American History midterm practice

Which phrase from the Declaration of Independence most clearly reflects the idea that the people are the source of government?

". . . deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . ."

Which statement from the United States Constitution is referred to as the elastic clause?

"Congress shall have power . . . to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . . "

Which quotation from the United States Constitution provides for a federal system of government?

"Every bill... shall , before it becomes a law shall be presented to the President of the Unites States, .."

Which newspaper headline shows the operation of the system of checks and balances?

"Senate Rejects President's Choice of Supreme Court Justice"

Which quotation from the United States Constitution best illustrates the balance between order and liberty?

"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."

Which is generally considered to be the major shortcoming of the electoral college system for selecting a President of the United States?

A candidate can win the popular vote but lose the Presidency.

Which statement best explains why critics have called for a change in the electoral college system?

A person who did not receive the largest percentage of popular votes can be elected President.

Which idea had a major influence on the authors of the Articles of Confederation?

A strong central government threatens the rights of the people and the states.

I.____________________________________, 1. Nullification crisis, 2. Kansas-Nebraska Act, 3. Dred Scott v. Sanford, 4. Election of Lincoln (1860); Which heading best completes the partial outline?

Causes of Sectional Conflict

Which statement describes a characteristic of democracy that is provided for in the United States Constitution?

Citizens choose their congressional representatives.

Which heading best completes the partial outline below? I. ____________________________________ A. Committees of Correspondence B. Nonimportation Agreements C. Boston Tea Party D. First Continental Congress

Colonial Responses to British Mercantile Policies

Which statement best explains why the Articles of Confederation established a weak rather than a strong central government?

Colonial experiences under Great Britain had created a fear of unlimited government.

When President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas, during the 1957 school integration crisis, he was exercising his constitutional power as

Commander-in-Chief

Which heading best completes the partial outline below?I.____________________________________, 1. Representation, 2. Slave trade, 3. Taxation, 4. Election of the president

Compromises at the Constitutional Convention

A major problem of the government under the Articles of Confederation was that the

Congress depended on the states for men and money to support an army.

When the United States Constitution was written, which compromise was reached by the authors to gain the support of the states with small populations?

Congress would consist of both a House of Representatives and a Senate.

"The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic." -Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.Which interpretation of the Bill of Rights does this statement illustrate?

Constitutional protections of liberty are not absolute.

The right of the people to overthrow a tyrannical government is a main theme of which document?

Declaration of Independence

Which document is best described as a statement of democratic principles rather than a framework for government?

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was based on the ideas of the

Enlightenment

Which argument did the authors of the United States Constitution use when they insisted that revenue bills originate in the House of Representatives?

Frequent elections would make members of the House more responsive to the wishes of the voters.

Which factor has made the strongest contribution to the development of religious freedom in the United States?

Guarantees in the Constitution have encouraged religious expression and toleration.

After the President has proposed the Federal budget, the next step in the process of adopting the budget is to submit it to the

House of Representatives

The authors of the United States Constitution believed that the voice of the people should be heard frequently. Which part of the Government was instituted to respond most directly to the will of the people?

House of Representatives

Which fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown.

Independence were most influenced by

John Locke's social contract theory

"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." This quotation reflects beliefs mainly derived from

John Locke's theory of natural rights

Antifederalists criticized the United States Constitution primarily because governing power was concentrated in the

National Government

In which area did good harbors, abundant forests, rocky soil, and a short growing season most influence the colonial economy?

New England colonies

"The only representatives of the people of these colonies are persons chosen therein by themselves; a that no taxes ever have been, or can be constitutionally imposed on them but by their respective legislatures." -Statement by the Stamp Act Congress, 1765. What is a valid conclusion that can be drawn from this quotation?

Only the colonists' elected representatives should have the power to levy taxes.

Which fact best illustrate separation of church and state in the United States?

Organized prayer in public schools is prohibited.

