Unit 1: Foundations of US Democracy - Civics and Economics

How many amendments does the Bill of Rights contain? A. 2 B. 10 C. 15 D. 26

10

Imagine that an exchange student from China visits your class. While your teacher discusses how the United States has a limited government, the Chinese student raises his hand and asks why the government has limited power. Which point best highlights why the US government has limited power? A. A limited government means citizens pay fewer taxes. B. A limited government helps people avoid breaking the law. C. A limited government protects individual freedoms. D. A limited government prevents businesses from being too powerful.

A limited government protects individual freedoms.

Which idea had a major influence on the authors of the Articles of Confederation? A. A strong central government threatens the rights of the people. B. All of the people must be granted the right to vote. C. Three branches of government are needed to protect liberty. D. The central government must have the power to levy taxes.

A strong central government threatens the rights of the people.

Which belief was generally held by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787? A. A stronger central government was necessary to maintain order. B. Slavery should be abolished. C. The principles of government should be firm and unchangeable. D. The rule of kings is superior to the rule of the law. E. The Articles of Confederation should not be greatly changed.

A stronger central government was necessary to maintain order.

Which belief was generally held by the Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention in 1787? A. Slavery should be abolished. B. Presidents should be powerless. C. A stronger central government was needed. D. A larger navy and a smaller army were needed.

A stronger central government was needed.

Great Britain justified raising taxes on colonists because of which event? A. British merchants being denied entry into colony ports B. colonists picking up arms against British soldiers and merchants C. American Indians receiving more trading from colonists D. British debt from defending the colonies in the French and Indian War

British debt from defending the colonies in the French and Indian War

Which description is least likely to be true of a totalitarian state? A. All political power is held by a single party. B. The government strictly controls all media. C. Communities direct and manage their own schools. D. Secret police arrest individuals without a warrant.

Communities direct and manage their own schools.

What was a major problem with the central government under the Articles of Confederation? A. The central government could collect unlimited taxes from the people. B. The president could make decisions without Congress's approval. C. Congress depended on the states for raising funds and defense. D. Citizens were not able to elect representatives to Congress.

Congress depended on the states for raising funds and defense.

Which idea is included in the concept of natural law? A. Ethical principles can be discovered through reason. B. Philosopher-kings tell citizens what ethical principles are. C. Governments and people cannot exist without each other. D. None of these ideas are included.

Ethical principles can be discovered through reason.

During the French and Indian War, France and Great Britain fought for control of North American territory. What impact did the end of the war have on the American colonies? A. All of the British colonial possessions in North America were given to the French. B. Great Britain imposed new taxes on the colonists to pay its war debts. C. The British government found the colonists were happier with their rule after the war. D. Trade between the French and the American colonists increased once the war was over.

Great Britain imposed new taxes on the colonists to pay its war debts.

Which sentence best describes the effect of the Articles of Confederation on the government? A. It granted sovereignty to each state. B. It created a powerful central government. C. It limited individual freedoms. D. It promoted a strong national economy.

It granted sovereignty to each state.

Which statement best describes federalism? A. It is the authority to make and enforce decisions based on a written constitution. B. It is the difference in the functions of the economy's public and private sectors. C. It is the division of powers between a national government and the state governments. D. It is the use of checks and balances between the three different government branches.

It is the division of powers between a national government and the state governments.

Which philosopher had the most profound influence on Thomas Jefferson's political thought? A. Thomas Hobbes B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau C. John Locke D. Charles-Louis Montesquieu E. Benjamin Franklin

John Locke

Whose political philosophy is most clearly reflected in the Declaration of Independence? A. Thomas Hobbes B. King John C. William Blackstone D. John Locke E. Charles-Louis Montesquieu

John Locke

Which is the earliest document to which the United States can trace its democratic heritage? A. Magna Carta B. English Bill of Rights C. Mayflower Compact D. Declaration of Independence

Magna Carta

Which statement best describes the colonial attitude before the 1760s? A. Most colonists wanted complete independence from Great Britain. B. The colonists thought they should be granted more freedoms than the British citizens living in England received. C. Most colonists wanted to transfer their loyalties to the French government. D. Most colonists wanted the same rights and privileges enjoyed by British citizens living in England.

Most colonists wanted the same rights and privileges enjoyed by British citizens living in England.

What right did the English nobles gain when King John signed the Magna Carta? A. Parliament would be required to meet once a year. B. Nobles could choose their own juries at criminal trials. C. The king would control the establishment of noble titles. D. The Great Council could approve taxes proposed by the monarch. E. Religious leaders would be exempt from laws they did not agree with.

The Great Council could approve taxes proposed by the monarch.

Which condition must be true for a nation to exist? A. All of the people must speak the same language. B. A single religion must unify the citizens of the country. C. At least a million people must live within the borders of the country. D. The country must be sovereign and handle its own affairs.

