Image: Reading Through History
About This Quiz
Boston is the home of the Red Sox, the legendary Faneuil Hall, and the Boston Common. It grew from a tiny settlement into the thriving and beautiful city that we know and love today, but it didn't come without conflict, war and fighting for what they believed in. What do you know about the historic city that played a huge part in shaping the United States?
Do you know a pilgrim from a purist? Can you name the first official settler to permanently live in the area? What do you know about Paul Revere and his role in Colonial Boston? Make sure you know some important figures in Boston's history and the things that they did!
Do you know the acts and laws that England placed on the colony? Do you know the riots and protests that took place around the city? Do you know who inhabited Colonial Boston before the colonists arrived? The events and laws that took place throughout history changed the city drastically, leading to the Boston – and United States – that we know today.
If you're a Bostonian or a history buff, it's important to know what shaped the city. So, think you know your stuff about Colonial Boston? Take the quiz to find out!
Who arrived in Boston in 1614?
King Charles I
Peter the Great
Oliver Cromwell
Captain John Smith
Captain John Smith arrived in Boston in 1614, although at the time it was not known as Boston. John Smith mapped out the area shortly after his arrival in the city.
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What did Captain John Smith first name the area of Boston?
Americana
Boston
New England
Captain John Smith named the area "New England." On the map he created shortly after arriving, he called himself the "Admiral of New England."
New America
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Where did the Stamp Act riot take place?
outside of Andrew Oliver's house
The Stamp Act riot took place outside of Andrew Oliver's house. This is because the blame was put on him for the new laws with which the colonists were not impressed.
in the town hall
in Britain
at the church
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Which of the following was banned from the Massachusetts Bay colony?
Captain John Smith
Sir Edmund Andros
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was banned from the colony because of her violation of Puritan beliefs. She was later murdered, after moving away from the land that banned her.
Benjamin Franklin
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Is it true or false that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was governed by England?
True
This is true. The entire area was under the rule of the monarch of England. The colonists were taxed by the country and they were expected to follow the laws placed by England.
False
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When was the first church in Boston built?
1630
The first church was built in 1630 by the Puritans. The church still exists today although it isn't found in the original place where it was built. Most of the first pastors at the church were named John?
1708
1949
1200
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What is a purist?
Leader
Native American People
Knights
Formalists
The purists were formalists who wanted to reform the Church of England in America. They disagreed with the pilgrims' views of the Church and it caused some conflict.
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What did the Puritans call Boston upon arrival?
Little River
Angleterre
Masson
Tremontaine
The Puritans called their new land "Tremontaine." It was named after the three hills along the landscape of the Shawmut Peninsula, now called Trimountain, Copps Hill and Fort Hill.
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The first what, was established by the Puritans in 1631?
Ferry service
The Winnisimmet Ferry was established by the Puritans in 1631. It was a public service that took its passengers from Boston to Charlestown, but it no longer exists.
Taxi service
Railway service
Transport truck service
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Is it true or false that the oldest police department in the U.S. is in Boston?
True
This is true. The department began with a night watch in the 1600s, which eventually turned into the police force that exists today. It was the first time that any type of law enforcement was present in the United States.
False
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What was the name of Boston's first school?
New England Collegiate
Master of Massachusetts
Purist School of Education
Boston Latin School
The first school in Boston was called the Boston Latin School and was established in 1635. It began as a school for boys and is still in existence, although it moved from its original location.
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Which holiday was banned in 1659 by the Puritans?
Christmas
In 1659, Christmas was banned by the Puritans, who fined anyone who celebrated it. This ban was also put in place by England and went on until the 1700s.
Birthdays
Independence Day
Valentine's Day
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The reign of which English king caused citizens to retaliate that Boston was truly owned by the Native Americans?
King James II
The reign of King James II irritated the colonists in New England. He tried to be heavily involved in governing and controlling the citizens of New England who then retaliated by using the argument that the land rightfully belonged to the Native Americans.
King Edward I
King John
King Henry VIII
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Who lived in Boston in 1600 B.C. before the arrival of the colonists?
Native Americans
Native Americans were the first to inhabit the area. They lived in the area for thousands of years before English colonists made their way over to settle on the land.
Canadians
Spanish
Russians
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Is it true or false that the Americans held the British in Boston during the American Revolution?
True
This is true. It is known as the Siege of Boston where the troops trapped the British Army in the city for a period of time. The British were able to escape in 1776.
False
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Who took land from the colonists of New England?
Sir Edmund Andros
Sir Edmund Andros, who was sent over by King James II, revoked land from the colonists. In order for them to get the land back, they needed to pay a fee.
