American Studies Quiz

From 1690 to 1760, England allowed colonists in America to exercise a great deal of control over local and regional matters. Historians have described this practice as 'salutary neglect.' Which of the following happened as a direct result of this policy?

• The colonies developed a strong tradition of self-government.

• Many proprietary colonies were changed to royal colonies.

• The colonies refused to participate in a system of common defense.

• Many colonies sought economic aid from other countries.

Based on the diagram, who chose the sachem, or peace chiefs, in the Iroquois Confederacy?

• children

• clan leaders

• female elders

• warriors

What year was chattel slavery introduced to the North American continent?

• 1619

• 1776

• 1803

• 1907

The Proclamation of 1763 was enacted soon after the French and Indian War ended. Which best explains the purpose of the Proclamation Line?

• It claimed slavery to be illegal in all lands obtained from the French in the war.

• It was drawn along the Appalachian Mountains to restrict colonial movement west and minimize confrontations with the American Indians.

• It pushed American Indian tribes that supported the French west of the Mississippi, making room for British colonists to settle on newly-acquired British land.

• It forced Spain to give up Florida to the British.

What does the statement "no taxation without representation" mean?

• The colonists did not want to pay taxes.

• The colonists did not have a say in the British Parliament who levied the tax.

• The colonists were angry that taxes in America were higher than in England.

• The colonists wanted independence.

Colonists were angry about the Tea Act because England gave the East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies.

• True

• False

Read the excerpt and answer the question that follows. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. —Declaration of Independence What is the meaning of the phrase "unalienable rights"?

• Rights that change over time

• Rights that cannot be taken away or denied

• Rights that only governments can provide

• Rights that cannot be defined and protected

The First Continental Congress was a meeting of colonial leaders. What did they discuss?

• They were separating from England immediately.

• The current crisis with England and the Intolerable Acts.

• Colonists were no longer willing to be British citizens.

• Who would be the new king of England.

The Olive Branch Petition was a document the colonists sent to the king of England that:

• Stated the Americans wanted to fight England

• Asked the king to end the French and Indian War

• Declared the Americans independent from England

• Listed the colonial complaints and outlined what the colonists felt they needed from England

What important document was adopted by the Second Continental Congress?

• Declaration of Independence

• Coercive Acts

• The U.S. Constitution

• Article of Confederation