The early days of American colonization were brutal for pretty much all those involved. But this quiz? Piece of cake. Sort of. What’s Your Early American History IQ?
In what year did Christopher Columbus make his famed first voyage across ‘”the ocean blue” to the Americas?
1292
1392
1492
1969... The summer of love!
Question 2/12
But about 500 years before Columbus, who led the Norse expedition that many believe was truly the first group of Europeans to reach the Americas?
Christian Leden
Otto Sverdrup
Leif Ericson
Thor
Question 3/12
Who is “America” named after?
America Goodman
Federico Fellini
Amerigo Vespucci
George Washington made it up...
Question 4/12
In 1565, the first permanent European colony in North America was founded at St. Augustine (Florida) by which nation?
Russia
England
Spain
Germany
Question 5/12
And which was the first English settlement in North America?
Jamestown
New York
Columbia
Washington, DC
Question 6/12
Speaking of Jamestown, according to some accounts, Captain John Smith managed to survive his capture by Native American Chief Powhatan, only due to the intervention of the chief’s daughter, widely known as…
Pocahontas
Maria TallChief
Sacajawea
Hiawatha
Question 7/12
Brought to Jamestown by John Rolfe, what was colonial Virginia’s most successful cash crop?
Coffee
Tea
Tobacco
Collard Greens
Question 8/12
What’s the name of the ship that transported the first Pilgrims from Plymouth to present-day Massachusetts?
Mayflower
Pinta
Mary Rose
Titanic
Question 9/12
Speaking of Pilgrims, the first “Thanksgiving” feast was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. Which of the following foods was likely *not* on the menu?
Poultry
Shellfish
Pies and tarts
Venison
Question 10/12
But before the Pilgrims even arrived, a disease brought from Europe ravaged Native American communities in New England. This period, from 1616-1619 is often referred to as “The Great Dying”. Which disease is considered the most likely cause?
Cancer
Plague
Bird Flu
Smallpox
Question 11/12
Famously connected to the “Fountain of Youth”, what is the name of the first Spanish explorer to arrive in Florida in 1513?
Juan Ponce de Leon
Francisco Pizarro
Hernando Cortes
Ricky Martin
Question 12/12
The island of Manhattan was bought from Native Americans by a Dutch colonist named Peter Minuit. What name did he first give it?
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