Enlightenment Thinkers
Types and Functions of Government
Articles of Confederation
Constitution and Branches of Government
Bill of Rights
100
According to John Locke, what is the role of government?
A.The government is there to enforce strict laws
B.Government is there to ensure all people’s natural rights
C.Government should have very little affect on peoples life
D.Government should not exist according to Locke
B.Government is there to ensure all people’s natural rights
100
Which of the following is not a way to classify government?
A.Who can participate
B.The relationship between executive and legislative branch
C.Where is the power held
D.All are ways to classify government
D.All are ways to classify government
100
What was the name of the first government blueprint in the U.S.?
A.The Articles of the Union
B.The Constitution
C. The Articles of the Constitution
D.The Articles of Confederation
D.The Articles of Confederation
100
Why were people opposed to the original draft of the US constitution?
A.They weren’t – everyone agreed it was good
B.There wasn’t a King in charge
C.They thought people’s rights wouldn’t be protected enough
D.The government was split into 2 branches
C.They thought people’s rights wouldn’t be protected enough
100
The First Amendment protects all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Freedom of speech
B. Freedom of religion
C. Right to bear arms
D. Freedom of the press
C. Right to bear arms
200
According to Thomas Hobbes, what best describes life in a “state of nature” before governments existed?
A. People naturally cooperated and lived in peace without the need for rules.
B. Everyone had a right to everything, which led to conflict and competition.
C. Communities formed strong bonds based on mutual trust and generosity.
D. Leaders naturally emerged, creating order without formal government.
B. Everyone had a right to everything, which led to conflict and competition.
200
In a Unitary government, who has all the power?
A.The people
B.The power is shared with congress
C.The executive leader
D. None of the above
The executive leader
200
Which of the following best describes the Articles of Confederation?
A.Created a strong government and inspired the constitution
B.Created a weak government with states having power and was ultimately successful
C.Created a weak government with states having power and ultimately failed
D.It created a government with a king
C. Created a weak government with states having power and ultimately failed
200
What group of people were against ratifying the Constitution at first draft?
A. federalists
B. democrats
C. republicans
D. anti-federalists
D. anti-federalists
200
Which amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms?
A. First Amendment
B. Second Amendment
C. Third Amendment
D. Fourth Amendment
B. Second Amendment
300
What key idea did Montesquieu contribute to political philosophy?
A. Governments should be based on a social contract between rulers and the people.
B. People are naturally good and society corrupts them.
C. Power should be divided among branches of government to prevent tyranny.
D. Kings are chosen by God and should rule absolutely.
C. Power should be divided among branches of government to prevent tyranny.
300
The U.S. government is an example of all of these government types EXCEPT:
A.Representative Democracy
B. Federalist
C.Confederation
D.World Citizen
C.Confederation
300
What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
-weak central government
-Inability to tax and regulate commerce
-absence of a national executive and judicial branch, requirement for a supermajority to pass laws
300
The President can...
A.Can Veto Laws
B.Can override a veto
C.Has sole power to ratify treaties
D.Has sole power to draft Articles of Impeachment
A. Veto Laws
300
The Third Amendment prevents:
A. Government seizure of property without due process
B. Quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes without consent
C. Cruel and unusual punishment
D. Illegal searches and seizures
B. Quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes without consent
400
According to Rousseau, what was the main purpose of the social contract?
A. To give absolute power to a king so society could stay orderly
B. To protect people’s natural rights of life, liberty, and property
C. To create a government based on the consent of the people and the common good
D. To divide power into three branches so no one could become too powerful
C. To create a government based on the consent of the people and the common good
400
A government where a small group of people are in charge
A.Oligarchy
B.Rouge State
C.Autocracy
D.Federalist
A.Oligarchy
400
What were some strengths of the Articles of Confederation?
Won the Revolutionary War – The national government could coordinate the colonies’ military efforts against Britain.
Negotiated the Treaty of Paris (1783) – Ended the war and recognized the United States as independent.
Northwest Ordinance (1787) – Created a system for adding new states and governing western territories.
State Cooperation – Even with a weak central government, the states were able to work together when necessary.
Protected State and Individual Freedoms – Limited central government power ensured states and citizens kept a lot of control.
400
State Governments are responsible for?
