Basic Knowledge About American History: Quiz!

Reviewed by Editorial Team
The ProProfs editorial team is comprised of experienced subject matter experts. They've collectively created over 10,000 quizzes and lessons, serving over 100 million users. Our team includes in-house content moderators and subject matter experts, as well as a global network of rigorously trained contributors. All adhere to our comprehensive editorial guidelines, ensuring the delivery of high-quality content.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Melaniemaddennn
M
Melaniemaddennn
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 69
| Attempts: 69 | Questions: 23
Please wait...
Question 1 / 23
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. Which of the following are examples of successful Progressive era programs and legislation?

Explanation

The answer is Women's suffrage, improved worker safety, and child labor laws, wider access to education, assimilation for immigrants, and settlement houses. These are examples of successful Progressive era programs and legislation because they reflect the goals of the Progressive movement, which aimed to address social and political issues and improve the lives of individuals. Women's suffrage granted women the right to vote, while improved worker safety and child labor laws aimed to protect workers and children from exploitation. Wider access to education and assimilation for immigrants aimed to provide opportunities for all individuals to succeed and integrate into society. Settlement houses provided support and resources for immigrants and low-income communities.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Basic Knowledge About American History: Quiz! - Quiz


How well do you know American history? America as a country has one of the richest and the most diverse histories. Though, parts of this history are... see moredisturbing, from its participation in the slave trade to various other race-related issues. There have also been right parts in its timeline, from the Moon landing to various technological accomplishments. Please find out more about American history by taking our quiz. see less

2. Women were prevented from voting, serving on juries, or pursuing the same rights as men under a system of:  

Explanation

The correct answer is patriarchy. Patriarchy refers to a social system where men hold primary power and dominance, and women are subordinate and marginalized. In this system, women were denied basic rights such as voting, serving on juries, and equal rights as men. This inequality was deeply ingrained in society and reinforced by cultural norms and laws. Patriarchy has been a pervasive system throughout history, limiting women's opportunities and rights.

Submit
3. Immigrants to the United States were expected to become successful through  

Explanation

Assimilation refers to the process in which immigrants adopt the language, customs, and culture of the host country. In the context of the United States, immigrants were expected to assimilate into American society in order to become successful. This meant embracing American values, norms, and way of life. Assimilation was seen as a way for immigrants to integrate into society, gain social acceptance, and access opportunities for upward mobility. It was believed that by assimilating, immigrants could fully participate in the American dream and achieve success in their personal and professional lives.

Submit
4. Which of the following groups were most likely to indulge in conspicuous consumption?  

Explanation

The Nouveau Riche refers to individuals who have recently acquired wealth and are eager to display their newfound status through extravagant spending and conspicuous consumption. This group is most likely to indulge in conspicuous consumption as they seek to showcase their wealth and social standing. The Gilded Age and Progressives may have had different priorities and concerns, while the Freedmen may have been more focused on building economic stability rather than engaging in conspicuous consumption.

Submit
5. Which of the following represent victories for US Progressives in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries?  

Explanation

The victories for US Progressives in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries included women's suffrage, civil service laws, child labor laws, drug safety laws, and national parks. These achievements represented the progress made in the areas of gender equality, government transparency and accountability, protection of children's rights, public health and safety, and conservation of natural resources. These reforms were aimed at improving the overall well-being of society and promoting social justice.

Submit
6. The Fourteenth (14th) Amendment to the United States Constitution:  

Explanation

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that all people born in the United States are American citizens. This amendment was specifically important for African-Americans born in the US as it granted them citizenship rights, which they were previously denied due to slavery and discrimination. Therefore, the correct answer is Both A and B.

Submit
7. The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution:  

Explanation

The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was frequently circumvented by the implementation of literacy tests, poll taxes, and even illegal intimidation of voters in southern states. This means that despite the amendment granting the right to vote to all citizens regardless of race or color, many states found ways to prevent African Americans from exercising this right through discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes. Additionally, illegal intimidation tactics were used to discourage African Americans from voting, effectively undermining the intent and impact of the Fifteenth Amendment.

Submit
8. Sharecropping was:  

Explanation

Sharecropping was a system that emerged after the abolition of slavery in which African Americans were still bound to work on land owned by white landowners. They were often trapped in cycles of debt and poverty, with limited control over their own labor and limited opportunities for economic advancement. This system closely resembled slavery in many ways, as African Americans were still subjected to exploitation and limited freedom.

Submit
9. Why did Indian schools want to "kill the Indian in the boy"?  

Explanation

The Indian schools wanted to "kill the Indian in the boy" because they believed that Indian customs and languages were obstacles to the success of native children in American society. By eradicating their cultural identity and imposing American customs and language, they aimed to assimilate them into mainstream society and increase their chances of success.

Submit
10. Why did Progressives support the Eighteenth Amendment?   

Explanation

Progressives supported the Eighteenth Amendment because they believed that alcohol was a major factor in keeping poor people and lazy, as well as causing men to abandon their families. They saw alcohol as a social problem that needed to be addressed in order to improve society and promote better living conditions for all. By banning alcohol, they hoped to eliminate its negative effects and create a more productive and stable society.

Submit
11. Prior to the American Civil War, most Americans lived:

Explanation

Prior to the American Civil War, most Americans lived agrarian lifestyles. This means that they predominantly lived in rural areas and relied on agriculture as their main source of income and sustenance. The majority of the population was engaged in farming, cultivating crops, and raising livestock. Industrialization and urbanization were not as prevalent during this time, and the economy was primarily based on agricultural production. This lifestyle was characterized by close-knit communities, self-sufficiency, and a strong connection to the land.

Submit
12. Which of the following are NOT problems associated with increased urbanization?

