Founding Documents

Front: What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Back: To formally separate the American colonies from Britain

Front: Which Enlightenment philosopher’s ideas on natural rights heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence?

Back: John Locke

Front: What was one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Back: It allowed states to conduct their own foreign policy, making the national government weak

Front: What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?

Back: It established a system for adding new states to the Union

Front: What was the main argument in Federalist No. 10?

Back: A strong national government would protect against factions

Front: The U.S. Constitution was drafted primarily to:

Back: Replace the Articles of Confederation

Front: What major concern did Anti-Federalists have about the proposed Constitution?

Back: It did not include a Bill of Rights

Front: What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Back: To protect individual liberties from government overreach

Front: What was one influence of the Magna Carta on the U.S. Constitution?

Back: The idea of trial by jury

Front: Which document was an early example of self-government in the American colonies?

Back: The Mayflower Compact

Front: The English Bill of Rights influenced the U.S. Constitution by emphasizing:

Back: The protection of individual rights

Front: Who wrote Common Sense, a pamphlet that encouraged American independence?

Back: Thomas Paine

Front: The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for which document?

Back: The Bill of Rights

Front: What was one argument presented in Brutus 1?

Back: A large republic would threaten individual liberties

Front: Which of the following was NOT a principle in the Declaration of Independence?

Back: Separation of powers

Front: Which principle was strengthened by the Federalist Papers?

Back: Federalism

Front: What was one reason the Articles of Confederation failed?

Back: Congress had no power to tax

Front: How did the Bill of Rights impact the U.S. government?

Back: It placed limits on the government’s power

Front: The Supremacy Clause in the Constitution establishes that:

Back: The Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Front: What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

Back: To encourage support for the ratification of the Constitution