Are you up for the challenge that stumps most American citizens? Test your knowledge with these 25 intriguing questions about the Colonial Period of American history. From the early struggles of settlers to pivotal moments that shaped the nation, this quiz offers a fascinating glimpse into the era that laid the foundations of the United States.
See how many you can answer correctly and let us know in the comments!
Q1. What was the first permanent English settlement in America?
a) Plymouth
b) Jamestown
c) Roanoke
d) New York
A1. What was the first permanent English settlement in America?
b) Jamestown
Q2. The ‘Mayflower’ was primarily filled with settlers known as:
a) Quakers
b) Puritans
c) Pilgrims
d) Cavaliers
A2. The ‘Mayflower’ was primarily filled with settlers known as:
c) Pilgrims
Q3. Which European country initially colonized Florida?
a) France
b) Spain
c) England
d) Portugal
A3. Which European country initially colonized Florida?
b) Spain
Q4. The colony of Pennsylvania was founded by:
a) William Penn
b) John Smith
c) Roger Williams
d) George Calvert
A4. The colony of Pennsylvania was founded by:
a) William Penn
Q5. The “Lost Colony” of Roanoke was established by:
a) Sir Walter Raleigh
b) John White
c) Sir Francis Drake
d) John Rolfe
A5. The “Lost Colony” of Roanoke was established by:
a) Sir Walter Raleigh
Q6. Which European country was the first to establish a trading post in present-day New York?
a) Spain
b) France
c) The Netherlands
d) England
A6. Which European country was the first to establish a trading post in present-day New York?
c) The Netherlands
Q7. The primary cash crop in early Virginia was:
a) Cotton
b) Rice
c) Tobacco
d) Indigo
A7. The primary cash crop in early Virginia was:
c) Tobacco
Q8. The first winter in Plymouth Colony (1620-1621) saw high mortality due to:
a) Starvation
b) Exposure to harsh winter conditions
c) Disease
d) All of the above
A8. The first winter in Plymouth Colony (1620-1621) saw high mortality due to:
d) All of the above
Q9. Which European explorer is credited with discovering the Mississippi River?
a) Hernando de Soto
b) Jacques Cartier
c) Samuel de Champlain
d) John Cabot
A9. Which European explorer is credited with discovering the Mississippi River?
a) Hernando de Soto
Q10. The primary reason for the establishment of the Maryland colony was to:
a) Serve as a penal colony
b) Provide religious freedom for Catholics
c) Establish a base for fur trading
d) Expand cotton plantations
A10. The primary reason for the establishment of the Maryland colony was to:
b) Provide religious freedom for Catholics
Q11. What was the main reason behind the establishment of the Plymouth Colony in 1620?
a) Seeking gold and riches
b) Religious freedom for Separatists (Pilgrims)
c) Expansion of the fur trade
d) Military strategic position
A11. What was the main reason behind the establishment of the Plymouth Colony in 1620?
b) Religious freedom for Separatists (Pilgrims)
Q12. The Dutch colony of New Netherland was primarily located in what is now:
a) Virginia
b) Massachusetts
c) New York
d) Pennsylvania
A12. The Dutch colony of New Netherland was primarily located in what is now:
c) New York
Q13. The first African slaves in what would become the United States were brought to:
a) Jamestown, Virginia in 1619
b) New York in 1626
c) Charleston, South Carolina in 1670
d) Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1620
A13. The first African slaves in what would become the United States were brought to:
a) Jamestown, Virginia in 1619
Q14. Which country did Peter Minuit represent when he famously purchased Manhattan Island?
a) England
b) The Netherlands
c) France
d) Spain
A14. Which country did Peter Minuit represent when he famously purchased Manhattan Island?
b) The Netherlands
Q15. The colony of Georgia was founded primarily as:
a) A penal colony for debtors and prisoners
b) A religious sanctuary for persecuted sects
c) A strategic military barrier against Spanish Florida
d) Both a and c
A15. The colony of Georgia was founded primarily as:
d) Both a and c
Q16. John Rolfe is best known for:
a) Leading the Jamestown colony
b) Introducing tobacco cultivation in Virginia
c) Marrying Pocahontas
d) Both b and c
A16. John Rolfe is best known for:
d) Both b and c
Q17. The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrims in 1620, was significant because it:
a) Established a democratic government
b) Granted independence from England
c) Created a trade agreement with Native Americans
d) Formed a military alliance
A17. The Mayflower Compact, signed by the Pilgrims in 1620, was significant because it:
a) Established a democratic government
Q18. The first legislative assembly in America, the House of Burgesses, was established in 1619 in:
a) Massachusetts
b) Virginia
c) Pennsylvania
d) New York
A18. The first legislative assembly in America, the House of Burgesses, was established in 1619 in:
b) Virginia
Q19. What year did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts?
