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Quizzes > History

U.S. History IQ Test: How Much Do You Know?

Quick, free US history quiz with instant results and answer tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Venney NicolaUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a US History IQ quiz on a dark blue background

This U.S. history IQ test helps you check what you know from colonial times through civil rights. Want more practice or a tougher challenge? Try our US history quiz, explore an American history quiz that spans key eras, or focus on leaders with a quick presidents quiz. See your score instantly and spot topics to review as you go.

Who was the first President of the United States?
John Adams
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
James Madison
George Washington was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. His administration set many precedents for the new federal government, including the Cabinet system and the tradition of a peaceful transfer of power. Washington also led the nation through its formative years without precedent for how a president should behave. Learn more about his presidency at .
In what year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1781
1774
1776
1775
The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It formally announced the thirteen American colonies as independent states and outlined grievances against King George III. This date has been celebrated as Independence Day in the United States ever since. For more details, see .
Which conflict was fought between the Northern and Southern states of the United States from 1861 to 1865?
Spanish-American War
American Civil War
War of 1812
Revolutionary War
The American Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 between the Union (Northern states) and the Confederacy (Southern states). It centered on issues including states' rights and slavery, leading to massive military and civilian casualties. The Union victory preserved the United States as a single nation and led to the abolition of slavery. Read more at .
Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence and is credited as its principal author. He worked with a five-person committee but wrote the initial text largely by himself. His eloquent language articulating natural rights has defined American political philosophy. For details, visit .
Which land deal in 1803 doubled the size of the United States?
Gadsden Purchase
Louisiana Purchase
Alaska Purchase
Oregon Treaty
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 saw the U.S. acquire roughly 828,000 square miles of territory from France, effectively doubling the nation's size. Negotiated under President Thomas Jefferson, it cost about $15 million. The land extended from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, opening vast areas for exploration and settlement. More information is available at .
What document served as the first constitution of the United States before being replaced in 1789?
Articles of Confederation
Bill of Rights
U.S. Constitution
Federalist Papers
The Articles of Confederation was adopted in 1781 as the first governing document of the United States. It established a confederation of sovereign states with a weak central government, lacking power to tax or regulate commerce effectively. Its shortcomings led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the creation of the current U.S. Constitution. Learn more at .
Which war was primarily caused by British impressment of American sailors and interference with American trade?
Quasi-War
Mexican-American War
French and Indian War
War of 1812
The War of 1812, fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815, was sparked in part by British impressment of American sailors and trade restrictions due to Britain's ongoing war with France. American merchants suffered from interference on the high seas, prompting calls for action. The conflict solidified U.S. independence and fostered national pride. More details at .
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech?
Third Amendment
Fourth Amendment
First Amendment
Second Amendment
The First Amendment, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, prohibits Congress from making laws that infringe on freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition. This fundamental protection underlies much of American civil liberties jurisprudence. Its guarantees are central to U.S. democratic principles and have been upheld in numerous Supreme Court cases. Read more at .
Who was the U.S. President during the Great Depression and World War II?
Woodrow Wilson
Herbert Hoover
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry S. Truman
Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms as President from 1933 to 1945, guiding the nation through the Great Depression with his New Deal programs and leading the Allied effort in World War II. His leadership redefined the role of the federal government in economic and social affairs. Roosevelt's unprecedented four terms led to the Twenty-second Amendment, limiting future presidents to two terms. More at .
Which Supreme Court case in 1954 declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?
Marbury v. Madison
Plessy v. Ferguson
Roe v. Wade
Brown v. Board of Education
In Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This landmark decision overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). It became a cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement, leading to desegregation across many public institutions. See for more.
What was the primary objective of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804 - 1806)?
Explore western territories and find a water route to the Pacific
Survey land for new states
Establish trade with British fur companies
Map the Mississippi River
Commissioned by President Jefferson, the Corps of Discovery led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and identify a practical water route across the continent. They documented geography, natural resources, and Native American cultures while affirming U.S. claims to the Pacific Northwest. The expedition's records greatly expanded American geographic and scientific knowledge. Learn more at .
In what year did American women gain the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment?
1921
1919
1922
1920
The Nineteenth Amendment, guaranteeing women's suffrage, was ratified on August 18, 1920. It states that the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of sex. Decades of activism by suffragists culminated in its ratification, marking a major victory for women's rights in the U.S. More information at .
Which president issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863?
Ulysses S. Grant
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Johnson
James Buchanan
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were free. While it did not end slavery throughout the United States, it fundamentally altered the character of the Civil War by adding moral force to the Union cause. It also paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery completely. More at .
Where was the first permanent English settlement in North America established in 1607?
Roanoke Colony
Charleston, South Carolina
