key documents and speeches of early america

Question 1

What document established the government that would rule over the Plymouth Colony?

Answer 1

Mayflower Compact

Question 2

When was the United States Constitution ratified?

Answer 2

1788

Question 2

When was the United States Constitution written and ratified?

Answer 2

1787 and 1788

Question 3

What collection of 85 essays helped explain the Constitution to the people?

Answer 3

Federalist Papers

Question 4

Who wrote a series of articles known as the Federalist Papers?

Answer 4

Alexander Hamilton
John Jay
James Madison

Question 5

What was the outcome of Texas v. Johnson regarding freedom of speech?

Answer 5

It protected the right to burn the American flag as a form of speech.

Question 6

What was the ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines regarding freedom of speech?

Answer 6

The court ruled that wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War was a protected form of speech under the First Amendment.

Question 7

What are the five distinct parts of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 7

Introduction
Preamble
Indictment
Denunciation
Conclusion

Question 8

List the three inalienable rights mentioned in the preamble of the Declaration of Independence.

Answer 8

Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness

Question 9

What are the four main actions that the United States could now perform as an independent country according to the conclusion of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 9

Levy War
Conclude Peace
Contract Alliances
Establish Commerce

Question 10

What was the Gettysburg Address?

Answer 10

The speech President Abraham Lincoln delivered on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War.
Focused on the theme of national unity and the importance of preserving the Union.
Honored the fallen soldiers and called for a “new birth of freedom” to ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Question 11

Why is the Gettysburg Address important?

Answer 11

Frequently cited and referenced in discussions about democracy, equality, and the values of the United States.
Speech is memorized and recited by students and remains a cornerstone of American civic education.

Question 12

What was the important proclamation President Lincoln issued that declared all enslaved people in the Confederacy were to be freed?

Answer 12

Emancipation Proclamation

Question 13

What are two effects of the Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer 13

It paved the way for the eventual abolition of slavery throughout the United States with the passage of the 13th Amendment.
Allowed for the recruitment of African Americans into the Union Army and Navy.

Question 14

What is important about the Fourth Amendment?

Answer 14

Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Requirement of a warrant supported by probable cause for searches and seizures.

Question 15

Why is the Fifth Amendment significant?

Answer 15

Right to due process of law.
Protection against double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same offense).
Protection against self-incrimination.
Guarantee of just compensation for property taken for public use (eminent domain).

Question 16

What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee?

Answer 16

Right to a speedy and public trial.
Right to an impartial jury.
Right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation.
Right to confront witnesses against the accused.
Right to obtain witnesses in favor of the accused.
Right to have the assistance of counsel for defense.

Question 17

Why is the Eighth Amendment important?

Answer 17

Protection against excessive bail.
Protection against excessive fines.
Protection against cruel and unusual punishment.