Foundations of American Government

The Framers of the Constitution wanted to protect people’s natural rights. This idea was reflected in the work of

• French writer Baron de Montesquieu
• King George III
• a.  English philosopher John Locke
• Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Which document became the foundation of the first government of the United States?

• The US Constitution
• The Articles of Confederation
• The Mayflower Compact
• The Declaration of Independence

Why did Americans deliberately place so many limitations on the Articles of Confederation?

• George Washington was widely regarded as an ineffective leader
• They thought that the American people were smart enough to govern themselves
• It was their first attempt at governing, so they lacked experience
• After years of British rule, they were determined not to place too much power in the hands of one ruler

he conflict between the large states and the small states in the crafting of the Constitution centered on

• whether judges should be chosen by popular vote.
• whether there should be a monarchy or a presidency.
• deciding how to count the votes of slaves in national, federal elections.
• how best to represent the interests of the people and the states in the legislature.
  

The Three-Fifths Compromise 

• counted each slave as 3/5 of a person
• settled the issue of how to count slave for representation
• was a temporary solution
• all of the above

Why did the Anti-Federalists push for the addition of a Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution?

• they believed the government needed protection from possible uprisings
• they believed the people's liberties needed protection from the government
  
• there was already a requirement to do so, but the Federalists were ignoring it
• there was a precedent set for doing so in Great Britain's Constitution

Define federalism.

• shared powers and responsibilities between national and state governements
• a strong central government
• a colonial  government
• a government by the people

What is the supreme law of the land?

• Supreme Court
• The legislative branch
• The US Constitution
• The president

Checks and Balances can best be defined as 

• A means by which each branch of government limits the power of other branches
• A banking system that allows the national government to balance checks
• A banking system that allows the national government to balance checks b.  A means of voting for a president and vice president
• Sharing power between the federal and state governments.

Which branch can rule a law unconstitutional?

• Executive
• Legislative
• Judicial
• State governments