What are the 4 Great State Papers of the United States?

Asked by: Ottilie Hegmann  |  Last update: February 14, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (25 votes)

The 4 Great State Papers of the United States, signed by Founding Father Roger Sherman (the only person to sign all four), are the Continental Association (1774), the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Articles of Confederation (1781), and the U.S. Constitution (1787), representing key stages in American governance from colonial resistance to establishing a federal republic.

What are the 4 great state papers?

Sherman was the only member of the Continental Congress who signed all four of the great state papers: the Association of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.

What are the four most important documents in American history?

U.S. Congress records from 1774 to 1875, including Bills and Resolutions, Congressional Record and Statutes at Large.

  • The Constitution. ...
  • Declaration of Independence. ...
  • Bill of Rights. ...
  • Federalist Papers.

What are the 4 main parts of the Declaration of Independence?

The text can be divided into four parts: the introduction (the first paragraph), the preamble, the indictment of King George III and the condemnation of the British people, and the actual declaration (the last paragraph).

Who are the 4 fathers of the United States?

Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison served as the first four presidents; Adams and Jefferson were the nation's first two vice presidents; Jay was the nation's first chief justice; Hamilton was the first secretary of the treasury; Jefferson was the first secretary of state; and Franklin was America's most senior ...

The Constitution, the Articles, and Federalism: Crash Course US History #8

25 related questions found

What did the founding fathers say about Jews?

The Founding Fathers held diverse views on Jews, ranging from strong support for religious liberty (Washington, Adams, Hamilton) to deep theological criticisms (Jefferson), yet they established a government ensuring Jews full citizenship rights, with figures like Washington affirming "liberty of conscience" and Hamilton defending their civic status, while some others like Franklin and Rush showed both curiosity and bias, ultimately embedding religious freedom for Jews in the new nation's fabric. 

Which founding father was not born in America?

48 of the 56 signers were born in America. Two were born in England (Button Gwinnett, Robert Morris), two in Ireland (George Taylor, Matthew Thornton), two in Scotland (James Wilson, John Witherspoon), one in Northern Ireland (James Smith), and one in Wales (Francis Lewis).

Who wrote the US Constitution?

Toward the close of these discussions, on September 8, a Committee of Style and Arrangement, including Alexander Hamilton from New York, William Samuel Johnson from Connecticut, Rufus King from Massachusetts, James Madison from Virginia, and Gouverneur Morris from Pennsylvania, was appointed to distill a final draft ...

Did Thomas Jefferson say all men are created equal?

Thomas Jefferson's famous phrase "all men are created equal" from the Declaration of Independence asserts that all people have inherent, equal rights to life, liberty, and happiness, forming the basis for self-government, though Jefferson himself, a slave owner, didn't apply this to everyone, creating a profound contradiction that fueled American debates over equality for enslaved people, women, and others for centuries. The phrase evolved from a declaration of political equality for the colonies to a universal ideal of individual rights, challenging existing hierarchies.
 

What does the Constitution say about a tyrannical government?

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

What is the most powerful document in the world?

Magna Carta still forms an important symbol of liberty today, often cited by politicians and campaigners, and is held in great respect by the British and American legal communities, Lord Denning describing it in 1956 as "the greatest constitutional document of all times—the foundation of the freedom of the individual ...

What is the most important document in the United States?

U.S. Constitution

The Constitution of the United States set up the foundation of the U.S. government, including its purpose and structure. The Constitutional Convention adopted the Constitution on September 17, 1787.

How did the USA get its name?

It's called the "United States of America" because it's a union of sovereign states (the "United States") on the continent of "America," named after explorer Amerigo Vespucci. The name reflects the colonies' shift from "United Colonies" to independent states, formally adopted in 1776 by the Continental Congress, replacing "United Colonies" with "United States" in official documents.
 

What religion was Roger Sherman?

The study concludes that as a Puritan descendant and devout Congregationalist, Roger Sherman's religious convictions explain his political principles.

What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence faced severe consequences, with many suffering property loss, imprisonment, and hardship, though few died directly from British action; nine died in the war from wounds or disease, several were tortured as prisoners, others had homes burned, and some died in poverty, but most survived to see the new nation established, with two, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, dying on the same day, the 50th anniversary of the signing.
 

What are the four founding documents of the United States?

Explore the Documents

  • Declaration of Independence.
  • Constitution of the United States.
  • Bill of Rights.

Is God mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?

Yes, God is mentioned multiple times (around four) in the Declaration of Independence, using terms like "Nature's God," "Creator," "Supreme Judge of the world," and "divine Providence," acknowledging a higher power as the source of natural rights and the ultimate authority for their actions, though not specifying a particular religion. 

Is everyone born equal?

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

What does 1776 symbolize?

The year 1776 signifies the birth of the United States of America, marked by the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, proclaiming the 13 colonies free from British rule and establishing principles of self-governance, though the Revolutionary War continued until 1783. Beyond the U.S., it also saw significant global events, including the publication of Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" and shifts in European politics, but its primary meaning in the American context is independence and the start of a new nation. 

Which states refused to ratify the Constitution as it was originally written?

Two states, North Carolina and Rhode Island, refused to ratify the new plan of government.

Did the Founding Fathers base the Constitution on the Bible?

The Founding Fathers didn't base the Constitution directly on the Bible but were significantly influenced by Christian principles and biblical concepts that shaped their understanding of morality, human nature (like sinfulness), and natural law, even while drawing more directly from English common law, Enlightenment thinkers, and historical republics. While the Constitution itself doesn't mention God or the Bible (except for dating), biblical ideas about justice, governance, and individual rights, filtered through Protestantism and Enlightenment thought, provided a moral and conceptual foundation, alongside secular sources. 

Who are the 7 principle founding fathers?

Fact #1: These seven men are the principle Founding Fathers: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison. While there were many others who contributed to the founding of the United States, these seven are considered by most as the Founding Fathers.

Which president did not use the Bible to take the oath of office?

Several U.S. Presidents did not use a Bible for their oath, including John Quincy Adams (used a law book), Theodore Roosevelt (used no book at his first swearing-in), and Lyndon B. Johnson (used a Catholic missal), with Calvin Coolidge also noting he didn't use one, adhering to Vermont tradition. The Constitution doesn't require a Bible, allowing for these variations, often signifying a belief in secularism or responding to unique circumstances. 

Who is the most controversial founding father?

Aaron Burr: The Most Controversial Founding Father - Smithsonian Associates.

Is Obama related to King John?

BridgeAnne d'Avignon, who attends Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, traced that Obama, and all other U.S. presidents except Martin Van Buren, are related to John "Lackland" Plantagenet, a king of England and signer of the Magna Carta.