Articles of Confederation
Declaration of Independence
Colonial Events Leading to Revolution
The Preamble
Principles of the Constitution
100

What was one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

A. the president had too much power

B. the national government could not collect taxes directly

C. Congress controlled all state governments

D. The supreme court could overturn state laws

B. the national government could not collect taxes directly 

100

What was the main purpose of the   Declaration of Independence?  

 A. To create the three branches of government   

B. To establish the first national court system   

C. To explain why the colonies were separating   from Great Britain  

 D. To create the Articles of Confederation  

C. To explain why the colonies were separating   from Great Britain  

100

Why did many colonists oppose British   taxes such as the Stamp Act?  

 A. Colonists wanted higher taxes.  

B. Colonists believed Parliament taxed them   without representation.  

 C. Colonists wanted the king to control colonial   assemblies.  

 D. Colonists wanted British soldiers to collect   taxes.  

B. Colonists believed Parliament taxed them   without representation.  

100

The words “We the People” in the   Preamble reflect which principle?  

 A. Judicial review  

 B. Separation of powers   

C. Popular sovereignty  

 D. Federalism  

C. Popular sovereignty  

100

 6. The weaknesses of the Articles of   Confederation helped lead to  

 A. the writing of the Declaration of Independence.  

B. the Constitutional Convention.  

 C. the French and Indian War.  

 D. the Boston Tea Party.  

B. the Constitutional Convention.  

200

Why did the Articles of Confederation create a weak national government?

A. Americans feared giving too much power to a central government

B. Americans wanted a king to lead the country

C. The states wanted Congress to control all trade

D. Americans wanted to eliminate State governments

A. Americans feared giving too much power to a central government

200

According to the Declaration of Independence, governments receive their power from  

A. the consent of the governed.   

B. wealthy landowners.  

 C. military leaders.  

 D. foreign governments.  

A. the consent of the governed.

200

The slogan “No taxation without   representation” expressed the belief that  

 A. only kings should approve taxes.  

 B. colonies should not have governments.  

C. people should have a voice in decisions that   affect them.  

 D. taxes should only apply to farmers.  

C. people should have a voice in decisions that   affect them.  

200

The phrase “establish Justice” means   the government should  

A. create a fair system of laws.   

B. give all power to the president.   

C. remove ail state governments.  

 D. allow citizens to ignore laws.  

A. create a fair system of laws.  

200

Which principle means that government   power is divided among three branches?  

 A. Federalism  

 B. Popular sovereignty   

C. Separation of powers   

D. Majority rule  

C. Separation of powers

300

Under the Articles of Confederation, most political power belonged to?

A. the president

B. the national courts

C. the states

D. Congress

C. States

300

Which idea from the Declaration of   Independence is most closely connected to   natural rights?  

 A. Governments should collect taxes.  

 B. States should control elections.  

 C. Congress should regulate trade.  

D. People have rights such as life, liberty, and  pursuit of happiness

D. People have rights such as life, liberty, and  pursuit of happiness

300

Which event involved colonists   protesting British taxes by destroying tea?  

A. Boston Tea Party  

 B. Battle of Yorktown  

 C. Constitutional Convention   

D. Shays’ Rebellion  

A. Boston Tea Party  

300

Which goal of the Preamble focuses on   protecting the country from outside threats?  

 A. Promote the general welfare  

 B. Secure the blessings of liberty   

C. Establish justice  

D. Provide for the common defense  

D. Provide for the common defense  

300

Which principle divides power between   the national and state governments?  

A. Federalism  

 B. Rule of law  

 C. Judicial review  

 D. Limited government  

A. Federalism  

400

4. Which problem showed a weakness of the   Articles of Confederation?  

 A. Congress created too many national courts. 

  B. The president refused to enforce laws.  

 C. Congress collected extremely high taxes.   

D. The national government struggled to   respond to Shays’ Rebellion.  

D. The national government struggled to   respond to Shays’ Rebellion.  

400

The Declaration states that people may   change or replace a government when that   government  

 A. creates a legislature.  

B. violates the rights of the people.   

C. collects any taxes.  

 D. creates local governments.  

B. violates the rights of the people.

400

 Why were the Intolerable Acts passed by   Great Britain?  

 A. To reward the colonies for loyalty  

 B. To give the colonies independence  

 C. To create colonial representation in   Parliament  

 D. To punish Massachusetts after the Boston   Tea Party  

D. To punish Massachusetts after the Boston   Tea Party  

400

“Promote the general Welfare” means   that government should  

 A. protect only wealthy citizens.  

B. work for the well-being of society.   

C. allow states to ignore national laws.  

 D. give all decisions to judges.  

B. work for the well-being of society.

400

The idea that government officials must   obey the same laws as everyone else is   called  

 A. representative democracy.   B. majority rule.  

 C. consent of the governed.   D. rule of law.  

D. rule of law.

500

Why was it difficult for Congress to solve   economic problems under the Articles of   Confederation?  

A. Congress could not effectively regulate   interstate trade.  

 B. Congress controlled all businesses.  

 C. States were not allowed to collect taxes.   

D. Congress had complete control of state   economies.  

A. Congress could not effectively regulate   interstate trade.  

500

 Which Enlightenment thinker had the   greatest influence on the Declaration of   Independence?  

 A. Thomas Hobbes  

 B. Montesquieu  

C. John Locke  

 D. Adam Smith  

C. John Locke  

500

One major effect of British actions   before the Revolution was that  

A. colonial support for independence increased. 

  B. colonial governments became more loyal to   Britain.  

 C. colonists stopped meeting together.  

 D. Britain gave the colonies more   representation.  

A. colonial support for independence increased.

500

Which Preamble goal is most closely   related to maintaining peace and order   within the country?  

A. Ensure domestic tranquility  

 B. Provide for the common defense   

C. Secure the blessings of liberty   

D. Establish justice  

A. Ensure domestic tranquility  

500

Which situation best demonstrates   popular sovereignty?  

 A. A judge serves for life.  

B. Citizens vote to choose their representatives.   

C. The president vetoes a bill.  

 D. Congress creates a national court.  



Limited government means that  

A. government has only the powers given to it   by law.  

 B. government may ignore the Constitution   during emergencies.  

 C. the president controls all branches.  

 D. citizens cannot challenge government   decisions.  

B. Citizens vote to choose their representatives.  



A. government has only the powers given to it   by law.  

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