Causes of the American Revolution

Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765. This law placed a tax on ________. (Choose all that apply)

• newspapers

• playing cards

• stamps

• legal documents

Answer explanation

Any time the colonists purchased a paper product, they would also have to buy a stamp. This was the first tax act enacted to pay the debt left from the French and Indian War.

Patrick Henry and other representatives gathered in 1765 and asked Parliament to ______ the Stamp Act.

• void

• repeal

• raise

• burn

After the colonists started boycotting British goods, the British government sent warships and troops to Boston Harbor. What year did the ships arrive?

• 1765

• 1766

• 1767

• 1768

Answer explanation

British warships would continue to occupy Boston Harbor until 1776!

How many colonists were killed in the Boston Massacre of 1770?

• 15

• 2

• 5

• 20

Answer explanation

One of the colonists killed was Crispus Attucks, a black sailor who had previously escaped slavery. Today there is a monument in Boston dedicated to him and the others who lost their lives to British troops in 1770.

In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act, which placed a tax on the tea colonists purchased. This law forced colonial companies to only buy tea from _____________.

• the East India Company

• the French Company

• the British Empire Company

• the Townshend Company

Answer explanation

The British East India Company got its name from the large amount of goods being purchased and traded from India and other countries in the eastern hemisphere. There was also a Dutch East India Company, as several European countries were sailing to India to participate in the spice trade.

What event(s) occurred as a result of the Tea Act?

• Colonial merchants refused to buy tea from the East India Company.

• Everyone in the colonies started drinking more tea.

• The Sons of Liberty threw large amounts of tea into Boston Harbor.

Answer explanation

The amount of tea the colonists threw into the harbor would be worth approximately $1.7 million in today's economy.

Which colony was placed under martial law as a punishment after the Boston Tea Party?

• Vermont

• Virginia

• New York

• Massachusetts

Answer explanation

The U.S. President, Congress, and the governor of each state have the power to declare martial law in modern times, but it takes a very serious circumstance for it to happen.

Patriots were __________.

• Colonists who were loyal to Britain.

• Colonists who did not want to take sides.

• Colonists who participated in the Boston Tea Party.

• Colonists who opposed Britain's actions.

Answer explanation

NFL team New England Patriots got their name from the group of colonists who were the most outspoken against Britain. Although there were Patriots to be found in all colonies, a majority of people from the New England area wanted to be free from King George's rule.

In April 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and Samuel Prescott rode horses to warn the colonial militias that British troops were coming to arrest Patriot leaders. Which rider was captured by British troops?

• Revere

• Dawes

• Prescott

• None of them were captured

Answer explanation

There is a famous poem written about Paul Revere's ride, but in that version Revere is never captured.

What day were the first shots fired between British troops and colonial militias? (This was the official start of the Revolution).

• April 1, 1776

• April 19, 1775

• April 19, 1776

• April 18, 1775

Answer explanation

No one knows which side fired first to officially start the war!