civics unit 4 test
Selected Political Beliefs of Thomas Jefferson • Supported strong state governments • Opposed formation of a national bank • Favored policies that promoted farming and agriculture How have Thomas Jefferson's political beliefs influenced the development of the US government? A He supported policies that limited federal power. B He favored a government that would encourage commerce. C He proposed the system of checks and balances. D He devised the system of collected taxes on income.
A
Some Features of the Articles of Confederation *No national court system or national executive *Amendments required approval by all 13 states *Laws required approval by all 13 states to pass *No national army: State voluntarily sent troops when requested by Congress What was the most important to supporters of the Articles of Confederation? A respect for states' rights B a strong national government C the influence of large states D an effective national military
A
Some Features of the Articles of Confederation: • No national court system or national executive • Amendments required approval by all 13 states • Laws required approval from 9 of the 13 states to pass • Congress could raise money only by requesting it from the states • No national army: States voluntarily sent troops when requested by Congress What was most important to supporters of the Articles of Confederation? A respect for states' rights B a strong national government C the influence of large states D an effective national military
A
The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise of 1787, created a bicameral legislature in which representation in the House of Representatives was based proportionally on the number of people who lived in each state, while representation in the Senate was distributed equally among all states. How did this plan ease tensions and contribute to the constitutional democracy that the United States maintains today? A This plan was a compromise between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists since the House of Representatives would give more power to the individual states and the Senate would give more power to the federal government. B This plan was a compromise between small states and large states and ensured that the large states would not dictate all of the legislation in the nation, while still limiting the power of the smaller states. C This plan was a compromise between those who wanted Congress to rule with a prime minister and those who wanted a more powerful president because it gave a significant amount of power to both a Congress and a president. D This plan was a compromise between those who wanted to retain the structure of government created by the Articles of Confederation and those who wanted a completely new constitution since the Senate mirrored the former unicameral Congress.
A
The creation of the Virginia House of Burgesses was an important in the development of democracy in colonial America because it A Adopted a bill of rights for Native Americans B Established a representative form of government C Provided the first written constitution in the colonies D Allowed African Americans to vo
A
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. — Preamble, U.S. Constitution The Preamble expands on which idea found in the Declaration of Independence? A that all men are created equal B that people may throw off unjust governments C that England had not acted with the colonists' best interest at heart D that people establish governments to protect their rights
A
"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 a strong executive B a system of checks and balances C an independent military D a national education system
B
"we the people" Which democratic principle of US government is expressed in the excerpt? A Federalism B Popular sovereignty C Checks and balances D Separation of powers
B
Before the American Revolution, John Locke and Baron de Montesquieu wrote about the need for governments to be responsible to the people they govern. Montesquieu advocated constitutionalism and the preservation of civil liberties. Locke favored a social contract between a country's citizens and their government. Which quote from the Declaration of Independence most closely combines the ideas of these two men? A Government long established should not be charged for light and transient causes..." B Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their powers from the consent of the governed" C The history of the present...is a history of repeated injuries...having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny..." D He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual...for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures"
B
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. . . . [W]henever 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 Which statement identifies the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? A government should have unlimited authority to guarantee basic rights B the people can overthrow a government that fails to protect basic rights C government should be based on a written constitution to provide basic rights D the people can increase government authority to expand basic rights
B
How does the U.S. Constitution conform to John Locke's social contract theory? A The government operates on a system of law that is based on contracts & statutes. B Citizens transfer some rights to government in exchange for social order. C States retain sovereign powers & are joined by confederation. D People agree to a social system guided by conscience.
B
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. —Magna Carta, 1215 What best identifies a similar principle as it appears in the US government? A the separation of powers designed in the Constitution B due process protections as provided in the Constitution C judicial review as established in the Marbury vs. Madison decision D the belief in human equality as stated in the Declaration of Independence
B
The US Constitution contributes to the national identity of the US by: A outlining a central government with an authoritative president B empowering citizens with the right to vote for representatives and laws C forming a parliamentary system and a unitary government D creating a simplified amendment process to reflect changing views
B
We, whose names are underwritten, . . . Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, . . . covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience. What best explains the purpose of this document? A to convince people to settle in Massachusetts B to organize a government for the Plymouth colony C to establish religious toleration in the Virginia colony D to promote good relations with Native Americans in Pennsylvania
B
What event BEST explains what the Federalist Papers intended to support? A The refulation of slavery in western territories B The ratification of the U.S. Constitution C The drafting of the Declaration of Independence D The annexation of the Louisianna Territory
B
Which of the following events most helped to establish the concept of the rule of law? A William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 B King John I signed the Magna Carta in 1215 C Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492 D Martin Luther wrote his 95 Theses in 1517
B
England, Sir, is a nation, which still I hope respects, and formerly adored, her freedom. The Colonists emigrated from you when this part of your character was most predominant; and they took this bias and direction the moment they parted from your hands. They are therefore not only devoted to Liberty, but to Liberty according to English ideas, and on English principles. What historical evidence about government in colonial America supports the point expressed in this excerpt? A Colonists no longer believed that English traditions of government had value for them. B Colonists depended upon English authorities to manage affairs of government in America. C Colonists followed English traditions in shaping many of their institutions of government. D Colonists created their own institutions of government without influence from English traditions.
