Unit 1: Foundations of American Government

As the weight of the legislative authority requires that it should be thus divided, the weakness of the executive may require, on the other hand, that it should be fortified. —Federalist No. 51

4. Which principle of government is being described in this excerpt?

• A. checks and balances

• B. individual rights

• C. federalism

• D. popular sovereignty

7.According to John Locke, what was the primary purpose of government?

• A. to support an aristocratic class

• B. to protect natural rights of individuals

• C. to promote equality among citizens

• D. to uphold complete religious toleration

. . . that the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects. If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular vote. . . . —The Federalist Papers: No. 10

12. Which feature of the U.S. government is intended to eliminate the problems caused by factions as described in this excerpt?

• A. Governing power is divided among levels of government.

• B. Each branch of government has the power to check the others.

• C. People elect representatives to make the laws.

• D. Disputes between states must be settled in court.

The MagnaCarta, the British Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence are documents that are based upon the idea that legitimate government comes from the people.

13. This is known as

• A. separation of powers.

• B. federalism.

• C. popular sovereignty.

• D. monarchy.

14. Which statement describes the result of the Great Compromise?

• A. Reserved powers were implemented to form different levels of government.

• B. Representation in a bicameral legislature was established.

• C. Executive authority was given to the office of the president.

• D. The judicial branch was formed to create a system of checks and balances.

17. Which of the following is a “check” the President has on the Supreme Court?

• A. the power to declare an action of the Supreme Court unconstitutional

• B. the power to approve the new appointments to the Supreme Court

• C. the power to nominate new members to the Supreme Court

• D. the power to veto decisions of the Supreme Court

How does the United States of America change its government every four years as promised in the Declaration of Independence?

• By rioting in the streets of Boston

• By a peaceful election.

• By posting complaints on Facebook and Twitter

• By shifting power between military branches

The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries.

• Power

• Nation

• Sovereignty

• Embargo

A system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control.

• Oligarchy

• Theocracy

• Republic

• Dictatorship

A government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to the people, exercise that power.

• Nation

• State

• Democracy

• Republic