U.S. Citizenship Test Practice: Colonial Period and Independence
- Colonial Period and Independence
- 12 questions
- 12 minutes
These questions cover the colonial era, the causes of the American Revolution and the founders of the nation. Tip: connect each founder with one or two facts, because the interview often asks why a person is famous.
Tap an option to mark your answer. You can change your mind, or tap the same option again to leave the question blank. The correct answers and explanations appear when you finish the test.Tap an option to answer; tap it again to leave the question blank.
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Question 1
In the 1600s and 1700s, why did many people leave Europe to settle in the American colonies?
Correct answer: A
Colonists came for religious freedom, political liberty and economic opportunity. The Pilgrims, for example, arrived in 1620 looking for freedom to worship in their own way.
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Question 2
Before European settlers arrived, which people already lived in North America?
Correct answer: B
American Indians, also called Native Americans, lived in North America for thousands of years before Europeans came. Hundreds of tribes still live in the United States today.
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Question 3
During the colonial period, which group of people was taken by force and sold as slaves in America?
Correct answer: D
Millions of Africans were captured, brought across the Atlantic and sold into slavery. Slavery in the United States ended in 1865 with the 13th Amendment.
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Question 4
In 1775, fighting began between the American colonies and Britain. What is this war called?
Correct answer: C
The American Revolution, also called the Revolutionary War, lasted from 1775 to 1783 and won independence from Britain. The War of 1812 was a later war with Britain.
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Question 5
Colonists complained about "taxation without representation." What did they mean?
Correct answer: D
The British Parliament passed taxes such as the Stamp Act and the Tea Act, but the colonies had no representatives there. This was one of the main reasons for declaring independence.
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Question 6
Which founder wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?
Correct answer: D
Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams helped edit it.
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Question 7
In 1781, a large British army surrendered to American and French forces, ending the major fighting of the Revolution. Where did this happen?
Correct answer: C
The British surrender at Yorktown in 1781 ended the major fighting of the American Revolution. The peace treaty that recognized U.S. independence followed in 1783.
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Question 8
Which of these was one of the 13 original states?
Correct answer: A
The 13 original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
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Question 9
In 1787, leaders met in Philadelphia and wrote a new founding document. Which one?
Correct answer: B
The U.S. Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. The Declaration of Independence came earlier, in 1776, and the Bill of Rights was added in 1791.
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Question 10
The Federalist Papers were a series of essays published in 1787 and 1788. What was their goal?
Correct answer: A
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers under the name "Publius." The essays explained the Constitution and urged people to approve it.
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Question 11
Before he became the first President, George Washington had a key role in the Revolution. What was it?
Correct answer: B
Washington commanded the Continental Army during the Revolution. Later he led the Constitutional Convention and became the first President; he is often called the "Father of Our Country."
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Question 12
This founder was an inventor, the first Postmaster General and a U.S. diplomat in France. Who was he?
Correct answer: C
Benjamin Franklin was a famous inventor and writer, the first Postmaster General and a diplomat who won French support during the Revolution. He was also the oldest delegate at the Constitutional Convention.
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