8. Building a Republic, 1775

Chapter Chronology

Quiz for Making Historical Arguments: Was the New United States a Christian Country?

Select the best answer for each question. Click the “submit” button for each question to turn in your work.

Question 8.11

1. In which of the following ways did state constitutions in early America affirm the importance of Christianity?

They forbade non-Christians from owning businesses.

They erected crosses in front of civic buildings.

They required all children to attend Protestant schools.

They prohibited people from working or traveling on Sundays.

Question 8.12

2. Why might early American Christians have felt angry or scared about the absence of Christianity in the United States Constitution?

Non-Christians would likely keep their businesses open on Sundays and make a lot of money.

The nation would likely descend into immorality without having Christian values at its center.

European nations like Britain and France would probably not respect a non-Christian nation.

American citizens would probably be less loyal and patriotic if there were no state religion.

Question 8.13

3. The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, passed in 1786, assured religious liberty for its citizens by proclaiming that religion could not be used as a basis for determining

which school a child attended.

whether a business could be open on Sundays.

whether a citizen could run for political office.

where churches or synagogues could be built.

Question 8.14

4. How did the Constitution’s Bill of Rights secure religious liberty for American citizens?

By making it unconstitutional for Congress to establish a state religion

By prohibiting state governments from violating freedom of religious conscience

By asserting that all citizens had the right to hold public office, regardless of their religion

By affirming that the Supreme Court would protect the economic rights of people from all faiths

Question 8.15

5. This essay supports which of the following historical arguments?

The elimination of Sabbath laws in the twentieth century was evidence of the growing political and social power of non-Protestant Americans, especially in New England.

The requirement in most early state constitutions that jurors and witnesses take a Christian oath resulted in disproportionate convictions for Jewish and Catholic criminals.

Despite the Constitution’s protection for freedom of religion, state constitutions established and maintained Christian-based laws through the twentieth century.