Question 1 of 10
The Declaration of Independence was primarily written by:
ABenjamin Franklin
BThomas Jefferson
CJohn Adams
DGeorge Washington
Explanation
📌 Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Adopted July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress.
Adopted July 4, 1776 by the Continental Congress.
Question 2 of 10
The Great Plains are primarily used for:
Aagriculture
Bmining
Csteel factories
Dfishing
Explanation
📌 Agriculture (wheat, corn, cattle ranching). Called 'America's breadbasket.'
Question 3 of 10
The US economic system is best described as:
Amedieval feudalism
Bfree enterprise/capitalism
CSoviet-style communism
Dpure state socialism
Explanation
📌 Free enterprise/capitalism with some government regulation. Private ownership + market competition.
Question 4 of 10
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in:
A1865
B1863
C1860
D1870
Explanation
📌 1863. Freed enslaved people in Confederate states. Did NOT free slaves in border states.
Question 5 of 10
The Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the US. It was purchased from:
ABritain
BSpain
CMexico
DFrance
Explanation
📌 Napoleon's France sold it for $15 million. Doubled US territory. Lewis & Clark explored it.
Question 6 of 10
The cotton gin was invented by:
AThomas Edison
BEli Whitney
CBenjamin Franklin
DAlexander Graham Bell
Explanation
📌 Eli Whitney (1793). Made cotton profitable → increased demand for slavery in the South.
Question 7 of 10
The Battle of Gettysburg (1863) was important because:
Ait was the war's first major battle
Bit fully ended slavery across the entire South
Cit was the last battle of the entire Civil War
Dit was the turning point of the Civil War
Explanation
📌 Turning point of the Civil War. Union victory. Ended Lee's invasion of the North. Bloodiest battle.
Question 8 of 10
The 13th Amendment:
Agave women the right to vote
Babolished slavery
Ccreated the income tax
Destablished Prohibition
Explanation
📌 Abolished slavery (1865). 14th = citizenship/equal protection. 15th = voting rights regardless of race.
Question 9 of 10
The first permanent English settlement in America was:
APlymouth
BJamestown
CRoanoke
DSt. Augustine
Explanation
📌 Jamestown, Virginia (1607). Founded by the Virginia Company for economic reasons (gold, trade).
Question 10 of 10
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ___ amendments.
A13
B5
C20
D10
Explanation
📌 First 10 amendments = Bill of Rights. Ratified 1791. Protects individual liberties.