Unit 1 - What Principles Make Our Government Work?

The main reason the Articles of Confederation were replaced as the basis of the United States government was that they

• lacked provision for a national congress

• failed to give the central government enough power to govern effectively

• placed too many restrictions on the activities of state governments

• declared that political protests were unconstitutional

Disagreement at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 over the Virginia and New Jersey plans was resolved by a compromise that

• guaranteed continuation of the slave trade for at least twenty more years
• limited the power of the federal government to wage war
• provided for construction of a new national capital in the south
• created a Congress made up a Senate and a House of Representatives

Government:

• Provides order
• Prevents chaos
• Is an institution through which a society makes and enforces public policies
• All of the above

Which principle of the U.S Constitution is described: Everyone in the country must follow the same rules, from average person to the President

• Rule of Law
• Republicanism
• Federalism
• Popular Sovereignty

Democracy requires all of the following to prosper EXCEPT:

• Public school system
• Network of social services
• Citizen participation in civic life
• A large, powerful upper class

The main purpose of the first ten amendments to the Constitution was to

• protect the sovereignty of states.
• establish the system of checks and balances
• protect the new nation from foreign influence
• protect the rights of individuals

Why is civil society an important element of a democratic system of government?

• Politicians can better identify voters who will support them.

• Citizens develop shared patterns of interaction and participation.

• Outside groups of people often create laws.

• Special interest groups provide a foundation for political parties.

John Jay believed the Articles of Confederation needed changes that would “Let Congress legislate. Let others execute. Let others judge.” Jay’s words express what constitutional principle?

• Democracy
• Separation of powers
• Bipartisan compromise
• Federalism

The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was to

• protect individual liberties against abuse by the Federal Government.
• provide for equal treatment of all people.
• separate powers between the three branches of government.
• limit the power of state governments.

Changes in, or additions to, a constitution. Proposed by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or by a convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. Ratified by approval of three-fourths of the states.

• Virginia Plan

• amendment

• contitution

• Bill of Rights