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About This Quiz
All the colonists wanted was representation in Parliament, and then a war started!
When the American Revolution began, most of the revolutionaries were acting on their hopes and ideologies, but as each year passed, those dreams waned, yet they never faded. There were, of course, many challenges to those dreams, but even after crushing defeats and harsh winters where there was little food and clothing, the American patriots stayed true to their cause, mainly because of the conviction and discipline of General George Washington, who would become the first president of the United States. His guidance would help shape the young country during the war and immediately after, but first, he had to defeat the British.ÂÂ
The British Empire would not easily surrender, either. They had more resources and a larger army, but luckily for the colonists, the British faced other conflicts around the world, and their military was spread thin. This allowed the colonists to draw the war out, causing opposition among the British citizenry, who were more willing than the British King to give the colonies away. This, among many other factors, was the reason the revolutionaries achieved victory. ÂÂ
If you think you're an expert on the American Revolution, take this quiz and find out!ÂÂ
Where did the Continental Army stay during the winter of 1777-78?
Valley Forge
Washington used his time at Valley Forge to prepare his troops. Although conditions were tough because they faced serious supply shortages throughout the winter, as well as disease and malnutrition, the surviving soldiers left in the spring prepared for a campaign against the British.
Charleston
New York
Boston
Which country helped the colonists win the war?
France
France wasn't willing to go to war against Britain until they knew America was committed to independence. In 1778, France agreed to ally itself with the colonists and start a war with Britain.
China
South Africa
India
What is Paul Revere known for?
Capturing Boston
Defeating Cornwallis
Sailing to Britain
The midnight ride
Although the events are often exaggerated, Paul Revere did ride on horseback to help warn the colonists that British troops were coming. After that, he traveled to Lexington to help John Hancock and Samuel Adams escape.
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What government was established in the colonies to discuss terms with Britain?
The League of Colonies
The United Colonies
The First Continental Congress
As opposition to British regulations grew in the colonies, the First Continental Congress met to discuss the problems they faced. In this meeting, the representatives decided to oppose British taxes, but not British rule.
The American Parliament
Which is NOT a right granted by the Declaration of Independence?
Life
Liberty
Marriage
Although the struggle for independence would last longer, the Declaration of Independence marked the beginning of the United States of America. It also helped unite the colonists against the British. It did not, however, make any promises concerning marriage.
The Pursuit of Happiness
Where were the first battles of the war?
New York
Lexington and Concord
In Massachusetts, the British controlled Boston, but colonial forces controlled many of the surrounding towns. When the British got word that the colonists were amassing weapons, they sent troops to locate the weapons, but these troops ran into trouble with colonists. This marked the beginning of the war.
Philadelphia
Boston
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Which colony did not send a representative to the First Continental Congress?
Virginia
Pennsylvania
Georgia
Despite holding resentment for the new taxes, Georgia still needed British aid with fending-off indigenous tribes. For that reason, they decided not to send representatives to the First Continental Congress.
Massachusetts
What did colonists dress up as, during the Boston Tea Party?
Indigenous Americans
The Boston Tea Party is an iconic event in American history, as it was an early example of opposition to tyrannical rule. During the event, colonists dressed as Indigenous Americans (the Mohawk tribe, specifically,) boarded British ships and dumped their tea into the Boston Harbor. It was led by the Sons of Liberty.
African Americans
British Soldiers
Ghosts
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
The Declaration of Independence went through multiple revisions, and many prominent figures were involved in the draft process, including Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and John Adams. However, Thomas Jefferson was the primary author.
George Washington
Samuel Adams
Alexander Hamilton
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Who betrayed the revolutionaries?
Benjamin Franklin
Benedict Arnold
As a general for the revolutionaries, Benedict Arnold was given control of West Point, New York, but he intended to give West Point to the British. However, this plan was ruined when a message was intercepted by the Patriots.
Alexander Hamilton
Thomas Jefferson
Which of the following restricted the use of paper money?
The Quartering Act
The Sugar Act
The Declaratory Act
The Currency Act
Paper money was issued throughout the colonies to pay for debt from the French and Indian War, but the paper money was depreciating, causing British merchants to complain. Britain responded with the Currency Act, which put limitations on how this money could be used.
Which British general surrendered at Saratoga?
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
King George III
John Burgoyne
The Saratoga campaign was a major point in the war as it turned the tide for the colonists. If John Burgoyne had gotten the support from William Howe that he needed during this campaign, the British might have won the war.
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How many colonies in America rebelled?
Thirteen
Thirteen colonies in America rebelled against British rule after resentment grew among the colonists. These colonists were partially propelled by the motto, "No Taxation Without Representation." Essentially, they didn't want to pay taxes to the British without also having a say in British governance.
Seven
Two
Twenty
Which British general surrendered at Yorktown?
Benedict Arnold
George Washington
Benjamin Lincoln
Charles Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis held strong in Yorktown during a seige against his army, but he was surrounded by French and Colonial forces. With no help coming to his aid, Cornwallis was forced to surrender.
Who led most of the Southern campaign for the British?
Charles Cornwallis
Cornwallis took command of the British army in the south, when Henry Clinton returned to New York. His army was undersized, but he was hoping to rely on colonists who were still loyal to the crown.
