Correct Answer
A. British surrender at Yorktown - 2.
Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech. Which statement best summarizes the ideas expressed above by Benjamin Franklin?
- A.
The government must inform the people of its laws.
- B.
The government can make treaties with other nations.
- C.
Citizens can impeach government officials.
- D.
Citizens must be allowed to discuss ideas with one another.
Correct Answer
D. Citizens must be allowed to discuss ideas with one another. -
- 3.
Which of the following did NOT impact the American Revolution?
- A.
The French Revolution
- B.
The Enlightenment
- C.
John Locke
- D.
Excessive British control over the colonies
Correct Answer
A. The French Revolution -
- 4.
The Proclamation of 1763 was one _________ of the ___________.
- A.
Result; American Revolution
- B.
Cause; American Revolution
- C.
Result; French & Indian War
- D.
Cause: French & Indian War
Correct Answer
B. Cause; American Revolution -
- 5.
American colonists protested against acts such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts. They did so because they believed the acts directly violated their
- A.
Right to a free education
- B.
Religious freedom
- C.
Right to bear arms
- D.
Economic rights
Correct Answer
D. Economic rights -
- 6.
The unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness acknowledge the importance of the
- A.
Community
- B.
Military
- C.
Ruler
- D.
Individual
Correct Answer
D. Individual -
- 7.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, _______.
- A.
1778
- B.
1760
- C.
1776
- D.
1780
Correct Answer
C. 1776 -
- 8.
The most important result of the Battle of Saratoga was that---
- A.
American leaders were forced to surrender and were arrested for treason
- B.
Spain entered the war and provided supplies to Great Britain
- C.
Britain released captured American sailors and returned American merchant ships
- D.
France officially recognized and formed an alliance with the U.S. government
Correct Answer
D. France officially recognized and formed an alliance with the U.S. government -
- 9.
Immigrated to North America Became a Revolutionary writer and philosopher Wrote the influential pamphlet “Common Sense” Wrote a series of essays titled Crisis Supported the French Revolution Which prominent Revolution figure is described above?
- A.
Samuel Adams
- B.
Thomas Paine
- C.
Patrick Henry
- D.
Benjamin Franklin
Correct Answer
B. Thomas Paine -
- 10.
One goal of the Declaration of Independence was to
- A.
Establish a new monarchy for the independent states.
- B.
Convince the British Parliament to prevent the start of war.
- C.
Explain why the colonists felt the need to be free from British rule.
- D.
Outline an economic system to raise money for the revolution.
Correct Answer
C. Explain why the colonists felt the need to be free from British rule. -
- 11.
These famous words - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal ..." are part of:
- A.
The U.S. Constitution
- B.
The Articles of Confederation
- C.
The Olive Branch Petition
- D.
The Declaration of Independence
Correct Answer
D. The Declaration of Independence -
- 12.
The people who opposed the Revolution were called:
- A.
Loyalists
- B.
Whigs
- C.
Republicans
- D.
Patriots
Correct Answer
A. Loyalists -
- 13.
To win the Revolution, America needed the help of the
- A.
The Hessians
- B.
The Indians
- C.
The French
- D.
The Spanish
Correct Answer
C. The French -
- 14.
A famous Revolution War pamphlet that was read aloud at Valley Forge began:
- A.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
- B.
These are the times that try men's souls.
- C.
The time has come, the walrus said, to talk of many things.
Correct Answer
B. These are the times that try men's souls. -
- 15.
The Declaration refers to the King of Britain several times, but not by name. Who was then the King of Britain?
- A.
James I
- B.
John II
- C.
George III
- D.
William IV
Correct Answer
C. George III -
- 16.
What was the name of the local political group that organized the Boston Tea Party?
- A.
The Sons of the Pioneers
- B.
The Sons of Liberty
- C.
The Sons of the American Revolution
- D.
The Sons of Anarchy
Correct Answer
B. The Sons of Liberty -
- 17.
Abigail Adams is perhaps the most recognizable woman of the Revolutionary Era, but others contributed to the patriot cause. One of Abigail's closest friends and correspondents was also a playwright and one of the earliest historians of the American Revolution. Who was she?
- A.
Crispus Attucks
- B.
Solama Haym
- C.
Mercy Otis Warren
- D.
Samantha Henry
Correct Answer
C. Mercy Otis Warren -
- 18.
Why did the Articles of Confederation not work for America's new government?
- A.
It did not give the state governemtns enough power.
- B.
It did not give the individual citizen enough power.
- C.
It did not give enough powers to the national government.
- D.
It allowed for another tyrant like the king to tax them.
Correct Answer
C. It did not give enough powers to the national government. -
- 19.
This political agitator led the Boston Tea Party and attended the First Continental Congress as a delegate from Massachusetts.
- A.
John Adams
- B.
Samuel Adams
- C.
James Armistead
- D.
George Washington
Correct Answer
B. Samuel Adams -
- 20.
Which of the following was NOT one of the provisions of the Treaty of Paris?