The country must be sovereign and handle its own affairs.

What does a strict constructionist believe? A. The government should exercise only the powers specifically listed in the Constitution. B. The government may exercise powers implied by the Constitution, even if they are not explicitly listed. C. State laws retain supremacy over national laws when they are in conflict. D. The national government should not share power with the states.

The government should exercise only the powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

Which flaw in the government created by the Articles of Confederation did Shays's Rebellion make apparent? A. A powerful central government angered citizens. B. Too few taxes meant fewer roads and programs for the colonies. C. The government was unable to provide for national defense and economic policy. D. The government was unable to remove guns from small militias in the colonies. E. States could trade productively with other countries.

The government was unable to provide for national defense and economic policy.

Which aspect of the government formed under the Articles of Confederation was best highlighted by Shays's Rebellion? A. The state governments did not have enough political power. B. The national government needed more political sovereignty. C. Civilians were unable to gather and protest peacefully. D. Slaves were not being treated fairly on plantation farms.

The national government needed more political sovereignty.

Which statement best describes what is meant by limited government? A. The government is not adequately funded. B. There are very few government officials in power. C. There are things the government is not allowed to do. D. The current government will only last a short time.

There are things the government is not allowed to do.

Which Enlightenment philosopher introduced the idea that people enter a social contract with the purpose of maintaining order in society? A. Thomas Hobbes B. John Locke C. William Blackstone D. Charles-Louis Montesquieu

Thomas Hobbes

Who was the main author of the Declaration of Independence? A. James Monroe B. Alexander Hamilton C. Thomas Jefferson D. George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

Which is the most accurate description of The Federalist Papers? A. the Federalist party platform for the 1788 elections B. a popular anti-British booklet of the pre-Revolutionary era C. a collection of essays arguing the merits of the Constitution D. a series of congressional acts defining the relationship between the federal and state governments

a collection of essays arguing the merits of the Constitution

What is a union of independent sovereign states? A. a federation B. a unitary government C. a constitutional government D. a confederation E. a democracy

a confederation

Which factor most greatly limits the power of the US government? A. regular, free elections B. a sovereign government C. electing a chief executive D. a constitutional system

a constitutional system

What was a major obstacle to drafting a new constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787? A. a disagreement between the states over representation in Congress B. a controversy over the separation between church and state C. the delegates' lack of practical government experience D. the hostility of the Federalists

a disagreement between the states over representation in Congress

Which system did the new government created under the Constitution use? A. a unitary system with all power concentrated in a central government B. a presidential system with a unicameral legislature C. a confederation with a better-organized central government than under the Articles of Confederation D. a totalitarian system E. a federal republic

a federal republic

Who can propose an amendment to the Constitution? A. a simple majority of Congress B. the president C. the Supreme Court D. a two-thirds majority of Congress

a two-thirds majority of Congress

Which phrase best describes the form of government created by the Constitutional Convention of 1787? A. a weak central government that granted power to the states B. a weak monarchy that promoted individual liberties C. a confederal government that limited government powers D. a more powerful central government that abided by rules E. a government that did not have an executive branch

a weak central government that granted power to the states

What is the most widely held ideal of the US political culture? A. belief in a limited government that protects individual liberties B. belief in a unitary government and centralized decision making C. belief in a strong government that monitors individual actions D. belief in a weak central government and strong local governments

belief in a limited government that protects individual liberties

In which area do the United States' state and federal governments share power? A. collecting taxes B. declaring war C. forming international treaties D. granting titles of nobility

collecting taxes

Which issue was at the heart of one of the compromises made between northern and southern states during the Constitutional Convention of 1787? A. western land claims B. counting slaves in the population C. allowing new states into the union D. regulation of interstate commerce

counting slaves in the population

Which of these political systems would have a "supreme leader"? A. socialist B. indirect democracy C. federalist D. dictatorship

dictatorship

What kind of government was enacted by the Athenian Assembly? A. direct democracy B. representative democracy C. monarchy D. tyranny

direct democracy

What issue were the Virginia and New Jersey Plans attempting to resolve? A. fair representation between small and large states in the national legislature B. equal representation of slaves in northern and southern states C. a need for more power and independence in the executive branch D. checks and balances between the executive, judicial, and legislative branches

fair representation between small and large states in the national legislature

Which system of government did the Constitution create in the United States? A. confederation B. parliamentary C. federation D. limited monarchy

federation

What form of government is the US federal government? A. totalitarian B. unitary C. direct democracy D. indirect democracy

indirect democracy

What are the three branches of the US government? A. president, Senate, and House of Representatives B. local, state, and federal C. federal, confederate, and unitary D. judicial, legislative, and executive

judicial, legislative, and executive

According to the Declaration of Independence, what are the three most basic rights? A. freedom of speech, assembly, and religion B. the right to vote, to bear arms, and to remain silent C. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness D. life, liberty, and property