In the United States Government, members of the Cabinet are directly responsible to the

President

According to the Declaration of Independence, the fundamental purpose of government is to

Protect people's natural rights

Which statement is most accurate about the movement for independence in the thirteen colonies?

Protests against British colonial policies gradually led to demands for independence.

Which feature of the federal government is specifically described in the United States Constitution?

Senate approval of nominations to the Supreme Court

Which historical event best demonstrates the operation of checks and balances?

The Senate approved the appointment of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court.

Which is an important reason that the American colonists rebelled against England in the 1770s?

The colonists desired the right to control the basic aspects of their economy.

"New Congress to Have Two Houses" "Slaves to Count as Three-Fifths of a Person" "President to be Chosen by Electoral Vote" . Which conclusion about the Constitutional Convention is best supported by these headlines?

The framers of the Constitution were able to compromise on important issues.

Which fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

The government should guarantee every citizen economic security.

Which statement is an example of the system of federalism?

The national government coins money, but states cannot.

Which statement best describes governmental power under the Articles of Confederation?

The states had much greater power than the central government.

The Constitution assigns the power to ratify treaties exclusively to the

United States Senate

The Mayflower Compact is important to the concept of a democratic society because it represents

a clear step toward self-government

One way in which the authors of the Constitution tried to create "limited government" was by providing for

a division of power between the national and state governments

One similarity between the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution is that both documents provide for

a national legislature to make laws

A major criticism of the electoral college system has been that

a president may be elected without receiving the majority of the popular vote

Which characteristic is most essential to a democratic society?

a respect for individual rights

Which action would be unconstitutional?

a state levying a tax on products from another state

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this, you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself." This passage from the Federalist Papers refers to the need for

a system of checks and balances

The majority of cases heard by the United States Supreme Court come to the Court because of its constitutional power to

act on decisions appealed from lower courts

Delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to create a bicameral legislature as a way to

address the issue of population differences among the states

In the United States Congress, differences between Senate and House of Representatives versions of a bill are usually resolved by accepting the version that is

agreed to by a joint conference committee of both Houses

In United States history, the phrase "a government of laws, not of men" has been used to express the idea that

all laws should apply equally to all persons

The elastic clause was included in the United States Constitution to

allow Congress to make laws to reflect changing conditions.

The amendment process was included in the United States Constitution in order to

allow government to meet the changing needs of society

New York State and the United States have republican forms of government because both have

an elected legislature

The main reason Great Britain established the Proclamation Line of 1763 was to

avoid conflicts between American colonists and Native American Indians

Which issue discussed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 continues to be a major concern in the United States?

balance of power between state and national governments

One of the principles stated in the Declaration of Independence is that government should

be based upon the consent of the governed

The United States Government is considered a federal system because

both national and state governments exist within the nation

The British benefited from their mercantilist relationship with the American colonies primarily by

buying raw materials from the colonies and selling them finished products

The clash between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the United States Supreme Court over New Deal laws best illustrates the operation of

checks and balances

• Congress proposes an amendment legalizing an income tax. • The Supreme Court rules that the income tax is unconstitutional. These events illustrate the use of

checks and balances

"President Nixon Plans Trip to China To Meet with Chairman Mao", "President Carter Signs New Panama Canal Treaty", "President Clinton Concludes Trade Agreement with Japan". Each headline illustrates an action of a President fulfilling his role as

chief diplomat

Which feature must a nation have to be considered a democracy?

citizen participation in government

In the eighteenth century, the British colonies in North America were most similar to Great Britain in their

common law legal system.

Which concept from the European Enlightenment was included in the United States Constitution?

consent of the governed

Cases that reach the United States Supreme Court from lower courts are generally cases that concern

constitutional law.

In stating the principle of a "clear and present danger" in Schenck v. United States, the Supreme Court established that

constitutional rights are not absolute

The "clear and present danger" ruling in the Supreme Court case Schenck v. United States (1919) confirmed the idea that

constitutional rights are not absolute

Which Presidential action is an example of the unwritten constitution?

consulting with the Cabinet

The Virginia House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact had a similar effect in that both

contributed to the development of representative democracy.

