APUSH primary sources

Common Sense (1776)

➔ Pamphlet by Thomas Paine urging American colonists to declare independence from Britain, criticizing monarchy and promoting self-government.

Declaration of Independence (1776)

➔ Document written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the colonies' independence from Britain, based on natural rights and listing grievances against King George III.

Articles of Confederation (1781)

➔ America’s first constitution, creating a weak central government that could not tax or enforce laws; replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Constitution (1787)

➔ Framework for U.S. government based on separation of powers, federalism, and checks and balances, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Federalist Papers (1787–1788)

➔ Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay promoting ratification of the Constitution and explaining the need for a strong central government.

George Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

➔ Speech advising the U.S. to avoid political parties and permanent foreign alliances, promoting national unity.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863)

➔ Executive order by Abraham Lincoln freeing enslaved people in Confederate-held territories and shifting the Civil War's focus to ending slavery.

Gettysburg Address (1863)

➔ Short speech by Lincoln at Gettysburg redefining the Civil War as a struggle for equality and the survival of democracy.

Treaty of Versailles (1919)

➔ Treaty ending World War I, blaming Germany for the war, imposing harsh reparations, and establishing the League of Nations (which the U.S. didn’t join).