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown, Virginia, founded in May 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America. Established by the Virginia Company of London, it faced early hardships but eventually became the capital of the colony. The settlement's success laid the foundation for future English colonization. Read more at .
What was the main purpose of the Marshall Plan after World War II?
Support the creation of the United Nations
Provide financial aid to help rebuild European economies
Contain the spread of communism in Asia
Fund U.S. military bases in Europe
The Marshall Plan, officially the European Recovery Program, was enacted in 1948 to provide over $12 billion in economic assistance to help rebuild Western European economies after World War II. It aimed to restore industrial and agricultural production, remove trade barriers, and prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing the region. Its success is often credited with revitalizing Europe and fostering transatlantic cooperation. More at .
During which event did the United States and the Soviet Union come closest to nuclear war in 1962?
Cuban Missile Crisis
Korean War
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Berlin Blockade
The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 was a 13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba. President John F. Kennedy and Premier Nikita Khrushchev negotiated terms that ended the crisis without armed conflict, marking the closest the Cold War came to a full-scale nuclear war. The crisis led to improved communication channels, like the Moscow - Washington hotline. Details at .
Which 1765 British law required American colonists to pay a tax on every piece of printed paper they used?
Intolerable Acts
Tea Act
Stamp Act
Townshend Acts
The Stamp Act of 1765 imposed direct taxes on printed materials in the colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards. It was the first internal tax levied by Britain on the American colonies, sparking widespread protest under the cry of 'no taxation without representation.' Colonial resistance led to its repeal in 1766 but set the stage for further revolutionary activity. Learn more at .
Who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and wrote the landmark decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
John Jay
John Marshall
Roger B. Taney
Oliver Ellsworth
John Marshall was Chief Justice from 1801 to 1835 and authored the decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803), which established the principle of judicial review. This principle granted the Supreme Court the power to strike down laws it determined to be unconstitutional. Marshall's tenure greatly strengthened the role of the federal judiciary. More details at .
What principle did the Monroe Doctrine of 1823 assert regarding European intervention in the Americas?
The U.S. would open trade with European powers
The U.S. would adopt isolationist foreign policy
Europe should not interfere in the affairs of the Americas
Europe could maintain existing colonies but not expand
President James Monroe's 1823 doctrine declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to new European colonization and that any attempt to extend European political systems to the Americas would be seen as a threat to U.S. security. It also asserted that the U.S. would not interfere in existing European affairs. The doctrine became a cornerstone of American foreign policy. Read more at .
Which treaty ended the Mexican - American War in 1848 and led to significant territorial gains for the United States?
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty of Paris
Adams - Onís Treaty
Gadsden Purchase
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848, ended the Mexican - American War. Under its terms, Mexico ceded over 500,000 square miles of territory to the U.S., including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. The U.S. agreed to pay $15 million and assume certain claims. More at .
What was the name of the secret network that helped enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada?
Freedom Trail
Abolition Express
Underground Railroad
Iron Horse Network
The Underground Railroad was a covert network of routes, safe houses, and abolitionist supporters that helped enslaved African Americans escape to free Northern states and Canada. It operated from the late 18th century until the Civil War, guiding tens of thousands to freedom. 'Conductors' like Harriet Tubman risked their lives to lead escapees north. Learn more at .
Which 1890 massacre marked the last major confrontation between U.S. forces and Native Americans, occurring at Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota?
Battle of Little Bighorn
Wounded Knee Massacre
Trail of Tears
Sand Creek Massacre
The Wounded Knee Massacre occurred on December 29, 1890, when the U.S. 7th Cavalry attacked a band of Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee Creek, resulting in the deaths of around 300 Lakota, including women and children. It is considered the last major armed conflict between U.S. forces and Native Americans. The event symbolized the end of the Indian Wars era. Read more at .
Which executive order authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II?
Neutrality Act
Civil Liberties Act
Executive Order 9066
Emergency Banking Act
Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, authorizing the Secretary of War to designate military areas and remove any persons deemed a threat, which led to the internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans. Many lost homes, businesses, and civil liberties without due process. The policy was later acknowledged as unjust, and survivors received reparations in 1988. More at .
In which Supreme Court case did the Court rule that Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce, significantly expanding federal authority under the Commerce Clause?
McCulloch v. Maryland
Gibbons v. Ogden
Wickard v. Filburn
United States v. Lopez
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) was a landmark Supreme Court case in which Chief Justice John Marshall interpreted the Commerce Clause to mean that Congress has exclusive power to regulate interstate commerce. The decision invalidated a New York law granting a steamboat monopoly and established federal authority over the states in matters of trade among states. It laid the groundwork for an expansive reading of federal power. Details at .
Which clause of the 14th Amendment has been used by the Supreme Court to apply (incorporate) most of the Bill of Rights to the states?
Supremacy Clause
Privileges or Immunities Clause
Due Process Clause
Equal Protection Clause
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been interpreted by the Supreme Court to incorporate most provisions of the Bill of Rights, making them enforceable against state governments. Beginning with Gitlow v. New York (1925), the Court used this clause to ensure fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and religion are protected at both federal and state levels. The process is known as 'selective incorporation.' For more, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Evaluate Your U.S. History Knowledge -

