U.S. Founding Documents Quiz

Study Notes

The Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson.
Declares the freedom of thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.

The Articles of Confederation

First written constitution of the United States.
Ratified on March 1, 1781, amid wartime urgency and fears of central authority.
States remained sovereign; Congress acted as the last resort for disputes.

Federalist No. 10

Authored by James Madison.
Argues that the Constitution establishes a government capable of controlling faction-related violence and damage.

Brutus No. 1

Focuses on the implications of reducing thirteen states to one republic proposed by Federalists.
Claims that the federal government would possess absolute power.
Fears that the necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause would render states powerless.

Federalist No. 51

Discusses checks and balances among the three branches of government.
Emphasizes the importance of preventing any one branch from gaining excessive power.

The Constitution of the United States

Fundamental document outlining laws, principles, and structure of U.S. government.
Serves as the supreme legal document guiding federal governance.

Federalist No. 70

Written by Alexander Hamilton.
Advocates for a strong executive branch led by a single individual (the president) to ensure efficient governance.

Federalist No. 78

Explains the concept of judicial review.
States that federal courts must ensure Congressional acts align with the Constitution, safeguarding against abuses of power.

Letters from a Birmingham Jail

Written by Martin Luther King Jr.
Key themes include justice, Christianity, civil disobedience, and freedom.
Uses ethos, logos, and pathos to argue that injustice to one person threatens justice for all.

Description

Test your knowledge on key U.S. founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and several Federalist Papers. Explore the principles underlying American governance and the debates surrounding the formation of the Constitution.