- A.
American independence was guaranteed.
- B.
The U.S. was given the territory west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
- C.
Loyalists properties would be compensated for or returned.
Correct Answer
B. The U.S. was given the territory west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. -
- 21.
Who is considered the first casualty of the American Revolution? He was shot and killed at the Boston Massacre.
- A.
James Armistead
- B.
Haym Soloman
- C.
Crispus Attucks
- D.
Wentworth Cheswell
Correct Answer
C. Crispus Attucks -
- 22.
One significant individual during the American Revolution did the following: 1) sent cattle to feed Washington's Army 2) helped defeat the British at the key battles of New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola 3) cut off British access to the Mississippi River Who is he?
- A.
Felipe de Chavez
- B.
Bernardo de Galvez
- C.
Crispus Attucks
- D.
Pedro Almodovar
Correct Answer
B. Bernardo de Galvez -
- 23.
When he learned of the struggle of the Americans in their endeavor to secure their independence he resolved to come to the colonies to aid them in their efforts as a volunteer. Who is he?
- A.
Thomas Paine
- B.
Benedict Arnold
- C.
George Washington
- D.
The Marquis de Lafayette
Correct Answer
D. The Marquis de Lafayette -
- 24.
Who said the following: "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
- A.
Samuel Adams
- B.
Patrick Henry
- C.
Thomas Paine
- D.
Thomas Jefferson
Correct Answer
B. Patrick Henry -
- 25.
He/she was a Polish-born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in financing the Revolution. Who is he or she?
- A.
Thomas Paine
- B.
Wentworth Cheswell
- C.
Mercy Otis Warren
- D.
Haym Salomon
Correct Answer
D. Haym Salomon -
- 26.
"life, liberty, and property" Who wrote the above phrase during the Enlightenment?
- A.
Thomas Jefferson
- B.
Thomas Paine
- C.
John Locke
- D.
Patrick Henry
Correct Answer
C. John Locke -
- 27.
According to the Proclamation of 1763?
- A.
Colonial militamen were required to put down Pontiac's Rebellion.
- B.
Colonial paper money could not be printed.
- C.
Settlers were prohibited from crossing the Appalachians.
- D.
Speculators were allowed to purchase certain lands from certain trans-Appalachian tribes.
Correct Answer
C. Settlers were prohibited from crossing the Appalachians. -
- 28.
The Intolerable Acts of 1774 included all of the following EXCEPT:
- A.
The closing of Boston harbor until the ruined tea was paid for.
- B.
Placed the government of Massachusetts firmly under British control - Colonists in Massachusetts could not even hold a town meeting without the colonial governor's permission.
- C.
More troops were sent to enforce the new laws.
- D.
Required all colonists to buy stamps for all paper products.
Correct Answer
D. Required all colonists to buy stamps for all paper products. -
- 29.
Which of the following is the best description of living conditions for Washington's troops during the winter at Valley Forge?
- A.
A dozen men would live inside small huts with no windows. The huts were always filled with smoke and many soldiers died of disease.
- B.
They set up make-shift tents in a swampy area and disease spread through mosquitoes.
- C.
Health was not a concern at the camp and the shelters well-structure log cabins.
Correct Answer
A. A dozen men would live inside small huts with no windows. The huts were always filled with smoke and many soldiers died of disease. -
- 30.
Which of the following was NOT a cause of the American Revolution?
- A.
The Intolerable Acts
- B.
The Stamp Act
- C.
Mercantilism
- D.
Lack of representation in Parliament
- E.
The Articles of Confederation
- F.
The Proclamation of 1763
Correct Answer
E. The Articles of Confederation -
- 31.
This person's role in the American Revolution was very similar to Paul Revere's. He made a midnight ride to warn his community of British arrival.
- A.
Wentworth Cheswell
- B.
Thomas Paine
- C.
Haym Soloman
- D.
James Armistead
Correct Answer
A. Wentworth Cheswell -
- 32.
Which of the following happened first?
- A.
The Boston Massacre
- B.
The French & Indian War
- C.
The Articles of Confederation
- D.
The Boston Tea Party
Correct Answer
B. The French & Indian War -
- 33.
Read the quotation below that was read to the soldiers in the Continental Army. "The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country." Which word describes the "summer soldier and sunshine patriot"?
- A.
Traitors
- B.
Fighters
- C.
Quitters
- D.
Optimists
Correct Answer
C. Quitters -
- 34.
Which of these was an effect of the American victory at Saratoga?
- A.
British troops gained confidence.
- B.
General Burgoyne resigned his post.
- C.
Great Britain withdrew from Canada.
- D.
European countries came to the aid of America.
Correct Answer
D. European countries came to the aid of America. -
- 35.
Which of the following battles occurred last?
- A.
Saratoga
- B.
Lexington & Concord
- C.
Yorktown
- D.
Gettysburg
Correct Answer
C. Yorktown -
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Mar 19, 2022Quiz Edited by
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Nov 15, 2011Quiz Created by
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