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Early American Government Documents Assessment

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

To declare war on Great Britain

b)

To establish a new form of government

c)

To declare the colonies' independence from Great Britain

d)

To create laws for the new nation

2.

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

a)

The Declaration of Independence

b)

The Articles of Confederation

c)

The Constitution

d)

The Bill of Rights

3.

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

a)

It had too much power over the states

b)

It couldn't collect taxes directly from citizens

c)

It controlled state militias

d)

It regulated interstate commerce

4.

Who wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence?

a)

George Washington

b)

Benjamin Franklin

c)

John Adams

d)

Thomas Jefferson

5.

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

a)

The power to tax citizens directly

b)

The power to elect state governors

c)

The power to control state education

d)

The power to declare state holidays

6.

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

a)

Federalism

b)

Popular sovereignty

c)

Separation of powers

d)

Checks and balances

7.

How many branches of government did the Constitution create?

a)

Two

b)

Four

c)

Three

d)

Five

8.

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

a)

A. States could print their own money

b)

B. The government couldn't maintain an army

c)

C. States could make treaties with other nations

d)

D. The government had too many soldiers

9.

Which document begins with "We the People"?

a)

The Articles of Confederation

b)

The Declaration of Independence

c)

The Constitution

d)

The Bill of Rights

10.

What did the Declaration of Independence list?

a)

Rules for the new government

b)

Rights of British citizens

c)

Grievances against King George III

d)

Laws for the colonies

11.

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state have in Congress?

a)

Based on population

b)

Two votes

c)

Three votes

d)

One vote

12.

Which power was given to Congress in the Constitution?

a)

To regulate trade between states

b)

To control state elections

c)

To choose state governors

d)

To make state laws

13.

What concept from the Constitution divides power between state and federal governments?

a)

Separation of powers

b)

Checks and balances

c)

Federalism

d)

Popular sovereignty

14.

According to the Declaration of Independence, what are three unalienable rights?

a)

Education, work, and housing

b)

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

c)

Speech, religion, and assembly

d)

Voting, property, and trial by jury

15.

What was required for the Constitution to be ratified?

a)

Approval by all states

b)

Approval by nine states

c)

Approval by the president

d)

Approval by Congress