Early American Documents Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mayflower Compact

The Mayflower Compact, signed aboard the Mayflower in November 1620, was a short but important agreement that laid the foundation for self-government in the Plymouth Colony. The settlers had landed outside the bounds of their official charter, and as a result, there was no legal framework to govern them. To prevent chaos, the male passengers agreed to form a "civil body politic" that would create and follow laws for the good of the new colony.

While it wasn't really a constitution in any modern sense of the word, the Compact emphasized ideals of ruling by consent and majority, and these ideals would echo throughout later American political thought.

Answer: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were adopted in 1639 by representatives from three Connecticut towns: Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. The document outlined a system of government with elected representatives and a governor, and it did not mention the British crown, an unusual move at the time. Unlike earlier compacts or charters, the Fundamental Orders went beyond basic agreement and laid out detailed principles for governance. Because of this, historians often consider it the first true written constitution that created a framework for a functioning government, giving Connecticut its nickname the "Constitution State."

Answer: Benjamin Franklin

The Albany Plan of Union was the brainchild of Benjamin Franklin, who presented it at the Albany Congress in 1754. The plan proposed a unified colonial government to manage relations with Native American tribes and coordinate defense during the French and Indian War (Seven Years War).

While the plan was ultimately rejected by both the colonies and the British government, it marked one of the earliest formal efforts to unite the American colonies under a common framework. Franklin even included a famous political cartoon showing a severed snake labelled with the colonies and the caption "Join, or Die," which later became a symbol of unity during the American Revolution.

Answer: Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman doesn't get the spotlight as often as Jefferson or Franklin, but his contributions were monumental. A delegate from Connecticut, he was a respected negotiator and deeply involved in the creation of the new American government. He played a key role in crafting the "Great Compromise" during the Constitutional Convention, which helped balance representation between large and small states.

Sherman is the only person to have signed the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, earning him a unique spot in American history. And yes, Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman was a distant relative.

Answer: The Declaration of Independence

In the summer of 1776, the colonies took a dramatic step by formally announcing their separation from Great Britain. Just two days later, the Pennsylvania Evening Post printed the full text of the Declaration of Independence, making it the first newspaper to do so.

This public printing was essential in spreading the revolutionary message beyond the walls of Congress, allowing ordinary citizens to read the bold document for themselves. Newspapers (and pamphlets) played a crucial role in shaping colonial opinion and rallying support for the cause.

Answer: France

The Treaty of Alliance, signed in 1778, marked the first formal diplomatic agreement between the nascent United States and a foreign power. The treaty was signed with France, which had been secretly aiding the colonies with supplies and arms but now took steps to a enter fully into a military alliance against Britain. This agreement was crucial for the American Revolution: French troops, ships, and financial support helped turn the tide in key battles, most notably at Yorktown. It was also one of the first examples of the United States engaging in international diplomacy through written treaties.

Although the fighting in the colonies ended in 1781, the American Revolution did not officially conclude until 1783. Like the Seven Years' War (known as the French and Indian War in the US) the Revolution was fought on a much larger scale than is often recognized. Battles took place in the Caribbean, Europe, and even Asia, with the final clash occurring in India.

Answer: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation served as the United States' first constitution, uniting the thirteen colonies under a loose alliance. It was drafted during the Revolutionary War and reflected the colonies' deep mistrust of centralized power, granting most authority to individual states. The national government it created was intentionally weak. It could conduct foreign affairs and wage war but lacked the power to tax or regulate trade. Though the Articles ultimately proved too fragile to govern a growing nation, they were an important first step in America's constitutional development.

During the American Civil War, the southern states would also experience the drawbacks of a weak central government. The Confederate Constitution emphasized states' rights and limited federal authority, particularly in areas like taxation, conscription, and resource allocation. As a result, states often withheld troops and supplies, inflation spiralled due to excessive printing of money and inadequate tax systems, and logistical failures dogged efforts to supply the Confederate army.

Answer: Northwest Ordinance

The Northwest Ordinance established a system for governing and settling territory north of the Ohio River and west of the Appalachian Mountains, an area that would later become the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota.

It outlined how new territories could transition to statehood and ensured important rights for residents, including freedom of religion, trial by jury, and a ban on slavery in the region. The ordinance set a precedent for how the United States would expand while balancing both governance and individual liberties, making it one of the most important pieces of legislation passed under the Articles of Confederation.

Answer: The Virginia Plan

The Virginia Plan, proposed by Edmund Randolph, laid the groundwork for what would become the United States Constitution. It called for a powerful national government that would include an executive branch, a judiciary, and a bicameral legislature. The plan favored larger states by suggesting that representation in both houses of the legislature should be based on population or financial contributions. The Virginia Plan's framework helped spark debates that ultimately shaped the design of the federal government.

Answer: The Constitution of the United States

Shallus was the son of German immigrants, and fought in the revolutionary war in the failed invasion of Canada. He was tasked with hand-copying the final draft of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Working under tight deadlines, he spent roughly 35-40 hours over three days engrossing the 4,400-word document using quill and ink on four large sheets of vellum. Though his name wasn't included on the document, Shallus's elegant handwriting was instrumental in making the final version of the Constitution official. He was paid $30 for the work (about $750 in 2025 money). Despite his essential role, Shallus's contribution remained largely unknown until 1937 when historian John C. Fitzpatrick identified him as the engraver.

Even the final polished copy of the Constitution contains a couple of small blunders. After finishing, Shallus added an "Errata" note to correct typos... and he misnumbered one of the items!