Unit #2 - Foundations of American Government

"No official shall place a man on trial upon his own unsupported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it" - Magna Carta 
This quote from the Magna Carta can be interpreted as:

• People have the right to a speedy trial
• The King decides who is and who is not guilty
• Parliament sets up trials
• The accused have the right to confront the witnesses against them

In which of the following ways did the Mayflower Compact influence the US Constitution?

•  It said the people are the source of the government's power
• It guaranteed the right to free speech and the separation of church and state
• It established three branches of government and created a system of checks and balances
• It granted equal rights to all residents regardless of race or gender

Which document did the following?
1. Said the King could not suspend Parliament's laws, impose taxes, or raise an army without Parliament’s consent.
2. Said members of Parliament had to be freely elected.
3. Established the right to a jury trial and banned cruel and unusual punishment.

• The Declaration of Independence
• Magna Carta
• The English Bill of Rights
• The Mayflower Compact

How did the political philosophy of the framers change in-between the drafting of the Articles of Confederation and the writing of the US Constitution?

• The people became more accepting of a stronger central government
• The people wanted the states to acquire additional powers
• The people advocated for a dictator
• The people wanted to weaken the power of the legislature

Republics are based on the concept that popular sovereignty resides in:

• Elected representatives who rule
• The people - who delegate power to rule
• The King who rules alone
• Delegates who rule

What do the Magna Carta and the Articles of Confederation have in common?

• Both extended equal rights to women
• Both described slavery as an "atrocity"
• Both placed limits on the power of government
• Both strengthened the power of the central government

"...that the pretended power of suspending the laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, without consent of Parliament is illegal... that levying money for, or to the use of, the Crown without grant of Parliament is illegal..." -
from the English Bill of Rights
This quote illustrates which of the following ideas?

• The King needed the consent of Parliament to appoint advisers and ministers
• The King had the right to prosecute anyone protesting his laws
• The King needed the consent of Parliament to tax the people
• The King could suspend laws without permission from Parliament

Which of the following would be an example of the social contract theory in a high school setting?

• Parents are required to sign report cards and return them to school in a timely fashion
• Teachers must contact the parents of students who are failing
• You receive an "A" in government class for doing well on tests, completing all homework and actively participating in class discussions
• Students sign a code of conduct and agree to be a good student/person and in return they can participate in a sport or activity

- People are born selfish, wicked, and evil
- People need a strong monarch to govern them
- People give up their freedom in exchange for protection and security
These ideas are attributed to which Enlightenment philosopher?

• Montesquieu
• Locke
• Hobbes
• Rousseau

This graphic illustrates which principle of government?

• Federalism
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances
• Popular sovereignty