A. Writes laws
B. Signs and implements laws
C. Decides if laws are constitutional
D. Responsible for ratification of Constitutional amendments
D. Responsible for ratification of Constitutional amendments
400
The Fourth Amendment protects citizens from:
A. Cruel and unusual punishment
B. Illegal searches and seizures
C. Being forced to testify against themselves
D. Double jeopardy
B. Illegal searches and seizures
500
Thomas Hobbes believed that in a state of nature, life would be:
A. Peaceful and cooperative
B. "Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short"
C. Full of equality and justice
D. Guided by reason and compassion
B. "Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short"
500
A type of government where terrorist activities are acceptable:
A.Oligarchy
B.Rouge State
C.Autocracy
D.Federalist
B.Rouge State
500
What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?
A. To establish the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law of the land
B. To create the first government of the United States after independence
C. To strengthen the power of the presidency
D. To give Britain some control over trade
B. To create the first government of the United States after independence
500
The Judicial Branch does what?
A. Writes laws
B. Signs and implements laws
C. Decides if laws are constitutional
D. Responsible for ratification of Constitutional amendments
C.Decides if laws are constitutional
500
The Fifth Amendment guarantees all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Protection against self-incrimination
B. Protection against double jeopardy
C. Right to a speedy trial
D. Due process of law
C. Right to a speedy trial
600
According to Hobbes, the best form of government was one with:
A. Absolute monarchy
B. A direct democracy
C. A weak central government
D. Separation of powers
A. Absolute monarchy
600
A government that is controlled by one person:
A.Oligarchy
B.Rouge State
C.Autocracy
D.Federalist
C.Autocracy
600
How many branches of government existed under the Articles of Confederation?
A. One (a legislative branch)
B. Two (executive and legislative)
C. Three (executive, legislative, and judicial)
D. None
A. One (a legislative branch)
600
The executive branch does what?
A. Writes laws
B. Signs and implements laws
C. Decides if laws are constitutional
D. Responsible for ratification of Constitutional amendments
B. Signs and implements laws
600
The Sixth Amendment guarantees:
A. The right to bear arms
B. The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
C. Freedom of religion
D. Protection against excessive bail
B. The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury
700
John Locke argued that people are born with natural rights, which include:
A. Life, liberty, and property
B. Freedom of speech, press, and religion
C. Voting, equality, and justice
D. Life, monarchy, and loyalty
A. Life, liberty, and property
700
A government that allows states to share power with the nation
A.Oligarchy
B.Rouge State
C.Autocracy
D.Federalist
D.Federalist
700
Why did the Articles of Confederation create a weak national government?
A. The states feared creating another monarchy or strong central power
B. Britain forced them to write it this way
C. George Washington demanded it
D. It was based on Montesquieu’s theory of separation of powers
A. The states feared creating another monarchy or strong central power
700
The Legislative branch does what?
A. Writes laws
B. Signs and implements laws
C. Decides if laws are constitutional
D. Responsible for ratification of Constitutional amendments
A. Writes laws
700
Which amendment protects citizens from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment?
A. Fifth Amendment
B. Sixth Amendment
C. Eighth Amendment
D. Tenth Amendment
C. Eighth Amendment
800
Locke believed the purpose of government was to:
A. Keep order through fear and punishment
B. Protect people’s natural rights
C. Enforce religion
D. Control trade and wealth
B. Protect people’s natural rights
800
A government where states are loosely united
A.Oligarchy
B.Rouge State
C.Autocracy
D.Federalist
E. Confederation
E. Confederation
800
Which power did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation?
A. Collect taxes
B. Regulate interstate trade
C. Declare war and make treaties
D. Enforce laws in the states
C. Declare war and make treaties
800
Why did the founding father create a system of checks and balances between each of the three branches of government?
The Founding Fathers established a system of checks and balances to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful, preventing tyranny and protecting liberty
800
The Ninth Amendment states that:
A. Citizens have only the rights listed in the Constitution
B. Citizens have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution
C. Powers not given to Congress are given to the states
D. Citizens have the right to vote
B. Citizens have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution
900
Montesquieu is best known for the idea of:
A. The social contract
B. Freedom of religion
C. Separation of powers into branches
D. Absolute monarchy
C. Separation of powers into branches
900
Define a direct democracy.What is one advantage of having an direct democracy?
A direct democracy is a form of government in which citizens vote on laws and decisions themselves, rather than electing representatives to make those decisions for them. An advantage of direct democracy is that people have a direct say in government decisions, which makes laws more reflective of the will of the citizens.
900
What was required to make an amendment (change) to the Articles of Confederation?
