Unit 4 United States Constitution

Unit 4 How did the United States Constitution
lay a foundation for democracy?

Multiple Choice

Which section of the constitution exists to introduce the new government and its purposes?

• Article I

• Article II

• Preamble

• The Bill of Right

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the intent of the Preamble?

• List the rights belonging to the citizens.

• Protect the rights belonging to states.

• Limit the power of the new central government.

• Establish the goals and purposes of the new government.

Multiple Choice

“We the People of the United States... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

How is this statement reflected in the modern American political system?  

• The citizens elect representatives.

• The king is born into leadership.

• The president is born into leadership.

• The government elects representatives. 

Multiple Choice

Which part from the Preamble means "give freedom to ourselves and future generations"?

• “Establish justice”

• “Promote the general welfare”

• “Insure domestic tranquility” 

• “Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity”

Multiple Choice

What principle is reflected by the statement "we the people" in the preamble?

• Consent of the governed

• Check and balances

• Rule of law

• Due Process

Multiple Choice

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary…may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of checks and balances?

• Congress overrides presidential veto

• Judicial Branch interpreting laws

• Legislative branch creating laws

• Executive branch enforcing laws

Multiple Choice

…the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner that they may be a check on the other…The three branches should not be so far separated as to have no constitutional control over each other.”

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

What does the image represent?

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Which constitutional principle is BEST reflected in the image?

• Popular Sovereignty 

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Consent of the Governed

Multiple Choice

Below is a quote from Federalist Paper No. 47, James Madison

“The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

Based on the quote, which principle does Madison describe?

• Due Process

• Rule of Law

• Checks and balances

• Separation of powers

Multiple Choice

Below is a list actions taken by the state government.

-Defendant presented with the opportunity to remain silent

-Right to legal representation provided

-Time and place to confront witness and provide objections

Which feature of the Constitution is represented in the actions above?

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Rule of Law

• Due process

Multiple Choice

Which example illustrates the system of checks and balances?

• The Supreme Court enforces an executive order.

• The President vetoes a law proposed by the Congress.

• The President confirms the Supreme Court Justices.

• The Legislative branch pardons or forgives a crime.

Multiple Choice

Which action represents a principle of the rule of law?

• Decisions by the government are based on the law.

• Government leaders can alter the laws without notice or consent.

• The government makes daily decisions that impact rights secretly.

• Different social classes enjoy different rights and privileges.

Multiple Choice

Which principle of rule of law says decisions by the government that impact citizens’ right should be made open to the public, not in secret?

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Consistency

• Decisions based on law

Multiple Choice

Which principle of rule of law says the law should be applied and enforced for everyone in the same way, regardless of power or wealth?

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Consistency

• Decisions based on law

Multiple Choice

Which principle of rule of law says everyone must follow and answer to the law. No one is above the law?

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Consistency

• Decisions based on law

Multiple Choice

Shaun: We need order and safety during public meetings. How can elected officials get their work done if people are protesting outside their meeting? 

  

Elena: It is important that people let their opinions be known. Protests are okay as long as they are nonviolent.

Which constitutional principle supports Elena’s argument?

• The right to due process

• The right to plead the fifth

• The right to peacefully assembly

• The right to equal protection under the law

Multiple Choice

What is one of the five freedoms protected by the First Amendment?

• Freedom of speech

• Freedom of self-incrimination

• Freedom from unreasonable search and seizure

• Freedom from cruel and unusual punishments

Multiple Choice

Which of these rights from the Bill of Rights helps people accused of crimes?

• The right to bear arms for self defense

• The right to have the assistance of counsel

• The right not to have troops quartered in one’s home

• The right to petition government for a redress of grievances

Multiple Choice

Which Enlightenment idea most influenced the first ten amendments in the U.S. Constitution?

• Natural Rights

• Self-Government

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

Multiple Choice

Joe Smith was tried in state court a second time for the same crime, found guilty and sent to prison. Joe’s lawyer believes Joe has been wrongly imprisoned.

What could Joe’s lawyer do?

• Petition for a writ of certiorari

• Demand Joe’s “due process” rights

• Petition for a writ of habeas corpus

• Protest against an unfair ex post facto law

Multiple Choice

Which example illustrates a government-imposed limitation on individual rights that is permitted by the Constitution?

• Government officials arrest a newspaper editor for criticizing their policies.

• A defendant pleads the Fifth Amendment rather than testifying at her trial.

• Congress suspends the right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus during wartime.

• The police conduct the search of a private home without a warrant or “probable cause”.