USCIS 128:81. There were 13 original states. Name five.

OpenAI. (2026).  There were 13 original states. Name five.  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliard

The United States began with 13 original states. These states were first English or British colonies on the east coast of North America. After the American Revolution, they became the first states of the new country.

You only need to name five of the original states for the civics test, but it is helpful to know all 13. Here they are with simple information about how each colony began:

• New Hampshire was founded in 1623. It began as an English fishing and trading colony.
• Massachusetts was founded in 1620 at Plymouth and later in 1630 at Massachusetts Bay. It began with English settlers, including the Pilgrims and Puritans.
• Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Roger Williams. He wanted a place with religious freedom.
• Connecticut was founded in 1636 by settlers from Massachusetts.
• New York was first founded by the Dutch in 1624 as New Netherland. The English took control in 1664 and renamed it New York.
• New Jersey was founded in 1664 after the English took the area from the Dutch.
• Pennsylvania was founded in 1681 by William Penn. It was created as a place for Quakers and for religious freedom.
• Delaware was first settled by the Dutch and Swedes in the 1600s and later came under English control.
• Maryland was founded in 1634 by Lord Baltimore as a colony where Catholics could live and practice their religion more freely.
• Virginia was founded in 1607 at Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
• North Carolina was first settled by English colonists in the 1600s and became a separate colony in 1712.
• South Carolina was also part of Carolina at first and became a separate colony in 1712.
• Georgia was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe. It was the last of the 13 colonies.

These 13 colonies became the 13 original states:
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

For the civics test, you can name any five. For example: Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

2025-2026 MAE Citizenship Class 27

 

TED-ED: Why wasn’t the Bill of Rights originally in the US Constitution? - James Coll 

TED-ED: A 3-minute guide to the Bill of Rights - Belinda Stutzman

Classroom:

• Mix-and-Match: Series E-2: Employment and Taxes plus Quiz 16: Civic Responsibilities
• Bill of Rights pptx https://goo.gl/o4Y2g4
• Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 01
• USCIS 128.71: Taxes
• Happy Income Tax Day! Quiz video | mp3 | pdf | Kahoot
• Learn more: INCOME TAX DAY!

NO CLASS WEDNESDAY APRIL 15--SPRING BREAK!

USCIS 128:80. The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.

 

OpenAI. (2026).    The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The American Revolution had many important events that helped the colonies become independent from Great Britain. These events happened during the war and showed the strength and determination of the American people.

One important event was the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. Even though the Americans lost the battle, they showed they could fight strongly against the British army.

Another key event was the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This document explained why the colonies wanted to be free and officially announced their independence.

Washington Crossing the Delaware in 1776 was also very important. General George Washington led his army across the river at night and won an important victory at the Battle of Trenton. This helped give hope to the American soldiers.

The Battle of Saratoga in 1777 was a turning point in the war. After this victory, France decided to support the American colonies.

At Valley Forge, the army stayed during a hard winter in 1777–1778. Soldiers suffered from cold and hunger, but they trained and became stronger.

Finally, the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 was the last major battle. The British army surrendered, and this led to the end of the war. These events all helped the United States win independence.

USCIS 128:79. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

OpenAI. (2026).   When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?   [AI-generated infographic] based on "Declaration of Independence" by John Trumbull.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. On this day, the American colonies officially agreed to become free from Great Britain.

Before this, the colonies were already fighting in the Revolutionary War. However, they had not yet formally declared independence. Leaders from the colonies met in the Continental Congress to discuss what to do. The president, or leader, of the Continental Congress at that time was John Hancock, assisted by secretary, Charles Thomson.

A small group of men helped write the Declaration of Independence. The main writer was Thomas Jefferson. He worked with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Together, they created a document that explained why the colonies wanted to be free.

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final document. This was an important moment because it showed that the colonies were united in their decision.

Today, Americans celebrate Independence Day every year on July 4. This date marks the beginning of the United States as a new, independent nation.

USCIS 128:78. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

OpenAI. (2026).   Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?   [AI-generated infographic] based on "Writing the Declaration of Independence, 1776" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Declaration of Independence was written mainly by Thomas Jefferson. He was one of the leaders of the American colonies.

Thomas Jefferson worked with a small group that included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. However, Jefferson was the main writer of the document.

The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776. It explained why the American colonies wanted to be free from Great Britain. It also stated important ideas about equality and rights, such as “all men are created equal.”

