Question 1

The first immigrants that went on to found many different civilizations in North America were __________.

Accepted Answer

The first immigrants to North America were the Indigenous or Native Americans. They are believed to have migrated from Asia into Alaska over a land bridge thousands of years ago.

Question 2

The classic and most costly regional conflict was during what event?

Accepted Answer

The American Civil War was a regional conflict between the Northern and Southern states of the United States. It was the costliest conflict in American history, with an estimated 620,000 deaths and significant economic and social impacts on the country.

Question 3

The idea that every person should have the chance to realize her or his potential, economically, intellectually, and socially is called the equality of __________.

Accepted Answer

The idea of every person having the chance to realize their potential refers to the equality of opportunity. This means that no person should be held back due to their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other factor outside of their control. Equality of standard refers to having the same level of resources or opportunities, which is not what is being described here. Equality of rights refers to ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and have access to basic human rights such as freedom of speech and expression. Equality of result refers to ensuring that all individuals end up with the same outcomes or results, which is not what is being described here.

Question 4

Europeans who migrated to America __________.

Accepted Answer

Europeans who migrated to America came from various countries, spoke different languages, and practiced different religions. However, they brought some of their conflicts with them, including tensions between different religious groups and ethnicities, which contributed to the development of diverse cultural and social landscapes in America.

Question 5

Constitutional amendments that led toward equality in life include __________.

Accepted Answer

The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the United States, including African Americans, and gave them equal protection under the law. This was a significant step towards equality in life. The Bill of Rights and Second Amendment protect individual rights but do not specifically address equality. The Seventeenth Amendment changed the election of senators to a direct vote by the people, but did not address equality specifically.

Question 6

The Declaration of Independence denied political rights to __________.

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence explicitly denied political rights to women, including white women. The document only granted political rights to white men who owned property.

Question 7

Many "birthers" are prevalent in the __________.

Accepted Answer

Birtherism is a conspiracy theory that emerged during Barack Obama's presidency, claiming he was not born in the United States and therefore ineligible to serve as President. This theory was most prevalent in the southern states of the US, where conservative politics and racial tensions were high. While birthers can be found all across the country, they have been most prevalent in the South.

Question 8

What author described America as "a teeming Nation of nations?"

Accepted Answer

The author who described America as a "teeming Nation of nations" is Walt Whitman, as mentioned in his poem "Song of Myself."

Question 9

One person complaining about bilingual street signs in 1750s Philadelphia was __________.

Accepted Answer

Benjamin Franklin was known to have expressed concern over the use of bilingual street signs in Philadelphia in the 1750s, feeling that it would cause confusion and hinder assimilation for non-English speaking immigrants.

Question 10

Core values, including liberty, equality and popular sovereignty, are found in which document?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution is the foundational document of the United States and outlines core values such as liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty. The Mayflower Compact established a social contract for the Pilgrims in Massachusetts but did not include these specific values. The Gettysburg Address addressed these values in the context of the Civil War but is not a foundational document. The Federalist Papers were a series of essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution but did not define the core values themselves.

Question 11

What percent of Americans claim no religious affiliation?

Accepted Answer

According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, 16% of Americans claim no religious affiliation.

Question 12

Africans, men and women, forcibly removed to America __________.

Accepted Answer

Africans forcibly removed to America came from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and as a result did not share common traditions. They spoke different languages and practiced different religions, and their cultures varied from region to region.

Question 13

The Occupy Wall Street movement highlights the conflict between __________.

Accepted Answer

The Occupy Wall Street movement is a protest against income inequality and the disproportionate wealth held by the richest 1% of Americans. This highlights the conflict between the rich and poor.

Question 14

America's religious diversity has changed along with what?

Accepted Answer

America's ethnic makeup has become more diverse, leading to a greater variety of religions represented in the population.

Question 15

The Statue of Liberty represents __________.

Accepted Answer

The Statue of Liberty represents the age of Enlightenment, symbolizing liberty and democracy, ideals that were central to the Enlightenment period's emphasis on reason, individualism, and a commitment to social progress.

Question 16

"The New Colossus," now associated with the Statue of Liberty, was written by whom?

Accepted Answer

"The New Colossus" was written by Emma Lazarus in 1883.

Question 17

How did the Founders view majority rule?

Accepted Answer

The Founders believed that majority rule should be limited to avoid tyranny of the majority and to protect the rights of minorities. This is reflected in the design of the Constitution, which includes various checks and balances on the power of the majority, such as the Bill of Rights and the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Question 18

Anti-immigration or anti-foreign viewpoints are sometimes called __________ sentiments.

Accepted Answer

The term "nativist" refers to a person or belief system that opposes immigration and favors the rights and privileges of those who are seen as native to a country or region. This fits with the definition of "anti-immigration" or "anti-foreign" sentiments.

Question 19

The ethnic and racial composition of the American population broadened in the __________.

Accepted Answer

The mid- to late-nineteenth century saw a significant increase in immigration from Europe, particularly from Ireland and Germany, as well as arrival of Chinese immigrants. This period also included the abolishment of slavery, which changed the racial makeup of the population.

Question 20

The birther movement claims President Obama was born where?

Accepted Answer

The birther movement falsely claimed that President Obama was born in Kenya, despite ample evidence that he was born in Hawaii. This conspiracy theory was promoted primarily by Donald Trump and other conservative figures seeking to undermine the legitimacy of Obama's presidency.

Quiz 1: The American People