Question: Why are Common Sense and the Federalist Papers considered foundational documents?
A. They rejected being ruled by the British monarch and Parliament.
B. They influenced the creation of the American government.
C. They encouraged territorial expansion.
D. They promoted the ideas of religious toleration.
B. They influenced the creation of the American government.
Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, and The Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, are considered foundational documents because they played a significant role in shaping the ideas and principles that would ultimately lead to the creation of the United States government. Common Sense helped to rally public support for independence from Great Britain, while The Federalist Papers argued for ratification of the Constitution and outlined the structure and function of the newly proposed federal government. Both of these documents were instrumental in shaping the political philosophy and system of government of the United States.