SOL CE 2B Founding Documents

In 1215 King John I signed the Magna Carta. This important document established what idea in government structure for the first time?

• Virginia would officially be a colony of England.

• The people would be served by only public officials.

• The king would be subject to the same set of laws as his subjects.

• Power in the government would be passed to the people.

The Articles of Confederation failed as a form of government for the United States. Which issue was most responsible for this failure?

• The U.S. Congress did not have the authority to pass laws.

• The states received too little power to govern themselves.

• The people rejected the idea of independence from Great Britain.

• The national government was too weak to enforce its laws and did not have the power to collect taxes to fund military and other programs.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Which founding document did this quote originate from?

• U.S. Constitution

• Charters of the Virginia Company of London

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

The colonists who chose to travel to the New World were granted the same rights they had as English citizens through what document written by King James I in 1606? This led to the founding of Jamestown.

• Magna Carta

• Charters of the Virginia Company of London

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason in 1775, served what important purpose in U.S. history?

• Established a structure of government for the United States.

• Explained the need for independence due to the violation of rights by King John of England.

• Served as a model for the U.S. Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution.

• Established Virginia as a state within the United States and no longer just a colony.

The U.S. Constitution accomplished all of the following things EXCEPT?

• Formed the first form of government for the United States.

• Provides the structure of the U.S. government today.

• Protected the freedoms of speech, press, petition, assembly, and religion.

• Established majority rule while protecting the rights of the minority.

The Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom had importance to the formation of the U.S. Constitution because it...

• Established Christianity as the national religion for the United States.

• Denied rights to Protestant reformers who wanted to break away from the Catholic church.

• Protected the choice of what faith to worship and separated the church from state.

• Gave religion a part in decision-making for the government of the United States.