During the Revolutionary War period, Thomas Paine's Common Sense was important because it

convinced many Americans who had been undecided to support independence

One way in which the United States Constitution differed from the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution

created a national government having three branches

The United States Constitution corrected a weakness of the Articles of Confederation by

creating three branches of government

Before the Civil War, the principle of popular sovereignty was proposed as a means of

deciding the legalization of slavery in a new state

Which method resulted in both "separate but equal" public facilities (1896) and Miranda warnings against self-incrimination (1966)?

decisions of the United States Supreme Court

In the United States, informing suspects of their legal rights during an arrest procedure is required as a result of

decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

The United States Constitution grants certain powers only to the Federal Government. For example, only Congress can declare war. These powers are called

delegated powers

The two major political parties make their final selection of a Presidential candidate through

delegates' votes at a national party convention

A major argument for American independence found in the Declaration of Independence was that the British

deprived Americans of their natural rights

According to the United States Constitution, a nationwide census is conducted every ten years in order to

determine the number of Representatives each state will have in Congress.

In 1862, the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Act were passed primarily to

develop the Midwest and western parts of the country

What was an important accomplishment of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?

development of guidelines for the admission of new states into the Union

An example of the unwritten constitution is the

development of political parties

An example of the unwritten constitution in the United States is the

development of the political party system

Which action is most consistent with the practices of seventeenth century mercantilism?

difference in the function of the public and private sectors of the economy

Which constitutional provision was intended to give the people the most influence over the Federal Government?

direct election of members of the House of Representatives for two-year terms

The writers of the United States Constitution created a federal form of government primarily to

divide power between levels of government

Federalism is best described as the

division of power between a national government and state governments.

During the debates over the ratification of the United States Constitution, Federalists and Anti-Federalists disagreed most strongly over the

division of powers between the national and state governments

The Mayflower Compact, New England town meetings, and the Virginia House of Burgesses are examples of

early colonial efforts in self-government

Congress established a minimum wage for workers and regulations on radio broadcasts by combining its delegated power to regulate interstate commerce with the

elastic clause

The due process clause in the 5th Amendment and the right to an attorney in the 6th Amendment were designed to

ensure fair treatment for those accused of crimes

Which provision of the United States Constitution would a group most likely use as the basis for bringing legal action to end discriminatory practices?

equal protection clause of the fourteenth amendment

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from the small states most strongly supported the idea of

equal representation for the states in the national legislature

During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the plans for Congress proposed by delegates from New Jersey and Virginia differed mainly over the issue of

equal state representation or proportionate state representation

A significant compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was the agreement to

establish a bicameral legislature

The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision

established the power of judicial review

"The Congress shall have Power . . . To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested [granted] by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. . . .". This section of the United States Constitution was frequently used during the 20th century to

expand federal control of interstate commerce

Manifest Destiny was used to justify an American desire to

expand the United States to the Pacific Ocean

A lasting impact of the United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall is that the Court's decisions

expanded the power of the Federal Government

The Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 was mainly concerned with

expanding women's rights

Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Supreme Court was considered "activist" because of its

expansion of individual rights in criminal cases

As the United States acquired more land between 1803 and 1850, controversy over these territories focused on the

expansion of slavery

The primary purpose of the United States Declaration of Independence is to

explain and justify why the American colonists revolted against their mother country.

The Mayflower Compact of 1620 is considered an important step in the development of democracy in America because it

expressed the importance of self-government

"Compromise Enables Maine and Missouri To Enter Union" (1820), "California Admitted to Union as Free State" (1850), "Kansas-Nebraska Act Sets Up Popular Sovereignty" (1854). Which issue is reflected in these headlines?

extension of slavery

The most serious weakness of the Articles of Confederation was brought about by the authors'

fear of concentration of power in national government.

