Founding Documents

What did many American colonists use Thomas Paine's Common Sense to justify?

• Acts of sabotage against British merchants

• Declaring independence from Britain

• Supporting the British monarchy

• Joining the British Army

Which idea is from the Magna Carta?

           

• The people should be completely free from the government.

• The government should give people a fair and speedy trial.

• The government should have unlimited power to tax.

• The King does not have to follow the same laws as the people.

Use the quotation to answer the question.

“ We, whose names are underwritten . . . solemnly and mutually . . .covenant [agree to] and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick [government], for our better Ordering and Preservation.”   —excerpt from the Mayflower Compact

This part of the Mayflower Compact is an example of how the colonists put which of the following into practice? 

• Social Contract Theory

• Common Law

• Checks and Balances

• Individual Rights

What document denounced British rule and fanned the flames of revolution?

• Magna Carta

• Mayflower Compact

• Common Sense

• English Bill of Rights

Use the quotation to answer the question.

“No freeman shall be taken, imprisoned, . . . or in any other way destroyed . . . except by the lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land.”   — excerpt from Magna Carta -----

Which statement best expresses how Magna Carta shaped the colonists’ views of government?

• They supported three branches of government.

• They believed that citizens should be able to petition the government for changes in laws.

• They believed leaders should obey the law and that citizens had a right to trial by jury. 

• They believed that the government should be free to govern as they please

Use the quotation to answer the question.

“Every thing that is right or natural pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, ’TIS TIME TO PART. Even the distance at which the Almighty hath placed England and America, is a strong and natural proof, that the authority of the one, over the other, was never the design of Heaven.”

—Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

What is Thomas Paine trying to win support for?

• the separation of natural rights from legal rights

• the separation of powers between state and federal governments

• the separation of powers between the three branches of government

• the separation of the colonies from Great Britain

The conversation below concerns lawmaking.

Doug:  I believe in making laws only when everyone can participate in public decision making.

Nicole:  I disagree with you; it is best for laws to be made by the people who have been chosen for that purpose.

Which colonial principle is being discussed?

• limited monarchy

• self-government

• social contract

• natural rights

Below is a timeline.

1918: Latvia declares independence

1940: Soviet Union takes over Latvia

1988: Latvian people push for independence

August 1991: Latvia declares independence

September 1991: U.S. president announces full diplomatic recognition of Latvia

September 1991: Latvia joins the United Nations

Which writing encourages the action demonstrated in the timeline?

• Common Sense

• U.S. Constitution

• Mayflower Compact

• Articles of Confederation

The statements are from the English Bill of Rights, 1689.

That the pretended power of suspending laws … without consent of Parliament is illegal;

That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted;

And that for redress of all grievances, and for the amending, strengthening and preserving of the laws, Parliaments ought to be held frequently.

Which purpose of government can be traced to these statements?

• provide for the common defense

• promote the general welfare

• ensure domestic tranquility

• establish justice

The passage below was written by Thomas Paine in his 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense.

And as he hath shown himself such an … enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for ... power, is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, "You shall make no laws but what I please"?

 

 Based on this passage, how is the author’s view reflected in the U.S. political system? 

• The monarchy creates limited government. 

• The monarchy supports self-government.

• Representatives are appointed.

• Representatives are elected.