US Constitution

To address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, delegates at the Constitutional Convention agreed to

• increase the powers of the central government

• allow states to set tariff rates

• eliminate the slave trade

• decrease the number of states

Why was the English Bill of Rights important in the development of democratic government?

• It designated the monarch as the undisputed leader of government with veto powers on all bills.

• It replaced the monarch with a parliament of elected representatives from all classes of society.

• It created a constitutional monarchy limiting the power of the monarch.

• It established the right of the people to bring lawsuits against the government leaders.

Which aspect of the United States Constitution reflects a concept from the Declaration of Independence?

• It specifies the methods for resolving social disputes.

• It creates a representative government based on consent of the governed.

• It includes methods for changing a government that is unresponsive to the people.

• It creates a formal association of states guided by a council.

The Articles of Confederation reflects which concept from the Declaration of Independence?

• All men are created equal.

• Government power should be limited by a constitution.

• The states should maintain autonomy.

• The people have the right to overthrow abusive governments.

The Mayflower Compact is the first example in America of _____.

• divine oversight of government

• popular sovereignty

• democratic self-government

• constitutional monarchy

Which political concept was included in the Mayflower Compact?

• reasons for social control

• consent of the governed

• civil rights and liberties

• rule of law

Which statement describes a key weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It did not establish a legislative or judicial branch within the new government.

• It did not address how the federal government would coin money.

• It did not give the federal government enough power to enforce its laws.

• It did not gave the federal government the authority to declare war or negotiate treaties.

By limiting the monarch’s powers, the Magna Carta paved the way for the Constitution’s concept of __________.

• checks and balances

• due process of law

• representative government

• judicial review

What compromise did the delegates reach over the issue of states’ rights?

• The Bill of Rights protected them in the Tenth Amendment.

• The Constitution protected them in the Exclusion Clause.

• The Constitution failed to mention them specifically.

• The Bill of Rights made them secondary to federal authority.

How did the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution address the question of American Indians?

• It subsidized merchants who traded with American Indians.

• It taxed commerce with American Indian tribes at high foreign rates.

• It authorized the government to regulate commerce with American Indians.

• It forbade commerce with American Indian tribes within the territories.