Enlightenment Philosophers
Which English philosopher argued that people are born with the natural rights of life, liberty, and property?
John Locke
In what year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
1776
What war left Britain deeply in debt and led Parliament to begin taxing the American colonies more heavily?
French and Indian War
What was the first national government of the United States?
The Articles of Confederation
How many British colonies existed in North America before the American Revolution?
13
Which philosopher believed that people are naturally selfish and that a strong government was necessary to maintain order?
Thomas Hobbes
Who is most commonly credited with writing the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What 1765 law placed a tax on newspapers, legal documents, and other printed materials in the colonies?
Stamp Act
Why was the Articles of Confederation set up to be weak?
Avoid a Tyrannical Government
Which colony was founded by William Penn as a place where Quakers and others could practice their religion freely?
Pennsylvania
Which philosopher argued for the separation of powers so that no single part of government would become too powerful?
Baron de Montesquieu
According to the Declaration, what three rights are described as “unalienable rights”?
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
What slogan expressed the colonists' argument that they should not be taxed by a government in which they had no elected representatives?
“No taxation without representation”
What major power did Congress lack under the Articles of Confederation that made it difficult to raise money?
Power to directly tax the states
Which colony was founded by Roger Williams and became known for religious freedom and separation of church and government?
Rhode Island
Which Enlightenment thinker argued that people should have freedom of speech and religion and strongly criticized censorship?
Voltaire
Name 2 of the sections of the Declaration of Independence?
Preamble, Statement of Rights/Beliefs, Grievances, Resolution of Independence/Conclusion
What 1773 event involved colonists protesting the Tea Act by dumping British tea into Boston Harbor?
Boston Tea Party
hat event demonstrated the weakness of the Articles when farmers in Massachusetts rebelled over debt and taxes?
Shay's Rebellion
What type of economy was especially important to the Southern Colonies because of their large plantations and agricultural production?
Plantation Agriculture
Which philosopher argued that government should be based on the general will of the people and that people have the right to change a government that does not represent them?
Jean Jacques Rousseau
The Declaration lists numerous complaints against King George III. What was the main purpose of including these grievances?
To explain and justify why the colonies believed they had the right to separate from Great Britain
What series of laws passed by Parliament punished Massachusetts and restricted colonial self-government following the Boston Tea Party?
Intolerable Acts
What major accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation established a process for territories to become states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory?
Northwest Ordnance of 1787
Which colonial region generally had the greatest religious diversity and included colonies such as New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey?
Middle Colonies