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Which of these is a form of authoritarian government in which power is typically handed down through family lines and rulers stay in power for life? A. oligarchy B. monarchy C. republic D. plutocracy E. theocracy

monarchy

Which of these is defined by population, territory, government, and sovereignty? A. nation-state B. civilization C. parliament D. district E. federation

nation-state

Which action is most closely associated with the Anti-Federalists' goals? A. oppose ratifying the Constitution B. support a limited monarchy C. pass the Great Compromise D. grant new power to a federal government

oppose ratifying the Constitution

Although the Anti-Federalists lost their main goal, what important task did they accomplish? A. counting slaves for political representation in the Constitution through the Three-Fifths Compromise B. granting smaller states power through enhanced debate in the New Jersey Plan C. protecting individual liberties through the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution D. changing the national legislative system from unicameral to bicameral

protecting individual liberties through the inclusion of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution

In which form of government do delegates speak on behalf of citizens? A. popular sovereignty B. authoritarian C. monarchy D. representative E. totalitarian

representative

Which Roman contribution to political theory was adapted by the Founding Fathers? A. assembly B. empire C. representative government D. feudalism

representative government

Which is the best description of civil liberties? A. natural rights B. privileges C. rights guaranteed by law D. democratic goals E. trial procedures

rights guaranteed by law

What concept is illustrated by the fact that Congress has the power to introduce and pass laws, and the president has the responsibility to enforce all federal laws? A. federalism B. separation of powers C. checks and balances D. judicial review

separation of powers

Which feature of government does Montesquieu argue for in his book De l'Esprit des Lois (Spirit of Laws)? A. divine right of kings to rule B. separation of powers between different branches of government C. social contract and the state of nature D. acceptance of the English Bill of Rights by France

separation of powers between different branches of government

Which states' delegates most strongly opposed the Virginia Plan? A. large states B. northern states C. small states D. southern states E. slave states

small states

Read this definition: the implied agreement between the people and the government, in which the people give up some of their power and freedom in exchange for protection of their rights What does this definition describe? A. natural rights B. social contract C. divine right of kings D. state of nature E. popular sovereignty

social contract

Which of these is not a characteristic of a federal form of government? A. free and fair elections B. a written constitution C. socialization through education D. layers of government

socialization through education

Which of the following was a major grievance of the colonists against Great Britain? A. lack of adequate military defense B. taxation without representation C. insufficient housing for colonists D. denial of more land for colonists

taxation without representation

Which document begins with the words "We the people of the United States"? A. the first article of the Constitution B. the Declaration of Independence C. the first amendment in the Bill of Rights D. the Articles of Confederation E. the Preamble of the Constitution

the Preamble of the Constitution

Which three amendments were passed shortly after the Civil War? A. the First, Second, and Third Amendments B. the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments C. the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Amendments D. the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Amendments E. the Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Amendments

the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments

What was the Mayflower Compact? A. the ship that transported the Pilgrims to America B. the colonial legislature of Virginia C. the agreement in which the Pilgrims agreed to make decisions collectively D. Benjamin Franklin's 1754 plan for uniting the colonies E. the list of grievances against the King of England

the agreement in which the Pilgrims agreed to make decisions collectively

According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the power of the government based on? A. divine right B. the consent of the governed C. might makes right D. tradition E. the degree of democracy

the consent of the governed

According to the Constitution, who is the commander-in-chief of the military? A. Congress B. the president C. the Supreme Court D. the secretary of defense

the president

Which commitment of the framers is most clearly reflected in the Constitution as ratified in 1788? A. the idea of direct democracy B. the principle of limited government C. the abolition of slavery D. the primacy of the states

the principle of limited government

The Federalists and Anti-Federalists argued primarily over which issue? A. the political representation of southern slaves B. fair state representation in the national Congress C. the new role for a limited monarchy for foreign affairs D. the range of power handed to the national government E. the ability of the judicial branch to validate new laws

the range of power handed to the national government

What is the defining right of a representative democracy? A. the right to petition the government B. the right to freedom of religion C. the right to a jury trial D. the right to vote E. the right to freedom of speech

the right to vote

What was the purpose of Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England? A. to support the idea of a social contract B. to advocate for common law C. to define the individual rights of Englishmen D. to argue for a strong central government

to advocate for common law

Why did the Founding Fathers include the Bill of Rights with the Constitution? A. to define the role of Congress to provide representation for the people B. to limit the power of the state governments to enact laws C. to protect the rights of individuals from the federal government D. to distribute powers between the judicial, legislative, and executive branches

to protect the rights of individuals from the federal government

Why did the Crown pass the so-called Intolerable Acts? A. to raise revenue for the king B. to increase trade with the colonies C. to provoke a revolution in the colonies D. to punish the colonists for their disobedience

to punish the colonists for their disobedience