Captain John Smith
Isaac Newton
Benjamin Franklin
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What is a pilgrim?
Separatists
Pilgrims were separatists who wanted to separate from the Church of England. They were religious people, but left England to avoid persecution by the church and therefore did not want it to be reformed in America.
Criminals
Noblemen
Knights
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What was the name of the area in 1629?
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The name of the area at the time was Massachusetts Bay Colony, named after the Massachusetts Bay Company. The name stuck until around the 1690s.
Boston England
Boston, City of New England
Trimount
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The first American what was made in 1690?
Newspaper
The first American newspaper was established in Boston in 1690. The publication was named "Publick Occurrences Both Foreign and Domestic" and it was short-lived.
Car
Train
Post Office
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Is it true or false that Boston took its name in the 1700's?
True
False
This is false. The city was named after the British city of Boston in 1630. The English city is where many of the colonists that came to America were from.
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What act was placed on New England in 1733?
The Navigation Act
The Townshend Act
The Quartering Act
The Molasses Act
The Molasses Act was placed on New England in 1733, which placed taxes on imports. It was a large instigator for the events of the future and the colonist's attitude towards Britain.
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In what year did a devastating fire wipe through the city?
1760
A devastating fire, known as the Great Boston Fire, swept through the city in 1760. There had been fires prior to this, but none were as damaging as this one, which left thousands homeless.
1980
1329
1590
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What religious person was the first to inhabit Boston permanently?
Reverend William Blaxton
Reverend William Blaxton was the first religious person to settle in New England permanently. He was given 50 acres of land on which to build but later sold it.
Pope Leo XI
Gregory IV
Adrian I
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What did the Writs of Assistance allow Britain to do?
search the homes of the colonists
The Writs of Assistance allowed Britain to search the homes of the colonists as they pleased. It was put in place to catch anyone who was hiding anything they shouldn't have under acts like the Molasses Act.
imprison anyone who didn't pay taxes
punish innocent citizens
cease from sending funds to New England
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Is it true or false that Boston is called the "Big Apple?"
True
False
This is false. The city is actually referred to as the "Birthplace of the American Revolution." Boston has a rich history when it comes to the American Revolution since it's citizens were so dissatisfied with Britain.
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What sickness wiped out a large part of the Native American population in 1616?
Smallpox
Smallpox was a large epidemic that wiped out much of the population in New England. It was brought over by the colonists who came from England in 1616.
Flu
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
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Which war wiped out a few Native American tribes in the area?
King Phillip's War
The King Phillip's War was fought by both the Native Americans and the citizens of New England in 1675. The Native American people wanted to rid the area of its new inhabitants and started the war that took out many of the tribes.
Hundred Years War
World War II
The Civil War
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What took place in 1770?
The Boston Massacre
The Boston Massacre took place in 1770. It began after British troops killed three people, and were acquitted of their crimes. It angered the colonists who already felt betrayed by the country.
The Boston Stampede
The Boston Revolution
The Boston Flood
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What act was instated by Britain after the Boston Tea Party?
The Intolerable Act
The Intolerable Act was created as punishment for the Boston Tea Party. It was a series of four acts that affected everything from the ports to housing in New England.
The Act of Settlement
The Taxation Act
The Militia Act
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Is it true or false that the Massachusetts Bay Colony was also called the "Holy Commonwealth"?
True
This is true. The phrase was given to the area because the colonists were seeking refugee from the Church of England. They thought by forming their new colony they would escape the Church.
False
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When did the American Revolution begin?
1775
The American Revolution began in 1775 and went on for a few years before the British were defeated. America hence gained its independence, freeing Boston and many other colonies from British reign.
1800
1980
1839
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Who created the phrase, "No taxation without Representation"?
Reverend Jonathan Mayhew
Reverend Jonathan Mayhew coined this term. It was used in retaliation of the British and the taxes they placed on the colonists.
Captain John Smith
King John
Sir Edmund Andros
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Which of the following was an important export from Colonial Boston?
Fish
Fish was an important export for the colony. The city was located right along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, making fish an easily accessible commodity.
Wheat
Diamonds
Cars
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What did the Boston Tea Party protest?
Taxes
The Boston Tea Party was a protest to taxes placed on imports by the British. Throwing the tea from British ships into the harbor was the only legal way that colonists could retaliate.
Drinking tea
British imports
Nothing
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What did Paul Revere do?
warned of a British invasion
Paul Revere warned the forces in Lexington of a British invasion that was soon to happen. Aside from his military service, he was also a successful businessman.
led the American troops
founded Boston
went to England to speak with the King
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You Got:
/35
Reading Through History