Standard 1
Canada has a monarch as its head of state, but also has a formal set of laws that is overseen by a Parliament and a Prime Minister. This means that its government could be classified as
constitutional monarchy.
In English history, the Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) both reinforced the concept of
a limited monarchy.
The Founding Fathers gained support for the Constitution by promising that
a Bill of Rights would be established.
What is an advantage of the system of checks and balances?
It requires the different branches of the federal government to work together to seek the common good.
The basic powers of the Federal government are outlined in Articles I, II, and III of the United States Constitution. This is MOST closely related to which Constitutional principle?
Separation of Powers
Brazil, Mexico, and Venezuela each have governments which are considered federations. A federation is
a union of self-governing states which are joined together by a central government.
What was a major philosophy expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
a belief in the natural rights of citizens
The Federalist Papers were written to encourage
the ratification of the Constitution.
Give an example of checks and balances?
Senate confirmation of presidential appointments, Congress makes the laws and the president approves or vetos them
At the Constitutional Convention, the "Three Fifths Compromise" dealt with issues surrounding what issue?
slavery
The government of Iran can be classified as a theocracy. Which statement provides the best definition of theocracy?
A government ruled by priests or religious leaders claiming a direct link to god.
The phrase in the Declaration of Independence stating "that governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed" illustrates the principle of
the Social Contract theory.
The United States Congress may pass laws, and they go into effect if the President signs the law. However, the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. This is an example of
checks and balances.
Why was it hard to get laws passed under the Articles of Confederation?
To pass a law, 9 of 13 states needed to agree.
Describe a republic?
The people elect representatives to make laws.
Describes why the United States government can be called a representative democracy?
People elect members of Congress to make laws.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..." The Declaration of Independence, 1776
This passage BEST represents which of these theories in the Declaration of Independence?
Social Contract Theory
Why did the Anti-Federalists push for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution?
they believed the people's liberties needed protection from the government
When the Articles of Confederation was passed, the states were given more power than the national government. Why did this happen?
Americans did not trust strong national governments
"Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons."
Explain the significance of the passage?
After many debates, a compromise was reached on the issues of taxation and slavery.
What is the main difference between a parliamentary democracy and a presidential democracy?
A presidential democracy allows the population to choose the executive, but a parliamentary democracy allows the legislature to choose the executive.
According to John Locke, if the government failed to protect natural rights, what did citizens have a right to do?
To overthrow the government and establish a new one
The delegates who created the United States Constitution devised a government that was divided into three separate branches.
What was the purpose of this division?
To make sure that no one group or individual had too much power
" To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes...."
- United States Constitution
This passage from the Constitution is describing duties given to
the U.S. Congress.
What was the Great Compromise ?
The agreement between the large and small states on representation