Chapter 8
America Secedes from
the Empire, 1775–1783
Question
All of the following were true of the Second Continental
Congress EXCEPT
a) it met in Philadelphia in May of 1775, with the full slate of
thirteen colonies was represented.
b) the conservative element in Congress was still strong, despite
the shooting in Massachusetts.
c) 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.
d) Congress drafted new appeals to the British people and king to
which the British were initially receptive.
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Answer
All of the following were true of the Second Continental
Congress EXCEPT
a) it met in Philadelphia in May of 1775, with the full slate of
thirteen colonies was represented.
b) the conservative element in Congress was still strong, despite
the shooting in Massachusetts.
c) 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.
d) Congress drafted new appeals to the British people and king to
which the British were initially receptive. (correct)
Hint: See page 146.
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Question
The Olive Branch Petition of July 1775
a) formally proclaimed the colonies in rebellion.
b) professed American loyalty to the crown and
begged the king to prevent further
hostilities.
c) requested relief from Hessian mercenaries.
d) proclaimed that skirmishes were now outand-out treason, a hanging crime.
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Answer
The Olive Branch Petition of July 1775
a) formally proclaimed the colonies in rebellion.
b) professed American loyalty to the crown and
begged the king to prevent further
hostilities. (correct)
c) requested relief from Hessian mercenaries.
d) proclaimed that skirmishes were now outand-out treason, a hanging crime.
Hint: See page 147.
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Question
All of the following were true of Common Sense
EXCEPT
a) it was one of the most influential pamphlets ever
written.
b) Thomas Paine began his tract with a treatise on the
nature of government.
c) Paine branded the ongoing loyalty of the colonists as
“common sense.”
d) it was a whirlwind best seller and, within a few
months, sold 120,000 copies.
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Answer
All of the following were true of Common Sense
EXCEPT
a) it was one of the most influential pamphlets ever
written.
b) Thomas Paine began his tract with a treatise on the
nature of government.
c) Paine branded the ongoing loyalty of the colonists as
“common sense.” (correct)
d) it was a whirlwind best seller and, within a few
months, sold 120,000 copies.
Hint: See page 150.
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Question
All of the following were true of the Declaration of
Independence EXCEPT
a) 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.”
b) Jefferson gave his appeal universality by invoking British rights
rather than the “natural rights” of humankind.
c) Jefferson argued persuasively that because the king had
flouted these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their
connection.
d) indictments included imposing taxes without consent,
dispensing with trial by jury, abolishing valued laws, and
establishing a military dictatorship.
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Answer
All of the following were true of the Declaration of
Independence EXCEPT
a) 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.”
b) Jefferson gave his appeal universality by invoking British rights
rather than the “natural rights” of humankind. (correct)
c) Jefferson argued persuasively that because the king had
flouted these rights, the colonists were justified in cutting their
connection.
d) indictments included imposing taxes without consent,
dispensing with trial by jury, abolishing valued laws, and
establishing a military dictatorship.
Hint: See pages 151–152.
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Question
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was
a) written by Thomas Jefferson.
b) written by the Marquis de Lafayette.
c) inspired by Common Sense.
d) inspired by the Declaration of
Independence.
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Answer
The Declaration of the Rights of Man was
a) written by Thomas Jefferson.
b) written by the Marquis de Lafayette.
c) inspired by Common Sense.
d) inspired by the Declaration of
Independence. (correct)
Hint: See page 152.
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Question
The Battle of Trenton
a) was the last of a long series of American
victories.
b) was the last of a long series of American
defeats.
c) revealed “Old Fox” Washington at his military
best.
d) revealed “Old Fox” Howe at his military best.
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Answer
The Battle of Trenton
a) was the last of a long series of American
victories.
b) was the last of a long series of American
defeats.
c) revealed “Old Fox” Washington at his military
best. (correct)
d) revealed “Old Fox” Howe at his military best.
Hint: See page 158.
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Question
The Battle of Saratoga was important for all of the
following reasons EXCEPT
a) the victory immensely revived the faltering colonial
cause.
b) it made possible the urgently needed foreign aid
from France, which in turn helped ensure American
independence.
c) it ranks high among the decisive battles of both
American and world history.
d) its stirring cavalry charge gave rise to the famous
Saratoga horse races.
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Answer
The Battle of Saratoga was important for all of the
following reasons EXCEPT
a) the victory immensely revived the faltering colonial
cause.
b) it made possible the urgently needed foreign aid
from France, which in turn helped ensure American
independence.
c) it ranks high among the decisive battles of both
American and world history.
d) its stirring cavalry charge gave rise to the famous
Saratoga horse races. (correct)
Hint: See page 160.
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Question
The Treaty of Fort Stanwix
a) forced the Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, to
convert to Anglicanism.
b) was the first treaty between the United
States and an Indian nation.
c) saw the United States cede most of its
western claims to Indian land.
d) halted the flow of westward-moving pioneers.
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Answer
The Treaty of Fort Stanwix
a) forced the Mohawk chief Joseph Brant, to
convert to Anglicanism.
b) was the first treaty between the United
States and an Indian nation. (correct)
c) saw the United States cede most of its
western claims to Indian land.
d) halted the flow of westward-moving pioneers.
Hint: See page 164.
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Question
All of the following were true of the Battle of
Yorktown EXCEPT
a) the British general Cornwallis blundered into a trap.
b) Cornwallis assumed Britain would continue to control
the sea.
c) completely cornered, Washington surrendered his
entire force of seven thousand men.
d) British naval superiority slipped away.
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Answer
All of the following were true of the Battle of
Yorktown EXCEPT
a) the British general Cornwallis blundered into a trap.
b) Cornwallis assumed Britain would continue to control
the sea.
c) completely cornered, Washington surrendered his
entire force of seven thousand men. (correct)
d) British naval superiority slipped away.
Hint: See page 165.
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Question
All of the following were true of the Treaty of Paris
EXCEPT
a) the British formally recognized the independence of
the United States.
b) the British granted generous boundaries, stretching
to the Mississippi on the west, the Great Lakes on
the north, and Spanish Florida on the south.
c) the Yankees were to retain a share in the priceless
fisheries of Newfoundland.
d) Congress was to require of the state legislatures that
confiscated Loyalist property be restored.
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Answer
All of the following were true of the Treaty of Paris
EXCEPT
a) the British formally recognized the independence of
the United States.
b) the British granted generous boundaries, stretching
to the Mississippi on the west, the Great Lakes on
the north, and Spanish Florida on the south.
c) the Yankees were to retain a share in the priceless
fisheries of Newfoundland.
d) Congress was to require of the state legislatures that
confiscated Loyalist property be restored. (correct)
Hint: See page 167.
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