The lack of a national executive and judiciary under the Articles of Confederation suggests that the founders of the American republic

feared a strong central government

In the United States, activities such as Cabinet meetings and political party conventions are best described as

features of the unwritten constitution

Which United States governmental principle includes the concepts of reserved powers, delegated powers, and concurrent powers?

federalism

The necessary and proper clause, the amendment process, and the unwritten constitution are evidence that our constitutional system of government provides for

flexibility

The Louisiana Purchase had great geographic significance for the United States because it

focused the United States on westward expansion

"It is not the cause of one poor printer, nor of New York alone, which you are now trying. No! It may in its consequence affect every free man that lives under a British government on the main [continent] of America. It is the best cause. It is the cause of liberty. . . . Nature and the laws of our country have given us a right to liberty of both exposing and opposing arbitrary power (in these parts of the world at least) by speaking and writing the truth." — Andrew Hamilton, 1735 This courtroom summation helped establish which democratic principle in colonial America?

freedom of the press

Court decisions in the trial of John Peter Zenger (1735) and the case of New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) strengthened

freedom of the press

Which geographic advantage did the United States gain by purchasing the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803?

full control of the Mississippi River

The ideals of the Athenian State, Roman law, and the Mayflower Compact contributed most significantly to the growth of the principles of

government under law and the consent of the governed.

The purpose of most of the amendments to the United States Constitution is to

guarantee individual civil and political rights.

The basic purpose of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution is to

guarantee the rights of individuals

"President Delivers State of the Union Address to Congress." "President Mobilizes the National Guard To Quell Riots." "President's Appointee Will Enforce Federal Guidelines." These headlines are evidence that the President of the United States

has specific executive, legislative, and military powers

A major objection to many lobbying groups is that they

have too much influence on government

In the United States, the most significant way that political party primaries have helped to increase public interest in the political process is by enabling voters to

help select party candidates.

One reason for the importance of the Federalist Papers in United States history is that these writings

helped persuade some states to ratify the United States Constitution.

Senate ratification of treaties negotiated by the President is required by the United States Constitution as a way of

implementing the principle of checks and balances

". . . Congress shall have power . . . to make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States. . . ." . This statement from the United States Constitution is the source of

implied powers

The quotation: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution... are reserved to the states..." describes the principle of

implied powers.

One reason the United States Constitution is considered a flexible document is that it

includes the elastic clause

The main purpose of lobbying is to

influence legislation on behalf of special interest groups

The Supreme Court has the power to

interpret the Constitution

The flexibility of the original United States Constitution is due mainly to

its provision for the amending process and judicial interpretation

The constitutional guarantee of the writ of habeas corpus makes it unlawful for a citizen of the United States to be

jailed for an extended period without a hearing before a judge.

Which feature of the unwritten constitution is part of the system of checks and balances?

judicial review

Which power is shared by the federal government and the New York State government?

levying taxes

Under the United States Constitution, state governments have the power to

license teachers

During the colonial period, the British Parliament used the policy of mercantilism to

limit manufacturing in America

A major intention of the framers of the Articles of Confederation was to

limit the central government's opportunities to infringe upon the people's liberties.

Which governmental practice established under the unwritten constitution was later included in the written Constitution by an amendment?

limiting the President's time in office to two terms

In its economic relationship with its North American colonies, Great Britain followed the principles of 18th-century mercantilism by

limiting the colonies' trade with other nations

". . . no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, . . . and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." this statement supports what?

limits on governmental power

In the United States, only the Federal Government has the power to

make treaties.

Adherence to a strict interpretation of the Constitution would have prevented President Thomas Jefferson from

making the Louisiana Purchase

The United States Constitution requires that a census be taken every ten years to reapportion

membership in the House of Representatives

" . . . I challenge the warmest advocate [supporter] for reconciliation, to shew [show], a single advantage that this continent can reap [gain], by being connected with Great Britain. I repeat the challenge, not a single advantage is derived [acquired]. Our corn will fetch its price in any market in Europe, and our imported goods must be paid for, buy them where we will. . . . — Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776 This speaker is most likely opposed to

mercantilism

The phrase "by military conquest, treaty, and purchase" best describes the

methods used to expand the territory of the United States

Anti-Federalists criticized the United States Constitution primarily because governing power was concentrated in the

national government.

