American History Quiz

Which document contains these words listed below? "...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness..." Thomas Jefferson, 1776

• Declaration of Independence

• Mayflower Compact

• Treaty of Paris

• Emancipation Proclamation

What document created the first government of the US?

• US Constitution

• Magna Carta

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

The authors of the Article of Confederation established a weak central government mainly to

• cancel state debts incurred during the Revolutionary War

• assist the southern states in their efforts to gain a manufacturing base

• promote the common goal of national sovereignty

• prevent the abuses of power that had existed under British rule

Who held most of the power under the Articles of Confederation?

• The President

• The Supreme Court

• Congress

• The States

Which governmental problem occurred under the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress constantly overrode the President's vetoes.

• The Supreme Court issued a series of unenforceable decisions.

• The states frequently did not cooperate with each other.

• The President often ignored the advice of his Cabinet.

What was the main message of the cartoonist?

• The Articles of Confederation limited the power of the monarchy.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the President has the power of the navy.

• The Articles of Confederation addressed many problems successfully.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the United States experienced difficulties addressing many issues.

What was one of the outcomes of Shays’ Rebellion?

• It led some national leaders to call for a stronger national government.

• Daniel Shays and two others were executed.

• Settlers across the Carolina backcountry had to flee their homes.

• George Washington once again took command of the Continental Army.

Which type of document usually describes the basic structure, functions, and powers of a government?

• constitution

• resolution

• proclamation

• treaty

What was the primary reason for holding the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• outlaw slavery in both the North and the South

• place taxes on imports and exports

• revise the Articles of Confederation

• reduce the power of the federal government

At the Constitutional Convention (1787), the Great Compromise resolved the issue of congressional representation by

• limiting the terms of elected lawmakers

• providing for direct election of senators

• creating a two-house legislature

• including the electoral college