Benjamin Lincoln
William Howe
Henry Clinton
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Where was the Battle of Bunker Hill fought?
Massachusetts
The Battle of Bunker Hill in Massachusetts was much harder on the British than on the colonists, as the British suffered many more casualties. In the end, the battle would go down as a British victory, but the Americans left feeling good about future engagements.
Georgia
South Carolina
Virginia
Who was famous for settling land in Kentucky?
George Washington
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was one of the earliest settlers in Kentucky. In his time there, he often ran into trouble with local Indians in the area, including skirmishes during the American Revolution.
Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Franklin
Who wrote "Common Sense?"
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine was one of the great minds during the Enlightenment. His works reflected and influenced many of the ideas that came about during the American Revolution, including a fairly robust attack on the idea of monarchy.
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Patrick Henry
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Which group arose to defend the rights of the colonists?
The Sons of Liberty
As frustrations grew in the colonies, colonists began to openly oppose British laws and taxes. The Sons of Liberty were a secret organization at the forefront of this opposition.
The Sons of Anarchy
The Northern Patriots
The Red Tails
What river did George Washington cross before the Battle of Trenton?
Potomac
Delaware
Before the victory at Trenton, morale was waning among the colonists. Despite this, Washington led a mission across the Delaware River which secured a victory at Trenton and galvanized the troops.
Mississippi
Ohio
Which British document declared that the American colonies were in a state of rebellion?
Declaration of Independence
Proclamation of Rebellion
King George III issued the Proclamation of Rebellion after the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Proclamation put everyone on alert that the rebellion would not be tolerated.
Articles of Confederation
The Constitution
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Who did Washington appoint to train his soldiers?
Henry James
Benedict Arnold
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a Prussian military officer who helped discipline the Continental Army. He initiated administrative programs, sanitary practices and training exercises.
Benjamin Franklin
Who did the colonists fight at the Battle of Trenton?
Hessian mercenaries
Hessians were German military soldiers who were contracted to fight for the British. They made up around a quarter of the troops for the British during the American Revolution.
French soldiers
British soldiers
Indians
Where did British soldiers open fire on a mob of colonists?
Savannah
New York
Philadelphia
Boston
In 1770, eleven men were hit (and five of them were killed) by British soldiers in an event known as the Boston Massacre. This even helped unite the colonists in their opposition to British rule.
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Who was an important ambassador to France?
Patrick Henry
Benedict Arnold
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin was an influential author before and after the American Revolution. He also helped bridge a relationship with France, which was key in winning the war.
Samuel Adams
Who was the King of England during the war?
George
George II
John II
George III
King George III ruled England from 1760 until his death in 1820. In the last ten years of his life, his son, Prince George of Wales, oversaw the kingdom as the Prince Regent, because of his father's poor health.
Who was the second-in-command of the Continental Army?
Henry Adams
George Washington
Patrick Henry
Benjamin Lincoln
Benjamin Lincoln was sent south by George Washington to take command of the colonial forces there. During this time, he was defeated at Charleston, South Carolina by British forces under the command of Charles Cornwallis and Henry Clinton.
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What treaty ended the war?
North American Treaty
Treaty of London
Treaty of Paris
The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 by representatives from both Great Britain and the United States. The treaty declared that the United States was an independent nation. However, the treaty wasn't fully ratified by the United States Congress until 1784.
Treaty of Nations
Who accepted the sword of Cornwallis when he surrendered?
Benjamin Lincoln
When Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington, he did not present his sword to Washington, saying he was sick. Washington decided to have his second in command, Benjamin Lincoln, accept the sword.
Benedict Arnold
Benjamin Franklin
John Adams
What did the Royal Proclamation of 1763 do?
Limited settlement west
American colonists wanted to expand west into land gained from the French. However, the British issued the Proclamation of 1763, which prevented further settlement.
Created ten new colonies
Gave the colonies their independence
Gave all North American land back to indigenous tribes
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Who led the attack on Quebec City by the colonists?
George Washington
John Adams
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold led part of the Continental Army into Canada and tried to capture Quebec City. However, he was later wounded and forced to retreat.
Benjamin Lincoln
What side did African Americans fight on?
Neither
Both
African Americans were recruited by both sides during the war. They were offered freedom in return for their service by both the British and the colonists.
British
Colonists
Which of these men was killed during the Boston Massacre?
Crispus Attucks
Crispus Attucks' heritage is unknown. He could have been either of Native American or African American descent. However, he is seen as a hero today, as many people believe he was the first person to die in the Revolutionary War.
Daniel Boone
Patrick Henry
Samuel Adams
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Whose capture revealed the plan to surrender West Point?
Charles Cornwallis
John Andre
John Andre was intercepted and arrested for carrying plans made by Benedict Arnold to surrender West Point, New York. He would later be executed by hanging for his part in the plot.
Henry Clinton
William Howe
Who was a Governor of Virginia during the war?
Benjamin Franklin
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry, known for saying, "Give me liberty, or give me death," was an early supporter of the American Revolution. After the war was over, Henry was elected again as the Governor of Virginia, a position he had held before.
Samuel Adams
Alexander Hamilton
You Got:
/35
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