Part 1: Dates

Question 1

1450

Answer 1

Around 1450, the Portuguese developed the caravel, a ship with much improved sailing, and discovered a way to return to Europe by traveling in a northwestern direction relative to Africa. The printing presses began printing in 1450 as well, and they spread scientific knowledge to the masses. These discoveries are important to America today because they allowed Old World explorers reach the New World. Without these newfound abilities, the Europeans may not have been as eager to journey so far from known waters.

Question 2

October 12, 1492

Answer 2

On October 12, 1492, Columbus arrived in the Americas. This discovery changed the world. It led to the colonization of the Americas, the deaths of many Indians, and the introduction of new crops such as corn and potatoes to the rest of the world.

Question 3

1494

Answer 3

In 1494 Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the land that belonged to each. As a result of this agreement, Spain was entitled to a large portion of the Americas, and Portugal received Brazil as well as some territory in Africa and Asia.

Question 4

1606

Answer 4

In 1606 the Virginia Company of London received a commission from the King to begin a settlement in America. This was the beginning of Jamestown, which became the first long lasting British colony in the vicinity, and eventually, the America we have today.

Question 5

1619

Answer 5

In 1619 representative self-government began in Virginia when the London Company authorized the settlers to summon an assembly which was the first mini-parliament in America. 1619 was also important because it marked the beginning of African slavery in North America. A Dutch ship sold twenty Africans to members of Jamestown, and this event is considered the seed of slavery in the United States.

Question 6

1733

Answer 6

Georgia, the last of the thirteen colonies, was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorp. This is significant as Georgia was to become a protective barrier against the Spaniards for both North and South Carolina. It was also meant to be a safe place for insolvents.

Question 7

1624

Answer 7

In 1624 New Amsterdam was founded by the Dutch West India Company. They purchased the land for a very small price from the Indians. It would later become New York, which is now one of the most valuable plots of land in the world.

Question 8

1630

Answer 8

The Puritans founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630. It was full of upstanding citizens from England such as John Winthrop. The Puritans wanted their colony to be an example to others.

Question 9

1681

Answer 9

1681 was the year William Penn founded Pennsylvania as a refuge for persecuted Quakers such as himself.

Question 10

1676

Answer 10

Bacon’s rebellion in Virginia took place in 1676. He and several Virginians who disagreed with William Berkeley’s friendly Indian policies rose up against the governor and pushed him out of Jamestown, setting fire to things and killing many Natives. This was the first major display of passion in Virginia and, even though it died down, led to a continued discontentedness of both ex-servants and plantation owners.

Question 11

1680s

Answer 11

In the 1680s rising wages in England began to shrink the lower class that supplied the Americas with white indentured servants. In the mid-1680s, for the first time in history, African slaves held a greater number than white slaves in America. This is important because it shows the growth of slavery in the United States and sets the stage for a massive part of the country’s history. The spread of African culture in America mixed with what was already there and contributed to the United States as it is today.

Question 12

1764

Answer 12

In 1764, the Scots-Irish led the Paxton Boys march on Philadelphia in protest to the friendly Indian policy that the Quakers showed to the natives.

Question 13

1765

Answer 13

The first medical school in America was established in 1765

Question 14

1758

Answer 14

Benjamin Franklin, a famous upstanding American citizen published his contemporaries for Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1758. This was important because Franklin’s many wise and witty sayings would have a great influence on the character of many Americans.

Question 15

1598

Answer 15

In 1598 the Edict of Nantes was issued by the King of France. This granted some toleration to Protestants and helped to rid France of Religious wars. The Edict of Nantes also marked the beginning of a glorious period during which France was one of the most feared and respected countries in Europe.

Question 16

1682

Answer 16

In 1682 Robert de Salle floated down the Mississippi river to the Gulf of Mexico. He wanted to colonize the area, but failed to do so. His expedition inspired the French to found New Orleans and many posts in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Question 17

1754

Answer 17

The Seven Years’ War began in 1754 when George Washington and his troops met French soldiers in the forest near Fort Duquesne. Also, in 1754 the British government summoned a congress of the colonies to New York to keep the Iroquois Indians loyal to them.

Question 18

1765

Answer 18

In 1765, Prime Minister George Grenville passed the stamp tax, which was to raise revenues to support the new British military force. It forced Americans to use stamps to certify payment of tax on all of their mail and deliveries. He considered this act to be just, but the Americans, on the other hand found this to be unfair and saw it as a blow to their liberties. This tax played a major role in fueling the revolution

Question 19

March 5, 1770

Answer 19

The Boston Massacre occurred on March 5, 1770. A crowd of townspeople began killing and wounding eleven people.

Question 20

December 16, 1773

Answer 20

On December 16, 1773, about a hundred Bostonians disguised themselves as Indians and smashed open 342 chests of tea and threw the tea into the ocean. This event, known as the Boston Tea Party, was a protest against the British tax on tea.

Question 21

1776

Answer 21

In 1776, many important historical events took place. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense, which was one of the most influential pamphlets of all time. Also, the Declaration of Independence was formally approved on July 4, 1776. The Battle of Trenton also took place in 1776.

Question 22

1780-1781

Answer 22

1780-1781 was one of the most difficult parts of the war. The government was almost bankrupt and had to repay its debts very slowly. The sense of unity was diminished, and the army began to fall apart. General Cornwallis was defeated by General Washington and Admiral de Grasse

Question 23

1783

Answer 23

In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed. In this treaty, the British formally recognized the independence of the United States. They also granted large areas of land to the colonists.

Question 24

1735

Answer 24

Zenger Case
A colonial jury found John Peter Zenger innocent of libel against New York’s governor. This is an important first step towards freedom of the press.

Question 25

1740s

Answer 25

Great Awakening
Americans enjoyed much choice
regarding religious groups. Churches increasingly had to cater to the needs of their parishioners. This was an important democratic step.

Question 26

1791

Answer 26

Leisler’s Rebellion
Jacob Leisler led a rebellion of frustrated
poor people and farmers who protested huge land grants favoring wealthy landholders and speculators that left common people with few opportunities to own land.

Question 27

1639

Answer 27

Fundamental Orders of Conneticut

First written constitution in America.

Question 28

1643

Answer 28

New England Confederation
Connecticut, New Haven,
Plymouth, and Massachusetts formed an organization for collective security against Indian attacks. This was an important step in creating more unity among New England colonies.

Question 29

1649

Answer 29

Maryland Act of Toleration

Guaranteed religious freedom to all Christians