Changes

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|left|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

[[Image:76485685i79.jpg|left|thumb|300px|The drafting committee presenting the [[Declaration of Independence]] to the [[Continental Congress]], painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819.]]

[[George Washington]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], and the other [[Founding Fathers]] signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.

[[George Washington]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], and the other [[Founding Fathers]] risked a sentence of death for treason against the English Crown by signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.

Between the [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776 and the ratification of the [[Constitution]] in 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]].

Between the [[Declaration of Independence]] in 1776 and the ratification of the [[Constitution]] in 1788, the United States was governed according to the [[Articles of Confederation]].

Although officially a [[Republic]], since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two or more [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Presently, the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

Although officially a [[Republic]], since the Presidency of [[John Quincy Adams]],  the United States has been governed by two or more [[political parties]] under the rules of a "Representative [[Democracy]]."  Presently, the two major political parties are the [[Democratic Party]], and the Republican Party.  The younger of the two parties, the [[Republican Party]], was created in 1854.

== The Role of Religion in Government ==

== The Role of Religion in Government ==