US History Pre-Test

John Locke and Thomas Hobbes believed that all people and their governments had a “social contract”. What did it state?

• People must obey laws in order to be given rewards

• Governments can be overthrown if they are not protecting the people

• People can be elected to hold public office

• Governments have the right to rule as they please

Following the French and Indian War, which statement best summarizes King George’s view:

• “We are in great debt and we must do all we can to avoid another war.”

• “Now it’s time to ask for peace!”

• “Let’s attack Spain next!”

• “Maybe we should ask the French for forgiveness”

When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence he said that all men had three basic rights – what were those three rights?

• Life, Liberty, and Property

• Life, Property, and the Power to Have a Say

• Life, Liberty, and Ownership

• Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

This famous colonist author argued that it was “Common Sense” that the colonies break away from Great Britain:

• Thomas Paine

• John Hancock

• George Washington

• Paul Revere

Why did America’s first government, the Articles of Confederation, fail?

• It was very corrupt and had a difficult time keeping the people satisfied

• It was impossible to make laws because there was no committee process

• It did not let the people vote

• To make decisions, all states had to reach a consensus (which was very difficult)

Which “plan” of government favored small states by giving them 2 electors per state?

• The New Jersey Plan

• The Virginia Plan

• The Connecticut Plan

• The New Hampshire Plan

In the law-making process, if the President vetoes a bill, what can Congress do with it?

• They can override the veto with a 3/4 vote

• They can pass the bill with a 1/2 vote

• They can override the veto with a 2/3 vote

• They can pass the bill with support from the 3/4 of the states

What amendment guarantees you the right to refuse to testify at your own trial?

• 2nd

• 3rd

• 5th

• 7th

What fraction of states must ratify an amendment before it goes into effect?

• 2/3

• 3/4

• 1/2

• 5/5

The Great Compromise created a bicameral Congress, where the House of Representatives received members from a state based on ___________, and the Senate received members based on ___________.

• Equality, Population

• Population, Equality

• Geographic Size, Equality

• Equality, Geographic Size