Thomas Jefferson’s writing helped express the colonists’ desire for freedom and self-government. Today, he is remembered as the primary author of this important document.

USCIS 128:77. Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.

OpenAI. (2026).   Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Americans declared independence from Great Britain for several important reasons. Many colonists felt that the British government treated them unfairly and did not respect their rights.

One major reason was high taxes. The British government passed laws like the Sugar Act (tax on sugar and other goods) and the Stamp Act (tax on paper items like newspapers and legal documents). Later, the Townshend Acts added taxes on everyday items such as glass, paint, and tea. Colonists had to pay these taxes even though they had no representatives in the British government. This problem was called taxation without representation.

Another problem was the presence of British soldiers. Sometimes soldiers stayed in colonists’ homes, which is called quartering. Many people felt this was unfair and invaded their privacy.

Tensions grew after several important events. The Boston Massacre happened in 1770, when British soldiers fired into a crowd and killed several colonists. This made many people angry and afraid of British control. In 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place. Colonists protested a tax on tea by throwing British tea into Boston Harbor.

After this protest, Britain passed the Intolerable Acts (also called the Coercive Acts) to punish the colonies, especially Massachusetts. These laws closed Boston Harbor and reduced local self-government. Colonists saw these laws as very harsh and unfair.

Because of these taxes, laws, and events, many colonists wanted self-government. They believed they should make their own laws and decisions. These problems led the colonies to declare independence from Great Britain.

USCIS 128:76. What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?

 

OpenAI. (2026).  What war did the Americans fight to win independence from Britain?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

The Americans fought the American Revolution (1775-1783), also called the Revolutionary War or the War for Independence, to become free from Great Britain.

Before the war, the American colonies were ruled by Britain. Many colonists were unhappy because they had to pay taxes and follow British laws, but they did not have representation in the government. They wanted more freedom and the right to govern themselves.

The war began in 1775 with battles at Lexington and Concord. The colonists formed an army called the Continental Army, led by George Washington. The fighting was difficult, but the colonists continued to work together for independence.

In 1776, the colonies declared independence by adopting the Declaration of Independence. This document explained why the colonies wanted to be free and stated important ideas about equality and rights.

The war continued until 1783, when the United States won and Britain recognized American independence. This victory created a new nation. The American Revolution is important because it established the United States as a country based on freedom, rights, and self-government.

USCIS 128:75. What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?

OpenAI. (2026). What group of people was taken and sold as slaves?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

In early American history, many Africans, or people from Africa, were taken from their homes and brought to America as slaves. They did not choose to come. 

These Africans became a part of the transatlantic slave trade. They were taken across the ocean in very difficult and dangerous conditions. Many people became sick or died during the journey. Those who survived were sold and forced to work without pay or freedom.

In 1619, a group of Africans arrived in the English colony of Virginia. This event is often used to mark the beginning of African American history in what became the United States. Over time, laws made slavery permanent and inherited. This means children of enslaved people were also born into slavery.

In America, enslaved Africans worked on farms, especially on large plantations growing crops like tobacco and cotton. Their labor helped build the early American economy. They were treated unfairly and did not have basic rights.

Even in these difficult conditions, enslaved people created families, communities, and cultural traditions. Their strength and contributions are an important part of American history. 

USCIS 128:74. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

 

OpenAI. (2026). Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?  [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

Before Europeans arrived, American Indians, also called Native Americans, lived in America. They were the first people on this land and had many different cultures, languages, and ways of life.

In New England, the Wampanoag people, or “People of the First Light,” lived in areas that are now Massachusetts and Rhode Island. They were part of an Algonquian-speaking culture. They lived in organized villages and followed a seasonal way of life. They fished, hunted, and farmed crops like corn, beans, and squash, often called the “three sisters.” When the Pilgrims arrived, they met the Wampanoag, who helped them survive.

In the Northeast, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, also called the Iroquois Confederacy, was a strong and organized group of five nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca. They lived in what is now New York. They created a system of government based on the Great Law of Peace, which focused on unity, peace, and shared decision-making. They also had contact with French explorers.

In the Southwest, the Pueblo peoples were settled farming communities. They grew crops using dry farming and irrigation. They built strong homes made of stone and adobe, sometimes in cliffs or large village buildings. They also made pottery and textiles and held important spiritual ceremonies in places called kivas. Spanish explorers later met the Pueblo peoples in New Mexico.

These examples show that Native Americans lived in organized, complex societies long before Europeans arrived. They had rich cultures and played an important role in early American history.