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US citizenship civics · Theme 4 · 6 min read

Colonial Period and Independence

Why the colonists came, the road to independence, the Revolutionary War, the 13 original states, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, and the founders. Questions 73 to 89 of the 2025 civics test.

About this section

This section runs from the first colonies to the founding of the new nation. Expect questions on why the Americans broke away from Britain, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolution and famous founders such as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison and Hamilton.

This section belongs to American History, one of the three parts of the official USCIS 2025 civics test. At the interview the officer asks up to 20 of the 128 questions, and you need 12 correct answers to pass. Questions marked 65/20 are the 20 that applicants aged 65 or older with 20 or more years as a permanent resident may study instead; they are asked 10 of them and need 6 correct. The 2025 test applies if you filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025; earlier filers take the 2008 version.

The questions

73. The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one.

Accepted answers:

Colonists came for freedom, including religious freedom and political liberty, for the chance of a better living and to escape persecution.

74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

65/20 question

Accepted answers:

American Indians, also called Native Americans, lived throughout North America for thousands of years before Europeans arrived.

75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

Accepted answers:

Africans were captured, carried across the Atlantic and sold into slavery in the American colonies and later in the United States.

76. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

Accepted answers:

The colonies won their independence from Britain in the American Revolution, also called the Revolutionary War.

77. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

Accepted answers:

Colonists objected to British taxes passed without their consent, to soldiers being housed in their homes and to having no self-government. Events such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, and laws such as the Stamp Act, deepened the anger.

78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

65/20 question

Accepted answer:

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence, which he drafted for the Continental Congress in 1776.

79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

Accepted answer:

The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776, which is why Independence Day falls on July 4.

80. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

Accepted answers:

Key moments of the Revolution include the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Declaration of Independence, the winter at Valley Forge, Washington crossing the Delaware, the victory at Saratoga and the British surrender at Yorktown.

81. There were 13 original states. Name five.

Accepted answers:

The 13 original states were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. On the real test you would name five.

82. What founding document was written in 1787?

Accepted answer:

The Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and replaced the weaker Articles of Confederation.

83. The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.

Accepted answers:

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers, publishing them under the shared pen name Publius.

84. Why were the Federalist Papers important?

Accepted answers:

The essays explained how the new Constitution would work and argued that the states should approve it.

85. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things. Name one.

Accepted answers:

Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, a diplomat, the first Postmaster General, the founder of the first free public libraries and one of those who helped write the Declaration of Independence.

86. George Washington is famous for many things. Name one.

65/20 question

Accepted answers:

George Washington commanded the Continental Army in the Revolution, presided over the Constitutional Convention and became the first President, which is why he is called the Father of Our Country.

87. Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one.

Accepted answers:

Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, served as the first Secretary of State and the third President, and doubled the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase.

88. James Madison is famous for many things. Name one.

Accepted answers:

James Madison is called the Father of the Constitution for his central role in designing it. He co-wrote the Federalist Papers and, as the fourth President, led the country during the War of 1812.

89. Alexander Hamilton is famous for many things. Name one.

Accepted answers:

Alexander Hamilton was an aide to General Washington, co-wrote the Federalist Papers and, as the first Secretary of the Treasury, helped set up the First Bank of the United States.

Check yourself

  1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
  2. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and when was it adopted?
  3. Name five of the 13 original states.
  4. Name one writer of the Federalist Papers.
  5. Name one thing George Washington is famous for.

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