Q 01/05

Who commanded the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later became the first US president?

A) Thomas Jefferson

B) George Washington

C) John Adams

D) Benjamin Franklin

Answer · why

B) George Washington

He was also president of the 1787 Constitutional Convention, so he presided over the birth of the army, the constitution and the presidency.

Q 02/05

Historian Richard B. Morris famously singled out how many 'key' Founding Fathers?

A) Seven

B) Nine

C) Twelve

D) Fifteen

Answer · why

A) Seven

His list was Adams, Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, Jefferson, Madison and Washington, chosen on 'triple tests' of leadership, longevity and statesmanship.

Q 03/05

Which three men negotiated the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War?

A) Jefferson, Madison and Monroe

B) Washington, Hamilton and Knox

C) Franklin, Jefferson and Hancock

D) Franklin, Adams and Jay

Answer · why

D) Franklin, Adams and Jay

Jay had been ambassador to Spain and Adams had just secured Dutch loans; Franklin was the senior diplomat in France throughout the war.

Q 04/05

Which two Founding Fathers died on the same day, July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration?

A) Madison and Monroe

B) Adams and Jefferson

C) Franklin and Washington

D) Hamilton and Burr

Answer · why

B) Adams and Jefferson

Adams's last words acknowledged his longtime friend and rival, not knowing Jefferson had died a few hours earlier at Monticello.

Q 05/05

The 55 delegates who attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention are commonly known by what term?

A) Ratifiers

B) Federalists

C) Signers

D) Framers

Answer · why

D) Framers

Only 39 of them actually signed; three who stayed to the end refused, and Rhode Island never sent anyone at all.