Lesson 1.3 From June 7, 1776 to December 15, 1791

Lesson 1.3 June 7, 1776 - December 15, 1791

Monday, February 24

​Lee's Resolution

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution "that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states," acting under the instruction of the Virginia Convention. The Lee Resolution contained three parts: a declaration of independence, a call to form foreign alliances, and "a plan for confederation."

Multiple Choice

Lee's Resolution proposed three things. Identify one item not included in Lee's Resolution.

• Independence

• Foreign alliances

• Plan for confederation

• Strong central government

Multiple Choice

Who presented a resolution to the 2nd Continental Congress to declare independence from England?

• Robert E. Lee
• Richard Henry Lee
• Thomas Jefferson
• John Adams

​Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress. It announced the separation of 13 North American colonies from Great Britain. The Declaration of Independence established the United States as a nation. 

Multiple Choice

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence?

• Roger Sherman

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

• Thomas Jefferson

Multiple Choice

What was the date the 2nd Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence?

• July 4,1776

• August 2, 1775

• April 18, 1776

• July 2, 1776

Multiple Choice

Which monarch ruled when the colonies declared their independence?

• George III
• Elizabeth I
• Henry VIII
• James VI

​Articles of Confederation

 After considerable debate and revision, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777. This "first constitution of the United States" established a "league of friendship" for the 13 sovereign and independent states. Each state retained "every Power...which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States.

Multiple Choice

To change (amend) the Articles of Confederation,  how many states had to agree?

• 9
• 10
• 13
• 15

Multiple Choice

In the Articles of Confederation, where was most of the government power placed?

• The states

• The central government

• Parliament

• King George III

​Treaty of Paris

 This treaty, signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Multiple Choice

The primary goal of the Treaty of Paris was to...

• reward the French for their efforts in the war.

• punish the British.

• help the colonies and Britain become rich.

• maintain peace between Britain and the United States.

Multiple Select

When was the Treaty of Paris signed?

• July 4, 1776

• September 3, 1783

• January 14, 1784

• October 19, 1781

​Mount Vernon Compact

On March 28, 1785, at George Washington’s request, representatives from Virginia and Maryland met at Mount Vernon to discuss navigational rights on the Potomac River. This meeting is now known as the Mount Vernon Compact. The commissioners in attendance agreed on a 13-point document that would become known as the Mount Vernon Compact, which set a precedent for interstate cooperation on navigation, toll duties, commerce regulations, debt collection, and fishing rights.

Reorder

Arrange these founding documents in order.

• Lee's Resolution

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Treaty of Paris

• Mount Vernon Compact

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

​Annapolis Convention

Meeting at the suggestion of James Madison in Annapolis, Maryland beginning on September 11, 1786, the Annapolis Convention was held to discuss some issues of interstate trade. Attendance was low, with only 12 delegates total representing just five states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia). 

Multiple Choice

In what year did the Annapolis Convention take place?

• 1776

• 1786

• 1796

• 1806

Multiple Choice

What was the main purpose of the Annapolis Convention?

• To discuss improving commercial relations between the states

• To declare independence from Britain

• To draft the Constitution

• To elect a new president

​The Constitutional Convention

The Convention (also known as the Philadelphia Convention, the Federal Convention, or the Grand Convention at Philadelphia) met in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 14 to September 17, 1787. Delegates gathered to correct the various problems that had arisen while the newly-independent nation was operating under the Articles of Confederation following independence from Great Britain. The historic result of the Convention was the crafting of the United States Constitution.

Multiple Choice

This plan for government was favored by large states because representation in Congress was based on population.

• the New Jersey Plan
• the Virginia Plan
• Shays' Plan
• The Compromise Plan

Multiple Choice

Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced?

• it created an executive branch
• the central government was too weak to manage state relations

• it created a powerful army
• it created a judicial branch

Multiple Choice

When creating the legislative branch there were two proposed plans.  Which plan wanted states to have more votes based on population? 

• Connecticut Plan 
• New Jersey Plan
• Virginia Plan
• 3/5th's Plan 

​Bill of Rights

​The Bill of Rights, ratified December 15, 1791, is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States.

Multiple Choice

This group wanted a Bill of Rights added to protect the rights of the people

• Federalists

• Anti-Federalists

Reorder

Place the events in order from earliest to most recent:

• US declares independence

• Articles of Confederation government

• The Constitution is written

• Debate over ratification

• The Constitution takes effect

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5