Who were the North American British colonists fighting in the war?
Britain
What did the Declaration of Independence announce?
The separation of the 13 North American British colonies from Britain.
The Constitution replaced what document?
Articles of Confederation
What rights does the first amendment protect?
Speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition.
How many North American British colonies were there?
13
How long did the Revolutionary War last?
Name the three basic ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
How many months did the delegates stay in Philadelphia to write the Constitution?
3
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 __________ to the Constitution.
Amendments
Was Vermont one of the original 13 North American British colonies?
No.
On what day did George Washington and his troops cross the Delaware River?
December 25, 1776
July 4, 1776
Name two characteristics of the delegates who wrote the U.S. Constitution.
Male, property owners, average age of 44, some are slave holders, some signed the Declaration of Independence, almost all are well-educated
Civil rights and liberties to the individual
Name the three branches of the federal government.
Legislative, executive, judicial
The motto of colonists who did not want to pay taxes to the British Empire because they were not represented in Parliament.
"No taxation without representation."
"We hold these truths to be _______________"
Self-evident - adjective, not needing to be demonstrated or explained; obvious)
What does the word "quorum" mean?
The smallest number of people who must be present at a meeting in order for business to be carried out.
What does the word "quartering" mean in the third amendment. Example: No quartering of soldiers.
People are not required to provide meals or housing to soldiers.
Who are the two current leaders of the executive branch?
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
Although the British surrendered to the colonists in 1781, a peace agreement was not reached until what year?
1783
True or False: Thomas Jefferson blamed King George III for the slave trade.
True
However, King George III was NOT responsible for the slave trade.
The U.S. Constitution is a "living document." What does that mean?
It can be amended or changed.
Amendment 7 says that people accused of a crime have the right to what kind of trial?
Speedy and public
This system prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
Checks and balances