A. A majority vote of Congress
B. Approval of 9 out of 13 states
C. Approval of all 13 states
D. The president’s approval
C. Approval of all 13 states
900
Give an example of one check and balance AND explain how/why it checks the other branch.
The President's power to veto legislation passed by Congress. The President, as head of the Executive Branch, can refuse to sign a bill into law, thereby checking the power of the Legislative Branch.
900
The Tenth Amendment says that:
A. States or the people have powers not given to the federal government
B. Citizens have the right to a fair trial
C. Congress can pass any law it wants
D. The president can veto state laws
A. States or the people have powers not given to the federal government
1000
Montesquieu’s ideas most directly influenced which part of the U.S. government?
A. Bill of Rights
B. Three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial)
C. Federalism
D. Electoral College
B. Three branches of government (legislative, executive, judicial)
1000
The power to coin money
A. Delegated power
B. Reserved power
C. Concurrent (shared) power
A.Delegated
1000
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state have in Congress?
A. One, regardless of population size
B. Based on population
C. Based on land size
D. Based on the number of representatives
A. One, regardless of population size
1000
Congress can...
A.Can Veto Laws
B.Can override a veto
C.Has sole power to ratify treaties
D.Has sole power to draft Articles of Impeachment
B.Can override a veto
1000
The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right to:
A. Trial by jury in civil cases
B. Trial by jury in criminal cases
C. Free speech
D. Petition the government
A. Trial by jury in civil cases
1100
Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that government should be based on:
A. Divine right of kings
B. Consent of the governed and the common good
C. Strong military control
D. Hereditary monarchy
B. Consent of the governed and the common good
1100
The power to establish public schools
A. Delegated power
B. Reserved power
C. Concurrent (shared) power
B.Reserved Power
1100
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
A. They gave too much power to the federal government
B. They could not deal with problems like debt, trade, and security
C. They banned states from having their own laws
D. They forced states to give up their militias
B. They could not deal with problems like debt, trade, and security
1100
The Senate...
A.Can Veto Laws
B.Can override a veto
C.Has sole power to ratify treaties
D.Has sole power to draft Articles of Impeachment
C.Has sole power to ratify treaties
1100
11. The Eighth Amendment also protects against:
A. Unreasonable searches and seizures
B. Self-incrimination
C. Excessive fines
D. The right to vote
C. Excessive fines
1200
Rousseau’s idea of a social contract meant that:
A. People must give up all rights to rulers
B. People agree to form a community and follow rules for the benefit of all
C. Kings are chosen by God to rule
D. The wealthy should lead the government
B. People agree to form a community and follow rules for the benefit of all
1200
What is power? What is authority? What is the difference? Why is it important to have both in a government? Is it possible to have one without the other?
Power is the raw ability to control others or cause change, whether legitimate or not. Authority is the legitimate and accepted right to use power, granted by social structures, laws, or traditions. The difference is legitimacy: power doesn't need consent, but authority does. A government needs both to function effectively.
1200
Who held the most power under the Articles of Confederation?
A. The national government
B. The states
C. The president
D. The Supreme Court
B. The states
1200
The House of Representatives:
A.Can Veto Laws
B.Can override a veto
C.Has sole power to ratify treaties
D.Has sole power to draft Articles of Impeachment
D.Has sole power to draft Articles of Impeachment
1200
The First Amendment also protects the right to:
A. Assemble peacefully
B. Own property
C. Vote in elections
D. Keep and bear arms
A. Assemble peacefully
1300
Voltaire was a strong supporter of which Enlightenment principle?
A. Freedom of speech and religion
B. Military strength
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Natural rights of life, liberty, and property
A. Freedom of speech and religion
1300
The power to levy and collect taxes:
A. Delegated power
B. Reserved power
C. Concurrent (shared) power
C. Concurrent (shared) power
1300
What replaced the Articles of Confederation in 1787?
A. The Declaration of Independence
B. The Bill of Rights
C. The U.S. Constitution
D. The Federalist Papers
C. The U.S. Constitution
1300
During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise resolved a major conflict between large and small states. What did this compromise establish?
A. A two-house legislature with representation in both houses based on population
B. A one-house legislature with equal representation for all states
C. A two-house legislature: one with equal state representation and one based on population
D. A system where the president would be chosen directly by the people
C. A two-house legislature: one with equal state representation and one based on population
1300
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to:
A. Limit the power of the states
B. Protect individual liberties from the federal government
C. Strengthen the president’s power
D. Give Congress the right to tax
B. Protect individual liberties from the federal government