a) 1607
b) 1620
c) 1630
d) 1642
A19. What year did the Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts?
b) 1620
Q20. The Virginia Company, which established Jamestown in 1607, was primarily:
a) A religious group seeking freedom
b) A group of families seeking new land
c) A joint-stock company seeking profit
d) A military expedition
A20. The Virginia Company, which established Jamestown in 1607, was primarily:
c) A joint-stock company seeking profit
Q21. Which treaty ended the French and Indian War and significantly reshaped North American boundaries?
a) Treaty of Paris (1763)
b) Treaty of Utrecht
c) Treaty of Ghent
d) Treaty of Versailles
A21. Which treaty ended the French and Indian War and significantly reshaped North American boundaries?
a) Treaty of Paris (1763)
Q22. Who was the Native American woman who played a key role in the survival of the Jamestown settlers?
a) Sacagawea
b) Pocahontas
c) Malinche
d) Sarah Winnemucca
A22. Who was the Native American woman who played a key role in the survival of the Jamestown settlers?
b) Pocahontas
Q23. The first winter at the Jamestown colony (1607-1608) was especially deadly due to:
a) Severe cold and famine
b) A large-scale Native American attack
c) An outbreak of smallpox
d) A hurricane
A23. The first winter at the Jamestown colony (1607-1608) was especially deadly due to:
a) Severe cold and famine
Q24. The Pequot War (1636-1638) was primarily between the Pequot tribe and:
a) English settlers in Massachusetts
b) Dutch settlers in New York
c) English settlers in Connecticut
d) French settlers in Canada
A24. The Pequot War (1636-1638) was primarily between the Pequot tribe and:
c) English settlers in Connecticut
Q25. What disease was a major cause of death for settlers in early New England colonies?
a) Smallpox
b) Scurvy
c) Dysentery
d) Malaria
A25. What disease was a major cause of death for settlers in early New England colonies?
a) Smallpox
How Did You Do?
Please let us know how you did in the comments?
DEW
January 18, 2024 at 2:12 pm
As an 83 year old I got 16 questions correct.
Bob Kane
January 19, 2024 at 3:08 pm
I had 7 wrong and 18 correct.
Russ
January 19, 2024 at 4:14 pm
Missed three , de sota Miss river, Pequot tribe vs ct, and oldest “permantent” settlement
mike
January 19, 2024 at 5:46 pm
i got 23 as an 72 year old pequot and cold & famine
Glynis Marilyn Gates
January 20, 2024 at 8:43 am
I missed two which I guessed wrong. But I am a naturalized citizen and we have to study for the test interview.
Maurice
January 21, 2024 at 12:09 am
Got 20 of 25 – 75 yr old.
Steve
January 21, 2024 at 10:18 am
I missed 7 out of 25. It would be interesting to see how well school kids today would do.
Mark
January 18, 2024 at 3:05 pm
got #24 wrong only. Forgot the Pequot tribe.
Don Schwobel
January 20, 2024 at 3:12 pm
Me, too. Pequot drew a complete blank! lol!
John Lenko
January 21, 2024 at 4:17 am
Don’t believe that for a second.
Edith Rudy
January 18, 2024 at 3:13 pm
22 of 25.
Loretta W Chancy
January 18, 2024 at 3:44 pm
I missed 3
Joe Earl Busby
January 18, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Got 23 out of 25
Jo P. Ray
January 18, 2024 at 3:52 pm
15 correct
Roy Frappier
January 18, 2024 at 3:52 pm
I got 9 wrong.
Lou Gilson
January 18, 2024 at 3:55 pm
aced it
Don Schwobel
January 20, 2024 at 3:19 pm
Congratulations! Pequot War drew a complete blank for me.
Jeffrey Nayda
January 18, 2024 at 4:18 pm
Got 21 of 25 right, that’s 84% or B+
Kenneth W Lyon
January 18, 2024 at 4:22 pm
I got 20 right
Clint Waugh
January 18, 2024 at 5:39 pm
out of 25 questions, got 6 wrong.
Marilin A Noltemeyer
January 18, 2024 at 6:25 pm
I only missed 2 of the questions, but I need to say that I taught American history for 30 years. I remembered a lot!
Diane
January 18, 2024 at 6:40 pm
All but one.
Kevin M Avery
January 18, 2024 at 6:46 pm
Proud of myself–I only missed about five or six.
Barbara Jeanne Williams
January 18, 2024 at 6:59 pm
I got 23 out of 25.
