Documents Textbook Questions

1. What did the Charters of the Virginia Company of London guarantee to the first colonists?

• • Religious freedom

• • The right to own slaves

• The rights of Englishmen

• Freedom to trade with other nations

What was the significance of the Virginia Declaration of Rights?

• • It was the first document to guarantee voting rights.

• •  It served as a model for the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.

• •  It established the first national government.

• •  It abolished slavery in Virginia.

Who drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights?

• • Thomas Jefferson

• • George Washington

• • George Mason

• • James Madison

4. Who wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?

• •  George Mason

• •  Thomas Jefferson

• •  John Adams

• • Benjamin Franklin

4. What was the primary goal of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?

• • To allow freedom of speech

• •  To ensure freedom of religious beliefs and opinions

• • To grant voting rights to all citizens

• • To abolish taxes on religious institutions

6. What key concept did the Declaration of Independence express regarding human rights?

• • All men are entitled to own property.

• •  All men are created equal and have unalienable rights.

• • The government should control all aspects of the economy.

• • Only men with property have rights.

6. Which of the following is NOT one of the unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?

• Life

• Liberty

• Pursuit of Happiness

• Right to own land

8. Which of the following was a major flaw of the Articles of Confederation?

• •  It gave too much power to the national government.

• • It allowed Congress to easily collect taxes.

• •  It lacked an executive and judicial branch.

• •  It provided for a strong national army.

8. What event highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and led to calls for a stronger government?

• • The Boston Tea Party

• • Shays' Rebellion

• • The signing of the Treaty of Paris

• •  The election of George Washington

10. What are the first three words of the U.S. Constitution that signify its democratic foundation?

• •  In God We Trust

• • We the People

• • Life, Liberty, and Property

• • United We Stand