Govt. Unit 1-2

[T]o assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to

which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to

the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which

impel them to the separation.

—Declaration of Independence, 1776

The inclusion of the phrase “the Law of Nature and of Nature’s God” is most likely a

reference to which of the following?

• Establishing a new nation should be based on reason and moral principles.

• There is no standard by which to judge good versus bad governments.

• All governments, even tyrannical ones, are just.

• All revolutions must be explained to the world.

Which political idea is based on the belief that citizens must be willing to give up

some freedoms in exchange for the protection of rights?

• Social contract

• Rule by the majority

• Divine right

• Natural rights

The Declaration of Independence lists “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” as

• unalienable rights

• state’s rights

• legislative duties

• governmental powers

The rule of law and __________ refer to the establishment of procedures that

limit the power of leaders and government bodies.

Which political tradition completes the excerpt?

• constitutionalism

• popular sovereignty

• judicial review

• common law

Which of the following Founding Fathers is remembered as both a strong supporter

of central government as well as the principal author of the U.S. Constitution?

• James Madison

• John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Mason

In his service at the Constitutional Convention, Alexander Hamilton argued that the

Founders should establish a government characterized by

• a strong central authority

• a powerful aristocracy

• a growing merchant class

• a loose confederation of states

... It is most evident that kings, queens and other princes ... are ordained of

God, are to be obeyed and honoured by their subjects; that such subjects as

are disobedient or rebellious against their princes disobey God.’

— Queen Elizabeth I, Homily against Disobedience and Willful Rebellion, 1570

Which major political theory about governmental power is presented in this

excerpt?

• Divine right of kings

• Natural rights

• Enlightened monarchy

• Consent of the governed

Which Founding Father demanded the U.S. Constitution describe the rights of states

and individuals that the federal government should protect?

• George Mason

• James Madison

• Roger Sherman

• James Wilson

Opponents of the New Jersey Plan argued that the plan favored

• less populous states

• a split bicameral legislature

• a strong central government

• slaveholding states

It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little

dependent as possible on those of the others . . . Were the executive

magistrate, or the judges, not independent of the legislature in this particular,

their independence in every other would be merely nominal.

—James Madison, Federalist No. 51, 1788

Which democratic principle of the U.S. Constitution is Madison describing?

• Separation of powers

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty

• Republicanism