Articles of Confederation & the Constitution

What is the highest legal authority in the United States government?

• the President

• U.S. Constitution

• the Supreme Court

• state constitutions

Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers

Rights of the Accused

All of these are characteristics of which type of government?

• monarchy

• autocracy

• limited government

• unlimited government

The division of governing power between the national and state/local governments is called

• federalism.

• conservatism.

• checks and balances.

• separation of powers.

The United States Congress may pass laws, and they go into effect if the President signs the law. However the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. This is an example of

• supremacy

• veto power

• federalism

• checks and balances

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

• there was a precedent set for doing so in Great Britain's 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

A government principle by which the legislative, judicial, and executive powers are essentially held by different groups and people is called

• reserved powers.

• expressed powers.

• checks and balances.

• separation of powers.

Which branch of the federal government is responsible for interpreting the laws of the United States?

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

• Treasury

It can be said that, since Americans elect people to make the laws of the country, the United States is actually a (hint: think of the Pledge of Allegiance)

• Monarchy

• Democracy

• Oligarchy

• Republic

Which situation could NOT have occurred under the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress could ask states for money

• a postal service could deliver mail

• the President could be removed from office

• states could decide not to follow national law

The rebellions started by Daniel Shays in 1786 were a protest against

• a tax on whisky.

• the war against Britain.

• debts and high taxes

• the calling of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.