Unit 1: The Origins of American Government

*16. Which of the following is not one of the three types of government outlined by Montesquieu?* "Democracy" Republican government (governed by elected representatives) which relied on the principle of civic virtue. "Monarchy (rule by a king, queen, or emperor) which relied on the principle of honor Despotism (rule by a tyrant or dictator) which relied on the principle of fear

"Democracy"

*2. To keep our elected officials in check with the citizens they represent, frequent elections are held. According to the lesson, how long is the term for a member in the House of Representative before they face re-election?* 2 years 4 years 6 years 1 year

2 years

*2. What is a statement that Hobbes and Locke would both agree on?* Government must be limited and individual rights made paramount. Government is necessary to protect life and property. Liberty is more important than security. Cooperation is only possible in the "state of nature."

Government is necessary to protect life and property.

*18. Which political thinker wrote The Prince, where he justified popular sovereignty, revolution, and a separation of religious and secular government?* Cicero Aristotle Machiavelli Hobbes

Machiavelli

*17. What does civilian control of the military mean?* Military leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the elected representatives of the people. The civilians have to be a part of the military. The military is simply run by the people. They do what they are told.

Military leaders do not have any independent authority, but are the servants of the elected representatives of the people.

*20. Which of the following best describes separation of powers?* higher and lower Founders and Revolutionaries liberty and order executive, legislative, and judicial branches

executive, legislative, and judicial branches

*6. Classical republicanism is principally concerned with ____________ while classical liberalism is concerned with _______________.* equality; property liberty; order liberty; order and security

liberty; order

*12. What does unit 1 say is perhaps the most complex form of human interaction?* discussion liberty government politics

politics

*1. In Federalist 10, James Madison describes our form of government where political ideas or current issues are enlarged or refined "by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country." What term is best used to describe our government?* federalism checks and balances direct democracy representative republic

representative republic

*11. As discussed in the chapter, what term is used to describe each branch of government's separate and distinct sphere of power?* checks and balances separate but equal separation of powers limited government

separation of powers

*19. A prominent political scientist famously described American government as separate institutions sharing powers; Which two constitutional principles are embodied in this statement?* separation of powers and checks and balances separation of powers and federalism checks and balances and federalism

separation of powers and checks and balances

*2. John Locke is cited for influencing our founding fathers with the phrase "life, liberty, and property," a phrase which was modified slightly by Thomas Jefferson when he wrote "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." In which document are these words written by Thomas Jefferson?*

the Declaration of Independence

*14. If a country has a political system where some decisions are made in local legislatures and others are made in the national legislature. Whose government would this most likely be compared to?* the British system under the Magna Carta the U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia the system of government advocated by Plato the Articles of Confederation

the U.S. system of government created in Philadelphia

*You are writing a speech for school about the need for citizens to participate in their political system. Who would you quote as the earliest proponent of this notion?* Alexis de Tocqueville Aristotle John Locke Plato

Aristotle

*1. Which leading political thinker is given credit for his influence on the separation of powers?*

Charles-Louis Montesquieu

*1. According to the author of this course, why is Tocqueville still relevant today?* -Citizens should beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political process. -Community action is not useful today, as he predicted. -Democracy worked better during his time, and we should return to it.

Citizens should beware of being too self-absorbed and not participating in the political process.

*1. Which of the following documents outlines the purpose of government to protect the social rights of its citizens, chiefly among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?* Mayflower Compact Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation

Declaration of Independence

*4. If you were to read about a country whose government allows their president to declare war on another country, and individually coin money to fight the war without the consent of any other government official. Which of the following would best describe this system as compared with the government in the United States?* It is the same in the United States. In the United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without the vote of Congress. In the United States only the Congress can officially declare but the president must fund it. In the United States the president can only declare a war, but cannot fund it.

In the United States the president can neither declare nor fund a war without the vote of Congress.

