American History: Practice Questions & Explanations

GEORGE WASHINGTON was the first President of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. He was unanimously elected by the Electoral College — the only president ever to receive every electoral vote. Washington had previously commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, leading the colonies to victory against Britain. He presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that drafted the Constitution. As President, he established many traditions: voluntarily stepping down after two terms (a precedent followed until FDR), forming the first Cabinet, and giving the first State of the Union address. His farewell address (1796) warned against political parties, foreign entanglements, and sectionalism. Washington's image appears on the U.S. dollar bill and the quarter. He is often called the 'Father of His Country.' John Adams was the SECOND president (1797-1801); Thomas Jefferson was the THIRD (1801-1809); Benjamin Franklin, though a founding father, never served as president.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY (1820-1906) was a pioneering American social reformer who dedicated her life to WOMEN'S RIGHTS and CIVIL RIGHTS. Either answer is acceptable on the USCIS test. Her primary cause was women's SUFFRAGE — the right to vote. She co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1869 with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In 1872, she was arrested for voting in the presidential election (women could not yet legally vote). She traveled and lectured extensively, often facing hostility, to advocate for the right of women to vote, own property, and participate fully in civic life. Anthony also worked for the ABOLITION OF SLAVERY before the Civil War and supported civil rights for African Americans. She did not live to see women gain the right to vote — the 19TH AMENDMENT (1920) was ratified 14 years after her death, but is sometimes called the 'Anthony Amendment' in her honor. Her image appears on the U.S. dollar coin (Susan B. Anthony dollar, 1979-1981; 1999).

The CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT was a struggle, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s, to end RACIAL DISCRIMINATION against African Americans and to secure equal rights and full citizenship under the law. Key events include: BROWN v. BOARD OF EDUCATION (1954) — Supreme Court ruled racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional; MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT (1955-1956) — sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat; led by Martin Luther King Jr.; MARCH ON WASHINGTON (1963) — King delivered 'I Have a Dream' speech; CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 — outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment and public accommodations; VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 — eliminated barriers to voting like literacy tests; FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 1968. Key leaders included Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X, John Lewis, and Medgar Evers. The movement used nonviolent civil disobedience, court challenges, and political organizing to achieve major legislative victories. Its legacy continues to influence ongoing struggles for racial justice.

The USCIS Civics Question 72 asks for one important thing Abraham Lincoln did. Three answers are acceptable: FREED THE SLAVES — Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring all enslaved people in the Confederate states to be free; the 13th Amendment (1865) then abolished slavery throughout the entire nation; SAVED/PRESERVED THE UNION — Lincoln led the country through the Civil War (1861-1865) and preserved the United States as one nation; the Southern states had seceded and formed the Confederate States of America; LED THE UNITED STATES DURING THE CIVIL WAR — Lincoln was the 16th President (1861-1865) during the bloodiest conflict in American history. Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky in 1809; he taught himself law; served in the Illinois state legislature; became President in 1861; was assassinated on April 14, 1865, just days after the Civil War ended.

The EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION (1863) freed enslaved people in the Confederate (rebel) states. USCIS Question 74 (65/20 list): 'What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?' — Accepted answers: freed the slaves; freed slaves in the Confederacy; freed slaves in the Confederate states; freed slaves in most Southern states. Note: It did not free slaves in the Border States that remained in the Union; the 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery throughout the entire United States. Lincoln issued it as a war measure and a moral turning point of the Civil War.

The Constitution was written in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was signed on September 17, 1787. It was ratified (officially approved) in 1788 when New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify it. The Constitution went into effect in 1789. REMEMBER: 1776 = Declaration of Independence; 1787 = Constitution written; 1791 = Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) ratified. USCIS Question 26 (65/20 list): 'What did the Declaration of Independence do?' — Different question. 'When was the Constitution written?' — Answer: 1787.

GEORGE WASHINGTON is called the 'Father of Our Country.' USCIS 65/20 Civics Question: 'Who is the Father of Our Country?' — Answer: (George) Washington. He led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and served as the first President of the United States (1789-1797). His leadership in founding the nation earned him this title.

Wars fought by the United States in the 1900s (20th century) include: WORLD WAR I; WORLD WAR II; the KOREAN WAR; the VIETNAM WAR; and the (PERSIAN) GULF WAR. USCIS 65/20 Civics Question: 'Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.' — Any of these is accepted. NOTE: The Civil War (1860s), Revolutionary War (1770s-80s), and War of 1812 were NOT in the 1900s. This question tests knowledge of major 20th-century U.S. conflicts.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (FDR) was President during World War II. USCIS 65/20 Civics Question: 'Who was President during World War II?' — Answer: (Franklin) Roosevelt. FDR led the United States through most of World War II (and the Great Depression before it), serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. NOTE: Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. Knowing the wartime presidents (Wilson—WWI, Roosevelt—WWII) is common citizenship test content.

Woodrow Wilson was President during World War I. This is a 65/20 civics question. Wilson served as president from 1913 to 1921 and led the nation when it entered World War I in 1917. He is also known for proposing the Fourteen Points and the League of Nations after the war. Franklin Roosevelt was president during most of World War II, Theodore Roosevelt served earlier (1901–1909), and Harry Truman became president near the end of World War II. Matching presidents to the major wars of their era is common American-history content.

Wars fought by the United States in the 1900s (the twentieth century) include World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the (Persian) Gulf War — naming any one is correct on this 65/20 civics question. The Civil War (1860s), the Revolutionary War (1770s–80s), and the War of 1812 all occurred before the 1900s, so they are incorrect for this question. Applicants should be able to name at least one twentieth-century war the U.S. fought. This question tests basic familiarity with major American military conflicts of the last century.

Susan B. Anthony fought for women's rights and for civil rights. This is a 65/20 civics question. Anthony was a leading nineteenth-century activist in the movement for women's suffrage — the right of women to vote — and also worked against slavery. Her efforts helped pave the way for the Nineteenth Amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. The civics test asks applicants to identify her contribution to women's rights. Knowing key historical figures and what they did, including Susan B. Anthony, is part of the American-history section on both versions of the exam.