8th Grade AC Social Studies: American Revolution Test

Multiple Choice: Write the correct response (letter) to the right of each question. (2 points each)

  1. Which statement BEST describes how the French and Indian War led to America’s Revolutionary War?
  1. Great Britain gained control of Canada and tried to use Canada’s tax structure on the 13 colonies.
  2. France lost the Louisiana territory, and the southern colonies argued with Great Britain over claims to the newly acquired land.
  3. To get revenge, France incited rebellion in the colonies and enticed Spain to move into the territories of the British colonies.
  4. To get money to repay war debts, Great Britain taxed the colonies on the premise that the war had been necessary to protect the colonies from the French.
  1. Which statement about Georgia regarding the French and Indian War is correct?
  2. Georgia gained new territory as a result of the war.
  3. Georgia colonists suffered great losses of life and property.
  4. Georgia was a buffer zone in the fighting between the French and the Indians.
  5. Georgia was the only colony to support the French against the British in the war.
  1. What was the first direct tax by Parliament on the American colonies, which caused the colonies to unite against King George?
  1. Currency Act
  2. Proclamation of 1763
  3. Stamp Act
  4. Sugar Act
  1. Like many colonists, Georgians were divided on the issues of the Revolutionary War. The colony was reluctant to join the revolution at first because Georgia
  1. was self-sufficient.
  2. Had no objections to the Intolerable Acts.
  3. Was financially dependent on Great Britain.
  4. Had a long, successful history of self-government.
  1. The Proclamation of 1763 moved Georgia’s southern boundary to the
  2. Flint River
  3. St. Mary’s River
  4. Suwannee River
  5. Altamaha River
  1. What was the behavior of most Georgians during the Revolution?
  1. They were loyal to King George.
  2. They attacked the British troops.
  3. They rioted in the streets.
  4. Many moved to Virginia.
  1. Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
  1. John Adams
  2. Benjamin Franklin
  3. Thomas Jefferson
  4. Thomas Paine
  1. Where did the first colonial victory in Georgia during the American Revolution occur?
  1. Kettle Creek
  2. Louisville
  3. Savannah
  4. Sunbury
  1. Who was the black soldier who saved the militia leader’s life at the Battle of Kettle Creek?
  1. Crispus Attucks
  2. Austin Dabney
  3. Frederick Douglass
  4. Elijah Clarke
  1. Who was the female Georgia patriot famous for capturing and killing a group of Tories during the revolution?
  1. Rebecca Felton
  2. Nancy Hart
  3. Mary Musgrove
  4. Molly Pitcher
  1. What was the importance of the Battle of Kettle Creek?
  2. The Indians joined with the colonists to defeat the British.
  3. The colonists took needed weapons and horses from the British.
  4. The British were driven into Florida and were unable to regroup.
  5. It was the last battle fought in Georgia during the American Revolution.
  1. Who were the three Georgians who signed the Declaration of Independence?
  1. Lyman Hall, George Walton, and Noble Jones
  2. Thomas Jefferson, Henry Ellis, and James Wright
  3. George Walton, Lyman Hall, and Button Gwinnett
  4. Lyman Hall, Button Gwinnett, and James Wright
  1. Independence from Great Britain came for Georgia and the other colonies in
  1. 1607
  2. 1733
  3. 1776
  4. 1779
  1. The first written plan for the government of the United States was called the
  1. American Constitution
  2. Articles of Confederation
  3. Colonial Confederation
  4. United States Constitution
  1. The purpose of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was to
  1. Sign the Treaty of Paris
  2. Select the nation’s new president
  3. Revise the Articles of Confederation
  4. Draft a Declaration of Independence
  1. Why did the authors of the Articles of the Confederation want a federal government with little power?
  1. They didn’t favor a government that has power to the southern states.
  2. They considered themselves 13 separate states rather than one nation.
  3. They had just freed themselves from the domination of a strong, powerful government in Great Britain.
  4. They wanted local governments to have the most power since that form of government was closest to the people.
  1. Which was NOT a part of the Intolerable Acts?
  1. The British closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the tea that was destroyed in the Boston Tea Party.
  2. The British required citizens in Boston to pay additional taxes to pay for damage during the Boston Tea Party.
  3. The British required citizens in all colonies to house and feed British soldiers.
  4. The British prohibited the Massachusetts colonists from having town meetings.
  1. Who was the leader of the militia near Washington, Georgia, and led the forces at the Battle of Kettle Creek?
  1. Austin Dabney
  2. Elijah Clarke
  3. Benjamin Lincoln
  4. Nathaniel Greene
  1. Which fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
  1. The government should guarantee every citizen economic security.
  2. The central government and state government should have equal power.
  3. If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown.
  4. Rulers derive their right to govern from God and are therefore bound to govern in the nation’s best interest.

20. Which event began with a snowball fight and ended with five deaths?

A. Battles of Lexington and Concord

B. Battle of Bunker Hill

C. Boston Massacre

D. Boston Tea Party

21. Who was the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution?

A. Elijah Clarke

B. Nathanael Greene

C. Benjamin Lincoln

D. George Washington

22. Where did the final major battle of the American Revolution take place?

A. Camden

B. Concord

C. Lexington

D. Yorktown

23. Which statement does NOT describe an advantage of the colonists during the AmericanRevolution?

A. They were fighting for their freedom.

B. They were fighting in a concentrated area.

C. They were fighting for their homes.

D. They were fighting on familiar terrain.

24. What were the Townshend Acts of 1767?

A. British taxes on imported goods such as tea and glass.

B. British taxes on hotels and other lodging accommodations.

C. British taxes on newspapers, magazines, and official licenses.

D. British taxes on all goods not exported or imported on British vessels.

25. What was the MOST significant result of the siege of Savannah?

  1. The British were pushed out of Georgia.
  2. The city of Savannah remained in British hands
  3. It was the deadliest battle of the Revolutionary War.
  4. It was the last major conflict of the Revolutionary War.

26.Under the Articles of Confederation, there was a

A. Governor

B. President

C. Legislature

D. Court system.

27. Which of these statements about the Articles of Confederation is true?

A.The Articles of Confederation created a strong national government.

B.The Articles of Confederation failed to give the national government authority to tax its citizens.

C. Under the Articles of Confederation, each state, regardless of size, received one vote.

D. Under the Articles of Confederation, the Vice-President had virtually the same powers as the President.

28. The purpose of the Constitutional Convention, which was held in Philadelphia in 1787, was to

  1. Sign the Treaty of Paris.
  2. Select the nation’s new president.
  3. Revise the Articles of Confederation.
  4. Draft a Declaration of Independence.

B. Complete Sentence Section: Answer each question in complete sentence. (3 points each)

  1. What were 2 effects of the French-Indian War on the colonies?
  1. What were 2 effects of the French-Indian War on the British?
  1. What does “No taxation without representation” mean?
  1. Briefly explain the events of the Boston Massacre.
  1. What did the members of the First Continental Congress agree upon?
  1. Explain the events of the Battle of Bunker Hill.
  1. What is the significance of the Olive Branch Petition?
  1. What is the significance of Paine’s Common Sense?
  1. What is the significance of the Articles of Confederation?
  1. In 1779, why could the British have easily have stated this? “My enemies are everywhere and my friends are far and few between.”
  1. How are Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton similar? Explain 3 ways.
  1. Explain the significance of Quock Walker.
  1. How did Gen. Nathaniel Greene agitate Gen. Cornwallis’ army?
  1. Where and when does the British army surrender?
  1. Why were many Patriots unhappy with the Continental Congress?
  1. What led to the Battle of Lexington and Concord?