Unit 1 - The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights

What was the most important diplomatic effect of the Declaration of Independence for the United States?

• It allowed foreign governments to officially recognize the United States.

• It forced Great Britain to trade with the United States.

• It required Great Britain to pay war reparations to the United States.

• It allowed the United States to establish immigration quotas.

"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States." - U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2

Which statement from the Declaration of Independence influenced Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution?

• "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power."

• "To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

• "He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers."

• "These United Colonies are, and of a Right ought to be Free and... they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown."

The ideas contained in the Declaration of Independence helped --

• motivate European rulers to establish new colonies.

• inspire people in other countries to question the authority of their government.

• encourage new settlers in South America to assimilate native populations.

• persuade religious leaders in other countries to stop the persecution of non-Christians.

"Where... the investigation is no longer a general inquiry into an unsolved crime but has begun to focus on a particular suspect, the suspect... has requested and been denied an opportunity to consult with his lawyer, and the police have not effectively warned him of his absolute Constitutional right to remain silent, the accused has been denied 'the Assistance of Counsel' in violation of the Sixth Amendment..." - Escobedo v. Illinois, 1964

What was one impact of this ruling?

• Impeachment procedures were redefined.

• Due process guidelines were reexamined.

• Full faith and credit was reaffirmed.

• State laws were deemed supreme over federal laws.

"Most states allow citizens to vote in elections after presenting a voter-registration card. Some federal legislators attempted to pass a bill requiring another form of identification for voting. Some citizens who opposed this proposed bill solicited donations and hired someone to talk to members of Congress on their behalf. The hired representative met with the members of Congress and attempted to persuade them to vote against the bill."

What type of political activity is described in this scenario?

• Protesting

• Boycotting

• Lobbying

• Recalling

Which action is the best example of a civic responsibility?

• Writing an editorial piece for a newspaper.

• Volunteering to sell raffle tickets.

• Voting on election day.

• Opening a business.

Which of the following is an example of fulfilling a civic responsibility?

• Interviewing for a job.

• Reporting to jury duty.

• Collecting donations for charity.

• Preserving records of ethnic ancestry.

"The guards would not let him in because he refused to remove his turban... the turban is not a hat, but it is a religious symbol... He cited his ____?____ right to practice his religion and his ____?____ protection against unreasonable searches, noting that he had already passed through the metal detector."

Which two Amendments should replace the questions marks in this excerpt?

• Fifth Amendment and Eighth Amendment

• Third Amendment and Seventh Amendment

• First Amendment and Fourth Amendment

• Second Amendment and Sixth Amendment

Read the excerpt and answer the question that follows.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

What is the meaning of 'unalienable rights'?

• Rights that change over time

• Rights that cannot be taken away or denied

• Rights that only governments can provide

• Rights that cannot be defined and protected

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

--The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

Which phrase best describes the goal of this Amendment?

• To restrict civil liberties

• To limit due process rights

• To restrain the power of judicial activists

• To limit the power of the federal government