“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.”

Who among the following figures had the most involvement in the writing of the above passage?

A. George Washington
Incorrect. This passage is from the Declaration of Independence, and Washington was fighting the British during its construction. Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the passage.

B. James Madison
Incorrect. This passage is from the Declaration of Independence, and Madison was a relatively minor figure in the Continental Congress. Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the passage.

C. Thomas Jefferson
Correct! This passage is from the Declaration of Independence, and Jefferson is its primary author.

D. Alexander Hamilton
Incorrect. This passage is from the Declaration of Independence, and Hamilton was fighting the British during its construction. Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the passage.

“Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God. . . . The mobs of great cities add just so much to the support of pure government, as sores do the strength of the human body.” -- Thomas Jefferson

Who among the following people would be most likely to agree with Jefferson’s Anti-Federalist vision of the United States made up mostly of farmers?

A. George Washington
Incorrect. While Washington rarely commented on the Hamilton-Jefferson debates occurring in his cabinet, he usually sided with Hamilton and the Federalist vision of the country.

B. Patrick Henry
Correct! Patrick Henry was a leading Anti-Federalist and supporter of Thomas Jefferson.

C. Alexander Hamilton
Incorrect. Hamilton was a chief political opponent of Thomas Jefferson and his Federalist party was a supporter of the merchants in cities.

D. John Adams
Incorrect. Adams was a chief political opponent of Thomas Jefferson and his Federalist party was a supporter of the merchants in cities.

Which of the following individuals had the most impact in establishing the responsibility and power of the judicial branch?

A. James Madison
Incorrect. While Madison crafted most of Article III of the Constitution, John Marshall as the longest serving Chief Justice established its importance, especially through declaring the power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

B. John Marshall
Correct! John Marshall as the longest serving Chief Justice established its importance, especially through declaring the power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

C. John Jay
Incorrect. While Jay was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, he had little impact on the shape of the institution. John Marshall as the longest serving Chief Justice established its importance, especially through declaring the power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

D. William Blackstone
Incorrect. Blackstone’s legal writings often guided the decisions of the Supreme Court, but John Marshall as the longest serving Chief Justice established its importance, especially through declaring the power of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. . . . The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. . . . The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.” –U.S. Constitution

Whose thought does the above excerpt from the U.S. Constitution most reflect?

A. Thomas Hooker
Incorrect. Hooker had influence over the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first Constitution. However, the above passage most clearly reflects the separation of powers doctrine supported by Montesquieu.

B. Baron Charles de Montesquieu
Correct! Montesquieu explained the separation of powers doctrine, which the passage reflects by outlining separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

C. William Blackstone
Incorrect. Blackstone was a commentator on English law. However, Montesquieu explained the separation of powers doctrine, which the passage reflects by outlining separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

D. Thomas Hobbes
Incorrect. Hobbes’ State of Nature doctrine is an influence on the Declaration of Independence and the need for limited government. However, the separation of powers exhibited in this passage comes mostly from Montesquieu.

In which area did George Washington have the most direct influence?

A. Writing the Declaration of Independence
Incorrect. Washington was in the field fighting the British during the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

B. Winning the Battle of Saratoga, the turning point in the American Revolution
Incorrect. While Washington is the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, he was not at Saratoga. That battle was won by Horatio Gates and Benedict Arnold.

C. Constructing the U.S. Constitution
Incorrect. Washington chaired the Constitutional Convention, but almost completely silent during the debates.

D. Establishing the form of the presidency and the credibility of the new U.S. government
Correct! Washington’s presidency established numerous precedents for the office and more importantly, the credibility of the government.