American cit mid term

Classifications of dictatorships Dictatorship: a government in which rulers are not responsible to the will of the people 1. Oligarchy: a government in which a small group exercises control 2. Autocracy: 3. Theocracy: a government ruled by religious leaders and based on religious law Choose the answer that best completes the chart A. A government controlled by a single person B. A government controlled by a legislative body C. A government controlled by the people D. A government controlled by the rich

A. A government controlled by a single person

Which of the theories best describes the origin of the ancient Mayan civilization? A. Divine right of kings theory B. Social contract theory C. Evolutionary theory D. Force theory

A. Divine right of kings theory

Which of the following is the best definition of the public policies of a government? A. Everything a government decides to do B. Everything a government does related to public services C. Everything a government does to collect taxes D. Everything a government decides to do regarding foreign affairs

A. Everything a government decides to do

Which of the following BEST explains the relationship between the ancient Babylonians and the English of the mid-sixteenth century? A. Some of the basic concepts of English government originated with the ancient Babylonians B. The ancient Babylonians and the English fought one another and neighboring nations in the mid-sixteenth century C. The English tradition of rule by an absolute monarch influenced the ancient Babylonians D. Both the ancient Babylonians and the English adhered to the guarantees of rights contained in the Magna Carta

A. Some of the basic concepts of English government originated with the ancient Babylonians

Use the following excerpt to answer the question. "To help manage the national government, monarchs hired loyal civil servants typically born in the townsand educated at local universities. Their perspectives were national, not regional. The state, in the person of the monarch, now had sovereignty, or the utmost authority in decision making and in maintaining order. Everyone, including the nobles, was subordinate to that authority... with sovereignty, the monarch now had the right to make laws for the entire nation and all its people." How did the establishment of nations expand the power and reach of government? A. The laws and policies of national governments affected greater numbers of people. B. The leaders of towns began to appreciate the benefits of supporting local universities C. Monarchs saw towns as a source of wealth that Boyle make them less dependent on vassals D. National governments led to an increase in the establishment of towns that became trade centers

A. The laws and policies of national governments affected greater numbers of people.

How does the chief executive of a parliamentary system differ from that of a presidential system? A. Unlike a president, a prime minister is a member of both the legislative and executive branches B. Unlike a president, the prime minister is elected by the citizenry C. Unlike a president, the prime minister is the only member of the executive branch D. Unlike a president, the prime minister is under the direct control of the legislature

A. Unlike a president, a prime minister is a member of both the legislative and executive branches

Use the following quote to answer the question. "The first requisite of a good citizen in our republic is that he should be able and willing to pull his weight." — President Theodore Roosevelt, 1902 Which of the following BEST summarizes Roosevelt's statement? A. In a republic, good citizens fulfill all their obligations by electing a representative to serve their interests in the government B. Good citizens should be willing and able to accept the duties and responsibilities of living in a free society C. Good citizens should be willing to work hard and earn a living so they dont become a burden to the state D. In a free society, all citizens should be able to freely decide how much or how little they will contribute

B. Good citizens should be willing and able to accept the duties and responsibilities of living in a free society

According to John Locke, political society is created when individuals voluntarily form a government to create and enforce laws, thereby protecting the people who form that government. In this social contract, people give up some of their power to the government, which then rules in their interest. This is the basis of which of the following concepts? A. Separation of powers B. Government by consent C. Common law D. Absolute monarchy

B. Government by consent

Use the following quotation to answer the question. "If men were Ángels, no Government would be necessary." — James Madison, federalist No. 51 Which of the following BEST summarizes this idea? A. Government is necessary to make policy, but should not control people B. Government is necessary, because people do not always behave perfectly C. Government is not necessary, but people are better off when it exists D. Government is not necessary, because people are naturally good

B. Government is necessary, because people do not always behave perfectly

Use this quotation to answer the question. "No freeman [person] shall be taken or imprisoned... or outlawed, or banished, or in any way destroyed, unless by the lawful judgement of his peers, or by the law of the land..." —magna carta, 1215 Which of the following principles does this quotation from the Magna Carta explain? A. Guarantee of freedom of speech B. Guarantee of due process C. Prohibition against excessive fines and bail D. Protection of the right of the state to organize a militia

