Origins and Purpose of Government Test Review 2020

The statement below was made by John Adams.

A government of laws, and not of men.

Which principle was John Adams referring to in this statement?

• federalism

• rule of law

• limited government

• separation of powers

Which statement BEST reflects the views of a ­Federalist?

• "I believe we need a bill of rights."

• "I fear a strong, central government."

• "I think we should amend the Articles of Confederation."

• "I support ratification of the Constitution."

The excerpt below is from Anti-Federalist No. 84.

The principles, therefore, upon which the social compact is founded, ought to have been clearly and precisely stated, and the ... full declaration of rights to have been made. But on this subject there is almost an entire silence.

According to this excerpt, what was a major complaint during the debate over the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• the states having too much power

• the lack of a bill of rights

• the lack of a strong central government

• the executive branch being too weak

Which statement supports the Anti­-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• The Constitution should create a strong national government.

• The Constitution should protect fundamental rights

• The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians

• The Constitution should limit state government.

The passage below is from Federalist 51, written by James Madison in 1788.

“… the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places. ”

Which constitutional principle does Madison describe in the passage?

• Popular sovereignty

• Judicial review

• Checks and balances

• Separation of powers

The statement below was made by John Adams.

A representation of the people in one assembly being obtained, a question arises, whether all the powers of government, legislative, executive, and judicial, shall be left in this body? I think a people cannot be long free, nor ever happy, whose government is in one assembly.

Which basic idea of American government is John Adams addressing in this statement?

• civic virtue

• separation of powers

• natural laws

• individual rights

How does the system of checks and balances reinforce the separation of powers?

• by dividing the government duties among three branches

• by defining the roles of each branch of government in three separate articles

• by giving each branch of government powers to limit the other branches

• by dividing power between the national and state levels of government

The graphic above shows roles of the three branches of government. What has been the lasting impact of this structure of government?

• The structure has prevented the executive branch from having any real power

• Governmental power has been limited enough to prevent any one person or branch from exercising total control.

• State governments have lost almost all of their powers to the federal government.

• The structure has not been strong enough to prevent the judicial branch from exercising executive powers.

Which phrase completes the table?

• Appoints officials and administers agencies to carry out the laws

• Amends laws not under another jurisdiction

• Rules on the constitutionality of laws

• Creates legislatures to develop new laws

According to the Preamble of the Constitution, which of the following are basic purposes of government?

• ensure life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness

• establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for common defense, and promote welfare

• collect taxes, print money, establish a military, and regulate commerce

• provide services, provide laws, and guarantee freedoms