One writer argued that people naturally have rights to life, liberty, and property, and that government needs their consent. Whose argument most influenced the Declaration?

A constitution divides lawmaking, enforcing, and judging among different institutions because 'there can be no liberty' when powers are united. Which thinker made that argument?

A political theorist described the state of nature as a violent 'war of all against all' and defended a powerful sovereign to keep order. Which work is that?

A town meeting says legitimate law should express the general will and aim at the common good, not private advantage. Which Enlightenment writer is closest to that view?

Locke wrote that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Which phrase did the Declaration list in place of property?

Federalist No. 51 says, 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.' Which constitutional design principle does that defend?

In 1215, English barons forced a king to accept limits, including judgment by peers before imprisonment. Which document is this?

A 1628 document challenged Charles I over taxation without Parliament's consent and arbitrary imprisonment. Which document was it?

Which English document established free elections, parliamentary speech, no excessive bail, and no cruel and unusual punishments?

Settlers agreed to form a 'civil Body Politick' and make 'just and equal Laws' for their colony. Which colonial document was this?

In Jamestown in 1619, colonists formed an elected representative assembly. What was it called?

In 1639, colonists in the river towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield wrote rules for electing a governor, magistrates, and deputies. Which colonial document was this?

The Declaration says 'all men are created equal' and have unalienable rights. What claim begins its argument for independence?

The Declaration says governments get their just powers from the 'consent of the governed.' Which principle is stated there?

The Declaration says people may 'alter or to abolish it' when a government destroys their rights. Which idea is that?

A grievance in the Declaration says the king taxed colonists without their consent. Which colonial argument does that grievance support?

The Declaration objects that the king kept standing armies in peacetime without colonial legislatures' consent. Which concern does that show?

Article II of the Articles said each state kept its freedom, independence, and every power not expressly given to Congress. What kind of system did that create?

Under the Articles, Congress needed money for debts but could only ask state legislatures for funds. What weakness did this reveal?

States placed barriers on trade with one another, and Congress could not create a uniform commercial policy. Which weakness was this?

Shays' Rebellion was put down by a Massachusetts force funded privately, not by a national army. What Articles weakness did that expose?

An amendment to give Congress an import tax failed because one state refused approval. Which Articles rule made reform so hard?

Edmund Randolph introduced a plan for a stronger national government with three branches and representation based largely on population. Which plan?

Small-state delegates supported a one-house Congress in which each state kept one vote, much like under the Articles. Which plan was this?

Large states wanted representation by population; small states wanted equal state votes. What settled that fight?

At the Convention, delegates disagreed over how enslaved people would count toward a state's population for representation and direct taxes. Which compromise settled this?

The new Constitution said it would take effect after ratification by conventions in nine states, not after unanimous approval. Which Article set that rule?

Essays written under the name Publius defended the proposed Constitution and urged New York to ratify it. What were these essays called?

A pamphlet writer warned that the Constitution lacked a bill of rights and gave the central government too much power. What side was this?

Writing as Publius, Madison argued that a large republic with many interests would make majority factions less dangerous. Which essay is that?