Easy Social Studies Questions

Explanation
The Spanish Armada was sent by King Philip II to conquer England and make it a Catholic nation again. The Armada was a fleet of Spanish ships that was intended to invade England in 1588. However, it was ultimately defeated by the English navy, led by Sir Francis Drake, and a series of storms. This defeat marked a turning point in European history, as it weakened Spain's dominance and established England as a major naval power.

Explanation
Samuel de Champlin explored the St. Lawrence river and established a trading post at Quebec. The other options mentioned in the question, such as the Spanish Armada, Jaques Carter, Henry Hudson, and John Cabot, are not associated with the exploration of the St. Lawrence river or the establishment of a trading post at Quebec.

Explanation
Giovanni da Verrazzano explored the Atlantic coastline of North America for France while looking for the Northwest Passage.

Explanation
Jaques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence river as far as present day Montreal while looking for the Northwest passage.

Explanation
John Cabot sailed to North America and claimed what is now Newfoundland for England. He was an Italian explorer who sailed under the English flag in the late 15th century. Cabot's voyage in 1497 was significant as it marked the first recorded European exploration of the North American mainland since the Norse expeditions of the 11th century. His claim of Newfoundland for England paved the way for future English colonization and the establishment of the British Empire in North America.

Explanation
The statement is false because the English named their first colony on the North American continent Jamestown, but it did not fail due to all the colonists mysteriously disappearing. In fact, Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. While the colony faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with Native Americans and a difficult environment, it continued to grow and thrive. The disappearance of the colonists refers to the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke, which was a different settlement established by the English in 1587.

Explanation
To establish a colony, organizers needed to acquire a charter from the monarch of England. This charter granted them permission and authority to establish and govern the colony. Without this charter, they would not have had the legal basis to establish the colony and would likely have faced opposition or challenges from the English government. Therefore, the statement "True" accurately reflects the requirement of obtaining a charter from England's monarch to set up a colony.

Explanation
The statement is false because Powhatan's Rebellion actually occurred in 1622, not 1676. The rebellion was a result of growing tensions between the Powhatan Confederacy and English settlers in Virginia, and it resulted in a significant loss of Native American lives and land.

Explanation
The statement is false because democratic government did not begin in the colonies in 1619 when the Virginia colonists elected representatives to an assembly called Virginia Company. The Virginia Company was a joint-stock company that was granted a charter by King James I to establish colonies in the New World. The elected representatives in the Virginia Company's assembly did not have the power to make laws or govern the colony, as they were subject to the authority of the company's appointed governor. It wasn't until later, with the establishment of the House of Burgesses in Virginia in 1619, that a form of representative democracy began to take shape in the colonies.

Explanation
John Rolfe did not take control of the colony after most of Jamestown's colonists died. After the death of many colonists due to disease, John Smith took control of the colony. John Rolfe later arrived in Jamestown and is known for introducing tobacco as a cash crop. He married Pocahontas, which helped improve relations with the Native Americans. However, he did not force the remaining colonists to work to save the colony.

Explanation
The statement accurately reflects the historical relationship between the English settlers at Jamestown and the Powhatan Native American tribe. Initially, the Powhatan people provided assistance to the colonists, but tensions arose when the settlers began to demand more land. This eventually led to conflicts and strained relations between the two groups. Therefore, the statement is true.

Explanation
The statement is not accurate. European colonists did not become slaves in exchange for the cost of their passage to America. Slavery in America primarily involved the forced labor and enslavement of African people who were brought to the continent against their will. European colonists, on the other hand, came to America as voluntary settlers seeking economic opportunities or religious freedom.