Ann Dubois
January 18, 2024 at 7:35 pm
17 right
Jennifer Normoyle
January 18, 2024 at 7:57 pm
15 out of 25 (60%)
Jim Waters
January 18, 2024 at 9:05 pm
I scored 20 out of 25: 80% I am 81 years old and therefore got a much better education than is offered today.
Michael Valentine
January 18, 2024 at 9:09 pm
I missed only 3!
Joseph W Moore
January 18, 2024 at 9:21 pm
missed 8
Joseph B. Mountjoy
January 18, 2024 at 9:36 pm
I missed 8 of the 25 correct answers, for a 68 score. Not great.
Lloyd Stephens
January 18, 2024 at 9:47 pm
I missed four questions.
RUSSELL CURTIS
January 18, 2024 at 10:03 pm
I got 4 wrong. Possibly because of the passage of 55+ years since i studied this stuff.
ROBERT GEARY
January 18, 2024 at 10:05 pm
I missed 4. They were #15, #20, #23, and #24.
Berno I. Pettersson, Jr MS PhD MD
January 18, 2024 at 10:33 pm
great test and learning experience. I missed 4 out of 25. The ones I missed were never taught in any class on early American history.
Thomas Madsen
January 18, 2024 at 10:34 pm
I got three wrong.
Scott Sanders
January 18, 2024 at 10:35 pm
Aced it!
BEN E CALVERT
January 18, 2024 at 11:17 pm
I missed 5
Mike silks
January 18, 2024 at 11:27 pm
Sadly, not so good 72% or 18 right 7 wrong!
Ron Pleasanton
January 18, 2024 at 11:34 pm
48 of 52 Not so good at the dates. Nice quiz,
Marion
January 19, 2024 at 12:31 am
Only one wrong…I would LOVE our elected officials to have to take these tests…as well as some on the Bill of Rights and our Constitution
Tom Pendleton
January 19, 2024 at 12:37 am
missed 3
Nancy
January 19, 2024 at 12:58 am
I missed 5. I was sure that Pocohontas married John Smith, not John Rolfe. These are great questions. I hope more people take the quiz.
Randall Murphy
January 19, 2024 at 3:27 am
i missed 2 questions
Robert M Crawford
January 19, 2024 at 3:41 am
22 correct
George Roycroft
January 19, 2024 at 4:56 am
I got them all correct!
Joseph Miller
January 19, 2024 at 6:08 am
20 correct without open book
Michael Abrams
January 19, 2024 at 7:36 am
Unfortunately, I scored 42.
Roy Berg
January 19, 2024 at 7:48 am
I got all correct except one. The question about the House of Burgesses got me.
Nancy Duffy
January 19, 2024 at 7:55 am
7 wrong
Barbara E Plyler
January 19, 2024 at 8:28 am
15 correct
Dave NYHLEN
January 19, 2024 at 8:45 am
I had 19 correct. What is my grade? Thanks!
Rick
January 19, 2024 at 8:58 am
21 of 25
joncee
January 19, 2024 at 9:18 am
I missed 5 of the questions I suppose I should reread my history.
Mike Beaty
January 19, 2024 at 9:34 am
I GOT 19 CORRECT. MISSED A FEW ABOUT THE LESSER KNOWN INDIAN WARS.
Gael
January 19, 2024 at 9:51 am
20/25
Jim Sprinkle
January 19, 2024 at 10:18 am
20 out of 25 – I guessed at 3 or 4, and was surprised at what I didn’t know
Joseph John Obermeyer
January 19, 2024 at 10:33 am
19 correct
Ben Wolfinger
January 19, 2024 at 10:48 am
I missed four.
Steven M Stimpson
January 19, 2024 at 11:24 am
22 correct out of 25. This was a very interesting test.
Steve Darrell
January 19, 2024 at 11:39 am
I got 21 correct. Very interesting, Thanks.
Ol' Dad
January 19, 2024 at 11:44 am
I got 20 out of 25 correct. I thought some of the questions were quite difficult, but I think I did pretty well . . .
Tom
January 19, 2024 at 12:32 pm
I did ok:(LOL) 14 correct
Ron Laswell
January 19, 2024 at 12:54 pm
I got all but 4.
ALLEN HAMMAR
January 19, 2024 at 1:44 pm
i missed 2
Tank
January 19, 2024 at 2:27 pm
22 of the 25 right! Not bad for someone who graduated high school 50 years ago!
mark howard bradley
January 19, 2024 at 2:38 pm
got every one correct
Cecil Lee Willis
January 19, 2024 at 3:16 pm
I missed 2
Arnold Dam
January 19, 2024 at 4:08 pm
23correct of 25
Thomas Bates
January 19, 2024 at 4:19 pm
I’m 84 and missed 3.
