Articles of Confederation
Which statement best describes governmental power under the Articles of Confederation?
(a) Power was shared equally by the central government and the states.
(b) A balance of power existed between the three branches of the central government.
(c) A strong chief executive headed a unified central government.
(d) The states had much greater power than the central government.
(d) The states had much greater power than the central government.
The Articles of Confederation are best described as a
(a) statement of principles justifying the Revolutionary War
(b) plan of union for the original thirteen states
(c) set of arguments supporting ratification of the Constitution
(d) list of reasons for the secession of the Southern States
(b) plan of union for the original thirteen states
The basic purpose of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution is to
(a) describe the powers of the three branches of government
(b) limit the powers of state governments
(c) guarantee the rights of individuals
(d) establish a system of checks and balances
(c) guarantee the rights of individuals
British policy of ignoring the colonies which allowed them to gain more independence
Salutary Neglect
part of the government that decides if the laws are being carried out fairly (the Supreme Court)
Judicial Branch
One accomplishment of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of legislation establishing
(a) a central banking system
(b) a process for admitting new states to the Union
(c) the president’s right to put down rebellions
(d) the ability of Congress to tax the states effectively
(b) a process for admitting new states to the Union
The Three-Fifths Compromise was included in the Constitution to resolve a conflict over the
(a) counting of enslaved persons in relation to taxation and representation
(b) reimbursement of plantation owners for runaway slaves
(c) number of votes needed to approve a treaty in the Senate
(d) number of states needed to ratify a proposed amendment
(a) counting of enslaved persons in relation to taxation and representation
Which fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
(A) The government should guarantee every citizen economic security.
(B) The central government and state governments should have equal power.
(C) If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown.
(D) Rulers derive their right to govern from God and are therefore bound to govern in the nation’s best
(C) If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown.
First Example of a Representative Government in Virginia
House of Burgesses
part of the government that carries out the laws
(the president)
Executive Branch
Why did the authors of the Articles of Confederation create a weak central government?
(a) They lacked an understanding of state problems.
(b) They anticipated the threat of foreign invasion.
(C They relied on advice from royal governors.
(d) They feared the kind of rule experienced under the British monarchy.
(d) They feared the kind of rule experienced under the British monarchy.
The Great Compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention resulted in the
creation of a bicameral legislature
The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of
(a) the President to veto a bill passed by Congress (b) Congress to censure one of its members
(c) a governor to send the National Guard to stop a riot
(d) state and Federal governments to levy and collect taxes
(a) the President to veto a bill passed by Congress
law of British Parliament that taxed newspapers, legal documents and all printed materials
Stamp Act
series of essays written by the founding fathers that urged ratification(approval) of the new Constitution.
Federalist Papers
Shays’ Rebellion (1786) became a concern for many national leaders because it
(a) indicated there would be future conflicts over the spread of slavery
(b) exposed fundamental weaknesses in government under the Articles of Confederation
(c) pointed to the need for federal government regulation of interstate commerce
(d) showed that frontier settlements were vulnerable to raids by Native American Indians
(b) exposed fundamental weaknesses in government under the Articles of Confederation
Which two groups debated the ratification of the new Constitution?
Federalist & Anti-Federalist
The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was to
(a) limit the power of state governments
(b) protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal Government
(c) provide for equal treatment of all people
(d) separate powers between the three branches of government
(b) protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal Government
The 1776 Document stating that the colonies wanted to be free and independent from British rule
Declaration of Independence
customs and precedents accepted as a needed part of the government although NOT actually listed in the constitution.
Unwritten Constitution
Which idea guided the development of the Articles of Confederation?
(a) A strong central government would threaten the rights of the people.
(b) All the people should be granted the right to vote.
(c) Most power should rest with the judicial branch.
(d) Only the central government would have the power to levy taxes.
(a) A strong central government would threaten the rights of the people.
What was the primary reason for holding the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
(a) outlaw slavery in both the North and the South
(b) place taxes on imports and exports
(c) revise the Articles of Confederation
(d) reduce the power of the federal government
(c) revise the Articles of Confederation
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are similar in that both
(a) support a federal system of government
(b) maintain the importance of a strong chief executive
(c) provide for a system of checks and balances
(d) support limitations on governmental power
(d) support limitations on governmental power
Each branch of the federal government has power to limit the actions of other branches
Checks & Balances
part of the government that makes the laws for the nation (congress)