B. Guarantee of due process

Use this excerpt from the text to answer the question. "To make people, the most meaningful of these classifications [of government] is the one that depends on the number of persons who can take part in the governing process" Why might this particular classification be most meaningful to people? A. It indicates the balance of power in a government B. It indicates how democratic a government is C. It indicates a government's geographic distribution of power D. It indicated how flexible a government's laws are

B. It indicates how democratic a government is

Which of the following lists the three basic powers a government must have? A. Executive power, legislative power, military power B. Legislative power, executive power, judicial power C. Economic power, judicial power, legislative power D. Judicial power, diplomatic power, executive power

B. Legislative power, executive power, judicial power

Which plan foresaw the benefits of colonial unity? Who proposed it? A. The Virginia Plan; Thomas Jefferson B. The Albany plan; Benjamin Franklin C. The New Jersey Plan; William Patterson D. The Plan of Confederation; James Madison

B. The Albany plan; Benjamin Franklin

Which statement describing feudalism reflects people's basic need for government? A. A vassal was often a lord to less powerful vassals, and a lord was sometimes a vassal under a more powerful lord B. The feudal system arose because centralized authority had collapsed, resulting in chaos and disorder C. Powerful lords divided their lands among other, lesser lords who owed them allegiance and military service D. Lords used force to keep order among vassals and serfs, who had to fight for the lord if called upon to do so

B. The feudal system arose because centralized authority had collapsed, resulting in chaos and disorder

A government ruled by a dictator is a form of... A. Indirect democracy B. Direct democracy C. Autocracy D. Oligarchy

C. Autocracy

In what way is the United States a Representative democracy? A. Citizens allow a self-appointed elite to make decisions for them B. Citizens decide laws and policies directly in mass meetings C. Citizens choose small groups of people who make laws and policy for them D. Citizens elect a President who has absolute power to make decisions for them

C. Citizens choose small groups of people who make laws and policy for them

Use the following quote to answer the question. "The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins." — Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes What point was Justice Holmes making about the foundations of democracy? A. Everyone has rights, and they can freely use force to exercise them B. Everyone has rights, but only those willing to use force will keep them C. Everyone has rights, but the exercise of these rights cannot endanger others D. Everyone has rights, and can exercise them in any way they want to

C. Everyone has rights, but the exercise of these rights cannot endanger others

Which of the following best explains the main differences among royal, proprietary, and charter colonies? A. Royal colonies were governed directly by the king, proprietary colonies were led by elected officials in England, and charter colonies were led by religious officials B. Royal colonies were made up of a two house legislature, proprietary colonies were governed by a unicameral body, and charter colonies were composed of colonial courts C. Royal colonies has governors appointed by the king, proprietary colonies were organized by a person who was granted land, and charter colonies were led by governors elected by male property owners D. Royal colonies had governors who were appointed by parliament, proprietary colonies were organized by religious dissidents, and charter colonies were set up by officials who received charters for the land

C. Royal colonies has governors appointed by the king, proprietary colonies were organized by a person who was granted land, and charter colonies were led by governors elected by male property owners

Which of the following MOST DIRECTLY led to the calling of the first Continental Congress? A. The Stamp Act Congress B. The Stamp Act C. The Intolerable acts D. The Boston Tea Party

C. The Intolerable acts

Use the following excerpt to answer the question. "The [Roman] Republic was far from democratic in the modern sense. It did introduce the concept of representation, however." Which of the following statements supports this idea? A. The government of the Roman Republic was centered in the Senate, and consuls presided over the Senate B. The Senate could appoint a dictator, but he could not serve for longer than six months C. The government of the Roman Republic was centered in the Senate, and Senators were elected by citizens D. The two presiding consuls were chosen by the Senate

C. The government of the Roman Republic was centered in the Senate, and Senators were elected by citizens

What is government? A. The services provided by a community, such as police protection, fire protection, and public health programs B. The laws that protect peoples' rights and ensure the safety of a state's citizens C. The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies D. The process by which public officials are elected to and removed from office

