The United States is a democracy, but it is not a true democracy. Instead, it is a representative democracy. The common forms of democracy are direct democracy and representative democracy. A direct democracy is a system of government in which the majority have their say on every matter concerning governance.
The American colonies rose up against Great Britain in 1775 with the goal of becoming an independent state. In 1776, they sent the British king the Declaration of Independence, taking the first step toward forming the United States of America. After nearly eight years of fighting in the American Revolutionary War, the British finally retreated, and the Americans established their own government. As you read, take notes on what the founders thought was important to include in America’s new government.
