Question 1

The Declaration of Independence was necessary for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence was crucial for establishing the legitimacy of the United States both to foreign governments, which could then officially recognize and support the new nation, and to the colonists themselves, by justifying the break from British rule.

Question 2

Which of the following was a purpose of the final version of the Declaration of Independence?

Accepted Answer

The final version of the Declaration of Independence justified the colonists' revolt against Great Britain. The document listed grievances against King George III and asserted the idea that the colonies had the right to break away and form their own independent nation. It did not address disbanding the army, condemning the slave trade, guaranteeing civil rights, or supporting a strong central government.

Question 3

The Articles of Confederation established a voluntary association of independent states that did which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation established a limited federal government where states retained most of their sovereignty and had only limited restraint on their freedom of action. States were not required to pay a levy to the national government, and the Confederate assembly did not represent states on the basis of population. Additionally, the Articles did not establish a national government with the power to resolve regional conflicts, and there were no tariffs on goods coming into the states.

Question 4

The Declaration of Independence listed grievances against which of the following people, including the suspension of popularly elected colonial legislatures, taxing without representation, and trials without juries?

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence listed grievances against King George III, including the suspension of popularly elected colonial legislatures, taxing without representation, and trials without juries.

Question 5

One result of the Second Continental Congress was which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Second Continental Congress is most famously known for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This document declared the American colonies' independence from Great Britain and marked a significant turning point in the American Revolution.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of the First Continental Congress?

Accepted Answer

The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1774 and its main goal was to petition King George III to address the colonists' grievances against Great Britain. It did not declare independence from Great Britain nor did it urge colonists to purchase British goods. Additionally, it did not produce a document that the colonists found to be coercive (that was the Intolerable Acts, which were passed by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party).

Question 7

The protest movement of debt-ridden farmers facing foreclosures on their homes and farms was known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The protest movement of debt-ridden farmers facing foreclosures on their homes and farms was known as Shays' Rebellion.

Question 8

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal" are the first words of which of the following documents?

Accepted Answer

These words are the opening statement of the Declaration of Independence. They were written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 to justify the separation of the American colonies from Great Britain.

Question 9

Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense advocated which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense advocated for the formation of the country's own government as a way to gain independence from Great Britain. He argued that it was not only necessary but also a natural right for the Americans to break away from British rule and form their own government. He called for a republican form of government that would represent the people and protect their rights, rather than a monarchical government that would be influenced by a single person or group.

Question 10

The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by whom?

Accepted Answer

The first draft of the Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.

Question 11

Which of the following was done to pay for the defense of the colonies during the French and Indian War?

Accepted Answer

The British government decided to impose taxes on the American colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, in order to pay for the defense of the colonies during the French and Indian War.

Question 12

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson's statement that "all men are created equal" is similar to which of the following theorist's belief that government is based on the "consent of the governed"?

Accepted Answer

John Locke believed in the natural rights of individuals and that government should be based on the consent of the governed. This is similar to Jefferson's statement that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Madison, Hancock, Ellis, and Adams also played important roles in American history, but their beliefs and contributions were not as closely related to the specific concepts mentioned in the question.

Question 13

Which of the following was one of the main actions of the Second Continental Congress?

Accepted Answer

One of the main actions of the Second Continental Congress was establishing an army and appointing George Washington as commander-in-chief.

Question 14

The chief objective of the First Continental Congress was to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The First Continental Congress aimed to address colonial grievances and restore peaceful relations with Great Britain, primarily through petitions and boycotts, rather than seeking independence or military action.

Question 15

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had the power to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had the authority to establish and control the armed forces. However, it lacked the power to compel states to meet military quotas, collect taxes directly from the people, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, or compel states to pay their share of government costs.

Question 16

Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following headed Congress?

Accepted Answer

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was headed by a presiding officer selected from among its members. There was no executive branch with a president or cabinet.

Question 17

Shays' Rebellion plays an important role in American history for which of the following reasons?

Accepted Answer

Shays' Rebellion exposed the inadequacies of the national government under the Articles of Confederation, which lacked the power to raise an army and collect taxes, among other things. This led to the push for a stronger central government, ultimately resulting in the drafting of the Constitution.

Question 18

A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation was a lack of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation did not give the national government the power to raise funds for the militia, meaning that it had to rely on the individual states to provide funding and support. This lack of centralized funding and control made it difficult for the national government to effectively defend the country against external threats.

Question 19

The Articles of Confederation did which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation allowed the states to retain most of their power. The federal government had limited authority and could not collect taxes or regulate commerce, leaving the states to handle those issues on their own.

Question 20

The scope and authority of power that Congress was granted under the Articles of Confederation can best be described as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation granted Congress a narrow scope and authority of power. Congress had limited power to regulate and enforce laws, and the majority of authority was left to the individual states.

Quiz 3: The Constitution