Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on “The American Revolution (1775-1783) – World History”

1. The American Revolution began in which year?

• a) 1770
• b) 1775
• c) 1781
• d) 1783
• Answer: b) 1775

2. The first battle of the American Revolution was the Battle of:

• a) Bunker Hill
• b) Lexington and Concord
• c) Saratoga
• d) Yorktown
• Answer: b) Lexington and Concord

3. The term “Continental Congress” refers to:

• a) The legislative body of the British Parliament
• b) The governing body of the American colonies during the Revolution
• c) The French assembly that supported the American cause
• d) The assembly of Native American tribes
• Answer: b) The governing body of the American colonies during the Revolution

4. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on:

• a) July 4, 1776
• b) July 4, 1775
• c) December 25, 1776
• d) September 3, 1783
• Answer: a) July 4, 1776

5. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

• a) George Washington
• b) Benjamin Franklin
• c) Thomas Jefferson
• d) John Adams
• Answer: c) Thomas Jefferson

6. The phrase “No taxation without representation” was a rallying cry against:

• a) British military presence
• b) British trade restrictions
• c) British tax policies
• d) British naval blockades
• Answer: c) British tax policies

7. Which treaty formally ended the American Revolution?

• a) Treaty of Paris (1783)
• b) Treaty of Versailles (1783)
• c) Treaty of Ghent (1814)
• d) Treaty of Paris (1785)
• Answer: a) Treaty of Paris (1783)

8. The American Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideas of:

• a) Absolute monarchy
• b) Divine right of kings
• c) Democracy and individual rights
• d) Mercantilism
• Answer: c) Democracy and individual rights

9. The British General who surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown was:

• a) General William Howe
• b) General Henry Clinton
• c) General Charles Cornwallis
• d) General John Burgoyne
• Answer: c) General Charles Cornwallis

10. The French played a crucial role in the American Revolution by:

• a) Providing naval support and troops
• b) Funding the British war effort
• c) Sending diplomats to the colonies
• d) Ignoring the conflict
• Answer: a) Providing naval support and troops

11. The American Revolution had the effect of:

• a) Strengthening the British Empire
• b) Weakening the American colonies economically
• c) Leading to the independence of the United States
• d) Creating a lasting alliance with Spain
• Answer: c) Leading to the independence of the United States

12. The Continental Army was led by:

• a) Thomas Jefferson
• b) Alexander Hamilton
• c) George Washington
• d) John Adams
• Answer: c) George Washington

13. The “Sons of Liberty” were:

• a) A group of British soldiers
• b) A colonial militia
• c) A group of American patriots opposed to British policies
• d) A group of Loyalists
• Answer: c) A group of American patriots opposed to British policies

14. The “Intolerable Acts” were:

• a) British laws aimed at punishing the American colonies
• b) American laws aimed at restricting trade
• c) French policies against British goods
• d) Dutch trade restrictions
• Answer: a) British laws aimed at punishing the American colonies

15. The Battle of Saratoga was significant because it:

• a) Was the last battle of the Revolution
• b) Resulted in the capture of General Cornwallis
• c) Marked a turning point by convincing France to support the Americans
• d) Ended British control of the colonies
• Answer: c) Marked a turning point by convincing France to support the Americans

16. The “Articles of Confederation” served as:

• a) The first Constitution of the United States
• b) A treaty between the colonies and France
• c) A set of British laws
• d) The official end of the American Revolution
• Answer: a) The first Constitution of the United States

17. The “Quartering Act” required American colonists to:

• a) Provide housing and supplies to British soldiers
• b) Pay extra taxes to the British government
• c) Join the British army
• d) Restrict trade with other nations
• Answer: a) Provide housing and supplies to British soldiers

18. Which of the following was NOT a direct cause of the American Revolution?

• a) The Stamp Act
• b) The Tea Act
• c) The Boston Massacre
• d) The Missouri Compromise
• Answer: d) The Missouri Compromise

19. The “Boston Tea Party” was a protest against:

• a) The Stamp Act
• b) The Townshend Acts
• c) The Tea Act
• d) The Quartering Act
• Answer: c) The Tea Act

20. The “Minutemen” were:

• a) British soldiers who fought in the Revolution
• b) Colonial militia ready to fight at a moment’s notice
• c) French soldiers supporting the Americans
• d) A political group advocating for independence
• Answer: b) Colonial militia ready to fight at a moment’s notice

21. The primary goal of the Continental Congress in 1774 was to:

• a) Draft the Declaration of Independence
• b) Establish a new constitution
• c) Address grievances against British policies
• d) Form a military alliance with France
• Answer: c) Address grievances against British policies

22. Who was the British monarch during the American Revolution?

• a) George II
• b) George III
• c) Henry VIII
• d) Charles II
• Answer: b) George III

23. The “Treaty of Paris” in 1783 recognized:

• a) The end of the war between Britain and France
• b) The independence of the United States
• c) The alliance between the American colonies and Spain
• d) The dissolution of the Continental Congress
• Answer: b) The independence of the United States

24. The term “Loyalists” refers to:

• a) Colonists who remained loyal to Britain
• b) Soldiers fighting for American independence
• c) French allies of the Americans
• d) Native American allies of the British
• Answer: a) Colonists who remained loyal to Britain

25. The “Battle of Bunker Hill” was fought on:

• a) Bunker Hill
• b) Breed’s Hill
• c) Lexington Green
• d) Concord Bridge
• Answer: b) Breed’s Hill

26. The “Common Sense” pamphlet was written by:

• a) Thomas Paine
• b) Benjamin Franklin
• c) John Adams
• d) Thomas Jefferson
• Answer: a) Thomas Paine

27. The “Olive Branch Petition” was:

• a) A final attempt at peace with Britain
• b) A declaration of war
• c) A treaty with France
• d) An alliance with Spain
• Answer: a) A final attempt at peace with Britain

28. The “First Continental Congress” was held in which city?

• a) Philadelphia
• b) New York
• c) Boston
• d) Richmond
• Answer: a) Philadelphia

29. The “Boston Massacre” occurred in which year?

• a) 1770
• b) 1774
• c) 1776
• d) 1781
• Answer: a) 1770

30. The “Saratoga Campaign” was critical because it:

• a) Ended the American Revolution
• b) Prevented the British from taking New York
• c) Secured American victory in the Southern colonies
• d) Led to the American alliance with France
• Answer: d) Led to the American alliance with France

These questions cover various aspects of the American Revolution, including key events, figures, and concepts.