Colonial Period and Independence
Why people came, who was already here, why the colonies broke with Britain, and what the founders wrote once they had. Two dates carry most of this level: 1776 for the Declaration, 1787 for the Constitution.
Practice this set for free — no account needed. Loads 17 flashcards into the learner.
Practice in the free learnerHow to study this set
For "name five of the 13 original states", pick five you will never forget — Virginia, New York, Georgia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are as valid as any. The same trick works for the Federalist Papers writers: just learn Madison and you are covered.
All 17 flashcards
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Freedom; political liberty; religious freedom; economic opportunity; escape persecution
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
American Indians; Native Americans
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Africans; people from Africa
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
High taxes; taxation without representation; British soldiers stayed in Americans’ houses (boarding, quartering); they did not have self-government; Boston Massacre; Boston Tea Party (Tea Act); Stamp Act; Sugar Act; Townshend Acts; Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
(Thomas) Jefferson
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
July 4, 1776
There were 13 original states. Name five.
New Hampshire; Massachusetts; Rhode Island; Connecticut; New York; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Delaware; Maryland; Virginia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Georgia
Name any five of the thirteen.
What founding document was written in 1787?
The Constitution
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
(James) Madison; (Alexander) Hamilton; (John) Jay; Publius
"Publius" was the shared pen name the three wrote under, and it counts as a correct answer.
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
Founded the first free public libraries; first Postmaster General of the United States; helped write the Declaration of Independence; inventor; U.S. diplomat
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of Our Country"; first president of the United States; General of the Continental Army; President of the Constitutional Convention
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
American Revolution; the (American) Revolutionary War; War for (American) Independence
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
(Battle of) Bunker Hill; Declaration of Independence; Washington Crossing the Delaware (Battle of Trenton); (Battle of) Saratoga; Valley Forge (Encampment); (Battle of) Yorktown (British surrender at Yorktown)
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
They helped people understand the (U.S.) Constitution; they supported passing the (U.S.) Constitution
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Writer of the Declaration of Independence; third president of the United States; doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase); first Secretary of State; founded the University of Virginia; writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
"Father of the Constitution"; fourth president of the United States; president during the War of 1812; one of the writers of the Federalist Papers
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
First Secretary of the Treasury; one of the writers of the Federalist Papers; helped establish the First Bank of the United States; aide to General George Washington; member of the Continental Congress
What to learn next
Next: Level 2, the 1800s — the Louisiana Purchase through the Civil War.
Continue to Level 2: The 1800s →