How Many Of These American Revolutionary War Questions Can You Answer?
The American Revolutionary War, fought between 1775 and 1883, pitted American statesmen and politicians against the British Army and the Crown. Let's test your knowledge of the American War of Independence.
Which War In North America Ended Before The Revolutionary War Began?
This conflict was fought between France and Great Britain for control over North America. But what was it called?
P. Benazech., Wikimedia Commons
The Seven Years War
The French and Indian Wars lasted from 1756 to 1763 and were mainly concentrated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.
Hugo Ungewitter, Wikimedia Commons
What Did The British Do To Recoup The Costs Of The Seven Years War?
Although the French had surrendered all territorial claims to North America, the British Government had spent an arm and a leg fighting the war. So, what did they do to recoup their expenses?
Joseph-Siffred Duplessis, Wikimedia Commons
Imposed Taxes On The Colonies In North America
In a devastating move (for the Empire overall), the British Government imposed new taxes on the colonies established in North America.
Board of Stamps, Wikimedia Commons
What Was The First Tax Called?
The first of these taxes came into force on March 22, 1765—but what was its name?
Joshua Reynolds, Wikimedia Commons
The Townshend Acts
Known as the Townshend Acts, this British Government imposed taxes on all paper products, from newspapers and legal documents to playing cards. The revolting colonists argued that taxes could only be imposed by their representatives, not by the King as he saw fit.
Paul Revere, Wikimedia Commons
How Many People Died In The Boston Massacre Of 1770?
The original British response to the rioting and disgruntled colonists was to send troops to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1768 to occupy the city. Two years later, these troops would confront a group of protesters in an incident known as the Boston Massacre. But do you remember how many people were killed?
Dion Hinchcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Five Protesters
On March 5, 1770, as a crowd of about 400 protesters gathered, nine British soldiers opened fire into the crowd. They killed five protesters that day and seriously wounded a sixth named Christopher Monk. Although eight soldiers were arrested the next morning and subsequently indicted for murder, the tension was ratcheted up.
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What Does "The Shot Heard Around The World" Refer To?
This event took place at the Old North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts. But what was "the shot heard around the world?"
Josiah Johnson Hawes, Wikimedia Commons
The First Shots Of The American Revolutionary War
"The shot heard around the world" was the first shot fired between British and American soldiers at Old North Bridge. The British fired first, and the Americans shot back, effectively beginning the Revolutionary War.
National Park Service Digital Image Archives, Wikimedia Commons
What Was The Boston Tea Party?
The name is infamous, but what does it refer to?
Cornischong, Wikimedia Commons
Was it:
A) A party held where tea from Boston was the only drink served.
B) A political movement formed in 2007.
C) A political protest held in 1773 where tea imported from China was dumped into the Boston Harbor.
Nathaniel Currier, Wikimedia Commons
C - Political Protest
The Tea Act of 1773 allowed the East India Company to sell tea without paying taxes in the Colonies. The Sons of Liberty (a political movement) organized a protest and dumped all the tea into the Boston Harbor.
Morphart Creation, Shutterstock
What Was The Name Given To Those Who Converged On Massachusetts Following The Shot Heard Around The World?
In the next several weeks, militia groups converged on Massachusetts following the initial engagement on the Old North Bridge, but what was the name given to these people?
Henry Hudson Kitson, Wikimedia Commons
The Minute Men
These militia groups were called "The Minute Men," as they could be readied immediately.
Aldaron — Aldaron, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Where Was The Meeting Of The First Continental Congress?
The first Continental Congress was a meeting of 12 delegates from the Thirteen Colonies. Organized after the British Navy blockaded the Boston Harbor, this meeting was held to decide how to respond to the British blockade.
New York Public Library, Picryl
Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia
The Congress was established on September 5, 1775, at Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Picryl
What Was The First Major Engagement Of The American Revolutionary War?
This battle was the first major conflict of the American Revolutionary War, but what was the battle called?
Winslow Homer, Wikimedia Commons
The Battle Of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17, 1775, on Bunker Hill, which overlooks Boston. Although the British won the battle, they suffered 1,000 casualties out of the 2,200 troops sent to Bunker Hill.
New York Public Library, Picryl
How Many Representatives Signed The Declaration Of Independence?
Notable signees included John Hancock, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Josiah Bartlett. Along with how many others?
John Singleton Copley, Wikimedia Commons
56 Signees
The Declaration of Independence has 56 signatures, split among the delegates from the Thirteen Colonies and John Hancock, the President of Congress.
What Date Was The Declaration Of Independence Signed?
Despite Independence Day falling on July 4th...
Mys 721tx, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
August 2nd
The Secret Journals of Congress established that on August 2nd, "The Declaration of Independence being engrossed and signed by the Members".
Rdsmith4, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
Who Wrote The Declaration Of Independence?
There were five main authors of the Declaration of Independence—can you name them all?
Rembrandt Peale, Wikimedia Commons
Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, And Robert Livingston
These five men would draft a document that, in Jefferson's words, was "the expression of the American mind".
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, Wikimedia Commons
How Did The French Government Initially Support The Americans During The Revolutionary War?
Before the French Government sent a Prussian general to train the American troops in 1778, they'd done what to lend support?
Hampton Roads Naval Museum, Wikimedia Commons
Set Up Dummy Corporations
The French set up dummy corporations in the United States, which enabled them to move large sums of money and supplies without being detected by the British. However, in 1778, they officially entered the war.
Thomas Mitchell, Wikimedia Commons
Which River Did George Washington Cross To Surprise British Troops On Christmas Eve, 1776?
General George Washington surprised British forces in a surprise attack, but which river did he cross to make his surprise attack?
Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons
The Delaware River
Washington and his troops set off from Pennsylvania across the Delaware River, attacking British forces at Trenton, New Jersey.
Emanuel Leutze, Wikimedia Commons
Which German State Was King George III The Ruler Of During The Revolutionary War?
He could call on Germans to fight for the British during the Revolutionary War.
Allan Ramsay, Wikimedia Commons
Hanover
The British took the liberty of calling up tens of thousands of Germans to fight alongside them during the Revolutionary War. King George III, who was also ruler of Hanover, had the power to do this. As many as 30,000 Germans fought, with over 17,000 returning home.
John Wootton, Wikimedia Commons
After Which Battle Did British Forces Surrender?
Overwhelmed by a joint American and French force, the British Army and General Cornwallis surrendered after this battle.
Battle Of Yorktown
The Battle of Yorktown took place on the Yorktown Peninsula in Virginia. Unable to receive reinforcements from the sea, as the French had cut off that supply route, General Cornwallis had no choice but to surrender.
John Trumbull, Wikimedia Commons
What Was The Name Given To Canada During This Time?
Canada was known by a different name during the Revolutionary War. Can you tell us what it was called?
British North America
When under British control, the entire United States and Canada were known as "British America". With the United States gaining independence, "British North America" was born. It would not become "Canada" until 1907.
What Was The Name Of The Treaty That Officially Ended The Revolutionary War?
This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War in Paris on September 3, 1873.
Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons
The Treaty Of Paris.
This treaty divided British and American territory. The British, clearly still sulking from their defeat, referred to the lines on the maps drawn up during the signing as " exceedingly generous".
Benjamin West, Wikimedia Commons
No More Room At The Inn, Or Is There?
No more than 45 percent of Americans supported the Revolutionary War at any one time. Despite eventually warming to the idea, people switched sides depending on which side was winning. For example, one anecdote is of an innkeeper along Route 1 in New Jersey who'd send a servant out to identify the uniforms of the approaching force and then change the flag flying outside the building to prevent that army from burning the inn down.
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