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Questions and Answers
What significant change was made to the Declaration of Independence during its drafting?
What significant change was made to the Declaration of Independence during its drafting?
What was the primary argument presented by Thomas Paine in his pamphlet 'Common Sense'?
What was the primary argument presented by Thomas Paine in his pamphlet 'Common Sense'?
Which event signified the formal decision to declare independence from Great Britain?
Which event signified the formal decision to declare independence from Great Britain?
How did the perspective of the colonies towards George III change over time?
How did the perspective of the colonies towards George III change over time?
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What was the approximate circulation of Paine's 'Common Sense' shortly after its publication?
What was the approximate circulation of Paine's 'Common Sense' shortly after its publication?
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Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?
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What was the general attitude of colonial officers towards the king during the early stages of the conflict?
What was the general attitude of colonial officers towards the king during the early stages of the conflict?
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What concept was notably excluded from the final draft of the Declaration of Independence?
What concept was notably excluded from the final draft of the Declaration of Independence?
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Which statement is true regarding the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Which statement is true regarding the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?
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What was the main purpose of reserving one section in each township?
What was the main purpose of reserving one section in each township?
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What population milestone allowed a territory to elect a territorial legislature?
What population milestone allowed a territory to elect a territorial legislature?
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Which tribes were involved in the conflicts along the Ohio River frontier by 1786?
Which tribes were involved in the conflicts along the Ohio River frontier by 1786?
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What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 state regarding Native American lands?
What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 state regarding Native American lands?
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What issue complicated relations with Native Americans following the Northwest Ordinance?
What issue complicated relations with Native Americans following the Northwest Ordinance?
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What action did Spain take that affected American shipping in 1784?
What action did Spain take that affected American shipping in 1784?
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What is the main philosophy that influenced Jefferson's ideas on government?
What is the main philosophy that influenced Jefferson's ideas on government?
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Which phrase best describes the rights that Jefferson believed people inherently possess?
Which phrase best describes the rights that Jefferson believed people inherently possess?
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During which period did the main theaters of fighting shift to the southern states?
During which period did the main theaters of fighting shift to the southern states?
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Which battle is associated with the surprise attack by the Americans on Christmas in 1776?
Which battle is associated with the surprise attack by the Americans on Christmas in 1776?
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What was a significant outcome of the Battle of Saratoga?
What was a significant outcome of the Battle of Saratoga?
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What was the strategic reason for moving military headquarters from Boston to New York City?
What was the strategic reason for moving military headquarters from Boston to New York City?
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How did the Americans manage to win the Battle of Saratoga?
How did the Americans manage to win the Battle of Saratoga?
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What was the American strategy following George Washington's retreat from New York in the fall of 1776?
What was the American strategy following George Washington's retreat from New York in the fall of 1776?
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Which statement reflects the concept of government as expressed in the Enlightenment philosophy that Jefferson referenced?
Which statement reflects the concept of government as expressed in the Enlightenment philosophy that Jefferson referenced?
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What was one significant power that Congress lacked under the Articles of Confederation?
What was one significant power that Congress lacked under the Articles of Confederation?
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Which of the following was a consequence of Congress being unable to regulate interstate trade?
Which of the following was a consequence of Congress being unable to regulate interstate trade?
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What led to the inflation problem in the new nation after the war?
What led to the inflation problem in the new nation after the war?
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Who led Shays's Rebellion, and what was its primary goal?
Who led Shays's Rebellion, and what was its primary goal?
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What was one of the notable achievements of the Confederation Congress?
What was one of the notable achievements of the Confederation Congress?
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How did Shays's Rebellion impact the Massachusetts legislature?
How did Shays's Rebellion impact the Massachusetts legislature?
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What was the status of the national debt after the American Revolution?
What was the status of the national debt after the American Revolution?
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What right did states have that contributed to the economic instability during the Articles of Confederation?
What right did states have that contributed to the economic instability during the Articles of Confederation?
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What led to the demand for a national currency after the war?
What led to the demand for a national currency after the war?