A.L. Heindl
January 19, 2024 at 4:38 pm
Did ok — missed 3. I confused de Soto with de Champlain; forgot that Jamestown(!) had imported slaves and thought malaria had played a larger role in early settler mortalities.
Wayne
January 19, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Achieved 22 of 25 correct, American History is not my strongest subject, since i focused much of my efforts in Science and Math in school.
Gary Goucher
January 19, 2024 at 5:30 pm
18 of 25
lynn calton
January 19, 2024 at 6:45 pm
Should have paid more attention to THE teacher in History class.
J D Gilmore
January 19, 2024 at 6:50 pm
I missed 5
JAMES KNITTEL
January 19, 2024 at 7:42 pm
22/25
john a bolger
January 19, 2024 at 8:01 pm
i got 19 right
Al Tal
January 19, 2024 at 9:05 pm
22 correct
Michael Scott Ellis
January 19, 2024 at 9:45 pm
22 of 25
Dennis Wright
January 19, 2024 at 10:21 pm
Missed 4…..
Kennedy Michael
January 20, 2024 at 12:03 pm
I’m 72 and missed 1
Eugene Michael Reynolds
January 20, 2024 at 2:12 pm
96
THOMAS ALLEN HORST
January 20, 2024 at 2:48 pm
21 of 25
Bruce LaFramboise
January 20, 2024 at 2:57 pm
As a 72 year old, I got 23 out of 25 right
Don Schwobel
January 20, 2024 at 3:08 pm
The only one I missed was #24 the Pequot War (1636-1638). I drew an absolute blank on Pequot War. I knew it had to be one of two
and guessed wrong.
Don Schwobel
January 20, 2024 at 3:16 pm
I missed #24. The Pequot War drew a complete blank. I knew it was one of two and guessed wrong.
Pat Robertson
January 20, 2024 at 7:20 pm
I got 18 of the 25 right, considering it’s been 56 years since I graduated from high school
LONE RANGER
January 20, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Found this quiz FACINATING ! There were a few names, or incidents, I had never heard of. I maybe scored a “B.”
I would like this quiz e-mailed to me, with questions on one page, and answers on a separate page, so I can share with my children, family, and friends. It is history we should know.
Thank you.
Blaine Hastings
January 20, 2024 at 11:05 pm
Missed 3
Bill Phelan
January 21, 2024 at 12:10 am
20 out of 25 correct
sanford protich
January 21, 2024 at 8:51 am
Missed 3
Patrick Paul Bourgeois
January 21, 2024 at 9:35 am
I got 10 wrong. Sad part is…American History was my favorite subject in high school (1980)I enjoyed this. Have anymore?
chuck
January 21, 2024 at 9:53 am
83 and I missed 2
Tom Harris
January 21, 2024 at 9:54 am
Got 20 out of 25.
Marc racine
January 21, 2024 at 11:37 am
Missed 5 (Not bad for a Canadian)
Gary Bartlett
January 21, 2024 at 12:37 pm
100 % correct. I’m 75 years old and history was always my best subject in school – and I’m into genealogy and family history research.
joseph sheehy
January 21, 2024 at 12:57 pm
19 correct
S. A. Knight
January 21, 2024 at 1:03 pm
I’m 82, retired math & science teacher. I read a lot of history. I missed 4 questions.
thomas a kloss
January 21, 2024 at 1:16 pm
Got 22.5 correct if you can split a “both” answer. 84 and still reading history.
Chuck
January 21, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Missed 7. disappointed, thought I would have done better.
george
January 21, 2024 at 3:23 pm
missed 4
Michael L. Meehan
January 21, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Pretty happy with my 19 correct. A couple were a toss-up.
Prompt Hurdle
January 21, 2024 at 6:20 pm
67, missed 3
Bonnie Jean Harney
January 21, 2024 at 6:47 pm
-3
Terry
January 21, 2024 at 7:21 pm
20/25
Robert R Ellis
January 21, 2024 at 7:30 pm
I’m 80 and I got 15 right.
Cheers all!
Lorraine Williams
January 21, 2024 at 8:14 pm
I had 19 correct. Drew a complete blank on questions pertaining to the Pequot War.
Cathy R
January 21, 2024 at 9:37 pm
24 out of 25. Pequot War stumped me, too.
Colleen Haight
January 22, 2024 at 9:21 am
At age 75, I got 3 wrong. Aced the Pequot one as that is part of my heritage and grew up in Connecticut.
Tony Vee
January 23, 2024 at 1:18 pm
This 70 year old had just enough brain cells left to only miss 6!
James Richard Taylor
January 23, 2024 at 1:54 pm
21 out of 25