Questions and Answers
What document states colonial grievances against British rule?
The Declaration of Independence.
Who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson.
What principle suggests that the power to govern belongs to the people?
Consent of the governed.
What rallying cry expressed the colonists' discontent with British taxation?
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Which pamphlet did Thomas Paine write to persuade colonists for independence?
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What was the first form of government used by the U.S. after independence?
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What major event is referred to as the Boston Massacre?
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What was the significance of the Revolutionary War's outcome for American boundaries?
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What system of government was established to limit the central government's power over individual liberties?
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What was one significant outcome of Shays’ Rebellion?
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What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?
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What compromise was reached regarding representation in Congress?
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How did the Three-Fifths Compromise affect representation in the House of Representatives?
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What major problem did the Articles of Confederation face regarding national governance?
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What was one significant success of the Articles of Confederation?
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What was a challenge related to taxation under the Articles of Confederation?
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Study Notes
Declaration of Independence
- Articulated colonial grievances against British rule to justify separation from Great Britain.
- Authored by Thomas Jefferson, heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers.
- Functions as a declaration of democratic principles rather than setting a government framework.
- Drew on John Locke's theory of natural rights, emphasizing that government authority derives from the consent of the governed.
- Established the social contract theory, stating that government's fundamental role is to protect natural rights.
- Introduced the notion that a government that denies basic rights can be overthrown.
- Shares similarities with the Bill of Rights in limiting governmental power and emphasizing individual liberty.
NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
- Colonists argued against British taxes due to lack of representatives in British government.
- Highlighted the principle that British authorities lacked consent from the governed.
Influential Figures and Events
- Thomas Paine’s "Common Sense" persuaded many colonists to support independence.
- Response to British mercantilist policies included Committees of Correspondence and the Boston Tea Party.
- The First Continental Congress was convened to address colonial grievances.
Major Events Leading to the Revolutionary War
- Sugar and Stamp Acts imposed taxes on foreign molasses and printed materials.
- Quartering Act mandated housing and feeding of British soldiers by colonists.
- Townshend Acts taxed imported goods and tea.
- Boston Massacre resulted in the death of five colonists at the hands of British soldiers.
- Revolutionary War commenced soon after the Declaration of Independence, aided by familiarity with the land and foreign support from France.
- Post-war, the Mississippi River became the western boundary of the United States.
Articles of Confederation
- First governing document of the U.S. following independence, serving as a plan for the union of the original 13 states.
- Reflected Americans' distrust in a strong central government due to previous experiences with British rule.
- Established a decentralized political system prioritizing state power over central authority.
- Faced several challenges, mainly due to state dominance in power, leading to ineffective national governance.
- Congress lacked enforcement power, relying on states for military support and funding.
Success and Weaknesses of the Articles
- Successfully established a framework for governing Western territories and admitting new states.
- Significant problems arose from the powerful state governments, resulting in an inability to address key issues.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
- Convened in Philadelphia primarily to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
- Highlighted by Shays' Rebellion, showcasing the necessity for a stronger national government.
Great Compromise
- Resolved representation disputes in Congress between high and low population states.
- Established a bicameral legislature: House of Representatives based on population and Senate with equal representation for each state.
Three-Fifths Compromise
- Addressed representation concerns related to states with large slave populations.
- Determined that three-fifths of the slave population would count for representation purposes in the House of Representatives.
Other Major Compromises
- Additional agreements reached on matters pertaining to the Slave Trade, Taxation, and the Election of the President.
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Description
Explore the key principles and arguments articulated in the Declaration of Independence. This quiz delves into Enlightenment influence, the concept of natural rights, and the pivotal phrase 'no taxation without representation.' Test your understanding of the foundation of American democracy and the fight for self-governance.
