American Government Questions

Information presented by the media about important issues

Can influence public opinion

The Federalist Papers were written by

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of ratification of the US Constitution.

Even though citizens have specific rights which the government may not take away, these rights may have certain limits. Which of these might be an example of these limits?

Printing an ad that falsely accuses the mayor of being "a crook."

Which statement is a PRIMARY characteristic of a capitalist system?

Private ownership of properties

Which fact BEST reflects how the colonist's experience under British rule impacted government in America following the Revolution?

The Articles of Confederation allowed for the sovereignty of the states and prevented the establishment of a strong central government.

Why did Hamilton say that a Bill of Rights was not necessary to be added to the Constitution?

The national and state constitutions were already a bill of rights guaranteed by the people.

Which of these is an example a concurrent power?

levying taxes

Which of these is the MOST important duty or responsibility an individual has in a democratic society?

voting

The Founding Fathers believed that all people are born with "natural rights." Which line from the Declaration of Independence BEST represents the idea of "natural rights"?

"... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights..."

Why might it sometimes be difficult for a President to rely on the advice of cabinet members?

A President may appoint someone to a Cabinet position for political reasons instead, not based on expertise in the field.

"Let us now proceed to enquire, as I at first proposed, whether it be best the thirteen United States should be reduced to one great republic, or not? It is here taken for granted, that all agree in this, that whatever government we adopt, it ought to be a free one; that it should be so framed as to secure the liberty of the citizens of America, and such an one as to admit of a full, fair, and equal representation of the people. The question then will be, whether a government thus constituted, and founded on such principles, is practicable, and can be exercised over the whole United States, reduced into one state? If respect is to be paid to the opinion of the greatest and wisest men who have ever thought or wrote on the science of government, we shall be constrained to conclude, that a free republic cannot succeed over a country of such immense extent, containing such a number of inhabitants, and these increasing in such rapid progression as that of the whole United States." - excerpt from "Brutus No. 1" written in 1787 Which of these would BEST limit the problems outlined in the excerpt from the "Anti-Federalist Papers" seen here?

Bill of Rights

The Articles of Confederation represented the Americans' distrust of what form of government?

Central Government

If the Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional, which of these is the BEST action that can be taken to remedy the situation?

Congress can amend the Constitution.

All of the nations in green, including the United States and Australia, share which common form of government?

Federal system

Which liberty is guaranteed by the First Amendment?

Freedom of speech

Which document established a precedent for written constitutions in the English colonies?

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

"New immigrants are good for America. They are revitalizing our cities...building our new economy...strengthening our ties to the global economy, just as earlier waves of immigrants settled on the new frontier and powered the Industrial Revolution. They are energizing our culture and broadening our vision of the world. They are renewing our most basic values and reminding us all of what it truly means to be an American." --President Bill Clinton, Commencement Address at Portland State University, June 13, 1998 Which statement would Clinton be MOST LIKELY to agree with?

Immigration has a positive effect on the national economy.

I do hereby promise, grant and declare, That the Inhabitants of both Province and Territories, shall separately enjoy all other Liberties, Privileges and Benefits, granted jointly to them in this Charter -Charter of Privileges Granted by William Penn (1701) How might William Penn's "Charter of Privileges" have promoted individual rights, according to the quote?

Individual liberties were for all inhabitants.

This phrase from The Declaration of Independence and its primary author Thomas Jefferson can be used to justify which statement?

Jefferson knew that the colonists' actions would have an international impact.

"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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." --Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, 1776 Thomas Jefferson's statement about unalienable rights would MOST likely have been influenced by the writings of

John Locke

To whom does "He" refer in this passage?

King George III

The American concept of due process can be traced back to common law practices that were FIRST codified in the

Magna Carta

Which is NOT a benefit of volunteering in our communities?

Making money

Which is true regarding the structure of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

The only Federal institution was Congress, and there was no president or national court system.

Which of these would be considered part of the due process of law?

The right to an attorney

Which of these is the BEST example of a person participating in public life at the state level?

campaigning for a gubernatorial candidate

Which of these is MOST related to the concept of Federalism?

concurrent powers

The chief purpose of Congressional committees is to

hold hearings so that bills can be evaluated and studied prior to voting.

A major failing of the United States Government under the Articles of Confederation was its

inability to regulate commerce among the states.

"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, 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." The Declaration of Independence This quote from the Declaration of Independence is referring to the principle of

limited government.

Which of these would be the MOST effective way for Andre to make his voice heard by someone who could address his concern?

send a detailed email to the Governor

A citizen is greatly concerned about a proposed ordinance and would like to voice his opinion to the town council. Which civic action would be the most appropriate for his situation?

speak at a public hearing

The United States has been a desired destination of immigrants for centuries. Which of these documents is most important in guaranteeing equal rights for those who "yearn to breathe free" and become US citizens?

the Bill of Rights

Which segment of government is responsible for proposing federal government spending budgets?

the executive branch

Which action BEST describes how interest groups promote change?

they campaign for a candidate who supports their position

This passage BEST represents which of these theories in the Declaration of Independence? "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

Social Contract Theory

What are two advantages that a market economy has over a mixed economy?

more freedom and efficiency for producers and consumers

In an effort to deal with an increasing number of immigrants, in 1892 the U.S. government

opened an immigration station on Ellis Island in New York City.

In addition to these persuasive considerations, it may be observed, that the same reasons which show the necessity of denying to the States the power of regulating coin, prove with equal force that they ought not to be at liberty to substitute a paper medium in the place of coin. Had every State a right to regulate the value of its coin, there might be as many different currencies as States, and thus the intercourse among them would be impeded; retrospective alterations in its value might be made, and thus the citizens of other States be injured, and animosities be kindled among the States themselves. The subjects of foreign powers might suffer from the same cause, and hence the Union be discredited and embroiled by the indiscretion of a single member. No one of these mischiefs is less incident to a power in the States to emit paper money, than to coin gold or silver. The power to make any thing but gold and silver a tender in payment of debts, is withdrawn from the States, on the same principle with that of issuing a paper currency. - from "The Federalist Papers, No. 44," James Madison, 1788 Based on this excerpt, which BEST explains why Article I, Section 10 of the Constitution prohibits states from coining their own money?

to prevent hostility from developing among the states