EOC practice #1

Why did the framers of the Constitution separate the power to make laws, to enforce laws, and to interpret laws between different branches of government?

• to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful
• to make the national government more efficient
• to increase the power of the presidency
• to ensure Congress would act according to the will of the people

What pamphlet denounced British rule and fanned the flames of revolution?

• Magna Carta
• Two Treatises of Government
• Mayflower Compact
• Common Sense

This quotation from an anonymous source in 1770 most likely was written by who, and for what purpose?: "THE HORRID MASSACRE IN BOSTON, Perpetrated in the evening of the fifth day of March, 1770, by soldiers... which were then quartered there..."  

• A Redcoat, to describe the risk of serving as a British soldier
• A Patriot, to raise raise fears about the British army in the colonies
• A Loyalist, to gain support for quartering British troops
• An eyewitness, to promote non-violent protest

In 2011, pro-democracy demonstrations happened in Egypt. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets to demand free elections, freedom of speech, and end to corruption and brutality by the government, and the end of existing regime. After 18 days, the president of Egypt resigned. Which idea from the US Declaration of Independence best supports the actions of the Egyptian people?

• The government protects the natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
• Citizens have the right to alter or abolish a government that violates their natural rights 
• All citizens are created equal and have certain unalienable rights
• Citizens agree to follow the rules of a social contract

Why was it difficult to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?

• All laws required a unanimous vote from all 13 states 
• Passing a law required the votes of 9 of the 13 states
• The national government did not have a legislature
• Americans were content to follow the laws of England 

The Preamble of the Constitution lists six goals, including which of the following?

• to separate from Britain 
• to have a Supreme Court
• to decrease the power of the federal government 
• to form a more perfect union

Examine these pairings:
Legislative - Makes Laws
Executive - Carries out Laws
Judicial - Interprets Laws
What principle is being illustrated?

• Federalism
• Separation of Powers
• Checks and Balances
• Popular Sovereignty

Who is involved in the following conversation?
"I can't support the new constitution, it has no bill of rights!" 
"I can't either, the states should have more power."

• Patriots, afraid of ineffective government
• Federalists, afraid of losing liberty
• Anti-federalists, afraid of a strong national government
• Loyalists, afraid of losing property rights 

Here is a quote from Patrick Henry in 1788, when the new constitution was being debated: "...who authorized them to speak the language of 'We the People," instead of "We the States?"
Based on that statement, with what group did  Patrick Henry most likely side with during the ratification debate? 

• the Federalists
• the Anti-federalists
• the Loyalists

What is meant by "the rule of law?"

• people are the source of power for the government
• all people, even the leaders of the government, must follow the law
• power should divided between three branches of government
• courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and other laws