Foundations of Government
Which historic document first established the idea that leaders must follow the law?
A. Mayflower Compact
B. Magna Carta
C. English Bill of Rights
D. Common Sense
B. Magna Carta
Which problem under the Articles of Confederation was solved when Congress gained the power to tax?
A. No national courts
B. No military
C. No money for services
D. No trade deals
C. No money for services
Which freedom is part of the First Amendment?
A. Right to vote
B. Freedom of speech
C. Freedom from taxes
D. Trial by jury
B. Freedom of speech
What must you do before voting?
A. Call the polling place
B. Register to vote
C. Donate to a campaign
D. Meet with a candidate
B. Register to vote
According to the Declaration, natural rights include:
A. Religion, speech, press
B. Life, liberty, happiness
C. Taxes, trials, voting
D. Speech, due process, property
B. Life, liberty, happiness
Which philosopher argued that people have natural rights like life and liberty?
A. Montesquieu
B. Hobbes
C. Locke
D. Rousseau
C. Locke
Which branch makes the laws?
A. Executive
B. Judicial
C. Legislative
D. Military
C. Legislative
The Bill of Rights mainly exists to:
A. Expand government power
B. Limit the government
C. Limit citizen rights
D. Describe state laws
B. Limit the government
Primary elections are used to:
A. Elect the president
B. Pass amendments
C. Choose party nominees
D. Approve judges
C. Choose party nominees
Which complaint about the king helped lead to independence?
A. Too much free speech
B. Quartering soldiers
C. Fair trials
D. Strong local governments
B. Quartering soldiers
Which early agreement helped start self-government in the colonies?
A. Albany Plan
B. Mayflower Compact
C. Stamp Act
D. Declaratory Act
B. Mayflower Compact
Which is a check the Senate has on the president?
A. Declaring laws unconstitutional
B. Refusing to confirm appointments
C. Vetoing bills
D. Declaring war
B. Refusing to confirm appointments
Police reading someone their rights before questioning demonstrates:
A. Double jeopardy
B. Eminent domain
C. Due process
D. Free exercise
C. Due process
A state’s number of representatives is based on:
A. Population
B. Land size
C. Number of cities
D. Voter turnout
A. Population
Montesquieu influenced the Constitution through the idea of:
A. Free markets
B. Separation of powers
C. Natural law
D. Judicial review
B. Separation of powers
What does “rule of law” mean in the U.S. system?
A. Leaders only obey laws they choose
B. Laws apply to everyone
C. Citizens make their own laws
D. Only courts follow laws
B. Laws apply to everyone
What concern did Anti-Federalists have about the original Constitution?
A. Too weak an army
B. No bill of rights
C. Too many amendments
D. Too many taxes
B. No bill of rights
What did several amendments (like 15th, 19th, 26th) accomplish?
A. More people could vote
B. More laws were passed
C. Fewer elections were needed
D. Candidates served longer terms
A. More people could vote
Which situation shows the media acting as a watchdog?
A. Reporting on a new law
B. Exposing a corrupt politician
C. Hosting a debate
D. Announcing poll numbers
B. Exposing a corrupt politician
"Common Sense" by Thomas Paine encouraged colonists to:
A. Stay loyal to Britain
B. Form a monarchy
C. Support independence
D. Tax each other
C. Support independence
The social contract suggests that government gets its power from:
A. The military
B. The king
C. The people
D. The wealthy
C. The people
How many states must ratify an amendment?
A. One-third
B. One-half
C. Two-thirds
D. Three-fourths
D. Three-fourths
The Ninth Amendment states that:
A. Only listed rights exist
B. States decide all rights
C. People have more rights than those listed
D. Freedoms can be suspended
C. People have more rights than those listed
Lobbyists mainly represent:
A. Judges
B. Interest groups
C. Military branches
D. Individual soldiers
B. Interest groups
Which principle from the Declaration of Independence argues that people can change their government if it stops protecting their rights?
A. Federalism
B. Social contract
C. Checks and balances
D. Judicial review
B. Social contract