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Quiz about Memorable Quotes From Our Founding Fathers

Memorable Quotes From Our Founding Fathers Quiz

There are hundreds of memorable quotes from our founding documents, letters, and addresses authored by the men of our founding generation. Here is a small sampling.

A matching quiz by ncterp. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ncterp

Time
4 mins

Type
Match Quiz

Quiz #
411,054

Updated
Dec 13 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
205

(a) Drag-and-drop from the right to the left, or (b) click on a right side answer box and then on a left side box to move it.

Questions		Choices
1. "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."		Patrick Henry
2. "The name of American, which belongs to You, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations".		General Washington
3. "Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent".		Thomas Paine
4. "Every one may rest assured that much, very much of the future happiness of the Officers and Men, will depend upon the wise and manly conduct which shall be adopted by them, when they are mingled with the great body of the Community".		Benjamin Franklin
5. "But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."		Thomas Jefferson
6. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."		James Madison
7. "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"		John Adams
8. "Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.		Alexander Hamilton
9. "A firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection".		President Washington
10. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."		John Locke

Select each answer

1. "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

2. "The name of American, which belongs to You, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations".

3. "Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent".

4. "Every one may rest assured that much, very much of the future happiness of the Officers and Men, will depend upon the wise and manly conduct which shall be adopted by them, when they are mingled with the great body of the Community".

5. "But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."

6. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."

7. "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

8. "Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.

9. "A firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection".

10. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

Answer: Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson wrote this line in the Declaration of Independence after listing all 27 grievances. He called them "repeated injuries and usurpations" against King George III. The grievances include actions such as cutting off trade with other parts of the world, imposing taxes without consent, and suspending colonial legislatures.

2. "The name of American, which belongs to You, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations".

Answer: President Washington

In this, his farewell address, Washington stresses the need for national unity, not sectional or regional unity. He urges that the name "American" belongs to all the citizenry. He fears that factions (political parties) will lead to polarization among the people.

3. "Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent".

Answer: John Locke

Locke was a British political theorist who, along with Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Hobbs, formed the basis for the thinking of the Founders. Citizens give up some freedoms voluntarily to the state in return for protection and to become a community. This is the social contract. This quote is from his "Second Treatise on Government".

Answer: General Washington

Washington implored his men to return to civil society in a dignified way - to conduct themselves with the honor and fortitude they showed in the field. This address was delivered on November 2, 1783. His army had not been paid in months and they were angry. He urged patience and civility.

5. "But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever."

Answer: John Adams

Adams and his wife, Abagail, were prolific letter writers. Fortunately for history and historians, many of those letters survive. This quote comes from a letter written to Abigail in 1775. Their letters are revealing of the climate in which they were written.

6. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary."

Answer: James Madison

In "Federalist No. 51" Madison writes of the need for a separation of powers in the federal government, and of a system of checks and balances among the three branches. Madison adds, "In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."

Answer: Patrick Henry

Henry spoke those words to a stunned audience at the Virginia Convention in 1775. As a delegate to the Continental Congress, Henry declared that he was not a Virginian. He was an American.

8. "Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

Franklin began this speech by stating that he did not agree with all parts of the Constitution, but he thought it was the best they could do. He further noted his amazement that a body of men of such diverse circumstances could together produce such a document.

9. "A firm Union will be of the utmost moment to the peace and liberty of the States as a barrier against domestic faction and insurrection".

Answer: Alexander Hamilton

In "Federalist No. 9" Hamilton argues for a strong, energetic central government that has the ability to repress domestic faction and insurrection. In "Federalist No. 70" Hamilton makes the same argument for the chief executive.

10. "Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

Answer: Thomas Paine

"The Crisis" began with the famous line, "These are the times that try men's souls." Washington found "The Crisis" so uplifting that he ordered it read to his troops at Valley Forge during that awful winter of 1777. Paine wrote "Common Sense", a 47 page pamphlet, in 1776. "The Crisis" was a mainly series of 13 pamphlets published between 1776 and 1777.

Source: Author ncterp

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