#1
Who was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas?
Jamestown
ExplanationJamestown, established in 1607, was the first enduring English colony in North America.
#2
Which battle is considered a turning point in the American Revolution, boosting American morale and gaining foreign support?
Saratoga
ExplanationThe Battle of Saratoga (1777) marked a turning point, boosting American morale and attracting foreign support, particularly from France.
#3
Which state was the first to ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Delaware
ExplanationDelaware was the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on December 7, 1787, setting a precedent for others.
#4
What was the significance of the Battle of Yorktown in 1781?
It was the final battle that led to the British surrender and the end of the Revolutionary War.
ExplanationThe Battle of Yorktown was the decisive engagement leading to the British surrender and the conclusion of the Revolutionary War in 1781.
#5
Which colony was founded as a haven for Catholics seeking religious freedom?
Maryland
ExplanationMaryland, founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore, provided a haven for Catholics seeking religious freedom in the predominantly Protestant English colonies.
#6
Which document served as the first governing framework in the American colonies?
Mayflower Compact
ExplanationThe Mayflower Compact, signed in 1620, established self-government for the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower.
#7
Who was the author of 'Common Sense,' a pamphlet that greatly influenced the American Revolution?
Thomas Paine
ExplanationThomas Paine's 'Common Sense' (1776) advocated for independence from British rule and stirred revolutionary sentiments.
#8
What was the main purpose of the Navigation Acts imposed by the British on the American colonies?
To regulate trade and ensure economic benefits for Britain
ExplanationThe Navigation Acts were enacted to control colonial trade and enhance economic gains for the British Empire.
#9
Who played a crucial role in negotiating the Treaty of Paris (1783) that ended the American Revolutionary War?
Benjamin Franklin
ExplanationBenjamin Franklin was a key negotiator in the Treaty of Paris, securing peace and recognition of American independence.
#10
Who were the Anti-Federalists, and what was their primary concern regarding the Constitution?
Opponents of the Constitution; concerned about a lack of a Bill of Rights
ExplanationAnti-Federalists opposed the Constitution, fearing a lack of individual rights, leading to the addition of the Bill of Rights.
#11
Which event marked the beginning of the armed conflict between the American colonies and Great Britain?
Lexington and Concord
ExplanationThe Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 initiated the armed conflict, starting the American Revolutionary War.
#12
Who served as the primary author of the United States Constitution?
James Madison
ExplanationJames Madison played a pivotal role in drafting the U.S. Constitution during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
#13
Which event led to the imposition of the Stamp Act by the British Parliament?
French and Indian War
ExplanationThe costs of the French and Indian War led Britain to impose the Stamp Act (1765) to raise revenue from the American colonies.
#14
What was the significance of the Albany Plan of Union proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754?
It proposed a unified government for the colonies to address common issues.
ExplanationBenjamin Franklin's Albany Plan aimed to create a unified colonial government for collective problem-solving.
#15
Who were the two main authors of 'The Federalist Papers,' a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton
Explanation'The Federalist Papers' were written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay to promote the ratification of the Constitution, providing insightful arguments.