Module 2 Review

What did the American colonists not include in the Declaration of Independence?

• a list of the colonists' grievances

• the penalties for violating economic rights

• the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• the belief that all men are equal

Answer explanation

The Declaration of Independence did not include the penalties for violating economic rights. It did, however, include a list of the colonists' grievances, the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and the belief that all men are equal.

Which of the following did not result from the creation of the Articles of Confederation?

• States could print their own money.

• There were too many representatives per state.

• The states were not obligated to contribute money to the war effort to fight for independence.

• The federal government lacked a judicial system.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is that there were too many representatives per state. The Articles of Confederation did result in states being able to print their own money, states not being obligated to contribute to the war effort, and the federal government lacking a judicial system. However, it did not cause an excess of representatives per state.

Which of the following does not describe The Articles of Confederation?

• The Articles permitted states to conduct their own affairs.

• The Articles created states that were dependent on each other.

• The Articles created a weak federal government.

• The Articles took four years to be adopted.

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation did not create states that were dependent on each other. Instead, they allowed states to conduct their own affairs and created a weak federal government. The Articles took four years to be adopted, but this fact does not describe their content or structure.

Which of the following was not a power held by the federal government under the Articles of Confederation?

• to ensure states uphold the law

• to borrow money

• to declare war

• to settle disputes between states

Answer explanation

Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had limited powers. It could borrow money, declare war, and settle disputes between states. However, it did not have the power to ensure states uphold the law, as this responsibility was left to the individual states.

Which of the following characteristics does not describe the Articles of Confederation?

• a strong centralized government

• difficult to maintain and weak

• created a lot of conflict between states

• no executive or judicial branches of government

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation did not describe a strong centralized government. Instead, they established a weak central government with limited powers, which led to difficulties in maintaining the nation and conflicts between states. The Articles also lacked executive and judicial branches of government.

What document was created to govern the United States after the Articles of Confederation were ratified?

• the United States Constitution

• the United States Colonists Act

• the United States Congressional Doctrine

• the United States Patriot Laws

Answer explanation

The United States Constitution was created to govern the United States after the Articles of Confederation were ratified. The other options, such as the United States Colonists Act, the United States Congressional Doctrine, and the United States Patriot Laws, are not relevant to the question. The Constitution established a stronger federal government and replaced the weaker Articles of Confederation.

In 1787, which of the following plans proposed that the only changes to Congress would be for the addition of some specific powers, an executive chosen by the legislature, and that congressional law would take precedence over state laws?

• Connecticut Plan

• New Jersey Plan

• Virginia Plan

• New England Plan

Answer explanation

The New Jersey Plan, proposed in 1787, suggested that the only changes to Congress would be the addition of specific powers, an executive chosen by the legislature, and the precedence of congressional law over state laws. This plan aimed to maintain equal representation for all states, unlike the Virginia Plan, which proposed representation based on population.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was considered _____, which means it only had one house of elected representatives.

• unicameral

• bicameral

• univocal

• unequivocal

Answer explanation

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was considered unicameral, meaning it had only one house of elected representatives. This is in contrast to a bicameral system, which has two houses. The term 'univocal' and 'unequivocal' are not related to the structure of Congress and are therefore incorrect.

A balance between strong state governments and a superseding national government is known as _____.

• federalism

• nationalism

• conservatism

• patriotism

Answer explanation

Federalism is the correct answer because it refers to a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states. This balance between strong state governments and a superseding national government is a key feature of federalism, distinguishing it from nationalism, conservatism, and patriotism, which do not specifically address this balance.

Anti-Federalists were in favor of _____.

• a strong centralized government

• British rule

• the Articles of Confederation

• the Constitution

Answer explanation

Anti-Federalists were in favor of the Articles of Confederation. They opposed a strong centralized government, as proposed by the Constitution, and preferred a weaker central government with more power given to the states. They were not in favor of British rule or the Constitution.