Declaration of Independence
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Who was President of the Continental Congress and signed his name the largest
Johnny Hancock
What year were the Articles officially ratified?
1781
Name one success of the Articles of Confederation.
(Won Revolutionary War, Northwest Ordinance, kept states united,)
What is the Declaration often called because it created our nation
America's Birth Certificate
What date was the Declaration signed
July 4, 1776
Who helped Jefferson edit the Declaration
Benjamin Franklin and John Adams
How many branches of government did the Articles create?
one Congress
Name one economic problem under the Articles
No power to tax, states printed own money, inflation, trade wars)
What key principle states that governments get their power from the people
Consent of the Governed
Name the 3 natural rights listed in the Declaration
Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Happiness
Who famously said, “We must all hang together, or we shall all hang separately
Benjamin Franklin
What did the Articles call the alliance of the 13 states
A Firm League of Friendship
Why did foreign nations (like Britain & Spain) not respect the Articles government?
(It was too weak to enforce decisions or protect trade
What document replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1787
US Constitution
What section of the Declaration listed 27 complaints against King George III
List of Grievances
Which rebellion convinced leaders the Articles of Confederation weren’t working?
Shay' s Rebellion
Name one major power Congress did NOT have under the Articles.
Could not tax, regulate trade, or enforce laws)
Why did changing the Articles prove nearly impossible
Required all 13 states to agree)
Name one way the Declaration inspired movements outside the U.S.
French Revolution, global democracy, human rights documents)
Why was signing the Declaration considered dangerous
It was treason; signers risked death, loss of property, etc.)
Who led the Philadelphia meeting in 1787 that replaced the Articles with the Constitution
George Washington as Presiding Officer
Which event showed the Articles’ weakness when farmers rebelled in Massachusetts
Shay's Rebellion
What important lesson did Americans learn from the Articles that shaped the Constitution
Need stronger central government balanced with state power
How did both documents — the Declaration and the Articles — reflect the goals of the American Revolution
Declaration: independence & rights; Articles: avoiding tyranny with weak central gov.)