The colonies, the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Founders.
The 2025 version has 17 questions in this section; the 2008 version has 13. Each question below shows the official accepted answers and, where USCIS explains it, a short excerpt from a USCIS study guide. Practise just this topic with the quiz.
Questions about current officials and your own state are not in the quiz — those answers change. Check them on your state page and on uscis.gov. Full test: free practice test.
For applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025. Answers are copied from the official USCIS list (M-1778); any one accepted answer is enough.
The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.
Many colonists who settled in Jamestown came to North America because they wanted economic opportunities. Many of these colonists came to North America because they wanted religious freedom.
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? 65/20
The people living in the Americas before the Europeans arrived are called Native Americans. Native Americans are also called American Indians.
What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?
Other European countries that had colonies took people from Africa to the Americas and sold them as slaves. The first group of enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown in 1619.
What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?
In 1775, the colonists went to war with Great Britain. This war was called the American Revolutionary War.
Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
Many colonists began to protest against the taxes because they thought it was not fair to have taxation without representation. The reason the colonists fought the British was because they did not have self-government.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? 65/20
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. This is why we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.
The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
The British Army surrendered to the United States at the Battle of Yorktown in the state of Virginia.
There were 13 original states. Name five.
When the colonists adopted the Declaration of Independence, they created the United States of America. The 13 original colonies became the 13 original states.
What founding document was written in 1787?
The Constitution was written in 1787. It was written 11 years after the Declaration of Independence was adopted in 1776.
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
The writers of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. All of the writers of the Federalist Papers signed the essays with the name “Publius”.
Why were the Federalist Papers important?
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay wrote papers to support passing the U.S. Constitution. These papers are called the Federalist Papers.
Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.
One thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for was being a diplomat. Benjamin Franklin was the diplomat who negotiated the treaty with Great Britain in 1783.
George Washington is famous for many things. Name one. 65/20
George Washington was named the general of the colonial army during the American Revolutionary War. When the new government was created, George Washington was elected the first President of the United States.
Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France.
James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.
James Madison was the main writer of the Constitution.
Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.
The writers of the Federalist Papers were James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
For applicants who filed Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. Answers are from the official USCIS list (rev. 08/21).
What is one reason colonists came to America?
In the 1600s and 1700s, colonists from England and other European countries sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to the American colonies. Some left Europe to escape religious restrictions or persecution, to practice their religion freely.
Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
Great American Indian tribes such as the Navajo, Sioux, Cherokee, and Iroquois lived in America at the time the Pilgrims arrived. The Pilgrims settled in an area where a tribe called the Wampanoag lived.
What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
Slavery existed in many countries long before America was founded. By 1700, many Africans were being brought to the American colonies as slaves. Men, women, and children were brought against their will.
Why did the colonists fight the British?
The British taxed the colonists without their consent, and the colonists had nobody to represent their needs and ideas to the British government.
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was a very important political leader and thinker. Some of the most important ideas about the American government are found in the Declaration of Independence, such as the idea that all people are created equal.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
In 1774, representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the First Continental Congress. Of the 13 colonies, only Georgia was absent.
There were 13 original states. Name three.
The 13 original states were all former British colonies. Representatives from these colonies came together and declared independence from Great Britain in 1776.
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from May to September 1787. Fifty-five delegates from 12 of the original 13 states (except for Rhode Island) met to write amendments to the Articles of Confederation.
When was the Constitution written?
The Constitution, written in 1787, created a new system of U.S. government—the same system we have today. James Madison was the main writer of the Constitution.
The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
The Federalist Papers were 85 essays that were printed in New York newspapers while New York State was deciding whether or not to support the U.S. Constitution.
What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
Benjamin Franklin was one of the most influential Founding Fathers of the United States. He was the oldest delegate to the Constitutional Convention and one of the signers of the U.S. Constitution.
Who is the "Father of Our Country"?
George Washington is called the Father of Our Country. He was the first American president. Before that, he was a brave general who led the Continental Army to victory over Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War.
Who was the first President? 65/20
George Washington was the first president of the United States. He began his first term in 1789. He served for a second term beginning in 1793.
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