U.S. History DCA 1

The Declaration of Independence stated that all people are born with certain “unalienable rights.” Which is the best definition of an “unalienable right”?

• a right that the government can't take away

• a privilege that is enjoyed by a certain group of people

• any power that gives happiness to those who have it

Answer explanation

The definition of "Inalienable" means "unable to be taken away from.."

The nation's founding document, the Declaration of Independence, proclaims every human being is born with unalienable rights, such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

What was the result of the Treaty of Paris of 1783

• Americans acknowledged the King’s authority over them

• Britain recognized American ownership of all territory from the Atlantic coast to the Mississippi River.

• The Americans agreed to grant citizenship rights to Native Americans

• France won the American Revolution

Answer explanation

The Treaty of Paris was signed by U.S. and British Representatives on September 3, 1783, ending the War of the American Revolution.

Based on a 1782 preliminary treaty, the agreement recognized U.S. independence and granted the U.S. significant western territory.

The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first example of representative-government in the colonies

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The House of Burgesses (1619-1776 CE) was the first English representative government in North America, established in July 1619 CE, for the purpose of passing laws and maintaining order in the Jamestown Colony of Virginia and the other settlements that had grown up around it.

With the Mayflower Compact, people can agree to limited self-government by offering to obey rules they establish

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The Mayflower Compact was important because it was the first document to establish self-government in the New World.

It remained active until 1691 when Plymouth Colony became part of Massachusetts Bay Colony

In what way were the New England and the Middle colonies similar?

• They developed plantation systems based on the use of slave labor.

• They both had really hot summers

• They had both cold winters and mild summers.

• They both had no water in the land

Enslaved Africans

• were mostly in Southern Plantations

• were given freedom immediately after they arrived

• were treated equal to the colonist

• were able to travel freely

Answer explanation

Directly or indirectly, the economies of all 13 British colonies in North America depended on slavery.

Specifically in the Southern Colonies, southern planters grew rich from slave labor, and family-based tobacco plantations became the economic and social norm.

General Washington had a hard time keeping his soldiers together in the cold winter at Valley Forge (1777–1778.)

• No, they were fine.

• Yes, they nearly starved

Answer explanation

Valley Forge was where the American Continental Army made camp during the winter of 1777-1778. It was brutal and the soldiers nearly starved, after suffering so much defeat.

However, it was here that the American forces became a true fighting unit. Valley Forge is often called the birthplace of the American Army.

What is Thomas Jefferson’s best known for during the American Revolution?

• He wrote the Bible

• He wrote The Common Sense Pamphlet

• He wrote Harry Potter

• He wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Answer explanation

Thomas Jefferson is considered the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, although Jefferson's draft went through a process of revision by his fellow committee members and the Second Continental Congress.

Tags

American Revolution

Following the Declaration of Independence, colonist in New York City tore down a statue of King George III.

• Yes, they sure did! They really didn't like Georgie Boy!

• No, they didn't. They were loyal to the soil!

Answer explanation

On July 9, 1776, The Declaration of Independence was read for the first time in New York in front of George Washington and his troops.

In reaction to what had been read, soldiers and citizens went to Bowling Green, a park in Manhattan, where a lead statue of King George III on horseback stood. The mob of people pulled down the statue, and later the lead was melted down to make musket balls, or bullets for use in the war for independence.

Tags

American Revolution

Declaration of Independence

"Taxation without Representation" likely referred to...

• The Townshend Act

• The Quartering Act

• The Proclamation of 1763

• The Mayflower Compact

Answer explanation

The Townshend Acts were a series of measures, passed by the British Parliament in 1767, that taxed goods imported to the American colonies.

But American colonists, who had no representation in Parliament, saw the Acts as an abuse of power