U.S. Government Documents

What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

• To declare war on Great Britain

• To establish a new form of government

• To declare the colonies' independence from Great Britain

• To create laws for the new nation

Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Constitution

• The Bill of Rights

Under the Articles of Confederation, what was a major weakness of the central government?

• It had too much power over the states

• It couldn't collect taxes directly from citizens

• It controlled state militias

• It regulated interstate commerce

Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

What significant power did the Constitution give the federal government that was missing from the Articles of Confederation?

• The power to tax citizens directly

• The power to elect state governors

• The power to control state education

• The power to declare state holidays

Which principle from the Declaration of Independence states that power comes from the people?

• Federalism

• Popular sovereignty

• Separation of powers

• Checks and balances

How many branches of government did the Constitution create?

• Two

• Four

• Three

• Five

What was a major problem with the Articles of Confederation during wartime?

• A. States could print their own money

• B. The government couldn't maintain an army

• C. States could make treaties with other nations

• D. The government had too many soldiers

Which document begins with "We the People"?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Constitution

• The Bill of Rights

What did the Declaration of Independence list?

• Rules for the new government

• Rights of British citizens

• Grievances against King George III

• Laws for the colonies