In writing the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was influenced most by John Locke's idea of

natural rights

The major role of political parties in the United States is to

nominate candidates for public office and conduct campaigns

Which information on the writing of the Constitution is considered a primary source?

notes from the Constitutional Convention taken by James Madison

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise as a solution to the problem of how to determine the

number of representatives in the House from each state

A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution because the authors were concerned about

one branch of government becoming too strong

Which action illustrates the president's power as commander in chief ?

ordering American troops into a foreign country

The pamphlet Common Sense, by Thomas Paine, aided the American cause in the Revolutionary War because it

persuaded individuals who were undecided to support independence

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled, We the undersigned, citizens of the United States, but deprived of some of the privileges and immunities of citizens among which, is the right to vote, beg leave to submit the following resolution: Resolved; that we the officers and members of the National Woman Suffrage Association, in convention assembled, respectfully ask Congress to enact appropriate legislation during its present session to protect women citizens in the several states of this Union, in their right to vote. — Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1873) Source: National Archives and Records Administration. This resolution illustrates the constitutional right to

petition for redress of grievances

Which group had the most influence on the ideas stated in the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution?

philosophers of the Enlightenment

The British system of mercantilism was opposed by many American colonists because it

placed restrictions on trading

in the 1780's, many Americans distrusted a strong central governement. This distrust is best shown by the

plan of government set up by the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation are best described as a

plan of union for the original thirteen states

The legal basis for the United States purchase of the Louisiana Territory was the

power granted to the President to make treaties

The United States Government is considered a federal system because

powers are divided between the State and National Governments

The implied powers suggested by the United States Constitution show that the writers recognized the

powers of government needed to be able to adapt to change

The unwritten constitution is best defined as the

practices of the government that are based on custom and tradition

The authors of the Articles of Confederation established a decentralized political system mainly to

prevent the abuses of power that had existed under British rule

The Mayflower Compact and the House of Burgesses were important to the development of democracy in colonial America because they

promoted self-government

In the 1850s, the phrase "Bleeding Kansas" was used to describe clashes between

proslavery and antislavery groups

The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was to

protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal Government

The Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution to

protect individuals' civil liberties

The purpose of adding the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution was to

protect the people from abuse by the Federal Government.

Soon after the Constitution of the United States was ratified, the first ten amendments were added because many citizens felt the need for

protecting their liberties from abuses by the federal government

"Illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in a court of law." This statement is based on a person's constitutional right to

protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

The main criticism of the Articles of Confederation was that they failed to

provide adequate powers for the central government

The system shown in the diagram was developed under the Articles of Confederation in order to

provide an orderly system of development for the Northwest Territory

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was important because it

provided a process for admission of new states to the Union

The Declaration of Independence (1776) has had a major influence on peoples throughout the world because it

provides justification for revolting against unjust governments

Which action could eliminate the electoral college?

ratification of a constitutional amendment

Which action was necessary to change from the indirect to the direct election of United States Senators?

ratification of a constitutional amendment

Which action would be necessary before the government could deny a person a public trial by an impartial jury?

ratification of a constitutional amendment

The Federalist Papers were a series of newspaper articles published in 1787 and 1788 to win support for the

ratification of the United States Constitution

Once an amendment has been added to the United States Constitution, which process must be used to change that amendment?

ratifying a new amendment

. "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; . . ." This quotation is evidence that some of the basic ideas in the Declaration of Independence were

reflections of the philosophies of the European Enlightenment

The writers of the United States Constitution included the requirement for a census every ten years primarily to

regulate numbers of immigrants

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise resolved the issue of

representation

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted the Great Compromise to settle differences over

representation in Congress

At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which issue was resolved by the Great Compromise?

