West Virginia History Test

 

West Virginia History Test

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

1. What is the capital of West Virginia?

A. Charleston
B. Huntington
C. Morgantown
D. Wheeling

Answer: A. Charleston

Explanation: Charleston has been the capital of West Virginia since 1863.

2. What is the official state nickname of West Virginia?

A. The Mountain State
B. The Gateway to the South
C. The First in Freedom
D. The Gem of the Mountains

Answer: A. The Mountain State

Explanation: West Virginia is known for its mountainous terrain, which covers over 90% of the state.

3. What is the state bird of West Virginia?

A. Cardinal
B. Blue jay
C. Robin
D. Goldfinch

Answer: A. Cardinal

Explanation: The cardinal was designated as the state bird of West Virginia in 1949.

4. What is the state flower of West Virginia?

A. Rhododendron
B. Mountain laurel
C. Goldenrod
D. Dogwood

Answer: A. Rhododendron

Explanation: The rhododendron was designated as the state flower of West Virginia in 1903.

5. What is the state tree of West Virginia?

A. Sugar maple
B. Red spruce
C. American chestnut
D. White oak

Answer: D. White oak

Explanation: The white oak was designated as the state tree of West Virginia in 1905.

6. What is the state song of West Virginia?

A. "The West Virginia Hills"
B. "Country Roads"
C. "Almost Heaven, West Virginia"
D. "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

Answer: D. "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

Explanation: "Take Me Home, Country Roads" was designated as the state song of West Virginia in 1973.

7. Who were the first people to inhabit West Virginia?

A. Native Americans
B. European settlers
C. African slaves
D. Chinese immigrants

Answer: A. Native Americans

Explanation: Native Americans have inhabited West Virginia for thousands of years. The most well-known Native American tribe in West Virginia is the Cherokee.

8. What European country was the first to explore West Virginia?

A. England
B. France
C. Spain
D. Portugal

Answer: A. England

Explanation: English explorers were the first to explore West Virginia in the early 17th century.

9. Who was the first European settler in West Virginia?

A. John Smith
B. James Rumsey
C. Thomas Jefferson
D. Daniel Boone

Answer: B. James Rumsey

Explanation: James Rumsey was the first European settler in West Virginia. He arrived in the area in 1775 and established a settlement on the Potomac River.

10. What was the main reason for the settlement of West Virginia?

A. To escape religious persecution
B. To find gold
C. To farm the land
D. To trade with Native Americans

Answer: C. To farm the land

Explanation: The main reason for the settlement of West Virginia was to farm the land. West Virginia is a very fertile state, and its land was highly desirable to early settlers.

11. What was the name of the state that West Virginia was originally a part of?

A. Virginia
B. Kentucky
C. North Carolina
D. Tennessee

Answer: A. Virginia

Explanation: West Virginia was originally a part of Virginia. However, West Virginia seceded from Virginia in 1863 and joined the Union during the Civil War.

12. What was the main reason for West Virginia's secession from Virginia?

A. West Virginia wanted to remain in the Union during the Civil War.
B. West Virginia wanted to abolish slavery.
C. West Virginia wanted to have its own government.
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above

Explanation: West Virginia seceded from Virginia for a number of reasons, including its desire to remain in the Union during the Civil War, abolish slavery, and have its own government.

13. When was West Virginia admitted to the Union?

A. 1861
B. 1863
C. 1865
D. 1867

Answer: B. 1863

Explanation: West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863.

 

14. What was the name of the Civil War battle that took place in West Virginia in 1861?

A. The Battle of First Manassas
B. The Battle of Antietam
C. The Battle of Gettysburg
D. The Battle of Appomattox Court House

Answer: A. The Battle of First Manassas

Explanation: The Battle of First Manassas, also known as the First Battle of Bull Run, was the first major battle of the Civil War. It took place in Manassas, Virginia, on July 21, 1861.

15. What was the name of the West Virginian abolitionist who raided the federal armory at Harper's Ferry in 1859?

A. John Brown
B. Frederick Douglass
C. Harriet Tubman
D. Sojourner Truth

Answer: A. John Brown

Explanation: John Brown was an abolitionist who led a raid on the federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in 1859. His goal was to seize the weapons and ammunition stored at the armory and distribute them to slaves so that they could revolt. Brown was captured and executed for his actions, but his raid helped to spark the Civil War.

16. What was the name of the West Virginia politician who served as the 23rd President of the United States?

A. Grover Cleveland
B. William McKinley
C. Theodore Roosevelt
D. Woodrow Wilson

Answer: C. Theodore Roosevelt

Explanation: Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City, but he lived in West Virginia for several years as a child. He was elected Governor of New York in 1898 and Vice President of the United States in 1900. He became President in 1901 after the assassination of William McKinley. Roosevelt served as President until 1909.

17. What was the name of the West Virginia coal miner who led the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek Strike of 1912-1913?

A. Mary Harris Jones
B. Mother Jones
C. Mother Jones Harris
D. Mother Jones Harris-Jones

Answer: B. Mother Jones

Explanation: Mother Jones was a labor activist who led numerous strikes and protests on behalf of workers. She was a strong advocate for coal miners, and she played a key role in the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek Strike of 1912-1913. The strike was a major victory for coal miners, and it helped to improve their working conditions.

18. What was the name of the West Virginia bridge that collapsed in 1972, killing 46 people?

A. Silver Bridge
B. New River Gorge Bridge
C. Fayetteville Veterans Memorial Bridge
D. Kanawha Falls Bridge

Answer: A. Silver Bridge

Explanation: The Silver Bridge was a suspension bridge that spanned the Ohio River between Point Pleasant, West Virginia, and Gallipolis, Ohio. It collapsed on December 15, 1972, killing 46 people. The collapse of the Silver Bridge was a major disaster, and it led to stricter safety regulations for bridges.

19. What was the name of the West Virginia senator who was one of the Watergate "Baby Ducklings"?

A. Robert Byrd
B. Jay Rockefeller
C. Carte Goodwin
D. Jennings Randolph

Answer: A. Robert Byrd

Explanation: Robert Byrd was a Democratic senator from West Virginia who served from 1959 to 2010. He was one of the Watergate "Baby Ducklings," a group of junior senators who were instrumental in bringing down President Richard Nixon.

20. What was the name of the West Virginia coal miner who led the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1990 to 2002?

A. Richard Trumka
B. Cecil Roberts
C. John Lewis
D. Cesar Chavez

Answer: A. Richard Trumka

Explanation: Richard Trumka was a labor activist who served as President of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1990 to 2002. He was a strong advocate for coal miners, and he fought to protect their jobs and benefits. Trumka was also a vocal critic of President George W. Bush's energy policies.

21. What is the name of the West Virginia university that is home to the Mountaineers sports teams?

A. West Virginia University
B. Marshall University
C. Fairmont State University
D. Shepherd University

Answer: A. West Virginia University