Founding Docs
Which document declared American independence from Britain in 1776?
Declaration of Independence
The Virginia Plan proposed representation in Congress based on...
a state's population
What was the first system of government in the United States?
Articles of Confederation
What is federalism?
A system where power is shared between the state and federal governments
In a free market economy, prices are mainly determined by:
A. The Government
B. Supply and Demand
C. Congress
D. President
B. Supply and Demand
Which document is the SUPREME law of the United States today, which outlines our government structure?
U.S. Constitution
The New Jersey Plan proposed representation in Congress based on...
Equal Representation
Under the Articles of Confederation, how states needed to agree to pass a law?
9 out of 13
Which level of government is responsible for national defense and printing currency?
Federal Government
Inflation refers to...
A general rise in prices
The Articles of Confederation had many problems, name one of them.
No power to regulate commerce or collect taxes, No executive branch to enforce laws, no judicial branch to interpret them, Unanimous agreement required to change the Articles, Each state had their own currency, which caused economic confusion and chaos
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) created...
a two house legislature with representation in the lower house based on population and the upper house based on equal representation.
Shays' Rebellion (1786–87) demonstrated which key problem with the Articles of Confederation?
A. States had too little power, B. Federal government was too strong, C. Federal government couldn't maintain order, D. Congress had too much money
C. Federal government couldn't maintain order
A citizen petition that allows voters to vote DIRECTLY on a proposed law is called a...
Referendum
________ _______ is the value of the next best alternative you give up when making a decision. It is not just about money, but the potential benefit lost from the option not chosen.
Match each document to its PRIMARY purpose.
A. Declaration of Independence, B. U.S. Constitution, C. Articles of Confederation, D. Magna Carta
1. Our first government structure, 2. Announced separation from Great Britain, 3. Limited the power of the monarch, 4. Established framework of current U.S. Govt.
A-2 The D.O.I. announced our separation from GB.
B-4 The U.S. Constitution established our current gov structure
C-1 The A.O.C. was our first government structure.
D-3 The Magna Carta limited the power of the monarch
What did the 3/5ths compromise do?
The Three-Fifths Compromise (1787) determined that three-fifths (60%) of the enslaved population would be counted for both congressional representation (House of Representatives) and direct federal taxation
The committee who created the Articles on Confederation made it weak on purpose. Why?
They did not trust a strong national government.
Match each term to its correct definition.
A. Initiative, B. Referendum, C. Recall, D. Federalism
1. Citizens petition to place a proposed law on the ballot themselves, 2. Citizens vote directly on a proposed law that comes from the legislature, 3.Power shared between national and state governments, 4. Citizens vote to remove an elected official
A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
Regulates various aspects of economic life, prohibits trusts, protects environment, ensures food quality, uses taxation to fund government operations and public works, (schools, roads, bridges)
Identify where the quotes from the following historical documents are from: Options: Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Articles of Confederation
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this (Document)"
“Article III The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.”
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness".
Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths..."
Articles of Confederation - "League of friendship"
U.S. Constitution - "We the People..."
Why were both small states and large states dissatisfied with the other's plan, and how did the Great Compromise resolve the conflict?
Sample Answer: Large states (like Virginia) wanted representation based on population — they had more people so they'd have more power. Small states (like New Jersey) feared being dominated and wanted equal votes. The Great Compromise solved this by creating TWO houses: the Senate where every state gets 2 senators (equal), and the House of Representatives where seats are based on population. Both sides got something they needed.
"Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled."
Which weakness of the Articles of Confederation is most clearly reflected in this excerpt?
A) The national government’s inability to collect taxes directly from citizens.
B) The requirement of unanimous consent from all states to amend the Articles.
C) The lack of a national judiciary to settle disputes between states.
D) The decentralization of power, which made it difficult for the national government to enforce laws.
D) The decentralization of power, which made it difficult for the national government to enforce laws.
Give ONE example of an exclusive power (only the federal government does this), reserved power (only state governments do this) and concurrent powers (both levels do this)
Examples: Natl: declaring war, coining money, foreign treaties, State: issuing driver's licenses, running public schools, marriage laws, Both: collecting taxes, building roads, enforcing laws
What is the difference between a command economy and a free market economy?
In a command economy the government owns the means of production and makes all the decisions, in a free market economy, the people own the means of production and make their own decisions