I. Colonial America and the American Revolution

1.The British established the oldest European settlements in the New World. False False The Portuguese and the Spanish were the first to explore and settle colonies in the New World. The Portuguese and the Spanish were the first to explore and settle colonies in the New World. St. Augustine was established by the Spanish in 1565 St. Augustine was established by the Spanish in 1565 Only after the British defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 were they able to engage in the race to establish colonies. Only after the British defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 were they able to engage in the race to establish colonies.

2. The search for wealth was the primary cause behind the exploration and colonization of the New World. True True Other causes included Other causes included –The search for adventure that resulted from the humanism of the Renaissance –The new advances in ship- building and navigation –The desire to either spread Christianity or to escape religious persecution as a result of the Reformation. The search for wealth was a byproduct of the Commercial Revolution. The search for wealth was a byproduct of the Commercial Revolution.

3. Jamestown was the first permanent settlement in the British colonies. True True Roanoke was settled earlier, but it mysteriously disappeared. The Jamestown settlement included Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. Roanoke was settled earlier, but it mysteriously disappeared. The Jamestown settlement included Captain John Smith and Pocahontas. There were struggles with the land, the weather and the Indians, but Jamestown went on to become the colony of Virginia. There were struggles with the land, the weather and the Indians, but Jamestown went on to become the colony of Virginia. The next English colony was Plymouth Plantation, settled by the Pilgrims in Along with the Puritan settlement at Boston, this became the colony of Massachusetts. The next English colony was Plymouth Plantation, settled by the Pilgrims in Along with the Puritan settlement at Boston, this became the colony of Massachusetts.

4. Slavery never really took root in the British colonies. False False Slavery has existed since ancient times. However, in the past, slaves were either in debt or had been captured in a war. Slavery has existed since ancient times. However, in the past, slaves were either in debt or had been captured in a war. The rise of modern slavery created modern racism because it was based on racist views. The rise of modern slavery created modern racism because it was based on racist views. All of the European colonies engaged in the “Middle Passage” trade to solve their labor shortage problems. All of the European colonies engaged in the “Middle Passage” trade to solve their labor shortage problems.

5. Under the system called Mercantilism, colonies were established for the economic benefit of the mother country. True True Mercantilism was designed to enrich kings and queens during the days of absolute monarchy. This was done by taxing the wealth of merchants. Mercantilism was designed to enrich kings and queens during the days of absolute monarchy. This was done by taxing the wealth of merchants. This required a favorable balance of trade. This required a favorable balance of trade. Colonies were therefore expected to only trade for the benefit of the mother country. Colonies were therefore expected to only trade for the benefit of the mother country.

6. The French lost to the Indians in the French and Indian War. False False By the middle of the 18 th century, France and England were the two primary powers and often competed with each other. By the middle of the 18 th century, France and England were the two primary powers and often competed with each other. From 1756 to 1763, they fought the Seven Years War. In North America, it was known as the French and Indian War. From 1756 to 1763, they fought the Seven Years War. In North America, it was known as the French and Indian War. The victory by the English temporarily drove the French out of most of North America. It also led the English to tighten their control over their 13 English colonies. The victory by the English temporarily drove the French out of most of North America. It also led the English to tighten their control over their 13 English colonies.

7. By the dawn of the American Revolution, the British colonies enjoyed a very high level of freedom and wealth. True True Each colony had its own elected assembly. Each colony had its own elected assembly. Taxes were low and for the most part, the American colonials had much freedom. Taxes were low and for the most part, the American colonials had much freedom. Due to the availability of cheap land and plentiful natural resources, the Americans enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the world. Due to the availability of cheap land and plentiful natural resources, the Americans enjoyed one of the highest standards of living in the world.

8. Religion played the most important role in pushing the American colonies to declare their independence from England. False False By the middle of the 18 th Century, religion has declined (despite the Great Awakening) and many people were influenced by the emphasis on reason that came from the Enlightenment. By the middle of the 18 th Century, religion has declined (despite the Great Awakening) and many people were influenced by the emphasis on reason that came from the Enlightenment. The two biggest factors behind the move to declare independence were: The two biggest factors behind the move to declare independence were: –The desire to acquire western land. This was frustrated by the Proclamation of –The English desire to collect taxes from the colonies to pay for their defense after the French and Indian War. This led to the Americans to claim “No taxation without representation.”

9. New York was the primary “birthplace” of the American Revolution. False False The radicals and the violence were located in Boston. The radicals and the violence were located in Boston. Boston was the location of the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Coercive Acts, Lexington, Concord, Paul Revere and Bunker Hill. Boston was the location of the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Coercive Acts, Lexington, Concord, Paul Revere and Bunker Hill. The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. This is where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

10. The American Revolution was mostly characterized as a civil war fought with guerrilla tactics rather than a full scale war fought through a series of major battles. True True Many Americans were Tories and remained loyal to Great Britain. Many Americans were Tories and remained loyal to Great Britain. The war did have some battles: The war did have some battles: –Saratoga, the “turning point” of the war –Yorktown, the final American victory. However, the war, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, was essentially a war fought on a smaller scale. In addition, it is doubtful that the Americans would have won without the help of the French. However, the war, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, was essentially a war fought on a smaller scale. In addition, it is doubtful that the Americans would have won without the help of the French.