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Lesson 2: To Declare Independence or Not — Practice Questions

  1. 1. The Patriots' desire for their own government was a direct rejection of what practice?

    • A. Being ruled by a distant king and parliament.
    • B. Electing local officials to manage town business.
    • C. Having colonial assemblies to discuss local issues.
    • D. Trading goods like tea and paper with other nations.
  2. 2. What was the main goal of the colonists who identified as Patriots?

    • A. To pay fewer taxes but remain under the king's rule
    • B. To elect their own representatives to the British Parliament
    • C. To have the colonies govern themselves and create their own laws
    • D. To expand colonial trade exclusively with Great Britain
  3. 3. Colonists who were merchants and artisans often became Patriots because they were angry about...

    • A. the king appointing their local governors.
    • B. the long distance to Great Britain.
    • C. British laws and taxes that hurt their businesses and trade.
    • D. the requirement to serve in the British army.
  4. 4. A key belief of the Patriots was that it was unfair for laws to be made by...

    • A. a government across the ocean where colonists had no voice.
    • B. elected officials from within their own colonies.
    • C. wealthy landowners and merchants only.
    • D. colonial governors who were appointed by the king.
  5. 5. The group of colonists known as Patriots included people from many different backgrounds, such as...

    • A. only wealthy landowners and royal officials.
    • B. only soldiers and members of the Church of England.
    • C. merchants who sold goods, lawyers, and skilled craftspeople.
    • D. only people who lived in the city of Boston.
  6. 6. During the growing conflict with Great Britain, what were the colonists who wanted to fight for independence called?

    • A. Loyalists
    • B. Patriots
    • C. Neutrals
    • D. Governors
  7. 7. What term described colonists who chose not to take a side in the growing conflict between Great Britain and the Patriots?

    • A. Neutrals
    • B. Traitors
    • C. Loyalists
    • D. Patriots
  8. 8. A colonial merchant angry about British taxes on goods would most likely have supported which group?

    • A. The Loyalists, because he feared war would disrupt trade.
    • B. The Patriots, because they argued for economic freedom.
    • C. The Neutrals, since he wanted to avoid taking risks.
    • D. The British army, because it offered protection.
  9. 9. Which of the following explains a common reason why a colonist might have chosen to remain a Loyalist?

    • A. They wanted to start their own businesses without British taxes.
    • B. They believed colonists should have the right to elect their own governors.
    • C. They were officials appointed by the king and felt a duty to uphold British law.
    • D. They thought that war was the only way to gain more personal freedoms.
  10. 10. What was the main disagreement that divided Patriots and Loyalists?

    • A. The choice of an official religion for the colonies.
    • B. Whether to separate from Great Britain or stay under British rule.
    • C. How to manage trade with Native American tribes.
    • D. The location of the colonies' capital city.