Origins and Early Tensions of the USA

Question 1

When did the 7 years war end? Who did Britain fight?

Answer 1

1763. Fought France

Question 2

What did Britain gain when they won the 7 years war?

Answer 2

A long strip of land in North America

Question 3

What did Britain want to do after the 7 years war?

Answer 3

They wanted to create a frontier defence force

Question 4

Why did Britain tax the new parts of America they claimed in 1763?

Answer 4

To pay for war debts and to fund the Frontier Defence Force

Question 5

How did the colonies feel about being taxed by Britain? How did they feel?

Answer 5

They disliked being taxed by an overseas government and felt they had little representation to challenge Britain for doing this?

Question 6

What did the Colonies decide to do in 1775?

Answer 6

Start a war with Britain over the taxes

Question 7

What happened with the war of independence in 1776?

Answer 7

American Colonies won against Britain

Question 8

Why did Britain lose the war of independence?

Answer 8

They felt there was no use sending large fleets thousands of miles over the sea to fight in an area they were heavily disliked

Question 9

What event happened that did not help British Independence War efforts?

Answer 9

French joined the side of the American Colonies

Question 10

What government structure did America adopt? Why was this significant?

Answer 10

A Freedom Democracy. Most countries at the time were based on a monarchy

Question 11

Why was Britain the dominant nation in America throughout the 1700’s?

Answer 11

They had a lot of space to grow crops to sell and sustain colonies

Question 12

What kind of governance was there of the Colonies under Britain?

Answer 12

A governing similar to that of the British Empire of political liberty

Question 13

How did the colonies believe they could solve the taxation issue for Britain where Britiain could still possibly get some money?

Answer 13

They tried to make it so that areas of colonies with MP’s that approved of taxation would be the only areas to be taxed

Question 14

What did America believe about having a government?

Answer 14

It should have large and small parts and the large parts should not be able to have too much power.

Question 15

Who was in charge of the army in the war for Independence in 1775 for America?

Answer 15

George Washington

Question 16

What was clear about American perceptions of control of the British Empire in 1775?

Answer 16

Britain would not give the colonies the freedom they wanted

Question 17

What was clear about American perceptions of control of the British Empire in 1776?

Answer 17

The ambitions of the American Colonies could not be met under the British Empire

Question 18

When did America gain independence?

Answer 18

4th July 1776

Question 19

What did the Declaration of Independence put an emphasis on?

Answer 19

“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”

Question 20

When did Britain stop fighting America in the war of independence?

Answer 20

1781

Question 21

What was the Aftermath of the Independence War for the colonies?

Answer 21

They had no money and large debts

Question 22

What happened in 1787 to consider the post war issues?

Answer 22

A Convention in Philadelphia

Question 23

What did the 1787 Philadelphia Convention produce?

Answer 23

The Constitution

Question 24

What did the Constitution say about the overall leader of the USA and their power being limited?

Answer 24

There would be one President who’s power would be limited by the Supreme Court

Question 25

What did Separation of Powers state in the Constitution?

Answer 25

There would be multiple branches of government so that not one group could be too powerful

Question 26

What did the Constitution say about powers of all states?

Answer 26

All states would have their own governments but there would also be a central government.

Question 27

What did the Constitution say about if it could be changed?

Answer 27

The Constitution could be changed if there was a general agreement on it

Question 28

What did the Constitution say about banks?

Answer 28

They were not allowed to control the currency

Question 29

What was an early issue with committment of some colonies to the USA?

Answer 29

Some colonies were not as willing to become part of a Union as others

Question 30

How many American states were there by 1850? How far did they go?

Answer 30

30, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific