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GED Social Studies: Founding Documents and the Early Republic Concepts

Importance ★★★★★ · 35% (estimate)

Overview

This chapter covers the key documents and events behind American government, from the Magna Carta to the early years of the republic. GED questions often quote these documents and ask about their purpose or main idea.

The Magna Carta (1215) set the idea that even the king must follow the law. The Mayflower Compact (1620) was an early agreement to self-government. The Declaration of Independence (1776), written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, stated natural rights and listed complaints against the king to justify independence.

The first national government, under the Articles of Confederation, was weak: Congress could not tax directly. That led to the Constitution in 1787 and the Bill of Rights in 1791. George Washington became the first President and warned against permanent foreign alliances in his Farewell Address (1796). In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase roughly doubled the nation's size.

Key concepts

  • Magna Carta (1215)

    An English charter that limited the king's power and protected certain rights.

    Memory tipEven the king is under the law.

  • Mayflower Compact (1620)

    Pilgrims agreed to form a government and obey laws made for the good of the colony.

    Memory tipAn early example of self-government.

  • Declaration (1776)

    Announced independence, stated natural rights and consent of the governed, and listed grievances against the king.

    Memory tipGrievances = the evidence for breaking away.

  • Articles of Confederation

    The first U.S. plan of government. Congress was weak and could not tax directly.

    Memory tipWeak central government led to the Constitution.

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803)

    Jefferson bought a huge area west of the Mississippi River from France, roughly doubling the nation's size.

    Memory tipJefferson, France, 1803.

Often tested

  • Constitution: 1787. Bill of Rights: 1791.
  • Washington's Farewell Address advised against permanent alliances.
  • When a question quotes a document, look for its purpose and main idea.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedUnited States History › Founding Documents and the Early Republic★★★★★

Question 1. Which statement best describes the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

  1. ① It controlled the states completely
  2. ② It was weak; for example, Congress could not collect taxes directly
  3. ③ It had a strong system of national courts
  4. ④ It had a powerful President who controlled Congress
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Answer: ② It was weak; for example, Congress could not collect taxes directly

Key point: Articles of Confederation: weak central government

The Articles of Confederation (written in 1777, in effect from 1781) were the first plan of government for the United States. Because Americans feared a strong central government, the Articles made Congress weak: it could not tax directly or regulate trade well. These problems led to the Constitution in 1787.

Wrong choices

  • It controlled the states completely: Under the Articles, the states kept most of the power.
  • It had a strong system of national courts: The Articles did not set up a national court system.
  • It had a powerful President who controlled Congress: The Articles had no President or separate executive branch.
Practice questionReviewedUnited States History › Founding Documents and the Early Republic★★★★★

Question 2. In which year was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

  1. ① 1776
  2. ② 1787
  3. ③ 1791
  4. ④ 1812
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Answer: ① 1776

Key point: Declaration of Independence: July 4, 1776

The Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It announced that the 13 colonies were breaking away from Great Britain and explained why.

Wrong choices

  • 1787: 1787 is when the Constitution was written at the Constitutional Convention.
  • 1791: 1791 is when the Bill of Rights was ratified.
  • 1812: 1812 is when the War of 1812 with Britain began.
Practice questionReviewedUnited States History › Founding Documents and the Early Republic★★★★★

Question 3. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?

  1. ① George Washington
  2. ② Abraham Lincoln
  3. ③ Benjamin Franklin
  4. ④ Thomas Jefferson
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Answer: ④ Thomas Jefferson

Key point: Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration

Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. A committee that included Benjamin Franklin and John Adams reviewed it before Congress adopted it. Jefferson later became the third President.

Wrong choices

  • George Washington: George Washington was leading the Continental Army at the time.
  • Abraham Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln lived later and was President during the Civil War.
  • Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin served on the committee and helped edit the draft, but Jefferson wrote it.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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