Historic Documents
What is one idea in the Magna Carta that helped shape American government?
A. Kings should rule forever
B. Citizens should have a right to a fair trial
C. The president makes all the laws
D. People should not vote
B. Citizens should have a right to a fair trial
What idea did John Locke believe all people have?
A. The right to vote for president
B. Natural rights like life and liberty
C. The power to write laws
D. Freedom from school
B. Natural rights like life and liberty
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
A. The Declaration of Independence
B. The Bill of Rights
C. The Articles of Confederation
D. The Federalist Papers
B. The Bill of Rights
What kind of government does the United States have?
A. Monarchy
B. Dictatorship
C. Constitutional Republic
D. Theocracy
C. Constitutional Republic
Why was the Articles of Confederation a weak government?
A. It had too many leaders
B. It gave too much power to the president
C. It could not collect taxes
D. It had too many courts
C. It could not collect taxes
What idea did the Mayflower Compact introduce to the colonies?
A. Rule by the king
B. Slavery
C. Self-government
D. Freedom of religion
C. Self-government
What does "social contract" mean?
A. People should follow the king
B. People agree to follow laws if the government protects their rights
C. The king has total power
D. The church must lead the government
B. People agree to follow laws if the government protects their rights
Which freedom is protected by the First Amendment?
A. The right to a lawyer
B. The right to own land
C. Freedom of speech
D. The right to vote
C. Freedom of speech
In a democracy or republic, who has the power?
A. The king
B. A small group
C. The people
D. The army
C. The people
Which branch was missing under the Articles of Confederation?
A. Legislative
B. Executive
C. Territorial
D. Municipal
B. Executive
Why was the English Bill of Rights important to colonists?
A. It gave power to the king
B. It protected rights like a trial by jury
C. It started a new war
D. It gave land to the colonies
B. It protected rights like a trial by jury
What idea did Montesquieu give to the U.S. Constitution?
A. Trial by jury
B. Taxes for everyone
C. Separation of powers
D. Freedom of the press
C. Separation of powers
What does the 4th Amendment protect you from?
A. Being forced to vote
B. Being searched without a warrant
C. Serving on a jury
D. Saying what you believe
B. Being searched without a warrant
What is one way the U.S. government is limited?
A. The president makes all the laws
B. People can’t vote
C. Leaders must follow the Constitution
D. There are no courts
C. Leaders must follow the Constitution
Under the Articles, how many states had to agree to make changes?
A. Majority
B. Two-thirds
C. Three-fourths
D. All 13
D. All 13
What did Thomas Paine’s Common Sense encourage colonists to do?
A. Obey the British king
B. Stop voting
C. Support independence and self-rule
D. Give up their rights
C. Support independence and self-rule
How did Enlightenment ideas affect the Founding Fathers?
A. They wanted kings to rule
B. They believed in strong central power
C. They believed in protecting people’s rights
D. They wanted to keep British laws
C. They believed in protecting people’s rights
Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
A. 15th
B. 13th
C. 26th
D. 19th
D. 19th
Which form of government is ruled by religious leaders?
A. Monarchy
B. Theocracy
C. Republic
D. Democracy
B. Theocracy
Which event showed the government under the Articles was too weak?
A. Revolutionary War
B. Boston Tea Party
C. Shays’ Rebellion
D. Civil War
C. Shays’ Rebellion
Which document gave colonists the idea of “no taxation without representation”?
A. The U.S. Constitution
B. The Magna Carta
C. The English Bill of Rights
D. The Mayflower Compact
C. The English Bill of Rights
Which statement shows John Locke’s idea of natural rights?
A. People must do what kings say
B. People have rights to life, liberty, and property
C. The army should make laws
D. Voting is not important
B. People have rights to life, liberty, and property
What is one right in the 6th Amendment?
A. Freedom of religion
B. Right to a fair and speedy trial
C. No cruel punishments
D. The right to vote
B. Right to a fair and speedy trial
What is one reason the U.S. government protects liberty and freedom better than a dictatorship?
A. The military controls everything
B. Citizens elect leaders
C. One person rules
D. Religion decides laws
B. Citizens elect leaders
What did leaders do after seeing the problems with the Articles?
A. Gave more power to the states
B. Wrote a new constitution
C. Kept everything the same
D. Ended voting rights
B. Wrote a new constitution