Explanation

The correct answer is Drought, blight, pestilence, and plummeting land values. These are not typically considered problems associated with increased urbanization. Urbanization often leads to increased access to resources and infrastructure, which can help mitigate issues such as drought and pestilence. Blight and plummeting land values are more likely to be associated with economic factors or specific local conditions rather than urbanization as a whole.

Submit
13. What was Abraham Lincoln's plan for dealing with the Confederate leaders after the Civil War?  

Explanation

After the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's plan for dealing with the Confederate leaders was to offer them amnesty. This means that he intended to pardon them and restore their rights as citizens, allowing them to rejoin the Union without facing punishment or consequences for their actions during the war. This approach was part of Lincoln's broader plan for reconciliation and healing the nation after the divisive conflict.

Submit
14. Which of the following are examples of muckraking?  

Explanation

The books "The Jungle" and "How the Other Half Lives" are examples of muckraking because they both exposed social and political issues. "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair exposed the unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry, while "How the Other Half Lives" by Jacob Riis exposed the living conditions of the urban poor. Muckraking refers to investigative journalism that aims to expose corruption, injustice, and societal problems in order to bring about reform. These books fit this definition as they shed light on important issues and brought attention to the need for change.

Submit
15. "Black Codes" were:  

Explanation

"Black Codes" were laws that were implemented in the southern states after the Civil War. These laws were aimed at restricting the activities and rights of African Americans. They made it illegal for African Americans to vote, own land, or learn to read. The Black Codes were used as a means to either increase the punishments for crimes committed by African Americans or to force them into a new form of involuntary servitude. These laws were a way for the southern states to maintain control over African Americans and limit their freedom and opportunities.

Submit
16. Debt peonage was:  

Explanation

Debt peonage refers to a system where African Americans and poor whites were forced into positions of involuntary servitude even after the Thirteenth Amendment was passed, which abolished slavery. This system allowed individuals to be bound to their debts, often through exploitative labor contracts, effectively trapping them in a cycle of debt and servitude. It was a way to maintain a form of slavery and control over marginalized groups, despite the legal abolishment of slavery.

Submit
17. A patriarchal system dictates that:  

Explanation

The given correct answer suggests that in a patriarchal system, white men are responsible for protecting and providing for others. This implies that there is an expectation for white men to take on the role of protectors and providers in society, potentially due to their perceived superiority or privilege. This answer aligns with the traditional gender roles and power dynamics often associated with patriarchal systems.

Submit
18. The primary focus of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century Progressivism was:

Explanation

The late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century Progressivism aimed at eliminating inefficiency and corruption in government. This movement sought to bring about political and social reforms, advocating for transparency, accountability, and fairness in government institutions. Progressives believed that by addressing these issues, they could create a more just and equitable society. This focus on eliminating inefficiency and corruption in government was seen as a way to improve the overall functioning of society and ensure that the government worked for the benefit of all citizens.

Submit
19. Theodore Roosevelt's first two government positions (as Director of the US Civil Service Commission and a Commissioner of he NYCPD):  

Explanation

Theodore Roosevelt's first two government positions as Director of the US Civil Service Commission and a Commissioner of the NYCPD showed his commitment to Progressive ideals. The Progressive movement aimed to reform and improve society by addressing issues such as corruption, inequality, and social injustice. By taking on these positions, Roosevelt demonstrated his dedication to advancing these ideals and working towards positive change in the government and law enforcement systems.

Submit
20. The period immediately after the American Civil War is known as:

Explanation

The period immediately after the American Civil War is known as Reconstruction because the US Congress aimed to completely overhaul the economies, governments, social structures, and laws of the defeated southern states. Additionally, they sought to punish southern loyalists for treason. This period was characterized by efforts to rebuild the plantations, homes, and businesses that had been destroyed during the war. It also involved the legal requirement for the southern states to rewrite their constitutions to outlaw slavery.

Submit
21. An American cowboy was statistically most likely to be:

Explanation

The answer suggests that the statistically most likely American cowboy was an African-American or Latino man who was unable to find opportunities in more settled areas of the US. This explanation implies that due to limited opportunities and discrimination, these individuals sought a livelihood in the cowboy lifestyle in the less settled areas of the country.

Submit
22. William Randolph Hearst is an example of:  

Explanation

not-available-via-ai

Submit
23. Juneteenth is:  

Explanation

Juneteenth is the holiday celebrating the arrival of Union troops led by General George Granger in Galveston, Texas bearing the news that slaves there had been freed two and a half years earlier. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War. The holiday is a symbol of freedom and an important milestone in the fight for equality and the end of slavery in the United States.

Submit
View My Results

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Apr 4, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Apr 04, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • May 07, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Melaniemaddennn
Cancel
  • All
    All (23)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
Which of the following are examples of successful Progressive era...
Women were prevented from voting, serving on juries, or pursuing the...
Immigrants to the United States were expected to become successful...
Which of the following groups were most likely to indulge in...
Which of the following represent victories for US Progressives in the...
The Fourteenth (14th) Amendment to the United States Constitution:...
The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution:  
Sharecropping was:  
Why did Indian schools want to "kill the Indian in the boy"?...
Why did Progressives support the Eighteenth Amendment?   
Prior to the American Civil War, most Americans lived:
Which of the following are NOT problems associated with increased...
What was Abraham Lincoln's plan for dealing with the Confederate...
Which of the following are examples of muckraking?  
"Black Codes" were:  
Debt peonage was:  
A patriarchal system dictates that:  
The primary focus of late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century...
Theodore Roosevelt's first two government positions (as Director...
The period immediately after the American Civil War is known as:
An American cowboy was statistically most likely to be:
William Randolph Hearst is an example of:  
Juneteenth is:  
Alert!

Advertisement