GED Social Studies Founding Documents and the Early Republic Summary

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.

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.

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.

George Washington led the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War and became the first President in 1789. He served two terms and then stepped down, setting an example later made into law by the 22nd Amendment.

Wrong choices

• John Adams: John Adams was the first Vice President and the second President.
• Thomas Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was the third President.
• Benjamin Franklin: Benjamin Franklin was a famous leader and diplomat but never President.

The Magna Carta was signed by King John of England in 1215. It limited the king's power and protected certain rights, such as a fair legal process. It is an early example of the rule of law that influenced the U.S. Constitution.

Wrong choices

• It ended slavery in England: The Magna Carta did not deal with slavery.
• It declared the colonies independent from Britain: The Declaration of Independence (1776) declared the colonies independent.
• It created the first democracy in ancient Greece: Athens developed democracy in ancient Greece about 1,700 years before the Magna Carta.

In 1803 the United States bought a huge area west of the Mississippi River from France. The Louisiana Purchase roughly doubled the size of the country and opened the way for westward expansion.

Wrong choices

• It made Louisiana a colony of Spain: France sold the land to the United States, so it did not become a Spanish colony.
• It gave Florida to the United States: Florida came from Spain in a separate treaty in 1819.
• It ended the War of 1812: The War of 1812 began nine years later and ended with a treaty in 1814.

The Declaration argues that people may replace a government that violates their rights. The list of grievances was the evidence: it showed how the king had abused his power, so the colonists were justified in declaring independence.

Wrong choices

• To announce a war against France: The complaints were against the British king, not France. France later became an ally.
• To set up the three branches of the new government: The branches of government were set up later by the Constitution (1787).
• To ask the king to pass new taxes: The colonists were complaining about taxes passed without their consent, not asking for more.

Before landing in Massachusetts, the Pilgrims agreed to govern themselves by laws they would make together. The Mayflower Compact is an early example of self-government and of the idea that government is based on the consent of the governed.

Wrong choices

• federalism between states and a nation: There were no states or national government in the compact. It was one group of settlers.
• rule by a king with unlimited power: The settlers agreed to make laws for themselves. That is the opposite of unlimited rule by a king.
• the separation of church and state: The compact does not discuss separating religion from government.

Washington believed the young nation should avoid being pulled into Europe's wars. His advice to stay out of permanent alliances shaped American foreign policy for many years and is an early root of isolationism.

Wrong choices

• Joining a permanent military alliance with Britain: A permanent alliance is exactly what Washington warned against.
• Starting colonies in other parts of the world: Starting colonies abroad would tie the nation more closely to foreign affairs.
• Declaring war on any nation that trades with Britain: Washington urged the nation to avoid foreign conflicts, not start them.