Origins of US Government

A federal government is one in which

• Powers are divided between a legislative branch and an executive branch.

• Power is divided between a central government and local governments.

• Limited powers are assigned to a central agency by independent states.

• All power is concentrated in the central government.

In a democracy, the will of the majority

• Cannot be used to deprive rights to a member of a minority group.

• Rarely leads to satisfactory policy decisions.

• Is not open to compromise.

• Cannot be changed or improved upon.

In the charter colonies, most governmental matters were handled by

• The colonists

• A proprietor

• Parliament

• The British monarch

Which idea is NOT included in the Declaration of Independence?

• People have certain natural rights.

• God gives certain people the right to govern.

• Government can exist only with the people's permission.

• The people may change or abolish the government.

After the Revolutionary War, the National Government

• Began imposing harsh tax policies on property owners and merchants

• Permitted the States to make agreements with foreign governments.

• Refused to repay the war debt it owed to the States.

• Proved too weak to deal with growing economic and political problems.

The government set up by the Articles of Confederation had -

• Only a legislative branch, consisting of a bicameral Congress.

• Only a legislative branch, consisting of a unicameral Congress.

• Only a legislative and an executive branch.

• No legislative or judicial branch.

Which was an achievement of the Second Continental Congress?

• Passing the Intolerable Acts

• Establishing a strong central government

• Raising an American army

• Preparing a Declaration of Rights

The Federalist papers were written to -

• Condemn the Constitution for the absence of any mention of God.

• Urge ratification of the Constitution in Ohio.

• Expose the lack of civil liberties protected in the Constitution.

• Win support for the Constitution in New York.

At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, the delegates agreed to -

• Draft a new constitution.

• Pass proposals by unanimous vote only.

• Open their sessions to the public.

• Make minor revisions to the Articles of Confederation.

Much of the Declaration of Independence consists of

• Threats of revenge for English mistreatment.

• Complaints of the wrongs done to the colonists.

• Lists of the rights of all people.

• Statements of the desire to separate from England.