Founding Documents
This document, written in 1776, declared the American colonies independent from Britain.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This battle was the first armed conflict of the Revolutionary War.
What is the Battle of Lexington and Concord?
This movement emphasized reason, individual rights, and government by consent.
What is the Enlightenment?
The Articles of Confederation were the first form of this in the U.S.
What is a national government?
The Constitutional Convention was held in this city in 1787.
What is Philadelphia?
Thomas Jefferson borrowed ideas from this Enlightenment thinker when writing the Declaration of Independence.
Who is John Locke?
This general led the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Who is George Washington?
Montesquieu’s idea of dividing government powers influenced this U.S. principle.
What is separation of powers?
Under the Articles, the national government lacked this power over taxes
What is the power to tax?
This compromise created a bicameral legislature with equal and proportional representation.
What is the Great Compromise?
This pamphlet by Thomas Paine encouraged colonists to support independence.
What is Common Sense?
This 1777 battle was a turning point that convinced France to support the American cause.
What is the Battle of Saratoga?
Rousseau believed in this type of agreement between people and government.
What is the social contract?
This event showed the weaknesses of the Articles and led to calls for a stronger government.
What is Shays’ Rebellion?
This compromise counted enslaved people as part of the population for representation.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
The Declaration of Independence was adopted by this group on July 4, 1776.
What is the Second Continental Congress?
The final major battle of the war, where British General Cornwallis surrendered.
What is the Battle of Yorktown?
This Enlightenment idea supports the freedom to express opinions without government interference.
What is freedom of speech?
The Articles gave most power to these entities.
What are the states?
The Constitution was signed in this year.
What is 1787?
The Declaration lists these as “unalienable rights.”
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
This treaty officially ended the Revolutionary War in 1783.
What is the Treaty of Paris?
Enlightenment thinkers believed governments should protect these.
What are natural rights?
The Articles required this for amendments to be made.
What is unanimous consent from all 13 states?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as this.
What is the Bill of Rights?