C
If we try the Constitution.. we find it neither wholly NATIONAL nor wholly FEDERAL. Were it wholly national, the supreme and ultimate authority would reside in the MAJORITY of the people of the Union... Were it wholly federal, on the other hand, the concurrence of each State in the Union would be essential to every alteration that would be binding on all... The Founding Fathers supported the system of government described in the excerpt becuase this system would A allow state governments the ability to nullify laws. B ensure the division of power between different branches of government. C allow for a balance of power between the states and national government. D ensure people the ability to change the government.
C
In America, the lowest classes have conceived a very high notion of political rights, because they exercise those rights; and they refrain from attacking the rights of others in order that their own may not be violated. Which statement best supports the above excerpt? A American constitutional rights are guaranteed to the wealthy. B American citizens decide constitutional rights by secret ballot. C American government emphasizes the preservation of individual rights. D American law requires a strong judiciary to regulate individ
C
The Magna Carta, the British Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence are documents that are based upon the idea that legitimate government comes from the people. This is known as: A Separation of powers B Federalism C Popular sovereignty D Monarchy
C
Traditions of English government influenced American colonists' beliefs about how they should be ruled in what way? A a belief in divine right monarchy B acceptance of religious toleration C the expectation of limited government D experience with republican institutions
C
Which American document is the basis of all US national law? A Declaration of Independence B Articles of Confederation C Constitution D Magna Carta
C
Why did Congress was established as a bicameral legislature? A all states received equal representation in both houses B political parties saw the benefit of dividing power C individual states were prevented from becoming too influential D colonists expressed distrust in unicameral legislatures
C
"But when a long train of abuses & usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, & to provide new Guards for their future security." - The Declaration of Independence According to this excerpt, what condition is sufficient cause for people to form a new government? A Citizens become disappointed with election results. B Government becomes the major employer. C Citizens become apathetic to the laws. D Government becomes oppressive to its citizens.
D
According to Benjamin Franklin, taxes were only legitimate under what condition? A if Parliament set them at a lower rate B if they were needed to pay off war debts C if the king issued a decree requiring them D if taxpayers' representatives agreed to them
D
Between 1777 and 1781, seven states developed new constitutions that included some type of general declaration of rights. In addition, several states included protection of the rights to assemble, free exercise of religion, and freedom of the press within the general body of their state constitutions. Which statement best reflects the goal of the states? A to create a strong central government B to balance the power between business owners and farmers C to break down the wall between church and state D to protect the civil liberties of their citizens
D
How did the French and Indian war affect the colonies? A The colonists sold goods to the armies and benefited. B The French lost the war, so they had to pay the colonies. C The war left Britain with an army for 10,000 in the colonies. D The war left Britain with a huge debt that had to be paid by the colonists
D
In his book, The Spirit of Laws (1748), French philosopher Baron de Montesquieu wrote of a "tripartite system" of government in which the powers of government are separated and assigned to different bodies. How are Montesquieu's ideas applied in the U.S. Constitution? A three levels of government (local, state, and federal) B three levels of the judiciary (district, appellate, and supreme courts) C three civil protections (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) D three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial)
D
Which of the following statements best identifies a way that democracy differs from other forms of government? A In democracy, government's role is to promote equality. B In democracy, government ensures stability and order. C In democracy, government has the primary responsibility for securing economic prosperity. D In democracy, government promotes individual freedom and rights.
D
Rousseau's social contract theories together form a single, consistent view of our moral and political situation. We are endowed with freedom and equality by nature, but out nature has been corrupted... We can overcome this corruption, however, by invoking our free will to reconstitute [remake] ourselves politically.. Which excerpt from the Declaration of Independence BEST reflects this philosophy? A "He has abdicated Government, here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us" B "...abolishing the free system of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government..." C "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes..." D "That to secure these rights, Government are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."
D
Use the information below to answer the question. "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." - 10th Amendment, U.S. Constitution What is the purpose of this Constitutional amendment? A To reduce the responsibilities of state governments B To delegate funding for state government C To weaken the authority of the federal government D To limit the power of the federal government
D
Which would be the most effective argument Anti-Federalists might have used to justify their position during ratification debates? A Average citizens cannot be trusted to control the complicated aspects of government. B The state governments and the national government should share power equally. C The national government needs final say when conflict occurs between federal and state governments. D To protect individual liberties, limits must be placed on the power of the federal government
D
Tensions over power and authority at the time of the American Revolution affected the development of the U.S. Constitution. Name a philosophe who influenced the Constitution and explain how that philosophe affected the Constitution.
John Locke was the main philosopher that influenced the constitution. He did this by finding the basis of a legitimate government. He created the consent of the governed and the inalienable rights.
Explain the importance of the following documents on the creation of American Democracy: Magna Carta, English BOR, Articles of Confederation
The AOF proved that we needed a stronger federal government, and led to the constitutional convention. the english BOR put in place a constitutional form of gov't to protect individuals rights and liberties. Lastly, the magna carta is the document that everyone is subject to law even the king or ruler
Someone who believes that Chinese immigrants should do their best to assimilate to the U.S. mainstream would most likely favor which of the following?
the melting pot theory
The concept of popular sovereignty is compatible with which form of government?
democracy
Which political philosopher's ideology most influenced Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence?
john locke
