5 Questions
What document replaced the Articles of Confederation as the first national government of the United States?
The United States Constitution
What event triggered the American Revolutionary War?
The tensions between American colonies and British Parliament
Who initially sought reconciliation with Great Britain before embracing the idea of independence?
John Dickinson
What did Benjamin Franklin's plan for a confederacy of the colonies inspire the creation of?
The Articles of Confederation
Why did the rush to declare independence lead to a weakened version of the Articles of Confederation being sent for ratification?
States were wary of ceding power to a central legislature
Study Notes
- The United States Constitution replaced the short-lived Articles of Confederation as the first national government of the United States, paving the way for the formation of the republic that has lasted over 200 years.
- The American Revolutionary War was triggered by tensions between the American colonies and British Parliament, leading to the colonies declaring independence.
- Delegates at the Continental Congress initially sought reconciliation with Great Britain but eventually embraced the idea of independence, culminating in the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
- Benjamin Franklin's plan for a confederacy of the colonies inspired the creation of a constitution, but faced resistance from states unwilling to cede power to a central legislature.
- John Dickinson, a vocal Loyalist turned revolutionary, led the drafting of the Articles of Confederation, which aimed to establish a central legislature with limited powers over the states.
- Dickinson's efforts were undermined by the rush to declare independence before finalizing a national government, leading to a weakened version of the Articles of Confederation being sent for ratification by the states.
- The Articles of Confederation ultimately failed to effectively govern the states, paving the way for the United States Constitution to be drafted and adopted as the supreme law of the land.
Test your knowledge on the history of the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation, including events like the American Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, and the drafting of the Articles of Confederation.
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