America Secedes from the Empire, 1775–1783

1. Chapter 8 (10 questions) America Secedes from the Empire, 1775–1783

2. Question 1 All of the following were true of the Second Continental Congress EXCEPT • it met in Philadelphia in May of 1775, with the full slate of thirteen colonies was represented. • the conservative element in Congress was still strong, despite the shooting in Massachusetts. • there was still no well-defined sentiment for independence—merely a desire to continue fighting in the hope that the king and Parliament would consent to a redress of grievance. • Congress drafted new appeals to the British people and king to which the British were initially receptive.

3. Question 2 The Olive Branch Petition of July 1775 • formally proclaimed the colonies in rebellion. • professed American loyalty to the crown and begged the king to prevent further hostilities. • requested relief from Hessian mercenaries. • proclaimed that skirmishes were now out-and-out treason, a hanging crime.

4. Question 3 All of the following were true of Common Sense EXCEPT • it was one of the most influential pamphlets ever written. • Thomas Paine began his tract with a treatise on the nature of government. • Paine branded the ongoing loyalty of the colonists as “common sense.” • it was a whirlwind best seller and, within a few months, sold 120,000 copies.

5. Question 4 All of the following were true of the Declaration of Independence EXCEPT • it might better have been called “the Explanation of Independence” or, as one contemporary described it, “Mr. Jefferson’s advertisement of Mr. Lee’s resolution.” • Jefferson gave his appeal universality by invoking British rights rather than the “natural rights” of humankind. • Jefferson argued persuasively that because the king had flouted these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their connection. • indictments included imposing taxes without consent, dispensing with trial by jury, abolishing valued laws, and establishing a military dictatorship.

6. Question 5 The Declaration of the Rights of Man was • written by Thomas Jefferson. • written by the Marquis de Lafayette. • inspired by Common Sense. • inspired by the Declaration of Independence.

7. Question 6 The Battle of Trenton • was the last of a long series of American victories. • was the last of a long series of American defeats. • revealed “Old Fox” Washington at his military best. • revealed “Old Fox” Howe at his military best.

8. Question 7 The Battle of Saratoga was important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT • the victory immensely revived the faltering colonial cause. • it made possible the urgently needed foreign aid from France, which in turn helped ensure American independence. • it ranks high among the decisive battles of both American and world history. • its stirring cavalry charge gave rise to the famous Saratoga horse races.

9. Question 8 The Treaty of Fort Stanwix • forced the Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, to convert to Anglicanism. • was the first treaty between the United States and an Indian nation. • saw the United States cede most of its western claims to Indian land. • halted the flow of westward-moving pioneers.

10. Question 9 All of the following were true of the Battle of Yorktown EXCEPT • the British general Cornwallis blundered into a trap. • Cornwallis assumed Britain would continue to control the sea. • completely cornered, Washington surrendered his entire force of seven thousand men. • British naval superiority slipped away.

11. Question 10 All of the following were true of the Treaty of Paris EXCEPT • the British formally recognized the independence of the United States. • the British granted generous boundaries, stretching to the Mississippi on the west, the Great Lakes on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south. • the Yankees were to retain a share in the priceless fisheries of Newfoundland. • Congress was to require of the state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored.

12. Answer 1 All of the following were true of the Second Continental Congress EXCEPT • it met in Philadelphia in May of 1775, with the full slate of thirteen colonies was represented. • the conservative element in Congress was still strong, despite the shooting in Massachusetts. • there was still no well-defined sentiment for independence—merely a desire to continue fighting in the hope that the king and Parliament would consent to a redress of grievance. • Congress drafted new appeals to the British people and king to which the British were initially receptive. (correct) Hint: See page 146.

13. Answer 2 The Olive Branch Petition of July 1775 • formally proclaimed the colonies in rebellion. • professed American loyalty to the crown and begged the king to prevent further hostilities. (correct) • requested relief from Hessian mercenaries. • proclaimed that skirmishes were now out-and-out treason, a hanging crime. Hint: See page 147.

14. Answer 3 All of the following were true of Common Sense EXCEPT • it was one of the most influential pamphlets ever written. • Thomas Paine began his tract with a treatise on the nature of government. • Paine branded the ongoing loyalty of the colonists as “common sense.” (correct) • it was a whirlwind best seller and, within a few months, sold 120,000 copies. Hint: See page 150.

15. Answer 4 All of the following were true of the Declaration of Independence EXCEPT • it might better have been called “the Explanation of Independence” or, as one contemporary described it, “Mr. Jefferson’s advertisement of Mr. Lee’s resolution.” • Jefferson gave his appeal universality by invoking British rights rather than the “natural rights” of humankind. (correct) • Jefferson argued persuasively that because the king had flouted these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their connection. • indictments included imposing taxes without consent, dispensing with trial by jury, abolishing valued laws, and establishing a military dictatorship. Hint: See pages 151–152.

16. Answer 5 The Declaration of the Rights of Man was • written by Thomas Jefferson. • written by the Marquis de Lafayette. • inspired by Common Sense. • inspired by the Declaration of Independence. (correct) Hint: See page 152.

17. Answer 6 The Battle of Trenton • was the last of a long series of American victories. • was the last of a long series of American defeats. • revealed “Old Fox” Washington at his military best. (correct) • revealed “Old Fox” Howe at his military best. Hint: See page 158.

18. Answer 7 The Battle of Saratoga was important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT • the victory immensely revived the faltering colonial cause. • it made possible the urgently needed foreign aid from France, which in turn helped ensure American independence. • it ranks high among the decisive battles of both American and world history. • its stirring cavalry charge gave rise to the famous Saratoga horse races. (correct) Hint: See page 160.

19. Answer 8 The Treaty of Fort Stanwix • forced the Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, to convert to Anglicanism. • was the first treaty between the United States and an Indian nation. (correct) • saw the United States cede most of its western claims to Indian land. • halted the flow of westward-moving pioneers. Hint: See page 164.

20. Answer 9 All of the following were true of the Battle of Yorktown EXCEPT • the British general Cornwallis blundered into a trap. • Cornwallis assumed Britain would continue to control the sea. • completely cornered, Washington surrendered his entire force of seven thousand men. (correct) • British naval superiority slipped away. Hint: See page 165.

21. Answer 10 All of the following were true of the Treaty of Paris EXCEPT • the British formally recognized the independence of the United States. • the British granted generous boundaries, stretching to the Mississippi on the west, the Great Lakes on the north, and Spanish Florida on the south. • the Yankees were to retain a share in the priceless fisheries of Newfoundland. • Congress was to require of the state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored. (correct) Hint: See page 167.