*9. How can the principle of federalism promote the protection of civil rights in the American federal system?* It provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from abuses of power by the other. It provides states enough power to protect their citizens from abuses of power by the national government. It provides the national government with enough power to protect citizens from abuses of power by the states in which they live.

It provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect citizens from abuses of power by the other.

*2. How did Alexis de Tocqueville describe the 1830s in America?* -It was a time of unrelenting self-interest rather than community. -There was a realization of the ideal religiously-based society that only benefited themselves. -It was a time when Americans worked together for the common good of others. -It was a time when governments had the proper balance between national and state power.

It was a time when Americans worked together for the common good of others.

*Which of the following is true of the Bill of Rights?* It was included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who opposed ratification of the Constitution. It is largely defined and interpreted by the Congress and state legislatures. It consists of the first twelve amendments to the Constitution.

It was included in the Constitution as a concession to the Anti-federalists who opposed ratification of the Constitution.

*2. According to Tocqueville, civic virtue means simply that individuals have interests and desires that are not solely focused on themselves. Rather, they are willing to give up some of the things they want in order to promote the common good. What did he mean by this?* The more the economy grows, the more prosperous and happy everyone will be. People who don't know the issues and who cannot articulate their self-interest should not vote. People would build businesses that would help others by employing community members. People should help one another because the welfare of others affects individual welfare.

People should help one another because the welfare of others affects individual welfare.

*5. According to Hobbes, what would life be like without limits on an individual's behavior or if living in a state of nature?* Amazing Mundane Perilous Joyful

Perilous

*10. Who was considered to be the inventor of philosophy?* Cicero Machiavelli Plato Aristotle

Plato

*3. How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches?* Power is separated, but in such a way that two branches can easily work together to out vote the efforts of the third branch to exercise its powers. Power is not clearly separated, so it is difficult to determine who has what power or check on the other branches. Power is completely separated, allowing each branch to act and follow through without interference from the other two branches. Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to limit the other branches' exercise of power.

Power is not completely separated, allowing each branch to limit the other branches' exercise of power.

*1. After studying and reading examples about liberty and order consider the following: After the terrorist attack on September 11, President Bush and Congress passed the PATRIOT Act, which expanded the power of law enforcement to secretly investigate potential terrorists. What does this suggest?* The president believed Americans had too little liberty and too much security. The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too much security. The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too little security. The president believed Americans had both too little liberty and too little security.

The president believed Americans had too much liberty and too little security.

*8. Which of the following IS NOT an example of checks and balances in the United States Constitution?* The president can veto laws passed by Congress, but Congress can override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses. The Supreme Court can review laws passed by congress and declare them unconstitutional if they deem them inconsistent with the Constitution. The president can veto a Supreme Court decision, but only with the support of a two-thirds majority vote in Congress. If the House believes the president is guilty of "high crimes or misdemeanors," it can formally charge or impeach the president. A trial to decide whether to remove the president from office is held in the Senate.

The president can veto a Supreme Court decision, but only with the support of a two-thirds majority vote in Congress.

*1. For the separation of powers or Three Branches of Government to work in practice, what item(s) are needed?* Elected Representatives. The use of checks and balances. The legislative and executive branches should be separate. Electing a President.

The use of checks and balances.

*13. The Founders established a republican form of government. Why did they do this?* They believed the self-interest of the politicians needed to be restrained. They wanted the government to be as "conservative" as possible. They believed elected officials could represent citizens and could be kept in check through elections.

They believed elected officials could represent citizens and could be kept in check through elections.

*What are two examples of the checks and balances the Executive Branch has on Congress and the Judicial Branch?* Frequent elections, nominating judges Veto power, nominating judges Veto power, determining if a law is unconstitutional Elected officials, veto power

Veto power, nominating judges

*7. Which of the following would Tocqueville most likely endorse?* encouraging civic groups to help the poor creating national government programs to help the poor creating state government programs to help the poor encouraging the poor to help themselves through public education

encouraging civic groups to help the poor