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What was a key limitation of Congress regarding military capabilities?
What was a key limitation of Congress regarding military capabilities?
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What was a common characteristic of the new state governments formed after the royal governors fled?
What was a common characteristic of the new state governments formed after the royal governors fled?
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What limitation was commonly imposed on the franchise in the new state governments?
What limitation was commonly imposed on the franchise in the new state governments?
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What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation?
What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation?
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How many votes were required to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?
How many votes were required to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?
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What caused the delay in ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
What caused the delay in ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
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What was one major weakness of the government established under the Articles of Confederation?
What was one major weakness of the government established under the Articles of Confederation?
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What was a common fear among the states regarding democracy in the eighteenth century?
What was a common fear among the states regarding democracy in the eighteenth century?
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How many states needed to agree in order to amend the Articles of Confederation?
How many states needed to agree in order to amend the Articles of Confederation?
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What was included in many state constitutions to safeguard citizens' rights?
What was included in many state constitutions to safeguard citizens' rights?
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Why did Maryland delay ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
Why did Maryland delay ratifying the Articles of Confederation?
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Study Notes
War for Independence
- The Second Continental Congress gradually took on the powers of an independent government, delaying the formal declaration of independence for over a year.
- Initially, blame for the growing tensions was directed at Parliament and the king's ministers, not King George III himself.
- Thomas Paine's pamphlet "Common Sense," published in January 1776, called explicitly for independence and significantly influenced public opinion in favor of breaking away from Britain.
- By mid-1776, colonial legislatures were replaced by new state governments supporting independence due to the pamphlet's impact.
The Declaration of Independence
- A committee led by Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence in June 1776.
- Significant alterations were made, including the removal of Jefferson's critique of slavery, leading to the contradiction of the phrase “all men are created equal.”
- The Declaration outlined grievances against George III, emphasizing Enlightenment ideas of natural rights and the government's responsibility to protect those rights.
Fighting the War
- The war's main theaters transitioned from New England to middle and southern states over its duration.
- After the British shifted military headquarters to New York City, George Washington faced setbacks but later achieved significant victories at Trenton (Christmas 1776) and Princeton (January 1777).
- The Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 was decisive, convincing France to ally with the Americans against Britain.
Diplomacy During the War
- The support of other nations, particularly France, was crucial for American success in the war.
- Revolutionary conventions wrote new state constitutions, generally creating strong legislatures with weak executive authority, reflecting fears of centralized power.
- Most state constitutions included a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberties, yet voting rights remained limited to property-owning white men.
The Articles of Confederation
- The Articles of Confederation were adopted in November 1777 and ratified by March 1781, creating the first national government with a unicameral legislature.
- Major weaknesses included the inability to tax states or regulate commerce, relying on requisitions for troops, and requiring unanimous consent for amendments.
- Important powers included declaring war, managing foreign policy, and overseeing western territories.
Finance and Shays's Rebellion
- By war's end, the U.S. incurred a debt of $160 million, leading to rampant inflation due to excessive printing of paper money.
- Economic distress culminated in Shays's Rebellion, where farmers protested against high taxes and foreclosures, leading Massachusetts to reform tax laws.
Achievements of the Confederation Congress
- Despite its limitations, Congress successfully organized western lands through the Ordinance of 1785, establishing a system for surveying and distributing land.
- The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 facilitated the admission process for new states and promised respect for Native American lands, though treaties were often negotiated unfairly.
Frontier and Foreign Policy Problems
- The Northwest Ordinance promised not to take Native American lands without consent, but numerous treaties disregarded this commitment.
- Tension and conflict in the Ohio River frontier involved several Native American tribes, exacerbated by Spanish influence in the southeast following their territorial gains post-Seven Years' War.
- The inability of the Confederation Congress to manage these frontier issues spurred demands for a stronger national government.
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Description
This quiz explores crucial events leading to the American War for Independence, including the role of the Second Continental Congress and the influence of Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'. It also covers the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and its significant alterations by Thomas Jefferson. Test your knowledge on these pivotal moments in American history.
