US Citizenship Test Part 4: Colonial Period and Independence

Which 3 of the following are reasons colonists came to America?

• 3. Looking for a warmer climate

• religious freedom

• economic opportunity

• adventure

• 1. Fleeing from alien invasions

Answer explanation

Colonists came to America for religious freedom, economic opportunity, and adventure.

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

• Native Americans

• Mayans

• Vikings

• Incas

Answer explanation

Native Americans lived in America before the Europeans arrived. They were the indigenous people of the land.

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

• European settlers

• African people

• Native Americans

• Asian immigrants

Answer explanation

African people were taken to America and sold as slaves. They were forcibly brought from Africa and subjected to slavery.

Why did the colonists fight the British?

Choose 3 correct answers

• because of high taxes (taxation without representation)

• because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)

• because they weren't allowed to govern themselves

• because they wanted to start a new religion

• because they wanted to have different kings

Answer explanation

The colonists fought the British because of high taxes, the presence of the British army in their houses, and the lack of self-governance.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• King George

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, not George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, or King George.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

• August 4, 1776

• July 4, 1776

• June 4, 1776

• July 4, 1976

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. This date marks the historic moment when the United States declared its independence from Great Britain.

There were 13 original states. Name 3 of them.

• West Virginia

• Florida

• Massachusetts

• Pennsylvania

• New York

Answer explanation

The 13 original states of the United States are:

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, an Georgia.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

• The Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence.

• The Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution,

• The convention was cancelled due to lack of interest.

• The Founding Fathers voted to dissolve the United States.

Answer explanation

At the Constitutional Convention, the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution, which established the framework for the United States.

When was the Constitution written?

• 1800

• 1776

• 1787

• 1865

Answer explanation

The Constitution was written in 1787. This was the year when the founding fathers drafted the document that established the framework of the United States government.

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution.

Which one of these men was not one of the Federalist writers?

• John Jay

• Alexander Hamilton

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Publius

Answer explanation

George Washington was not one of the Federalist writers. The Federalist Papers were written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and "Publius" (a pen name that these men used to conceal their identity).