Core Concepts & Fundamentals Flashcards

Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Virginian Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration adopted in July 1776.

Which battle in Virginia in 1781 effectively ended major fighting in the American Revolution?

Answer: Yorktown

Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown after being trapped by American and French forces.

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer: Congress could not levy taxes

Congress had to request money from states and could not tax directly.

The Virginia Plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention called for:

Answer: Representation in Congress based on population

Large states favored Edmund Randolph's plan for population-based representation.

The Great Compromise created a Congress with:

Answer: A Senate with equal state representation and a House based on population

It balanced large and small state interests with a bicameral legislature.

The Federalist Papers were written to:

Answer: Urge ratification of the U.S. Constitution

Hamilton, Madison, and Jay argued for a stronger national government under the Constitution.

The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson, established that:

Answer: Government should not force people to support or follow any religion

It separated church and state in Virginia and influenced the First Amendment.