Exploring Foundational Documents of American Government

What was the primary purpose of the charters of the Virginia Company?

• To establish a federal court system

• To create a national banking system

• To guarantee colonists the rights as Englishmen

• To state the colonists' grievances against the English king

What rights were guaranteed by the charters of the Virginia Company?

• Rights as Englishmen

• Freedom of speech

• Right to vote

• All of the above

Who authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights?

• Benjamin Franklin

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• George Mason

Which document was influenced by the Enlightenment philosophers?

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Both B and C

• Articles of Confederation

• U.S. Constitution

Which document proclaimed that 'all men are created equal'?

• U.S. Constitution

• Declaration of Independence

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

• Articles of Confederation

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• All of the above

• Lack of a judicial branch

• Inability to collect taxes

• Absence of a declaration of rights

Which document first established a national government for the United States?

• U.S. Constitution

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

What does the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights guarantee?

• Freedom of religion

• Protection against self-incrimination

• Right to bear arms

• Right to a speedy trial

Which two documents were drafted by Thomas Jefferson?

• Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation

• Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and Declaration of Independence

• Virginia Declaration of Rights and Bill of Rights

What principle does the U.S. Constitution emphasize regarding governance?

• Divine right of kings

• Monarchical rule

• Majority rule and minority rights

• Dictatorial governance