CommonLit - Founding of American Democracy

When did the American colonies send the Declaration of Independence to the British king?

• 1775

• 1776

• 1783

• 1787

What was the biggest problem the colonists had with the British rule?

• Lack of representation in the government

• High taxes

• Lack of protection

• Unfair trade agreements

What document explained the duties of the states' governments and the limits of the central government?

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• U.S. Constitution

• Bill of Rights

What compromise determined the number of representatives each state would have in Congress?

• Great Compromise

• Three-Fifths Compromise

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• To secure the rights of citizens

• To establish the branches of government

• To determine the number of representatives

• To make new laws and policies

Which branch of government interprets the laws and makes decisions on legal cases?

• Legislative branch

• Executive branch

• Judicial branch

• Supreme Court

What system was created to ensure that no branch of government has too much power?

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Federalism

• Bill of Rights

What was the result of the meeting of the Founding Fathers in 1787?

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• U.S. Constitution

• Bill of Rights

Who wrote essays supporting the new constitution called the Federalist Papers?

• James Madison

• Alexander Hamilton

• John Jay

• All of the above

How many amendments have been made to the U.S. Constitution?

• 7

• 10

• 17

• 20