Early Documents and Importance
This document was written in 1689 by the Parliament of Britain. It was intended to further limit the king and establish a list of right for all Englishmen. (12)
English Bill of Rights
What are the three natural rights according to social contract theory? (13)
Life, Liberty, Property
Why did the delegates from the 13 states go to Philadelphia in 1787? (18)
They went to suggest amendments to the Articles of Confederation, but ended up rewriting a new Constitution.
Which group would have been more likely to say the following?
"The Constitution is bad because it contains no Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties like freedom of speech, trial by jury, and the right against searches and seizures." (3)
Anti-Federalists
Why is the Constitution considered a "living document"? (9)
It can be amended and changed to adapt to new eras and problems.
This document was written in 1620 aboard a ship carrying the pilgrims. It was intended to decide on a common government in the new world. (1)
Mayflower Compact
Who is the author of the Declaration of Independence? (22)
Thomas Jefferson
(21) Which of the following was NOT a grievance of the colonists against Britain?
1. seizing land from taxpayers
2. imposing undue taxes
3. quartering soldiers
4. dissolving legislatures
Seizing land from taxpayers
Why did the anti-federalists NOT support the new Constitution? (16)
It didn't include a Bill of Rights and they also wanted the states to have more power than the national government
How many times has the Constitution been amended? (20)
27
This document was written in 1215 with the intent to limit the power of the king and protect the rights of the nobles. (4)
Magna Carta
According to social contract theory, what can the people do if the government fails to protect your rights? (17)
Revolt against and overthrow the government to create a new one
What was the primary concern among the colonists during the American Revolution? (19)
Taxation without representation
What was the main reason why Federalists supported the new Constitution? (23)
They wanted a stronger national government
In the Formal Amendment Process: 1st step needs _______ vote to be proposed at a national level. 2nd step needs ______ votes at the state level to be ratified. (5)
2/3 and 3/4
What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact? (7)
It was one of the first forms of self-government in the colonies.
Describe what life is like without government, according to Thomas Hobbes. (24)
Life is "nasty, poor, brutish, and short."
Why were the Articles of Confederation considered weak? (2)
High bar to pass new laws or change them (7/13 or 13/13 respectively), no power to tax, not able to regulate interstate trade
“The new constitution in its present form is calculated to produce a cruel and oppressive government, slavery, and confusion…”
The ideas expressed in the excerpt above were most like the ideas expressed by which of the following groups? (6)
Anti-Federalists
Lydia made a bad decision one night and decided to rob a bank. In the process, the bank manager had a heart attack, died on the scene, and Lydia was charged with murder. The judge immediately declared Lydia guilty of murder without looking at the evidence or without providing a jury. What amendment might Lydia argue was violated? (11)
6th Amendment - Right to a trial by jury
What was the significance of the Magna Carta? (15)
It was one of the first examples of limiting the power of the king and creating a limited government.
This man was one of the most influential writers on the idea of the Social Contract. His ideas heavily influenced the founders, like Thomas Jefferson. (10)
John Locke
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." - Preamble to the Constitution
What is the phrase "in order to form a more perfect Union" a reference to? (25)
The Articles of Confederation
"The Constitution has no declaration of rights and the laws of the general government being paramount to (more powerful than) the laws of the several states, the declarations of rights in the states are no security." - George Mason
Based on this quote, what is Mason's major objection to the Constitution? (8)
The Constitution needs a Bill of Rights
Name 5 amendments in the Bill of Rights and what they protect. (14)
1 Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2 Right to own guns
3 No quartering of soldiers.
4 Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
5 Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.
6 Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
7 Right of trial by jury in civil cases.
8 Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
9 Other rights of the people.
10 Powers reserved to the states.