Revolution
What document declared that the American colonies were independent from Britain?
Declaration of Independence
Which document served as the first constitution of the United States before being replaced by the current U.S. Constitution?
Articles of Confederation
Which document addressed the concerns raised by the Anti-Federalists?
The Bill of Rights
What protection does the First Amendment guarantee?
Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition
Who were the primary authors of The Federalist Papers?
Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay
What was one major reason the British government taxed the American colonists after the French and Indian War?
To pay for the war debt
Which event demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger federal government?
Shay’s Rebellion
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia in 1787?
To revise the Articles of Confederation
What protection does the Fifth Amendment provide to individuals accused of crimes?
Protection from double jeopardy and self-incrimination
What does the Fourth Amendment protect citizens from?
Unreasonable searches and seizures
What was the main complaint of the colonists about being taxed by the British government?
They had no representation in Parliament
The Great Compromise resolved the issue of representation by:
Creating a Senate with equal representation and a House with proportional representation
How many states were required to ratify the U.S. Constitution, meaning formally approve it for it to become the law of the land?
9
What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee in criminal trials?
The right to a speedy and public trial
Which of the following is an example of the protection provided by the Eighth Amendment?
Protection against excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment
Which philosopher’s ideas about natural rights and government by consent influenced the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke
What were the key differences between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan regarding representation in Congress?
The Virginia Plan proposed representation based on population, while the New Jersey Plan supported equal representation for each state
How did the Federalist Papers influence the ratification of the Constitution?
They helped sway opinions in favor of ratification in key states
What did the Ninth Amendment ensure?
Citizens have additional rights beyond those specifically listed in the Constitution
What protection is guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment?
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Which of the following best describes the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation?
A weak federal government where most power was held by the states
How did the 3/5 Compromise help resolve the conflict between different groups during the Constitutional debates?
It combined the interests of Northern states that opposed counting slaves for representation and Southern states that wanted to count the entire enslaved population
What was a key difference between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists regarding the U.S. Constitution?
Federalists supported a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists wanted more power for the states
What did Federalist Paper No. 51 argue about the separation of powers?
That the separation of powers would prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
How did Alexander Hamilton describe the power of the judiciary in Federalist No. 78?
He argued that the judiciary would be the weakest branch because it couldn't enforce its decisions or make laws