C. The institution through which a society makes and enforeces its public policies

What is the difference between a unitary government and a federal government? A. In a unitary government, power is shared by an alliance of independent states; in a federal government power is divided between a central government and local governments B. In a federal government, power is shared by an alliance of independent states; in a unitary government power is divided between a central government and local governments C. In a federal government, power is held by a single, central agency; in a unitary government power is divided between a central government and local government D. In a unitary government power is held by a single, central agency; in a federal government power is divided between a central government and local governments

D. In a unitary government power is held by a single, central agency; in a federal government power is divided between a central government and local governments

A legitimate government is... A. One in which government leaders obtain and keep power by using force B. One that offers the fastest solutions to a nation's problems and citizens' needs C. One that is created by a union of many smaller groups that could not obtain power on their own D. One that is accepted by its people and other governments as the sovereign authority of a nation

D. One that is accepted by its people and other governments as the sovereign authority of a nation

Read the excerpt and answer the question. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights..." — the Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen States of America Which of the following BEST paraphrases this statement? A. People must show allegiance to their king and country throughout their lives B. People need to help others understand their basic rights as citizens C. People owe their allegiance first to God, then to the monarch D. People are born with certain rights that no one can take from them

D. People are born with certain rights that no one can take from them

Use the following excerpt to answer the question. "... some activities that might be carried out privately are in fact conducted by government." Which of the following is an example of this statement? A. Enforcing antitrust laws B. Enforcing building codes C. Creating pure foods and drug laws D. Providing fire and police protection

D. Providing fire and police protection

What would happen to a state that had population, territory, and government, but did not have sovereignty? A. That state would have the power to keep track of its population B. That state would not be able to have clearly defined borders C. That state would not have elected government representatives D. That state would not have the power to make its own foreign policies

D. That state would not have the power to make its own foreign policies

In what way was athenian democracy a direct democracy? A. The courts were staffed by volunteered who were at least 30 years of age B. The Assembly met 40 times a year to debate public matters and make law C. The Council of Five Hundred was 500 citizens chosen randomly for one-year terms D. The central feature was an Assembly open to all male citizens at least 18 years of age

D. The central feature was an Assembly open to all male citizens at least 18 years of age

Which of the following events happened first? A. The colonies declared their independence from Great Britain B. The States began to adopt written constitutions C. The Stamp Act Congress met in New York D. The colonies rejected Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union

D. The colonies rejected Benjamin Franklin's Albany Plan of Union

Which of the following accurately summarizes the different purposes of the First and the Second Continental Congress? A. The first continental congress was held to write new laws for the colonies, while the second continental congress implemented those laws B. The first continental congress was held to write new state constitutions, while the second continental congress ratified those constitutions C. The first continental congress was held to limit the authority of royal governors in the colonies, while the second continental congress issued the declaration of rights D. The first continental congress was held to determine a response to British policies, while the second continental congress governed the nation during the revolutionary war

D. The first continental congress was held to determine a response to British policies, while the second continental congress governed the nation during the revolutionary war

What is the relationship between democracy and the free enterprise system? A. The government determines what is produced, how much of an item is produced, and how much an item will sell for B. The government does not decide what is produced, but often reviews the level of production to make sure there are enough products available to the public C. The government controls the economy by placing orders with private companies for goods and services the government needs to serve the citizens' needs D. The government does not decide was is produced or what items cost, but does play a role in the economy by protecting the public and preserving private enterprise

D. The government does not decide was is produced or what items cost, but does play a role in the economy by protecting the public and preserving private enterprise

A newspaper headline that reads "President Rejects Tax Increase Bill" is an example of which of the following? A. The president has powers but they are subject to direct control by the legislature B. The legislative and executive branches must always act together C. The legislature can act on its own and can never be blocked by the president D. The president has the power to block actions of the legislature

D. The president has the power to block actions of the legislature

Use the Preamble to the Constitution to answer the question. "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." —U.S. Constitution, Preamble Which statement BEST expresses the concerns of the founders of the American government? A. Their focus was to create a government that protected the nation from foreign enemies B. Their focus was to create a government that protected the nation from domestic threats C. Their focus was to create a nation that protected national interests over individual rights D. Their focus was to create a national government that protected all aspects of the nation and its people

D. Their focus was to create a national government that protected all aspects of the nation and its people