representation of large and small states in Congress

A republican form of government is described as one in which

representatives are elected by the people

An example of the unwritten constitution in the United States is the

rise of the two-party political system

Which action is an example of the unwritten constitution?

selection of a Presidential candidate by a nominating convention

One similarity between the United States Constitution and the New York State Constitution is that both

separate the branches of government

A member of the United States Congress must resign from Congress if elected or appointed to a position in the executive or judicial branch. This requirement is an example of

separation of powers

French Enlightenment philosopher Baron De Montesquieu praised the British political system because it divided the power of government between the monarch and the two houses of Parliament. Which principle included in the United States Constitution shows that the framers agreed with Montesquieu?

separation of powers

Constitutional amendments have been proposed to ban forced busing, forbid abortion, and prohibit burning the United States flag. These proposals indicate that

some people disagree with certain Supreme Court decisions

Which concept found in the United States Constitution was a belief held by the social contract philosophers of the Enlightenment period?

sovereignty of the people

Which aspect of lawmaking is a result of the unwritten constitution?

special-interest groups lobbying to try to influence legislation

The United States Constitution is best described as a

statement of rules and procedures for government.

In the Colonial Era, developments such as the New England town meetings and the establishment of the Virginia House of Burgesses represented

steps in the growth of representative democracy

The Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses are examples of

steps toward representative government

One similarity between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights is that both documents

stress the importance of individual liberty

The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are similar in that both

support limitations on governmental power

In the United States, the use of implied powers, the amending process, and Supreme Court interpretations have resulted in

the Constitution being adapted to fit changing times

The elastic clause, the amending process, and judicial review are all methods by which

the Constitution may be adapted to meet changing conditions

When President Thomas Jefferson acquired the Louisiana Territory from France, he demonstrated that he had modified his belief that

the Constitution should be strictly interpreted

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review is a result of

the Court's own interpretation of the Constitution

According to the original United States Constitution, before the addition of amendments, which Federal official was to be directly elected by the voters?

the President

Which governmental action illustrates the system of checks and balances?

the Senate ratifying a peace treaty

The rapid westward migration caused by the discovery of gold in California led directly to

the adoption of the Compromise of 1850

The change to the direct election of senators, the lowering of the voting age to eighteen, and the establishment of a two-term limit for presidents are all examples of the use of

the amendment process

The major political parties in the United States obtain most of their national campaign funds from

the contributions of individuals and special-interest groups

Which action in the process of electing a President of the United States is provided for in the Federal Constitution?

the electoral college casting ballots

The 14th Amendment provides that no "state [shall] deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." A direct result of this amendment was that

the guarantees in the Bill of Rights were applied to state actions

During the early 1800s, the United States placed few restrictions on immigration because

the industrial economy was creating new jobs

The United States Constitution has survived for more than 200 years primarily because

the language of the Constitution allows for a variety of interpretations.

John Locke's theory of the social contract, as developed in the United States Declaration of Independence, stated that

the people should revolt against a government that did not protect their rights

The system of checks and balances is best illustrated by the power of

the president to veto a bill passed by congress

The Federalist Papers were published in 1787 and 1788 to help gain support for

the ratification of the Constitution

To avoid having too much power concentrated in one branch of government, the framers of the Constitution established

the system of checks and balances

The equal protection clause of the 14th amendment has been used to challenge the death penalty on the grounds that

tremendous differences exist from state to state in the application of capital punishment laws

Which feature of the Presidency is a result of a constitutional amendment?

two term limit in office

Which feature of the Presidency is a result of a constitutional amendment?

two-term limit in office

The Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses, and Fundamental Orders of Connecticut are all examples of the efforts of colonial Americans to

use democratic practices in government

The Louisiana Purchase initially presented a dilemma for President Thomas Jefferson because he believed it would

violate his strict constructionist view of the Constitution

According to the Declaration of Independence, the people have the right to alter or abolish a government if that government

violates natural rights

"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it." This provision is evidence that the writers of the United States Constitution

wanted to balance individual liberty with the needs of the nation