Starting the Settlement
What was the Watauga Settlement? (Chapter 4)
A. A Native American village along the Tennessee River
B. A British fort built during the French and Indian War
C. A self-governing community formed by early settlers west of North Carolina
D. A mission founded by Spanish explorers
C. A self-governing community formed by early settlers west of North Carolina
Who served as Tennessee’s first governor after statehood? (Chapter 6)
A. William Blount
B. James Robertson
C. John Sevier
D. Andrew Jackson
C. John Sevier
Which was a major challenge for settlers on the frontier? (Chapter 4)
A. Lack of food, protection, and supplies
B. Overpopulation and pollution
C. High taxes from the British
D. Attacks by French soldiers
A. Lack of food, protection, and supplies
In what year did Tennessee become a state? (Chapter 6)
A. 1783
B. 1789
C. 1796
D. 1803
C. 1796
What is a “compact”? (Chapter 4)
A. A trade agreement
B. A written plan of self-government or agreement among settlers
C. A contract for land ownership made by the King of England
D. A rule from the judges of a territory that can only be enforced after war
B. A written plan of self-government or agreement among settlers
Why did the settlers create the Watauga Compact? (Chapter 4)
A. To ask England for protection
B. To create rules and laws for self-government outside North Carolina’s borders
C. To end conflict with the Cherokee
D. To request military aid from Virginia
B. To create rules and laws for self-government outside North Carolina’s borders
Which leader helped write Tennessee’s first state constitution? (Chapter 6)
A. William Blount
B. John Donelson
C. Daniel Boone
D. Nancy Ward
A. William Blount
Why did conflicts arise between settlers and Native Americans? (Chapter 4–5)
A. Settlers ignored borders and took Native hunting lands.
B. Natives refused to trade with settlers.
C. Settlers tried to convert Natives to Christianity.
D. Natives wanted to join the U.S. government.
A. Settlers ignored borders and took Native hunting lands.
What was the Southwest Territory? (Chapter 6)
A. Land claimed by France after the Revolution that was on the southwest part of the colonies
B. Territory created from North Carolina’s western lands before Tennessee’s statehood
C. The first Native American reservation in the southwest region of the new United States
D. The new name for Kentucky
B. Territory created from North Carolina’s western lands before Tennessee’s statehood
What is a constitution? (Chapter 6)
A. A plan for how a government will operate
B. A list of taxes settlers must pay
C. A treaty with Native Americans
D. A collection of songs and speeches
A. A plan for how a government will operate
Who helped found the settlement that later became Nashville? (Chapter 4)
A. John Sevier and William Blount
B. James Robertson and John Donelson
C. Daniel Boone and George Washington
D. Sam Houston and David Crockett
B. James Robertson and John Donelson
Who led the Overmountain Men in the Revolutionary War? (Chapter 5)
A. John Sevier
B. William Blount
C. Andrew Jackson
D. Sam Houston
A. John Sevier
What was the purpose of building forts like Fort Nashborough? (Chapter 4)
A. To trade with Spain
B. To defend against attacks and provide community safety
C. To serve as schools and meeting halls
D. To train soldiers for the British army
B. To defend against attacks and provide community safety
What was the Lost State of Franklin? (Chapter 5)
A. An early attempt at self-government that failed to gain Congress’s approval
B. A Spanish colony near Memphis
C. A British military outpost named after Benjamin Franklin
D. A Cherokee town destroyed by settlers located in modern-day Franklin, TN
A. An early attempt at self-government that failed to gain Congress’s approval
What was the first capital of the Southwest Territory? (Chapter 6)
A. Nashville
B. Knoxville
C. Rocky Mount
D. Memphis
C. Rocky Mount
What was one way settlers adapted to life on the Tennessee frontier? (Chapter 4)
A. They built tall stone houses for protection from floods.
B. They hunted, farmed, and built stockades for safety.
C. They traded only with Spain.
D. They traveled by train between settlements.
B. They hunted, farmed, and built stockades for safety.
Which statement best describes the contributions of John Sevier and William Blount? (Chapter 5–6)
A. Both were Native American leaders who signed peace treaties.
B. Sevier helped defend settlements; Blount helped organize the new government.
C. Both served as territorial judges.
D. Sevier founded Memphis; Blount founded Chattanooga.
B. Sevier helped defend settlements; Blount helped organize the new government.
What was the significance of the Battle of the Bluffs? (Chapter 4–5)
A. It caused settlers to abandon Tennessee.
B. It proved settlers could defend themselves against attacks.
C. It marked the end of Native resistance.
D. It created a new state government.
B. It proved settlers could defend themselves against attacks.
Which of the following lists events in the correct order? (Chapter 4–6)
A. Southwest Territory → Lost State of Franklin → Watauga Compact → Statehoo
B. Lost State of Franklin → Watauga Compact → Southwest Territory → Statehood
C. Watauga Compact → Lost State of Franklin → Southwest Territory → Statehood
D. Watauga Compact → Southwest Territory → Lost State of Franklin → Statehood
C. Watauga Compact → Lost State of Franklin → Southwest Territory → Statehood
What was Tennessee’s first state capital? (Chapter 6)
A. Nashville
B. Knoxville
C. Memphis
D. Jonesborough
B. Knoxville
How did the Watauga Settlement influence later Tennessee government? (Chapter 4 → 6)
A. It introduced slavery to the region.
B. It was the first settlement to elect a governor.
C. It became a model for local self-government used in Tennessee’s early constitution.
D. It prevented further western expansion.
C. It became a model for local self-government used in Tennessee’s early constitution.
Which Tennessean most influenced the statehood process and why? (Chapter 5–6)
A. William Blount, because he represented Tennessee in Congress and helped write its constitution.
B. James Robertson, because he led the Overmountain Men in battle.
C. Andrew Jackson, because he served as President.
D. John Donelson, because he explored the Mississippi River.
A. William Blount, because he represented Tennessee in Congress and helped write its constitution.
How did Tennessee’s geography affect frontier life? (Chapter 4–5)
A. Mountains and rivers made travel difficult but provided resources for trade and farming.
B. Flat land made settlement easy everywhere.
C. The desert climate limited crops.
D. The geography prevented any westward movement.
A. Mountains and rivers made travel difficult but provided resources for trade and farming.
What requirements did Tennessee meet to join the Union in 1796? (Chapter 6)
A. Population, written constitution, elected leaders, and formal petition to Congress
B. Population, free trade, and alliance with France
C. Military approval, foreign support, population, and state congress
D. Tax agreement with North Carolina
Population, written constitution, elected leaders, and formal petition to Congress
Which statement best describes Tennessee’s first constitution? (Chapter 6)
A. It copied the U.S. Constitution word for word.
B. It included ideas like voting rights, separation of powers, and religious freedom.
C. It only allowed the governor to make laws.
D. It was written entirely by Congress.
B. It included ideas like voting rights, separation of powers, and religious freedom.