Influences on Gov
How did Enlightenment ideas influence the Founding Fathers?
A. They eliminated the need for laws
B. They encouraged a strong monarchy
C. They promoted individual rights and limited government
D. They supported unlimited government power over consent of the governed
C. They promoted individual rights and limited government
Citizens elect lawmakers to make decisions on their behalf.
This is an example of:
A. Direct Democracy
B. Representative Democracy
C. Oligarchy
D. Monarchy
B. Representative Democracy
Explain how the events of September 11, 2001, impacted civil liberties in the United States.
A. People lost all their rights.
B. There were no changes to laws or freedoms.
C. The government stopped all security checks.
D. New security laws increased government power while trying to protect individual rights.
D. New security laws increased government power while trying to protect individual rights.
How did the publication of the pamphlet Common Sense impact the American colonists?
A. It convinced colonists to remain loyal to Britain.
B. It convinced colonists to establish fair trade with Britain.
C. It encouraged colonists to consider the struggles with Britain and declare independence.
D. It encouraged colonists to think for themselves when dealing with the British government.
C. It encouraged colonists to consider the struggles with Britain and declare independence.
The Constitutional Convention met because many leaders believed the Articles of Confederation
A. created a government that was too strong
B. failed to provide an effective national government
C. gave too many rights to citizens
D. allowed too much foreign trade
B. failed to provide an effective national government
A country's constitution states that government exists only because citizens agree to be governed and may replace leaders who abuse power.
Which Enlightenment idea is reflected in this statement?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Social Contract
C. Free Enterprise
D. Federalism
B. Social Contract
Congress passes legislation. The President vetoes it. Congress then overrides the veto.
Which principle is BEST illustrated?
A. Federalism
B. Due Process
C. Checks and Balances
D. Rule of Law
C. Checks and Balances
A city requires permits for large public demonstrations. A group receives a permit, holds a peaceful protest, and criticizes local officials without punishment.
Which combination of constitutional rights is being exercised?
A. Freedom of Religion and Due Process
B. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly
C. Trial by Jury and Due Process
D. Federalism and Popular Sovereignty
B. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly
Which statement from the Declaration of Independence BEST supports the concept of natural rights?
A. "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men."
B. "He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good."
C. "The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations."
D. "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...
D. "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...
What was one weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
A. The Articles restricted the states from collecting taxes.
B. The Articles gave the national government too much power.
C. The Articles gave the states most of the governmental power.
D. The Articles made the national government responsible for negotiating treaties.
C. The Articles gave the states most of the governmental power.
A group of citizens argues that government leaders should be required to follow the same laws as everyone else and should not have unlimited power.
Which historical influence MOST directly supports this argument?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. Common Sense
C. Magna Carta
D. Articles of Confederation
C. Magna Carta
A mayor is arrested and prosecuted after violating state law.
Which constitutional principle is MOST clearly demonstrated?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Limited Government
C. Rule of Law
D. Popular Sovereignty
C. Rule of Law
Following a national security threat, lawmakers approve increased airport screenings.
Supporters argue the policy helps achieve which goal of the Preamble?
A. Secure the Blessings of Liberty
B. Promote the General Welfare
C. Provide for the Common Defense
D. Establish Justice
C. Provide for the Common Defense
Read the excerpt:
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Which constitutional principle is reflected?
A. Rule of Law
B. Popular Sovereignty
C. Federalism
D. Judicial Review
B. Popular Sovereignty
Why did Anti-Federalists eventually agree to support ratification?
A. Congress gained more taxation power.
B. A Bill of Rights would be added.
C. State governments were eliminated.
D. The President was weakened
B. A Bill of Rights would be added.
In which of the documents listed below, is Montesquieu's ideas of separation of powers BEST illustrated?
A. Magna Carta
B. US Constitution
C. US Bill of Rights
D. Declaration of Independence
B. U.S. Constitution
Montesquieu believed that government power should be divided among separate branches so that no one person or group could become too powerful.
The U.S. Constitution best illustrates this idea because it creates three branches of government:
A citizen is accused of a crime. Before any punishment can occur, the government must inform the citizen of the charges, provide an opportunity to present a defense, and allow the case to be heard in court.
Which constitutional principle is MOST directly demonstrated?
A. Checks and Balances
B. Due Process
C. Popular Sovereignty
D. Federalism
B. Due Process
A city government wants to install security cameras in public areas to reduce crime. Some citizens support the plan because it may improve safety, while others are concerned about privacy.
Which constitutional question is MOST relevant to this debate?
A. Whether the government is balancing public safety with individual liberties
B. Whether citizens should elect representatives
C. Whether the state government has more power than the federal government
D. Whether Congress can declare war
A. Whether the government is balancing public safety with individual liberties
Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:
“He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…”
According to the ideas in the Declaration, why does this action justify the colonists’ decision to declare independence?
A. It increased economic opportunities for colonists
B. It prevented colonists from practicing religion freely
C. It took away the colonists’ ability to participate in government
D. It reduced the need for local leadership
C. It took away the colonists’ ability to participate in government
A Federalist would most likely agree with which statement?
A. The Constitution creates a stronger and more effective national government.
B. State governments should remain supreme.
C. The Constitution should be rejected entirely.
D. Congress should have less power than under the Articles.
A. The Constitution creates a stronger and more effective national government.
Which statement best compares the democratic principles of ancient Greece and ancient Rome with those of the United States?
A. Ancient Greece and the United States both allow citizens to participate in government, while ancient Rome and the United States both use representatives to help make laws.
B. Ancient Greece, ancient Rome, and the United States all require every citizen to vote directly on every law passed by the government.
C. Ancient Rome and the United States both have kings who share power with elected representatives, while ancient Greece did not.
D. Ancient Greece and ancient Rome both limited government power through a written constitution, while the United States does not.
A. Ancient Greece and the United States both allow citizens to participate in government, while ancient Rome and the United States both use representatives to help make laws.
A governor wants to ban all public criticism of state policies. However, the state constitution protects freedom of speech, preventing the governor from enforcing the ban.
Which principle of government is MOST clearly demonstrated?
A. Separation of Powers
B. Popular Sovereignty
C. Limited Government
D. Federalism
C. Limited Government
Read the excerpt below, adapted from the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself; nor shall any person be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
During a criminal investigation, a suspect is told that refusing to answer questions about the alleged crime will result in additional punishment. Which constitutional protection from the excerpt most directly applies to this situation?
A. The right to receive compensation when private property is taken for public use
B. Protection against being required to provide evidence that will incriminate oneself
C. The right to a public trial before an impartial jury
D. The protection against unreasonable searches of private property
B. Protection against being required to provide evidence that will incriminate oneself
Which colonial grievance would MOST strongly support the argument that the British government violated the principle of consent of the governed?
A. British soldiers were quartered in colonial homes.
B. Colonial trade was restricted.
C. Parliament imposed taxes without colonial representation.
D. The king maintained standing armies in the colonies.
C. Parliament imposed taxes without colonial representation.
Read the excerpt below, adapted from Article V of the U.S. Constitution.
Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution...which...shall be valid...when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the States.... Congress proposes an amendment with the required support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
According to the excerpt, what must happen next for the proposed amendment to become part of the Constitution?
A. The president must sign the proposed amendment.
B. The Supreme Court must determine that the proposed amendment is constitutional. y
C. Three-fourths of the state legislatures must ratify the proposed amendment.
D. A majority of citizens must approve the proposed amendment in a national election
C. Three-fourths of the state legislatures must ratify the proposed amendment.