    After completing the history IQ quiz, you'll be able to assess your grasp of key American history topics and identify areas where you excel or need more review.

  2. Recall Major Historical Events -

    Engaging with our U.S. history quiz will help you confidently recall pivotal events, dates, and milestones that shaped the nation's past.

  3. Identify Influential Figures -

    You'll learn to recognize important leaders and influencers in American history, improving your ability to match people with their contributions.

  4. Analyze Cause-and-Effect Relationships -

    The history trivia quiz format encourages you to connect events and understand how one development led to another in U.S. history.

  5. Compare Regional and Cultural Differences -

    Through this American history test, you'll gain insight into how diverse regions and cultures within the U.S. evolved and interacted over time.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Founding Documents & Key Dates -

    Familiarize yourself with the Declaration of Independence (1776), the U.S. Constitution (1787), and the Bill of Rights (1791) by reviewing summaries from the National Archives. A simple mnemonic - "D-C-B" (Declaration, Constitution, Bill of Rights) - helps lock these dates in memory. Knowing these essentials will boost your score on any history IQ quiz or history trivia quiz.

  2. Constitutional Principles -

    Understand the separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism by studying the three branches in resources like the Library of Congress. A helpful trick is "L.E.J." (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) to remember how each branch limits the others. This foundation is vital when tackling questions on a US history quiz or history IQ test.

  3. Civil War Causes and Outcomes -

    Review economic, social, and political causes of the Civil War (1861 - 1865), including states' rights and slavery, using university lecture notes or the U.S. Civil War Museum's archives. Remember the shortcut "S.E.E." for Slavery, Economy, and Expansion to frame causes. Solid knowledge here can turn challenging Civil War trivia into easy points on an American history test.

  4. Great Depression & New Deal Policies -

    Study the 1929 stock market crash, Hoover's response, and FDR's New Deal programs (e.g., CCC, WPA, SSA) via official FDR Presidential Library documents. Use the acronym "CWS" (CCC, WPA, SSA) to recall key agencies. Mastery of these economic policies will shine on any history IQ quiz focused on 20th-century America.

  5. Civil Rights Movement Milestones -

    Learn landmark events like Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the March on Washington (1963), and the Civil Rights Act (1964) through the Smithsonian's Civil Rights collection. A timeline rhyme - "Fifty-four, doors to schools; Sixty-four, rights for more" - helps cement dates. This depth of understanding will give you an edge in US history quizzes and American history tests.

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