Question 1

The English brought a land tenure system based on private ownership to the colonies.

Accepted Answer

The English brought with them a land tenure system based on private ownership to the colonies, which was a departure from the Native American communal land ownership practices. This system allowed for individual ownership of land and the ability to transfer or sell that land, which led to the establishment of farms and plantations in the colonies.

Question 2

Generally speaking the American Indians' goal was not to master nature but to identify their niche and their relationship with the world around them.

Accepted Answer

American Indian cultures generally had a more holistic and interconnected view of nature, seeking to live in harmony with their surroundings rather than conquer or dominate them. This meant identifying their place in the ecosystem and developing a reciprocal relationship with nature.

Question 3

While European settlers saw the environment as something to be dominated and reshaped, Native Americans generally viewed themselves as part of the ecology and sought to understand their relationship with the world around them.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Native Americans had a spiritual connection to the land and recognized the interconnectedness of all living things in their environment. They saw themselves as caretakers of the land rather than its masters. European settlers, on the other hand, often saw the land as something to be exploited and tamed for their own benefit.

Question 4

The colonies that spearheaded urbanization in the 17th century were: Boston, Charleston, Providence, Richmond and Delaware.

Accepted Answer

In the 17th century, the primary urban centers or colonies that were significant in early American urbanization included Boston, Charleston, and Providence, but Richmond and Delaware were not among the leading urban centers of that era. Richmond did not emerge as a significant urban center until the 18th century, and Delaware is a state, not a city, with cities like Wilmington not becoming prominent until later.

Question 5

According to the text, environment played a heavy role in the early development of the first five cities in what is now the United States.

Accepted Answer

The text states that factors such as access to water, fertile land, natural resources, and transportation routes heavily influenced the development of the first five cities in what is now the United States.

Question 6

Between the early 1600s and early 1700s, Providence outstripped its rival cities in both population size and economic influence.

Accepted Answer

During this period, Providence was a small settlement and did not outstrip its rival cities in population size or economic influence. Cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were more prominent in both aspects.

Question 7

By the mid 18^th century Boston had a population of 16,000.

Accepted Answer

This is true according to historical records.

Question 8

Boston, from the beginning, had the most cosmopolitan population of the colonial cities.

Accepted Answer

Boston, while diverse, was not the most cosmopolitan of the colonial cities; that distinction often goes to cities like New York and Philadelphia, which had larger mixes of ethnicities and nationalities.

Question 9

Early New England towns, like Boston, found their economic growth hindered by the lack of a fertile hinterland.

Accepted Answer

Early New England towns, like Boston, were located in areas with rocky and infertile soil, which made agriculture difficult. As a result, they had to rely on trade and fishing for economic growth.

Question 10

New York had an environmental disadvantage when compared to other settlements because it lacked easy access to its hinterland.

Accepted Answer

New York had a significant environmental advantage due to its deep and expansive natural harbor, which facilitated easy access to both international trade routes and its hinterland via the Hudson River, making it an ideal location for trade and settlement.

Question 11

Philadelphia was the youngest of the large colonial cities.

Accepted Answer

Philadelphia was founded in 1682, while other large colonial cities such as Boston and New York were founded in the early 1600s.

Question 12

The southernmost of the English colonial cities was New Orleans.

Accepted Answer

The southernmost of the English colonial cities was St. Augustine, located in present-day Florida. New Orleans was a French colony until it was sold to the United States in 1803.

Question 13

The early French Canadian cities were not really major points of settlement or industry, but instead served as garrisons and trading posts.

Accepted Answer

The early French Canadian cities, such as Quebec City and Montreal, were primarily established as military outposts and fur trading posts rather than major centers of industry or widespread settlement.

Question 14

Canadian cities first became manufacturing and economic centers in the 1750s.

Accepted Answer

While some manufacturing did occur in Canada during that time, it was not until the 19th century that Canadian cities began to emerge as significant manufacturing and economic centers.

Question 15

By 1690 the colonial population possibly had a higher percentage urban than England itself.

Accepted Answer

Due to the rapid growth of cities such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, by 1690 the colonial population possibly had a higher percentage urban than England itself.

Question 16

The percentage of urban dwellers in what is now the U.S. increased four-fold between 1690 and 1790.

Accepted Answer

The percentage of urban dwellers in the U.S. did not increase four-fold between 1690 and 1790. During this period, the U.S. was primarily rural, and urbanization did not significantly increase until the 19th century.

Question 17

The first U.S. census was taken in 1790.

Accepted Answer

The first U.S. census was conducted in 1790.

Question 18

Immediately after the United States was founded, the rural population exerted tremendous power in government through the Federalist Party.

Accepted Answer

While the rural population was significant in the early years of the United States, the Federalist Party was actually more dominant in urban areas and among the merchant elite.

Question 19

In 1790, three quarters of the U.S. population lived within 50 miles of the Atlantic Ocean.

Accepted Answer

This is true, according to historical Census data.

Question 20

As of the first U.S. census, New York was the largest city followed by Chicago.

Accepted Answer

As of the first U.S. census in 1790, New York was the largest city, but Philadelphia was the second largest, not Chicago. Chicago was not incorporated as a city until 1837.

Quiz 3: The Rise of Urban America