American Revolution Regents Review

The main purpose for writing the Declaration of Independence was to

• declare war on Great Britain

• force France to support the Revolutionary War

• convince Great Britain to abolish slavery

• state the colonists’ reasons for separating from Great Britain

The Declaration of Independence (1776) has had a major influence on peoples throughout the world because it

• guarantees universal suffrage

• establishes a basic set of laws for every nation

• provides justification for revolting against unjust governments

• describes the importance of a strong central government

One accomplishment of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of legislation establishing

• a central banking system

• a process for admitting new states to the Union

• the president’s right to put down rebellions

• the ability of Congress to tax the states effectively

The Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 are considered achievements under the Articles of Confederation because they

• established processes for settling and governing the western territories

• settled boundary disputes with Great Britain and Spain

• provided the basic methods of collecting taxes and coining money

• created a system of state and federal courts

A major criticism of the Articles of Confederation was that too much power had been given to the

• British monarchy

• House of Burgesses

• state governments

• national government

In the publication Common Sense, Thomas Paine argued that the American colonies should

• approve the Treaty of Paris (1763)

• ratify the Constitution of the United States

• end their political relationship with Great Britain

• support the policies of King George III

The colonists’ slogan, “No taxation without representation,” expresses a belief in

• free trade

• economic interdependence

• the supremacy of Parliament

• the consent of the governed

. . . I challenge the warmest advocate for reconciliation, to shew [show], a single advantage that this continent can reap, by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for, buy them where we will. . . . — Thomas Paine, 1776 4

In this statement, Thomas Paine suggested that the American colonies should

• negotiate an end to the conflict with England

• form an alliance with England

• declare independence from England

• boycott goods from England

Which document included John Locke’s idea that people have the right to overthrow an oppressive government?

• Mayflower Compact

• Northwest Ordinance

• Declaration of Independence

• Bill of Rights

Thomas Paine’s publication Common Sense was most influential in persuading American colonists to support

• additional British taxes on the colonies

• colonial independence

• the Whiskey Rebellion

• continued ties with Great Britain